2007-10-11
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Moulden Park Primary School Year 5/6 students accompanied by Trudy Bland. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I attended two important graduations recently in my role as Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Last month I joined Police Commissioner Paul White, Acting Deputy Commissioner Grahame Kelly, the Director of the college, Commander Max Pope, NT Police Association President, Vince Kelly, and many other members of the force for the graduation of Squad 91.
It was an important day for police in the Territory and not simply because it meant 26 new constables on the books. Graduations are important because they bring new people with different strengths and talents into the force. They also bring new people into the Territory. Over half of Squad 91 graduates are new Territorians. The biggest contingent came from Queensland, from all over the state. Carlos Gallo came from Brisbane, Adrian Keogh from the Gold Coast, John Tickner from Laidley, Damien Barbe from Toowoomba, Adam Donaldson from Townsville, and Ben Schultz from Cairns. New South Wales provided five graduates with Syndee Galati, Luke Hoolihan, Marcus Lees and Alexander Thurston coming from Sydney, and Maree Martin from Lithgow. Steve Haig and Nathan Nunn are from Adelaide and Claire Neyland is our Victorian representative.
On behalf of everyone in this place, welcome to the Territory and congratulations on your achievement.
Madam Speaker, I am very proud of our 12 homegrown graduates in Squad 91. Katie McKean hails from the Douglas Daly, and Simone Wright is from Alice Springs. The rest are from Darwin, and I would like to name them: Luke Bevan, Darren Cox, Rachel Dickson, Dean Field, Wade Jeremiah, Gabriel Mercep, Michael Mullins, Garrin Metcalfe, Erin Simonato and Ellis Tracey. I take this opportunity, on behalf of all members, to officially welcome our graduates to one of Australia’s finest police forces.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the Police Recruit Squad Awards. There were four in all: Katie McKean did Alice Springs proud by winning the Rod Evans Memorial Trophy for the highest academic achievement; the Commissioner’s Trophy for the best overall course performer in academic, practical, and physical training was won by Adam Donaldson; the Physical Training Trophy for outstanding physical training ability was taken out by John Tickner; and the Glen Huitson Trophy for the most consistent application in all areas of the training course went to Nathan Nunn. Congratulations to the four award winners.
There would be no graduates without the dedicated people at the NTPFES College. I take this opportunity to acknowledge Commander Max Pope and his team, including Squad Coordinators Sergeant Dianna Brown, Sergeant Mark Nash, and Senior ACPO Mark Casey. They do a great job in grooming our future constables and, on behalf of all of us, I thank them.
Madam Speaker, I also recently attended the NT Fire and Rescue Service graduation parade. I was on hand to see 10 graduating firefighters join our ranks after an intense 16-week course. Like the police recruits some have come here from interstate - New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia – to work and build their career in the Territory.
Our Fire and Rescue Service has a strong reputation and is admired throughout the community. They deal with a range of emergency incidents - everything from bushfires, building fires and motor vehicle accidents to spillages and general rescues. The job is often dangerous and has many risks, but our Police, Fire and Emergency Services people always conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner.
I take this opportunity to welcome these graduates to the Territory and to the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service: Andrew Falconer, Eddie Daun, Anthony Miles, Jarred Ilett, David Quan, Jim Dalton, Kane Penley, Scott Hanson, Bill Gleeson and Anthony Blakely.
Madam Speaker, the Fire Recruit Award winners were also announced. The Silver Axe Award for Dux of the Fire Recruit Course was won by Bill Gleeson; the Physical Fitness Award by Andrew Falconer; and the Most Dedicated Student went to Scott Hanson. Congratulations to those three.
I know all our police and firefighting recruits will go on to make a significant contribution to the Territory, and we will continue to support them in their careers and in their day-to-day duties. On behalf of all of us, good luck to our new firies and new police officers.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for her report. It is a pity the kids from Moulden Park have gone. It would have been a great report for them to hear: men and women joining the ranks of our police force and our Fire and Emergency Services. It is interesting that you do not hear too many young kids these days saying they want to be a policeman or woman when they grow up. When I was a bit younger than I am now, lots of kids used to say: ‘I want to be a policeman or a policewoman when I grow up’. Maybe there is some work to be done in the schools of the Northern Territory.
We also welcome these people, interestingly gathered from Queensland predominantly - I think that has been a fairly steady trend - in addition to, as the Chief Minister said, our homegrown recruits. With the Chief Minister, we wish them well in what can only be an exciting career.
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I provide an update on the equine influenza outbreak. Equine influenza is a highly contagious disease of horses, mules, donkeys and other equine species. The symptoms of equine influenza include a sudden increase in temperature, a watery nasal discharge which quickly turns thick and pungent, and a deep, dry, hacking cough. It is not generally fatal to horses; however, fatalities may occur in old and infirmed horses and foals. Humans are not affected by the equine influenza, but can spread the virus to horses via infected clothing.
At 9.30 am on Saturday, 25 August 2007, equine influenza was confirmed at a horse stable in Sydney. By midday, 10 horses from south-east Queensland had been intercepted at Katherine. Two horses had already been unloaded from that contingent. This demonstrates the ability of our officers to rapidly respond to protecting our biosecurity. By 1 pm it was agreed that a national horse standstill be implemented and, at 4 pm, there was a suspicion of equine influenza at a pleasure horse event at Warwick in Queensland. National emergency animal disease arrangements were enacted with a Disease Control headquarters being established at Berrimah Farm’s administrative centre.
The Territory’s Disease Control Centre has been developed through a range of crisis simulation exercises, and involved the assignment of trained staff to fill the central roles within the control centre. A horse standstill was implemented to give Northern Territory officers time to trace the movements of suspect horses to prevent any spread of horses that were identified as a high risk. Horses that had recently arrived from interstate were put under surveillance and diagnostic blood samples were sent to the Berrimah veterinary laboratory. With the Territory’s disease free status confirmed, the horse standstill was revoked a week later.
On Friday, 7 September, Queensland authorities advised that one of the horses moved to the Territory had been in prior contact with a Queensland horse that had tested positive of horse flu. As a precautionary measure, veterinary officers and stock inspectors contacted the owners of the horses that had travelled to the Territory to advise that the quarantine would be imposed. Further testing of the Queensland horse for horse flu proved negative. Testing of horses in Darwin and Katherine regions were also negative.
The disease is contained within the affected areas of Queensland and New South Wales. The Northern Territory continues to assist in dealing with the national emergency. The staff from my department who are trained in the management of emergency animal diseases are now in New South Wales to provide much needed support to the huge eradication control effort. In New South Wales and Queensland, there are more than 4000 infected properties.
As I mentioned previously, we have tested our response to an outbreak of an exotic animal disease in a number of exercises which with the most recent being the Exercise Eleusis last year. However, the pressures of the real emergency tested these protocols. Considerable demands were placed on staff to effectively run a response 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This has led to a reinvestigation of our whole-of-government response arrangements to ensure that we are well placed to deal with a threat to our biosecurity, whether it be an animal or a plant disease, or an aquatic disease such as the Asian green mussel discovered in Darwin Harbour last week.
The risk of equine influenza in the Territory is still low, but we continue to remain vigilant to play our part in the national response. An independent inquiry into the entry and spread of equine influenza in Australia has also commenced. This inquiry will examine how the virus got into Australia and how it was spread.
I wish to express my thanks to all involved in the horse industry for their contribution in responding to the national standstill and the hard work of the response team to ensure that the Territory remains free from horse flu.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, we add our support of those who work in response to this important issue. It seems the department has been well tested on a couple of fronts: on the land with equine flu; and in the sea with the green mussels. We had black striped mussels before and leaf rust not so long ago. The organisation and capacity to respond has been well tested.
I take this opportunity, however, minister, to go into a different area because, as you know, these reports are presented with no preparation time given to the opposition for a response. I can say it is a comprehensive report and we note it.
I have a question regarding Berrimah Farm. There is a range of mango trees there from a variety of origins. It is regarded as a valuable stock of fruit trees from different origins that have been useful for root stock and testing the capacity of different strains for the Northern Territory. Can you advise us what will be happening to that mango orchard which has a very valuable collection of mango trees? Are there plans for those mango trees?
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his support of the department and the work they do. I am sure that the department will take the mango tree situation into account when the evaluation is done of the area. As you quite rightly point out, those mango trees have played a valuable role in the horticultural area.
I would like to hark back to equine influenza. It is pleasing to note that a buffer has been put around the infected areas of New South Wales and Queensland so that the disease does not spread throughout the rest of Australia. There is a regular phone link-up between all Primary Industry ministers from states, territories and the Commonwealth to ensure that all controls are in place and we stand prepared to ensure that horse influenza does not spread to the Northern Territory.
Mr HENDERSON (Tourism): Madam Speaker, today I inform the House of my recent visit to Brunei and Singapore last month.
First, I can advise members that Royal Brunei Airlines is committed to improving connections to Darwin, and expanding their networks. In Brunei, I met with the airline’s new Chief Executive, Mr Ray Sayer, and discussed opportunities to better improve passenger yield and capacity on existing services. Royal Brunei Airlines announced they will commence direct long-haul services from London to Brunei from December 2007, which will provide for better connection with their Darwin service. This is welcome news and offers opportunities for closer cooperation and marketing. This has been possible because of the delivery of four new Boeing B777s. Currently flights go via Dubai, which is a difficult market to sell in.
Tourism NT has offered joint cooperative marketing funding to highlight this new direct service to consumers in the United Kingdom. A new marketing campaign is being planned with wholesale and trade partners, which will incorporate an online component. In order for this new service to be a success, it is very important that the NT tourism industry and community in general support Royal Brunei and fly with them. I have extended an invitation to Mr Sayer and his senior executives to visit the Northern Territory and experience firsthand the range of products and unique lifestyle on offer in Darwin.
In Singapore, I met with Rosalynn Tay, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer for Tiger Airways. We discussed their new timetable for Darwin, which will see daily flights to Singapore from December, and domestic services via their new Australian arm to Melbourne. The Central Australia Tiger services three times a week will operate between Melbourne and Alice Springs.
From December this year, Tiger Airways will have increased its international capacity into Darwin by more than 75% since its commencement in December 2005. It will become the equal largest airline provider of international capacity into Darwin, with capacity levels similar to that of Jetstar. Tourism NT will be working on a range of exciting and innovative cooperative campaigns with the airline over the next few months.
The current campaign, launched in September, has seen two Tiger Airways aircraft have their overhead luggage bin doors branded with NT images and highlights of our website travelnt.com to access travel planning tools for their next trip on Tiger Airways to Darwin. Six images showcase the various experiences the Northern Territory is renowned for on two of their aircraft that will fly throughout non-Darwin Tiger Airways destinations, thus providing a potential audience of over 500 000 travellers over the next 12 months.
Whilst in Singapore, I also met with Steve Limbrick, Qantas Regional General Manager for South-East Asia. I voiced concerns with the service levels and lack of seats at peak times on the current aircraft operated by Jetstar Asia.
Qantas has advised that the introduction of Australian registered aircraft from February 2008 should lift the service level and improve seat availability. The London and Europe-based offices of Tourism NT and Qantas are working together regarding the development of fares for the launch of domestic fares on the Jetstar Singapore/Darwin service in February 2008. This will include a special launch fare from February to April 2008, returning October/November 2008 aimed at the long stay unstructured market eligible for passengers entering Australia via Darwin.
While current levels to the Northern Territory from our Asian neighbours remain relatively low, with international visitor survey estimates of 17 000 holiday visitors in 2006-07, these visitors are important to the Territory, both in maintaining close ties with our neighbours and for their strategic value in supporting regional airlines servicing Darwin International Airport.
Northern Territory operators Mirrambeena Travel Lodge, SKYCITY, Cape Don Fishing Adventures and Territory Discoveries, along with Tourism Top End and Tourism NT, attended the largest Singapore-based tourism consumer show, National Association Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), held at Singapore Expo from 14 to 16 September. Some 885 sellers were present for the two-and-a-half day consumer show, which saw over 57 000 consumers in attendance. Competition to offer competitive and attractive travel packages to the travelling public was intense. The key function for the Territory team was to provide advice on destination, travel products, itineraries and some special value-added deals to travellers considering the Territory.
Whilst in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised to find a small piece of the Northern Territory right in the heart of the city - The Red Dot Gallery. This gallery is the first fine art Aboriginal gallery in Singapore, opened in 2004. The gallery featured paintings from all over the Northern Territory, but particularly from Central Australia, and artists from the member for Macdonnell’s region. I managed to bring back some fabulous catalogues. It really gave me goose bumps to stand in that gallery and see this fabulous Central Australian art, Madam Speaker.
I look forward to keeping the House advised of further outcomes from our cooperative marketing campaigns with airlines as they develop, and further activities that my agency, Tourism NT, is planning to further grow our important strategic markets in Asia.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement today. It is great to hear that Aboriginal art is being so well promoted and sold in Singapore, particularly from the great region of the member for Macdonnell in Central Australia.
Yesterday, the minister talked about ocean liner shipping visitations into the Port of Darwin, and that is great news. It is great news today, as well, with Royal Brunei Airlines coming into the Northern Territory. It can only auger well for tourism in the Northern Territory, coupled with Tiger Airways.
I support the minister and the tourism operators in getting behind that and supporting these airlines so they can stay here and, of course, increase the flow of tourism throughout the whole of the Northern Territory. It is also pleasing to hear that overseas operators and Tourism NT in London and various other overseas ports the minister mentioned, are promoting the Northern Territory so actively. I welcome the minister’s report today; it is good news.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, talking further about Aboriginal art, early last month I attended the opening of the 17th annual Desert Mob Exhibition at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs. Desert Mob is Central Australia’s premier indigenous arts event, with works on display from 35 Aboriginal art centres from across the central desert region. It just gets better and better every year, and is now regarded as one of Australia’s top indigenous arts events.
Desert Mob is first and foremost a selling exhibition, and the proceeds from sales go straight back into the artists’ communities. Many of the works on display have been purchased for public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, National Gallery of Australia and the Charles Darwin University Collection. So far, there have been over $400 000-worth of sales and they are still continuing.
Desert Mob is a tribute to the artists, the volunteers, and the dedicated staff of the Aboriginal arts centres. These centres are often the hub of their communities. They are also a timely reminded of the important role that CDEP has played in the social, cultural and economic sustainability of these communities, and why it must continue. This year, three new art centres are exhibiting at Desert Mob for the first time: the Amoonguna Arts in Alice Springs, Spinifex Arts Project from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, and the Papunya community’s new arts centre Papunya Tjupi.
As part of our indigenous arts strategy, Building Strong Arts Business, new events have been added to Desert Mob to ensure it continues to grow and become even more spectacular. For example, the Desert Mob symposium was introduced last year. This year, the symposium was entitled ‘Arts Talks, Our Art, Our Way’ and the keynote speaker was Brenda Croft the Senior Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the National Gallery. There were also guest speakers from the Territory and Western Australia. It was, by all accounts, a great success.
The Desert Mob dance site moved away from Araluen this year to become a stand alone event at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Around 700 people attended the event and they saw 69 performers, including dancers and singers from eight dance groups across five language groups.
I was also fortunate to be among the 2000 or so people at the Desert Mob marketplace on the Saturday prior to the exhibition launch on the Sunday. It was, and always is, a memorable experience with thousands of works of art - all $200 or under - from right across the Central Desert region being snapped up by countless bargain hunters. There were canvases, pottery, scarfs, carvings; it was certainly one of the highlights of the Desert Mob exhibition – indeed, the whole Alice Desert Festival. Sales from the marketplace totalled over $120 000, and that was just in the four hours it was open. By bringing the visual arts, dance and discussion all together in one event, visitors are given a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the complexity and depth of Aboriginal culture.
We are strongly committed to the indigenous arts industry in Central Australia. I recently announced that a key component of our Moving Alice Ahead Strategic Vision is a focus on indigenous art and culture. We will establish a permanent exhibition at the Araluen Centre showcasing indigenous art and culture, and will pursue other exhibition opportunities. We will also work with the industry to encourage indigenous art and cultural tourism experiences, and promote Alice as a reputable place to buy Aboriginal art.
This year’s Desert Mob exhibition was once again a magnificent event. The artist and our arts centres deserve special praise. Without them, of course, there would be no Desert Mob. To Tim Rollison and his staff at Araluen, and John Oster and the members of the Desart Executive Committee, congratulations on a job well done; you have all done Alice Springs and the Territory proud.
Madam Speaker, for anyone who has not seen Desert Mob, it is still running. I take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has not seen it, to get there before it closes on the 21 October. It is spectacular. You will not see anything like it for colour and imagination, I reckon, anywhere in Australia or the world. It really is a visual delight - but take your Visa card with you.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for her report this morning. There is no doubt that indigenous art is finally, I consider, coming of age and being recognised and appreciated by more and more people, not only nationally but internationally. I honestly think that, nationally, Australians are becoming far more appreciative of indigenous art and culture as the time goes by. That is a very important part of Australian lifestyle; to become appreciative of it. The diversity in indigenous art and culture is really quite interesting. I certainly appreciate it.
Indigenous art and culture also is extremely important as a tourism attraction for the Northern Territory. I feel that we still have not captured that market as well as we could. A lot more needs to be done in that area. Central Australia is very lucky because they have Mbantua Gallery that is doing a lot in encouraging interest in indigenous art. At the moment, they are taking an exhibition to Japan for an extended time, and that is a great credit to Central Australia, especially Emily, whose work will be exhibited there. I hope that will be an attraction for the Japanese tourists who want to come to Australia to appreciate even more indigenous art and culture. I thank the minister for her report.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, the Chief Minister is right, it is a great exhibition. There is a smorgasbord of art there and you had to get in quick to get the best pieces because they were quickly snaffled up. I feel that I should not be up saying anything about this. It should be the members for Stuart and Macdonnell, because of their huge support for that industry within the Centre. I know that they are very proud of the people who have exhibited there.
It is one of those success stories that we have about Aboriginal art. It really does cut out many of the carpetbaggers that cause so many problems within that industry in Central Australia. We all know of examples. If we can encourage more artists on the fringes of the art industry to go through the right channels and if they, not just us, can go and look at this exhibition and see what they could achieve, it will help stop the bad practice that often happens within the Aboriginal art industry.
Chief Minister, I, like you, congratulate all those people involved in putting this together. It is a huge step. It is one of those things that really put Alice Springs on the map. Next year, we are having that large art conference in October. If we can coincide some of these huge exhibitions it would be great, because we can showcase not just to the Territory but, as you say, to all of Australia. Well done to all the people involved.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that leave of absence be granted to the member for Arafura for the remainder of this sitting due to a bereavement in the family.
Motion agreed to.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move the bill be now read a second time.
The main purpose of the Superannuation Law Reform Bill 2007 is to amend the Superannuation Act to establish a death and invalidity scheme for Northern Territory public sector employees in choice of fund superannuation arrangements, and to provide new superannuation products for members of the Northern Territory Government Public Authority Superannuation Scheme, NTGPASS.
The bill also makes minor amendments to the Superannuation Act and the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act (the LAMS act) to clarify that interest applied to NTGPASS and LAMS member superannuation accounts can be either positive or negative, and that the NTGPASS rules comply with the Australia government Better Super reforms.
The government gave a commitment during the enterprise bargaining negotiations in 2004-05 that equivalent death and invalidity cover will be provided to all Northern Territory public sector employees regardless of their superannuation arrangements, and that new NTGPASS superannuation products would be introduced. Since the closure of NTGPASS in August 1999, new employees have had to purchase death and invalidity cover through their choice of fund superannuation arrangements or an insurance provider. This created an inequity amongst Northern Territory public sector employees because employees who commenced before August 1999 were either members of NTGPASS or the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme and were automatically covered for death and invalidity at no cost to the employee.
The Northern Territory Government Death and Invalidity Scheme will provide employees and choice of fund superannuation arrangements with lump sum death and invalidity benefits equivalent to the benefits provided to NTGPASS members. Membership of the scheme covers Northern Territory public sector employees, police officers, members of parliament, and executive contract officers in choice of fund superannuation arrangements. The scheme will be at no cost to members.
The benefit payable from the scheme is the lump sum equivalent to 17.5% of salary for each year of future service to age 65. For the purpose of determining the amount of the benefit payable, the term ‘salary’ has been defined for each class of member of the scheme. For example:
a salary for an Executive Contract Officer is their salary for superannuation purposes as specified in the contract; that is, 65% of their total remuneration package;
The scheme commenced on 1 July 2007. However, until such time as legislation is passed, arrangements are in place to assess claims in line with the proposed rules of the scheme. As part of the last enterprise bargaining negotiations, this government also made a commitment to provide new superannuation products for NTGPASS members. These included spouse accounts, continuation of membership, member investment choice and allocated pensions.
Spouse accounts allowing NTGPASS members to establish an account on behalf of their spouse, and continuation of membership allowing former employees who are members of NTGPASS to continue contributing to the superannuation account, have been implemented and commenced on 1 July 2005. Member investment choice and an allocated pension are the final superannuation products to be implemented for NTGPASS members in line with our previous commitment. Member investment choice commenced on 1 July 2007 and allows NTGPASS members to choose from one of five investment options to invest their superannuation account balances in.
The investment options range from a conservative low-risk option to an aggressive higher-risk option. One of the investment options, the growth option, has been designated as the default investment option for members who do not wish to make a choice. NTGPASS members will be able to switch investment options at any time during the financial year. The first switch in the year will be free; however, additional switches made during the year will incur a fee which will be deducted from a member’s account.
An allocated pension product is expected to be available in January 2008 and will allow NTGPASS members to convert their superannuation lump sum into a retirement income stream. Members will have access to member investment choice, and be able to choose the frequency of payments and the amount they wish to receive from that allocated pension account.
Allocated pension account members will be charged a small annual administration fee each year, which will be deducted from their allocated pension account. The fee will be around $40, similar to the fee charged by the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trust, (AGEST), the Territory’s default superannuation fund for employees in choice of fund superannuation arrangements.
The amendments to the Superannuation Act and the LAMS act to clarify the definition of interest is simply to ensure the Territory accords with legal advice that it would be prudent to amend the governing legislation of NTGPASS and LAMS to make it absolutely clear that interest applied to member accounts can be either positive or negative.
Under the Australian government’s Better Super reforms, it is no longer compulsory for a person to withdraw their superannuation at age 65. The amendment to the NTGPASS rules to remove the reference to age 65 means that NTGPASS members will be able to keep their superannuation money in the scheme indefinitely.
The legislation honours this government’s commitment to various superannuation reforms designed to ensure that all Northern Territory public sector employees are provided with equivalent death and invalidity cover, and have access to similar superannuation products, regardless of their superannuation arrangements.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to the House.
Debate adjourned.
Continued from 29 August 2007.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, before I begin my second reading response to the bill, I extend to the member for Arafura my sincere and deepest sympathy on the loss of her father. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family as they go through this trying time.
Madam Speaker, the length of time this legislation has taken to get to this point has been interesting, to say the least. The development of an EPA was a promise of this government leading up to the 2005 election, and so has been a while in coming. The promise was for an independent EPA.
For as long as the discussions about the EPA have been going on in this Assembly, it seems to me the biggest sticking point and bone of contention has been the use of the word ‘independent’ in front of the EPA title. In itself, ‘independent EPA’ sounds appealing and gives confidence to the community, because it gives the impression of being without interference by government, and operating in the best interests of the whole of the community independently of government. An independent EPA should only have input from government through the minister appointing the board members. That is where it should end, and it should be self-funded.
An advisory board consists of public sector employees, has a chairman appointed by the minister, and a budget dictated by government. From my perspective and understanding, an advisory board provides advice to government - they sure do not have the final say. The latter is what I feel is being proposed – an advisory board.
I have always had a problem with this government’s interpretation of that word ‘independent’. As I have said in previous debates in this Assembly, to be a truly independent EPA, it should be professionally preferred, and not just politically preferred as it stands now. Credibility of information and advice to industry, government and the community needs to be without question - no doubts at all. The minute ‘government’ is breathed into the process, independence is nullified. Independence means, to me, right down to the final outcome.
Instead of that happening with the new independent EPA, whose job it is to put a stop to developments which have a detrimental effect on environmental grounds, this proposal whitewashes that and gives advice to the minister, who then chooses to make his or her final decision. That turns an independent EPA into providing advice only, which may or may not be taken up by the minister at her whim, whichever it may be. However, I am not suggesting for a moment that the current minister would make a decision on a whim, but the opportunity is there to do so.
It was interesting to note comments that were made on the Julia Christensen ABC morning program on Wednesday, 23 May this year. Julia was interviewing the minister for the Environment and quoted Tom Cowen from the Environmental Defender’s Office comments in relation to the make up of the EPA board. He said:
It is fairly evident that Tom Cowen has little confidence in the independence of this board. The implication is that the outcome does not reflect the consultations undertaken in the community. I have read some of the community consultations, and the reports that have come out of that, and they do not exactly agree with what Tom Cowen has said.
For the record, I am going to introduce into the Parliamentary Record some of the comments that have been made from community consultations. This was from Katherine:
In Alice Springs, some comments included:
Some comments from the Darwin community:
From the Darwin indigenous community:
From the Nhulunbuy community, comments were:
Also from Darwin industry:
The Darwin industry has also suggested:
The Darwin industry has also said:
They were just some of the comments that the community put to the committee when they were visiting. The consultation did go to all of the regional areas. They were a little varied. Some thought that, yes, it should be tied to government, and some thought it should be totally independent from government.
I have had a little difficulty in understanding the word ‘independent’ in this process. While the EPA may work totally independent and come up with a recommendation, the final decision is made by the minister, so it does come back to government scrutiny.
When the CLP was in government, we supported the development of an EPA. It was very important for us and for future generations to protect our environment and we did ...
Ms Martin: What?
Mr Henderson: Where? When? It was never policy.
Mrs MILLER: Madam Speaker, the CLP does support an EPA.
Mr Henderson: Well, you may do now.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: The difference is the Labor party promised an independent EPA which was very appealing to voters going into the election. This is not independent, this is advisory.
With the increasing demands for development across the Northern Territory it is more important than ever that environmental impacts are taken into consideration. With climate change also becoming increasingly evident, the EPA will be required to take on considerable watchdog scrutiny, so to speak, well into the future.
Developments that are proposed in and around the Darwin Harbour are a prime example of some of the work that is ahead of the EPA to ensure that the harbour is maintained in as pristine condition as possible. What we can already see is that there is considerable industrial development already around the harbour, on Middle Arm and Wickham Point which is already unsightly and, in my opinion, definitely needs to be limited ...
Mr Henderson: It is beautiful.
Mrs MILLER: No, it is not, it is unsightly.
Mr Henderson: I love it.
Mr Wood: Galvanised tin roofs.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: No, Darwin is still in the early stages of development for industrial areas and there is no excuse for spoiling the harbour in this way. We have masses of land around Darwin that is suitable for industrial development and it is certainly not there ...
Mr Henderson: You guys used to support development.
Mrs MILLER: Go up in an aeroplane and have a good look.
Mr Wood: Yes, in the right place.
Ms Lawrie: Where? Where would you put it, Fay?
Mr Wood: Do not be so simplistic.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: That is right. You only have to look at other cities where development has occurred without much planning around the edges of harbours to see how unsightly it is. We have every opportunity in Darwin Harbour not to fall into that same trap.
I sincerely hope that the EPA …
Mr Wood: New theme for the ALP - bound for Botany Bay.
Mr Henderson: Absolutely. The ALP has always stood for working people.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mrs MILLER: I sincerely hope that the EPA has enough teeth to know that the decisions put before the minister will be accepted otherwise they will be nothing more than recommendations. Will …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: Will the decisions that the EPA make be made public? What recourse does the EPA have if they feel strongly about a decision that they put forward to the minister, that is rejected? Is there any recourse for the EPA?
Last night, the member for Nelson spoke at length in debate about the middle of the harbour - and I am absolutely certain he is going to continue to do that today - and the way it is being industrially developed. What role will the EPA have in ensuring that this very important area is environmentally protected? Now that there is no other watchdog than yourself - you have taken away any responsibility from the Litchfield Shire Council - how is that going to be carefully monitored? Will the EPA have any input into Middle Arm developments into the future?
It is really interesting to note that the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 comes in two volumes. It is well over 1000 pages. This legislation being debated today is a mere eight pages.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to the minister’s response, especially in relation to Middle Arm because, at this point of time, it is all happening very quickly there and it needs some scrutiny. It certainly needs to have a watchdog, quite apart from the member for Nelson. It needs to have another watchdog that has some teeth. I am looking forward to hearing what the minister has to say in relation to that.
Mr Wood: Oh, this will be good; in his electorate.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WARREN (Goyder): It certainly will be, Gerry.
Madam Speaker, today I speak in support of the Environment Protection Authority Bill 2007.
As someone who has worked in the science field for most of my life and having been involved in the environmental aspects, I certainly welcome this. This is something I did not really think I would live to see when I first came to the Territory, and under the CLP for many years. I did not think I would see an EPA in this jurisdiction, and I am really proud to be part of a government that is going to deliver it today.
It is something that is certainly the hallmark of all jurisdictions not only in Australia but throughout the world. Having an EPA or something of a similar ilk is certainly characteristic of the 21st century and how we do things. Environment is a very important part of our lives. When we talk about sustainability, we always talk about the triple bottom lines, one of which is our environment; the ecology.
This bill represents an enormous achievement for this government. We believe we have one of the greatest natural environments in the world. Protecting our unique environment for current and future generations is a top priority of the Martin Labor government. We do have a special place in the Territory; it is unique. We always talk about how proud we are of it. Even members of the opposition are proud of the Territory - we all are. A unique and special part of the NT is our environment, and that is why we need to protect it and make sure that we do have a strong and vigorous EPA process.
I acknowledge that it is disappointing it has taken so long to come, but at least it is happening now and I commend this government for doing it in such a timely manner. Since coming to power, Labor has expanded conservation areas, controlled land clearing and protected 96% of mangroves in Darwin Harbour. That is a credible effort. We have introduced compulsory reporting on pollution emissions and required environmental impact statements for all significant developments.
Labor takes our environment very seriously. I started to think about it and thought I would cite a couple of examples, but I did not have to think very far. In this very sittings, we have talked about the protection of Glyde Point. That is an area where we have some unique aquatic flora and fauna, terrestrial flora and fauna and bird life. We have special features in that area. This was all done, by the way, without an EPA, but we need to have the overwatch of an EPA in the process of development. This government is very conscious of the environment, and the current minister has taken the baton, followed her Labor predecessors, held that banner high and taken the whole effort of protecting our environment forward.
The parks joint management plan from the last sittings was all about protecting our environment and ensuring indigenous people are involved and engaged in that protection because they do care about the environment. That is indisputable. That is an historic fact for eons; that they have looked after the land. Therefore, it is important that we engage them in the whole process of looking after our environment. The joint management plan for the parks is part of the whole process.
Who could forget the Daly River moratorium? We want to ensure we get it right. We understand the need for development. We understand that there is much pressure because of environmental changes and global warming, and there will be changes in these areas. It is already coming to bear in existing agricultural areas like Katherine. We need to ensure that we do not rush these things. We are a government that has acted in a very responsible manner in regard to our environment.
We have regional water studies which are being undertaken at the moment. Regional water studies is part of our environment, to ensure that the resources that we have here are adequate for our future development. Our future development has to be in accord with the environment and water is a major part of it. We have to get that right; the science has to get that right. I urge the department and its scientific teams to go out and continue that good work.
Unfortunately, the CLP seem to be scaremongering people about meters and things like that, but that is what we have come to expect from them. In fact, CLP governments could not even get an EPA up, so it does not surprise me that they turn the tables and try to make it into a scaremongering exercise. We are above all that, we have moved on as a government, we are out there doing the science, doing the studies.
Now we are delivering, of course, another environmental milestone which was, might I add, an election commitment. We are establishing an independent Environment Protection Authority, and this is truly independent. You only have to look at the bill, and I will be coming to those points and explain them a little later. The detail of it is very specific. It is not something the minister can get in there and manipulate. It is very clear in the bill; you can see that it is independent. That is something the CLP used to try to prosecute their case today, but that is not really what it is about. From their perspective, they might see it as not being independent, but it certainly is. I urge them to get on top of the bill, go and have a look at it, read it properly, and you will see it fits our jurisdiction.
Prior to the bill, we were the only state or territory in Australia without an Environment Protection Agency. After 27 years of CLP government, we still did not have an EPA and, yet, here in the House today they try to reinvent history, and say: ‘Yes, we really did have that in mind, we just did not tell people about it. We did not get out there and let people know about it. This was our big grand plan, but we wanted to get through the next election and not tell anyone’. Unfortunately, they did not get there at the next election. We were up-front with that. We gave a commitment before …
Members interjecting.
Mr Mills: Member for Goyder, you need a briefing.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The interjections are getting very loud from the opposition.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Mills: Looking in the mirror. The little girl who cried ‘wolf’.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member for Blain to remove the offensive remark he made to me. I am not a little girl. I am actually a woman, a mother of three children, and that is incredibly sexist and offensive.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, the minister feels offended. I ask you to withdraw.
Mr MILLS: Because the minister feels offended by that, I will have to withdraw it.
Ms Lawrie: Misogynist!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please withdraw.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw referring to the member for Blain as a misogynist, Madam Speaker.
Mr MILLS: Oh, that is offensive. Madam Speaker, if we are going to play silly games like this, I ask the honourable member to withdraw calling me sexist. I find that offensive.
Ms Lawrie: It was sexist!
Madam SPEAKER: Please resume your seat. Minister, I ask you to withdraw that at this point.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw the fact that he is sexist.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, minister, please resume your seat. Honourable members …
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, if we are going to play this game, I do not normally do this, but I take offence at this business. The honourable member said I withdraw the fact that he is sexist. Just to withdraw is what is required, is it not?
Madam SPEAKER: That is correct. Member for Blain, please resume your seat. I believe the minister has withdrawn her comments. Before we continue, I would appreciate it if we have a serious look at Standing Order 51, which I repeatedly have to read out in the Chamber and I do so again:
There have been many interjections during this debate. I would appreciate a lower level of interjections. Member for Goyder, please continue.
Mr WARREN: Madam Speaker, this is an important debate and I urge the opposition to take part in the appropriate manner at the appropriate time, not by interjecting.
Madam Speaker, in our first term, this government began the process by initiating an EPA reference to the Sessional Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. The current minister, of course, guided this as the chair of that committee during its investigations into EPA models suitable for the Territory. Therefore, the Environment minister is eminently appraised to appreciate that this is the most appropriate EPA model for the Territory. I am pleased that she is here today to take carriage of this bill.
During this term of government, the process of developing a suitable model has been carried forward by the independent board members and NRETA with professional advice of eminent, independent experts. This process has not been rushed; it is well conceived and considered, properly thought out, seriously researched, and is the best model for the Territory without a doubt.
The successful passage of this bill through the House today will be a truly historic occasion. The government has been working hard over a long period to ensure that we have it right. It is not something we have rushed. As I just said, we started when we came in; it is not something we have just come up with now. We have had the whole sessional committee process going looking at it, independent of the parliamentary process and the departments. We have had the departments look at it. We have looked at the whole thing. If there has been the opportunity to get this right, it certainly is right now.
As stated by my colleague, the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, we are truly a unique jurisdiction. We are a small population with an enormous amount of untouched environment to protect. We have sprinklings of untouched wilderness, patchworked with operating mines, horticultural farms and pastoral stations, and growing indigenous communities. We have vast tracts of pristine land, juxtaposed with historical rural and indigenous towns, a modern arid city in the middle of the desert, and a vibrant growing coastal city in economic boom.
This government came to power just in time to save our jurisdiction from the devastation of unregulated water allocation and land clearing that would have, undoubtedly, characterised further years under the CLP governments of previous years. Future generations are going to thank us, and are going to know it was the Martin Labor government that actually brought in the EPA and stopped the unfettered development in our environment. We are unique here because not too many places are right next door to fabulous natural resources. Not too many places have that. They have always had some farmland or something else such as mining and roads. We have areas that are right within reach, and that is why tourists come here. I spoke the other day about the tourism industry and the uniqueness of the Territory. It is the cultural and natural assets that we have here, and we have to preserve them. This EPA does that. Our future generations will thank us for that. They will be able to grow up and say that it was a Labor government that saved this for them.
In this House today we heard the other side of the House question why the EPA is not a regulatory body. The three-person independent expert board that the Labor government established consulted widely with NT businesses and the community about where an EPA should be positioned on a spectrum of strategic to regulatory models. We deliberately did that, and that was a very important aspect, to find out where we needed to fit. We wanted to provide the greatest value to the NT. The feedback we received strongly indicated there is a gap in the current system at the strategic level – the strategic level - that is, we needed an EPA to provide policies, framework, guidance and legislative review.
We have an existing regulatory system, and the board strongly recommended that we avoid duplication. That is why we accepted the model that we have. We have a regulatory system. We have a department there as well. We do not want to have the two of them clashing; they have to mesh together. They have to be symbiotic, and that is why we have come up with a model of this style.
The Territory is a small jurisdiction with existing laws regulating development and environmental protection. The interim board, after consultation, clearly recommended the best use of this new EPA would be to enable it to scrutinise the existing regulatory system and to be able to make recommendations for changes to government. This bill adopts all the recommendations of the interim board including clause 5 which establishes this strategic role. It allows the government to fulfil its mandate to govern, but provides full scrutiny of its services. That is essential, and that is where the two processes mesh together.
However, the opposition and the Independents will never understand that because they are fixated on a narrow-minded, myopic view. That is what government is about, and you have to have a process that fits in with the process of government. We were elected to govern. We have a mandate, but we have the responsibility. We are governing under that mandate, but we are taking responsibility and have an EPA which fits into that role of advising the government.
Madam Speaker, the other side of the House also cast aspersions in relation to the independence of the new EPA. The other side of the House failed to introduce any kind of EPA for 27 years. They talk about the independence of it. I guess under them it was certainly independent; it was independent of the government - it did not exist.
In response to these assertions I draw the attention of the House to clause 6 of the bill which enables the EPA to require Chief Executive Officers of government agencies to provide information and to ask non-government entities or government business divisions to provide it with information it requires to draw its conclusions on matters it is considering. As further evidence of the authority’s independence, clause 8 specifically states - and you want to hear this, members of the opposition - that the authority is not subject to the minister’s direction in relation to the exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions and, in particular is not subject to ministerial direction in relation to preparation and content of advice or recommendations.
The opposition has also inferred there are issues with openness and transparency of the process of the new EPA. Again, I refer to clauses in the bill ...
Members interjecting.
Mr BONSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Unfortunately, I cannot hear the member for Goyder, and I appreciate his contribution because he has three degrees. He has an engineering degree and a science degree in this area. The opposition and the Independents may not want to hear his contribution but, on a technical level, he is probably the most informed individual in this House. I would like to hear this information.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BONSON: He is not a back yard environmental scientist.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Millner, resume your seat, there is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order but I ask members to cease interjecting.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The derogatory comments from the member for Millner saying someone is a back yard environmental scientist because …
Mr Bonson: Well, you are.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Millner, withdraw that comment.
Mr WOOD: You do not know what my qualifications are.
Mr Bonson: Well, what are they? Put them on the table. Put them on the table.
Mr WOOD: If you do not know, I am not going to tell you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member from Millner, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr BONSON: Madam Speaker, I will withdraw calling him a back yard environmental scientist.
Dr Burns: Yes, Humpty Doo dump, try that for a start.
Members interjecting.
Mr Wood: You would not know. You would not know.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr Burns: I know about the Humpty Doo dump.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, there is a lot of interjecting and also a lot of offensive and unbecoming language this morning. From now on I will be putting members on warnings. Member for Goyder, please continue.
Mr WARREN: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mrs Miller: Stick to the technical side so we can understand.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Katherine. Member for Goyder, continue.
Mr WARREN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I understand the frustration of the opposition benches because of the eminent qualifications we have on this side - not just me, but everyone on this side of the House is eminently qualified to speak on this subject. I understand that the other side is grasping to come to grips with this bill. I understand that and I appreciate that. That is a very sad day for the opposition.
The opposition has also, as I was saying before, inferred there were issues with openness and transparency of the process of the new EPA. Clause 24 requires the authority to make its advice and recommendations available to the public in most instances, and the minister will make the government’s response public. Furthermore, it must report to parliament annually.
When you look at it, it is one of the most open and accessible EPA systems that we have in the whole of Australia. It is certainly one that is open and transparent so, for the opposition to suggest that it is not open and transparent is not doing this whole process justice. I guess it relates to the calibre of the input they have put into it because they, obviously, cannot come to grips with the concept. Maybe it is a bit beyond them. Anyway, I will push on.
In closing, this bill is short, sharp and to the point. When it is passed today, the Northern Territory will finally join the rest of Australia and have its own independent Environment Protection Authority, an EPA the CLP arrogantly refused to deliver. I am proud to be part of a government that takes our environment so seriously. It really is a pleasure for someone like me who has worked in science and some of the environment areas, to see a process which has checks and balances, as distinct from the frustration of not having it under the previous government. The good thing is, when we came into government, and while we were going through the process of getting it right, we were very honourable in the way we tried to protect our environment at ministerial, government and departmental level.
The CLP is still not across all the aspects of this bill. Their contribution to debate clearly showed this so far, and I expect more of the same. The cross-floor banter and interjections show that they are not taking this whole thing seriously. That is a shame because this is probably one of the most important bills that we will have in this House. It is going to affect future generations.
Madam Speaker, we now have an EPA that suits our jurisdiction. It meshes in with government regulatory processes, does not prohibit government from governing, and is open, transparent and has appropriate safeguards to ensure it is an EPA which will stand the test of time. Future generations will thank us. I thank the minister and the government for such a courageous bill.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): If this is a courageous bill, member for Goyder, I will go he. This is powder puff legislation, Madam Speaker. This legislation is about is reviewing legislation. You really have to wonder whether you need an authority to do that. Why not just get one bloke to say: ‘Can you please check on whether the government is doing what it is supposed to be doing under its present legislation?’ You do not need a whole authority to do that.
This legislation is disappointing, not only for me, but quite a few people in the community. People expected that this legislation would have some regulatory powers that would not duplicate NRETA, but would do the work that NRETA might do at the present time, and for two reasons. One is for strategic projects throughout the Northern Territory, like the McArthur River Mine, and the other for government projects so that you can be seen to have an independent assessment of your government projects.
This EPA will not do that. This EPA will just see whether NRETA, which will have a look at those projects, has followed due process. That is all. Here was a chance for the government, I believe, to show people that it is really serious about an EPA. This is powder puff stuff. It is not anything to talk about being courageous and wonderful because the EPA is purely a body that gives advice. It is not like the Development Consent Authority, which is also meant to be independent, but can be knocked off at the minister’s whim just by putting a notice in the Gazette. This one does not give the minister the power to knock it off because it is not a threat. This is not a threat for development. If it was, I bet there would be a clause saying the minister has the powers to say when and where the EPA can operate. This legislation does not give that power; it is purely able to give advice.
When you read the important part of the bill, which are the functions, it says that the authority’s functions are to give advice and make recommendations. What is that advice and recommendations about? Achieving best practice environmental policy and management - fine. Setting objectives - fine. Reviewing practices - fine. Legislation and administration - terrific. Issues affecting the Territory’s capacity to achieve ecologically sustainable development - beautiful. Emerging environmental issues - good. Monitoring and evaluating cumulative impacts of development in the Northern Territory - great stuff. It is all the issues out there, but it is not what we would have liked the EPA to look at.
The EPA should have looked at Glyde Point and come back to the community, saying they have assessed Glyde Point. That is a government project. It is a perfect example where the EPA should have been doing some work. The government has said: ‘Berrimah for housing’. All right; you do not agree with me. There is a body that we could have put our trust in to have a look at it, and that would have been the Environmental Protection Agency.
You want a development in the middle of the harbour? If you want to now change the act, and get rid of gas-associated industries and put what you like in the middle of the harbour, I would have preferred the Environment Protection Agency to look at that, not the minister to pass a law tomorrow saying that is fine. That is not independent. This EPA does not do that; it just fulfils an election promise. They can say, as the member for Goyder just said: ‘Look at that; the CLP did not do it, but we did it. We followed our election promise’. Yes, you did, that is fine. It is ‘Yep, we did it’.
However, let us get down to the nuts and bolts. What have you actually done? Have you really done what people wanted? I do not think so - look at the comments. You might have had some people say, yes, they were worried about an EPA being over bureaucratic and they did not want to support that kind of EPA. I do not believe there is really anyone in the community who expected an EPA just to be an advisory body. It would not have been bureaucratic and duplicating things, because it would have been out there, selected certain major developments in the Northern Territory, used advice from NRETA and, with the powers it has, brought in people and experts in those particular fields about which it needed to make a decision, and then made a decision and gave that to parliament or the government, whichever was required. That is what is missing here.
Madam Speaker, it worries me that I hear comments from the minister here just laughing it off; that industrial development in the middle harbour is a great thing. That disappoints me, coming from the Labor Party, because …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I made no comment and laughter.
Mr WOOD: I did not refer to you. Madam Speaker, I did not refer to the minister.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, please continue.
Mr WOOD: The member for Wanguri who is very pleased to see industrial development in the middle of the harbour ...
Mr Henderson: As long as it does not pollute anything.
Mr WOOD: I have not talked about pollution, I have talked about amenity. My concern is that the harbour itself will be spoilt because it will look industrial. I do not believe it needs to be in the middle of the harbour for that reason. I do not think we need to put our Winnellies in the middle of the harbour. Unfortunately, this is a government which, in the days when we were fighting the Elizabeth River dam, gave me the strong impression that it was sincere in its support for not only not damming the harbour, but maintaining, as much as possible, the beauty and the natural environment of the harbour.
When they came to power, it seems they have got into bed with developers. They say to me: ‘Oh, you are against development’ - the simplistic approach. It is a bit like the Treasurer said to me yesterday: ‘You opposed the mine at McArthur River’. After going down there and doing a tour of that mine and investigating how it operated, coming back and supporting the mine. Then, when there was a problem with the department making a mistake in a section of the act, which had to be sorted out in this parliament, all I said was I thought the government was approaching that particular problem from the wrong direction; they should have used another method of fixing their mistake. All the Treasurer could say is that I was stopping the mine - and he said it last night.
Mr Henderson: It would have been a mistake.
Mr WOOD: Once again – well, I did not support stopping the mine. I said I believed the legislation the government was using was the wrong way. You might have that opinion ...
Mr Henderson: No. It was legal opinion.
Mr WOOD: That is your opinion, but I was not arguing to stop the mine. That is the simplistic approach …
Mr Henderson: A legal opinion.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WOOD: The problem with the government is that it picks up on something and just uses it as a highlight without wanting an explanation as to why. That is the problem I have. I argued against the Minister for Local Government’s letter he wrote the other day to residents about what percentage of rates have gone up. It is easy to say that, without an explanation. People are left with the wrong idea. Therefore, when we talk about being against development, I am not against development, I am for development in the right place. My argument is that an EPA was the perfect chance for this government to set up an independent authority to assess things like industrial development in the middle of the harbour.
What concerns me now, minister, is that we not only have an EPA that is a feather duster - and that is about all the power it has – now, in relation to the middle of the harbour, it has no real say. On top of that, the minister now has control over what developments occur in the middle of the harbour. I am concern that it will be seen by the government to say: ‘We have an EPA and it does not really matter whether the minister is out there making decisions; we have an EPA out there’. The thing is, the EPA will not have any control over what happens in the middle of the harbour. That is exactly what it should have had.
I believe that you have to look at all the hype. The member for Goyder certainly praised this as though it was like a peace treaty in World War II. It had that much importance and drama attached to it that we should have had a 76-piece orchestra to go with it! However, in realty, when you dig right down in this and read it, the only power the EPA has is that it may do all things necessary or convenient to enable it to perform its function. Well, you have read its functions. That is more or less dealing with spatial issues, not issues such as a development in the middle of the harbour that they need to go and look at as an independent body. It can conduct inquiries; it can require the CEO of an agency to give relevant information; it can ask the government Business Division for relevant information; and it may ask a person having special knowledge or experience relative to a particular inquiry to help it conduct the inquiry. However, those powers are only relative to its functions, and its functions are nothing more than just looking at the general concepts about ecologically sustainable development. They do not look at individual projects and developments. I believe that is what people wanted.
I certainly would not have agreed with an EPA that was employing hundreds of people such as the one in Western Australia. We could have had an EPA which just worked on specific projects. Which projects they selected would have been up to them, but I would imagine it would have been major projects like the waterfront. There is a classic example. If you had an EPA do the development work there instead of the DCA, that would have been an appropriate area. Another area would be new mines, like the mines at Batchelor. That is what the EPA should have been looking at, and that is what I would have been looking for.
I know the minister, in her second reading, thanked the members of the board and also the members of the Sessional Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. I, still to this day, wonder why the heck we spent all that money sending that committee around because, as soon as we had finished and presented a report, we waited for the government to make a recommendation on the report. They decided to get another group together, which was the interim EPA Board which also went around the countryside and talked to people after we already had been around the countryside and spoken to people. You would have to ask, from a taxpayers’ point of view: what is going on? Why are we duplicating what we have already done? Why did the government not make a decision based on the first report that came from Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. However, it did not, and it went out and asked for another report. That is not trying to belittle the EPA Interim Board’s report, but it seemed to me there was a duplication in what was done.
Whilst the government might go on about how wonderful it is they had an EPA, people out there who read this in the Parliamentary Record need to realise that the reality of this EPA, although it might sound good and there will be blasts of trumpets and fanfare to announce that it now exists, is that it is not there in a form that most people wanted. It is not there to give independent assessment of important developments in the Northern Territory. It is not there to look at the Glyde Points, the Middle Arm developments, the Berrimah Farms, the McArthur Rivers, or the Compass Resources in Batchelor. They are the things that an EPA of any substance would have been looking at and giving independent rulings on whether those particular developments could go ahead.
Madam Speaker, I am actually at the stage where I believe the government’s approach to the environment, especially in relation to the harbour, an EPA that really is a toothless tiger, the minister taking away the rights of the DCA in that area, and the minister removing sections of the NT Planning Scheme which limited the type of industry in the middle of the harbour, is all a bit too much. I have decided that I will resign from the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. It might only be symbolic, but the government’s approach to the environment and to planning in general is a disgrace. If nothing more, I am resigning from that committee to show my displeasure with what is going on.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Speaker, I say at the outset, in speaking in support of the Environment Protection Authority Bill 2007 that, unlike the member for Nelson, I do not think the Environment Protection Agency is a toothless or paper tiger, in the same way that I do not think the Coroner or the Ombudsman are toothless tigers. I will explain those comments as I go through.
The lack of an Environment Protection Authority has been decried for almost as long as the lack of the freedom of information legislation was in the Northern Territory prior to the Labor Party forming government. Neither of these pieces of legislation were anywhere near the political horizon prior to 2001. It is not before time that we in the Territory have an Environment Protection Authority.
I know that the form of the authority set-up within this bill is not without its critics already. There are those, like the member for Nelson, who would like to have seen a bigger entity with regulatory and enforcement functions. I recognise that; I think I understand the arguments behind it. I ask these critics to be mindful of three things. First, the Northern Territory, when this bill becomes an act, will have an Environment Protection Authority where currently none exists. That is significant. Second, the form of the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority is based upon an independent report, and government has accepted all the recommendations of that independent report. Third, the bill provides, at clause 26, for a mandatory review of the legislation by the minister within five years of commencement. Each of these three points are extremely important and ought be remembered. We have something the Territory has never had before. Its function is based on independent advice, and there is a built-in mechanism to ensure review of how well the authority is travelling.
I make this further point. The manner of that review by the minister, and the action or lack of action as a result of the review, will be a matter for public scrutiny and public comment at the time it occurs. It will be a matter for the government of the day to form policy on how we proceed. That government, the opposition, and Independent members of this Assembly will be very aware of the community interest in and concern for environment issues. That, Madam Speaker, is accountability.
I thank Professors Gordon Duff and Donna Craig and Ms Judith King for the work they did in getting us to this point. I also thank the departmental officers and, as always, Parliamentary Counsel, for the detailed contributions they have made.
As the minister outlined in her speech, the Northern Territory’s Environment Protection Authority is a strategic body. Its role is confined to giving advice and making recommendations for consideration of the government of the day, business, and the community about ecologically sustainable development. Those who have read the bill will, no doubt, notice that I have stuck extremely closely to the language of clause 5(1) of the bill.
I have canvassed concerns by those who wanted to see more, so I will re-traverse those arguments. Clause 5(1), however, is the source of those concerns. The way I think of this legislation is that clause 5(1) is the clause. Everything else in the bill, from my way of looking at it, supports this clause. The other provisions set up a structure to meet the stated purpose of clause 5(1). Let us look at some of the practical influences around the bare bones of giving advice and recommendations to the government, businesses, and the community about ecologically sustainable development.
First, the Northern Territory, as an entity, has limited resources. No matter how big a government may be, it could always use more money. The state of California in the United States is one of the biggest economies in the world, yet I am sure if you asked legislators there, they would say: ‘We would love an extra …’ however many million ‘… because then we could spend on these areas that we cannot currently spend, and can improve these services that we are currently providing’. It does not matter how big you get; government can always do with more money as long as they are committed to providing services.
Fiscal policy determined, in part, what this government would allocate to creating this new body to provide a service that has never before been provided. As a matter of policy, this government accepted the advice of independent consultants who, themselves, were basing advice on feedback they received. That advice was to focus the new agency on filling a gap by providing strategic advice on policy direction and legislative review. This was seen as better than an agency taking on more regulatory level approaches and duplicating what was already in place.
The minister mentioned in her second reading speech that the interim board members argued the Environment Protection Authority should give advice rather than make determinations, as determinations inevitably involve political considerations, and political considerations are most appropriately made by the elected government of the day. I believe they have a point. The elected government should decide policy on the basis of advice. The people elect the party with the best suite of policies that represent their concerns. Ministers are answerable to the people via this Assembly. It is the role of the elected government to balance competing policies. Parliament holds the government accountable and the people hold parliament accountable. This is representative parliamentary democracy. This is accountability.
The Environment Protection Authority will scrutinise Northern Territory government agencies and report to government on agencies’ performance. Where it identifies systemic problems affecting environmental outcomes for the private and public sectors, it can bring these issues to the attention of government. It can make recommendations to government on what ought to be done to address the identified concerns. Government will determine its response. Parliament and the people of the Territory will, no doubt, let their feelings be known and assess that response, or lack of response as the case may be. Accountability and a level of transparency of government decision-making are both desirable within democracy.
I have addressed accountability so I will move on to address transparency issues. The bill specifically addresses transparency issues at clauses 24 and 25. Clause 24 provides, amongst other things, that when the Environment Protection Authority gives advice or makes a recommendation, it must give a copy of it to the minister and make it available to the public in the way the authority considers appropriate. The authority may only withhold information if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to do so. This ensures that the recommendations or advice given is available for public scrutiny. There may be reasons in any particular situation for not releasing certain information, but the bill uses a well-known legal test of reasonable grounds. It is an important point that it is the Environment Protection Authority and not the government that makes the decision as to whether or not the information ought be withheld. Clause 25 ensures that the minister must give written notice to the authority of his or her decision as soon as practicable after making that decision.
Therefore, it appears clear that the mechanism ensures transparency of the process. The authority’s recommendations and advices will be available to the public. The government of the day will then be accountable to the public for its action, or lack of action, in response to the received advice. Transparency is further assisted by the requirement for the authority to prepare an annual report, and the requirement for the minister to table that annual report within six sitting days of receipt – a well known process for this Assembly and other parliaments within Commonwealth democracies.
There is another important pillar; that is, the independence of the Environment Protection Authority. The authority is not subject to the minister’s direction in relation to the preparation and content of advice or recommendations it may make; it can self-refer. I respectfully disagree with comments that have been made by various members about the lack of independence of this authority.
As a result of this bill, we have an Environment Protection Authority independent from government. It gives transparent advice on what is happening or not happening. If it decides it is appropriate, it can make recommendations about action and this, too, is available to the public and beyond the reach of government. The public can judge the government’s response in the way it implements those independent recommendations or not. The public will hold the government accountable, as will the Legislative Assembly. As a further safeguard, in the event that all this does not come to pass as envisaged, the bill mandates a review within five years of the commencement of the act. Again, the response or lack of it can be judged by this Assembly and the public.
I mentioned the Ombudsman and the Coroner and I make this point: some comment was made about the lack of the Environment Protection Authority to enforce anything. Well, neither can the Ombudsman nor the Coroner. Are those detractors suggesting that their recommendations and the comments they make are not respectfully listened to by the government of the day? Are they seriously saying that those Coroner’s and Ombudsman’s recommendations are not seriously considered by government, and that those organisations and the Coroner do not have any weight in our system? If that is the argument and the extension of the argument then even more so I say: you are wrong.
I believe that this is a forward step promoting environmental accountability in the Northern Territory. I congratulate the minister and am proud to be a part of the government that is introducing this legislation and creating an Environment Protection Authority for the first time in the Territory’s history. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I have a few comments I would like to make. It has been an interesting time listening to some of the comments that have been made. I have to say to the member for Goyder that I have never heard him be so passionate in anything he has said within this House.
This should be a time of celebration for the Northern Territory. For a long time, we have talked about an EPA. I guess, at long last, we have just what we want. Just forget whether the last government did it or this government. That is what the people out there will be judging on; not so much whether it has taken so long to get here but, in fact, what actually happens and how it performs and functions now that it is here.
There will certainly be a lot of interest in this, and a lot of scrutiny. The minister said she will review in five years. It will be a very interesting time because there are a lot of projects, both in mining and other areas of the Territory that are coming on. The scrutiny of this particular authority and their role in the assessment of these particular projects will be noted. Government will then be asked to justify just what they have introduced. Will it be a good thing or not? It is probably, at this stage, too early to even criticise the establishment of the EPA, but it is useful to highlight what people see as the shortcomings of this EPA. That is what we are doing today.
I have to make a comment, Madam Speaker, that it has distressed me this week that we are still at the stage where we use these personal jibes at people rather than argue the subject. There has been too much, in my mind - and I am sure in yours - of the personal abuse that goes across the room. Even in this particular simple exercise of an EPA, again, we saw some of that debate occurring. I say let us concentrate on what we are talking about. If you have a different opinion, fair enough, that is part of your role as a member of this parliament. However, try not to do it. Just because the member for Nelson is passionate about it does not mean that he needs to be continually put down. You may not agree with him - no, you can smile - but at least he does have that passion for what he says; he believes in what he says and he puts it across so sincerely and strongly. Perhaps you may not appreciate it, but at least he is brave enough to stand up in this House and say what he believes. Quite often in this House, I see too many government members who may not always believe in what the government is doing, and will just sit there and say nothing.
Remember, let us keep on track. Let us not keep having a go at that particular member because he differs in his opinion. This is an important step for the Northern Territory - and I say for the Northern Territory, I believe it should be independent of government interference. I believe it needs to have that strong role rather than just be advisory. The criticism that can be made is that in your explanatory statement you said the purpose of the bill is ‘to establish an independent Environment Protection Agency to give advice to the Territory government’. It is not enough just to give advice, it needs to be stronger. That is what we are continually hearing. That was taken directly from your explanatory statement.
Minister, when you are summing up, you should tell us exactly what you see as the functions of the EPA. In that way, you can allay some of the concerns that have been raised here today. Looking at your speech again, you said referrals can be made from the minister on the authority’s own initiative or by any other person provided that the referrals are in accordance with criteria and arrangements agreed between the authority and the minister. Surely, there should be some independence by the authority to, in fact, take on projects themselves.
The bill says that the authority must take referrals from the minister, but it does not say the reverse; that the minister does not necessarily have to refer things to the EPA, that the EPA can take them on their own independence. Minister, when you get up to respond, please put on public record just exactly how you see this independence of the EPA. Will you abide by its recommendations, or will you only take their recommendations as advice and still not do that?
When we look at some of the models around Australia we see that the majority of governments do not have statutory EPAs. Why? We could go into great arguments about that, most of them are only advisory anyway. However, even something that is advisory should be taken seriously. I wonder whether the idea of having a body that advises and then you knock it out - they did not bother - is a sensible thing. The member for Brennan talk about the Ombudsman, but we have just a recent example of the independent Electoral Commission making recommendations which the Chief Minister has flagged that she is not going to take any notice of ...
Mr Henderson: I do not think she said that; she said she would report to the parliament.
Mrs BRAHAM: I am sorry but I have a letter from the Chief Minister saying that ...
Mr Henderson: She did not say in that letter that she is not going to take any notice of any of the recommendations.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: No, but she did not say she was going to take on their recommendations, did she?
Mr Henderson: But she did not say she is not taking any notice of it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: That is the interpretation that I get.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! On behalf of the member for Karama, I would just like to draw attention to the interjections; they are getting a bit out of hand.
Ms Lawrie: Madam Speaker, the member for Blain does nothing on my behalf.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I just remind you of Standing Orders 51 and 52. One relates to interruptions; the other to offensive and unbecoming words. I would appreciate, in the time that the member for Braitling is speaking, that we can listen uninterrupted.
Mrs BRAHAM: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Regardless of the side problems which have been a feature of the debates in this House, the point I am trying to get through to the minister is that, when you look at some of the things that you say in your explanation, it seems to almost be the opposite of what you are trying to convince us. That is why I say in your summing up you need to do this.
There are many projects that I see arising in the Territory. What is wrong with having a statutory body? What is wrong with having a body that will give some sort of reassurance to the general public that it will maintain the protection of the environment in planning and assessment and in compliance?
Do we have concerns in the Northern Territory about our environment? Of course we do. Do we have people out there who want protection of the environment? Of course we do. Do we have people who would like to think that compliance will occur if a report is written from the EPA, and that government will take notice and do their best to make sure that the judgment of the report is something that they can take on?
I understand that we do not always take everything as it comes. We do not always agree with recommendations made from bodies. We do not always have to. However, this is such an important area of public interest, and the general public have been so vocal in what they want, it is time now for this government to ensure they get it right.
I ask the minister to give that reassurance in her summing up because I hear what is going on, but I am not totally convinced that this authority will actually do what people in the community are expecting. I emphasise ‘what people are expecting’. It may do what government wants it to do, but there is a great deal of interest in this body, and we have had a number of different referrals from different organisations expressing their concern.
Madam Speaker, all I want to say is: we will be watching. People will be judging. It will be a great disappointment if it does not fulfil the promise and the expectations of people. The minister needs to be aware that you cannot have a body that has no teeth. You cannot have a body that she will not listen to. I hope that she understands that. We want to ensure that the minister is sincere in this EPA and the way it functions, and that members of this EPA actually are people who are able to have some say in the future direction of the Northern Territory.
Debate suspended.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Interjections by Members
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, prior to calling questions today, I advise that I am concerned about the level of unparliamentary interjections which occurred this morning in the House, where I had occasion to ask some members to cease interjecting, sometimes repeatedly.
Honourable members, I have had complaints from Hansard and listeners to the Internet broadcast that they are having trouble hearing the proceedings. I also advise that some honourable members who have hearing impediments are having difficulty following the proceedings.
While a level of interjection is part of the parliamentary process and an important aspect of the democratic process, repeated interjections, particularly when a member has been asked to cease interjecting, is not.
I therefore remind honourable members of Standing Order 51. I also remind honourable members of Standing Orders 62, 63 and 69, which relate to unparliamentary behaviour. I advise that I will be following the standing orders very firmly this afternoon. If a member repeatedly interjects after being asked not to, I will firmly advise the member of the standing orders then, if there is a repeated interjection, I will place that member on a warning. If there are further interjections, I will ask the member to withdraw from the Chamber under Standing Order 240.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
AUTHORITY BILL
(Serial 114)
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms LAWRIE (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I start by thanking all members for their contribution in the Environment Protection Authority Bill debate. It is certainly a very historic day for the Territory. With the passage of this legislation, we will have put into place the first EPA in the Territory’s history.
It is relevant to go back to a point of its genesis. I was Chair of the Ninth Assembly Sessional Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development where we looked into the efficacy of establishing an EPA in the NT. Without breaching privilege, I can say that we were able to, as committee members, reach consensus on some key recommendations. We did not reach consensus on an EPA model, so, within that sessional report we put three optional models. We did note that there are a range of models that you could pursue in the establishment of an EPA, but we felt there were some core recommendations on which we all agreed.
It is pertinent to the debate that we have had in the Chamber this morning in relation to the government’s EPA to go back to those core recommendations and to test them against the legislation we have before us today.
The committee, in its first recommendation, recommended that:
These principles are enshrined in the legislation that we have before us today. If you were to have a little tick list against the recommendations and the legislation we have, we have certainly met the first recommendation.
The second recommendation related to the public’s right to know:
You will have to excuse my voice, Madam Speaker, I have the flu.
Regarding the public’s right to know, that is absolutely enshrined in the legislation we have before us today. The legislation requires the EPA to publish its advice and recommendations. It requires the minister to respond in writing to those. It also requires an annual report to parliament. Therefore, the public’s right to know is absolutely enshrined.
The public’s right to be informed is enshrined in the power and functions of the EPA. They are able to consult as broadly and unfettered as they choose to, without direction from the minister.
The public’s right to be heard is enshrined in there. I believe the public’s right to object is considered in the legislation in the sense that we have what we call third party referral powers to the EPA; that is, someone can say: ‘There is this environmental issue that I feel very strongly about and I believe it is not being dealt with appropriately and I am going to take that issue to the Environment Protection Authority’.
In that regard, in the debate this morning, the member for Braitling, to my view, went to the crux and the heart of the issue of the veracity, if you like, of any independence of the EPA, which went to the agreement on how those referrals will be dealt with by the EPA; that is, how the EPA will decide whether to pick up or not pick up the referrals that come in from third parties. In consideration of this legislation, the government sought a test around EPAs elsewhere for guidance on this critical issue of referrals. Very clearly, we have said that this would be worked out in agreement between the minister and the EPA when the EPA itself is formed.
However, I give members of the Assembly - and I believe the member for Braitling really put her finger right on another issue here, and another of the underlying concerns - some guidance as to how the government will be guided, and how I particularly, as minister, will be guided in those discussions around criteria with the EPA itself when it is formed.
I sought permission from the EPA of South Australia to read into parliament their guidelines - their internal office policies and procedures - which really establish how it provides for policy guidance to the EPA in identifying issues that are referred to the EPA in South Australia. This is so that the member for Braitling - who really put her finger on it when everyone else was ranging quite broadly - can be assured of how, as minister, I will be approaching my discussions with the EPA board on these issues of referrals.
The South Australia policy and guidelines have what they call a definition of issue. It is a risk-based approach that will be applied, and I would be expecting to apply it in discussions with the EPA board in the Territory. It says the definition of issue is:
It goes on to the threshold criteria; that is, matters deemed to be of high significance:
What is the severity of the environmental health risk …
Further, there is another section that talks about the actual or potential issues involving a high level of public interest of controversy:
Is there a high level of media, community and/or public interest, particularly in matters that are ongoing or recurring?
Further, there are matters establishing a significant precedent:
Does it relate to the establishment of a new or revised policy, guideline or EPA position that will substantially affect:
Madam Speaker, I read this into debate to give guidance to the member for Braitling who, I believe, put her finger on an underlying concern; that is, the issue of the independence of the EPA and the discussions that are yet to be held between the EPA and the minister on how they will approach these referral matters. I felt, as minister, that it was absolutely essential to the independence of the EPA that they had self-referral powers, and that they also had third party referral powers. I took on board the interim board’s recommendations that the EPA be a high-level EPA, not to duplicate the already existing regulatory functions across government undertaken by several government agencies, particularly the Office of Environment and Heritage. The government took that on board. As minister, I concur with that sensible approach. However, I felt that it was critically important that there be those powers of self-referral and the opportunity for those third party referrals.
We have the example of the South Australia criteria. However, I also want to go to, in clause 5(2), where we list, from (a) to (g), functions of the Environment Protection Authority. We give a description there:
These are significant functions for an Environment Protection Authority, particularly in the context of the Territory where we are largely underdeveloped and are confronting a future of development. We are under pressure nationally to become more, if you like, the bread basket of the nation. We certainly have enormous mineral, oil and gas resources. Therefore, as a jurisdiction, it is absolutely our responsibility now to ensure we get the environmental planning, guidelines, policies and frameworks right for what is confronting us today, but what will confront us more and more so in the future in coming years.
First and foremost, I expect that the new Environment Protection Authority will embark on two critical reviews. The review of the Environmental Assessment Act is a fundamental review that needs to occur and the Environment Protection Authority is the relevant authority to do that review. Second, the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act needs review. The appropriate authority would be the Environment Protection Authority to undertake those two critical legislative reviews.
Other examples of the work under the functions of the Environment Protection Authority could undertake – and I am using these examples because the authority is yet to be established, and they do have their powers. I do not want to preempt all of that, but these are clear examples to give members of the Assembly an opportunity to further understand the role that the government clearly sees the EPA essentially providing for the economic sustainable development of the Territory.
Under clause 5(2)(b) is ‘setting of objectives, targets and standards for the public and private sectors’. A critical issue, for example in Alice Springs, is an issue of air quality. The Environment Protection Authority very reasonably could pick up on that environmental issue in Alice Springs and provide the policy and guidelines for ensuring air quality in Alice Springs, just as they could pick up that issue similarly in Darwin.
Regarding reviewing practices and procedures for the public and private sectors, again, they could pick up those critical environmental issues of how we deal with the emerging greenhouse issues, particularly the issues of carbon trading and their offsets. That is an emerging issue for the Northern Territory in land clearing issues. By its nature of being underdeveloped, the Territory will be going into land clearing, particularly our pastoral and agricultural areas. How do we deal with that in the context of greenhouse and carbon trading? The Environment Protection Authority would be, I believe, the best and most august authority to undertake that work on behalf of the Territory to provide that advice to government, the public and private sectors, and engage all the required stakeholders and experts in that process.
In terms of emerging environmental issues they could be, for example, looking at genetically modified organisms: vegetables, cotton, and soya products. These are all emerging environmental issues that, at some stage, the Northern Territory is going to have to have an understanding of, and a position on, how we deal with them.
Regarding clause 5(2)(g), ‘monitoring and evaluating cumulative impacts of developments in the Territory’, I believe an example of that could be having a look at the impact of development on the Darwin Peninsula.
These are just examples of the functions that we provided for the Environment Protection Authority, the critical work that that independent body of expertise would be able to undertake - again, without interference from the minister. I cannot direct, as minister, how they do their work, or what they will come up with. They are truly independent and will provide advice and provide recommendations to me, as minister, and they will be public. I will have to publicly respond in writing. I will be accountable - as the member for Brennan very appropriately pointed out - to the public, the parliament, and the electorate. That is absolutely appropriate.
The member for Nelson, I know, is extremely sensitive on the debate that is going on at the moment around planning and environment, and the issues of Middle Arm and Berrimah Farm. I knew the debate in the Chamber today would be charged with the emotion of all of that, and we saw the consequences of that, which I am saddened about.
However, it would be wrong to think that EPAs elsewhere direct governments. They provide their decisions, their recommendations and, ultimately, governments determine whether to except them or not. There have been some very well known examples of that in Western Australia. Western Australia has been held up to be an example of one of the best EPAs in the world under a university study by Manchester University held several years ago that the Environmental Sessional Committee looked into.
Fundamentally, with the independence of an EPA, we will get that fearless and frank advice as government. Fundamentally, government will determine whether to heed that advice and implement it or, for a range of other considerations, not heed the advice, not accept the recommendations. That is what occurs around Australia between governments and EPAs. It is not going to be any different here in the Territory.
As the member for Brennan quite properly pointed out, that same situation occurs with the Ombudsman. It would be a foolish government to deal with an introduction of an Environmental Protection Authority and do it flippantly, at a whim, and thinking: ‘We are not going to take on board this advice and we will just let them go off and do whatever they want to do, but we will keep going off in our direction of government’. That will be completely foolish to think that, as a government, we are going down that path. We are genuinely introducing an Environment Protection Authority so we can set down very high-level strategic policy and guideline directions for a sustainable environment for our future generations - at a time when we know that is critical and we are on the verge of development. Whether some people in the Chamber or in the community like it or not, we are on the verge of development.
We have experienced development in recent years that we had not experienced previously, so we need, very much at this junction in time - more so than we have ever needed before, I believe - an Environment Protection Authority to have that independent expertise to provide that fundamental advice to government, and also, to give the opportunity for the gathering of knowledge that we have in the Territory to very carefully look at the issues and some of the examples that I have given you.
Madam Speaker, the shadow minister, the member for Katherine, talked about the lack of independence of the Environment Protection Authority. She dismissed it just as an advisory body. As minister, I have a few advisory bodies reporting to me, and they do not have anywhere near the powers of the Environment Protection Authority. They do not have the powers to call CEOs of agencies. They do not have the powers to overview legislation and regulations. They do not have the powers to publish their views. They do not have the powers that require me to respond in writing publicly, and they certainly do not make annual reports to parliament. To compare the independence of the EPA to advisory bodies is really a failure to understand the legislation we have before us today.
The EPA, as it has been introduced, certainly does have the power to bring expertise in. The legislation provides for anywhere between three to seven members of the EPA. The interim board had three members. At this stage, I am envisaging we will probably start off with about four. I envisage going out with an expression of interest process very shortly to capture experts who want to come forward with a range of skills and knowledge that we would be looking for, to be members of the Environment Protection Authority. Having seen the calibre of the interim board, Professor Gordon Duff, Professor Donna Craig and Judith King, I am very excited about the calibre of people we will attract to the EPA. They are very fine professionals. To think that they were not independent is failing to understand the calibre of the people that we had on that interim board. To think that the people into the future will not be independent is underestimating the calibre of people we would attract through that expression of interest process.
Fundamentally, at the core of debate has been the issue of whether an EPA should have regulatory powers or whether it be under the model the government has proposed, which is high-level strategic with a range of functions and powers. Advice after consultations across the community that the interim board undertook clearly was: do not duplicate; keep the regulatory powers with the Office of Environment and Heritage. We had a gap in that high-level strategic guideline and policy-making area in the environment, which is picked up by the EPA.
There was a view expressed by the members for Katherine and Nelson that they do not trust these environmental assessment regulatory powers remaining with government. I visited the Office of Environment and Heritage after I had the privilege of being appointed Environment minister, and I have to say I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the staff. I am under no doubt whatsoever, as Environment minister, that they have the skills, capabilities, expertise and knowledge range to very adequately meet the regulatory requirements that they carry out on behalf of the government and, fundamentally, in the trust of the community.
I find it somewhat offensive, but incredibly disheartening, to think that people would feel that the Office of the Environment is not the appropriate body to continue those regulatory functions. I have every faith in them to provide frank and fearless advice to me, as minister, just as I know I will be judged on how I respond to their advice.
I thank the member for Goyder for his contribution. He touched on some critical aspects of the nature of work that has set the tone of what the Martin Labor government has been achieving in showing we are protecting our environment for future generations. I pick up on his comments regarding the Daly River Management Advisory Committee, colloquially referred to as DR MAC. It is a process that I believe our government got right very early in government when we were under a lot of pressure to follow a different path. We were under a lot of pressure to open up a lot of land to a lot of agricultural development very quickly. However, we took the cautious approach and wanted to understand the data and the science of the water of that catchment area, to get the science right so that we could underpin the sustainable biodiversity of that critically important region and provide for appropriate development that would be environmentally sustainable. That is the environmental tone in which our government has proceeded, and it is very much the light in which we proceeded with establishing the EPA.
I thank the member for Nelson for recognising the importance of our engagement of indigenous Territorians in the area of protecting and preserving our environment. He referred to the Parks Master Plan for Joint Management of Parks. Indigenous Territorians are extremely good at caring for country. They have cared for country through the generations. I have no doubt that the Environment Protection Authority will be an authority able to tap into the expertise of indigenous Territorians in the development of the important guidelines and policies that will put us in good stead for the future. I have no doubt whatsoever the EPA will have that capacity to tap into the expertise of our indigenous Territorians.
Mining is a curious thing. We have the EPA debate in the Chamber this morning, and we have had heated debate over the last few days on planning and industrial development in the Territory.
I am very proud and privileged to be able to pick up the passage and carriage of the Environment Protection Authority from my predecessor, the member for Arafura, who has done a magnificent job in putting in place an interim independent board, which did consult widely with the community. The member for Katherine quoted from their consultations. It was those consultations that led to the model that we have before us today. The model does provide for an independent board. It does give them wide-ranging powers, wide-ranging functions, self-referral, and third party referral powers - all critical to ensuring that the Environment Protection Authority has the tools in its kit to provide for a sustainable environment for the Territory, understanding the Territory’s social, economic and environmental needs.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I do not propose to go further into the debate. I did very clearly want to pick up on the contribution from the member for Braitling, which I thought, from an opposition perspective, went to the crux of the matter regarding the work yet to be done between the minister and the incoming EPA around its powers. I really enjoyed the contribution from both the member for Goyder, as chair of the environment committee, for picking up on those broader environmental issues and, particularly, the member for Brennan who, I thought, provided a very clear contribution, well thought out and encapsulating exactly the issues of democracy and the concerns, in a constructive sense, around the role of the EPA and how it sits within our democratic structure. I thank those members for their contributions. I thank all members for their contribution.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms LAWRIE (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage) (by leave): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Dr BURNS (Health): Mr Deputy Speaker, today I provide a statement to the Assembly on this government’s commitment to building better hospitals for Territorians.
When the Martin Labor government was elected in 2001, we inherited a health system that was chronically underfunded, in urgent need of support after many years of neglect and cuts by the previous CLP government. Since then, we have made record investments into the health system, with a 73% increase in funding to the Department of Health and Community Services.
In 2007-08, we have allocated a total of $838m across the healthy system. The extra resources are being used to deliver more and higher quality health services, employ more frontline health staff, and improve the health system infrastructure. The investment has been right across the health system and we are proud of our record. We have employed an extra 115 medical and 318 nursing full-time equivalent, or FTE, positions since 2001. We have increased the total hospital bed numbers by 15%, an additional 83 beds, bringing the total in 2007-08 to 650 beds. There can be no doubt that this government has been serious about enhancing services to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Territorians. We also recognise that there is much more to achieve.
In 2002, we commissioned a major review into the Department of Health and Community Services by Banscott Health Consulting to take a serious look at where we were and what needed to be done to address the challenges before us. The review provided us with expert advice on the way forward for our health and community services. From this review, we developed Building Healthier Communities, setting this government’s comprehensive framework and vision for the health and wellbeing of Territorians.
Initiatives through Building Healthier Communities have addressed services across the spectrum of the health sector, from promoting good health to improving primary health care and specialist hospital services. We have done this, recognising that some of our upstream investments such as those giving kids a good start in life through initiatives such as the Child Health Initiative, have significant long-term impacts, while others such as those implemented in our hospitals, which I will outline shortly, reduce the short-term burden of disease on Territorians and the demand for subsequent hospital services.
We have also launched the five-year Framework and Action Plan for Aboriginal Health and Families, setting the agenda for core primary health services and cultural security over a life course approach.
Our efforts in improving our health system are clearly evident in our hospitals. Through the Australian government’s own report, State Of Our Public Hospitals 2007, we are recognised nationally for the most number of hospital beds, with 3.6 beds per 1000 population, whereas the Australian average is 2.6. We spend more on our hospitals at $1407 per person per year, compared to the Australian average of $665. We are only one of three jurisdictions where 100% of our public hospitals are accredited.
Whilst recognising the importance of all our hospitals, the Royal Darwin Hospital is our major tertiary teaching hospital in the Northern Territory. It plays a critical role in our health system, along with all our other hospitals in the acute care network. We have paid particular attention to the issues facing RDH, and we have increased the hospital budget to a total of $207.3m for 2007-08, up 85% since 2001. We have also increased the budget at Alice Springs Hospital by 94% since 2001. We are delivering on our election commitments. As just one example, we are doing this ahead of schedule, with the increase in hospital beds at RDH up by 70 beds or 24% since 2001, from 293 to 363 beds.
Yet, despite this increased investment in health overall, the demand for hospital services in general, and at RDH in particular, has not decreased; rather it has increased. We have some of the busiest hospitals in the county, with the Northern Territory hospital network having both the highest number of public hospital admissions, and the highest number of presentations to Emergency Departments in Australia. The admission rate is more than twice the Australian average - 529 verses 210 admission per 1000 weighted population - and an increase over the previous 12 months of 33%. Our Emergency Department presentation rate is more than three times the Australian average - 705 verses 223 presentations per 1000 weighted population - and an increase over the previous 12 months of 21%.
Why this increase in demand for services? We, like other parts of Australia, are experiencing a surge in chronic diseases requiring more preventive and treatment services. However, this is exacerbated in the Northern Territory because of the poor health status of Aboriginal Territorians, a legacy of many factors including past neglect. While this government’s investment is paying off in increasing Aboriginal life expectancy, Aboriginal Territorians still have some of the poorest health in the country with high rates of hospitalisation. Chronic diseases such as heart and kidney disease and their complications account for much of this; however, tropical and infectious diseases not seen frequently in other parts of the country are also significant contributors. Aboriginal infant mortality has fallen by 36% between the periods of 1996 to 2000, compared to 2001 to 2003, yet it still remains 2.5 times the rate for non-Aboriginal infants.
Demand for public hospital services is also exacerbated in the Northern Territory by the limited nature of the private health sector in the Northern Territory, be it private hospitals, specialists, or GPs. We recognise that many Territorians would prefer to see a GP or a private specialist rather than having to come into a public hospital for treatment. In many instances, this is an appropriate care option. However, these services, particularly GP services - a Commonwealth responsibility - and are not readily available in our community. As such, we have been continuing to negotiate with the Commonwealth government, which is responsible for funding medical services through Medicare, to get a better deal for Territorians so that they can access the doctor they need for care, and at a rate they can afford.
The federal Labor Party has recognised this need and announced a major reform program to improve primary health services, with $220m for GP super clinics around Australia. The super clinic model provides access to primary medical and health care, chronic disease and complex care management, outpatient outreach clinics, and a range of allied health services. On 1 September 2007, Mr Kevin Rudd announced that, if elected, his government would fund $10m for a GP super clinic at Palmerston to provide access to 24-hour per day GP services, and related primary health services. In partnership with the Territory government, this new service will take the pressure off the hospital and improve families’ access to the care they need in their local area.
A further pressure on our hospitals is the limited availability of aged care services provided by the Australian government. At any one time, our acute hospitals will have between 20 and 30 elderly patients waiting for lengthy periods for a nursing home bed in the community.
Mr Deputy Speaker, together with other members, I extend my condolences to my colleague, the member for Arafura. I know she was going to speak on this particular area of the statement but, unfortunately, that is not to be. I am sure members join with me in passing on my condolences to her and her family.
Hospitals are funded under the Australian Health Care Agreement, a five-year national funding agreement. In principle, both the Commonwealth and the state and territory governments equally fund public hospitals through the agreement. In the Caring for our Health report published by the state and territory governments earlier this year, it shows the reality is much different. I commend this publication to all members and also to opposition members; I can supply it. It is a very informative publication.
All the states and territories have significantly increased hospital funding in recent years. The Commonwealth has lagged behind. Furthermore, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported last week that between 1995-96 and 2005-06 the Australian government’s share of public hospital funding decreased from 45% to 41%. State and territory government funding during this period increased from 46% to 51%. Even the federal minister for Health, Tony Abbott, agreed with this fact as recently as 5 October 2007 when he stated: ‘There is no doubt states have been increasing their spending faster than the Commonwealth’, when asked about funding for public hospitals.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states:
The situation is even more drastic in the Northern Territory where we are now contributing 61% and the Commonwealth government 32% of funding for the Northern Territory’s public hospitals.
We have heard much recently from the Australian government with plans for negotiating the new Health Care Agreement and managing hospitals with a Canberra ‘one size fits all’ solution. The Australian government has played with takeovers of hospitals to now wanting to bow out of any responsibility for hospitals by appointing community boards. This is not a clear-cut plan for the future of our 750 Australian public hospitals.
We acknowledge that our NT hospital management boards make valuable contributions to our hospitals, providing community input into the operations of the hospitals. However, we need to be clear about what is their capacity and level of responsibility and accountability. At their request, we have undertaken a review of the Hospital Management Board Act to ensure we have a consistent framework for their operation, role and responsibilities. We would like to see this blame game stop, and we welcome federal Labor’s national health reform plan with an up-front $2bn investment for improved health and hospital systems.
It has been recognised the current Australian government has been underfunding Australian hospitals by $1bn per year. We intend to work cooperatively with the Labor reform agenda, which is the same agenda we have been pursuing in the Territory: reducing elective surgery lists; reducing demand on Emergency Departments with adequate access to GPs; and reducing unnecessary hospitalisation with adequate access to specialist outreach. You can be assured that the Martin Labor government will be forthright in our negotiations for equitable Commonwealth funding in the new agreement to meet the needs of the Territory.
I now turn to the ways in which we have already started to build better hospitals in the Territory. There have been some major achievements at Royal Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals, which have strengthened the services and infrastructure and improved the hospital experience for patients, their families and carers. The Emergency Department is often the first place people experience in these hospitals. Those of you who have been there know that it is busy on a quiet day and frantic on the rest. Unlike other hospitals in cities around Australia, our Emergency Departments cannot go on bypass and redirect patients to other hospitals in times of high demand. We know there are incidences for individual patients where they have had to wait several hours for treatment. While we regret any distress this causes, our emergency staff have to treat the sickest the quickest, and we will continue to develop ways to do it better for all our patients and staff.
The Emergency Department is often the barometer for the pace of the hospital and a significant driver of the demand for beds across the hospital. At Royal Darwin Hospital, the number of Emergency Department presentations has increased by 47% from 38 131 in 2001-02 to 56 076 in 2006-07. Whilst the number of presentations to the Emergency Department at Alice Springs Hospital has stabilised at around 31 000, the unit is stretched to provide adequate space, patient flow and safety for this level of demand.
We have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the pressure on EDs and, subsequently the rest of the hospital, which will decrease the wait for patients to be seen. In 2003-04, the new Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency Department wing was opened with $6m recurrent by the Northern Territory government, with additional facilities provided for Intensive Care, Coronary Care and High Dependency Units.
This year, Alice Springs Hospital has been allocated $6m for a new Emergency Department to improve patient flow, as well as safety for staff and patients, and patient privacy. The tender for the design concept has been advertised and I understand the outcome will be announced shortly. As the demand has continued to increase in the Emergency Departments, we have actively sought ways to meet these demands to improve the flow of patient care throughout the hospital system.
In 2006-07, we allocated $7.8m for the establishment of an RDH Rapid Admission Unit based on strong representation from clinicians. The Rapid Admission Unit was trialled as a nine-bed surgical unit last year, while the capital works program created a 24-bed unit on the ground floor. When fully operational, there will be up to 80 new staff members employed at the Rapid Admission and Planning Unit. The unit is designed to give optimal care to medical and surgical patients who do not need intensive care but require short admission to the hospital.
In its first year of operation, the nine-bed Rapid Admission and Planning Unit treated over 2000 surgical patients, resulting in a decrease in their wait in the Emergency Department from 18 hours to eight hours, and a decrease in their length of stay in hospital, with discharge within 24 to 36 hours. It also resulted in 59% of patients being discharged home or to hostel accommodation from the unit, rather than needing admission to the main wards. This augers well for the success of the full Rapid Admission and Planning Unit, which I had the pleasure to open last month.
Further to this, with an additional eight beds in the Self Care Unit to assist the discharge of patients from the hospital, this will bring the capacity of the Self Care Unit up to 30 beds, providing short-term accommodation for patients that can be safely discharged from hospital with access to further care in a non-clinical setting; for example, patients from rural communities who require follow-up appointment. The Self Care Unit is located on the hospital campus and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we are increasing capacity at RDH, and I was pleased to be with the Chief Minister in August for the announcement to open the new Ward 3B. This has been made possible through funding of an extra 12 fully-staffed beds at a cost of $2.7m in the 2007-08 budget. The ward will be assigned as a general medical ward and will enhance the efficiency of the hospital. The first of the 3B Ward beds are due for commissioning this month, with a further six to follow over the next 12 months.
At Alice Springs Hospital, we are committed to fixing the extensive problems that originated under the CLP with the hospital’s redevelopment, whilst also ensuring a safe working and patient environment. So far, $10m has been committed to fix these problems. Works have been completed in the Day Procedure Unit, Ward 4 and the Clinical Management wing. The upgrade of Ward 4, 15 beds, allows eight stations for renal dialysis and additional beds to meet the bed need at Alice Springs Hospital. The Clinical Management wing is being used to decant during the rectification program. Programming and costing of the balance of the remediation works identified is under way.
Another exciting and successful initiative to address demand at our hospitals has being the Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Strategy, conducted between 1 April 2007 to 31 August 2007. The aim of the project was to target those patients who have been waiting for more than the recommended time for an elective procedure. In Royal Darwin Hospital alone, the total number of patients overdue has reduced from 392 patients at the commencement of the project to 230 patients on completion, which is approximately 40%. This project is being conducted across all specialities, including Ear, Nose and Throat, General Surgery, Ophthalmology, and Orthopaedics, and was facilitated through the allocation of resources to sequestered beds at Darwin Private Hospital - 10 beds over week days and five beds over weekends - to allow patients to have the procedure at Royal Darwin Hospital and then recover at Darwin Private Hospital.
In Alice Springs, a third operating theatre was opened for the initiative, and the Fred Hollows Foundation is also conducting an Eye Blitz with 136 ophthalmic procedures this year. Since the end of March, the overdue waiting list at Alice Springs was reduced by 32% but, given the dynamic nature of the list, there are still too many people overdue for their surgery. We will continue the initiative with the third operating theatre available for three days per week until the seasonal cessation of elective surgery over the Christmas/New Year period. We are exploring a number of options to maintain our commitment to reduce waiting time for elective surgery in Alice Springs with adequate theatre time and bed capacity. This effort in elective surgery will be continued into the new financial year as the additional 12 fully-staffed beds become operational in 2008-09.
We recognise that the demand for hospital services will continue, and we will continue to explore opportunities to better manage this demand, particularly around the Emergency Department and elective surgery.
We have also implemented initiatives which have increased Territorians’ access to a range of important specialist services. For example, this government has recognised the need to meet the increasing renal patient numbers through a major injection of new funds. Royal Darwin Hospital provides inpatient care as well as manages off-site renal satellite services at Nightcliff, Palmerston and Tiwi Islands. It also provides support to remote patients on self-dialysis in their own communities such Angurugu on Groote Eylandt. In addition, a relocatable facility is being placed at Nightcliff Renal Unit to provide a place for Darwin-based clients to self-dialyse. It will also be available for visiting clients who need access to dialysis.
With the rectification works, a new eight-station dialysis area on the renal ward at Alice Springs Hospital has been established and is operational for two shifts a day, providing significant relief for the Flynn Drive satellite unit. In 2006-07, $1m was provided to refurbish Flynn Drive, and $250 000 for a transportable renal training facility. In Budget 2007-08, significant new funds have been provided to enhance renal services in Central Australia, with recurrent funds for chronic and early kidney disease management, and $700 000 to manage the growing dialysis patient numbers including an additional nephrologist. Additional satellite dialysis units will be established over the next two financial years.
We promised in 2001 we would work with the Commonwealth and private providers to build a high-quality, safe, sustainable radiation oncology unit in Darwin. The Australian government initiated a select tender process at the end of August and anticipates the contract will be awarded before the end of 2007. Whilst the development of the unit continues, we have provided $500 000 recurrent funding to better support patients newly diagnosed with cancer and requiring radiation therapy. This has provided a cancer nurse coordinator, haematologist, a 0.5 dietician, and funding to the Cancer Council to support these patients with counselling. We have also committed $1m per annum for community nursing, and multidisciplinary services to support radio therapy patients when the radiation oncology unit becomes operational in early 2009. The Territory government has offered land on the Royal Darwin Hospital campus for the facility. Work is also progressing with Territory Housing on the development of radiotherapy patient accommodation.
Last week, I undertook a visit to Adelaide to look at cancer support services that Territorians currently access such as accommodation, information, counselling and transport through the Cancer Council of South Australia, Leukaemia Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Aboriginal Hostels. I was pleased that representatives from the Cancer Council NT and Bosom Buddies were able to participate in this visit and provide useful insights into the services. We were impressed by the variety of services available and how they address the needs of different patients and families. I look forward to ensuring we meet these needs when our own radiation oncology unit becomes operational. These services will complement our investment of $4.25m for the award winning state-of-the-art hospice opened in 2005 that provides specialised care in a supportive and peaceful environment for people with a life-limiting illness.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have provided $2.5m for the commissioning of the RDH Birth Centre that expands the choices available in birthing for Northern Territory families. The Birth Centre is state of the art, with each room having a spa bath, double bed and access to a paved outdoor area where the families can relax, making it a more homely environment. The Birth Centre also incorporates consulting rooms, clinical training areas, and a children’s play area.
We recognise that our hard-working hospital staff are integral to the high-quality care that Territorians receive at the hospital. They deal with a complex caseload with skill and compassion. We continue to recruit highly-skilled professionals and grow our own workforce; for example, by putting additional resources into supporting new Charles Darwin University graduate nurses at our hospitals. This year, we are increasing our hospital intake capacity from 74 to 98 new graduates. We are also supporting a $250 000 national recruitment strategy aimed at attracting quality nurses to join our nursing teams at our hospitals, as well as other areas of the department.
Mr Deputy Speaker, while we believe that this government has enhanced services available at Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital, we also refuse to rest on our laurels and are embarking on an ambitious future for the hospitals. We do this in the full awareness of the challenges that operate in specialised institutions such as these pose.
In order to best position Royal Darwin Hospital for the future, we are realigning its management and clinical leadership structure. This realignment is being overseen and implemented by a new executive management team comprising Dr Len Notaras, General Manager; Ms Jan Evans, Director Operations, Professor Ken Donald, Acting Medical Superintendent; and Ms Sharon Sykes, Acting Director of Nursing. This team brings immense clinical, safety and administrative expertise to this job. I believe they will provide competent and thoughtful leadership to the tasks in hand.
I am particularly pleased to welcome Professor Donald, a well-known national and international pathologist, researcher, teacher and administrator back to the Territory. Professor Donald is also the immediate past faculty Dean of Medicine at Queensland University, and current Safety and Quality Commissioner in Queensland.
I am also pleased to advise that the role of Director of Nursing has been reconfigured and will be a conjoint operational and academic appointment with Charles Darwin University established as a Professor or Associate Professor in Clinical Nursing. This is a major enhancement to the role of nurses, and was advertised last weekend.
An exciting component of the realignment of the clinical divisions is that they will be run in partnership by a senior doctor and nurse co-director. These new arrangements will see more leadership and accountability by our senior clinicians. However, we also recognise that we might have to do things differently. Since becoming Health Minister, I have actively worked with the department and senior management team at RDH to further improve services, infrastructure and amenities for patients and their families, as well as staff. I anticipate that the department’s patient flow program will assist in the identification of areas where reform will bring real gain both within the hospital and in associated services such as those with patients coming for treatment from remote areas.
Similarly, we are looking forward to the outcomes of the maternity services project that will provide us with advice regarding enhancing services in this important area through an integrated maternity service framework encompassing services provided by NT hospitals and community-based services.
It is worthy to note that both RDH and Alice Springs Hospital provide specialist services outside their walls, such as through specialist outreach services, through remote communities, and through urban community health services such as the Palmerston Health Precinct. We will continue to explore innovative service options such as these to enhance the access of Territorians to the expertise of health professionals.
Whilst I have highlighted some of our service initiatives, it is important to note that we also consider the hospital environment. I have requested an urgent review of safety and security services at Royal Darwin Hospital and the surrounding campus in order to ensure the safety and security of our staff, patients, visitors and assets. The scope of works for the security review is completed, and a tender is in the process of being let. We are also undertaking other projects to make the hospital environment more pleasant for our staff, patients and visitors. We realised that providing a more familiar environment in our RDH outpatient department such as our recent provision of a wide screen television, and tea and coffee services provided by Anglicare volunteers, makes the wait for an appointment more pleasant.
Volunteers are an important part of support services to hospitals. I was pleased to note the formation of the Drovers at Alice Springs Hospital. I have met with the Drovers; they do a fantastic job. These volunteer services are providing assistance to patients and staff alike and, recently, have added transport services. I thank the Alice Springs community for the support given to the hospital through the Drovers, in which six months of operation has constituted over 750 volunteer hours.
We are planning an enhancement to the front of Royal Darwin Hospital which includes improvements to our amenities, shaded areas and landscaping, and to paint the foyers and lift areas in the main tower block to freshen up the areas and create a more pleasant atmosphere. We are currently awaiting concept documents for these projects for evaluation prior to commencement.
I could not conclude this statement without mention of one of the flagships of Royal Darwin Hospital, its evolving role as a national critical care and trauma response centre. The Australian government is funding the Northern Territory government $61.4m from 2005-06 to 2008-09 to provide Royal Darwin Hospital with the capacity to respond to an emergency involving a large number of casualties. The intent of the funding is to allow the Department of Health and Community Services to continue to run Royal Darwin Hospital and direct the Australian government-funded resources to meet the needs of patients arising from a mass casualty incident.
As you are well aware, Royal Darwin Hospital has been required at short notice to respond to international disasters and events. Today is the eve of the tragic first Bali bombing on 12 October 2002. It was as a result of our outstanding response to that tragedy that Royal Darwin Hospital gained international acclaim in trauma disaster response. We should not forget that it was our Chief Minister’s decision to offer this assistance to the Australian government. The rest is history.
Whether responding to Bali in 2002 and again in 2005 or Timor in 2006, the facility and all those working within it acquitted themselves well - so well, in fact, that in conjunction with other Top End departmental and Territory services, their Disaster Response Plan has been adopted by other sites nationally and internationally. Since the inception of the trauma centre, we have seen an increase in capacity, both with staff numbers and capability, for responding to traumatic and disaster situations.
Professors David Cooper and Frank Plani have commenced as Chairs of Disaster Management and Trauma, respectively, at Charles Darwin University. They are internationally recognised experts in trauma and disaster management, and we are already benefiting from their wealth of experience. It is reassuring to know that whether it is a cyclone, flood or other disaster threat, or just an ordinary working day, the team at Royal Darwin Hospital is constantly there for us all.
This Labor government is committed to continuing to strengthen the services and infrastructure at Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital for the benefit of all Territorians who need their services. We have injected significant resources to do so and I believe this has made a real difference to the capacity of these valuable Territory institutions.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Mr Deputy Speaker, I welcome the statement by the minister and thank him for it. There are good things in it and we, on this side of the House, applaud good results for Territorians.
Nevertheless, one would hope for good outcomes when you consider the increase in expenditure that the Health budget has delivered, and that is good. Once again, the balance is lost in the minister’s statement because what he did not acknowledge is the improved expenditure that comes from several sources: first, GST revenue, which has increased 80% since 2001; and own source revenue, which has also increased by about 67% since 2001. This has resulted in $1.1bn into the Territory budget.
There are also SPPs or special purpose payments, which have increased as well over this time. I note the minister talked about intergovernmental agreements between the Territory and the Commonwealth becoming increasingly lopsided. I agree that this is not a fair outcome. Nevertheless, it is not to say that the Commonwealth has been cutting payments; it is a product of the states’ increasing payments because of increased state revenues. It is as though both levels of government have decided to jog the distance and, suddenly, one sprints off and the other one says: ‘Why aren’t you keeping up?’
Also, the Health department is prepared to carry debt. I noticed in last year’s annual report that ‘Accumulated Funds’ then stood at minus-$80m. It is curious that we have not seen this year’s annual report yet, and we are discussing hospitals before it has come out. Should I infer from this that the reversing accumulated funds situation has become worse, and would it be more convenient to deal with this statement before the report comes out? We will give the minister the benefit of the doubt.
When the accumulated debt of the department remains unresolved and reaches 10% of the department’s budget, it will mean one of several options has to be taken. First, the Treasurer could opt to write the debt off by paying it from another source. I do not believe the Treasurer would be so keen to do that. All the accrual accounting system means is getting rid of a debt in that fashion would not change the overall balance sheet for the general government sector from an interdepartmental perspective. I am pretty sure the Treasurer would be much happier to see that debt rest with Health rather than from his books.
It is my understanding that this debt is largely the product of the use of interstate services for Territory patients in other jurisdictions. The last I heard, there were continuing negotiations between the Territory and other jurisdictions about this situation. Perhaps the minister would care to inform the House as to what the position of that debt is now and if any arrangements have been reached. It is also because, if another option is forced upon Health - that is, a Treasury instruction to pay the debt - then health services will have to be cut to accommodate those payments. Waiting for other jurisdictions to write off the debt as a bad debt would be a very negative outcome, because we are reliant on their continuing service provision. If we prove to be bad debtors, then they may not be so keen to provide services to us, as Territorians, into the future. I would also appreciate it if the minister, in his reply, could provide the House with answers to these questions.
I am also struck by what this statement does not say. Considering the fact that we are talking about our public hospitals in this statement by the minister today, its silence on the issue is nothing less than deafening. I am referring to the hospital policy that has been articulated by both sides of politics at a federal level. I appreciate that politics of the day saw Kevin Rudd’s hospital policy embraced by the Chief Minister, only to see it rapidly cool when she realised that the $2bn on offer from the federal ALP was conditional on doing what they wanted to do within two years and, if we do not comply with Kevin Rudd, he will take the hospitals away from us.
I believe the Territory Health Minister would agree that the Royal Darwin Hospital being run from Canberra is silly. Canberra gave us the Royal Darwin Hospital before self-government and, because the Royal Darwin Hospital was based on a design that originated in Canada, of course, that hospital has snow shutters on the outside. Canberra has a similar design. They decided to blow theirs up a few years ago, I believe in 1997. We are still stuck with ours at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Further, its physical location places it on the fringe of Tiwi. Darwin is not growing in that direction. Palmerston, the rural area and beyond are all south of Darwin, yet the hospital has been placed at its northernmost point. I am not sure why these people decided to place the hospital there. It just demonstrates what happens when distant decision-makers make these distant decisions.
The Liberal Party federally have also suggested a model that wrests the hospitals away from state and territory control. They have announced that they will directly fund hospital boards so they are, essentially, autonomous of state control. I do not entirely agree with this idea either, Madam Speaker. The reason is that these boards will have limited capacity of bulk purchases of needed medical supplies. The purchasing power of the Territory government can force down prices. Sourcing materials on a hospital-for-hospital basis will pose challenges for smaller hospitals, in particular. I imagine the Katherine Hospital would struggle to manage any muscle in the marketplace if it was on its own.
Some services like procurement should not be dissolved because it will cost more. Also, we have a small jurisdiction. Our hospitals are spread wide over that jurisdiction. If, for whatever reason, there was a local disaster in any given area - and the minister mentioned those in his statement - other hospitals would immediately have to chip in and assist. One can only imagine if such circumstances existed where there were incompatible systems, lives could be lost as a result of that.
If we look at our ambulance system in the Northern Territory - which I know is not an organ of government; rather it is a free-standing system run by an independent board - we can see there are issues every so often. Especially after a tragedy, it is revealed that there were not too many ambulances on standby at any given time. It is not to reflect badly on all the good, hard work done by St John Ambulance. However, even they would admit that they are reliant on government subsidies to do their work. There are often calls from St John staff for the provision of ambulance services to be taken over by the Northern Territory government.
The problem is, either way, the Territory as an administrative organ loses under these policies. It would be tempting to say at this point that this all the fault of the Australian Labor Party, but I will not say that. State and territory governments play the standard political game. How is that constructive to this current debate? It is not. It would not be realistic of me to stand here and say that, after all the extra money the government has, that they made a complete mess of it. I will say that I hoped that we would have received a whole lot more bang for a whole lot more bucks. However, there are endemic issues here that present universal challenges.
As the minister pointed out in his statement, demand on hospital services is increasing. It is occurring two ways. First, the numbers of individual attendances at hospitals are rising, and they are rising because there are more people, but also because people are inclined to use the services more readily than they have in the past. Also, the shutting down of health services in Palmerston would, obviously, see more presentations at the Royal Darwin Hospital.
The second reason is that the population is living longer, and populations that live with chronic conditions for a longer time also place greater demand on our hospitals in the Northern Territory. It seems an ugly catch 22, if you like, because we have delivered such good health services in the past that people are living longer. Often, they live longer not because they have been cured but because ongoing treatment prolongs life. Renal dialysis is a prime example of that. Even a cursory glance at some of the remote community populations in terms of their creatinine levels demonstrates that there is a massive cloud on the horizon servicing these people in the future. It is a harsh reality, but that means money and lots of it.
It is excruciatingly difficult to have a rational debate in relation to these topics when we are talking about death and profound injury of loved ones. For example, a person waits for a long time in a hospital, they have an awful or painful condition, it makes for great press, and rational response from hospital is lost in the emotion of the case. These horror stories then translate into an overall impression that the states are failing in their duty, and that only federal governments have the answer. That is not right. None of this will change if there are federal takeovers of state hospitals. The politics that is being played out on both sides of the political divide on this issue have more to do, I believe, with short-term impressions than it has to do with real patient outcomes.
This is where I will be a bit critical of the minister’s statement today. He should be defending the Territory’s right to administer our own hospitals against the Liberal Party, as well as Kevin Rudd, of the federal ALP. Neither side has an acceptable solution, and I am afraid that, in the heat of the pre-election period, systems will change. That will simply not provide outcomes, and our capacity to manage ourselves as Territorians will be profoundly diminished. The minister and the government’s silence on this matter is cause for criticism. Their urgency to stand next to Kevin Rudd has blinded them, I believe, to this reality. The minister mentioned the promise by Kevin Rudd to spend $10m on a health facility in Palmerston, putting aside the obvious questions about time lines, who is going to contribute to what in the future, and whether this is going to be a facility that will be classified as a hospital. If it is, will it be run from Canberra and will we, as a Territory jurisdiction, have the privilege of meeting ongoing funding commitments for an institution that is being badly run from afar? Madam Speaker, $10m sounds good, but who pays the running costs and who manages it? Are we, as Territorians, left with any say in when it is built – and, by the way, when is it going to be built? It is not in this year’s financial budget, so we have to wait until next year to see where it ends up on the forward design list.
In the meantime, there are still no after-hours health services in Palmerston because this government cut the subsidy. I would rather be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Health Minister on this one, saying that both federal Liberal and federal Labor Party policies are not good enough for the Territory, because it will take away more of our ever-diminishing right to govern ourselves, than standing here calling each other names because we have a vested interest in party allegiance from Canberra.
I turn to mental health. The comments the minister made about how much more we do for patients on a per head of population basis are interesting. Last night on radio, there was a story by Beyond Blue’s Jeff Kennett. He suggested that all pregnant women in this country should be tested for the presence of antenatal depression, presumably as part of the normal screening process that comes with pregnancy. I was curious to hear Jo Sangster’s response here in the Territory. She was critical of the notion. It did surprise me a bit so I listened a little closer. Her criticism was not of the policy or the idea itself but, rather, she was critical because even if depression was diagnosed, there were few or no services available. It prompted me to check the report on government services in this area in a 2000 edition, only to discover that the Territory rates extremely poorly in delivering mental health services on a Territory level, especially in the provision of mental health beds.
I draw the member’s attention to Volume 2, page 11.42, figure 11.20 in the Report of Government Services 2007. The graph shows that we provide about 20 hospital beds for mental health patients per 100 000 of population, where the Australian average is twice that amount. Indeed, we are half or less than half of every other jurisdiction in the country. I found a reference to the report on government services in the minister’s statement, but I did not find a comment about that particular issue. Without having tracked down the history of the Territory in this area, I cannot say for sure, but I suspect that this issue may well have a long history. Should I ever become Health Minister, this is certainly an area that I will bring to my attention.
Jo Sangster’s comments are also vindicated by a footnote a few pages later in the Report on Government Services 2007, figure 11.23. I quote the footnote:
This means that if you have a mental health disorder that is chronic you can only hope for occasional help from a psychologist as an outpatient at best, or you have to deteriorate to such a degree that you fight for a spot with other mental health patients for whatever beds are available. The effect of this is that when you are sick you have to become very sick before treatment is available to you. Once again, the delivery of primary health care is subordinated by the demands placed on secondary assistance.
If you compare that with suicide rates on page 11.67 of the report, there is a startling contrast. I am not a trained clinician, everyone knows that. I am on safe ground, though, if I make an observation that there is a link between depression and suicide. The Territory’s suicide rate is more than double the national average. It is astonishing to realise that as many people die from suicide in the Northern Territory than die from motor vehicle accidents. Yet, the attention the government has given to one cause of death compared to the other is noticeable. Suicide in the bush is even worse. Suicide in the bush stands at more than three times the national average. If any member wants to check that, it is figure 11.31 on page 11.68 in that government report.
Regarding waiting lists, I commend the minister for his work to attack the long waiting lists in Northern Territory hospitals. These matters have become quite embarrassing for our hospitals. The waiting list numbers were removed from the last hospital board annual report where they were historically reported. They disappeared last year. I will be interested to see if they appear again this year. Nevertheless, the report on government services shows why the minister has needed to respond to this issue. At pages 9.26 and 9.27 there is a breakdown of census data dealing with waiting lists. The Territory comes last, and a distant last, when you compare the Territory across the three categories mentioned. If you compare Victoria in the report with the Northern Territory in the area of Category 1 patients on extended waiting lists, Victoria comes in at 0.07 and the Northern Territory comes in at 61.4. That is a big gap. I admit that the comparison is between the best and the worst in the country with the problem across all categories, but the Territory is the worst.
The situation has been declining badly in the Territory over recent years, and I do not blame the minister for becoming anxious about waiting lists. The potential political fallout from these poor numbers is the very reason that the federal parties are circling over the hospitals like vultures, you could say.
The minister is working hard; I can see that. I know his heart is in the right place and he is trying everything but, sadly, his efforts have been consumed by rear-guard actions on the worsening conditions than they are in improving delivery in other areas such as primary health care.
We all know that improvements in primary health care have a beneficial spin-off on demand in our hospitals. However, when so much is going into the hospitals and going on in the hospitals, it is difficult to find money for the primary health care sector. It seems that we are forced to treat diabetes with a cure rather than prevention.
I turn to cancer and the Territory oncology unit, which has certainly been a saga-and-a-half. I am grateful, although I am sure not as grateful as many of the cancer patients who have been waiting for this oncology unit to get the go-ahead. I congratulate all those involved. I congratulate, in particular, the efforts of Dave Tollner, the member for Solomon. I know a lot of criticism comes his way, but he has worked very hard on this oncology unit for Royal Darwin Hospital.
The minister delivered the statement in bureau-speak and it takes a little while to translate that into English, I must say. I am concerned that the minister has not dealt with important issues in Alice Springs. There are easily as many Territorians in Alice Springs who have family in Adelaide as there are people who come from Darwin. Indeed, whether it is other factors but there are aspects of Alice Springs life that are more aligned with Adelaide than Darwin and that is a simple fact. When a person develops cancer, it is a scary thing. Cancer does kill. I pause to acknowledge your own personal battle, Madam Speaker, and it is heartening to see that your road to recovery is progressing. The very pinkness of this …
Mrs Miller: She is better than ever.
Mr CONLAN: Yes, exactly. The pinkness of this parliament at night is testament to your desire to address the issue of cancer in women.
The problem is that once the oncology unit is constructed in Darwin, patients in Alice Springs may be forced to come to Darwin despite the fact that they may have relatives in Adelaide. I know this is a big concern for the people of Central Australia. Currently, the PATS scheme services patients in the Territory to travel to Adelaide or wherever else they may need to go. I ask the minister - and it appears he has already hinted at the answer in his statement, in bureau-speak again - that special recognition be given to these aspects of the Alice Springs community on this issue. My predecessor, Dr Richard Lim, made similar points, but the answer remains unclear. It would be nonsensical to send patients to Darwin when the cost of going to Adelaide would not be any higher. I know patients and their families in Alice Springs would appreciate that.
I am glad to see that money is being spent in areas like birthing suites. I am immensely grateful. Just looking at the history, I will not have to go through that process. The indemnification of some of the home birthing services is also a good result for mothers in the Northern Territory. That was a positive initiative by this government. I know that some clinicians are critical of the process, but it should not be up to clinicians to tell women where they should have their babies. When they do tell mothers where to have their babies, or when mothers choose to have babies in hospital, the Territory has always provided some of the best services that there are to be had. That has been the case in the past and it is good to see that continuing.
Finally, with the delivery of the Rapid Admission Units, the business of leaving patients on trolleys in corridors caused by bed block should be gone. This is a good solution to the problem. However, I put to the minister on notice that, should this solution not achieve what is promised, I will continue to question it. Nevertheless, it is a good initiative and we, on this side of the House, support it.
As I said at the outset, I am grateful to the minister for taking the time to talk about hospital services in the Northern Territory. I do not for a moment pretend to be an expert in the area. The minister knows my background and I know his quite well. I am just a newbie on the block, but I do want to learn and understand more about this very important portfolio of Health for all Territorians. I ask the minister for a detailed and thorough tour of both Royal Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals, as well as Katherine and Tennant Creek ...
Mrs Miller: And Katherine!
Mr CONLAN: Of course, member for Katherine. That is, obviously, so I can better understand the practicalities and the issues that are facing hospitals in the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, I hope to bring a measured and considered attitude to this shadow portfolio, and I welcome further briefings from the minister. I thank him for his statement today.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I support the Health Minister’s statement on Building Better Hospitals in the Northern Territory. The minister’s statement setting out the Martin government’s commitment to support and improve hospitals across the Territory really could not come at a better time. Two separate reports have been recently released and they both show the same thing: the Howard government is systematically slashing the proportion of money they are putting in the public health system across Australia.
As the Territory Health Minister alluded to, this month, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released its report Health Expenditure Australia 2005-06, and it makes quite disturbing reading. The point that immediately jumped out to me was that, between 1995-96 and 2005-06, the Howard government’s share of public hospital funding decreased from 45% to 41%. State and territory government funding during this period increased from 46% to 51%.
That really puts into perspective the Howard government’s desperate grab for public hospital credibility by funding one hospital in Tasmania. You have to ask: what about every other single public hospital around Australia that has borne the brunt of this refusal by the Howard government to properly fund our public hospital system? What has not really been acknowledged as widely as it should be is the detriment to the Tasmanian health system caused by the federal government’s intervention in this matter. Simply for political gain in a marginal electorate area, this hospital in Burnie, and the whole hospital system in Tasmania, is subject to wider scrutiny and review. It was decided, on all of the input from health professionals and communities all around, how they would stage their delivery of health services across these hospitals and that Burnie would be downgraded.
I happened to see the Prime Minister on his visit there within the last few days speaking to someone, obviously within one of the hospitals. The question the Prime Minister put was: ‘What would you do?’ He said: ‘Well, I would have left. I would not have saved Burnie Hospital. I would have continued with what the Tasmanian government was doing’, because they had a strategy, they had a plan to meet the service delivery needs of people in the north end of Tassie. This Prime Minister - clumsy, hamfisted - just stepped in and said: ‘We will fund that hospital and we will continue to run all of the services that were there before’. That is okay. At least it is out of the Tasmanian Health minister’s and the Tasmanian taxpayers’ budget. However, what if the funding stops in two years, three years, four years or even, indeed, in a year? What happens then? It just shows what can happen, I guess, when a remote government in Canberra decides it knows what is best for local people and, then, in this hamfisted way, blunders in and upsets the whole applecart in relation to the delivery of hospital services in the north end of Tassie, centred on this Burnie hospital. It is not the only issue they are trying to deal with down there in their desperate attempt to seal up as many seats as possible in this imminent federal election.
Going back to this question of reducing funding over the time the Howard government has been in power, it does paint a pretty damning picture. It was interesting to see Health minister Abbott, who said: ‘We have stuck by the last letter of every agreement’. Well, it was not the question. The question was how and why has federal government funding cost shifted in the delivery of hospital funding from the Commonwealth, the Australian government, to the states. It really was pretty curmudgeonly of Abbott to be saying: ‘We have respected and stuck by every last dot point of the health agreement’. Well, they may have, Madam Speaker. However, the fact is subsequent health agreements over the last decade or so have been so heavily balanced in favour of the Commonwealth that we now see the outcome - a cost shift from the Australian government taxpayer to the states’ and territories’ taxpayer. We well know, from the time we have been in government, the difficulties that subsequent Health Ministers have had in reaching agreement with the Commonwealth over health care agreements. We do not ask why - do we now? - when the truth comes out a decade on that they really have been savaging the states and territories in relation to their share of proper funding.
They are withdrawing financial support, I might add, at the same time sitting on, this year alone, a $17bn surplus. Federal Treasury, over the past few years, has predicted $5bn and $6bn surpluses. In their mid-year report, they said it might be $8bn or $9bn. By the time it got close to budget time, it might be $10bn or $11bn. By the time they got to the finals and passed the delivery of the next budget and the final outcome of the preceding financial year, it was up around $14bn, $15bn and, of course, this year about $17bn surplus. Part of that surplus is in their hands because they have deprived the rightful share of funding to our public hospital system right across Australia.
The Australian Institute of Heath and Welfare report findings match those of a June 2007 report from State and Territory Health Ministers which, again, showed an alarming split between the share of funding for public hospitals between federal, state and territory governments. While states and territories funding goes up, the federal government’s drops. What is the cause of this split? The Australian government has adjusted public hospital funding by a figure lower than the inflation rate, directly contradicting the recommendations of an independent arbiter brought in to judge on this. What does it mean in practice? Of course, it means that the Howard government has contributed far less to public hospitals than it should have, and its shortfall stands now at $1.1bn a year and growing. Even federal Heath minister Abbott had to acknowledge that they have dropped the ball, as he grudgly admitted. Since 2001, the states have been increasing their funding fast. It was a pretty embarrassed minister Abbott standing there admitting that.
Of course, we have been increasing our funding faster; we have had no choice. The community expects and deserves a strong public hospital system. If the federal government refuses to provide the necessary funding, then the states and territories must. In the Territory, this growing gap between Territory and Commonwealth funding for public hospitals is even more extreme. The Australian government contribution of public hospital services in the Northern Territory in 2005-06 was 34.6% compared with a national average of 41.6%. The Territory government is the highest proportionate contributor of all states and territory jurisdictions to public hospital services at 61.7% in 2005-06, compared to a 50.4% average. That is an incredibly low level of federal government contribution to the Territory public health system, despite the Territory having the highest level of health need as measured by burden of disease. As the Territory Health Minister rightly pointed out, we do have the busiest health system in the country.
The Martin government is doing its part to meet this demand and provide all Territorians with the health services they require and deserve. However, we have had the highest real growth in recurrent health expenditure from 2003-04 to 2005-06 at 12%. That translates to a recurrent health expenditure per person in the Northern Territory in 2005-06 of $4954, the highest of all jurisdictions and 25% above the national average.
I suggest if the CLP opposition really wanted to do something constructive and useful in relation to our public hospitals, they might think about calling up Canberra, get minister Abbott’s office on the line - get minister Abbott if they can – and ring the Prime Minister’s office. What about ringing our member for Solomon, Mr Dave Tollner? Senator Scullion is silent, missing in action, on any debate around these matters. Ask them some pointed questions about funding levels, and urge them to at least get stuck into the federal government to at least match the Martin government’s substantial increase in funding since 2001.
I talked before about the Commonwealth government’s share of funding and the public hospital burden across Australia have fallen at a time of increasingly massive surpluses accruing to the federal government. However, at the same time, it is not just the surplus that they sit on. Over that 11 years that Prime Minister Howard has been in government, we have also seen an alarming shift in the share of the common wealth of Australia with much more of it accruing to the Australian government than, indeed, the states and territories. That, of course, in itself contributes to that massive surplus that has accrued year in, year out. It is a bit of a double whammy in the sense that they have never had a greater share of the entire common wealth of Australia than they have had now and, at the same time, they have never reduced funding to our public hospitals to the levels that they have reduced over the last decade or so.
In relation to the question from the member for Greatorex, talking about debt or deficits, he needs to probably seek a briefing on the presentation of the budget papers in and around how this government and each agency treats accrual accounting in the format and the presentation of the budget papers. He would be well served by that. It is easy to be misled by certain sets of figures if you are not exactly sure what they represent and mean. With the health budget that came in last year, there was not a question anywhere about …
Dr Burns: Came in on target.
Mr STIRLING: Yes, it came in on target. There was not a question about over-runs or blowing the budget or, in fact, having a surplus. The member for Greatorex will find that he is being misled, referring to accrual numbers which can represent a very different picture to cash levels and expenditure in a particular agency throughout a financial year. I urge the member for Greatorex, as a new member to parliament, that one of the most empowering tools he can have at his disposal as a member of this Assembly is to understand budgeting format presentation of both agency and Territory government budget papers overall. Treasury would be quite willing to put their resources at his disposal to take him through this sort of information so that he is better informed and better able to read and understand the budget position.
I believe the federal Howard Liberal government has been embarrassed by the revelations in relation to their share of public health funding across Australia. I saw that look of embarrassment on minister Abbott’s face. It may be that we do need a change of government at the federal level in order to get some balance back in to the proper funding of the public hospital system right across Australia - rather than this ‘Oh well, let us take over the Burnie hospital and continue to fund it’, regardless of the enormous work that had been done by the Tasmanian government, the Tasmanian Health department, to make sense of what they had to try to rationalise their services, gain efficiencies but, at the same time, deliver the best possible health services to northern Tasmanians that they could.
A Prime Minister that is prepared to take that sort of unilateral action is prepared to do anything in order to save a marginal seat. It is a bit frightening, really, to see the desperation of this government in probably its dying days. So, bring on the election. Let us get a result for Australia, and a government that will take the proper funding of the public hospital system in Australia seriously; that will give the states and territories its proper share of funding to deliver these very necessary services to the people of Australia.
Madam Speaker, I support the Health minister’s statement as, indeed, I support the job he is doing.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Madam Speaker, I support the statement to the Assembly by the Minister for Health in relation to the Building Better Hospitals commitment.
Effective health service delivery is an important responsibility of any government. It is a fundamental responsibility because it relates directly to a person’s quality of life and the ability to enjoy the benefits that life entails. I am supportive of this commitment because it is another step in the significant investment made by this government. Since 2001, funding for the Department of Health and Community Services has increased by 73%. I am informed that Alice Springs has received an increase of 94% since 2001.
This increase is as a direct result of the government recognising the importance of health and effective health service delivery. It is recognition that quality of life is fundamental to a person’s capacity to contribute in all facets of life, therefore, making them healthier in order for them to contribute to the direction in which the Territory is going.
The increased investment in health services by the government has created a health system recognised nationally for its contribution. As the Minister for Health explained, the Australian government report called State of our Public Hospitals shows the Territory contributing the most money per capita to our hospitals. The report shows that we are one of only three jurisdictions where 100% of our public hospitals are accredited. It is good to have this recognition from an Australian government report, as it shows that we are sincere about the people of the Northern Territory and their wellbeing. This government and the Minister for Health deserve credit for these findings. It is through the relationship that this government has formed with the Australian government that has enabled us to be recognised in such reports.
Government’s resolve to provide adequate health services is an important responsibility. This current government has carried out this role in a way that reflects its sincere commitment. However, it is a responsibility on the part of Territorians to live a lifestyle conducive to good health. As individuals, we all play a decisive role in our own health, and we all influence our own personal health outcomes to a certain degree.
Throughout the remote communities of the Northern Territory, over a number of decades, I have witnessed of increased health challenges on the part of many people. My ability to recognise this comes from my wife who is a bush nurse who has worked in many communities. She has worked in Alice, Wadeye, Papunya and Maningrida. I, too, in my previous life as a staff member of Social Security, used to go out to many communities. We would always make a point of going into the health clinics and talking to the nurses and staff. I can tell you that the commitment of our health officers in the bush, be they nurses, District Medical Officers or Aboriginal Health Workers, is fantastic. Without these people out there in the bush our system in town would truly be overburdened. They do a fantastic job, way and above what any nurses would do in any other communities throughout Australia and, perhaps, throughout the world. Their skills are well recognised. They are at the forefront of nurse practitioner practices. They are called upon in many fields.
I have a friend who was a remote nurse at Maningrida who is now working in Siberia in Occupational Health and Safety as a medical person on rigs. This is the sort of training that goes on with our people out in the bush, and this is the sort of commitment that this government has to its health professionals.
As I said, I have witnessed, over a number of decades, increased health challenges on the part of many people. In many cases, these challenges are directly linked to the problems of substance misuse. They are linked to decisions that individuals make; decisions that are not always in the best interests of personal health outcomes. When too many individuals make these decisions, the burden on health service delivery can be significant. I remember doing the tucker run out at Maningrida, trying to get fresh vegetables and fruit up the rivers during the Wet Season to small communities so that people can have a healthy diet. It is one of the things that the remote area shops do. They are to be commended for their way of trying to tackle the primary health care issues through better diets.
It is very difficult on communities to sustain a better diet with fresh fruit and vegetables when the issue of merely keeping a refrigerator going is huge. You can imagine in our communities with the housing issues we have - and we are on record as saying that many houses out on our communities are overcrowded. You can imagine that the life expectancy of whitegoods is very limited. Of course, keeping a fridge that you might find in your normal three-bedroom house in the suburbs of Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine or Tennant Creek, going to provide safe storage for food is not available to people in communities. That has a huge impact on the health outcomes for our people in the bush.
In other cases, decisions that people make are not linked strongly to substance misuse, but can have a significant impact on personal health. Consumption of unhealthy foods, too much sugar, foods low in nutrients and high in fat, can have adverse consequences and can place pressure on health service delivery and a person’s quality of life. It is for these reasons that we have emphasised over the years the importance of preventative health. Preventative health reduces the need to invest in a substantial part of health service delivery because it reduces the likelihood of hospital admissions. In many cases, preventative health programs can produce a cost benefit to government. This government is to be commended for the programs that it has in place in the preventative health side.
So you see, Madam Speaker, it is not just a matter of hospital admissions and looking after the health system at the rear end. What this government is really about is trying to get the health of the people in the communities and suburbs a lot better by better lifestyles and better choices on dietary intake - on the proper use and not misuse of substances, and of lowering the fats.
We all remember that, prior to 2001, of course, the great renal dialysis debate and saga that went on in this place, and how, prior to 2001, it was very rare that you would ever see any renal dialysis anywhere outside of Darwin and Alice Springs. It was this government that embarked on getting the renal dialysis out and about, and it is this government that is bringing on many more initiatives. It is to be commended for that.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister for presenting this timely statement to the House. I look forward to hearing the contribution from the member for Millner, who I know is right up there on health issues, particularly for urban and remote communities. I thank the House for allowing me the time to report to it and commend the minister for this statement.
Mr BONSON (Millner): Madam Speaker, I support the Health Minister’s statement. As we know, there are many different issues relating to health, not only within the Northern Territory but within Australia and, indeed, the world. As a profession, and as a field of endeavour, health is one of the most researched issues in the world. We have, no doubt, some of the best researchers in Australia in the Northern Territory, in the world, living and working within Australia. We have the science to deal with many of the problems that we have, and we have identified these problems. The Health Minister has a research background. Over the last couple of weeks and months, what has become apparent is that, with the Health Minister’s background in the field of health, it has allowed him to attack many of these issues at an academic level, understanding the science behind a lot of the problems that health faces.
I should recognise our new CEO, an eminent doctor, Dr David Ashbridge, who has recently been appointed. He has a deep understanding and knowledge of working within the Health department, and all the health issues that we are facing.
However, what has really changed in health in the last few years - and it has been amazing to see the change since 2001. I will go through some of the statistics of resourcing that the minister touched on in his statement. This government, as a whole, has identified that health plays an important role in our society. Often, when we run budgets, with this overriding need to show that we are running a tight ship and we are going to produce a surplus etcetera, we sometimes forget that we need to invest in our society. One of the ways that the Territory government and, indeed, all governments do that is through the health system. Education, employment and training, infrastructure and investment are the basic planks on which government policy is created, as well as, of course, health. Our performance since 2001 has shown that this government, under the leadership of Clare Martin and a number of Health Ministers over a long period of time, will invest in this area, tackle hard issues, and endeavour to find new ways to deal with many of the problems that we face.
The minister touched on the fact that our demographics are quite unique. As we know, our population is growing and our demographics show that we are quite a young population compared to any other state or territory of Australia. The latest ABS figures are we have around 208 000 people living in the Northern Territory. About 28% to 30% of that population is indigenous. Obviously, it comes to around 50 000 to 60 000 individuals who identify as being Aboriginal, which makes our demographic quite unique in the whole of Australia.
The Northern Territory is one-sixth of the land mass of Australia. We have 200 000 people sparsely spread right across this great country of ours. Indeed, our environments in Central Australia to the tropics of the Northern Territory are quite different. Many of the problems that this Health Minister and this government face are quite unique to this jurisdiction. However, what has been one of the major ticks of why I am a part of this government is our commitment to improving services, not only to Territorians who live in the urban settings, but those who live in remote areas.
I, like many other members, came into this House in 2001 with no background in health. However, becoming a member, you often have to become a jack of all trades and have an understanding of many diverse fields. I have enjoyed my conversations with the current minister regarding drug and alcohol issues, diabetes, and other health issues facing Territorians. The member for Barkly, who has a deep passion about delivering dialysis to all Territorians, has often led me to discuss people who are no longer with us because of the lack of services previously, or the ability to get to dialysis. With the major work in diabetes, I hope that continues. As we know, it is a disease that, unfortunately, is on the increase right across Australia.
General conversations with the member for Arafura, whose background is in non-government organisations in the health field, have helped formulate my belief in some of the things in primary health care that we need to address. There are many other members, including Madam Speaker, the member for Nightcliff who, as a former Minister of Health, has an interest in health.
One of the areas that I would like to touch on which, as a local member, I take a keen interest in, is the Royal Darwin Hospital. As we have seen on the breakdown of previous budgets, the Royal Darwin Hospital, for a number of different reasons, is one of the areas that take up most of the health budget. There are a variety of different reasons. What we have seen is the need to support Royal Darwin Hospital and the staff at the Royal Darwin Hospital – the doctors, the nurses, the medical practitioners, the staff, the administration staff, the CEO; the people who drive what the Royal Darwin Hospital does.
If we have a look at what Royal Darwin Hospital does, it services over 100 000 people in the Darwin and rural area who are quite isolated from the rest of Australia, and who have quite unique needs. What we also see with Royal Darwin Hospital is that it services a vast area of the Northern Territory, because we are the capital city and people come here to Royal Darwin Hospital. People coming to the Royal Darwin Hospital have different types of needs, are from different types of cultural and racial backgrounds. The staff, the nurses, the doctors, the administration officers need to have unique skills, quite different to anywhere else in Australia. I place on record my thanks for the work they do in the extreme circumstances.
The minister touched on the problems we inherited in the health system in 2001. I clearly remember, as a first-time elected member, one of the issues which came to the fore regarding the former member for Drysdale, the former Health Minister, Steve Dunham and the budget. It was the cosmetic improvements to the budget to create a feeling of growth within the budget. When you look at the percentage of growth under the health budget from 2001 until now from this government, that figure was around 3%. I know the opposition, at the moment, constantly harp on the fact that they are not related to the former CLP. I put on record that the members for Araluen, Greatorex and Katherine were not members at the time; the member for Blain was.
Often we forget that there was a history as to why we came into government. We were in opposition for such a long time. People throughout the Northern Territory wanted change because they believed areas like the health system were not operating to capacity and were not being properly funded. They were willing to give someone else a go. If you have a look at the figures that the minister quoted since 2001 - and I will read word for word from his speech:
A total of $838m has been spent on health, a 73% increase. We have gone from a historical stance in 2001 where there was a fudging of the books - for want of a better way to describe it - to create this feeling of growth of 3% to an actual growth of 73%.
All credit to the members of the opposition. They do not really challenge that statistic. The reason why they do not is because the budget books over a number of years do not lie. They have shown this growth. Often, as a government, we probably do not get the kudos that we deserve regarding investing in our health system. The minister went on to state:
That is an amazing record: 115 extra medical staff, and 380 nursing staff full-time equivalent, FTE, positions since 2001.
This Health minister has often, in his battles with the Commonwealth, member for Greatorex, talked about full-time equivalent positions in nursing, and here it is again on the record: 318 nursing full-time equivalent positions since 2001. That is an amazing effort.
This government has also shown that it has a fantastic record when we compare it to interstate hospitals, even though we have these unique circumstances in our demographic.
It is mostly in relation to the fact that we have a high quantity of indigenous people who live in remote areas with quite serious health issues, mostly related to issues involving poor housing, poor diet and things that you would expect in countries around the world that have issues with poverty and access to resources. I have talked about it often in this House and, no doubt, many members are aware of it themselves that, in 2007, as one of the richest countries in the world per head of population, we have approximately 56 000 indigenous people in the Territory. I think the figures are around 850 000 to 900 000 people identifying themselves as Aboriginal throughout the whole of the country. Yet, many of those individuals - not all of course, many are successful and living long and healthy lives - for a variety of different reasons - and it has nothing to do with blaming the person themselves or the structures of this county - are living in poor conditions which then lead to poor health, high unemployment and all the other issues that we see and that, as a government, we are facing.
We should be investing in this. This government can hold its head up regarding health. According to the budget, according to the figures since 2001, I do not think there would be any other government in the history of this country, let alone the present time, that has shown an ability to put their money where their mouths are.
The minister talked about comparisons between territory and state governments against our performance. He said:
My calculations off the top of my head tell me that is a 30% better ratio than the rest of the country:
That is an amazing effort. I want to place on record that he went on to say:
If you had have told me when I came in as a member in 2001 that we would increase the health budget by 85%, I would have thought that that was unbelievable, but the reality is that we have. As we have uncovered the need, this government, with the extra dollars that have come through revenue from the Commonwealth government, we have seen that money taken and put in the places of most need. The minister said:
As we know, two of the opposition members are based in Alice Springs, as is one of the Independent members. To hear the figure of a 95% increase to Alice Springs Hospital not only demonstrates to the opposition and the Independents but to members of this side who are based around Central Australia, that this government is not focused above the Berrimah Line, but on the whole of the Northern Territory.
The minister said that, notwithstanding this is happening, we have to look at the factors that face us as a population. He talked about admission rates being twice as high as the rest of Australia. Our Emergency Department presentation rates have been more than three times the Australian average, and there are reasons behind that. It touches on the fact that a lot of it is due to the fact that we have had a legacy of poor health left to us. That legacy, in defence of the previous government, cannot be laid at their feet in total, but it has to be looked at in the history of this country; that we have had a lack of investment in health needs, particularly in the Top End amongst Aboriginal Territorians. It touches on life expectancy.
We do a hard job here, Madam Speaker, a very difficult job. Often, we find ourselves, as local members and as members of government, saying, ‘No, we cannot do this’, rather than ‘Yes, we can’, even though we would love to. Often, you look to things that drive you in the position to keep going. One of those touched on by the minister is the Aboriginal infant mortality rate has fallen by 36% between the period of 1996 to 2000 and 2001 to 2003, so that is a fantastic achievement. However, he also referenced that with the reality of what we still face; that is, that the rate is still 2.5 times higher than the rate for non-Aboriginal infants.
We have done a lot. There is a lot more work to be done. We look forward to …
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I move that the member for Millner be granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr BONSON: I thank members of the House for allowing me to finish my contribution.
In light of the federal election, I would like to touch on some of the issues that are coming up. What we see here is that the Northern Territory, as a community, is quite unique to the rest of Australia, but we are still part of Australia. As many people know, under the Grants Commission, most of our monies come from Commonwealth grants. That has been the history of this community, and this Territory and of our governments.
Though we often get in disputes with the Commonwealth government regarding what they should or should not be doing, what we are seeing in all elections is both sides promising to do certain things. I welcome the promise of the federal Labor opposition, which has recognised there is a need for major reform to improve primary health services, and have promised $220m for GP super clinics in Australia.
Any local member will tell you that, over the last 10 years, there has been a decline in access to GPs who bulkbill. There are local legends, the Dr Reids - Brian and his wife - who, over a period of time, have withdrawn the service they provide to the community, bit by bit. Dr Brian Reid recently retired. He has been my family doctor for a long period of time, and many others around the Millner area. Of course, what did I find? I found that I had to find a new doctor. One of the issues that came out locally was: where would I go to a doctor that would bulkbill? Unfortunately, people’s circumstances are all different. The cost to see a doctor is quite high if they are not allowed to bulkbill. This is something that not only we, as a government, but the opposition – and, no doubt, they do hear the same as local members - need to understand; this is a big issue. We need to work together to get the Commonwealth government which, at the moment, is a Liberal government - no doubt it would be no surprise to everyone in this House I am hoping to have a change of government. However, whether it is a Liberal or Labor government in the future, the real issue is that we need to increase GP services, therefore, I welcome this promise of $220m for super clinics.
The minister stated that the super clinic model will provide access to primary medical and health care, chronic disease and complex care management, outpatient outreach clinics, and a range of allied health services. He went on to say that, on 1 September 2007, Mr Abbott announced that, if elected, his government would fund $10m for a GP super clinic in Palmerston to provide access to 24-hour a day GP services. All members in this House know for a fact that is one of the No 1 issues in the Palmerston area. As far as I know, I do not think that the current Commonwealth government has made the same promise. I am not sure if the Health Minister will touch on that, but my understanding is that they have not. Kevin Rudd put that on the table. I ask the members opposite to lobby their colleagues who represent the Territory in the Commonwealth parliament to get the same type of promise, because we are all Territorians and we are in it together.
I look forward, as a local member and as a member of this government, to continuing the support we have put into health. I believe that governments do not run as a small business. We have a role and responsibility to manage taxpayers’ money as best as we can and the principles of accountability and transparency need to be maintained. However, we are also about investing. That investment we have to make is in our society.
I say to the rest of Australia that the Northern Territory, in many ways, is the future of Australia. We cannot look at what is going to happen in the next 10 or 20 years; we have to look at what is going to happen in the next 50 to 100 to 150 years. Our close proximity with Asia, our access to many of the natural resources that we are uncovering through the Northern Territory, the people, issues to do with water and access to land, are all going to drive the need for people to come to the Northern Territory, whether they come from interstate or overseas, or local Territorians increase the population themselves. The reality is that this government has to continue to invest in health just as we do in education and infrastructure. Through that investment in health, I hope to see more doctors, more nurses, stronger and better services provided to all Territorians in remote rural or urban areas, the continued mortality rate of all Territorians decrease so the length of all Territorians lives grow.
I was going to talk about some of the recent initiatives that the Health Minister has announced such as the overdue elective surgery lists and how we have attacked and decreased that. As a local member, the reality is that is one of the biggest issues out there is people waiting for operations, whether it is here in Darwin or down south. That has been a fantastic achievement by all the administrative staff who work there day to day, as a policy choice and decision by this Heath Minister. I will not go into that too much because I am running out of time. However, that needs to be mentioned, and I will definitely be mentioning that to all the local constituents I know who have an interest in that.
I welcome the new ward at RDH. I know that the minister is focusing, with the current CEO and all his staff, on improving access to wards and the waiting times and all those types of things that all affect Accident and Emergency. I note the Rapid Admission Unit and that is a fantastic achievement. I will not go into that, but we know the issues behind that is easing patient movement through the hospital, and reducing waiting times in the Emergency Department. Let us face it, when you front at 2 am or 3 am, with a family member very sick, you should be sleeping but you are waiting to see a doctor or a nurse. To have really efficient service provided is much welcomed and appreciated.
I will just touch on an interesting point about that. All the people I know who get dealt with by Royal Darwin Hospital overwhelmingly say that the staff treat them very well - the nurses, the doctors etcetera - and they are very happy with the professional care that they get. I just want to put that on record as well. Of course they want to shorten the patient’s stay in hospital.
The government’s delivery of the new birth centre is welcome. I know, having recently become a father and going through the issues with my wife, that is much appreciated by all Territorians as well.
Finally, I put on the record that I welcome the minister’s work. I sit at the Sunday markets with him and often he will tell you - and I am there to support him - that many of the issues that come to us at the Sunday markets and as local members and through other events, are involved in health. I believe that this Health Minister has a real passion towards dealing with some of the health issues. He has over 20 to 30 years in the health field and we are in very good hands as we move into the future. As the member for Millner, I welcome any efforts that he can make with his Cabinet colleagues in addressing the many health issues that we have to face, and his ongoing engagement with the Commonwealth government about them. On occasion, we need to get into dispute with the Commonwealth but, in other instances, we have to work with them. This Health Minister has been managing that, in his time as Health Minister, as well as I have seen.
Madam Speaker, I welcome the statement and I hope to see the good work continue.
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I welcome the contribution by all members to this very important statement because hospitals are a crucial part of our health system. They are places that we generally do not want people to end up, but they are important and people rely on them. This has been a statement about hospitals, but I also want to assure the House that much attention has been paid to primary health care; to getting more services out into the bush for better supporting initiatives in indigenous health right throughout the length and breadth of the Northern Territory. As Health Minister, I know that hospitals are crucial institutions and I have focused very much on that since I became Health Minister, and built on the good work of the previous Health Ministers who preceded me as part of the Martin Labor government. Of course, I have the great support of the department, especially the new CEO, Dr David Ashbridge.
The member for Greatorex was generally supportive of the statement and I welcome that. I look forward to working well with the member for Greatorex in this very important area of health. He mentioned issues related to increases in GST revenue and increases in own source revenue of which this government has been the recipient since we came to power in 2001. Of course, we recognise that we have benefited from GST revenue. Because of all the economic activity in the Northern Territory since we came to power when the economy was very flat, our own source revenue has increased considerably.
However, this statement really underlines the fact that we have made significant extra investments in our health system and our hospital system, in particular. Overall, there has been a 73% increase in the departmental budget related to health since we came to power.
I can remember in our first Assembly after we came to power there was a lot of argument from the opposition about where all the extra GST money was going. There seems to be agreement now, I think, from the new member for Greatorex, and the recognition that this is a government which has actually invested a lot of that extra income into health as we have with police and education. I welcome that shift in position from the opposition to recognise that we have invested very heavily in health, and hospitals in particular.
The member for Greatorex also mentioned - I think he used the word ‘debt’. He talked about $80m worth of debt in an annual report. He also talked about debts in other states and cross-border transfers, etcetera. I point out, as the Treasurer did, to the member for Greatorex that he is really looking at an accrual accounting system, which is not the same as a cash accounting system The member for Greatorex should familiarise himself with the accrual accounting system. I confess the change from cash accounting to accrual accounting occurred when I was a very new member, and it does take a bit of getting used to when you have been used to a cash accounting system.
I can assure the member for Greatorex that the $80m debt that he referred to, does not come off the bottom line of the department; it is not part of the departmental allocation. It is a way in which Treasury, through the accrual accounting system, measures depreciation and also through some of the corporate charges allocated by DCIS. The Treasurer offered the member for Greatorex a briefing on accrual accounting. Likewise, I join with the Treasurer to take the member for Greatorex through that, and probably even make it a more specific briefing about the Health budget. It is possibly something on which Treasury and Health can join together because Health is a very considerable budget at $838m. If the member for Greatorex wishes to contact me and arrange that, I am sure we can explain some of the intricacies of the budget and how the accrual accounting system works.
The member for Greatorex also talked about the different positions adopted by Kevin Rudd as opposed to John Howard over funding for hospitals. I think everyone in this House and most commentators recognise that there are considerable differences between Labor federally and Kevin Rudd, and what he is proposing as the health policy related to hospitals, and what John Howard is proposing. Contrary to the assertions of the member for Greatorex that the Territory government had been silent on that matter of Kevin Rudd’s offer of $2bn, which everyone is aware of, and also a takeover by Kevin Rudd of the Territory’s health system - far from it, Madam Speaker.
The Chief Minister has made our position very clear. We do not support the Commonwealth taking over our hospital system. As the Chief Minister said when this policy was announced, we welcome the up-front money by Kevin Rudd and Labor federally and she expressed the confidence that we could negotiate our way through the issues that have been raised by Kevin Rudd. We all want to stop that blame game, but we want more GPs, better access to services, and fewer people in hospital. These are all the things that Kevin Rudd and Labor nationally are talking about - the same things that state and territory health ministers are also talking about.
We want to stop the blame game. We want to work constructively with the federal government and we want to ensure that these services are offered. As you pointed out, Madam Speaker, when you were Health Minister, at the last Australian Health Care Agreement, which is, essentially, the agreement around funding for hospitals, we really started behind the eight ball. By almost by a sleight of hand, the federal government ratcheted it back to the beginning of the old agreement, not the end of the last agreement. We were right behind the eight ball before we started. Therefore, it is little wonder that state and territory governments are having to find a shortfall of $1bn annually to make up what the federal government is not putting in to our health system.
In contrast to John Howard, who seems to be switching from poll to poll - one minute he is going to take over hospitals and the next he is going to put boards in charge of them - universally, most of the health groups and those with long experience in health have said this idea of boards will not work. Why would someone want to take on the responsibility of running a hospital like Royal Darwin Hospital with a budget of somewhere around $207m per year? Why take on all the responsibility, the liability, the recruitment, the nitty gritty of the finances, knowing the growth in the hospital system? Why would someone in our community want to take on that responsibility? They might have a business, they might be a health professional or whatever, but why would they want to do it? That is the sort of job we entrust to our health professionals - people like Len Notaras, and those who control the finances in Royal Darwin Hospital. Certainly, there is a role for hospital boards within our system, but they are clearly defined within our act. We welcome the contribution of our hospital boards in having community input - putting the community’s point of view within the running of the hospital. I have not met anyone within our hospital boards who actually wants to take on the full responsibility of running our hospital. John Howard is right off the mark there and I believe most people recognise it.
The member for Greatorex talked about the super clinic, asking who is going to pick up the bill and whether we are going to have input into the planning, etcetera. I can assure the member for Greatorex that the predominant funding is coming from the Commonwealth. The Territory will fit in with the Commonwealth to deliver more services at Palmerston. We will negotiate that, and we will have input in the shape and size of that clinic in the physical building and also the services.
The member for Greatorex said that the super clinic would be run from Canberra. Well, that is not so. If he cared to look, there are a number of super clinics, and that model is running elsewhere in Australia. We can supply him the names of a few places of where super clinics are currently operating. They are certainly not controlled by Canberra. There is a framework there for health professionals to come in and deliver services. I believe it is a very good idea.
He also asserted that there is no after-hours services in Palmerston. That is not so. I know there were a few GP services out there after hours, but I am advised the exact numbers are: two GP practices during the week which offer after-hours services; and three GP services on the weekend. The Palmerston Medical Centre received some funding from the Australian government of $200 000 for round-the-clock Medicare after several rounds. I welcome that Commonwealth investment. However, there needs to be more, and that is why I believe the 24-hour super clinic proposed by Kevin Rudd is such a great idea.
The member for Greatorex talked at length about Mental Health Services. He raised some very good issues in relation to mental health, such as suicide and provision of mental health services. Just to let him know, Mental Health Services is run through Family and Community Services. These are issues for the member for Arafura, and I am sure she will be glad to address issues as the member for Greatorex raises them with her. As I said, he raised some good issues, but not really part of the statement about hospitals - not a direct part anyway, because it is a separate area of Family and Community Services.
The member for Greatorex talked about the Report on Government Services 2007. He pointed to elective surgery and complimented us on our elective surgery initiative. However, he did say that we were faring poorly in elective surgery. Yes, we can do better, but from what we see in the Report on Government Services 2007, at figure 9.11 on page 9.24, we are in the middle of the pack in terms of our elective surgery. We want to move up the list, but we are certainly not coming last by any stretch of the imagination. Median waiting time in the Northern Territory was 32 days, Australia-wide it is 32 days and, overall, I am advised that 73% of all public elective surgery patients are seen within the recommended time, but this will improve further through the elective surgery waiting list blitz. Going to the number of elective surgery admissions in the Northern Territory, we are the highest in Australia, per 1000 of weighted population. We have a lot of pressure on our elective surgery, but we are rising to the occasion and we are kicking a lot of goals within there.
You will also find many good stories in there. There are many green tags on this book I have here, and each one represents that the Territory is doing well over a whole range of areas within our hospitals.
The number of doctors per capita has risen to the highest since we came to government, expenditure per capita, our hospital staff per thousand population, all our beds are accredited - there are many good news stories. You can go in there and find some things which need to be improved. I certainly look through this book and see the things which need to be improved, and I work with the department to try to improve them. We always have to be on our game. This is why this is a good report, and we need to take heed of what is in it.
The member for Greatorex gave us credit for the Rapid Admission Unit and said he would be scrutinising its performance closely. I welcome that also. He asked if he might have tours of all our hospitals in the Territory. I am more than happy, member for Greatorex, for you to tour the hospitals. I also want to afford you a brief about our acute care services in our hospitals to give you a framework for when you visit the hospitals. I am sure you will be impressed as I am with the dedication of the staff, the way they look after patients, and what they all do at a regional level. Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Gove, and Darwin have great work going on within our hospitals.
The Treasurer addressed some of the issues on accrual accounting. He also talked about the systematic slashing by the Commonwealth of expenditure into hospitals in Australia. He made a good point, that partly the $17bn surplus the Commonwealth now sits on really comes about through cost shifting because they are not funding hospitals to the level they should. As I said in my statement, we are now picking up 60% of what used to be a 50:50 relationship in funding with the Commonwealth for our public hospitals. I thank the Treasurer for his input.
The member for Sanderson gave a very personal view of hospitals and the health system. His wife, Marie, has worked across the Territory in a lot of roles. He has also travelled extensively. He pointed to the increase in funding since 2001 as being an important achievement of this government. I thank the member for Sanderson for his contribution to this debate.
As I said previously, it is a shame the member for Arafura, because of a family bereavement, is unable to contribute. I miss her contribution.
The member for Millner gave a thoughtful contribution. I take his compliment of being a Health Minister who has also had experience as a researcher and a health professional in a former life. The new CEO, Dr David Ashbridge, has worked as a DMO right across the Top End and knows the health system inside out. He has also worked in the administrative area. We are very fortunate to have a CEO with the talents and experience of Dr Ashbridge.
Dr Len Notaras heads up Royal Darwin Hospital. He is a fantastic person who has done a lot for the hospital, putting the Territory on the map regarding our emergency response. He is a well-known and well-loved figure. The nursing staff and all other professional and support staff who work in our hospital are also fantastic.
The member for Millner talked about the unique demographics of the Territory and the challenges that presents us in providing health services for 56 000 people. It seems like a small number, but they are big challenges. He is also proud to be part of a government which is rising to those challenges. He touched on the way the CLP distorted the health budget for presentational purposes before they lost the election in 2001, just to give the appearance that they were ratcheting up health expenditure when they were not. Our increases are real, substantial, and are having an effect.
The member for Greatorex mentioned cross-border expenses. I am informed that the expenditure is up-to-date. There is no risk to Territorians for having any refusal about interstate authorised treatment.
Radiation oncology was also an issue raised by the member for Greatorex. I will just say that the viability of this unit depends on the population base from the whole of the NT and, possibly, other areas of the Northern Australian region.
Madam Speaker, I will close by thanking all members for their contributions. It is a very important topic. I am enjoying being Health Minister. I know there are many challenges. I know that there are deep issues and things can go wrong in our health system. However, the message is getting out that this is a government which is investing heavily in our health system and in our hospitals. We have done a lot, there is more to do, and I will be keeping the House informed over the next year or so of developments within our hospital system. There are many positive developments, as I said before, to come within our primary health care system in partnership with the Commonwealth. There is significant extra funding, and that will have a real benefit, particularly for indigenous Territorians. We know the challenges there. I am glad that we are looking for partnerships with the Commonwealth government for the Aboriginal medical sector within the Territory, looking at new ways of doing things so that we can support people to enjoy better health and better health outcomes in the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, I commend the statement to the House.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I congratulate two of my young constituents for sporting achievement: Emily Moo from Nakara and Michael Coombes from Tiwi. Both students have been selected to represent the Northern Territory in their chosen sport. I was happy to make a small contribution to both students’ travel to their forthcoming representative commitments. Emily has been selected to represent the Northern Territory Primary School Tennis Team at the Bruce Cup Tournament in Tasmania. Michael has been selected to compete in the 2007 Australian School Sport Track and Field Exchange, and we certainly send Michael all the best. I am sure they will both be great student ambassadors and assets to their sporting teams.
Recently, I visited the Nakara Primary School with Education minister, Paul Henderson. The minister was very impressed with the terrific MAP testing results the students received. Nakara Primary is in the forefront of primary schooling in the Northern Territory, mainly due to the involvement of parents with their children’s education, and also due to the dedication and enthusiasm of the teachers and staff. Well done, Nakara Primary.
To end last term on a high note, Nakara Primary’s Indigenous Educational Worker, Ms Jeanie Hampton, organised a wonderful day of activities to celebrate NAIDOC. The entertainment was terrific and it was enjoyed by the whole school community. There was story telling by respected elder, Mrs Lorna Fejo and past student Nigel Browne, didgeridoo playing by Eddie Kitching and a couple of very talented young students kept everyone entertained. We were all later treated to a feast of traditional bush tucker and damper. I was very impressed by the young children trying the traditional Aboriginal dances.
Nakara also won the Tournament of the Minds again and I was very proud to hear of students’ achievements. I congratulate Nakara Primary for winning the Language and Literature section in the recent Tournament of the Minds state/territory competition. Congratulations to team members Kate Joyce, Melissa Nayda, Tarra Brain, Ina Geronimo, Patty Thaoinpak and Jennifer Schaefer, and facilitators, Katrina Otway and Vicki Manley for their terrific win. They will be travelling to Canberra to compete in the national finals on the 20th of this month. I was very happy to provide them with a donation to assist them with their fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of their trip. I wish them all the best in the national finals in Canberra and I look forward to hearing all about their trip when they return.
Literacy and numeracy are very high on our education curriculum. Thank you, Alawa Primary, for inviting me to share in your Literacy and Numeracy Week celebration recently. It was a huge day of events called Alawa Alive. I was fascinated to see all the students and their teachers dressed in costumes representing characters from mythology, fantasy and fairy tales. I was pleased to help Principal, Sharon Reeves, to present awards to students from Strong Beginnings and Ignition classes. It was terrific to see so many students receiving awards for improvement in their literacy and numeracy. I was so impressed I donated $100 for new library books for the Strong Beginnings and Ignition students. The day ended with a whole school community picnic in the courtyard. It was a great day and I congratulate Alawa Primary.
I also attended the Alawa Primary Assembly on Friday, 14 September, to present my regular student achievement awards to students Kallum Bourke and Eric Stewart. Congratulations, boys, for your outstanding efforts in all areas.
Of course, I do not only have primary schools in my electorate. The Dripstone High School Beautification Team consists of a group of young, enthusiast ladies who are very proud of their school and want to make it even better. They wrote to me requesting a donation to assist them with expenses. I was very impressed with their dedication and pride in their school and visited them to present a donation. They invited me to see the work they had done to improve the music room, which I was impressed with. The music room now is a much brighter and happier looking place to be in. Well done to teachers Allana Herrod and Phil Bloomfield and students Mohini, Brittany, Roxy, Sam and Catherine.
One of the schools that I do not mention very often but which does exist is the Royal Darwin Hospital School. Recently, I visited the school and met with staff, Ann and Sue. I was delighted to meet student Vincent from Nguiu who entertained us with his music skills, and Lisa from Elcho Island who showed me her computer skills. I had the pleasure of sharing painting with Jacqui of Howard Springs, who fell out of a tree and broke her arm. I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with the students and teachers who are a very long way away from their families and homes. I was so impressed that I made a promise, as a Christmas present, I would get them a new flat screen monitor for their computer to replace the very old bulky one the children currently use.
I will finish on a very sad note. A very good friend of mine and Mr Dominique Lambrinidis who was a constituent of the member for Johnston - and I understand the member for Johnston will make an adjournment on him - recently passed away. I first met Dominique when I came to Darwin in 1993. He was always involved with others in the Greek community. When I met him he was heavily involved in the Greek School, and he continued to be involved with the Greek School until his death. He was also involved with the Greek community, with the Seniors Group and with the Greek Church. I want to give my heartfelt condolences to Dominique’s wife, Poppy, and children, Spiro, Sylvia, George, John, and Theo, on the loss of their beloved husband, father and grandfather. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend his funeral because I was in Melbourne. Madam Speaker, I was very saddened about that, but I will never forget Dominique.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I continue with my report to parliament in relation to my study tour, and I invite readers of the Parliamentary Record to refer to my reports last night and the night before. I will continue tonight from where I left off last night.
There are community gardens that are well used and national parks, or NParks as it is known, that facilitates communities and assists individuals to plant and maintain gardens in common areas. There are a number of similarities between Darwin and Singapore: our temperatures are similar and we both are tropical. Indeed, one sees many of the same trees in Singapore as those we have here in Darwin. In the CBD of Darwin, we see significant high-rise develop. While the CLP and Labor disagree on the direction of planning and development in the CBD - the CLP preferring what is described as the gothic model - we are, I believe, all committed to ensuring that what is developed is attractive. People are concerned about high-rise blocks of units being too close together, the lack of green spaces, and the need for there to be more parks in public areas for the people. This is where we can learn much from what has and what is continuing to be done in Singapore.
I have heard the Chief Minister, in relatively recent times, talk about a ribbon of green around Darwin. I support that, but I believe we can do better, and I will announce, in due course, how I think this can be achieved. In the meantime, however, I indicate that if I were Chief Minister, I would facilitate departmental cooperation with NParks so that we can be assisted in the design and scoping of Darwin’s greening for the long term. The Chief Minister said some time ago that she wanted Darwin to look like Singapore. This is not a view that I or, for that matter many others, support. However, there are aspects of Singapore that would add to Darwin’s beauty and ensure benefits to residents that are aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally sound and socially cohesive. There are economic benefits that can be gained from developing a closer relationship with Singapore and, in particular, those at NParks and the other parts of the department to which I have previously referred.
I met separately with Mr Neil Power and, then again, with him and his colleagues at NParks. Neil is the Assistant Director of Industry Development. He was also the past Chairman of the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture. Neil is an Australian who has been contracted for two years to work with NParks to develop horticulture in Singapore. This is a fabulous opportunity for Darwin and the Territory and, together, Neil and I developed a range of options that would be to our - and by that I mean Singapore and Darwin’s - mutual benefit, and I thank him for his creativity and enthusiasm.
Briefly, there are a number of very tangible and important benefits of collaborating with Singapore and, in particular NParks, in developing our and their horticultural industries. Singapore is well placed as the potential knowledge and city in the garden hub for Asia. Given our proximity to Singapore, we should explore the possibilities this creates. Collaboration between Singapore and Darwin can provide expertise, labour and capital critical mass to compete on the world market. There can also be the promotion of trade and investment in new lifestyle with the horticultural products and services. Put simply, there can be partnerships in a range of projects of mutual benefit, that might include conferences, events, workshops, etcetera. I am sure Neil and I will continue to work together on a range of possibilities so that, in the long term, tangible benefits can be delivered.
One such possibility that, perhaps, the government might like to consider in the meantime is that our Cooperative Research Centres should look to work with researchers in Singapore to identify and develop opportunities to collaborate on an array of projects. The possibilities really are endless, and I would like to see government doing more to make the most of the opportunities that exist. I was unclear, from the Chief Minister’s reference she made in a previous report in relation to Singapore, whether there was an intention by government to cultivate further relationships and develop a working relationship with NParks. I urge government to get on with the job and to foster those relationships, because there are a number of tangible benefits.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, that concludes my report. As I have said over the last couple of nights, I did return with a great deal of material, which I am happy to provide to anyone who is interested. I also take this opportunity to thank members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as Madam Speaker, for their assistance with this study tour. I am one of those politicians who believes that politicians should study. The world does not begin and end in the Northern Territory. All of us, I believe, become better politicians as a result of broadening our mind, as travel does. It is a necessary part of our job. Government ministers do it for a number of reasons. As Leader of the Opposition, it is important, as it is for local members. I said that I would also send a letter to the Tourism Minister. I see he is just over the Chamber from me. He will probably get that letter tomorrow or next week ...
Mr Henderson: Yes, I heard you last night.
Ms CARNEY: Yes. I believe there are real benefits there. With that, I conclude, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I will start tonight by congratulating Robyn and David Malady of Brolga Homes. Brolga Homes, as reported in the Northern Territory Business Review section in today’s paper, won three Housing Industry awards in the Tropical Homes, Display Homes ($300 000 to $450 000) and Energy Efficient categories. They also picked up two Territory Construction Association Awards for Best Display Home and Excellence in Building for the Northern Territory Climate. The Energy Efficient award makes the company a national finalist.
Robyn and David live out Palmerston way, and I have known Robyn for many years. She used to work with my sister many years ago and we became friends at the time and, indeed, she came to my wedding. Congratulations to Brolga Homes for those awards, and also for looking to become a carbon-neutral company.
On Sunday, 16 September, the Palmerston Game Fishing Club held their annual Junior Angler Education Clinic. This clinic covers several broad areas: safety; issues such as dangerous marine animals; how to identify common Northern Territory fish; fish handling and release; and, of course, marine safety.
Lures was, as the name suggests, all about what type of lure to use, and when. It covered the best time to use hard and soft lures, how to tell a deep diving lure verses a lure designed to skip across the water, and in which situations you would use each. I can advise that, as well as the young anglers who were taking part there were quite a few mums and, especially dads, who were listening quite closely to the education session as well. Knots was another area taught to the students - basic knots used in fishing. Lastly, there was the rod casting segment which covered basic rod and reel care, as well as rod casting.
On the Palmerston Game Fishing Club website, there is a fantastic little feature there which will teach you how to do some of the basic knots used for fishing as well. If someone as simple as me can follow it and actually make it work, anyone can.
The morning finished with a barbecue lunch and awards ceremony. Every entrant received a rod and reel combination, tackle and tackle box. The club also supplied drinks and sunscreen throughout the day. The 100 kids who participated had a great time, and I thought it was a great use of Sanctuary Lake Park in Gunn which is, of course, in my electorate of Brennan. The event also got some coverage though local newspapers, so it was good to see the local newspapers supporting it.
I thank the Palmerston Game Fishing Club members for holding this event. It takes considerable personal investment of time. The club members are fantastic; they are a great bunch of people. Ray Colley, the vice president, pulled it all together. To give up half your day, when you could be out fishing, is to be commended. I also thank the support the event received from business. I thank the major sponsors, Happy Mick’s Tackle and Tents, Shimano and Bozo’s. Other sponsors were C-Max Cinemas, Nortruss Builder Supplies, Boost Juice, Palmerston City Council, Rotary, the Marine Safety Branch and Reidy’s. It is fantastic that those businesses and organisations support this local club, and are also supporting local youth.
As I said, the children had a fantastic day; there was lots of laughter. There was a reasonably 50:50 mix, I thought, of girls and boys amongst the – I cannot call them contestants - participants on the day …
Mr Kiely: Anglers.
Mr BURKE: Anglers.
That same day I also assisted at the Palmerston Bunnings barbecue, helping Satellite City BMX Club with their fundraiser. We had an extremely busy time; there were many sausages sold and quite a few drinks. I am sure the club managed to raise quite a bit of money to support their endeavours. The Satellite City BMX Club has been going for some time. This is another fantastic activity that gives our young people something to do - an outlet for all that energy. They go from quite young, right through to the early teens.
On 4 September, I attended Anglicare open door afternoon at its Palmerston office to meet the staff who are based there. The staff at the Palmerston office work with young people who are homeless. Anglicare does very important work, and this office is extremely important in keeping in contact with and supporting young people in Palmerston and the surrounds who are going through very difficult times. The staff, whilst I was there, were telling me it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find emergency short-term and medium-term accommodation options for their clientele. This is something I have passed on to the Minister for Housing and will continue to talk about, as we need to ensure as best we can that there are options for young people who have found themselves in tight spots and homeless and on the street. It is not just because, as some people might say, they have been leading the wrong type of life, but because there are genuine reasons of disputes at home, or reasons why the home is not the place they feel safest. Couch surfing or being out on the streets is a better option for them. It is a sad reality that that is the case for some of our young people, not just in Palmerston, but throughout the Northern Territory.
On a happier note, I was extremely happy to participate in, and attend, the Palmerston Library for the National Simultaneous Storytime on 6 September. I read a book called the Magic Hat to a gathering of children and their parents. I had a great time, and I hope the children did as well. We had a lot of dancing and dress-up. I knew about the dress-up but the dancing was bit of a surprise, as it was for some of the young children who were nearest to me.
Thanks to Sally at the library for getting me involved. I am more than happy to be involved in the future, either for this event or just read a story at the regular story time which is held at the Palmerston Library. It is a great initiative and I congratulate the library for helping parents have an outing with their children in a reasonably easy way. There is not much hassle other than getting themselves and the kids there, and the kids have a fantastic time, as do the parents. Just getting out of the house is something that needs to be encouraged. So, congratulations to the Palmerston Library.
I recently attended another of Bakewell Primary’s Blue Light Discos. Congratulations to the police unit which provide these, and also thanks to the teachers and parents who gave up their time to stay with the children to supervise. I always find it great fun as it is a chance for me to talk to the kids who go to the school and find out what is going on their lives, and also to talk to parents and teachers. It is great interacting with children, and one of the best parts of this role is the ability to get invited to participate in these events.
It gave me great pleasure to attend the Palmerston Cricket Club’s presentation night as club patron. It was another excellent night in Palmerston, and it was held at Cazalys. I thank them for their support of not just the cricket club, but all of the local clubs, and the contributions they make on a regular basis to those clubs - not just the donations they make to the ones which are the original affiliated clubs, but to other clubs in the Palmerston Club. My congratulations to Cazalys.
The Palmerston Cricket Club did not bring home any silverware this year as it did last year, but the club spirit still remains high. I congratulate Bob Bayly, the president, on another outstanding year. It was great to catch up with him, and also good friends of mine, Anthony and Mai Dent. Anthony has been a stalwart of the club, and this year was captain of the Palmerston D Grade side. I could tell he took great pleasure in not just awarding various trophies to team members, but also with some of the tales he was telling of some of their exploits throughout the season. Congratulations to the B Grade team, the A Grade team, the women’s team and the C Grade team for their endeavours, and to all of those who were awarded trophies.
This year, Darwin hosted the Australian Sister Cities Association Conference. I was a bit surprised that Palmerston council was not represented as they, of course, have a sister city relationship with Kupang. I have been involved in Sister Cities since 1991 when I was one the founding members of the Youth Sister Cities organisation. I was rather flattered to be asked by Jan Collins and other representatives of Darwin City Council if I would give two talks - one to the youth conference and one to the main conference - about how to set up and run and keep youth interested in a Sister Cities youth group. I note the Palmerston Council does not yet have one. I encourage it to do so. I will make it clear: I do not mean that as a criticism at all, just that it is something that enhances any Sister City program. I will talk to Rob Macleod and other councillors about trying to get young people involved in it. It is very fulfilling; young people have a sense of civic pride, pride in their city, pride in what is going on, they learn important skills and they have fun whilst doing it all. I heartily encourage any local government organisation to do what it can to get young people involved in its Sister Cities movement.
Recently, I was at the opening of the new bakery building at the Palmerston Campus of CDU. It is a fantastic facility. I was there when it was opened by the federal minister. It will go a long way to training apprentices and other trainees in that and related industries. For people who do not know, they sell fresh bread from one of the windows at the facility at a discount price. I will see you all down there one morning buying some bread from our local apprentices. They also do cakes and other wonderful things. Congratulations to CDU on another fantastic facility.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I want to make comment tonight about wearable works of art at the Wearable Arts Awards which were held in Alice Springs as part of the Alice Springs Festival. I do not think many people realise just how stunning and outstanding it is.
This year, we had a children’s section for the first time. I was very pleased to be able to sponsor two of the prizes. We had 18 young people under the age of 12 enter the category. I always admire people’s creativity and inventiveness. They certainly did not let us down this year. I should add there were nine of those 18 entrants from Braitling Primary School, although a variety of schools entered. I am sure, now that it has been established, next year there will be even more.
I do not envy the judges their job in trying to determine who should get the prizes. I would love to have given a prize to all the young people who made and modelled their outfits. As always, there is only one winner and I place on record that the Creativity Award was won by Abbey Brown, aged seven, a Living Waters student. Her piece was called Dark Art, and it was a dress and shoes made from artist canvas. When the lights went out, it glowed from the fluorescent paint she had used. It was quite lovely to see this young girl in something she had made herself.
The Technical Execution Award - and this piece was acquired - was called Globe Girl created by Roisin Mulcahy who is 10 years old and is a Braitling Primary School student. She said:
I add that the Bowerbird shop was a great source of material for both the adults and the young children:
The Bowerbird shop is our recycle shop at the Alice Springs tip. Well done to Abbey and Roisin who took off the major awards.
The third award, which was the Territory Loan’s Children’s Encouragement Award, was won by Wednesday Pyle. She is a seven-year-old student from Living Waters. She was just a little tacker who came out in this wonderful little outfit that she had created. She had created her outfit of coloured straws. She made a dress by using many layers of plastic bendy straws, she called them, which she joined together with elastic thread to make a skirt. She was assisted by her dog, Jazzie, who was wearing a matching tutu made from the same material. She said:
This little seven-year-old just looked delightful modelling these clothes.
I congratulate those three winners: Abbey, Roisin and Wednesday, you did a fantastic job. I just love the confidence of the young people as they get up on stage to show their outfits and to move to whatever the music is - anything like that.
There are so many wonderful little outfits they design, and you cannot mention them all. However, there was one that was made from fruit peel - orange peel. Three gorgeous dresses were created entirely from the citrus peels of fruit grown and devoured in the gardens of Alice Springs. They were three young girls, the Moyses, Gaynor and Farthing children, aged seven and nine, who went to three different schools - Steiner, Braitling and Living Waters. I just wondered who on Earth thought of this idea of making a dress with orange peel. It is that creativity that is so great.
I congratulate Marion Braun, who was the project coordinator for the wearable works of art. It was Marion’s first year doing this. It was a great success. We also had, for the very first time, not just the children’s award, but a matinee session, because the night session was always booked out early. This time, both the night session and the matinee session were booked out completely. You wonder how on Earth we can find somewhere to allow more people to see these wonderful gowns that people make.
The judges were Bek Mifsud, Kieren Sanderson and Leonardo Ortega. It must have been extremely difficult for them, because they had such a huge amount of talent and creativity to choose from. They did a great job, and people appreciated it when they stood up and actually said why they did it.
The children’s section was a huge success, shown in the afternoon. I am glad the three young winners turned up at the night performance as well. For the night performance, there were 39 entrants all told. I will not go through all the winners; however, I will comment on the People’s Choice Award. It was called Dry Town Diva. It was a magnificent crown and dress made from VB cans, bottle tops, all the things that she managed to create from, as we say, the dry river and the parks. It was, basically, recycled and stunning the way she made it. She put it all together so she had this wonderful gown and headpiece, which just proves that wire, stubby holders, plastic bags, old cans - all these sort of things - can be put together to make an outstanding piece of art. That is what it is all about, being wearable art. Congratulation to Nicky Schonkala who won with Dry Town Diva.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to table the winners of the adult section so it can be incorporated in the Parliamentary Record, because I really believe it is well worthwhile that people are aware of it.
Leave granted.
The festival was great and I shall mention that at another time. I wanted to pay particular credit to those people who created the wearable works of art. I am really pleased that I was able to sponsor the children’s awards for the first time. I thank also the other people who were involved in this, in particular Mary Menotti, Jen Standish-White and, of course, Robyn Van Dok, my electorate officer who worked so hard, and the festival director Eugene Ragghianti. It is a credit to them that such a small town like Alice can produce such a fabulous show. I wish the rest of the Territory could see the talent, the inspiration and the creativity that comes out of having a show such as this.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, first, I take this opportunity to add more to comment that was made earlier with regard to the programs that are, in my view, necessary for dealing with youth who are causing us no end of problem and consternation across, in this instance, our urban areas. Of course, it extends into our country areas as well.
As members and others in our community may know, on the occasion of being broken into by a young lad who lived in Palmerston - a 17-year-old young fellow - that caused me to focus my thoughts and produce a paper called Beyond Wildman River, to describe the type of program that, in my view, is necessary for reaching young people who, in every likelihood, will go off the tracks.
In the broad context, we have diversionary programs on one side, and incarceration in Don Dale on the other. However, there is the need for a framework of programs that operate in the middle. They are challenging to operate and they require a certain amount of courage to run, and a commitment to a notion which has been loosely described as a ‘tough love approach’. Anyone who has raised children knows that, in order to raise a child so that they are capable of going ahead without your hand upon their shoulder, you need, at times, to say no in their best interest. They may find that difficult, but you know that there is something beyond the immediate, which is built upon principles and values. Those values and principles need to be responded to, such as foregoing pleasure now so that you get reward later. Concepts like that are very important.
Our consumer society does not promote such concepts and, often, our education system does not either. The education system can be quite loose and filled with activity, but the sense of focus and discipline is largely missing in a lot of young people’s lives. The structure of education does not easily focus the minds of particularly active young people on to the task of learning how to read. The system we operate within our schooling system is okay for those who are relatively bright and can adapt to a lot of different models, but it fails those who need a more rigorous, structured approach. Systems around the world are showing this; there needs to be structure and rigour to the way we approach education. Also, those approaches must be applied in our attempts to reach young people.
It is not hard to pick a young person who appears to be going down the wrong track. To find them in Don Dale, it is almost too late. The statistics are frightening when you consider the amount of money it costs to maintain a facility such as Don Dale and see the result; largely it is a result that is immensely disappointing.
Fortunately, there are reasons for us to have hope. One particular reason for describing a concept and encouraging this kind of discussion is that I was fortunate to be visited by the Cole boys. We had a meeting in Palmerston and I discussed my concepts and their idea of a program. They said they were running something similar to this which is called the Balunu Foundation. I must say I was very impressed when I considered their project, the underlying principles which sit underneath this program and allow it to exist, and the results of the program. These are two men, Bobby and David, who have shown not just an interest but action, and that action has borne fruit in the lives of young people. They have not been supported by government; they are not running that principle where you need to have the support of government. They have shown that resolution which you need to be able to craft your own future, and not to be dependent. As a result of crafting this notion in response to the need they can clearly identify, they have received corporate support.
However, this is where the challenge lies. These sorts of programs fulfil a very important role within our community. They operated once at Wildman River, and operate in forms of one type or another across the Territory, but they need to be brought together and properly recognised and supported.
The Cole brothers provide a service which is being paid for through different organisations and operations within the arm of government of one form or another, or non-government organisations. These organisations need to find a way where they can gain meaningful support so they can operate. David and Bobby Cole are making a difference in the lives of young people. I stand as one who endorses their program as I have seen the results when the young lad who broke into my home came back to our home and made a personal and heartfelt apology for what he had done. I have followed up and he is still on the right track; only as a result of the actions of Bobby and David Cole and those who support them in the Balunu Foundation.
Their success, the benefit of which, when you track it all the way through to the economic and social implications gained by our community and the load that is lifted off publicly-funded organisations and facilities, is immense. There needs to be support for these types of organisations. I call on the government to be responsive to them, specifically to the Balunu Foundation.
I have been to support them in different forums and they have presented their message and I have supported their message. Others, likewise, across the Territory need the same sort of support. They need the role of facilitation from government - government leadership to cut through the organisational impediments which are easily thrown up when different arms of different sections can compete for funding and forget their purpose is to make a difference in a young person’s life.
That role can only be effectively filled by government because it is the funds that flow through government, either through GST from the Commonwealth or from government own source revenue, that is to be used to produce a service which is to produce an outcome. Organisations like this that largely sit outside the public sector, provide, in my view, the solution, the progress that many of our institutional organisations only dream about. I urge proper consideration of any approach that is made by Bobby and David Cole and any others from Balunu Foundation who may make their way to any member of the Northern Territory government.
I will do what I can in the role that I can play as a member of parliament - not just stand up and speak and hope someone else will do something - in generating corporate support for this organisation and any such similar organisations.
Just as a brief outline on the Balunu Foundation, these are principles that I value in my first discussion with them. I understood what they were saying, because I have seen it in the face of a young lad who broke into our home:
That is very important – hope:
I have seen these words lived out in Bobby and David and the others that support them. Another set of words, which further strengthen the quality of this program:
A message spoken for lives of young people who are encouraged and invited to join the journey.
The program runs broadly in its first phrase and as it exists now, with a five-day residential healing camp. The young lad who broke into our home went on this camp. Then, there is a one-day activity program after that, then a three-residential healing camp. During the first phase, the young people are asked to consider their personal life plans and to stop and think about where they are going and where they could go, and to deal with challenges that they are currently facing in their daily lives - to look at them, to acknowledge their own behaviours, to address barriers for success, the amount of control that they may have over certain situations, and plans developed to move forward. These are small steps to achieve big things: what tools and support are needed to address identified needs, mirror imaging and identifying self.
There are many different and well-established principles that run through the Balunu Foundation. I wish them well, particularly if they are established with the proper support that they deserve.
Then, they will be able to run into their next stage, which is the second phase and called Establishment Of A Place Of Maintenance. That is my great concern. In the example of the young lad who broke into our place, he has now established strength to be able to walk upon the right path. However, there are many who need a place where they can go for maintenance and regular top-ups and regular strengthening so that there can be sustained progress.
In my final few minutes, I would like to place on the record an issue that many members would have seen in the media of recent times; that is, the issue in Burma. Many memories came flooding back when I saw the Four Corners program on Monday night. In the early 1980s, I spent time in the Karen Free State, which is on the border. It is a state within Burma, along the Thai/Burma border. The Karen State is an administrative division of Burma. Control of the area is disputed between military of Burma and the Karen groups. The Karen is the second largest ethnic group within Burma. The area is referred to as Kawthoolei. The ethnic Karen are organised into a political wing, The Karen National Union, and an Army wing, Karen National Liberation Army.
Whilst we have become very much aware, again, in recent times of the rule of the military government in Burma, with a very poor record of respecting human rights, it needs to be acknowledged, as I was reminded watching that program on Monday, that the Karen and the other ethnic groups within Burma – but particularly the Karen though - have been at war, in conflict permanently, for 50 years against the Burmese. They are in a region where the central Burmese government has refused to build schools, hospitals and provide services, rather than to use the Karen Free State as a place where they can recruit porters, and brutalise and rape.
Whilst I worked there for a time in the school teaching English and assisting, and then generating, some support back in Western Australia for the Karen, it was an absolute eye opener to drive from Bangkok, through the night, and across the border into Burma to the Karen Free State, and to enter a place that is so unstable, with such deep levels of entrenched hostility and the need for survival. I arrived at a guard post in the middle of the night, to find that the first instinct of the person who was standing there in the dark was to grab their automatic weapon. Then they were advised that it was okay; this was a group coming in to assist them. I spent time there, and the school could be interrupted by gunfire across the river. Soldiers were coming in to assist in the schools with bullet wounds; just to recuperate and spend some time in the village and work in the schools. I learnt that the village that I worked in, which was largely a refugee village, in 1984, no longer exists as the Burmese government and Burmese Army made a concerted effort to wipe out this whole section. The village had been there for some time.
My thought goes out for the Burmese nation. For Aung San Suu Kyi, for those who are fighting for democracy. I urge any honourable member, in any way that they can, to provide support for the good people of Burma in their strong fight, and to despise those who stand in support of the Burmese regime.
Ms MARTIN (Fannie Bay): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to talk about Debbie Bell tonight. Debbie first opened her beauty salon, Complexions, at the Fannie Bay Shopping Centre in 1994. This year, her salon, a finalist in the 2007 Telstra Business Awards, is celebrating its lucky 13th birthday. Complexions is an Ella Bache salon. It has grown from just a two-person business to one employing six qualified therapists and one apprentice. The salon provides a wide range of beauty services, including the important range of things for both men and women: laser and electrolysis hair removal; cosmetic tattooing; micro-dermabrasions; facials; waxing; tanning and massage.
Complexions is a very busy business, providing what many people, and not just women, regard as essential services. Business is particularly frantic for the salon at Darwin Cup Carnival time and, of course, during the wedding season in the Dry. Debbie renovated her salon two years ago, expanding to a new shopfront downstairs and, effectively, doubling the available room. This has allowed her to offer an improved level of service to her increasing client base. It is great to see a small business flourish, and it is a testament to the smart leadership of the owner/operator.
I congratulate Debbie on her achievements, and wish her business happy birthday, and another lucky 13 years at least. Congratulations also to her hard-working team of Claire, Shelley, Cassie, Jessica, Megan and Daniella.
BassintheDust is an event that Centralians look forward to each year, and one we, as government, are proud to support. This years, there was a great line-up of bands, including TZU; Lowrider; Behind Crimson Eyes; Mammal; The Waifs; and internationally-renowned Jet. Jet’s performance was a highlight for many people who were lucky enough to see it. They really showed Alice Springs why they are now regarded as one of the world’s great rock bands.
As always, local bands played their part in getting the crowd going. Local favourites, Nights Plague; Tara Stewart and the Roaring Sandpods; Through Bullets and Bravery; Exit Earth; and Bloom all played great sets.
I, unfortunately, was unable to get to BassintheDust this year, but the Minister for Central Australia, Elliot McAdam, was there in the mosh pit, I understand, enjoying the atmosphere. I hear he followed Madam Speaker’s lead from last year and kicked up his heels. Madam Speaker was relatively uncontrollable in the mosh pit last year.
There were no major incidents of violence or injury reported for the day. The police had a highly visible presence and the mobile police station was also there. As always, thank you to Correctional Services’ work gangs who helped prepare and clean up Anzac Oval. A special thank you also - an important one - to the Alice Springs Town Council for continuing to allow Anzac Oval to be home of BassintheDust. To Paul Cattermole and Major Events, thank you for putting on another great show. While crowd numbers were not as good as last year, it was still a healthy 1700 in all. Paul and his Major Events team put on an event that ran smoothly and brought together some of Australia’s best music to the Centre. Finally, a big thanks to the Alice Springs community for supporting the event.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, the devastation caused by the recent bushfires in Greece was horrific and a tragedy for the country. Sixty-four people lost their lives and around 1500 were injured. When the fires were finally doused, 15 000 people had lost their homes, and more than 2.5 million acres of forest and agricultural land was destroyed. Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending one of a series of fundraising events staged by our Greek community. All proceeds are headed to Greece to the victims of the fires. The festival was organised by the Greek Orthodox Community and the Consul-General of Greece in Australia. It was a real collaborative effort involving the Kalymnian Brotherhood, the Cyprus Community, the Hellenic Macedonian Association, the Greek School and the Greek Orthodox Church.
There was no shortage of entertainment with the Opa Dance Group, the Mediterranean Dance Group, activities for kids and, of course, lots of great food. There was soccer right throughout the day - I should probably call it football. It started with the young ones and, by the time I got there, it was the Over 35s who were playing. Some of those Over 35s were in their early 60s. What an impressive display! Greece played the rest of the world and, on both sides, there were fellows who were well over 50 and, sometimes, just over 60, who were showing the younger ones just how to play. It was impressive. Greece just beat the rest of the world 5 to 4 in that match. I pay tribute to the Over 35s; they looked great. Damian Hale was a rest of the world participants who said he had not played - he is Aussie Rules - a lot of soccer, but I thought he did very respectably. There was great entertainment, as I said, on the day. I will be personally encouraging the members for Wanguri and Casuarina who were there during this Over 35s match to get their boots on next time and play in the seniors.
It was great to see John Anictomatis, the Honorary Consul for Greece in the Territory there. I take this opportunity to congratulate John Nicolakis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community, and Tony Miaoudis for their huge efforts in organising the event, and John Nicolakis for actually playing in that Over 35s match. Of course, to all the volunteers and everyone working on the food and drink stalls - great effort. Our thoughts are with the victims of the fires and I thank everyone who came along and supported this great event.
Finally, the health and wellbeing of all Territorians is vital to our future. Alice Springs-based GP, Dr Peter Tate, is doing his part to improve the health of Aboriginal Territorians, and was last weekend awarded the GP of the Year Award by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The award recognises commitment to general practice, service to the community, and involvement in training and professional development.
Dr Tate has been a GP at Congress for 23 years, as well as being the visiting Medical Officer at the Alice Springs prison, and working at the Pintubi Homelands Health Service at Kintore. Dr Tate is involved with a number of community organisations including the Medical Association for the Prevention of War; the Australian Conservation Foundation; Oxfam; Community Aid Abroad; and Mdecins Sans Frontires, Doctors Without Borders. Dr Tate is a fine example of commitment and dedication to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. On behalf of everyone here, I congratulate him on what is a most prestigious award. Well done.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, on Wednesday, 10 October, at 9.30 am, I had the honour of marching with the Sudanese Community from Mindil Beach up the hill to Gilruth Avenue along Mitchell Street, where we went to the Department of Immigration and presented a petition. Then, with the community of about 50 participants, we marched to Parliament House where a letter was presented to the Chief Minister, me, ministers Henderson, Lawrie and Vatskalis regarding a grievance that the Sudanese community had with the federal government.
I will just go back a little to where that grievance stemmed from. In August, the Immigration minister, Mr Kevin Andrews, slashed the yearly intake of African refugees. At the time, it barely rated a mention. However, the story took off last week when Kevin Andrews said the reason for the cut was because many Africans are less educated, a number are refugees, and they have problems integrating. To quote Kevin Andrews:
I would like to talk a little about the African population in Darwin. I do not agree at all with minister Andrews’ observations. I will put on the record what our African community is about in the Territory. The population statistics that I have from 1 July 2000 to 31 May 2007 were we had from Burundi, 39 people; from the Congo, 59 people; from Ethiopia, 49 people; from Liberia, 178 people; from Rwanda, 11 people; from Sierra Leone, 11 people; from Somalia, 115 people; and from Sudan, 361 people. From 1 July 2006 to 31 May, the most recent arrivals, we had 20 people from Burundi; 40 people from the Congo; no arrivals from Ethiopia; 31 from Liberia; 43 from Somalia; and 28 from Sudan. Many of the people from the African nations reside in the northern suburbs, and in Palmerston.
Around the district of Sanderson, I have the great honour of representing quite a number of Australian Africans and I am very pleased to have those people in my electorate. These people are hard-working, contribute to the community, are employed in such areas as social work; they are teachers, nurses, security guards, labourers, welfare workers, cleaners, we have them in taxis and right throughout the very fabric of our society. There is a high percentage of their children going to Anula Primary School. They are going through the system, coming out of Year 12 and lining up to go to university here.
You can see they are pretty well integrated into the community. They are a hard-working segment and they have organised themselves in a very good way. As you know, any new arrivals in the country find it hard, particularly when English might not be the first language. Many of these African nations have other European languages - not to mention their own - from the colonial days which they would have picked up as a second language. Much of the time it is not English; it is Portuguese or French.
The African community has organised itself into a number of different community groups. These are very ably handled and their presidents or representatives are all democratically elected onto committees, as you would expect. I acknowledge the community leader of the African community groups: Mr Fezile Mpehle, President of the Africa Australia Friendship Association; Mr Edward Solo, President of the African Community Council of the Northern Territory; Mr Lucien Mofalesi, the President of the Congolese Society of the Northern Territory; Mrs Lydia Ngalula Monongama, President of the Congolese Union of the Northern Territory; Mrs Fatuma Ahmed Ali, the Chair of the Somalia Community in the Northern Territory; Mr Kristopher Morris, President of the Sudanese Australian Association of the Northern Territory; Mr Albert Payne, President of the United Liberian Community in Australia; and Mr Issa Ntigahera, from the Burundi community.
All these people are out there working hard with their community members to help with the integration into our society. These people have come from predominantly refugee backgrounds. They know what it is like to live in a hard spot. They want the best for their families, and they are putting in and working hard to make a go of living in this great community of Darwin, and great country of Australia.
They are not, as minister Andrews would portray them as, troublemakers not integrating or wishing to be a part of our community. Nothing could be further from the truth. I see them in my area and have been to many functions they have organised. I will just go over some of the functions. They have community events such as the African Dinner Dance and the Fringe Festival. They contribute to the Darwin Festival and do different fundraising for Australian aid agencies providing assistance in Africa, and other community activities and multicultural events. They are heavily involved in the Sanderson Diocese, and are part of the choir at the Catholic church in Sanderson. They are members of the Police and Ethnic Advisory Group, and are on various reference groups. They are on our school and parent councils and are very much throughout the fabric of our society.
They have the Afro-Oz Soccer Club which is a development point into soccer. The kids go there to pick up the skills and then go off to other clubs. In basketball, Jock Manning represented the NT at the Arafura Games in 2005 in athletics. We have Ricky Mathews who is going to represent NT Athletics in Tasmania.
Members of the African community have also served on our court juries.
I have trouble with what Hon Kevin Andrews has stated. I cannot help but think I am in tune with the Sudanese-Australian Association on this; that his comments were purely politically motivated, particularly at this time of the election cycle. It is a very sad and dishonourable thing.
The letter to Hon Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, from members of the Sudanese community, of which copies were presented to the Chief Minister and I, states in one paragraph:
How true is that statement?
The Labor Party in the Northern Territory, the government, on behalf of the people of the Territory, accepted the letters from the Sudanese representatives of the community. I was saddened we did not see a bipartisan approach to this. We did not see any members from the conservative side of politics on the steps. I have not heard any mention in this House or any members from the conservative side come out against this. I urge and call on all members of the conservative side of politics and the Independents to step up to the plate and to call this exercise by the federal government what it is: base political mileage and vilification of a group that is being disempowered within this society.
If they do not come out and stand by the African community on this one, they stand condemned for sharing the views of their federal leaders on this issue. I call on them. I have seen the member for Blain at some of the African functions. He should be in this House next week, and I call on him to say that the actions of the federal government, and Hon Kevin Andrews in particular, are wrong, and he decries their motives and reasons for doing this, and that he stands by the African community.
He has the opportunity to do this next week. Then, I think, everything will be right. However, until then, I do not believe he has much call to be going to any African functions, and to stand there pretending that he is their friendly representative when, clearly, his actions decry such displays to their community.
Before I finish, I put on record my thanks to Mr Ron Mitchell and Ms Roslyn Henry from the Multicultural Council of the NT for providing me with the a lot of information about the numbers of African Australians in Darwin and the Northern Territory. They have been a great help in getting this together. They were also at the march, and it was good to see members of the community marching with the Sudanese Australians.
As I wrap up, I would like to put on record a letter to the editor that was drafted by the Sudanese Australians prior to coming on the march up the hill - the peaceful march, might I add - finally finishing at Parliament House, where they were greeted by members of the Northern Territory government as representatives of the greater Darwin and Northern Territory community. The Sudanese Australians said to the editor:
I support that letter to the editor. I support the African Australians in their endeavours for a just and free society and for a society based on equality and tolerance. We pride ourselves here in the Territory of being a tolerant society. Tolerance does not come easy and must be worked on at all times. To have a government turn their back on one class of citizen, merely because of the colour of their skin and because they are disempowered, is a very low and vile act, indeed. This community has no room for racial vilification. Once again, I call on all members of parliament, particularly the members on the conservative side, to show where they stand on this issue, decry the moves and actions of Hon Kevin Andrews, and stand up for these citizens of the Territory.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, before I turn to the electorate of Johnston, I support the words of the member for Sanderson. I have met Kevin Andrews and, even though I did not agree with him on workplace laws and IR, I thought he was a pretty decent sort of a bloke. I am amazed that he has come out and said this. I join with the member for Sanderson’s call for people in the community, including members in this House, to come out in support, particularly of our African immigrants in the Northern Territory. I agree with the member for Sanderson; I have only seen good things associated with them. They are hard-working and they deserve a lot of respect. They have come to settle here and we should afford them respect and dignity. Member for Sanderson, I certainly join with you in your call.
It is with great joy that I heard that Mike and June McIntyre of Moil won the 2007 Public Housing Garden Competition. Mike and June won the Best House Garden Category, as well as the Overall Best Garden. I have seen Mike and June’s garden develop over the years and was truly impressed by the hard work and great effort they put into landscaping and garden layout. It was a fantastic win for Mike and June, because I am told that the standard of this year’s competition was particularly high and that everyone was extremely competitive in showcasing their environments.
Congratulations to all the winners of the various categories, and especially to my constituents, Mike and June McIntyre of Moil.
Tonight I congratulate Joshua Barnes and Valerie Roussos of Wagaman Primary School, Ailie Sinclair and Riley May of Moil Primary School, and Broderick Tracker and Briana McMurray of Jingili Primary School on being awarded the Quiet Achiever Awards for Term 3. Well done, and keep up the good work.
I also mention again the exceptionally talented Grace Fuller of Moil Primary School who, as I mentioned in the last sittings, won seven medals in the NT Championships Surf Competition. Grace has now participated in the NT Championships for Athletics and received the Most Outstanding Hurdler trophy, plus gold for the 70 m, 100 m and 200 m sprints, the hurdles and the high jump, as well as a silver medal for the shot put, and a bronze medal for the discus. What an amazing all-round performance and one Grace and her family should be rightfully proud of.
Just for good measure, Grace also won a runner-up medal in the Under 11 Darwin Netball Association 2007 Dry Season competition and a trophy from the University Netball Club for her participation in the Under 11s competition. I do not know where Grace is going to find room to keep all of those awards, but I am sure Mum and Dad will make sure there is plenty of room somewhere. Grace is clearly an outstanding all-round athlete, and someone we will have to keep an eye on in the future.
Many of the kids at the Moil Primary School lead particularly active sporting lives, which is great and is something that needs to be actively promoted. To this end, the school encourages its students to bring their trophies, awards and medals to school so that their achievements can be recognised. I am pleased to also promote the kids’ achievements and would like to mention the following competitors:
Jayden Harris won the medal from the Nightcliff Cricket Club for participation in the 2007 ‘Milo Have A Go’ competition;
Jackie Liang also received a trophy from Casuarina Junior Football Club for playing in the Under 9s team;
Hugh Harbeck earned a trophy from Casuarina Junior Football Club for the Under 8s team;
Jesse Brown received a trophy from Jingili BMX Club for achievements in the two-day Open Sprocket Rockets;
Billy Browne received a medal from the Jingili BMX Club for participation in the two-day Open; and
Braxton Carruthers won a medal from the Jingili BMX Club for participation in the gruelling two day Open.
This is a list of great young sportsmen and sportswomen. I congratulate them for all their efforts.
Charlotte McRostie and Elizabeth McRostie, also from Moil Primary, are to be congratulated on raising $233 and $254 respectively in the MS Readathon for which they both received a certificate. Well done, Charlotte and Elizabeth.
As you will be aware, Tournament of Minds is a problem solving program open to teams from both primary and secondary schools throughout Australia, and Singapore and New Zealand. Last year, Moil Primary School had the honour of winning the Maths/Engineering Section in the Northern Territory. This year, the school’s social science team won the Northern Territory Primary Division and will now go to Canberra at the end of the week to complete in the Nationals. It gave me great pleasure to provide some financial assistance to help the team members attend the national final.
I am sure members of the Assembly will join with me in wishing the team of Jedda Bennett-Kellam, Helen Carroll, Stacey Gould, Nick Deveril, Sau-ching Leung and Benjamin Lu all the very best for a successful and enjoyable competition. They will be required to solve demanding open-ended challenges in one of the fastest growing interschool programs which provides fantastic educational opportunity for the youth of Australia.
The Moil lot have now thrown themselves into the demanding job of fundraising to get them to the national competition. Amongst other things, you might have seen them at Mindil Beach markets on Thursday nights trying to raise money by selling numbers for a dollar or two, or playing their musical instruments.
At Jingili Primary School I was pleased to hear that certificates of credit have been awarded for the Australian Mathematics Competition for the Westpac Awards. Congratulations to Shannen Pugh, Ryan McMurray, Luke McIntosh, Chantel Holloway, Asher Bradbury, Renae Williams, Jacqueline Withers, Lance Schmidt, Kailin Rosas, Emma Ramsay, Theo McMahon, Jeremy Kimm, Zachary Hartley, Breanna Haase, William Anstey, Oliver Walsh, Koal Smith, Sheyanne Carne, Cohen Stephenson, Jarrah Fowler, Shaun Franklin, Anthony Mehonoshen, Mietta Russell, and Tre Manning-Watson. It is a fantastic effort on the part of all those competitors.
In other areas of the electorate I was pleased to support Dale Motter of Wagaman, who was invited to represent at the 2007 Football Federation of Australia National Youth Championships at Coffs Harbour last week. I look forward to hearing the results.
I was pleased to have lunch on Monday with the Filipiniana Senior Citizens at the Malak Community Centre, a rare opportunity as Cabinet is usually scheduled for Monday. The Executive Committee, which includes President Inday Garling - who was unable to attend the lunch but I look forward to catching up with her in the near future, Mario Aisa, Manuela Payne, and Berlinda Sarmiento do a fantastic job with the association. At the lunch it was great to see Tina Black, Peggy Alp, Marilyn Smith, Trining Sunit, Angela Fernan, Perla Fischer, Cynthia Molina, Teresita Tabuzo, Nelita Villarosa, Mely Carson and Aurora Newman. It was great to catch up with everyone and enjoy a fantastic lunch.
The FSCA has been meeting for nearly 15 years. Unfortunately, their usual venue, the Alawa Community Hall which is located on the Alawa ovals next door to the university and leased by the university, has fallen into disrepair. This has caused the association a lot of concern but, fortunately, it has been recommended to the Darwin City Council’s first-quarter budget variation in October that $35 000 be contributed to the university to enable substantial renovations to be carried out.
I was glad to write to the council and the university on this issue and really push it because the current venue at Malak is a nice place, but does not have the space. It certainly does not have the sprung dance floor that the senior citizens love. They love their music, they love to dance, to have fun and enjoy themselves and have good fellowship. Unfortunately, numbers have dropped off since they have gone to Malak because there are transport problems involved. I was glad to advocate for them. I believe the result is positive, and I will be reporting back to this House when, hopefully, the group is able to move back into the Malak Hall and I am able to go and enjoy fellowship with them and sing a few songs. They love to sing; I sing along with them, and have a very pleasant time. I look forward to this project getting under way shortly so that the Filipiniana Seniors can again enjoy the great facility provided in Alawa.
It is always great to speak about the Johnston electorate in the adjournment debate. It is fantastic to be the member for Johnston. I enjoy doorknocking and meeting the people in the electorate and getting involved in their social activities. It is a real pleasure to be reporting tonight on the many goings on within the electorate.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Moulden Park Primary School Year 5/6 students accompanied by Trudy Bland. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Recruiting for Police Force and Fire Service
Recruiting for Police Force and Fire Service
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I attended two important graduations recently in my role as Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Last month I joined Police Commissioner Paul White, Acting Deputy Commissioner Grahame Kelly, the Director of the college, Commander Max Pope, NT Police Association President, Vince Kelly, and many other members of the force for the graduation of Squad 91.
It was an important day for police in the Territory and not simply because it meant 26 new constables on the books. Graduations are important because they bring new people with different strengths and talents into the force. They also bring new people into the Territory. Over half of Squad 91 graduates are new Territorians. The biggest contingent came from Queensland, from all over the state. Carlos Gallo came from Brisbane, Adrian Keogh from the Gold Coast, John Tickner from Laidley, Damien Barbe from Toowoomba, Adam Donaldson from Townsville, and Ben Schultz from Cairns. New South Wales provided five graduates with Syndee Galati, Luke Hoolihan, Marcus Lees and Alexander Thurston coming from Sydney, and Maree Martin from Lithgow. Steve Haig and Nathan Nunn are from Adelaide and Claire Neyland is our Victorian representative.
On behalf of everyone in this place, welcome to the Territory and congratulations on your achievement.
Madam Speaker, I am very proud of our 12 homegrown graduates in Squad 91. Katie McKean hails from the Douglas Daly, and Simone Wright is from Alice Springs. The rest are from Darwin, and I would like to name them: Luke Bevan, Darren Cox, Rachel Dickson, Dean Field, Wade Jeremiah, Gabriel Mercep, Michael Mullins, Garrin Metcalfe, Erin Simonato and Ellis Tracey. I take this opportunity, on behalf of all members, to officially welcome our graduates to one of Australia’s finest police forces.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the Police Recruit Squad Awards. There were four in all: Katie McKean did Alice Springs proud by winning the Rod Evans Memorial Trophy for the highest academic achievement; the Commissioner’s Trophy for the best overall course performer in academic, practical, and physical training was won by Adam Donaldson; the Physical Training Trophy for outstanding physical training ability was taken out by John Tickner; and the Glen Huitson Trophy for the most consistent application in all areas of the training course went to Nathan Nunn. Congratulations to the four award winners.
There would be no graduates without the dedicated people at the NTPFES College. I take this opportunity to acknowledge Commander Max Pope and his team, including Squad Coordinators Sergeant Dianna Brown, Sergeant Mark Nash, and Senior ACPO Mark Casey. They do a great job in grooming our future constables and, on behalf of all of us, I thank them.
Madam Speaker, I also recently attended the NT Fire and Rescue Service graduation parade. I was on hand to see 10 graduating firefighters join our ranks after an intense 16-week course. Like the police recruits some have come here from interstate - New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia – to work and build their career in the Territory.
Our Fire and Rescue Service has a strong reputation and is admired throughout the community. They deal with a range of emergency incidents - everything from bushfires, building fires and motor vehicle accidents to spillages and general rescues. The job is often dangerous and has many risks, but our Police, Fire and Emergency Services people always conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner.
I take this opportunity to welcome these graduates to the Territory and to the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service: Andrew Falconer, Eddie Daun, Anthony Miles, Jarred Ilett, David Quan, Jim Dalton, Kane Penley, Scott Hanson, Bill Gleeson and Anthony Blakely.
Madam Speaker, the Fire Recruit Award winners were also announced. The Silver Axe Award for Dux of the Fire Recruit Course was won by Bill Gleeson; the Physical Fitness Award by Andrew Falconer; and the Most Dedicated Student went to Scott Hanson. Congratulations to those three.
I know all our police and firefighting recruits will go on to make a significant contribution to the Territory, and we will continue to support them in their careers and in their day-to-day duties. On behalf of all of us, good luck to our new firies and new police officers.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for her report. It is a pity the kids from Moulden Park have gone. It would have been a great report for them to hear: men and women joining the ranks of our police force and our Fire and Emergency Services. It is interesting that you do not hear too many young kids these days saying they want to be a policeman or woman when they grow up. When I was a bit younger than I am now, lots of kids used to say: ‘I want to be a policeman or a policewoman when I grow up’. Maybe there is some work to be done in the schools of the Northern Territory.
We also welcome these people, interestingly gathered from Queensland predominantly - I think that has been a fairly steady trend - in addition to, as the Chief Minister said, our homegrown recruits. With the Chief Minister, we wish them well in what can only be an exciting career.
Equine Influenza - Update
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I provide an update on the equine influenza outbreak. Equine influenza is a highly contagious disease of horses, mules, donkeys and other equine species. The symptoms of equine influenza include a sudden increase in temperature, a watery nasal discharge which quickly turns thick and pungent, and a deep, dry, hacking cough. It is not generally fatal to horses; however, fatalities may occur in old and infirmed horses and foals. Humans are not affected by the equine influenza, but can spread the virus to horses via infected clothing.
At 9.30 am on Saturday, 25 August 2007, equine influenza was confirmed at a horse stable in Sydney. By midday, 10 horses from south-east Queensland had been intercepted at Katherine. Two horses had already been unloaded from that contingent. This demonstrates the ability of our officers to rapidly respond to protecting our biosecurity. By 1 pm it was agreed that a national horse standstill be implemented and, at 4 pm, there was a suspicion of equine influenza at a pleasure horse event at Warwick in Queensland. National emergency animal disease arrangements were enacted with a Disease Control headquarters being established at Berrimah Farm’s administrative centre.
The Territory’s Disease Control Centre has been developed through a range of crisis simulation exercises, and involved the assignment of trained staff to fill the central roles within the control centre. A horse standstill was implemented to give Northern Territory officers time to trace the movements of suspect horses to prevent any spread of horses that were identified as a high risk. Horses that had recently arrived from interstate were put under surveillance and diagnostic blood samples were sent to the Berrimah veterinary laboratory. With the Territory’s disease free status confirmed, the horse standstill was revoked a week later.
On Friday, 7 September, Queensland authorities advised that one of the horses moved to the Territory had been in prior contact with a Queensland horse that had tested positive of horse flu. As a precautionary measure, veterinary officers and stock inspectors contacted the owners of the horses that had travelled to the Territory to advise that the quarantine would be imposed. Further testing of the Queensland horse for horse flu proved negative. Testing of horses in Darwin and Katherine regions were also negative.
The disease is contained within the affected areas of Queensland and New South Wales. The Northern Territory continues to assist in dealing with the national emergency. The staff from my department who are trained in the management of emergency animal diseases are now in New South Wales to provide much needed support to the huge eradication control effort. In New South Wales and Queensland, there are more than 4000 infected properties.
As I mentioned previously, we have tested our response to an outbreak of an exotic animal disease in a number of exercises which with the most recent being the Exercise Eleusis last year. However, the pressures of the real emergency tested these protocols. Considerable demands were placed on staff to effectively run a response 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This has led to a reinvestigation of our whole-of-government response arrangements to ensure that we are well placed to deal with a threat to our biosecurity, whether it be an animal or a plant disease, or an aquatic disease such as the Asian green mussel discovered in Darwin Harbour last week.
The risk of equine influenza in the Territory is still low, but we continue to remain vigilant to play our part in the national response. An independent inquiry into the entry and spread of equine influenza in Australia has also commenced. This inquiry will examine how the virus got into Australia and how it was spread.
I wish to express my thanks to all involved in the horse industry for their contribution in responding to the national standstill and the hard work of the response team to ensure that the Territory remains free from horse flu.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, we add our support of those who work in response to this important issue. It seems the department has been well tested on a couple of fronts: on the land with equine flu; and in the sea with the green mussels. We had black striped mussels before and leaf rust not so long ago. The organisation and capacity to respond has been well tested.
I take this opportunity, however, minister, to go into a different area because, as you know, these reports are presented with no preparation time given to the opposition for a response. I can say it is a comprehensive report and we note it.
I have a question regarding Berrimah Farm. There is a range of mango trees there from a variety of origins. It is regarded as a valuable stock of fruit trees from different origins that have been useful for root stock and testing the capacity of different strains for the Northern Territory. Can you advise us what will be happening to that mango orchard which has a very valuable collection of mango trees? Are there plans for those mango trees?
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his support of the department and the work they do. I am sure that the department will take the mango tree situation into account when the evaluation is done of the area. As you quite rightly point out, those mango trees have played a valuable role in the horticultural area.
I would like to hark back to equine influenza. It is pleasing to note that a buffer has been put around the infected areas of New South Wales and Queensland so that the disease does not spread throughout the rest of Australia. There is a regular phone link-up between all Primary Industry ministers from states, territories and the Commonwealth to ensure that all controls are in place and we stand prepared to ensure that horse influenza does not spread to the Northern Territory.
Tourism Trade Mission
Mr HENDERSON (Tourism): Madam Speaker, today I inform the House of my recent visit to Brunei and Singapore last month.
First, I can advise members that Royal Brunei Airlines is committed to improving connections to Darwin, and expanding their networks. In Brunei, I met with the airline’s new Chief Executive, Mr Ray Sayer, and discussed opportunities to better improve passenger yield and capacity on existing services. Royal Brunei Airlines announced they will commence direct long-haul services from London to Brunei from December 2007, which will provide for better connection with their Darwin service. This is welcome news and offers opportunities for closer cooperation and marketing. This has been possible because of the delivery of four new Boeing B777s. Currently flights go via Dubai, which is a difficult market to sell in.
Tourism NT has offered joint cooperative marketing funding to highlight this new direct service to consumers in the United Kingdom. A new marketing campaign is being planned with wholesale and trade partners, which will incorporate an online component. In order for this new service to be a success, it is very important that the NT tourism industry and community in general support Royal Brunei and fly with them. I have extended an invitation to Mr Sayer and his senior executives to visit the Northern Territory and experience firsthand the range of products and unique lifestyle on offer in Darwin.
In Singapore, I met with Rosalynn Tay, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer for Tiger Airways. We discussed their new timetable for Darwin, which will see daily flights to Singapore from December, and domestic services via their new Australian arm to Melbourne. The Central Australia Tiger services three times a week will operate between Melbourne and Alice Springs.
From December this year, Tiger Airways will have increased its international capacity into Darwin by more than 75% since its commencement in December 2005. It will become the equal largest airline provider of international capacity into Darwin, with capacity levels similar to that of Jetstar. Tourism NT will be working on a range of exciting and innovative cooperative campaigns with the airline over the next few months.
The current campaign, launched in September, has seen two Tiger Airways aircraft have their overhead luggage bin doors branded with NT images and highlights of our website travelnt.com to access travel planning tools for their next trip on Tiger Airways to Darwin. Six images showcase the various experiences the Northern Territory is renowned for on two of their aircraft that will fly throughout non-Darwin Tiger Airways destinations, thus providing a potential audience of over 500 000 travellers over the next 12 months.
Whilst in Singapore, I also met with Steve Limbrick, Qantas Regional General Manager for South-East Asia. I voiced concerns with the service levels and lack of seats at peak times on the current aircraft operated by Jetstar Asia.
Qantas has advised that the introduction of Australian registered aircraft from February 2008 should lift the service level and improve seat availability. The London and Europe-based offices of Tourism NT and Qantas are working together regarding the development of fares for the launch of domestic fares on the Jetstar Singapore/Darwin service in February 2008. This will include a special launch fare from February to April 2008, returning October/November 2008 aimed at the long stay unstructured market eligible for passengers entering Australia via Darwin.
While current levels to the Northern Territory from our Asian neighbours remain relatively low, with international visitor survey estimates of 17 000 holiday visitors in 2006-07, these visitors are important to the Territory, both in maintaining close ties with our neighbours and for their strategic value in supporting regional airlines servicing Darwin International Airport.
Northern Territory operators Mirrambeena Travel Lodge, SKYCITY, Cape Don Fishing Adventures and Territory Discoveries, along with Tourism Top End and Tourism NT, attended the largest Singapore-based tourism consumer show, National Association Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), held at Singapore Expo from 14 to 16 September. Some 885 sellers were present for the two-and-a-half day consumer show, which saw over 57 000 consumers in attendance. Competition to offer competitive and attractive travel packages to the travelling public was intense. The key function for the Territory team was to provide advice on destination, travel products, itineraries and some special value-added deals to travellers considering the Territory.
Whilst in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised to find a small piece of the Northern Territory right in the heart of the city - The Red Dot Gallery. This gallery is the first fine art Aboriginal gallery in Singapore, opened in 2004. The gallery featured paintings from all over the Northern Territory, but particularly from Central Australia, and artists from the member for Macdonnell’s region. I managed to bring back some fabulous catalogues. It really gave me goose bumps to stand in that gallery and see this fabulous Central Australian art, Madam Speaker.
I look forward to keeping the House advised of further outcomes from our cooperative marketing campaigns with airlines as they develop, and further activities that my agency, Tourism NT, is planning to further grow our important strategic markets in Asia.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement today. It is great to hear that Aboriginal art is being so well promoted and sold in Singapore, particularly from the great region of the member for Macdonnell in Central Australia.
Yesterday, the minister talked about ocean liner shipping visitations into the Port of Darwin, and that is great news. It is great news today, as well, with Royal Brunei Airlines coming into the Northern Territory. It can only auger well for tourism in the Northern Territory, coupled with Tiger Airways.
I support the minister and the tourism operators in getting behind that and supporting these airlines so they can stay here and, of course, increase the flow of tourism throughout the whole of the Northern Territory. It is also pleasing to hear that overseas operators and Tourism NT in London and various other overseas ports the minister mentioned, are promoting the Northern Territory so actively. I welcome the minister’s report today; it is good news.
Desert Mob Exhibition
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, talking further about Aboriginal art, early last month I attended the opening of the 17th annual Desert Mob Exhibition at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs. Desert Mob is Central Australia’s premier indigenous arts event, with works on display from 35 Aboriginal art centres from across the central desert region. It just gets better and better every year, and is now regarded as one of Australia’s top indigenous arts events.
Desert Mob is first and foremost a selling exhibition, and the proceeds from sales go straight back into the artists’ communities. Many of the works on display have been purchased for public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, National Gallery of Australia and the Charles Darwin University Collection. So far, there have been over $400 000-worth of sales and they are still continuing.
Desert Mob is a tribute to the artists, the volunteers, and the dedicated staff of the Aboriginal arts centres. These centres are often the hub of their communities. They are also a timely reminded of the important role that CDEP has played in the social, cultural and economic sustainability of these communities, and why it must continue. This year, three new art centres are exhibiting at Desert Mob for the first time: the Amoonguna Arts in Alice Springs, Spinifex Arts Project from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, and the Papunya community’s new arts centre Papunya Tjupi.
As part of our indigenous arts strategy, Building Strong Arts Business, new events have been added to Desert Mob to ensure it continues to grow and become even more spectacular. For example, the Desert Mob symposium was introduced last year. This year, the symposium was entitled ‘Arts Talks, Our Art, Our Way’ and the keynote speaker was Brenda Croft the Senior Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the National Gallery. There were also guest speakers from the Territory and Western Australia. It was, by all accounts, a great success.
The Desert Mob dance site moved away from Araluen this year to become a stand alone event at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Around 700 people attended the event and they saw 69 performers, including dancers and singers from eight dance groups across five language groups.
I was also fortunate to be among the 2000 or so people at the Desert Mob marketplace on the Saturday prior to the exhibition launch on the Sunday. It was, and always is, a memorable experience with thousands of works of art - all $200 or under - from right across the Central Desert region being snapped up by countless bargain hunters. There were canvases, pottery, scarfs, carvings; it was certainly one of the highlights of the Desert Mob exhibition – indeed, the whole Alice Desert Festival. Sales from the marketplace totalled over $120 000, and that was just in the four hours it was open. By bringing the visual arts, dance and discussion all together in one event, visitors are given a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the complexity and depth of Aboriginal culture.
We are strongly committed to the indigenous arts industry in Central Australia. I recently announced that a key component of our Moving Alice Ahead Strategic Vision is a focus on indigenous art and culture. We will establish a permanent exhibition at the Araluen Centre showcasing indigenous art and culture, and will pursue other exhibition opportunities. We will also work with the industry to encourage indigenous art and cultural tourism experiences, and promote Alice as a reputable place to buy Aboriginal art.
This year’s Desert Mob exhibition was once again a magnificent event. The artist and our arts centres deserve special praise. Without them, of course, there would be no Desert Mob. To Tim Rollison and his staff at Araluen, and John Oster and the members of the Desart Executive Committee, congratulations on a job well done; you have all done Alice Springs and the Territory proud.
Madam Speaker, for anyone who has not seen Desert Mob, it is still running. I take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has not seen it, to get there before it closes on the 21 October. It is spectacular. You will not see anything like it for colour and imagination, I reckon, anywhere in Australia or the world. It really is a visual delight - but take your Visa card with you.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for her report this morning. There is no doubt that indigenous art is finally, I consider, coming of age and being recognised and appreciated by more and more people, not only nationally but internationally. I honestly think that, nationally, Australians are becoming far more appreciative of indigenous art and culture as the time goes by. That is a very important part of Australian lifestyle; to become appreciative of it. The diversity in indigenous art and culture is really quite interesting. I certainly appreciate it.
Indigenous art and culture also is extremely important as a tourism attraction for the Northern Territory. I feel that we still have not captured that market as well as we could. A lot more needs to be done in that area. Central Australia is very lucky because they have Mbantua Gallery that is doing a lot in encouraging interest in indigenous art. At the moment, they are taking an exhibition to Japan for an extended time, and that is a great credit to Central Australia, especially Emily, whose work will be exhibited there. I hope that will be an attraction for the Japanese tourists who want to come to Australia to appreciate even more indigenous art and culture. I thank the minister for her report.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, the Chief Minister is right, it is a great exhibition. There is a smorgasbord of art there and you had to get in quick to get the best pieces because they were quickly snaffled up. I feel that I should not be up saying anything about this. It should be the members for Stuart and Macdonnell, because of their huge support for that industry within the Centre. I know that they are very proud of the people who have exhibited there.
It is one of those success stories that we have about Aboriginal art. It really does cut out many of the carpetbaggers that cause so many problems within that industry in Central Australia. We all know of examples. If we can encourage more artists on the fringes of the art industry to go through the right channels and if they, not just us, can go and look at this exhibition and see what they could achieve, it will help stop the bad practice that often happens within the Aboriginal art industry.
Chief Minister, I, like you, congratulate all those people involved in putting this together. It is a huge step. It is one of those things that really put Alice Springs on the map. Next year, we are having that large art conference in October. If we can coincide some of these huge exhibitions it would be great, because we can showcase not just to the Territory but, as you say, to all of Australia. Well done to all the people involved.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Member for Arafura
Member for Arafura
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that leave of absence be granted to the member for Arafura for the remainder of this sitting due to a bereavement in the family.
Motion agreed to.
SUPERANNUATION LAW REFORM BILL
(Serial 118)
(Serial 118)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move the bill be now read a second time.
The main purpose of the Superannuation Law Reform Bill 2007 is to amend the Superannuation Act to establish a death and invalidity scheme for Northern Territory public sector employees in choice of fund superannuation arrangements, and to provide new superannuation products for members of the Northern Territory Government Public Authority Superannuation Scheme, NTGPASS.
The bill also makes minor amendments to the Superannuation Act and the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act (the LAMS act) to clarify that interest applied to NTGPASS and LAMS member superannuation accounts can be either positive or negative, and that the NTGPASS rules comply with the Australia government Better Super reforms.
The government gave a commitment during the enterprise bargaining negotiations in 2004-05 that equivalent death and invalidity cover will be provided to all Northern Territory public sector employees regardless of their superannuation arrangements, and that new NTGPASS superannuation products would be introduced. Since the closure of NTGPASS in August 1999, new employees have had to purchase death and invalidity cover through their choice of fund superannuation arrangements or an insurance provider. This created an inequity amongst Northern Territory public sector employees because employees who commenced before August 1999 were either members of NTGPASS or the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme and were automatically covered for death and invalidity at no cost to the employee.
The Northern Territory Government Death and Invalidity Scheme will provide employees and choice of fund superannuation arrangements with lump sum death and invalidity benefits equivalent to the benefits provided to NTGPASS members. Membership of the scheme covers Northern Territory public sector employees, police officers, members of parliament, and executive contract officers in choice of fund superannuation arrangements. The scheme will be at no cost to members.
The benefit payable from the scheme is the lump sum equivalent to 17.5% of salary for each year of future service to age 65. For the purpose of determining the amount of the benefit payable, the term ‘salary’ has been defined for each class of member of the scheme. For example:
a salary for an Executive Contract Officer is their salary for superannuation purposes as specified in the contract; that is, 65% of their total remuneration package;
The scheme commenced on 1 July 2007. However, until such time as legislation is passed, arrangements are in place to assess claims in line with the proposed rules of the scheme. As part of the last enterprise bargaining negotiations, this government also made a commitment to provide new superannuation products for NTGPASS members. These included spouse accounts, continuation of membership, member investment choice and allocated pensions.
Spouse accounts allowing NTGPASS members to establish an account on behalf of their spouse, and continuation of membership allowing former employees who are members of NTGPASS to continue contributing to the superannuation account, have been implemented and commenced on 1 July 2005. Member investment choice and an allocated pension are the final superannuation products to be implemented for NTGPASS members in line with our previous commitment. Member investment choice commenced on 1 July 2007 and allows NTGPASS members to choose from one of five investment options to invest their superannuation account balances in.
The investment options range from a conservative low-risk option to an aggressive higher-risk option. One of the investment options, the growth option, has been designated as the default investment option for members who do not wish to make a choice. NTGPASS members will be able to switch investment options at any time during the financial year. The first switch in the year will be free; however, additional switches made during the year will incur a fee which will be deducted from a member’s account.
An allocated pension product is expected to be available in January 2008 and will allow NTGPASS members to convert their superannuation lump sum into a retirement income stream. Members will have access to member investment choice, and be able to choose the frequency of payments and the amount they wish to receive from that allocated pension account.
Allocated pension account members will be charged a small annual administration fee each year, which will be deducted from their allocated pension account. The fee will be around $40, similar to the fee charged by the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trust, (AGEST), the Territory’s default superannuation fund for employees in choice of fund superannuation arrangements.
The amendments to the Superannuation Act and the LAMS act to clarify the definition of interest is simply to ensure the Territory accords with legal advice that it would be prudent to amend the governing legislation of NTGPASS and LAMS to make it absolutely clear that interest applied to member accounts can be either positive or negative.
Under the Australian government’s Better Super reforms, it is no longer compulsory for a person to withdraw their superannuation at age 65. The amendment to the NTGPASS rules to remove the reference to age 65 means that NTGPASS members will be able to keep their superannuation money in the scheme indefinitely.
The legislation honours this government’s commitment to various superannuation reforms designed to ensure that all Northern Territory public sector employees are provided with equivalent death and invalidity cover, and have access to similar superannuation products, regardless of their superannuation arrangements.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to the House.
Debate adjourned.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
AUTHORITY BILL
(Serial 114)
AUTHORITY BILL
(Serial 114)
Continued from 29 August 2007.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, before I begin my second reading response to the bill, I extend to the member for Arafura my sincere and deepest sympathy on the loss of her father. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family as they go through this trying time.
Madam Speaker, the length of time this legislation has taken to get to this point has been interesting, to say the least. The development of an EPA was a promise of this government leading up to the 2005 election, and so has been a while in coming. The promise was for an independent EPA.
For as long as the discussions about the EPA have been going on in this Assembly, it seems to me the biggest sticking point and bone of contention has been the use of the word ‘independent’ in front of the EPA title. In itself, ‘independent EPA’ sounds appealing and gives confidence to the community, because it gives the impression of being without interference by government, and operating in the best interests of the whole of the community independently of government. An independent EPA should only have input from government through the minister appointing the board members. That is where it should end, and it should be self-funded.
An advisory board consists of public sector employees, has a chairman appointed by the minister, and a budget dictated by government. From my perspective and understanding, an advisory board provides advice to government - they sure do not have the final say. The latter is what I feel is being proposed – an advisory board.
I have always had a problem with this government’s interpretation of that word ‘independent’. As I have said in previous debates in this Assembly, to be a truly independent EPA, it should be professionally preferred, and not just politically preferred as it stands now. Credibility of information and advice to industry, government and the community needs to be without question - no doubts at all. The minute ‘government’ is breathed into the process, independence is nullified. Independence means, to me, right down to the final outcome.
Instead of that happening with the new independent EPA, whose job it is to put a stop to developments which have a detrimental effect on environmental grounds, this proposal whitewashes that and gives advice to the minister, who then chooses to make his or her final decision. That turns an independent EPA into providing advice only, which may or may not be taken up by the minister at her whim, whichever it may be. However, I am not suggesting for a moment that the current minister would make a decision on a whim, but the opportunity is there to do so.
It was interesting to note comments that were made on the Julia Christensen ABC morning program on Wednesday, 23 May this year. Julia was interviewing the minister for the Environment and quoted Tom Cowen from the Environmental Defender’s Office comments in relation to the make up of the EPA board. He said:
- I think they probably should sack this board and bring in a board that’s actually going to make a recommendation to them that’s of some merit.
They have gone through a very long process of community consultation and if this recommendation is accepted, the whole process would basically have been wasted.
It is fairly evident that Tom Cowen has little confidence in the independence of this board. The implication is that the outcome does not reflect the consultations undertaken in the community. I have read some of the community consultations, and the reports that have come out of that, and they do not exactly agree with what Tom Cowen has said.
For the record, I am going to introduce into the Parliamentary Record some of the comments that have been made from community consultations. This was from Katherine:
- It needs to be connected with regional interests and promote early public engagement in issues.
Processes for communication need to be established and transparent.
An EPA will need to overcome fear in the community of new rules and of retribution if people speak out about issues.
An EPA should be supported by good science knowledge base across a range of disciplines.
In Alice Springs, some comments included:
- An EPA board must be strong enough to ensure locals are listened to and local knowledge sought and used.
- EPA processes should be positive in order to achieve outcomes and reduce adversarial situations.
Pathways to early engagement should be instituted to avoid entrenched positions by developing.
The EPA should ensure that debate is fair and equitable and that information is available to assist debate.
If processes are rigorous, strong advocacy and credible policy will strengthen relationships with the Commonwealth in favour of the NT. The Commonwealth is more likely to hand back power when it is confident about local decision-making.
- If the EPA has an engaging forward-looking culture, the stick will be needed only rarely.
The EPA should have powers to regulate industries such as power stations.
The EPA should be engaged with the formal education system in order to reach kids.
Political appointments should not be made to the EPA Board, and the board should include indigenous members. The board must be strong enough to resist political pressure and pressure from industry and should work by consensus.
The name EPA carries preconceived ideas which may be considered as negative. Should it be called by another name, for example, Environment NT?
Some comments from the Darwin community:
- The EPA should be independent and not be subject to ministerial direction when determining advice on a particular application. It should also be clear how the EPA’s work is to relate to the work of other government agencies, including local governments.
The EPA should have a strategic policy role. It should provide leadership on environmental issues and do proactive work to avoid environmental problems before they occur. It should also be practical though, and these two elements should inform each other.
The EPA should take a long-term view in its work and seek to transcend the political cycle.
The EPA should seek to deal with cumulative impacts of development and with the effects of development on society as a whole.
Transparency and public accountability are important. Government should not be able to issue itself environmental licences or approvals without public scrutiny.
The EPA should have the capacity to receive referrals from the public and capacity for the public to appeal against decisions.
The EPA should have power (teeth) to make things happen, supported by strong legislation. It should be within the EPA’s power to prevent inappropriate development if necessary.
From the Darwin indigenous community:
- Where will plans of management such as the Darwin Harbour plan of management fit into the new framework? A suggestion that the legislative framework for the EPA provide for the development of plans of management for particular areas and, where an EIS is triggered, a plan of management be something that is required to be considered and addressed by the proponent. Plans of management should include social issues and would have benefits due to having been through a community consultation process.
From the Nhulunbuy community, comments were:
- It needs to be strongly independent and beyond political influence.
The effectiveness of the EPA should be measured in terms of producing environmental impacts rather than, for example, increased prosecutions.
The board needs a way of connecting with regional concerns and getting advice from regional and indigenous Territorians.
- The perception is the Northern Territory is a ‘can do’ place. EPA focus should be on ‘can do properly’.
The EPA is the last line of defence for the environment and will be held accountable for what happens to the environment.
An independent EPA should be an incredible source of information and advice to industry, government and the community. This will assist industry performance and promote informed debate and public participation.
An EPA should identify ways of improving consultation processes.
Also from Darwin industry:
- In setting standards, guidelines and indicators the EPA should recognise existing international standards and best practice, and work to establish appropriate indicators jointly with interested parties. It must also have mechanisms for holding parties to agreed performance levels.
The Darwin industry has also suggested:
- Timeliness and certainty are important to business. It is, therefore, important to know the rules of engagement in advance, and the rules are maintained for the life of a project.
- As a general principle, environmental regulations should apply across all sectors; that is, industry and government should be subject to the same rules.
The Darwin industry has also said:
- Any appeals mechanism should permit appeals by a wide rage of third parties and proponents. Any minister who does not take EPA advice should be required to give reasons. However, an appeal system should not lead to excessive delays or red tape.
They were just some of the comments that the community put to the committee when they were visiting. The consultation did go to all of the regional areas. They were a little varied. Some thought that, yes, it should be tied to government, and some thought it should be totally independent from government.
I have had a little difficulty in understanding the word ‘independent’ in this process. While the EPA may work totally independent and come up with a recommendation, the final decision is made by the minister, so it does come back to government scrutiny.
When the CLP was in government, we supported the development of an EPA. It was very important for us and for future generations to protect our environment and we did ...
Ms Martin: What?
Mr Henderson: Where? When? It was never policy.
Mrs MILLER: Madam Speaker, the CLP does support an EPA.
Mr Henderson: Well, you may do now.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: The difference is the Labor party promised an independent EPA which was very appealing to voters going into the election. This is not independent, this is advisory.
With the increasing demands for development across the Northern Territory it is more important than ever that environmental impacts are taken into consideration. With climate change also becoming increasingly evident, the EPA will be required to take on considerable watchdog scrutiny, so to speak, well into the future.
Developments that are proposed in and around the Darwin Harbour are a prime example of some of the work that is ahead of the EPA to ensure that the harbour is maintained in as pristine condition as possible. What we can already see is that there is considerable industrial development already around the harbour, on Middle Arm and Wickham Point which is already unsightly and, in my opinion, definitely needs to be limited ...
Mr Henderson: It is beautiful.
Mrs MILLER: No, it is not, it is unsightly.
Mr Henderson: I love it.
Mr Wood: Galvanised tin roofs.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: No, Darwin is still in the early stages of development for industrial areas and there is no excuse for spoiling the harbour in this way. We have masses of land around Darwin that is suitable for industrial development and it is certainly not there ...
Mr Henderson: You guys used to support development.
Mrs MILLER: Go up in an aeroplane and have a good look.
Mr Wood: Yes, in the right place.
Ms Lawrie: Where? Where would you put it, Fay?
Mr Wood: Do not be so simplistic.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: That is right. You only have to look at other cities where development has occurred without much planning around the edges of harbours to see how unsightly it is. We have every opportunity in Darwin Harbour not to fall into that same trap.
I sincerely hope that the EPA …
Mr Wood: New theme for the ALP - bound for Botany Bay.
Mr Henderson: Absolutely. The ALP has always stood for working people.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mrs MILLER: I sincerely hope that the EPA has enough teeth to know that the decisions put before the minister will be accepted otherwise they will be nothing more than recommendations. Will …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: Will the decisions that the EPA make be made public? What recourse does the EPA have if they feel strongly about a decision that they put forward to the minister, that is rejected? Is there any recourse for the EPA?
Last night, the member for Nelson spoke at length in debate about the middle of the harbour - and I am absolutely certain he is going to continue to do that today - and the way it is being industrially developed. What role will the EPA have in ensuring that this very important area is environmentally protected? Now that there is no other watchdog than yourself - you have taken away any responsibility from the Litchfield Shire Council - how is that going to be carefully monitored? Will the EPA have any input into Middle Arm developments into the future?
It is really interesting to note that the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 comes in two volumes. It is well over 1000 pages. This legislation being debated today is a mere eight pages.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to the minister’s response, especially in relation to Middle Arm because, at this point of time, it is all happening very quickly there and it needs some scrutiny. It certainly needs to have a watchdog, quite apart from the member for Nelson. It needs to have another watchdog that has some teeth. I am looking forward to hearing what the minister has to say in relation to that.
Mr Wood: Oh, this will be good; in his electorate.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WARREN (Goyder): It certainly will be, Gerry.
Madam Speaker, today I speak in support of the Environment Protection Authority Bill 2007.
As someone who has worked in the science field for most of my life and having been involved in the environmental aspects, I certainly welcome this. This is something I did not really think I would live to see when I first came to the Territory, and under the CLP for many years. I did not think I would see an EPA in this jurisdiction, and I am really proud to be part of a government that is going to deliver it today.
It is something that is certainly the hallmark of all jurisdictions not only in Australia but throughout the world. Having an EPA or something of a similar ilk is certainly characteristic of the 21st century and how we do things. Environment is a very important part of our lives. When we talk about sustainability, we always talk about the triple bottom lines, one of which is our environment; the ecology.
This bill represents an enormous achievement for this government. We believe we have one of the greatest natural environments in the world. Protecting our unique environment for current and future generations is a top priority of the Martin Labor government. We do have a special place in the Territory; it is unique. We always talk about how proud we are of it. Even members of the opposition are proud of the Territory - we all are. A unique and special part of the NT is our environment, and that is why we need to protect it and make sure that we do have a strong and vigorous EPA process.
I acknowledge that it is disappointing it has taken so long to come, but at least it is happening now and I commend this government for doing it in such a timely manner. Since coming to power, Labor has expanded conservation areas, controlled land clearing and protected 96% of mangroves in Darwin Harbour. That is a credible effort. We have introduced compulsory reporting on pollution emissions and required environmental impact statements for all significant developments.
Labor takes our environment very seriously. I started to think about it and thought I would cite a couple of examples, but I did not have to think very far. In this very sittings, we have talked about the protection of Glyde Point. That is an area where we have some unique aquatic flora and fauna, terrestrial flora and fauna and bird life. We have special features in that area. This was all done, by the way, without an EPA, but we need to have the overwatch of an EPA in the process of development. This government is very conscious of the environment, and the current minister has taken the baton, followed her Labor predecessors, held that banner high and taken the whole effort of protecting our environment forward.
The parks joint management plan from the last sittings was all about protecting our environment and ensuring indigenous people are involved and engaged in that protection because they do care about the environment. That is indisputable. That is an historic fact for eons; that they have looked after the land. Therefore, it is important that we engage them in the whole process of looking after our environment. The joint management plan for the parks is part of the whole process.
Who could forget the Daly River moratorium? We want to ensure we get it right. We understand the need for development. We understand that there is much pressure because of environmental changes and global warming, and there will be changes in these areas. It is already coming to bear in existing agricultural areas like Katherine. We need to ensure that we do not rush these things. We are a government that has acted in a very responsible manner in regard to our environment.
We have regional water studies which are being undertaken at the moment. Regional water studies is part of our environment, to ensure that the resources that we have here are adequate for our future development. Our future development has to be in accord with the environment and water is a major part of it. We have to get that right; the science has to get that right. I urge the department and its scientific teams to go out and continue that good work.
Unfortunately, the CLP seem to be scaremongering people about meters and things like that, but that is what we have come to expect from them. In fact, CLP governments could not even get an EPA up, so it does not surprise me that they turn the tables and try to make it into a scaremongering exercise. We are above all that, we have moved on as a government, we are out there doing the science, doing the studies.
Now we are delivering, of course, another environmental milestone which was, might I add, an election commitment. We are establishing an independent Environment Protection Authority, and this is truly independent. You only have to look at the bill, and I will be coming to those points and explain them a little later. The detail of it is very specific. It is not something the minister can get in there and manipulate. It is very clear in the bill; you can see that it is independent. That is something the CLP used to try to prosecute their case today, but that is not really what it is about. From their perspective, they might see it as not being independent, but it certainly is. I urge them to get on top of the bill, go and have a look at it, read it properly, and you will see it fits our jurisdiction.
Prior to the bill, we were the only state or territory in Australia without an Environment Protection Agency. After 27 years of CLP government, we still did not have an EPA and, yet, here in the House today they try to reinvent history, and say: ‘Yes, we really did have that in mind, we just did not tell people about it. We did not get out there and let people know about it. This was our big grand plan, but we wanted to get through the next election and not tell anyone’. Unfortunately, they did not get there at the next election. We were up-front with that. We gave a commitment before …
Members interjecting.
Mr Mills: Member for Goyder, you need a briefing.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The interjections are getting very loud from the opposition.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Mills: Looking in the mirror. The little girl who cried ‘wolf’.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member for Blain to remove the offensive remark he made to me. I am not a little girl. I am actually a woman, a mother of three children, and that is incredibly sexist and offensive.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, the minister feels offended. I ask you to withdraw.
Mr MILLS: Because the minister feels offended by that, I will have to withdraw it.
Ms Lawrie: Misogynist!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please withdraw.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw referring to the member for Blain as a misogynist, Madam Speaker.
Mr MILLS: Oh, that is offensive. Madam Speaker, if we are going to play silly games like this, I ask the honourable member to withdraw calling me sexist. I find that offensive.
Ms Lawrie: It was sexist!
Madam SPEAKER: Please resume your seat. Minister, I ask you to withdraw that at this point.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw the fact that he is sexist.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, minister, please resume your seat. Honourable members …
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, if we are going to play this game, I do not normally do this, but I take offence at this business. The honourable member said I withdraw the fact that he is sexist. Just to withdraw is what is required, is it not?
Madam SPEAKER: That is correct. Member for Blain, please resume your seat. I believe the minister has withdrawn her comments. Before we continue, I would appreciate it if we have a serious look at Standing Order 51, which I repeatedly have to read out in the Chamber and I do so again:
- No member may converse aloud or make may any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
There have been many interjections during this debate. I would appreciate a lower level of interjections. Member for Goyder, please continue.
Mr WARREN: Madam Speaker, this is an important debate and I urge the opposition to take part in the appropriate manner at the appropriate time, not by interjecting.
Madam Speaker, in our first term, this government began the process by initiating an EPA reference to the Sessional Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. The current minister, of course, guided this as the chair of that committee during its investigations into EPA models suitable for the Territory. Therefore, the Environment minister is eminently appraised to appreciate that this is the most appropriate EPA model for the Territory. I am pleased that she is here today to take carriage of this bill.
During this term of government, the process of developing a suitable model has been carried forward by the independent board members and NRETA with professional advice of eminent, independent experts. This process has not been rushed; it is well conceived and considered, properly thought out, seriously researched, and is the best model for the Territory without a doubt.
The successful passage of this bill through the House today will be a truly historic occasion. The government has been working hard over a long period to ensure that we have it right. It is not something we have rushed. As I just said, we started when we came in; it is not something we have just come up with now. We have had the whole sessional committee process going looking at it, independent of the parliamentary process and the departments. We have had the departments look at it. We have looked at the whole thing. If there has been the opportunity to get this right, it certainly is right now.
As stated by my colleague, the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, we are truly a unique jurisdiction. We are a small population with an enormous amount of untouched environment to protect. We have sprinklings of untouched wilderness, patchworked with operating mines, horticultural farms and pastoral stations, and growing indigenous communities. We have vast tracts of pristine land, juxtaposed with historical rural and indigenous towns, a modern arid city in the middle of the desert, and a vibrant growing coastal city in economic boom.
This government came to power just in time to save our jurisdiction from the devastation of unregulated water allocation and land clearing that would have, undoubtedly, characterised further years under the CLP governments of previous years. Future generations are going to thank us, and are going to know it was the Martin Labor government that actually brought in the EPA and stopped the unfettered development in our environment. We are unique here because not too many places are right next door to fabulous natural resources. Not too many places have that. They have always had some farmland or something else such as mining and roads. We have areas that are right within reach, and that is why tourists come here. I spoke the other day about the tourism industry and the uniqueness of the Territory. It is the cultural and natural assets that we have here, and we have to preserve them. This EPA does that. Our future generations will thank us for that. They will be able to grow up and say that it was a Labor government that saved this for them.
In this House today we heard the other side of the House question why the EPA is not a regulatory body. The three-person independent expert board that the Labor government established consulted widely with NT businesses and the community about where an EPA should be positioned on a spectrum of strategic to regulatory models. We deliberately did that, and that was a very important aspect, to find out where we needed to fit. We wanted to provide the greatest value to the NT. The feedback we received strongly indicated there is a gap in the current system at the strategic level – the strategic level - that is, we needed an EPA to provide policies, framework, guidance and legislative review.
We have an existing regulatory system, and the board strongly recommended that we avoid duplication. That is why we accepted the model that we have. We have a regulatory system. We have a department there as well. We do not want to have the two of them clashing; they have to mesh together. They have to be symbiotic, and that is why we have come up with a model of this style.
The Territory is a small jurisdiction with existing laws regulating development and environmental protection. The interim board, after consultation, clearly recommended the best use of this new EPA would be to enable it to scrutinise the existing regulatory system and to be able to make recommendations for changes to government. This bill adopts all the recommendations of the interim board including clause 5 which establishes this strategic role. It allows the government to fulfil its mandate to govern, but provides full scrutiny of its services. That is essential, and that is where the two processes mesh together.
However, the opposition and the Independents will never understand that because they are fixated on a narrow-minded, myopic view. That is what government is about, and you have to have a process that fits in with the process of government. We were elected to govern. We have a mandate, but we have the responsibility. We are governing under that mandate, but we are taking responsibility and have an EPA which fits into that role of advising the government.
Madam Speaker, the other side of the House also cast aspersions in relation to the independence of the new EPA. The other side of the House failed to introduce any kind of EPA for 27 years. They talk about the independence of it. I guess under them it was certainly independent; it was independent of the government - it did not exist.
In response to these assertions I draw the attention of the House to clause 6 of the bill which enables the EPA to require Chief Executive Officers of government agencies to provide information and to ask non-government entities or government business divisions to provide it with information it requires to draw its conclusions on matters it is considering. As further evidence of the authority’s independence, clause 8 specifically states - and you want to hear this, members of the opposition - that the authority is not subject to the minister’s direction in relation to the exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions and, in particular is not subject to ministerial direction in relation to preparation and content of advice or recommendations.
The opposition has also inferred there are issues with openness and transparency of the process of the new EPA. Again, I refer to clauses in the bill ...
Members interjecting.
Mr BONSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Unfortunately, I cannot hear the member for Goyder, and I appreciate his contribution because he has three degrees. He has an engineering degree and a science degree in this area. The opposition and the Independents may not want to hear his contribution but, on a technical level, he is probably the most informed individual in this House. I would like to hear this information.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BONSON: He is not a back yard environmental scientist.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Millner, resume your seat, there is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order but I ask members to cease interjecting.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The derogatory comments from the member for Millner saying someone is a back yard environmental scientist because …
Mr Bonson: Well, you are.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Millner, withdraw that comment.
Mr WOOD: You do not know what my qualifications are.
Mr Bonson: Well, what are they? Put them on the table. Put them on the table.
Mr WOOD: If you do not know, I am not going to tell you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member from Millner, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr BONSON: Madam Speaker, I will withdraw calling him a back yard environmental scientist.
Dr Burns: Yes, Humpty Doo dump, try that for a start.
Members interjecting.
Mr Wood: You would not know. You would not know.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr Burns: I know about the Humpty Doo dump.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, there is a lot of interjecting and also a lot of offensive and unbecoming language this morning. From now on I will be putting members on warnings. Member for Goyder, please continue.
Mr WARREN: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mrs Miller: Stick to the technical side so we can understand.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Katherine. Member for Goyder, continue.
Mr WARREN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I understand the frustration of the opposition benches because of the eminent qualifications we have on this side - not just me, but everyone on this side of the House is eminently qualified to speak on this subject. I understand that the other side is grasping to come to grips with this bill. I understand that and I appreciate that. That is a very sad day for the opposition.
The opposition has also, as I was saying before, inferred there were issues with openness and transparency of the process of the new EPA. Clause 24 requires the authority to make its advice and recommendations available to the public in most instances, and the minister will make the government’s response public. Furthermore, it must report to parliament annually.
When you look at it, it is one of the most open and accessible EPA systems that we have in the whole of Australia. It is certainly one that is open and transparent so, for the opposition to suggest that it is not open and transparent is not doing this whole process justice. I guess it relates to the calibre of the input they have put into it because they, obviously, cannot come to grips with the concept. Maybe it is a bit beyond them. Anyway, I will push on.
In closing, this bill is short, sharp and to the point. When it is passed today, the Northern Territory will finally join the rest of Australia and have its own independent Environment Protection Authority, an EPA the CLP arrogantly refused to deliver. I am proud to be part of a government that takes our environment so seriously. It really is a pleasure for someone like me who has worked in science and some of the environment areas, to see a process which has checks and balances, as distinct from the frustration of not having it under the previous government. The good thing is, when we came into government, and while we were going through the process of getting it right, we were very honourable in the way we tried to protect our environment at ministerial, government and departmental level.
The CLP is still not across all the aspects of this bill. Their contribution to debate clearly showed this so far, and I expect more of the same. The cross-floor banter and interjections show that they are not taking this whole thing seriously. That is a shame because this is probably one of the most important bills that we will have in this House. It is going to affect future generations.
Madam Speaker, we now have an EPA that suits our jurisdiction. It meshes in with government regulatory processes, does not prohibit government from governing, and is open, transparent and has appropriate safeguards to ensure it is an EPA which will stand the test of time. Future generations will thank us. I thank the minister and the government for such a courageous bill.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): If this is a courageous bill, member for Goyder, I will go he. This is powder puff legislation, Madam Speaker. This legislation is about is reviewing legislation. You really have to wonder whether you need an authority to do that. Why not just get one bloke to say: ‘Can you please check on whether the government is doing what it is supposed to be doing under its present legislation?’ You do not need a whole authority to do that.
This legislation is disappointing, not only for me, but quite a few people in the community. People expected that this legislation would have some regulatory powers that would not duplicate NRETA, but would do the work that NRETA might do at the present time, and for two reasons. One is for strategic projects throughout the Northern Territory, like the McArthur River Mine, and the other for government projects so that you can be seen to have an independent assessment of your government projects.
This EPA will not do that. This EPA will just see whether NRETA, which will have a look at those projects, has followed due process. That is all. Here was a chance for the government, I believe, to show people that it is really serious about an EPA. This is powder puff stuff. It is not anything to talk about being courageous and wonderful because the EPA is purely a body that gives advice. It is not like the Development Consent Authority, which is also meant to be independent, but can be knocked off at the minister’s whim just by putting a notice in the Gazette. This one does not give the minister the power to knock it off because it is not a threat. This is not a threat for development. If it was, I bet there would be a clause saying the minister has the powers to say when and where the EPA can operate. This legislation does not give that power; it is purely able to give advice.
When you read the important part of the bill, which are the functions, it says that the authority’s functions are to give advice and make recommendations. What is that advice and recommendations about? Achieving best practice environmental policy and management - fine. Setting objectives - fine. Reviewing practices - fine. Legislation and administration - terrific. Issues affecting the Territory’s capacity to achieve ecologically sustainable development - beautiful. Emerging environmental issues - good. Monitoring and evaluating cumulative impacts of development in the Northern Territory - great stuff. It is all the issues out there, but it is not what we would have liked the EPA to look at.
The EPA should have looked at Glyde Point and come back to the community, saying they have assessed Glyde Point. That is a government project. It is a perfect example where the EPA should have been doing some work. The government has said: ‘Berrimah for housing’. All right; you do not agree with me. There is a body that we could have put our trust in to have a look at it, and that would have been the Environmental Protection Agency.
You want a development in the middle of the harbour? If you want to now change the act, and get rid of gas-associated industries and put what you like in the middle of the harbour, I would have preferred the Environment Protection Agency to look at that, not the minister to pass a law tomorrow saying that is fine. That is not independent. This EPA does not do that; it just fulfils an election promise. They can say, as the member for Goyder just said: ‘Look at that; the CLP did not do it, but we did it. We followed our election promise’. Yes, you did, that is fine. It is ‘Yep, we did it’.
However, let us get down to the nuts and bolts. What have you actually done? Have you really done what people wanted? I do not think so - look at the comments. You might have had some people say, yes, they were worried about an EPA being over bureaucratic and they did not want to support that kind of EPA. I do not believe there is really anyone in the community who expected an EPA just to be an advisory body. It would not have been bureaucratic and duplicating things, because it would have been out there, selected certain major developments in the Northern Territory, used advice from NRETA and, with the powers it has, brought in people and experts in those particular fields about which it needed to make a decision, and then made a decision and gave that to parliament or the government, whichever was required. That is what is missing here.
Madam Speaker, it worries me that I hear comments from the minister here just laughing it off; that industrial development in the middle harbour is a great thing. That disappoints me, coming from the Labor Party, because …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I made no comment and laughter.
Mr WOOD: I did not refer to you. Madam Speaker, I did not refer to the minister.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, please continue.
Mr WOOD: The member for Wanguri who is very pleased to see industrial development in the middle of the harbour ...
Mr Henderson: As long as it does not pollute anything.
Mr WOOD: I have not talked about pollution, I have talked about amenity. My concern is that the harbour itself will be spoilt because it will look industrial. I do not believe it needs to be in the middle of the harbour for that reason. I do not think we need to put our Winnellies in the middle of the harbour. Unfortunately, this is a government which, in the days when we were fighting the Elizabeth River dam, gave me the strong impression that it was sincere in its support for not only not damming the harbour, but maintaining, as much as possible, the beauty and the natural environment of the harbour.
When they came to power, it seems they have got into bed with developers. They say to me: ‘Oh, you are against development’ - the simplistic approach. It is a bit like the Treasurer said to me yesterday: ‘You opposed the mine at McArthur River’. After going down there and doing a tour of that mine and investigating how it operated, coming back and supporting the mine. Then, when there was a problem with the department making a mistake in a section of the act, which had to be sorted out in this parliament, all I said was I thought the government was approaching that particular problem from the wrong direction; they should have used another method of fixing their mistake. All the Treasurer could say is that I was stopping the mine - and he said it last night.
Mr Henderson: It would have been a mistake.
Mr WOOD: Once again – well, I did not support stopping the mine. I said I believed the legislation the government was using was the wrong way. You might have that opinion ...
Mr Henderson: No. It was legal opinion.
Mr WOOD: That is your opinion, but I was not arguing to stop the mine. That is the simplistic approach …
Mr Henderson: A legal opinion.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WOOD: The problem with the government is that it picks up on something and just uses it as a highlight without wanting an explanation as to why. That is the problem I have. I argued against the Minister for Local Government’s letter he wrote the other day to residents about what percentage of rates have gone up. It is easy to say that, without an explanation. People are left with the wrong idea. Therefore, when we talk about being against development, I am not against development, I am for development in the right place. My argument is that an EPA was the perfect chance for this government to set up an independent authority to assess things like industrial development in the middle of the harbour.
What concerns me now, minister, is that we not only have an EPA that is a feather duster - and that is about all the power it has – now, in relation to the middle of the harbour, it has no real say. On top of that, the minister now has control over what developments occur in the middle of the harbour. I am concern that it will be seen by the government to say: ‘We have an EPA and it does not really matter whether the minister is out there making decisions; we have an EPA out there’. The thing is, the EPA will not have any control over what happens in the middle of the harbour. That is exactly what it should have had.
I believe that you have to look at all the hype. The member for Goyder certainly praised this as though it was like a peace treaty in World War II. It had that much importance and drama attached to it that we should have had a 76-piece orchestra to go with it! However, in realty, when you dig right down in this and read it, the only power the EPA has is that it may do all things necessary or convenient to enable it to perform its function. Well, you have read its functions. That is more or less dealing with spatial issues, not issues such as a development in the middle of the harbour that they need to go and look at as an independent body. It can conduct inquiries; it can require the CEO of an agency to give relevant information; it can ask the government Business Division for relevant information; and it may ask a person having special knowledge or experience relative to a particular inquiry to help it conduct the inquiry. However, those powers are only relative to its functions, and its functions are nothing more than just looking at the general concepts about ecologically sustainable development. They do not look at individual projects and developments. I believe that is what people wanted.
I certainly would not have agreed with an EPA that was employing hundreds of people such as the one in Western Australia. We could have had an EPA which just worked on specific projects. Which projects they selected would have been up to them, but I would imagine it would have been major projects like the waterfront. There is a classic example. If you had an EPA do the development work there instead of the DCA, that would have been an appropriate area. Another area would be new mines, like the mines at Batchelor. That is what the EPA should have been looking at, and that is what I would have been looking for.
I know the minister, in her second reading, thanked the members of the board and also the members of the Sessional Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. I, still to this day, wonder why the heck we spent all that money sending that committee around because, as soon as we had finished and presented a report, we waited for the government to make a recommendation on the report. They decided to get another group together, which was the interim EPA Board which also went around the countryside and talked to people after we already had been around the countryside and spoken to people. You would have to ask, from a taxpayers’ point of view: what is going on? Why are we duplicating what we have already done? Why did the government not make a decision based on the first report that came from Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. However, it did not, and it went out and asked for another report. That is not trying to belittle the EPA Interim Board’s report, but it seemed to me there was a duplication in what was done.
Whilst the government might go on about how wonderful it is they had an EPA, people out there who read this in the Parliamentary Record need to realise that the reality of this EPA, although it might sound good and there will be blasts of trumpets and fanfare to announce that it now exists, is that it is not there in a form that most people wanted. It is not there to give independent assessment of important developments in the Northern Territory. It is not there to look at the Glyde Points, the Middle Arm developments, the Berrimah Farms, the McArthur Rivers, or the Compass Resources in Batchelor. They are the things that an EPA of any substance would have been looking at and giving independent rulings on whether those particular developments could go ahead.
Madam Speaker, I am actually at the stage where I believe the government’s approach to the environment, especially in relation to the harbour, an EPA that really is a toothless tiger, the minister taking away the rights of the DCA in that area, and the minister removing sections of the NT Planning Scheme which limited the type of industry in the middle of the harbour, is all a bit too much. I have decided that I will resign from the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. It might only be symbolic, but the government’s approach to the environment and to planning in general is a disgrace. If nothing more, I am resigning from that committee to show my displeasure with what is going on.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Speaker, I say at the outset, in speaking in support of the Environment Protection Authority Bill 2007 that, unlike the member for Nelson, I do not think the Environment Protection Agency is a toothless or paper tiger, in the same way that I do not think the Coroner or the Ombudsman are toothless tigers. I will explain those comments as I go through.
The lack of an Environment Protection Authority has been decried for almost as long as the lack of the freedom of information legislation was in the Northern Territory prior to the Labor Party forming government. Neither of these pieces of legislation were anywhere near the political horizon prior to 2001. It is not before time that we in the Territory have an Environment Protection Authority.
I know that the form of the authority set-up within this bill is not without its critics already. There are those, like the member for Nelson, who would like to have seen a bigger entity with regulatory and enforcement functions. I recognise that; I think I understand the arguments behind it. I ask these critics to be mindful of three things. First, the Northern Territory, when this bill becomes an act, will have an Environment Protection Authority where currently none exists. That is significant. Second, the form of the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority is based upon an independent report, and government has accepted all the recommendations of that independent report. Third, the bill provides, at clause 26, for a mandatory review of the legislation by the minister within five years of commencement. Each of these three points are extremely important and ought be remembered. We have something the Territory has never had before. Its function is based on independent advice, and there is a built-in mechanism to ensure review of how well the authority is travelling.
I make this further point. The manner of that review by the minister, and the action or lack of action as a result of the review, will be a matter for public scrutiny and public comment at the time it occurs. It will be a matter for the government of the day to form policy on how we proceed. That government, the opposition, and Independent members of this Assembly will be very aware of the community interest in and concern for environment issues. That, Madam Speaker, is accountability.
I thank Professors Gordon Duff and Donna Craig and Ms Judith King for the work they did in getting us to this point. I also thank the departmental officers and, as always, Parliamentary Counsel, for the detailed contributions they have made.
As the minister outlined in her speech, the Northern Territory’s Environment Protection Authority is a strategic body. Its role is confined to giving advice and making recommendations for consideration of the government of the day, business, and the community about ecologically sustainable development. Those who have read the bill will, no doubt, notice that I have stuck extremely closely to the language of clause 5(1) of the bill.
I have canvassed concerns by those who wanted to see more, so I will re-traverse those arguments. Clause 5(1), however, is the source of those concerns. The way I think of this legislation is that clause 5(1) is the clause. Everything else in the bill, from my way of looking at it, supports this clause. The other provisions set up a structure to meet the stated purpose of clause 5(1). Let us look at some of the practical influences around the bare bones of giving advice and recommendations to the government, businesses, and the community about ecologically sustainable development.
First, the Northern Territory, as an entity, has limited resources. No matter how big a government may be, it could always use more money. The state of California in the United States is one of the biggest economies in the world, yet I am sure if you asked legislators there, they would say: ‘We would love an extra …’ however many million ‘… because then we could spend on these areas that we cannot currently spend, and can improve these services that we are currently providing’. It does not matter how big you get; government can always do with more money as long as they are committed to providing services.
Fiscal policy determined, in part, what this government would allocate to creating this new body to provide a service that has never before been provided. As a matter of policy, this government accepted the advice of independent consultants who, themselves, were basing advice on feedback they received. That advice was to focus the new agency on filling a gap by providing strategic advice on policy direction and legislative review. This was seen as better than an agency taking on more regulatory level approaches and duplicating what was already in place.
The minister mentioned in her second reading speech that the interim board members argued the Environment Protection Authority should give advice rather than make determinations, as determinations inevitably involve political considerations, and political considerations are most appropriately made by the elected government of the day. I believe they have a point. The elected government should decide policy on the basis of advice. The people elect the party with the best suite of policies that represent their concerns. Ministers are answerable to the people via this Assembly. It is the role of the elected government to balance competing policies. Parliament holds the government accountable and the people hold parliament accountable. This is representative parliamentary democracy. This is accountability.
The Environment Protection Authority will scrutinise Northern Territory government agencies and report to government on agencies’ performance. Where it identifies systemic problems affecting environmental outcomes for the private and public sectors, it can bring these issues to the attention of government. It can make recommendations to government on what ought to be done to address the identified concerns. Government will determine its response. Parliament and the people of the Territory will, no doubt, let their feelings be known and assess that response, or lack of response as the case may be. Accountability and a level of transparency of government decision-making are both desirable within democracy.
I have addressed accountability so I will move on to address transparency issues. The bill specifically addresses transparency issues at clauses 24 and 25. Clause 24 provides, amongst other things, that when the Environment Protection Authority gives advice or makes a recommendation, it must give a copy of it to the minister and make it available to the public in the way the authority considers appropriate. The authority may only withhold information if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to do so. This ensures that the recommendations or advice given is available for public scrutiny. There may be reasons in any particular situation for not releasing certain information, but the bill uses a well-known legal test of reasonable grounds. It is an important point that it is the Environment Protection Authority and not the government that makes the decision as to whether or not the information ought be withheld. Clause 25 ensures that the minister must give written notice to the authority of his or her decision as soon as practicable after making that decision.
Therefore, it appears clear that the mechanism ensures transparency of the process. The authority’s recommendations and advices will be available to the public. The government of the day will then be accountable to the public for its action, or lack of action, in response to the received advice. Transparency is further assisted by the requirement for the authority to prepare an annual report, and the requirement for the minister to table that annual report within six sitting days of receipt – a well known process for this Assembly and other parliaments within Commonwealth democracies.
There is another important pillar; that is, the independence of the Environment Protection Authority. The authority is not subject to the minister’s direction in relation to the preparation and content of advice or recommendations it may make; it can self-refer. I respectfully disagree with comments that have been made by various members about the lack of independence of this authority.
As a result of this bill, we have an Environment Protection Authority independent from government. It gives transparent advice on what is happening or not happening. If it decides it is appropriate, it can make recommendations about action and this, too, is available to the public and beyond the reach of government. The public can judge the government’s response in the way it implements those independent recommendations or not. The public will hold the government accountable, as will the Legislative Assembly. As a further safeguard, in the event that all this does not come to pass as envisaged, the bill mandates a review within five years of the commencement of the act. Again, the response or lack of it can be judged by this Assembly and the public.
I mentioned the Ombudsman and the Coroner and I make this point: some comment was made about the lack of the Environment Protection Authority to enforce anything. Well, neither can the Ombudsman nor the Coroner. Are those detractors suggesting that their recommendations and the comments they make are not respectfully listened to by the government of the day? Are they seriously saying that those Coroner’s and Ombudsman’s recommendations are not seriously considered by government, and that those organisations and the Coroner do not have any weight in our system? If that is the argument and the extension of the argument then even more so I say: you are wrong.
I believe that this is a forward step promoting environmental accountability in the Northern Territory. I congratulate the minister and am proud to be a part of the government that is introducing this legislation and creating an Environment Protection Authority for the first time in the Territory’s history. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I have a few comments I would like to make. It has been an interesting time listening to some of the comments that have been made. I have to say to the member for Goyder that I have never heard him be so passionate in anything he has said within this House.
This should be a time of celebration for the Northern Territory. For a long time, we have talked about an EPA. I guess, at long last, we have just what we want. Just forget whether the last government did it or this government. That is what the people out there will be judging on; not so much whether it has taken so long to get here but, in fact, what actually happens and how it performs and functions now that it is here.
There will certainly be a lot of interest in this, and a lot of scrutiny. The minister said she will review in five years. It will be a very interesting time because there are a lot of projects, both in mining and other areas of the Territory that are coming on. The scrutiny of this particular authority and their role in the assessment of these particular projects will be noted. Government will then be asked to justify just what they have introduced. Will it be a good thing or not? It is probably, at this stage, too early to even criticise the establishment of the EPA, but it is useful to highlight what people see as the shortcomings of this EPA. That is what we are doing today.
I have to make a comment, Madam Speaker, that it has distressed me this week that we are still at the stage where we use these personal jibes at people rather than argue the subject. There has been too much, in my mind - and I am sure in yours - of the personal abuse that goes across the room. Even in this particular simple exercise of an EPA, again, we saw some of that debate occurring. I say let us concentrate on what we are talking about. If you have a different opinion, fair enough, that is part of your role as a member of this parliament. However, try not to do it. Just because the member for Nelson is passionate about it does not mean that he needs to be continually put down. You may not agree with him - no, you can smile - but at least he does have that passion for what he says; he believes in what he says and he puts it across so sincerely and strongly. Perhaps you may not appreciate it, but at least he is brave enough to stand up in this House and say what he believes. Quite often in this House, I see too many government members who may not always believe in what the government is doing, and will just sit there and say nothing.
Remember, let us keep on track. Let us not keep having a go at that particular member because he differs in his opinion. This is an important step for the Northern Territory - and I say for the Northern Territory, I believe it should be independent of government interference. I believe it needs to have that strong role rather than just be advisory. The criticism that can be made is that in your explanatory statement you said the purpose of the bill is ‘to establish an independent Environment Protection Agency to give advice to the Territory government’. It is not enough just to give advice, it needs to be stronger. That is what we are continually hearing. That was taken directly from your explanatory statement.
Minister, when you are summing up, you should tell us exactly what you see as the functions of the EPA. In that way, you can allay some of the concerns that have been raised here today. Looking at your speech again, you said referrals can be made from the minister on the authority’s own initiative or by any other person provided that the referrals are in accordance with criteria and arrangements agreed between the authority and the minister. Surely, there should be some independence by the authority to, in fact, take on projects themselves.
The bill says that the authority must take referrals from the minister, but it does not say the reverse; that the minister does not necessarily have to refer things to the EPA, that the EPA can take them on their own independence. Minister, when you get up to respond, please put on public record just exactly how you see this independence of the EPA. Will you abide by its recommendations, or will you only take their recommendations as advice and still not do that?
When we look at some of the models around Australia we see that the majority of governments do not have statutory EPAs. Why? We could go into great arguments about that, most of them are only advisory anyway. However, even something that is advisory should be taken seriously. I wonder whether the idea of having a body that advises and then you knock it out - they did not bother - is a sensible thing. The member for Brennan talk about the Ombudsman, but we have just a recent example of the independent Electoral Commission making recommendations which the Chief Minister has flagged that she is not going to take any notice of ...
Mr Henderson: I do not think she said that; she said she would report to the parliament.
Mrs BRAHAM: I am sorry but I have a letter from the Chief Minister saying that ...
Mr Henderson: She did not say in that letter that she is not going to take any notice of any of the recommendations.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: No, but she did not say she was going to take on their recommendations, did she?
Mr Henderson: But she did not say she is not taking any notice of it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: That is the interpretation that I get.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! On behalf of the member for Karama, I would just like to draw attention to the interjections; they are getting a bit out of hand.
Ms Lawrie: Madam Speaker, the member for Blain does nothing on my behalf.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I just remind you of Standing Orders 51 and 52. One relates to interruptions; the other to offensive and unbecoming words. I would appreciate, in the time that the member for Braitling is speaking, that we can listen uninterrupted.
Mrs BRAHAM: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Regardless of the side problems which have been a feature of the debates in this House, the point I am trying to get through to the minister is that, when you look at some of the things that you say in your explanation, it seems to almost be the opposite of what you are trying to convince us. That is why I say in your summing up you need to do this.
There are many projects that I see arising in the Territory. What is wrong with having a statutory body? What is wrong with having a body that will give some sort of reassurance to the general public that it will maintain the protection of the environment in planning and assessment and in compliance?
Do we have concerns in the Northern Territory about our environment? Of course we do. Do we have people out there who want protection of the environment? Of course we do. Do we have people who would like to think that compliance will occur if a report is written from the EPA, and that government will take notice and do their best to make sure that the judgment of the report is something that they can take on?
I understand that we do not always take everything as it comes. We do not always agree with recommendations made from bodies. We do not always have to. However, this is such an important area of public interest, and the general public have been so vocal in what they want, it is time now for this government to ensure they get it right.
I ask the minister to give that reassurance in her summing up because I hear what is going on, but I am not totally convinced that this authority will actually do what people in the community are expecting. I emphasise ‘what people are expecting’. It may do what government wants it to do, but there is a great deal of interest in this body, and we have had a number of different referrals from different organisations expressing their concern.
Madam Speaker, all I want to say is: we will be watching. People will be judging. It will be a great disappointment if it does not fulfil the promise and the expectations of people. The minister needs to be aware that you cannot have a body that has no teeth. You cannot have a body that she will not listen to. I hope that she understands that. We want to ensure that the minister is sincere in this EPA and the way it functions, and that members of this EPA actually are people who are able to have some say in the future direction of the Northern Territory.
Debate suspended.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Interjections by Members
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, prior to calling questions today, I advise that I am concerned about the level of unparliamentary interjections which occurred this morning in the House, where I had occasion to ask some members to cease interjecting, sometimes repeatedly.
Honourable members, I have had complaints from Hansard and listeners to the Internet broadcast that they are having trouble hearing the proceedings. I also advise that some honourable members who have hearing impediments are having difficulty following the proceedings.
While a level of interjection is part of the parliamentary process and an important aspect of the democratic process, repeated interjections, particularly when a member has been asked to cease interjecting, is not.
I therefore remind honourable members of Standing Order 51. I also remind honourable members of Standing Orders 62, 63 and 69, which relate to unparliamentary behaviour. I advise that I will be following the standing orders very firmly this afternoon. If a member repeatedly interjects after being asked not to, I will firmly advise the member of the standing orders then, if there is a repeated interjection, I will place that member on a warning. If there are further interjections, I will ask the member to withdraw from the Chamber under Standing Order 240.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
AUTHORITY BILL
(Serial 114)
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms LAWRIE (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I start by thanking all members for their contribution in the Environment Protection Authority Bill debate. It is certainly a very historic day for the Territory. With the passage of this legislation, we will have put into place the first EPA in the Territory’s history.
It is relevant to go back to a point of its genesis. I was Chair of the Ninth Assembly Sessional Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development where we looked into the efficacy of establishing an EPA in the NT. Without breaching privilege, I can say that we were able to, as committee members, reach consensus on some key recommendations. We did not reach consensus on an EPA model, so, within that sessional report we put three optional models. We did note that there are a range of models that you could pursue in the establishment of an EPA, but we felt there were some core recommendations on which we all agreed.
It is pertinent to the debate that we have had in the Chamber this morning in relation to the government’s EPA to go back to those core recommendations and to test them against the legislation we have before us today.
The committee, in its first recommendation, recommended that:
- The broad principles of ecologically sustainable development underlie any reform of existing arrangements for environmental protection in the Northern Territory.
These principles are enshrined in the legislation that we have before us today. If you were to have a little tick list against the recommendations and the legislation we have, we have certainly met the first recommendation.
The second recommendation related to the public’s right to know:
- The public’s right to know, the public’s right to be informed, the public’s right to be heard, and the public’s right to object be considered in any amendments to the existing arrangements for environmental protection.
You will have to excuse my voice, Madam Speaker, I have the flu.
Regarding the public’s right to know, that is absolutely enshrined in the legislation we have before us today. The legislation requires the EPA to publish its advice and recommendations. It requires the minister to respond in writing to those. It also requires an annual report to parliament. Therefore, the public’s right to know is absolutely enshrined.
The public’s right to be informed is enshrined in the power and functions of the EPA. They are able to consult as broadly and unfettered as they choose to, without direction from the minister.
The public’s right to be heard is enshrined in there. I believe the public’s right to object is considered in the legislation in the sense that we have what we call third party referral powers to the EPA; that is, someone can say: ‘There is this environmental issue that I feel very strongly about and I believe it is not being dealt with appropriately and I am going to take that issue to the Environment Protection Authority’.
In that regard, in the debate this morning, the member for Braitling, to my view, went to the crux and the heart of the issue of the veracity, if you like, of any independence of the EPA, which went to the agreement on how those referrals will be dealt with by the EPA; that is, how the EPA will decide whether to pick up or not pick up the referrals that come in from third parties. In consideration of this legislation, the government sought a test around EPAs elsewhere for guidance on this critical issue of referrals. Very clearly, we have said that this would be worked out in agreement between the minister and the EPA when the EPA itself is formed.
However, I give members of the Assembly - and I believe the member for Braitling really put her finger right on another issue here, and another of the underlying concerns - some guidance as to how the government will be guided, and how I particularly, as minister, will be guided in those discussions around criteria with the EPA itself when it is formed.
I sought permission from the EPA of South Australia to read into parliament their guidelines - their internal office policies and procedures - which really establish how it provides for policy guidance to the EPA in identifying issues that are referred to the EPA in South Australia. This is so that the member for Braitling - who really put her finger on it when everyone else was ranging quite broadly - can be assured of how, as minister, I will be approaching my discussions with the EPA board on these issues of referrals.
The South Australia policy and guidelines have what they call a definition of issue. It is a risk-based approach that will be applied, and I would be expecting to apply it in discussions with the EPA board in the Territory. It says the definition of issue is:
- An essential first step in raising matters with the Board is to clearly define and characterise the issue. All papers referred to the Board include a ‘Preamble’ that should clearly articulate what the issue is and why it is being considered by the Board.
Factors to consider in characterising the issue include:
It goes on to the threshold criteria; that is, matters deemed to be of high significance:
What is the severity of the environmental health risk …
Further, there is another section that talks about the actual or potential issues involving a high level of public interest of controversy:
Is there a high level of media, community and/or public interest, particularly in matters that are ongoing or recurring?
Further, there are matters establishing a significant precedent:
Does it relate to the establishment of a new or revised policy, guideline or EPA position that will substantially affect:
Madam Speaker, I read this into debate to give guidance to the member for Braitling who, I believe, put her finger on an underlying concern; that is, the issue of the independence of the EPA and the discussions that are yet to be held between the EPA and the minister on how they will approach these referral matters. I felt, as minister, that it was absolutely essential to the independence of the EPA that they had self-referral powers, and that they also had third party referral powers. I took on board the interim board’s recommendations that the EPA be a high-level EPA, not to duplicate the already existing regulatory functions across government undertaken by several government agencies, particularly the Office of Environment and Heritage. The government took that on board. As minister, I concur with that sensible approach. However, I felt that it was critically important that there be those powers of self-referral and the opportunity for those third party referrals.
We have the example of the South Australia criteria. However, I also want to go to, in clause 5(2), where we list, from (a) to (g), functions of the Environment Protection Authority. We give a description there:
- (a) achieving best practice environmental policy and management;
(b) setting objectives, targets and standards for the public and private sectors;
(c) reviewing practices and procedures of the public and private sectors;
(d) legislation and its administration;
(e) issues affecting the Territory’s capacity to achieve ecologically sustainable development;
(f) emerging environmental issues;
(g) monitoring and evaluating cumulative impact of development in the Territory.
These are significant functions for an Environment Protection Authority, particularly in the context of the Territory where we are largely underdeveloped and are confronting a future of development. We are under pressure nationally to become more, if you like, the bread basket of the nation. We certainly have enormous mineral, oil and gas resources. Therefore, as a jurisdiction, it is absolutely our responsibility now to ensure we get the environmental planning, guidelines, policies and frameworks right for what is confronting us today, but what will confront us more and more so in the future in coming years.
First and foremost, I expect that the new Environment Protection Authority will embark on two critical reviews. The review of the Environmental Assessment Act is a fundamental review that needs to occur and the Environment Protection Authority is the relevant authority to do that review. Second, the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act needs review. The appropriate authority would be the Environment Protection Authority to undertake those two critical legislative reviews.
Other examples of the work under the functions of the Environment Protection Authority could undertake – and I am using these examples because the authority is yet to be established, and they do have their powers. I do not want to preempt all of that, but these are clear examples to give members of the Assembly an opportunity to further understand the role that the government clearly sees the EPA essentially providing for the economic sustainable development of the Territory.
Under clause 5(2)(b) is ‘setting of objectives, targets and standards for the public and private sectors’. A critical issue, for example in Alice Springs, is an issue of air quality. The Environment Protection Authority very reasonably could pick up on that environmental issue in Alice Springs and provide the policy and guidelines for ensuring air quality in Alice Springs, just as they could pick up that issue similarly in Darwin.
Regarding reviewing practices and procedures for the public and private sectors, again, they could pick up those critical environmental issues of how we deal with the emerging greenhouse issues, particularly the issues of carbon trading and their offsets. That is an emerging issue for the Northern Territory in land clearing issues. By its nature of being underdeveloped, the Territory will be going into land clearing, particularly our pastoral and agricultural areas. How do we deal with that in the context of greenhouse and carbon trading? The Environment Protection Authority would be, I believe, the best and most august authority to undertake that work on behalf of the Territory to provide that advice to government, the public and private sectors, and engage all the required stakeholders and experts in that process.
In terms of emerging environmental issues they could be, for example, looking at genetically modified organisms: vegetables, cotton, and soya products. These are all emerging environmental issues that, at some stage, the Northern Territory is going to have to have an understanding of, and a position on, how we deal with them.
Regarding clause 5(2)(g), ‘monitoring and evaluating cumulative impacts of developments in the Territory’, I believe an example of that could be having a look at the impact of development on the Darwin Peninsula.
These are just examples of the functions that we provided for the Environment Protection Authority, the critical work that that independent body of expertise would be able to undertake - again, without interference from the minister. I cannot direct, as minister, how they do their work, or what they will come up with. They are truly independent and will provide advice and provide recommendations to me, as minister, and they will be public. I will have to publicly respond in writing. I will be accountable - as the member for Brennan very appropriately pointed out - to the public, the parliament, and the electorate. That is absolutely appropriate.
The member for Nelson, I know, is extremely sensitive on the debate that is going on at the moment around planning and environment, and the issues of Middle Arm and Berrimah Farm. I knew the debate in the Chamber today would be charged with the emotion of all of that, and we saw the consequences of that, which I am saddened about.
However, it would be wrong to think that EPAs elsewhere direct governments. They provide their decisions, their recommendations and, ultimately, governments determine whether to except them or not. There have been some very well known examples of that in Western Australia. Western Australia has been held up to be an example of one of the best EPAs in the world under a university study by Manchester University held several years ago that the Environmental Sessional Committee looked into.
Fundamentally, with the independence of an EPA, we will get that fearless and frank advice as government. Fundamentally, government will determine whether to heed that advice and implement it or, for a range of other considerations, not heed the advice, not accept the recommendations. That is what occurs around Australia between governments and EPAs. It is not going to be any different here in the Territory.
As the member for Brennan quite properly pointed out, that same situation occurs with the Ombudsman. It would be a foolish government to deal with an introduction of an Environmental Protection Authority and do it flippantly, at a whim, and thinking: ‘We are not going to take on board this advice and we will just let them go off and do whatever they want to do, but we will keep going off in our direction of government’. That will be completely foolish to think that, as a government, we are going down that path. We are genuinely introducing an Environment Protection Authority so we can set down very high-level strategic policy and guideline directions for a sustainable environment for our future generations - at a time when we know that is critical and we are on the verge of development. Whether some people in the Chamber or in the community like it or not, we are on the verge of development.
We have experienced development in recent years that we had not experienced previously, so we need, very much at this junction in time - more so than we have ever needed before, I believe - an Environment Protection Authority to have that independent expertise to provide that fundamental advice to government, and also, to give the opportunity for the gathering of knowledge that we have in the Territory to very carefully look at the issues and some of the examples that I have given you.
Madam Speaker, the shadow minister, the member for Katherine, talked about the lack of independence of the Environment Protection Authority. She dismissed it just as an advisory body. As minister, I have a few advisory bodies reporting to me, and they do not have anywhere near the powers of the Environment Protection Authority. They do not have the powers to call CEOs of agencies. They do not have the powers to overview legislation and regulations. They do not have the powers to publish their views. They do not have the powers that require me to respond in writing publicly, and they certainly do not make annual reports to parliament. To compare the independence of the EPA to advisory bodies is really a failure to understand the legislation we have before us today.
The EPA, as it has been introduced, certainly does have the power to bring expertise in. The legislation provides for anywhere between three to seven members of the EPA. The interim board had three members. At this stage, I am envisaging we will probably start off with about four. I envisage going out with an expression of interest process very shortly to capture experts who want to come forward with a range of skills and knowledge that we would be looking for, to be members of the Environment Protection Authority. Having seen the calibre of the interim board, Professor Gordon Duff, Professor Donna Craig and Judith King, I am very excited about the calibre of people we will attract to the EPA. They are very fine professionals. To think that they were not independent is failing to understand the calibre of the people that we had on that interim board. To think that the people into the future will not be independent is underestimating the calibre of people we would attract through that expression of interest process.
Fundamentally, at the core of debate has been the issue of whether an EPA should have regulatory powers or whether it be under the model the government has proposed, which is high-level strategic with a range of functions and powers. Advice after consultations across the community that the interim board undertook clearly was: do not duplicate; keep the regulatory powers with the Office of Environment and Heritage. We had a gap in that high-level strategic guideline and policy-making area in the environment, which is picked up by the EPA.
There was a view expressed by the members for Katherine and Nelson that they do not trust these environmental assessment regulatory powers remaining with government. I visited the Office of Environment and Heritage after I had the privilege of being appointed Environment minister, and I have to say I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the staff. I am under no doubt whatsoever, as Environment minister, that they have the skills, capabilities, expertise and knowledge range to very adequately meet the regulatory requirements that they carry out on behalf of the government and, fundamentally, in the trust of the community.
I find it somewhat offensive, but incredibly disheartening, to think that people would feel that the Office of the Environment is not the appropriate body to continue those regulatory functions. I have every faith in them to provide frank and fearless advice to me, as minister, just as I know I will be judged on how I respond to their advice.
I thank the member for Goyder for his contribution. He touched on some critical aspects of the nature of work that has set the tone of what the Martin Labor government has been achieving in showing we are protecting our environment for future generations. I pick up on his comments regarding the Daly River Management Advisory Committee, colloquially referred to as DR MAC. It is a process that I believe our government got right very early in government when we were under a lot of pressure to follow a different path. We were under a lot of pressure to open up a lot of land to a lot of agricultural development very quickly. However, we took the cautious approach and wanted to understand the data and the science of the water of that catchment area, to get the science right so that we could underpin the sustainable biodiversity of that critically important region and provide for appropriate development that would be environmentally sustainable. That is the environmental tone in which our government has proceeded, and it is very much the light in which we proceeded with establishing the EPA.
I thank the member for Nelson for recognising the importance of our engagement of indigenous Territorians in the area of protecting and preserving our environment. He referred to the Parks Master Plan for Joint Management of Parks. Indigenous Territorians are extremely good at caring for country. They have cared for country through the generations. I have no doubt that the Environment Protection Authority will be an authority able to tap into the expertise of indigenous Territorians in the development of the important guidelines and policies that will put us in good stead for the future. I have no doubt whatsoever the EPA will have that capacity to tap into the expertise of our indigenous Territorians.
Mining is a curious thing. We have the EPA debate in the Chamber this morning, and we have had heated debate over the last few days on planning and industrial development in the Territory.
I am very proud and privileged to be able to pick up the passage and carriage of the Environment Protection Authority from my predecessor, the member for Arafura, who has done a magnificent job in putting in place an interim independent board, which did consult widely with the community. The member for Katherine quoted from their consultations. It was those consultations that led to the model that we have before us today. The model does provide for an independent board. It does give them wide-ranging powers, wide-ranging functions, self-referral, and third party referral powers - all critical to ensuring that the Environment Protection Authority has the tools in its kit to provide for a sustainable environment for the Territory, understanding the Territory’s social, economic and environmental needs.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I do not propose to go further into the debate. I did very clearly want to pick up on the contribution from the member for Braitling, which I thought, from an opposition perspective, went to the crux of the matter regarding the work yet to be done between the minister and the incoming EPA around its powers. I really enjoyed the contribution from both the member for Goyder, as chair of the environment committee, for picking up on those broader environmental issues and, particularly, the member for Brennan who, I thought, provided a very clear contribution, well thought out and encapsulating exactly the issues of democracy and the concerns, in a constructive sense, around the role of the EPA and how it sits within our democratic structure. I thank those members for their contributions. I thank all members for their contribution.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms LAWRIE (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage) (by leave): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Building Better Hospitals
Building Better Hospitals
Dr BURNS (Health): Mr Deputy Speaker, today I provide a statement to the Assembly on this government’s commitment to building better hospitals for Territorians.
When the Martin Labor government was elected in 2001, we inherited a health system that was chronically underfunded, in urgent need of support after many years of neglect and cuts by the previous CLP government. Since then, we have made record investments into the health system, with a 73% increase in funding to the Department of Health and Community Services.
In 2007-08, we have allocated a total of $838m across the healthy system. The extra resources are being used to deliver more and higher quality health services, employ more frontline health staff, and improve the health system infrastructure. The investment has been right across the health system and we are proud of our record. We have employed an extra 115 medical and 318 nursing full-time equivalent, or FTE, positions since 2001. We have increased the total hospital bed numbers by 15%, an additional 83 beds, bringing the total in 2007-08 to 650 beds. There can be no doubt that this government has been serious about enhancing services to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Territorians. We also recognise that there is much more to achieve.
In 2002, we commissioned a major review into the Department of Health and Community Services by Banscott Health Consulting to take a serious look at where we were and what needed to be done to address the challenges before us. The review provided us with expert advice on the way forward for our health and community services. From this review, we developed Building Healthier Communities, setting this government’s comprehensive framework and vision for the health and wellbeing of Territorians.
Initiatives through Building Healthier Communities have addressed services across the spectrum of the health sector, from promoting good health to improving primary health care and specialist hospital services. We have done this, recognising that some of our upstream investments such as those giving kids a good start in life through initiatives such as the Child Health Initiative, have significant long-term impacts, while others such as those implemented in our hospitals, which I will outline shortly, reduce the short-term burden of disease on Territorians and the demand for subsequent hospital services.
We have also launched the five-year Framework and Action Plan for Aboriginal Health and Families, setting the agenda for core primary health services and cultural security over a life course approach.
Our efforts in improving our health system are clearly evident in our hospitals. Through the Australian government’s own report, State Of Our Public Hospitals 2007, we are recognised nationally for the most number of hospital beds, with 3.6 beds per 1000 population, whereas the Australian average is 2.6. We spend more on our hospitals at $1407 per person per year, compared to the Australian average of $665. We are only one of three jurisdictions where 100% of our public hospitals are accredited.
Whilst recognising the importance of all our hospitals, the Royal Darwin Hospital is our major tertiary teaching hospital in the Northern Territory. It plays a critical role in our health system, along with all our other hospitals in the acute care network. We have paid particular attention to the issues facing RDH, and we have increased the hospital budget to a total of $207.3m for 2007-08, up 85% since 2001. We have also increased the budget at Alice Springs Hospital by 94% since 2001. We are delivering on our election commitments. As just one example, we are doing this ahead of schedule, with the increase in hospital beds at RDH up by 70 beds or 24% since 2001, from 293 to 363 beds.
Yet, despite this increased investment in health overall, the demand for hospital services in general, and at RDH in particular, has not decreased; rather it has increased. We have some of the busiest hospitals in the county, with the Northern Territory hospital network having both the highest number of public hospital admissions, and the highest number of presentations to Emergency Departments in Australia. The admission rate is more than twice the Australian average - 529 verses 210 admission per 1000 weighted population - and an increase over the previous 12 months of 33%. Our Emergency Department presentation rate is more than three times the Australian average - 705 verses 223 presentations per 1000 weighted population - and an increase over the previous 12 months of 21%.
Why this increase in demand for services? We, like other parts of Australia, are experiencing a surge in chronic diseases requiring more preventive and treatment services. However, this is exacerbated in the Northern Territory because of the poor health status of Aboriginal Territorians, a legacy of many factors including past neglect. While this government’s investment is paying off in increasing Aboriginal life expectancy, Aboriginal Territorians still have some of the poorest health in the country with high rates of hospitalisation. Chronic diseases such as heart and kidney disease and their complications account for much of this; however, tropical and infectious diseases not seen frequently in other parts of the country are also significant contributors. Aboriginal infant mortality has fallen by 36% between the periods of 1996 to 2000, compared to 2001 to 2003, yet it still remains 2.5 times the rate for non-Aboriginal infants.
Demand for public hospital services is also exacerbated in the Northern Territory by the limited nature of the private health sector in the Northern Territory, be it private hospitals, specialists, or GPs. We recognise that many Territorians would prefer to see a GP or a private specialist rather than having to come into a public hospital for treatment. In many instances, this is an appropriate care option. However, these services, particularly GP services - a Commonwealth responsibility - and are not readily available in our community. As such, we have been continuing to negotiate with the Commonwealth government, which is responsible for funding medical services through Medicare, to get a better deal for Territorians so that they can access the doctor they need for care, and at a rate they can afford.
The federal Labor Party has recognised this need and announced a major reform program to improve primary health services, with $220m for GP super clinics around Australia. The super clinic model provides access to primary medical and health care, chronic disease and complex care management, outpatient outreach clinics, and a range of allied health services. On 1 September 2007, Mr Kevin Rudd announced that, if elected, his government would fund $10m for a GP super clinic at Palmerston to provide access to 24-hour per day GP services, and related primary health services. In partnership with the Territory government, this new service will take the pressure off the hospital and improve families’ access to the care they need in their local area.
A further pressure on our hospitals is the limited availability of aged care services provided by the Australian government. At any one time, our acute hospitals will have between 20 and 30 elderly patients waiting for lengthy periods for a nursing home bed in the community.
Mr Deputy Speaker, together with other members, I extend my condolences to my colleague, the member for Arafura. I know she was going to speak on this particular area of the statement but, unfortunately, that is not to be. I am sure members join with me in passing on my condolences to her and her family.
Hospitals are funded under the Australian Health Care Agreement, a five-year national funding agreement. In principle, both the Commonwealth and the state and territory governments equally fund public hospitals through the agreement. In the Caring for our Health report published by the state and territory governments earlier this year, it shows the reality is much different. I commend this publication to all members and also to opposition members; I can supply it. It is a very informative publication.
All the states and territories have significantly increased hospital funding in recent years. The Commonwealth has lagged behind. Furthermore, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported last week that between 1995-96 and 2005-06 the Australian government’s share of public hospital funding decreased from 45% to 41%. State and territory government funding during this period increased from 46% to 51%. Even the federal minister for Health, Tony Abbott, agreed with this fact as recently as 5 October 2007 when he stated: ‘There is no doubt states have been increasing their spending faster than the Commonwealth’, when asked about funding for public hospitals.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states:
- Key drivers for this change were the high increase in expenditure on public hospitals, which was largely borne by state and territory governments and the slowing of expenditure in medications, which is primarily funded by the Australian government.
The situation is even more drastic in the Northern Territory where we are now contributing 61% and the Commonwealth government 32% of funding for the Northern Territory’s public hospitals.
We have heard much recently from the Australian government with plans for negotiating the new Health Care Agreement and managing hospitals with a Canberra ‘one size fits all’ solution. The Australian government has played with takeovers of hospitals to now wanting to bow out of any responsibility for hospitals by appointing community boards. This is not a clear-cut plan for the future of our 750 Australian public hospitals.
We acknowledge that our NT hospital management boards make valuable contributions to our hospitals, providing community input into the operations of the hospitals. However, we need to be clear about what is their capacity and level of responsibility and accountability. At their request, we have undertaken a review of the Hospital Management Board Act to ensure we have a consistent framework for their operation, role and responsibilities. We would like to see this blame game stop, and we welcome federal Labor’s national health reform plan with an up-front $2bn investment for improved health and hospital systems.
It has been recognised the current Australian government has been underfunding Australian hospitals by $1bn per year. We intend to work cooperatively with the Labor reform agenda, which is the same agenda we have been pursuing in the Territory: reducing elective surgery lists; reducing demand on Emergency Departments with adequate access to GPs; and reducing unnecessary hospitalisation with adequate access to specialist outreach. You can be assured that the Martin Labor government will be forthright in our negotiations for equitable Commonwealth funding in the new agreement to meet the needs of the Territory.
I now turn to the ways in which we have already started to build better hospitals in the Territory. There have been some major achievements at Royal Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals, which have strengthened the services and infrastructure and improved the hospital experience for patients, their families and carers. The Emergency Department is often the first place people experience in these hospitals. Those of you who have been there know that it is busy on a quiet day and frantic on the rest. Unlike other hospitals in cities around Australia, our Emergency Departments cannot go on bypass and redirect patients to other hospitals in times of high demand. We know there are incidences for individual patients where they have had to wait several hours for treatment. While we regret any distress this causes, our emergency staff have to treat the sickest the quickest, and we will continue to develop ways to do it better for all our patients and staff.
The Emergency Department is often the barometer for the pace of the hospital and a significant driver of the demand for beds across the hospital. At Royal Darwin Hospital, the number of Emergency Department presentations has increased by 47% from 38 131 in 2001-02 to 56 076 in 2006-07. Whilst the number of presentations to the Emergency Department at Alice Springs Hospital has stabilised at around 31 000, the unit is stretched to provide adequate space, patient flow and safety for this level of demand.
We have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the pressure on EDs and, subsequently the rest of the hospital, which will decrease the wait for patients to be seen. In 2003-04, the new Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency Department wing was opened with $6m recurrent by the Northern Territory government, with additional facilities provided for Intensive Care, Coronary Care and High Dependency Units.
This year, Alice Springs Hospital has been allocated $6m for a new Emergency Department to improve patient flow, as well as safety for staff and patients, and patient privacy. The tender for the design concept has been advertised and I understand the outcome will be announced shortly. As the demand has continued to increase in the Emergency Departments, we have actively sought ways to meet these demands to improve the flow of patient care throughout the hospital system.
In 2006-07, we allocated $7.8m for the establishment of an RDH Rapid Admission Unit based on strong representation from clinicians. The Rapid Admission Unit was trialled as a nine-bed surgical unit last year, while the capital works program created a 24-bed unit on the ground floor. When fully operational, there will be up to 80 new staff members employed at the Rapid Admission and Planning Unit. The unit is designed to give optimal care to medical and surgical patients who do not need intensive care but require short admission to the hospital.
In its first year of operation, the nine-bed Rapid Admission and Planning Unit treated over 2000 surgical patients, resulting in a decrease in their wait in the Emergency Department from 18 hours to eight hours, and a decrease in their length of stay in hospital, with discharge within 24 to 36 hours. It also resulted in 59% of patients being discharged home or to hostel accommodation from the unit, rather than needing admission to the main wards. This augers well for the success of the full Rapid Admission and Planning Unit, which I had the pleasure to open last month.
Further to this, with an additional eight beds in the Self Care Unit to assist the discharge of patients from the hospital, this will bring the capacity of the Self Care Unit up to 30 beds, providing short-term accommodation for patients that can be safely discharged from hospital with access to further care in a non-clinical setting; for example, patients from rural communities who require follow-up appointment. The Self Care Unit is located on the hospital campus and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we are increasing capacity at RDH, and I was pleased to be with the Chief Minister in August for the announcement to open the new Ward 3B. This has been made possible through funding of an extra 12 fully-staffed beds at a cost of $2.7m in the 2007-08 budget. The ward will be assigned as a general medical ward and will enhance the efficiency of the hospital. The first of the 3B Ward beds are due for commissioning this month, with a further six to follow over the next 12 months.
At Alice Springs Hospital, we are committed to fixing the extensive problems that originated under the CLP with the hospital’s redevelopment, whilst also ensuring a safe working and patient environment. So far, $10m has been committed to fix these problems. Works have been completed in the Day Procedure Unit, Ward 4 and the Clinical Management wing. The upgrade of Ward 4, 15 beds, allows eight stations for renal dialysis and additional beds to meet the bed need at Alice Springs Hospital. The Clinical Management wing is being used to decant during the rectification program. Programming and costing of the balance of the remediation works identified is under way.
Another exciting and successful initiative to address demand at our hospitals has being the Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Strategy, conducted between 1 April 2007 to 31 August 2007. The aim of the project was to target those patients who have been waiting for more than the recommended time for an elective procedure. In Royal Darwin Hospital alone, the total number of patients overdue has reduced from 392 patients at the commencement of the project to 230 patients on completion, which is approximately 40%. This project is being conducted across all specialities, including Ear, Nose and Throat, General Surgery, Ophthalmology, and Orthopaedics, and was facilitated through the allocation of resources to sequestered beds at Darwin Private Hospital - 10 beds over week days and five beds over weekends - to allow patients to have the procedure at Royal Darwin Hospital and then recover at Darwin Private Hospital.
In Alice Springs, a third operating theatre was opened for the initiative, and the Fred Hollows Foundation is also conducting an Eye Blitz with 136 ophthalmic procedures this year. Since the end of March, the overdue waiting list at Alice Springs was reduced by 32% but, given the dynamic nature of the list, there are still too many people overdue for their surgery. We will continue the initiative with the third operating theatre available for three days per week until the seasonal cessation of elective surgery over the Christmas/New Year period. We are exploring a number of options to maintain our commitment to reduce waiting time for elective surgery in Alice Springs with adequate theatre time and bed capacity. This effort in elective surgery will be continued into the new financial year as the additional 12 fully-staffed beds become operational in 2008-09.
We recognise that the demand for hospital services will continue, and we will continue to explore opportunities to better manage this demand, particularly around the Emergency Department and elective surgery.
We have also implemented initiatives which have increased Territorians’ access to a range of important specialist services. For example, this government has recognised the need to meet the increasing renal patient numbers through a major injection of new funds. Royal Darwin Hospital provides inpatient care as well as manages off-site renal satellite services at Nightcliff, Palmerston and Tiwi Islands. It also provides support to remote patients on self-dialysis in their own communities such Angurugu on Groote Eylandt. In addition, a relocatable facility is being placed at Nightcliff Renal Unit to provide a place for Darwin-based clients to self-dialyse. It will also be available for visiting clients who need access to dialysis.
With the rectification works, a new eight-station dialysis area on the renal ward at Alice Springs Hospital has been established and is operational for two shifts a day, providing significant relief for the Flynn Drive satellite unit. In 2006-07, $1m was provided to refurbish Flynn Drive, and $250 000 for a transportable renal training facility. In Budget 2007-08, significant new funds have been provided to enhance renal services in Central Australia, with recurrent funds for chronic and early kidney disease management, and $700 000 to manage the growing dialysis patient numbers including an additional nephrologist. Additional satellite dialysis units will be established over the next two financial years.
We promised in 2001 we would work with the Commonwealth and private providers to build a high-quality, safe, sustainable radiation oncology unit in Darwin. The Australian government initiated a select tender process at the end of August and anticipates the contract will be awarded before the end of 2007. Whilst the development of the unit continues, we have provided $500 000 recurrent funding to better support patients newly diagnosed with cancer and requiring radiation therapy. This has provided a cancer nurse coordinator, haematologist, a 0.5 dietician, and funding to the Cancer Council to support these patients with counselling. We have also committed $1m per annum for community nursing, and multidisciplinary services to support radio therapy patients when the radiation oncology unit becomes operational in early 2009. The Territory government has offered land on the Royal Darwin Hospital campus for the facility. Work is also progressing with Territory Housing on the development of radiotherapy patient accommodation.
Last week, I undertook a visit to Adelaide to look at cancer support services that Territorians currently access such as accommodation, information, counselling and transport through the Cancer Council of South Australia, Leukaemia Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Aboriginal Hostels. I was pleased that representatives from the Cancer Council NT and Bosom Buddies were able to participate in this visit and provide useful insights into the services. We were impressed by the variety of services available and how they address the needs of different patients and families. I look forward to ensuring we meet these needs when our own radiation oncology unit becomes operational. These services will complement our investment of $4.25m for the award winning state-of-the-art hospice opened in 2005 that provides specialised care in a supportive and peaceful environment for people with a life-limiting illness.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have provided $2.5m for the commissioning of the RDH Birth Centre that expands the choices available in birthing for Northern Territory families. The Birth Centre is state of the art, with each room having a spa bath, double bed and access to a paved outdoor area where the families can relax, making it a more homely environment. The Birth Centre also incorporates consulting rooms, clinical training areas, and a children’s play area.
We recognise that our hard-working hospital staff are integral to the high-quality care that Territorians receive at the hospital. They deal with a complex caseload with skill and compassion. We continue to recruit highly-skilled professionals and grow our own workforce; for example, by putting additional resources into supporting new Charles Darwin University graduate nurses at our hospitals. This year, we are increasing our hospital intake capacity from 74 to 98 new graduates. We are also supporting a $250 000 national recruitment strategy aimed at attracting quality nurses to join our nursing teams at our hospitals, as well as other areas of the department.
Mr Deputy Speaker, while we believe that this government has enhanced services available at Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital, we also refuse to rest on our laurels and are embarking on an ambitious future for the hospitals. We do this in the full awareness of the challenges that operate in specialised institutions such as these pose.
In order to best position Royal Darwin Hospital for the future, we are realigning its management and clinical leadership structure. This realignment is being overseen and implemented by a new executive management team comprising Dr Len Notaras, General Manager; Ms Jan Evans, Director Operations, Professor Ken Donald, Acting Medical Superintendent; and Ms Sharon Sykes, Acting Director of Nursing. This team brings immense clinical, safety and administrative expertise to this job. I believe they will provide competent and thoughtful leadership to the tasks in hand.
I am particularly pleased to welcome Professor Donald, a well-known national and international pathologist, researcher, teacher and administrator back to the Territory. Professor Donald is also the immediate past faculty Dean of Medicine at Queensland University, and current Safety and Quality Commissioner in Queensland.
I am also pleased to advise that the role of Director of Nursing has been reconfigured and will be a conjoint operational and academic appointment with Charles Darwin University established as a Professor or Associate Professor in Clinical Nursing. This is a major enhancement to the role of nurses, and was advertised last weekend.
An exciting component of the realignment of the clinical divisions is that they will be run in partnership by a senior doctor and nurse co-director. These new arrangements will see more leadership and accountability by our senior clinicians. However, we also recognise that we might have to do things differently. Since becoming Health Minister, I have actively worked with the department and senior management team at RDH to further improve services, infrastructure and amenities for patients and their families, as well as staff. I anticipate that the department’s patient flow program will assist in the identification of areas where reform will bring real gain both within the hospital and in associated services such as those with patients coming for treatment from remote areas.
Similarly, we are looking forward to the outcomes of the maternity services project that will provide us with advice regarding enhancing services in this important area through an integrated maternity service framework encompassing services provided by NT hospitals and community-based services.
It is worthy to note that both RDH and Alice Springs Hospital provide specialist services outside their walls, such as through specialist outreach services, through remote communities, and through urban community health services such as the Palmerston Health Precinct. We will continue to explore innovative service options such as these to enhance the access of Territorians to the expertise of health professionals.
Whilst I have highlighted some of our service initiatives, it is important to note that we also consider the hospital environment. I have requested an urgent review of safety and security services at Royal Darwin Hospital and the surrounding campus in order to ensure the safety and security of our staff, patients, visitors and assets. The scope of works for the security review is completed, and a tender is in the process of being let. We are also undertaking other projects to make the hospital environment more pleasant for our staff, patients and visitors. We realised that providing a more familiar environment in our RDH outpatient department such as our recent provision of a wide screen television, and tea and coffee services provided by Anglicare volunteers, makes the wait for an appointment more pleasant.
Volunteers are an important part of support services to hospitals. I was pleased to note the formation of the Drovers at Alice Springs Hospital. I have met with the Drovers; they do a fantastic job. These volunteer services are providing assistance to patients and staff alike and, recently, have added transport services. I thank the Alice Springs community for the support given to the hospital through the Drovers, in which six months of operation has constituted over 750 volunteer hours.
We are planning an enhancement to the front of Royal Darwin Hospital which includes improvements to our amenities, shaded areas and landscaping, and to paint the foyers and lift areas in the main tower block to freshen up the areas and create a more pleasant atmosphere. We are currently awaiting concept documents for these projects for evaluation prior to commencement.
I could not conclude this statement without mention of one of the flagships of Royal Darwin Hospital, its evolving role as a national critical care and trauma response centre. The Australian government is funding the Northern Territory government $61.4m from 2005-06 to 2008-09 to provide Royal Darwin Hospital with the capacity to respond to an emergency involving a large number of casualties. The intent of the funding is to allow the Department of Health and Community Services to continue to run Royal Darwin Hospital and direct the Australian government-funded resources to meet the needs of patients arising from a mass casualty incident.
As you are well aware, Royal Darwin Hospital has been required at short notice to respond to international disasters and events. Today is the eve of the tragic first Bali bombing on 12 October 2002. It was as a result of our outstanding response to that tragedy that Royal Darwin Hospital gained international acclaim in trauma disaster response. We should not forget that it was our Chief Minister’s decision to offer this assistance to the Australian government. The rest is history.
Whether responding to Bali in 2002 and again in 2005 or Timor in 2006, the facility and all those working within it acquitted themselves well - so well, in fact, that in conjunction with other Top End departmental and Territory services, their Disaster Response Plan has been adopted by other sites nationally and internationally. Since the inception of the trauma centre, we have seen an increase in capacity, both with staff numbers and capability, for responding to traumatic and disaster situations.
Professors David Cooper and Frank Plani have commenced as Chairs of Disaster Management and Trauma, respectively, at Charles Darwin University. They are internationally recognised experts in trauma and disaster management, and we are already benefiting from their wealth of experience. It is reassuring to know that whether it is a cyclone, flood or other disaster threat, or just an ordinary working day, the team at Royal Darwin Hospital is constantly there for us all.
This Labor government is committed to continuing to strengthen the services and infrastructure at Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital for the benefit of all Territorians who need their services. We have injected significant resources to do so and I believe this has made a real difference to the capacity of these valuable Territory institutions.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Mr Deputy Speaker, I welcome the statement by the minister and thank him for it. There are good things in it and we, on this side of the House, applaud good results for Territorians.
Nevertheless, one would hope for good outcomes when you consider the increase in expenditure that the Health budget has delivered, and that is good. Once again, the balance is lost in the minister’s statement because what he did not acknowledge is the improved expenditure that comes from several sources: first, GST revenue, which has increased 80% since 2001; and own source revenue, which has also increased by about 67% since 2001. This has resulted in $1.1bn into the Territory budget.
There are also SPPs or special purpose payments, which have increased as well over this time. I note the minister talked about intergovernmental agreements between the Territory and the Commonwealth becoming increasingly lopsided. I agree that this is not a fair outcome. Nevertheless, it is not to say that the Commonwealth has been cutting payments; it is a product of the states’ increasing payments because of increased state revenues. It is as though both levels of government have decided to jog the distance and, suddenly, one sprints off and the other one says: ‘Why aren’t you keeping up?’
Also, the Health department is prepared to carry debt. I noticed in last year’s annual report that ‘Accumulated Funds’ then stood at minus-$80m. It is curious that we have not seen this year’s annual report yet, and we are discussing hospitals before it has come out. Should I infer from this that the reversing accumulated funds situation has become worse, and would it be more convenient to deal with this statement before the report comes out? We will give the minister the benefit of the doubt.
When the accumulated debt of the department remains unresolved and reaches 10% of the department’s budget, it will mean one of several options has to be taken. First, the Treasurer could opt to write the debt off by paying it from another source. I do not believe the Treasurer would be so keen to do that. All the accrual accounting system means is getting rid of a debt in that fashion would not change the overall balance sheet for the general government sector from an interdepartmental perspective. I am pretty sure the Treasurer would be much happier to see that debt rest with Health rather than from his books.
It is my understanding that this debt is largely the product of the use of interstate services for Territory patients in other jurisdictions. The last I heard, there were continuing negotiations between the Territory and other jurisdictions about this situation. Perhaps the minister would care to inform the House as to what the position of that debt is now and if any arrangements have been reached. It is also because, if another option is forced upon Health - that is, a Treasury instruction to pay the debt - then health services will have to be cut to accommodate those payments. Waiting for other jurisdictions to write off the debt as a bad debt would be a very negative outcome, because we are reliant on their continuing service provision. If we prove to be bad debtors, then they may not be so keen to provide services to us, as Territorians, into the future. I would also appreciate it if the minister, in his reply, could provide the House with answers to these questions.
I am also struck by what this statement does not say. Considering the fact that we are talking about our public hospitals in this statement by the minister today, its silence on the issue is nothing less than deafening. I am referring to the hospital policy that has been articulated by both sides of politics at a federal level. I appreciate that politics of the day saw Kevin Rudd’s hospital policy embraced by the Chief Minister, only to see it rapidly cool when she realised that the $2bn on offer from the federal ALP was conditional on doing what they wanted to do within two years and, if we do not comply with Kevin Rudd, he will take the hospitals away from us.
I believe the Territory Health Minister would agree that the Royal Darwin Hospital being run from Canberra is silly. Canberra gave us the Royal Darwin Hospital before self-government and, because the Royal Darwin Hospital was based on a design that originated in Canada, of course, that hospital has snow shutters on the outside. Canberra has a similar design. They decided to blow theirs up a few years ago, I believe in 1997. We are still stuck with ours at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Further, its physical location places it on the fringe of Tiwi. Darwin is not growing in that direction. Palmerston, the rural area and beyond are all south of Darwin, yet the hospital has been placed at its northernmost point. I am not sure why these people decided to place the hospital there. It just demonstrates what happens when distant decision-makers make these distant decisions.
The Liberal Party federally have also suggested a model that wrests the hospitals away from state and territory control. They have announced that they will directly fund hospital boards so they are, essentially, autonomous of state control. I do not entirely agree with this idea either, Madam Speaker. The reason is that these boards will have limited capacity of bulk purchases of needed medical supplies. The purchasing power of the Territory government can force down prices. Sourcing materials on a hospital-for-hospital basis will pose challenges for smaller hospitals, in particular. I imagine the Katherine Hospital would struggle to manage any muscle in the marketplace if it was on its own.
Some services like procurement should not be dissolved because it will cost more. Also, we have a small jurisdiction. Our hospitals are spread wide over that jurisdiction. If, for whatever reason, there was a local disaster in any given area - and the minister mentioned those in his statement - other hospitals would immediately have to chip in and assist. One can only imagine if such circumstances existed where there were incompatible systems, lives could be lost as a result of that.
If we look at our ambulance system in the Northern Territory - which I know is not an organ of government; rather it is a free-standing system run by an independent board - we can see there are issues every so often. Especially after a tragedy, it is revealed that there were not too many ambulances on standby at any given time. It is not to reflect badly on all the good, hard work done by St John Ambulance. However, even they would admit that they are reliant on government subsidies to do their work. There are often calls from St John staff for the provision of ambulance services to be taken over by the Northern Territory government.
The problem is, either way, the Territory as an administrative organ loses under these policies. It would be tempting to say at this point that this all the fault of the Australian Labor Party, but I will not say that. State and territory governments play the standard political game. How is that constructive to this current debate? It is not. It would not be realistic of me to stand here and say that, after all the extra money the government has, that they made a complete mess of it. I will say that I hoped that we would have received a whole lot more bang for a whole lot more bucks. However, there are endemic issues here that present universal challenges.
As the minister pointed out in his statement, demand on hospital services is increasing. It is occurring two ways. First, the numbers of individual attendances at hospitals are rising, and they are rising because there are more people, but also because people are inclined to use the services more readily than they have in the past. Also, the shutting down of health services in Palmerston would, obviously, see more presentations at the Royal Darwin Hospital.
The second reason is that the population is living longer, and populations that live with chronic conditions for a longer time also place greater demand on our hospitals in the Northern Territory. It seems an ugly catch 22, if you like, because we have delivered such good health services in the past that people are living longer. Often, they live longer not because they have been cured but because ongoing treatment prolongs life. Renal dialysis is a prime example of that. Even a cursory glance at some of the remote community populations in terms of their creatinine levels demonstrates that there is a massive cloud on the horizon servicing these people in the future. It is a harsh reality, but that means money and lots of it.
It is excruciatingly difficult to have a rational debate in relation to these topics when we are talking about death and profound injury of loved ones. For example, a person waits for a long time in a hospital, they have an awful or painful condition, it makes for great press, and rational response from hospital is lost in the emotion of the case. These horror stories then translate into an overall impression that the states are failing in their duty, and that only federal governments have the answer. That is not right. None of this will change if there are federal takeovers of state hospitals. The politics that is being played out on both sides of the political divide on this issue have more to do, I believe, with short-term impressions than it has to do with real patient outcomes.
This is where I will be a bit critical of the minister’s statement today. He should be defending the Territory’s right to administer our own hospitals against the Liberal Party, as well as Kevin Rudd, of the federal ALP. Neither side has an acceptable solution, and I am afraid that, in the heat of the pre-election period, systems will change. That will simply not provide outcomes, and our capacity to manage ourselves as Territorians will be profoundly diminished. The minister and the government’s silence on this matter is cause for criticism. Their urgency to stand next to Kevin Rudd has blinded them, I believe, to this reality. The minister mentioned the promise by Kevin Rudd to spend $10m on a health facility in Palmerston, putting aside the obvious questions about time lines, who is going to contribute to what in the future, and whether this is going to be a facility that will be classified as a hospital. If it is, will it be run from Canberra and will we, as a Territory jurisdiction, have the privilege of meeting ongoing funding commitments for an institution that is being badly run from afar? Madam Speaker, $10m sounds good, but who pays the running costs and who manages it? Are we, as Territorians, left with any say in when it is built – and, by the way, when is it going to be built? It is not in this year’s financial budget, so we have to wait until next year to see where it ends up on the forward design list.
In the meantime, there are still no after-hours health services in Palmerston because this government cut the subsidy. I would rather be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Health Minister on this one, saying that both federal Liberal and federal Labor Party policies are not good enough for the Territory, because it will take away more of our ever-diminishing right to govern ourselves, than standing here calling each other names because we have a vested interest in party allegiance from Canberra.
I turn to mental health. The comments the minister made about how much more we do for patients on a per head of population basis are interesting. Last night on radio, there was a story by Beyond Blue’s Jeff Kennett. He suggested that all pregnant women in this country should be tested for the presence of antenatal depression, presumably as part of the normal screening process that comes with pregnancy. I was curious to hear Jo Sangster’s response here in the Territory. She was critical of the notion. It did surprise me a bit so I listened a little closer. Her criticism was not of the policy or the idea itself but, rather, she was critical because even if depression was diagnosed, there were few or no services available. It prompted me to check the report on government services in this area in a 2000 edition, only to discover that the Territory rates extremely poorly in delivering mental health services on a Territory level, especially in the provision of mental health beds.
I draw the member’s attention to Volume 2, page 11.42, figure 11.20 in the Report of Government Services 2007. The graph shows that we provide about 20 hospital beds for mental health patients per 100 000 of population, where the Australian average is twice that amount. Indeed, we are half or less than half of every other jurisdiction in the country. I found a reference to the report on government services in the minister’s statement, but I did not find a comment about that particular issue. Without having tracked down the history of the Territory in this area, I cannot say for sure, but I suspect that this issue may well have a long history. Should I ever become Health Minister, this is certainly an area that I will bring to my attention.
Jo Sangster’s comments are also vindicated by a footnote a few pages later in the Report on Government Services 2007, figure 11.23. I quote the footnote:
- The NT did not provide mental health care in 24 hour staffed community residential facilities.
This means that if you have a mental health disorder that is chronic you can only hope for occasional help from a psychologist as an outpatient at best, or you have to deteriorate to such a degree that you fight for a spot with other mental health patients for whatever beds are available. The effect of this is that when you are sick you have to become very sick before treatment is available to you. Once again, the delivery of primary health care is subordinated by the demands placed on secondary assistance.
If you compare that with suicide rates on page 11.67 of the report, there is a startling contrast. I am not a trained clinician, everyone knows that. I am on safe ground, though, if I make an observation that there is a link between depression and suicide. The Territory’s suicide rate is more than double the national average. It is astonishing to realise that as many people die from suicide in the Northern Territory than die from motor vehicle accidents. Yet, the attention the government has given to one cause of death compared to the other is noticeable. Suicide in the bush is even worse. Suicide in the bush stands at more than three times the national average. If any member wants to check that, it is figure 11.31 on page 11.68 in that government report.
Regarding waiting lists, I commend the minister for his work to attack the long waiting lists in Northern Territory hospitals. These matters have become quite embarrassing for our hospitals. The waiting list numbers were removed from the last hospital board annual report where they were historically reported. They disappeared last year. I will be interested to see if they appear again this year. Nevertheless, the report on government services shows why the minister has needed to respond to this issue. At pages 9.26 and 9.27 there is a breakdown of census data dealing with waiting lists. The Territory comes last, and a distant last, when you compare the Territory across the three categories mentioned. If you compare Victoria in the report with the Northern Territory in the area of Category 1 patients on extended waiting lists, Victoria comes in at 0.07 and the Northern Territory comes in at 61.4. That is a big gap. I admit that the comparison is between the best and the worst in the country with the problem across all categories, but the Territory is the worst.
The situation has been declining badly in the Territory over recent years, and I do not blame the minister for becoming anxious about waiting lists. The potential political fallout from these poor numbers is the very reason that the federal parties are circling over the hospitals like vultures, you could say.
The minister is working hard; I can see that. I know his heart is in the right place and he is trying everything but, sadly, his efforts have been consumed by rear-guard actions on the worsening conditions than they are in improving delivery in other areas such as primary health care.
We all know that improvements in primary health care have a beneficial spin-off on demand in our hospitals. However, when so much is going into the hospitals and going on in the hospitals, it is difficult to find money for the primary health care sector. It seems that we are forced to treat diabetes with a cure rather than prevention.
I turn to cancer and the Territory oncology unit, which has certainly been a saga-and-a-half. I am grateful, although I am sure not as grateful as many of the cancer patients who have been waiting for this oncology unit to get the go-ahead. I congratulate all those involved. I congratulate, in particular, the efforts of Dave Tollner, the member for Solomon. I know a lot of criticism comes his way, but he has worked very hard on this oncology unit for Royal Darwin Hospital.
The minister delivered the statement in bureau-speak and it takes a little while to translate that into English, I must say. I am concerned that the minister has not dealt with important issues in Alice Springs. There are easily as many Territorians in Alice Springs who have family in Adelaide as there are people who come from Darwin. Indeed, whether it is other factors but there are aspects of Alice Springs life that are more aligned with Adelaide than Darwin and that is a simple fact. When a person develops cancer, it is a scary thing. Cancer does kill. I pause to acknowledge your own personal battle, Madam Speaker, and it is heartening to see that your road to recovery is progressing. The very pinkness of this …
Mrs Miller: She is better than ever.
Mr CONLAN: Yes, exactly. The pinkness of this parliament at night is testament to your desire to address the issue of cancer in women.
The problem is that once the oncology unit is constructed in Darwin, patients in Alice Springs may be forced to come to Darwin despite the fact that they may have relatives in Adelaide. I know this is a big concern for the people of Central Australia. Currently, the PATS scheme services patients in the Territory to travel to Adelaide or wherever else they may need to go. I ask the minister - and it appears he has already hinted at the answer in his statement, in bureau-speak again - that special recognition be given to these aspects of the Alice Springs community on this issue. My predecessor, Dr Richard Lim, made similar points, but the answer remains unclear. It would be nonsensical to send patients to Darwin when the cost of going to Adelaide would not be any higher. I know patients and their families in Alice Springs would appreciate that.
I am glad to see that money is being spent in areas like birthing suites. I am immensely grateful. Just looking at the history, I will not have to go through that process. The indemnification of some of the home birthing services is also a good result for mothers in the Northern Territory. That was a positive initiative by this government. I know that some clinicians are critical of the process, but it should not be up to clinicians to tell women where they should have their babies. When they do tell mothers where to have their babies, or when mothers choose to have babies in hospital, the Territory has always provided some of the best services that there are to be had. That has been the case in the past and it is good to see that continuing.
Finally, with the delivery of the Rapid Admission Units, the business of leaving patients on trolleys in corridors caused by bed block should be gone. This is a good solution to the problem. However, I put to the minister on notice that, should this solution not achieve what is promised, I will continue to question it. Nevertheless, it is a good initiative and we, on this side of the House, support it.
As I said at the outset, I am grateful to the minister for taking the time to talk about hospital services in the Northern Territory. I do not for a moment pretend to be an expert in the area. The minister knows my background and I know his quite well. I am just a newbie on the block, but I do want to learn and understand more about this very important portfolio of Health for all Territorians. I ask the minister for a detailed and thorough tour of both Royal Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals, as well as Katherine and Tennant Creek ...
Mrs Miller: And Katherine!
Mr CONLAN: Of course, member for Katherine. That is, obviously, so I can better understand the practicalities and the issues that are facing hospitals in the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, I hope to bring a measured and considered attitude to this shadow portfolio, and I welcome further briefings from the minister. I thank him for his statement today.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I support the Health Minister’s statement on Building Better Hospitals in the Northern Territory. The minister’s statement setting out the Martin government’s commitment to support and improve hospitals across the Territory really could not come at a better time. Two separate reports have been recently released and they both show the same thing: the Howard government is systematically slashing the proportion of money they are putting in the public health system across Australia.
As the Territory Health Minister alluded to, this month, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released its report Health Expenditure Australia 2005-06, and it makes quite disturbing reading. The point that immediately jumped out to me was that, between 1995-96 and 2005-06, the Howard government’s share of public hospital funding decreased from 45% to 41%. State and territory government funding during this period increased from 46% to 51%.
That really puts into perspective the Howard government’s desperate grab for public hospital credibility by funding one hospital in Tasmania. You have to ask: what about every other single public hospital around Australia that has borne the brunt of this refusal by the Howard government to properly fund our public hospital system? What has not really been acknowledged as widely as it should be is the detriment to the Tasmanian health system caused by the federal government’s intervention in this matter. Simply for political gain in a marginal electorate area, this hospital in Burnie, and the whole hospital system in Tasmania, is subject to wider scrutiny and review. It was decided, on all of the input from health professionals and communities all around, how they would stage their delivery of health services across these hospitals and that Burnie would be downgraded.
I happened to see the Prime Minister on his visit there within the last few days speaking to someone, obviously within one of the hospitals. The question the Prime Minister put was: ‘What would you do?’ He said: ‘Well, I would have left. I would not have saved Burnie Hospital. I would have continued with what the Tasmanian government was doing’, because they had a strategy, they had a plan to meet the service delivery needs of people in the north end of Tassie. This Prime Minister - clumsy, hamfisted - just stepped in and said: ‘We will fund that hospital and we will continue to run all of the services that were there before’. That is okay. At least it is out of the Tasmanian Health minister’s and the Tasmanian taxpayers’ budget. However, what if the funding stops in two years, three years, four years or even, indeed, in a year? What happens then? It just shows what can happen, I guess, when a remote government in Canberra decides it knows what is best for local people and, then, in this hamfisted way, blunders in and upsets the whole applecart in relation to the delivery of hospital services in the north end of Tassie, centred on this Burnie hospital. It is not the only issue they are trying to deal with down there in their desperate attempt to seal up as many seats as possible in this imminent federal election.
Going back to this question of reducing funding over the time the Howard government has been in power, it does paint a pretty damning picture. It was interesting to see Health minister Abbott, who said: ‘We have stuck by the last letter of every agreement’. Well, it was not the question. The question was how and why has federal government funding cost shifted in the delivery of hospital funding from the Commonwealth, the Australian government, to the states. It really was pretty curmudgeonly of Abbott to be saying: ‘We have respected and stuck by every last dot point of the health agreement’. Well, they may have, Madam Speaker. However, the fact is subsequent health agreements over the last decade or so have been so heavily balanced in favour of the Commonwealth that we now see the outcome - a cost shift from the Australian government taxpayer to the states’ and territories’ taxpayer. We well know, from the time we have been in government, the difficulties that subsequent Health Ministers have had in reaching agreement with the Commonwealth over health care agreements. We do not ask why - do we now? - when the truth comes out a decade on that they really have been savaging the states and territories in relation to their share of proper funding.
They are withdrawing financial support, I might add, at the same time sitting on, this year alone, a $17bn surplus. Federal Treasury, over the past few years, has predicted $5bn and $6bn surpluses. In their mid-year report, they said it might be $8bn or $9bn. By the time it got close to budget time, it might be $10bn or $11bn. By the time they got to the finals and passed the delivery of the next budget and the final outcome of the preceding financial year, it was up around $14bn, $15bn and, of course, this year about $17bn surplus. Part of that surplus is in their hands because they have deprived the rightful share of funding to our public hospital system right across Australia.
The Australian Institute of Heath and Welfare report findings match those of a June 2007 report from State and Territory Health Ministers which, again, showed an alarming split between the share of funding for public hospitals between federal, state and territory governments. While states and territories funding goes up, the federal government’s drops. What is the cause of this split? The Australian government has adjusted public hospital funding by a figure lower than the inflation rate, directly contradicting the recommendations of an independent arbiter brought in to judge on this. What does it mean in practice? Of course, it means that the Howard government has contributed far less to public hospitals than it should have, and its shortfall stands now at $1.1bn a year and growing. Even federal Heath minister Abbott had to acknowledge that they have dropped the ball, as he grudgly admitted. Since 2001, the states have been increasing their funding fast. It was a pretty embarrassed minister Abbott standing there admitting that.
Of course, we have been increasing our funding faster; we have had no choice. The community expects and deserves a strong public hospital system. If the federal government refuses to provide the necessary funding, then the states and territories must. In the Territory, this growing gap between Territory and Commonwealth funding for public hospitals is even more extreme. The Australian government contribution of public hospital services in the Northern Territory in 2005-06 was 34.6% compared with a national average of 41.6%. The Territory government is the highest proportionate contributor of all states and territory jurisdictions to public hospital services at 61.7% in 2005-06, compared to a 50.4% average. That is an incredibly low level of federal government contribution to the Territory public health system, despite the Territory having the highest level of health need as measured by burden of disease. As the Territory Health Minister rightly pointed out, we do have the busiest health system in the country.
The Martin government is doing its part to meet this demand and provide all Territorians with the health services they require and deserve. However, we have had the highest real growth in recurrent health expenditure from 2003-04 to 2005-06 at 12%. That translates to a recurrent health expenditure per person in the Northern Territory in 2005-06 of $4954, the highest of all jurisdictions and 25% above the national average.
I suggest if the CLP opposition really wanted to do something constructive and useful in relation to our public hospitals, they might think about calling up Canberra, get minister Abbott’s office on the line - get minister Abbott if they can – and ring the Prime Minister’s office. What about ringing our member for Solomon, Mr Dave Tollner? Senator Scullion is silent, missing in action, on any debate around these matters. Ask them some pointed questions about funding levels, and urge them to at least get stuck into the federal government to at least match the Martin government’s substantial increase in funding since 2001.
I talked before about the Commonwealth government’s share of funding and the public hospital burden across Australia have fallen at a time of increasingly massive surpluses accruing to the federal government. However, at the same time, it is not just the surplus that they sit on. Over that 11 years that Prime Minister Howard has been in government, we have also seen an alarming shift in the share of the common wealth of Australia with much more of it accruing to the Australian government than, indeed, the states and territories. That, of course, in itself contributes to that massive surplus that has accrued year in, year out. It is a bit of a double whammy in the sense that they have never had a greater share of the entire common wealth of Australia than they have had now and, at the same time, they have never reduced funding to our public hospitals to the levels that they have reduced over the last decade or so.
In relation to the question from the member for Greatorex, talking about debt or deficits, he needs to probably seek a briefing on the presentation of the budget papers in and around how this government and each agency treats accrual accounting in the format and the presentation of the budget papers. He would be well served by that. It is easy to be misled by certain sets of figures if you are not exactly sure what they represent and mean. With the health budget that came in last year, there was not a question anywhere about …
Dr Burns: Came in on target.
Mr STIRLING: Yes, it came in on target. There was not a question about over-runs or blowing the budget or, in fact, having a surplus. The member for Greatorex will find that he is being misled, referring to accrual numbers which can represent a very different picture to cash levels and expenditure in a particular agency throughout a financial year. I urge the member for Greatorex, as a new member to parliament, that one of the most empowering tools he can have at his disposal as a member of this Assembly is to understand budgeting format presentation of both agency and Territory government budget papers overall. Treasury would be quite willing to put their resources at his disposal to take him through this sort of information so that he is better informed and better able to read and understand the budget position.
I believe the federal Howard Liberal government has been embarrassed by the revelations in relation to their share of public health funding across Australia. I saw that look of embarrassment on minister Abbott’s face. It may be that we do need a change of government at the federal level in order to get some balance back in to the proper funding of the public hospital system right across Australia - rather than this ‘Oh well, let us take over the Burnie hospital and continue to fund it’, regardless of the enormous work that had been done by the Tasmanian government, the Tasmanian Health department, to make sense of what they had to try to rationalise their services, gain efficiencies but, at the same time, deliver the best possible health services to northern Tasmanians that they could.
A Prime Minister that is prepared to take that sort of unilateral action is prepared to do anything in order to save a marginal seat. It is a bit frightening, really, to see the desperation of this government in probably its dying days. So, bring on the election. Let us get a result for Australia, and a government that will take the proper funding of the public hospital system in Australia seriously; that will give the states and territories its proper share of funding to deliver these very necessary services to the people of Australia.
Madam Speaker, I support the Health minister’s statement as, indeed, I support the job he is doing.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Madam Speaker, I support the statement to the Assembly by the Minister for Health in relation to the Building Better Hospitals commitment.
Effective health service delivery is an important responsibility of any government. It is a fundamental responsibility because it relates directly to a person’s quality of life and the ability to enjoy the benefits that life entails. I am supportive of this commitment because it is another step in the significant investment made by this government. Since 2001, funding for the Department of Health and Community Services has increased by 73%. I am informed that Alice Springs has received an increase of 94% since 2001.
This increase is as a direct result of the government recognising the importance of health and effective health service delivery. It is recognition that quality of life is fundamental to a person’s capacity to contribute in all facets of life, therefore, making them healthier in order for them to contribute to the direction in which the Territory is going.
The increased investment in health services by the government has created a health system recognised nationally for its contribution. As the Minister for Health explained, the Australian government report called State of our Public Hospitals shows the Territory contributing the most money per capita to our hospitals. The report shows that we are one of only three jurisdictions where 100% of our public hospitals are accredited. It is good to have this recognition from an Australian government report, as it shows that we are sincere about the people of the Northern Territory and their wellbeing. This government and the Minister for Health deserve credit for these findings. It is through the relationship that this government has formed with the Australian government that has enabled us to be recognised in such reports.
Government’s resolve to provide adequate health services is an important responsibility. This current government has carried out this role in a way that reflects its sincere commitment. However, it is a responsibility on the part of Territorians to live a lifestyle conducive to good health. As individuals, we all play a decisive role in our own health, and we all influence our own personal health outcomes to a certain degree.
Throughout the remote communities of the Northern Territory, over a number of decades, I have witnessed of increased health challenges on the part of many people. My ability to recognise this comes from my wife who is a bush nurse who has worked in many communities. She has worked in Alice, Wadeye, Papunya and Maningrida. I, too, in my previous life as a staff member of Social Security, used to go out to many communities. We would always make a point of going into the health clinics and talking to the nurses and staff. I can tell you that the commitment of our health officers in the bush, be they nurses, District Medical Officers or Aboriginal Health Workers, is fantastic. Without these people out there in the bush our system in town would truly be overburdened. They do a fantastic job, way and above what any nurses would do in any other communities throughout Australia and, perhaps, throughout the world. Their skills are well recognised. They are at the forefront of nurse practitioner practices. They are called upon in many fields.
I have a friend who was a remote nurse at Maningrida who is now working in Siberia in Occupational Health and Safety as a medical person on rigs. This is the sort of training that goes on with our people out in the bush, and this is the sort of commitment that this government has to its health professionals.
As I said, I have witnessed, over a number of decades, increased health challenges on the part of many people. In many cases, these challenges are directly linked to the problems of substance misuse. They are linked to decisions that individuals make; decisions that are not always in the best interests of personal health outcomes. When too many individuals make these decisions, the burden on health service delivery can be significant. I remember doing the tucker run out at Maningrida, trying to get fresh vegetables and fruit up the rivers during the Wet Season to small communities so that people can have a healthy diet. It is one of the things that the remote area shops do. They are to be commended for their way of trying to tackle the primary health care issues through better diets.
It is very difficult on communities to sustain a better diet with fresh fruit and vegetables when the issue of merely keeping a refrigerator going is huge. You can imagine in our communities with the housing issues we have - and we are on record as saying that many houses out on our communities are overcrowded. You can imagine that the life expectancy of whitegoods is very limited. Of course, keeping a fridge that you might find in your normal three-bedroom house in the suburbs of Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine or Tennant Creek, going to provide safe storage for food is not available to people in communities. That has a huge impact on the health outcomes for our people in the bush.
In other cases, decisions that people make are not linked strongly to substance misuse, but can have a significant impact on personal health. Consumption of unhealthy foods, too much sugar, foods low in nutrients and high in fat, can have adverse consequences and can place pressure on health service delivery and a person’s quality of life. It is for these reasons that we have emphasised over the years the importance of preventative health. Preventative health reduces the need to invest in a substantial part of health service delivery because it reduces the likelihood of hospital admissions. In many cases, preventative health programs can produce a cost benefit to government. This government is to be commended for the programs that it has in place in the preventative health side.
So you see, Madam Speaker, it is not just a matter of hospital admissions and looking after the health system at the rear end. What this government is really about is trying to get the health of the people in the communities and suburbs a lot better by better lifestyles and better choices on dietary intake - on the proper use and not misuse of substances, and of lowering the fats.
We all remember that, prior to 2001, of course, the great renal dialysis debate and saga that went on in this place, and how, prior to 2001, it was very rare that you would ever see any renal dialysis anywhere outside of Darwin and Alice Springs. It was this government that embarked on getting the renal dialysis out and about, and it is this government that is bringing on many more initiatives. It is to be commended for that.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister for presenting this timely statement to the House. I look forward to hearing the contribution from the member for Millner, who I know is right up there on health issues, particularly for urban and remote communities. I thank the House for allowing me the time to report to it and commend the minister for this statement.
Mr BONSON (Millner): Madam Speaker, I support the Health Minister’s statement. As we know, there are many different issues relating to health, not only within the Northern Territory but within Australia and, indeed, the world. As a profession, and as a field of endeavour, health is one of the most researched issues in the world. We have, no doubt, some of the best researchers in Australia in the Northern Territory, in the world, living and working within Australia. We have the science to deal with many of the problems that we have, and we have identified these problems. The Health Minister has a research background. Over the last couple of weeks and months, what has become apparent is that, with the Health Minister’s background in the field of health, it has allowed him to attack many of these issues at an academic level, understanding the science behind a lot of the problems that health faces.
I should recognise our new CEO, an eminent doctor, Dr David Ashbridge, who has recently been appointed. He has a deep understanding and knowledge of working within the Health department, and all the health issues that we are facing.
However, what has really changed in health in the last few years - and it has been amazing to see the change since 2001. I will go through some of the statistics of resourcing that the minister touched on in his statement. This government, as a whole, has identified that health plays an important role in our society. Often, when we run budgets, with this overriding need to show that we are running a tight ship and we are going to produce a surplus etcetera, we sometimes forget that we need to invest in our society. One of the ways that the Territory government and, indeed, all governments do that is through the health system. Education, employment and training, infrastructure and investment are the basic planks on which government policy is created, as well as, of course, health. Our performance since 2001 has shown that this government, under the leadership of Clare Martin and a number of Health Ministers over a long period of time, will invest in this area, tackle hard issues, and endeavour to find new ways to deal with many of the problems that we face.
The minister touched on the fact that our demographics are quite unique. As we know, our population is growing and our demographics show that we are quite a young population compared to any other state or territory of Australia. The latest ABS figures are we have around 208 000 people living in the Northern Territory. About 28% to 30% of that population is indigenous. Obviously, it comes to around 50 000 to 60 000 individuals who identify as being Aboriginal, which makes our demographic quite unique in the whole of Australia.
The Northern Territory is one-sixth of the land mass of Australia. We have 200 000 people sparsely spread right across this great country of ours. Indeed, our environments in Central Australia to the tropics of the Northern Territory are quite different. Many of the problems that this Health Minister and this government face are quite unique to this jurisdiction. However, what has been one of the major ticks of why I am a part of this government is our commitment to improving services, not only to Territorians who live in the urban settings, but those who live in remote areas.
I, like many other members, came into this House in 2001 with no background in health. However, becoming a member, you often have to become a jack of all trades and have an understanding of many diverse fields. I have enjoyed my conversations with the current minister regarding drug and alcohol issues, diabetes, and other health issues facing Territorians. The member for Barkly, who has a deep passion about delivering dialysis to all Territorians, has often led me to discuss people who are no longer with us because of the lack of services previously, or the ability to get to dialysis. With the major work in diabetes, I hope that continues. As we know, it is a disease that, unfortunately, is on the increase right across Australia.
General conversations with the member for Arafura, whose background is in non-government organisations in the health field, have helped formulate my belief in some of the things in primary health care that we need to address. There are many other members, including Madam Speaker, the member for Nightcliff who, as a former Minister of Health, has an interest in health.
One of the areas that I would like to touch on which, as a local member, I take a keen interest in, is the Royal Darwin Hospital. As we have seen on the breakdown of previous budgets, the Royal Darwin Hospital, for a number of different reasons, is one of the areas that take up most of the health budget. There are a variety of different reasons. What we have seen is the need to support Royal Darwin Hospital and the staff at the Royal Darwin Hospital – the doctors, the nurses, the medical practitioners, the staff, the administration staff, the CEO; the people who drive what the Royal Darwin Hospital does.
If we have a look at what Royal Darwin Hospital does, it services over 100 000 people in the Darwin and rural area who are quite isolated from the rest of Australia, and who have quite unique needs. What we also see with Royal Darwin Hospital is that it services a vast area of the Northern Territory, because we are the capital city and people come here to Royal Darwin Hospital. People coming to the Royal Darwin Hospital have different types of needs, are from different types of cultural and racial backgrounds. The staff, the nurses, the doctors, the administration officers need to have unique skills, quite different to anywhere else in Australia. I place on record my thanks for the work they do in the extreme circumstances.
The minister touched on the problems we inherited in the health system in 2001. I clearly remember, as a first-time elected member, one of the issues which came to the fore regarding the former member for Drysdale, the former Health Minister, Steve Dunham and the budget. It was the cosmetic improvements to the budget to create a feeling of growth within the budget. When you look at the percentage of growth under the health budget from 2001 until now from this government, that figure was around 3%. I know the opposition, at the moment, constantly harp on the fact that they are not related to the former CLP. I put on record that the members for Araluen, Greatorex and Katherine were not members at the time; the member for Blain was.
Often we forget that there was a history as to why we came into government. We were in opposition for such a long time. People throughout the Northern Territory wanted change because they believed areas like the health system were not operating to capacity and were not being properly funded. They were willing to give someone else a go. If you have a look at the figures that the minister quoted since 2001 - and I will read word for word from his speech:
… we have made record investments into the health system, with a 73% increase in funding to the Department of Health and Community Services. In 2007-08, we have allocated a total of $838m across the system.
A total of $838m has been spent on health, a 73% increase. We have gone from a historical stance in 2001 where there was a fudging of the books - for want of a better way to describe it - to create this feeling of growth of 3% to an actual growth of 73%.
All credit to the members of the opposition. They do not really challenge that statistic. The reason why they do not is because the budget books over a number of years do not lie. They have shown this growth. Often, as a government, we probably do not get the kudos that we deserve regarding investing in our health system. The minister went on to state:
- … investment has been right across the health system and we are proud of our record. We have employed an extra 115 medical and 318 nursing full-time equivalent, or FTE, positions since 2001. We have increased the total hospital bed numbers by 15%, an additional 83 beds, bringing the total in 2007-08 to 650 beds.
That is an amazing record: 115 extra medical staff, and 380 nursing staff full-time equivalent, FTE, positions since 2001.
This Health minister has often, in his battles with the Commonwealth, member for Greatorex, talked about full-time equivalent positions in nursing, and here it is again on the record: 318 nursing full-time equivalent positions since 2001. That is an amazing effort.
This government has also shown that it has a fantastic record when we compare it to interstate hospitals, even though we have these unique circumstances in our demographic.
It is mostly in relation to the fact that we have a high quantity of indigenous people who live in remote areas with quite serious health issues, mostly related to issues involving poor housing, poor diet and things that you would expect in countries around the world that have issues with poverty and access to resources. I have talked about it often in this House and, no doubt, many members are aware of it themselves that, in 2007, as one of the richest countries in the world per head of population, we have approximately 56 000 indigenous people in the Territory. I think the figures are around 850 000 to 900 000 people identifying themselves as Aboriginal throughout the whole of the country. Yet, many of those individuals - not all of course, many are successful and living long and healthy lives - for a variety of different reasons - and it has nothing to do with blaming the person themselves or the structures of this county - are living in poor conditions which then lead to poor health, high unemployment and all the other issues that we see and that, as a government, we are facing.
We should be investing in this. This government can hold its head up regarding health. According to the budget, according to the figures since 2001, I do not think there would be any other government in the history of this country, let alone the present time, that has shown an ability to put their money where their mouths are.
The minister talked about comparisons between territory and state governments against our performance. He said:
- Our efforts in improving our health system are clearly evident in our hospitals. Through the Australian government’s own report, State of our Public Hospitals 2007, we are recognised nationally for the most number of hospital beds, with 3.6 beds per 1000 population, whereas the Australian average is 2.6.
My calculations off the top of my head tell me that is a 30% better ratio than the rest of the country:
- We spend more on our hospitals at $1407 per person per year, compared with the Australian average of $665. We are only one of three jurisdictions where 100% of our public hospitals are accredited.
That is an amazing effort. I want to place on record that he went on to say:
- We have paid particular attention to the issues facing RDH, and we have increased the hospital budget to a total of $207.3m for 2007-08, up 85% since 2001.
If you had have told me when I came in as a member in 2001 that we would increase the health budget by 85%, I would have thought that that was unbelievable, but the reality is that we have. As we have uncovered the need, this government, with the extra dollars that have come through revenue from the Commonwealth government, we have seen that money taken and put in the places of most need. The minister said:
- We have also increased the budget at Alice Springs Hospital by 94% since 2001.
- …
- … hospital beds at RDH up by 70 beds or 24% since 2001, from 293 to 363 beds.
As we know, two of the opposition members are based in Alice Springs, as is one of the Independent members. To hear the figure of a 95% increase to Alice Springs Hospital not only demonstrates to the opposition and the Independents but to members of this side who are based around Central Australia, that this government is not focused above the Berrimah Line, but on the whole of the Northern Territory.
The minister said that, notwithstanding this is happening, we have to look at the factors that face us as a population. He talked about admission rates being twice as high as the rest of Australia. Our Emergency Department presentation rates have been more than three times the Australian average, and there are reasons behind that. It touches on the fact that a lot of it is due to the fact that we have had a legacy of poor health left to us. That legacy, in defence of the previous government, cannot be laid at their feet in total, but it has to be looked at in the history of this country; that we have had a lack of investment in health needs, particularly in the Top End amongst Aboriginal Territorians. It touches on life expectancy.
We do a hard job here, Madam Speaker, a very difficult job. Often, we find ourselves, as local members and as members of government, saying, ‘No, we cannot do this’, rather than ‘Yes, we can’, even though we would love to. Often, you look to things that drive you in the position to keep going. One of those touched on by the minister is the Aboriginal infant mortality rate has fallen by 36% between the period of 1996 to 2000 and 2001 to 2003, so that is a fantastic achievement. However, he also referenced that with the reality of what we still face; that is, that the rate is still 2.5 times higher than the rate for non-Aboriginal infants.
We have done a lot. There is a lot more work to be done. We look forward to …
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I move that the member for Millner be granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr BONSON: I thank members of the House for allowing me to finish my contribution.
In light of the federal election, I would like to touch on some of the issues that are coming up. What we see here is that the Northern Territory, as a community, is quite unique to the rest of Australia, but we are still part of Australia. As many people know, under the Grants Commission, most of our monies come from Commonwealth grants. That has been the history of this community, and this Territory and of our governments.
Though we often get in disputes with the Commonwealth government regarding what they should or should not be doing, what we are seeing in all elections is both sides promising to do certain things. I welcome the promise of the federal Labor opposition, which has recognised there is a need for major reform to improve primary health services, and have promised $220m for GP super clinics in Australia.
Any local member will tell you that, over the last 10 years, there has been a decline in access to GPs who bulkbill. There are local legends, the Dr Reids - Brian and his wife - who, over a period of time, have withdrawn the service they provide to the community, bit by bit. Dr Brian Reid recently retired. He has been my family doctor for a long period of time, and many others around the Millner area. Of course, what did I find? I found that I had to find a new doctor. One of the issues that came out locally was: where would I go to a doctor that would bulkbill? Unfortunately, people’s circumstances are all different. The cost to see a doctor is quite high if they are not allowed to bulkbill. This is something that not only we, as a government, but the opposition – and, no doubt, they do hear the same as local members - need to understand; this is a big issue. We need to work together to get the Commonwealth government which, at the moment, is a Liberal government - no doubt it would be no surprise to everyone in this House I am hoping to have a change of government. However, whether it is a Liberal or Labor government in the future, the real issue is that we need to increase GP services, therefore, I welcome this promise of $220m for super clinics.
The minister stated that the super clinic model will provide access to primary medical and health care, chronic disease and complex care management, outpatient outreach clinics, and a range of allied health services. He went on to say that, on 1 September 2007, Mr Abbott announced that, if elected, his government would fund $10m for a GP super clinic in Palmerston to provide access to 24-hour a day GP services. All members in this House know for a fact that is one of the No 1 issues in the Palmerston area. As far as I know, I do not think that the current Commonwealth government has made the same promise. I am not sure if the Health Minister will touch on that, but my understanding is that they have not. Kevin Rudd put that on the table. I ask the members opposite to lobby their colleagues who represent the Territory in the Commonwealth parliament to get the same type of promise, because we are all Territorians and we are in it together.
I look forward, as a local member and as a member of this government, to continuing the support we have put into health. I believe that governments do not run as a small business. We have a role and responsibility to manage taxpayers’ money as best as we can and the principles of accountability and transparency need to be maintained. However, we are also about investing. That investment we have to make is in our society.
I say to the rest of Australia that the Northern Territory, in many ways, is the future of Australia. We cannot look at what is going to happen in the next 10 or 20 years; we have to look at what is going to happen in the next 50 to 100 to 150 years. Our close proximity with Asia, our access to many of the natural resources that we are uncovering through the Northern Territory, the people, issues to do with water and access to land, are all going to drive the need for people to come to the Northern Territory, whether they come from interstate or overseas, or local Territorians increase the population themselves. The reality is that this government has to continue to invest in health just as we do in education and infrastructure. Through that investment in health, I hope to see more doctors, more nurses, stronger and better services provided to all Territorians in remote rural or urban areas, the continued mortality rate of all Territorians decrease so the length of all Territorians lives grow.
I was going to talk about some of the recent initiatives that the Health Minister has announced such as the overdue elective surgery lists and how we have attacked and decreased that. As a local member, the reality is that is one of the biggest issues out there is people waiting for operations, whether it is here in Darwin or down south. That has been a fantastic achievement by all the administrative staff who work there day to day, as a policy choice and decision by this Heath Minister. I will not go into that too much because I am running out of time. However, that needs to be mentioned, and I will definitely be mentioning that to all the local constituents I know who have an interest in that.
I welcome the new ward at RDH. I know that the minister is focusing, with the current CEO and all his staff, on improving access to wards and the waiting times and all those types of things that all affect Accident and Emergency. I note the Rapid Admission Unit and that is a fantastic achievement. I will not go into that, but we know the issues behind that is easing patient movement through the hospital, and reducing waiting times in the Emergency Department. Let us face it, when you front at 2 am or 3 am, with a family member very sick, you should be sleeping but you are waiting to see a doctor or a nurse. To have really efficient service provided is much welcomed and appreciated.
I will just touch on an interesting point about that. All the people I know who get dealt with by Royal Darwin Hospital overwhelmingly say that the staff treat them very well - the nurses, the doctors etcetera - and they are very happy with the professional care that they get. I just want to put that on record as well. Of course they want to shorten the patient’s stay in hospital.
The government’s delivery of the new birth centre is welcome. I know, having recently become a father and going through the issues with my wife, that is much appreciated by all Territorians as well.
Finally, I put on the record that I welcome the minister’s work. I sit at the Sunday markets with him and often he will tell you - and I am there to support him - that many of the issues that come to us at the Sunday markets and as local members and through other events, are involved in health. I believe that this Health Minister has a real passion towards dealing with some of the health issues. He has over 20 to 30 years in the health field and we are in very good hands as we move into the future. As the member for Millner, I welcome any efforts that he can make with his Cabinet colleagues in addressing the many health issues that we have to face, and his ongoing engagement with the Commonwealth government about them. On occasion, we need to get into dispute with the Commonwealth but, in other instances, we have to work with them. This Health Minister has been managing that, in his time as Health Minister, as well as I have seen.
Madam Speaker, I welcome the statement and I hope to see the good work continue.
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I welcome the contribution by all members to this very important statement because hospitals are a crucial part of our health system. They are places that we generally do not want people to end up, but they are important and people rely on them. This has been a statement about hospitals, but I also want to assure the House that much attention has been paid to primary health care; to getting more services out into the bush for better supporting initiatives in indigenous health right throughout the length and breadth of the Northern Territory. As Health Minister, I know that hospitals are crucial institutions and I have focused very much on that since I became Health Minister, and built on the good work of the previous Health Ministers who preceded me as part of the Martin Labor government. Of course, I have the great support of the department, especially the new CEO, Dr David Ashbridge.
The member for Greatorex was generally supportive of the statement and I welcome that. I look forward to working well with the member for Greatorex in this very important area of health. He mentioned issues related to increases in GST revenue and increases in own source revenue of which this government has been the recipient since we came to power in 2001. Of course, we recognise that we have benefited from GST revenue. Because of all the economic activity in the Northern Territory since we came to power when the economy was very flat, our own source revenue has increased considerably.
However, this statement really underlines the fact that we have made significant extra investments in our health system and our hospital system, in particular. Overall, there has been a 73% increase in the departmental budget related to health since we came to power.
I can remember in our first Assembly after we came to power there was a lot of argument from the opposition about where all the extra GST money was going. There seems to be agreement now, I think, from the new member for Greatorex, and the recognition that this is a government which has actually invested a lot of that extra income into health as we have with police and education. I welcome that shift in position from the opposition to recognise that we have invested very heavily in health, and hospitals in particular.
The member for Greatorex also mentioned - I think he used the word ‘debt’. He talked about $80m worth of debt in an annual report. He also talked about debts in other states and cross-border transfers, etcetera. I point out, as the Treasurer did, to the member for Greatorex that he is really looking at an accrual accounting system, which is not the same as a cash accounting system The member for Greatorex should familiarise himself with the accrual accounting system. I confess the change from cash accounting to accrual accounting occurred when I was a very new member, and it does take a bit of getting used to when you have been used to a cash accounting system.
I can assure the member for Greatorex that the $80m debt that he referred to, does not come off the bottom line of the department; it is not part of the departmental allocation. It is a way in which Treasury, through the accrual accounting system, measures depreciation and also through some of the corporate charges allocated by DCIS. The Treasurer offered the member for Greatorex a briefing on accrual accounting. Likewise, I join with the Treasurer to take the member for Greatorex through that, and probably even make it a more specific briefing about the Health budget. It is possibly something on which Treasury and Health can join together because Health is a very considerable budget at $838m. If the member for Greatorex wishes to contact me and arrange that, I am sure we can explain some of the intricacies of the budget and how the accrual accounting system works.
The member for Greatorex also talked about the different positions adopted by Kevin Rudd as opposed to John Howard over funding for hospitals. I think everyone in this House and most commentators recognise that there are considerable differences between Labor federally and Kevin Rudd, and what he is proposing as the health policy related to hospitals, and what John Howard is proposing. Contrary to the assertions of the member for Greatorex that the Territory government had been silent on that matter of Kevin Rudd’s offer of $2bn, which everyone is aware of, and also a takeover by Kevin Rudd of the Territory’s health system - far from it, Madam Speaker.
The Chief Minister has made our position very clear. We do not support the Commonwealth taking over our hospital system. As the Chief Minister said when this policy was announced, we welcome the up-front money by Kevin Rudd and Labor federally and she expressed the confidence that we could negotiate our way through the issues that have been raised by Kevin Rudd. We all want to stop that blame game, but we want more GPs, better access to services, and fewer people in hospital. These are all the things that Kevin Rudd and Labor nationally are talking about - the same things that state and territory health ministers are also talking about.
We want to stop the blame game. We want to work constructively with the federal government and we want to ensure that these services are offered. As you pointed out, Madam Speaker, when you were Health Minister, at the last Australian Health Care Agreement, which is, essentially, the agreement around funding for hospitals, we really started behind the eight ball. By almost by a sleight of hand, the federal government ratcheted it back to the beginning of the old agreement, not the end of the last agreement. We were right behind the eight ball before we started. Therefore, it is little wonder that state and territory governments are having to find a shortfall of $1bn annually to make up what the federal government is not putting in to our health system.
In contrast to John Howard, who seems to be switching from poll to poll - one minute he is going to take over hospitals and the next he is going to put boards in charge of them - universally, most of the health groups and those with long experience in health have said this idea of boards will not work. Why would someone want to take on the responsibility of running a hospital like Royal Darwin Hospital with a budget of somewhere around $207m per year? Why take on all the responsibility, the liability, the recruitment, the nitty gritty of the finances, knowing the growth in the hospital system? Why would someone in our community want to take on that responsibility? They might have a business, they might be a health professional or whatever, but why would they want to do it? That is the sort of job we entrust to our health professionals - people like Len Notaras, and those who control the finances in Royal Darwin Hospital. Certainly, there is a role for hospital boards within our system, but they are clearly defined within our act. We welcome the contribution of our hospital boards in having community input - putting the community’s point of view within the running of the hospital. I have not met anyone within our hospital boards who actually wants to take on the full responsibility of running our hospital. John Howard is right off the mark there and I believe most people recognise it.
The member for Greatorex talked about the super clinic, asking who is going to pick up the bill and whether we are going to have input into the planning, etcetera. I can assure the member for Greatorex that the predominant funding is coming from the Commonwealth. The Territory will fit in with the Commonwealth to deliver more services at Palmerston. We will negotiate that, and we will have input in the shape and size of that clinic in the physical building and also the services.
The member for Greatorex said that the super clinic would be run from Canberra. Well, that is not so. If he cared to look, there are a number of super clinics, and that model is running elsewhere in Australia. We can supply him the names of a few places of where super clinics are currently operating. They are certainly not controlled by Canberra. There is a framework there for health professionals to come in and deliver services. I believe it is a very good idea.
He also asserted that there is no after-hours services in Palmerston. That is not so. I know there were a few GP services out there after hours, but I am advised the exact numbers are: two GP practices during the week which offer after-hours services; and three GP services on the weekend. The Palmerston Medical Centre received some funding from the Australian government of $200 000 for round-the-clock Medicare after several rounds. I welcome that Commonwealth investment. However, there needs to be more, and that is why I believe the 24-hour super clinic proposed by Kevin Rudd is such a great idea.
The member for Greatorex talked at length about Mental Health Services. He raised some very good issues in relation to mental health, such as suicide and provision of mental health services. Just to let him know, Mental Health Services is run through Family and Community Services. These are issues for the member for Arafura, and I am sure she will be glad to address issues as the member for Greatorex raises them with her. As I said, he raised some good issues, but not really part of the statement about hospitals - not a direct part anyway, because it is a separate area of Family and Community Services.
The member for Greatorex talked about the Report on Government Services 2007. He pointed to elective surgery and complimented us on our elective surgery initiative. However, he did say that we were faring poorly in elective surgery. Yes, we can do better, but from what we see in the Report on Government Services 2007, at figure 9.11 on page 9.24, we are in the middle of the pack in terms of our elective surgery. We want to move up the list, but we are certainly not coming last by any stretch of the imagination. Median waiting time in the Northern Territory was 32 days, Australia-wide it is 32 days and, overall, I am advised that 73% of all public elective surgery patients are seen within the recommended time, but this will improve further through the elective surgery waiting list blitz. Going to the number of elective surgery admissions in the Northern Territory, we are the highest in Australia, per 1000 of weighted population. We have a lot of pressure on our elective surgery, but we are rising to the occasion and we are kicking a lot of goals within there.
You will also find many good stories in there. There are many green tags on this book I have here, and each one represents that the Territory is doing well over a whole range of areas within our hospitals.
The number of doctors per capita has risen to the highest since we came to government, expenditure per capita, our hospital staff per thousand population, all our beds are accredited - there are many good news stories. You can go in there and find some things which need to be improved. I certainly look through this book and see the things which need to be improved, and I work with the department to try to improve them. We always have to be on our game. This is why this is a good report, and we need to take heed of what is in it.
The member for Greatorex gave us credit for the Rapid Admission Unit and said he would be scrutinising its performance closely. I welcome that also. He asked if he might have tours of all our hospitals in the Territory. I am more than happy, member for Greatorex, for you to tour the hospitals. I also want to afford you a brief about our acute care services in our hospitals to give you a framework for when you visit the hospitals. I am sure you will be impressed as I am with the dedication of the staff, the way they look after patients, and what they all do at a regional level. Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Gove, and Darwin have great work going on within our hospitals.
The Treasurer addressed some of the issues on accrual accounting. He also talked about the systematic slashing by the Commonwealth of expenditure into hospitals in Australia. He made a good point, that partly the $17bn surplus the Commonwealth now sits on really comes about through cost shifting because they are not funding hospitals to the level they should. As I said in my statement, we are now picking up 60% of what used to be a 50:50 relationship in funding with the Commonwealth for our public hospitals. I thank the Treasurer for his input.
The member for Sanderson gave a very personal view of hospitals and the health system. His wife, Marie, has worked across the Territory in a lot of roles. He has also travelled extensively. He pointed to the increase in funding since 2001 as being an important achievement of this government. I thank the member for Sanderson for his contribution to this debate.
As I said previously, it is a shame the member for Arafura, because of a family bereavement, is unable to contribute. I miss her contribution.
The member for Millner gave a thoughtful contribution. I take his compliment of being a Health Minister who has also had experience as a researcher and a health professional in a former life. The new CEO, Dr David Ashbridge, has worked as a DMO right across the Top End and knows the health system inside out. He has also worked in the administrative area. We are very fortunate to have a CEO with the talents and experience of Dr Ashbridge.
Dr Len Notaras heads up Royal Darwin Hospital. He is a fantastic person who has done a lot for the hospital, putting the Territory on the map regarding our emergency response. He is a well-known and well-loved figure. The nursing staff and all other professional and support staff who work in our hospital are also fantastic.
The member for Millner talked about the unique demographics of the Territory and the challenges that presents us in providing health services for 56 000 people. It seems like a small number, but they are big challenges. He is also proud to be part of a government which is rising to those challenges. He touched on the way the CLP distorted the health budget for presentational purposes before they lost the election in 2001, just to give the appearance that they were ratcheting up health expenditure when they were not. Our increases are real, substantial, and are having an effect.
The member for Greatorex mentioned cross-border expenses. I am informed that the expenditure is up-to-date. There is no risk to Territorians for having any refusal about interstate authorised treatment.
Radiation oncology was also an issue raised by the member for Greatorex. I will just say that the viability of this unit depends on the population base from the whole of the NT and, possibly, other areas of the Northern Australian region.
Madam Speaker, I will close by thanking all members for their contributions. It is a very important topic. I am enjoying being Health Minister. I know there are many challenges. I know that there are deep issues and things can go wrong in our health system. However, the message is getting out that this is a government which is investing heavily in our health system and in our hospitals. We have done a lot, there is more to do, and I will be keeping the House informed over the next year or so of developments within our hospital system. There are many positive developments, as I said before, to come within our primary health care system in partnership with the Commonwealth. There is significant extra funding, and that will have a real benefit, particularly for indigenous Territorians. We know the challenges there. I am glad that we are looking for partnerships with the Commonwealth government for the Aboriginal medical sector within the Territory, looking at new ways of doing things so that we can support people to enjoy better health and better health outcomes in the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, I commend the statement to the House.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
ADJOURNMENT
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I congratulate two of my young constituents for sporting achievement: Emily Moo from Nakara and Michael Coombes from Tiwi. Both students have been selected to represent the Northern Territory in their chosen sport. I was happy to make a small contribution to both students’ travel to their forthcoming representative commitments. Emily has been selected to represent the Northern Territory Primary School Tennis Team at the Bruce Cup Tournament in Tasmania. Michael has been selected to compete in the 2007 Australian School Sport Track and Field Exchange, and we certainly send Michael all the best. I am sure they will both be great student ambassadors and assets to their sporting teams.
Recently, I visited the Nakara Primary School with Education minister, Paul Henderson. The minister was very impressed with the terrific MAP testing results the students received. Nakara Primary is in the forefront of primary schooling in the Northern Territory, mainly due to the involvement of parents with their children’s education, and also due to the dedication and enthusiasm of the teachers and staff. Well done, Nakara Primary.
To end last term on a high note, Nakara Primary’s Indigenous Educational Worker, Ms Jeanie Hampton, organised a wonderful day of activities to celebrate NAIDOC. The entertainment was terrific and it was enjoyed by the whole school community. There was story telling by respected elder, Mrs Lorna Fejo and past student Nigel Browne, didgeridoo playing by Eddie Kitching and a couple of very talented young students kept everyone entertained. We were all later treated to a feast of traditional bush tucker and damper. I was very impressed by the young children trying the traditional Aboriginal dances.
Nakara also won the Tournament of the Minds again and I was very proud to hear of students’ achievements. I congratulate Nakara Primary for winning the Language and Literature section in the recent Tournament of the Minds state/territory competition. Congratulations to team members Kate Joyce, Melissa Nayda, Tarra Brain, Ina Geronimo, Patty Thaoinpak and Jennifer Schaefer, and facilitators, Katrina Otway and Vicki Manley for their terrific win. They will be travelling to Canberra to compete in the national finals on the 20th of this month. I was very happy to provide them with a donation to assist them with their fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of their trip. I wish them all the best in the national finals in Canberra and I look forward to hearing all about their trip when they return.
Literacy and numeracy are very high on our education curriculum. Thank you, Alawa Primary, for inviting me to share in your Literacy and Numeracy Week celebration recently. It was a huge day of events called Alawa Alive. I was fascinated to see all the students and their teachers dressed in costumes representing characters from mythology, fantasy and fairy tales. I was pleased to help Principal, Sharon Reeves, to present awards to students from Strong Beginnings and Ignition classes. It was terrific to see so many students receiving awards for improvement in their literacy and numeracy. I was so impressed I donated $100 for new library books for the Strong Beginnings and Ignition students. The day ended with a whole school community picnic in the courtyard. It was a great day and I congratulate Alawa Primary.
I also attended the Alawa Primary Assembly on Friday, 14 September, to present my regular student achievement awards to students Kallum Bourke and Eric Stewart. Congratulations, boys, for your outstanding efforts in all areas.
Of course, I do not only have primary schools in my electorate. The Dripstone High School Beautification Team consists of a group of young, enthusiast ladies who are very proud of their school and want to make it even better. They wrote to me requesting a donation to assist them with expenses. I was very impressed with their dedication and pride in their school and visited them to present a donation. They invited me to see the work they had done to improve the music room, which I was impressed with. The music room now is a much brighter and happier looking place to be in. Well done to teachers Allana Herrod and Phil Bloomfield and students Mohini, Brittany, Roxy, Sam and Catherine.
One of the schools that I do not mention very often but which does exist is the Royal Darwin Hospital School. Recently, I visited the school and met with staff, Ann and Sue. I was delighted to meet student Vincent from Nguiu who entertained us with his music skills, and Lisa from Elcho Island who showed me her computer skills. I had the pleasure of sharing painting with Jacqui of Howard Springs, who fell out of a tree and broke her arm. I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with the students and teachers who are a very long way away from their families and homes. I was so impressed that I made a promise, as a Christmas present, I would get them a new flat screen monitor for their computer to replace the very old bulky one the children currently use.
I will finish on a very sad note. A very good friend of mine and Mr Dominique Lambrinidis who was a constituent of the member for Johnston - and I understand the member for Johnston will make an adjournment on him - recently passed away. I first met Dominique when I came to Darwin in 1993. He was always involved with others in the Greek community. When I met him he was heavily involved in the Greek School, and he continued to be involved with the Greek School until his death. He was also involved with the Greek community, with the Seniors Group and with the Greek Church. I want to give my heartfelt condolences to Dominique’s wife, Poppy, and children, Spiro, Sylvia, George, John, and Theo, on the loss of their beloved husband, father and grandfather. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend his funeral because I was in Melbourne. Madam Speaker, I was very saddened about that, but I will never forget Dominique.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I continue with my report to parliament in relation to my study tour, and I invite readers of the Parliamentary Record to refer to my reports last night and the night before. I will continue tonight from where I left off last night.
There are community gardens that are well used and national parks, or NParks as it is known, that facilitates communities and assists individuals to plant and maintain gardens in common areas. There are a number of similarities between Darwin and Singapore: our temperatures are similar and we both are tropical. Indeed, one sees many of the same trees in Singapore as those we have here in Darwin. In the CBD of Darwin, we see significant high-rise develop. While the CLP and Labor disagree on the direction of planning and development in the CBD - the CLP preferring what is described as the gothic model - we are, I believe, all committed to ensuring that what is developed is attractive. People are concerned about high-rise blocks of units being too close together, the lack of green spaces, and the need for there to be more parks in public areas for the people. This is where we can learn much from what has and what is continuing to be done in Singapore.
I have heard the Chief Minister, in relatively recent times, talk about a ribbon of green around Darwin. I support that, but I believe we can do better, and I will announce, in due course, how I think this can be achieved. In the meantime, however, I indicate that if I were Chief Minister, I would facilitate departmental cooperation with NParks so that we can be assisted in the design and scoping of Darwin’s greening for the long term. The Chief Minister said some time ago that she wanted Darwin to look like Singapore. This is not a view that I or, for that matter many others, support. However, there are aspects of Singapore that would add to Darwin’s beauty and ensure benefits to residents that are aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally sound and socially cohesive. There are economic benefits that can be gained from developing a closer relationship with Singapore and, in particular, those at NParks and the other parts of the department to which I have previously referred.
I met separately with Mr Neil Power and, then again, with him and his colleagues at NParks. Neil is the Assistant Director of Industry Development. He was also the past Chairman of the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture. Neil is an Australian who has been contracted for two years to work with NParks to develop horticulture in Singapore. This is a fabulous opportunity for Darwin and the Territory and, together, Neil and I developed a range of options that would be to our - and by that I mean Singapore and Darwin’s - mutual benefit, and I thank him for his creativity and enthusiasm.
Briefly, there are a number of very tangible and important benefits of collaborating with Singapore and, in particular NParks, in developing our and their horticultural industries. Singapore is well placed as the potential knowledge and city in the garden hub for Asia. Given our proximity to Singapore, we should explore the possibilities this creates. Collaboration between Singapore and Darwin can provide expertise, labour and capital critical mass to compete on the world market. There can also be the promotion of trade and investment in new lifestyle with the horticultural products and services. Put simply, there can be partnerships in a range of projects of mutual benefit, that might include conferences, events, workshops, etcetera. I am sure Neil and I will continue to work together on a range of possibilities so that, in the long term, tangible benefits can be delivered.
One such possibility that, perhaps, the government might like to consider in the meantime is that our Cooperative Research Centres should look to work with researchers in Singapore to identify and develop opportunities to collaborate on an array of projects. The possibilities really are endless, and I would like to see government doing more to make the most of the opportunities that exist. I was unclear, from the Chief Minister’s reference she made in a previous report in relation to Singapore, whether there was an intention by government to cultivate further relationships and develop a working relationship with NParks. I urge government to get on with the job and to foster those relationships, because there are a number of tangible benefits.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, that concludes my report. As I have said over the last couple of nights, I did return with a great deal of material, which I am happy to provide to anyone who is interested. I also take this opportunity to thank members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as Madam Speaker, for their assistance with this study tour. I am one of those politicians who believes that politicians should study. The world does not begin and end in the Northern Territory. All of us, I believe, become better politicians as a result of broadening our mind, as travel does. It is a necessary part of our job. Government ministers do it for a number of reasons. As Leader of the Opposition, it is important, as it is for local members. I said that I would also send a letter to the Tourism Minister. I see he is just over the Chamber from me. He will probably get that letter tomorrow or next week ...
Mr Henderson: Yes, I heard you last night.
Ms CARNEY: Yes. I believe there are real benefits there. With that, I conclude, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I will start tonight by congratulating Robyn and David Malady of Brolga Homes. Brolga Homes, as reported in the Northern Territory Business Review section in today’s paper, won three Housing Industry awards in the Tropical Homes, Display Homes ($300 000 to $450 000) and Energy Efficient categories. They also picked up two Territory Construction Association Awards for Best Display Home and Excellence in Building for the Northern Territory Climate. The Energy Efficient award makes the company a national finalist.
Robyn and David live out Palmerston way, and I have known Robyn for many years. She used to work with my sister many years ago and we became friends at the time and, indeed, she came to my wedding. Congratulations to Brolga Homes for those awards, and also for looking to become a carbon-neutral company.
On Sunday, 16 September, the Palmerston Game Fishing Club held their annual Junior Angler Education Clinic. This clinic covers several broad areas: safety; issues such as dangerous marine animals; how to identify common Northern Territory fish; fish handling and release; and, of course, marine safety.
Lures was, as the name suggests, all about what type of lure to use, and when. It covered the best time to use hard and soft lures, how to tell a deep diving lure verses a lure designed to skip across the water, and in which situations you would use each. I can advise that, as well as the young anglers who were taking part there were quite a few mums and, especially dads, who were listening quite closely to the education session as well. Knots was another area taught to the students - basic knots used in fishing. Lastly, there was the rod casting segment which covered basic rod and reel care, as well as rod casting.
On the Palmerston Game Fishing Club website, there is a fantastic little feature there which will teach you how to do some of the basic knots used for fishing as well. If someone as simple as me can follow it and actually make it work, anyone can.
The morning finished with a barbecue lunch and awards ceremony. Every entrant received a rod and reel combination, tackle and tackle box. The club also supplied drinks and sunscreen throughout the day. The 100 kids who participated had a great time, and I thought it was a great use of Sanctuary Lake Park in Gunn which is, of course, in my electorate of Brennan. The event also got some coverage though local newspapers, so it was good to see the local newspapers supporting it.
I thank the Palmerston Game Fishing Club members for holding this event. It takes considerable personal investment of time. The club members are fantastic; they are a great bunch of people. Ray Colley, the vice president, pulled it all together. To give up half your day, when you could be out fishing, is to be commended. I also thank the support the event received from business. I thank the major sponsors, Happy Mick’s Tackle and Tents, Shimano and Bozo’s. Other sponsors were C-Max Cinemas, Nortruss Builder Supplies, Boost Juice, Palmerston City Council, Rotary, the Marine Safety Branch and Reidy’s. It is fantastic that those businesses and organisations support this local club, and are also supporting local youth.
As I said, the children had a fantastic day; there was lots of laughter. There was a reasonably 50:50 mix, I thought, of girls and boys amongst the – I cannot call them contestants - participants on the day …
Mr Kiely: Anglers.
Mr BURKE: Anglers.
That same day I also assisted at the Palmerston Bunnings barbecue, helping Satellite City BMX Club with their fundraiser. We had an extremely busy time; there were many sausages sold and quite a few drinks. I am sure the club managed to raise quite a bit of money to support their endeavours. The Satellite City BMX Club has been going for some time. This is another fantastic activity that gives our young people something to do - an outlet for all that energy. They go from quite young, right through to the early teens.
On 4 September, I attended Anglicare open door afternoon at its Palmerston office to meet the staff who are based there. The staff at the Palmerston office work with young people who are homeless. Anglicare does very important work, and this office is extremely important in keeping in contact with and supporting young people in Palmerston and the surrounds who are going through very difficult times. The staff, whilst I was there, were telling me it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find emergency short-term and medium-term accommodation options for their clientele. This is something I have passed on to the Minister for Housing and will continue to talk about, as we need to ensure as best we can that there are options for young people who have found themselves in tight spots and homeless and on the street. It is not just because, as some people might say, they have been leading the wrong type of life, but because there are genuine reasons of disputes at home, or reasons why the home is not the place they feel safest. Couch surfing or being out on the streets is a better option for them. It is a sad reality that that is the case for some of our young people, not just in Palmerston, but throughout the Northern Territory.
On a happier note, I was extremely happy to participate in, and attend, the Palmerston Library for the National Simultaneous Storytime on 6 September. I read a book called the Magic Hat to a gathering of children and their parents. I had a great time, and I hope the children did as well. We had a lot of dancing and dress-up. I knew about the dress-up but the dancing was bit of a surprise, as it was for some of the young children who were nearest to me.
Thanks to Sally at the library for getting me involved. I am more than happy to be involved in the future, either for this event or just read a story at the regular story time which is held at the Palmerston Library. It is a great initiative and I congratulate the library for helping parents have an outing with their children in a reasonably easy way. There is not much hassle other than getting themselves and the kids there, and the kids have a fantastic time, as do the parents. Just getting out of the house is something that needs to be encouraged. So, congratulations to the Palmerston Library.
I recently attended another of Bakewell Primary’s Blue Light Discos. Congratulations to the police unit which provide these, and also thanks to the teachers and parents who gave up their time to stay with the children to supervise. I always find it great fun as it is a chance for me to talk to the kids who go to the school and find out what is going on their lives, and also to talk to parents and teachers. It is great interacting with children, and one of the best parts of this role is the ability to get invited to participate in these events.
It gave me great pleasure to attend the Palmerston Cricket Club’s presentation night as club patron. It was another excellent night in Palmerston, and it was held at Cazalys. I thank them for their support of not just the cricket club, but all of the local clubs, and the contributions they make on a regular basis to those clubs - not just the donations they make to the ones which are the original affiliated clubs, but to other clubs in the Palmerston Club. My congratulations to Cazalys.
The Palmerston Cricket Club did not bring home any silverware this year as it did last year, but the club spirit still remains high. I congratulate Bob Bayly, the president, on another outstanding year. It was great to catch up with him, and also good friends of mine, Anthony and Mai Dent. Anthony has been a stalwart of the club, and this year was captain of the Palmerston D Grade side. I could tell he took great pleasure in not just awarding various trophies to team members, but also with some of the tales he was telling of some of their exploits throughout the season. Congratulations to the B Grade team, the A Grade team, the women’s team and the C Grade team for their endeavours, and to all of those who were awarded trophies.
This year, Darwin hosted the Australian Sister Cities Association Conference. I was a bit surprised that Palmerston council was not represented as they, of course, have a sister city relationship with Kupang. I have been involved in Sister Cities since 1991 when I was one the founding members of the Youth Sister Cities organisation. I was rather flattered to be asked by Jan Collins and other representatives of Darwin City Council if I would give two talks - one to the youth conference and one to the main conference - about how to set up and run and keep youth interested in a Sister Cities youth group. I note the Palmerston Council does not yet have one. I encourage it to do so. I will make it clear: I do not mean that as a criticism at all, just that it is something that enhances any Sister City program. I will talk to Rob Macleod and other councillors about trying to get young people involved in it. It is very fulfilling; young people have a sense of civic pride, pride in their city, pride in what is going on, they learn important skills and they have fun whilst doing it all. I heartily encourage any local government organisation to do what it can to get young people involved in its Sister Cities movement.
Recently, I was at the opening of the new bakery building at the Palmerston Campus of CDU. It is a fantastic facility. I was there when it was opened by the federal minister. It will go a long way to training apprentices and other trainees in that and related industries. For people who do not know, they sell fresh bread from one of the windows at the facility at a discount price. I will see you all down there one morning buying some bread from our local apprentices. They also do cakes and other wonderful things. Congratulations to CDU on another fantastic facility.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I want to make comment tonight about wearable works of art at the Wearable Arts Awards which were held in Alice Springs as part of the Alice Springs Festival. I do not think many people realise just how stunning and outstanding it is.
This year, we had a children’s section for the first time. I was very pleased to be able to sponsor two of the prizes. We had 18 young people under the age of 12 enter the category. I always admire people’s creativity and inventiveness. They certainly did not let us down this year. I should add there were nine of those 18 entrants from Braitling Primary School, although a variety of schools entered. I am sure, now that it has been established, next year there will be even more.
I do not envy the judges their job in trying to determine who should get the prizes. I would love to have given a prize to all the young people who made and modelled their outfits. As always, there is only one winner and I place on record that the Creativity Award was won by Abbey Brown, aged seven, a Living Waters student. Her piece was called Dark Art, and it was a dress and shoes made from artist canvas. When the lights went out, it glowed from the fluorescent paint she had used. It was quite lovely to see this young girl in something she had made herself.
The Technical Execution Award - and this piece was acquired - was called Globe Girl created by Roisin Mulcahy who is 10 years old and is a Braitling Primary School student. She said:
- My outfit is made from light shades and some light bulbs I found at the Bowerbird shop ...
I add that the Bowerbird shop was a great source of material for both the adults and the young children:
- We wired all the pieces together to make the dress and then put the lights on to make me shine. I was inspired because I found lots of light shades at the Bowerbird shop and I thought it would be good to make something new from something old.
The Bowerbird shop is our recycle shop at the Alice Springs tip. Well done to Abbey and Roisin who took off the major awards.
The third award, which was the Territory Loan’s Children’s Encouragement Award, was won by Wednesday Pyle. She is a seven-year-old student from Living Waters. She was just a little tacker who came out in this wonderful little outfit that she had created. She had created her outfit of coloured straws. She made a dress by using many layers of plastic bendy straws, she called them, which she joined together with elastic thread to make a skirt. She was assisted by her dog, Jazzie, who was wearing a matching tutu made from the same material. She said:
- I wanted to use straws to make my dress because I love having a straw in my milkshake, and I love the pretty colours. My favourite colour is orange.
This little seven-year-old just looked delightful modelling these clothes.
I congratulate those three winners: Abbey, Roisin and Wednesday, you did a fantastic job. I just love the confidence of the young people as they get up on stage to show their outfits and to move to whatever the music is - anything like that.
There are so many wonderful little outfits they design, and you cannot mention them all. However, there was one that was made from fruit peel - orange peel. Three gorgeous dresses were created entirely from the citrus peels of fruit grown and devoured in the gardens of Alice Springs. They were three young girls, the Moyses, Gaynor and Farthing children, aged seven and nine, who went to three different schools - Steiner, Braitling and Living Waters. I just wondered who on Earth thought of this idea of making a dress with orange peel. It is that creativity that is so great.
I congratulate Marion Braun, who was the project coordinator for the wearable works of art. It was Marion’s first year doing this. It was a great success. We also had, for the very first time, not just the children’s award, but a matinee session, because the night session was always booked out early. This time, both the night session and the matinee session were booked out completely. You wonder how on Earth we can find somewhere to allow more people to see these wonderful gowns that people make.
The judges were Bek Mifsud, Kieren Sanderson and Leonardo Ortega. It must have been extremely difficult for them, because they had such a huge amount of talent and creativity to choose from. They did a great job, and people appreciated it when they stood up and actually said why they did it.
The children’s section was a huge success, shown in the afternoon. I am glad the three young winners turned up at the night performance as well. For the night performance, there were 39 entrants all told. I will not go through all the winners; however, I will comment on the People’s Choice Award. It was called Dry Town Diva. It was a magnificent crown and dress made from VB cans, bottle tops, all the things that she managed to create from, as we say, the dry river and the parks. It was, basically, recycled and stunning the way she made it. She put it all together so she had this wonderful gown and headpiece, which just proves that wire, stubby holders, plastic bags, old cans - all these sort of things - can be put together to make an outstanding piece of art. That is what it is all about, being wearable art. Congratulation to Nicky Schonkala who won with Dry Town Diva.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to table the winners of the adult section so it can be incorporated in the Parliamentary Record, because I really believe it is well worthwhile that people are aware of it.
Leave granted.
- Wearable Arts Awards Prizes:
Brian Tucker Accounting Fantasia Award:
No 4 The Colour of Magic by Carmel Ryan, Modelled by Emily Ryan.
Highly Commended in Fantasia Award: No 5 Aliform by Sharon Follett,
Modelled by Danielle Loy.
Gallery Gondwana Natural Fibre Award:
No 15 Marie Eggtoinette by Helen Brown, Karen Jones, Steph Gaynor and Jo Nixon, Modelled by Michelle Shelford.
Highly commended in Natural Fibre:
No 12 Arabian Nights by Tara Ellis, Modelled by Taya Searle.
Springs Plaza Accessorise Award:
No 19 Pearlessene by Paula Moggs, Modelled by Jenny Kroker.
- No 16 Feedback by Karen Jones, Steph Gaynor, Helen Brown and Jo Nixon, Modelled by Karen Jones.
Alice Springs Airport Desert Impressions Award:
No 23 Multiplicity by Simone Gauscoine and Allison Wheatley,
Modelled by Dacqmar Guascoine.
Highly Commended Desert Impressions:
No 22 Luma by Jo Nixon, Karen Jones, Steph Gaynor and Helen Brown.
ArtBack NT Arts Touring Recycled and Found Object Award:
No 33 Dry Town Diva by Nicky Schonkala, Modelled by Nicky Schonkala.
Highly Commended in Recycled:
No 36 Always the Bridesmaid by Franca Frederiksen, Modelled by Miriam Bond.
Jen Standish-White Student Award:
No 8 Pieces of Music by the Year 11 OLSH Students Laura Edwards and Alanna Smith, Modelled by Milly Boyle.
Afghan Traders Encouragement Award:
No 35 Rag and Tone by Kate Lawrence and Mandy Webb,
Modelled by Chloe Skoss.
Territory Chinese Medicine People’s Choice Award:
No 33 Dry Town Diva by Nicky Schonkala.
The festival was great and I shall mention that at another time. I wanted to pay particular credit to those people who created the wearable works of art. I am really pleased that I was able to sponsor the children’s awards for the first time. I thank also the other people who were involved in this, in particular Mary Menotti, Jen Standish-White and, of course, Robyn Van Dok, my electorate officer who worked so hard, and the festival director Eugene Ragghianti. It is a credit to them that such a small town like Alice can produce such a fabulous show. I wish the rest of the Territory could see the talent, the inspiration and the creativity that comes out of having a show such as this.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, first, I take this opportunity to add more to comment that was made earlier with regard to the programs that are, in my view, necessary for dealing with youth who are causing us no end of problem and consternation across, in this instance, our urban areas. Of course, it extends into our country areas as well.
As members and others in our community may know, on the occasion of being broken into by a young lad who lived in Palmerston - a 17-year-old young fellow - that caused me to focus my thoughts and produce a paper called Beyond Wildman River, to describe the type of program that, in my view, is necessary for reaching young people who, in every likelihood, will go off the tracks.
In the broad context, we have diversionary programs on one side, and incarceration in Don Dale on the other. However, there is the need for a framework of programs that operate in the middle. They are challenging to operate and they require a certain amount of courage to run, and a commitment to a notion which has been loosely described as a ‘tough love approach’. Anyone who has raised children knows that, in order to raise a child so that they are capable of going ahead without your hand upon their shoulder, you need, at times, to say no in their best interest. They may find that difficult, but you know that there is something beyond the immediate, which is built upon principles and values. Those values and principles need to be responded to, such as foregoing pleasure now so that you get reward later. Concepts like that are very important.
Our consumer society does not promote such concepts and, often, our education system does not either. The education system can be quite loose and filled with activity, but the sense of focus and discipline is largely missing in a lot of young people’s lives. The structure of education does not easily focus the minds of particularly active young people on to the task of learning how to read. The system we operate within our schooling system is okay for those who are relatively bright and can adapt to a lot of different models, but it fails those who need a more rigorous, structured approach. Systems around the world are showing this; there needs to be structure and rigour to the way we approach education. Also, those approaches must be applied in our attempts to reach young people.
It is not hard to pick a young person who appears to be going down the wrong track. To find them in Don Dale, it is almost too late. The statistics are frightening when you consider the amount of money it costs to maintain a facility such as Don Dale and see the result; largely it is a result that is immensely disappointing.
Fortunately, there are reasons for us to have hope. One particular reason for describing a concept and encouraging this kind of discussion is that I was fortunate to be visited by the Cole boys. We had a meeting in Palmerston and I discussed my concepts and their idea of a program. They said they were running something similar to this which is called the Balunu Foundation. I must say I was very impressed when I considered their project, the underlying principles which sit underneath this program and allow it to exist, and the results of the program. These are two men, Bobby and David, who have shown not just an interest but action, and that action has borne fruit in the lives of young people. They have not been supported by government; they are not running that principle where you need to have the support of government. They have shown that resolution which you need to be able to craft your own future, and not to be dependent. As a result of crafting this notion in response to the need they can clearly identify, they have received corporate support.
However, this is where the challenge lies. These sorts of programs fulfil a very important role within our community. They operated once at Wildman River, and operate in forms of one type or another across the Territory, but they need to be brought together and properly recognised and supported.
The Cole brothers provide a service which is being paid for through different organisations and operations within the arm of government of one form or another, or non-government organisations. These organisations need to find a way where they can gain meaningful support so they can operate. David and Bobby Cole are making a difference in the lives of young people. I stand as one who endorses their program as I have seen the results when the young lad who broke into my home came back to our home and made a personal and heartfelt apology for what he had done. I have followed up and he is still on the right track; only as a result of the actions of Bobby and David Cole and those who support them in the Balunu Foundation.
Their success, the benefit of which, when you track it all the way through to the economic and social implications gained by our community and the load that is lifted off publicly-funded organisations and facilities, is immense. There needs to be support for these types of organisations. I call on the government to be responsive to them, specifically to the Balunu Foundation.
I have been to support them in different forums and they have presented their message and I have supported their message. Others, likewise, across the Territory need the same sort of support. They need the role of facilitation from government - government leadership to cut through the organisational impediments which are easily thrown up when different arms of different sections can compete for funding and forget their purpose is to make a difference in a young person’s life.
That role can only be effectively filled by government because it is the funds that flow through government, either through GST from the Commonwealth or from government own source revenue, that is to be used to produce a service which is to produce an outcome. Organisations like this that largely sit outside the public sector, provide, in my view, the solution, the progress that many of our institutional organisations only dream about. I urge proper consideration of any approach that is made by Bobby and David Cole and any others from Balunu Foundation who may make their way to any member of the Northern Territory government.
I will do what I can in the role that I can play as a member of parliament - not just stand up and speak and hope someone else will do something - in generating corporate support for this organisation and any such similar organisations.
Just as a brief outline on the Balunu Foundation, these are principles that I value in my first discussion with them. I understood what they were saying, because I have seen it in the face of a young lad who broke into our home:
- The foundation acknowledges the generational inner turmoil of our people. The foundation recognises that without a long-term sustainable and realistic plan, our people will continue along a predetermined path. The foundation has hope for our people …
That is very important – hope:
- Our indigenous youth are our focus, our determination and our passion.
I have seen these words lived out in Bobby and David and the others that support them. Another set of words, which further strengthen the quality of this program:
- Blame is not an option. The past is what we learn from. The future gives us hope and the opportunity for change.
A message spoken for lives of young people who are encouraged and invited to join the journey.
The program runs broadly in its first phrase and as it exists now, with a five-day residential healing camp. The young lad who broke into our home went on this camp. Then, there is a one-day activity program after that, then a three-residential healing camp. During the first phase, the young people are asked to consider their personal life plans and to stop and think about where they are going and where they could go, and to deal with challenges that they are currently facing in their daily lives - to look at them, to acknowledge their own behaviours, to address barriers for success, the amount of control that they may have over certain situations, and plans developed to move forward. These are small steps to achieve big things: what tools and support are needed to address identified needs, mirror imaging and identifying self.
There are many different and well-established principles that run through the Balunu Foundation. I wish them well, particularly if they are established with the proper support that they deserve.
Then, they will be able to run into their next stage, which is the second phase and called Establishment Of A Place Of Maintenance. That is my great concern. In the example of the young lad who broke into our place, he has now established strength to be able to walk upon the right path. However, there are many who need a place where they can go for maintenance and regular top-ups and regular strengthening so that there can be sustained progress.
In my final few minutes, I would like to place on the record an issue that many members would have seen in the media of recent times; that is, the issue in Burma. Many memories came flooding back when I saw the Four Corners program on Monday night. In the early 1980s, I spent time in the Karen Free State, which is on the border. It is a state within Burma, along the Thai/Burma border. The Karen State is an administrative division of Burma. Control of the area is disputed between military of Burma and the Karen groups. The Karen is the second largest ethnic group within Burma. The area is referred to as Kawthoolei. The ethnic Karen are organised into a political wing, The Karen National Union, and an Army wing, Karen National Liberation Army.
Whilst we have become very much aware, again, in recent times of the rule of the military government in Burma, with a very poor record of respecting human rights, it needs to be acknowledged, as I was reminded watching that program on Monday, that the Karen and the other ethnic groups within Burma – but particularly the Karen though - have been at war, in conflict permanently, for 50 years against the Burmese. They are in a region where the central Burmese government has refused to build schools, hospitals and provide services, rather than to use the Karen Free State as a place where they can recruit porters, and brutalise and rape.
Whilst I worked there for a time in the school teaching English and assisting, and then generating, some support back in Western Australia for the Karen, it was an absolute eye opener to drive from Bangkok, through the night, and across the border into Burma to the Karen Free State, and to enter a place that is so unstable, with such deep levels of entrenched hostility and the need for survival. I arrived at a guard post in the middle of the night, to find that the first instinct of the person who was standing there in the dark was to grab their automatic weapon. Then they were advised that it was okay; this was a group coming in to assist them. I spent time there, and the school could be interrupted by gunfire across the river. Soldiers were coming in to assist in the schools with bullet wounds; just to recuperate and spend some time in the village and work in the schools. I learnt that the village that I worked in, which was largely a refugee village, in 1984, no longer exists as the Burmese government and Burmese Army made a concerted effort to wipe out this whole section. The village had been there for some time.
My thought goes out for the Burmese nation. For Aung San Suu Kyi, for those who are fighting for democracy. I urge any honourable member, in any way that they can, to provide support for the good people of Burma in their strong fight, and to despise those who stand in support of the Burmese regime.
Ms MARTIN (Fannie Bay): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to talk about Debbie Bell tonight. Debbie first opened her beauty salon, Complexions, at the Fannie Bay Shopping Centre in 1994. This year, her salon, a finalist in the 2007 Telstra Business Awards, is celebrating its lucky 13th birthday. Complexions is an Ella Bache salon. It has grown from just a two-person business to one employing six qualified therapists and one apprentice. The salon provides a wide range of beauty services, including the important range of things for both men and women: laser and electrolysis hair removal; cosmetic tattooing; micro-dermabrasions; facials; waxing; tanning and massage.
Complexions is a very busy business, providing what many people, and not just women, regard as essential services. Business is particularly frantic for the salon at Darwin Cup Carnival time and, of course, during the wedding season in the Dry. Debbie renovated her salon two years ago, expanding to a new shopfront downstairs and, effectively, doubling the available room. This has allowed her to offer an improved level of service to her increasing client base. It is great to see a small business flourish, and it is a testament to the smart leadership of the owner/operator.
I congratulate Debbie on her achievements, and wish her business happy birthday, and another lucky 13 years at least. Congratulations also to her hard-working team of Claire, Shelley, Cassie, Jessica, Megan and Daniella.
BassintheDust is an event that Centralians look forward to each year, and one we, as government, are proud to support. This years, there was a great line-up of bands, including TZU; Lowrider; Behind Crimson Eyes; Mammal; The Waifs; and internationally-renowned Jet. Jet’s performance was a highlight for many people who were lucky enough to see it. They really showed Alice Springs why they are now regarded as one of the world’s great rock bands.
As always, local bands played their part in getting the crowd going. Local favourites, Nights Plague; Tara Stewart and the Roaring Sandpods; Through Bullets and Bravery; Exit Earth; and Bloom all played great sets.
I, unfortunately, was unable to get to BassintheDust this year, but the Minister for Central Australia, Elliot McAdam, was there in the mosh pit, I understand, enjoying the atmosphere. I hear he followed Madam Speaker’s lead from last year and kicked up his heels. Madam Speaker was relatively uncontrollable in the mosh pit last year.
There were no major incidents of violence or injury reported for the day. The police had a highly visible presence and the mobile police station was also there. As always, thank you to Correctional Services’ work gangs who helped prepare and clean up Anzac Oval. A special thank you also - an important one - to the Alice Springs Town Council for continuing to allow Anzac Oval to be home of BassintheDust. To Paul Cattermole and Major Events, thank you for putting on another great show. While crowd numbers were not as good as last year, it was still a healthy 1700 in all. Paul and his Major Events team put on an event that ran smoothly and brought together some of Australia’s best music to the Centre. Finally, a big thanks to the Alice Springs community for supporting the event.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, the devastation caused by the recent bushfires in Greece was horrific and a tragedy for the country. Sixty-four people lost their lives and around 1500 were injured. When the fires were finally doused, 15 000 people had lost their homes, and more than 2.5 million acres of forest and agricultural land was destroyed. Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending one of a series of fundraising events staged by our Greek community. All proceeds are headed to Greece to the victims of the fires. The festival was organised by the Greek Orthodox Community and the Consul-General of Greece in Australia. It was a real collaborative effort involving the Kalymnian Brotherhood, the Cyprus Community, the Hellenic Macedonian Association, the Greek School and the Greek Orthodox Church.
There was no shortage of entertainment with the Opa Dance Group, the Mediterranean Dance Group, activities for kids and, of course, lots of great food. There was soccer right throughout the day - I should probably call it football. It started with the young ones and, by the time I got there, it was the Over 35s who were playing. Some of those Over 35s were in their early 60s. What an impressive display! Greece played the rest of the world and, on both sides, there were fellows who were well over 50 and, sometimes, just over 60, who were showing the younger ones just how to play. It was impressive. Greece just beat the rest of the world 5 to 4 in that match. I pay tribute to the Over 35s; they looked great. Damian Hale was a rest of the world participants who said he had not played - he is Aussie Rules - a lot of soccer, but I thought he did very respectably. There was great entertainment, as I said, on the day. I will be personally encouraging the members for Wanguri and Casuarina who were there during this Over 35s match to get their boots on next time and play in the seniors.
It was great to see John Anictomatis, the Honorary Consul for Greece in the Territory there. I take this opportunity to congratulate John Nicolakis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community, and Tony Miaoudis for their huge efforts in organising the event, and John Nicolakis for actually playing in that Over 35s match. Of course, to all the volunteers and everyone working on the food and drink stalls - great effort. Our thoughts are with the victims of the fires and I thank everyone who came along and supported this great event.
Finally, the health and wellbeing of all Territorians is vital to our future. Alice Springs-based GP, Dr Peter Tate, is doing his part to improve the health of Aboriginal Territorians, and was last weekend awarded the GP of the Year Award by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The award recognises commitment to general practice, service to the community, and involvement in training and professional development.
Dr Tate has been a GP at Congress for 23 years, as well as being the visiting Medical Officer at the Alice Springs prison, and working at the Pintubi Homelands Health Service at Kintore. Dr Tate is involved with a number of community organisations including the Medical Association for the Prevention of War; the Australian Conservation Foundation; Oxfam; Community Aid Abroad; and Mdecins Sans Frontires, Doctors Without Borders. Dr Tate is a fine example of commitment and dedication to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. On behalf of everyone here, I congratulate him on what is a most prestigious award. Well done.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, on Wednesday, 10 October, at 9.30 am, I had the honour of marching with the Sudanese Community from Mindil Beach up the hill to Gilruth Avenue along Mitchell Street, where we went to the Department of Immigration and presented a petition. Then, with the community of about 50 participants, we marched to Parliament House where a letter was presented to the Chief Minister, me, ministers Henderson, Lawrie and Vatskalis regarding a grievance that the Sudanese community had with the federal government.
I will just go back a little to where that grievance stemmed from. In August, the Immigration minister, Mr Kevin Andrews, slashed the yearly intake of African refugees. At the time, it barely rated a mention. However, the story took off last week when Kevin Andrews said the reason for the cut was because many Africans are less educated, a number are refugees, and they have problems integrating. To quote Kevin Andrews:
- Modern Australia, modern urban Australia, largely, is vastly different from the conditions that people have come from in many other countries, particularly in the horn of Africa.
I would like to talk a little about the African population in Darwin. I do not agree at all with minister Andrews’ observations. I will put on the record what our African community is about in the Territory. The population statistics that I have from 1 July 2000 to 31 May 2007 were we had from Burundi, 39 people; from the Congo, 59 people; from Ethiopia, 49 people; from Liberia, 178 people; from Rwanda, 11 people; from Sierra Leone, 11 people; from Somalia, 115 people; and from Sudan, 361 people. From 1 July 2006 to 31 May, the most recent arrivals, we had 20 people from Burundi; 40 people from the Congo; no arrivals from Ethiopia; 31 from Liberia; 43 from Somalia; and 28 from Sudan. Many of the people from the African nations reside in the northern suburbs, and in Palmerston.
Around the district of Sanderson, I have the great honour of representing quite a number of Australian Africans and I am very pleased to have those people in my electorate. These people are hard-working, contribute to the community, are employed in such areas as social work; they are teachers, nurses, security guards, labourers, welfare workers, cleaners, we have them in taxis and right throughout the very fabric of our society. There is a high percentage of their children going to Anula Primary School. They are going through the system, coming out of Year 12 and lining up to go to university here.
You can see they are pretty well integrated into the community. They are a hard-working segment and they have organised themselves in a very good way. As you know, any new arrivals in the country find it hard, particularly when English might not be the first language. Many of these African nations have other European languages - not to mention their own - from the colonial days which they would have picked up as a second language. Much of the time it is not English; it is Portuguese or French.
The African community has organised itself into a number of different community groups. These are very ably handled and their presidents or representatives are all democratically elected onto committees, as you would expect. I acknowledge the community leader of the African community groups: Mr Fezile Mpehle, President of the Africa Australia Friendship Association; Mr Edward Solo, President of the African Community Council of the Northern Territory; Mr Lucien Mofalesi, the President of the Congolese Society of the Northern Territory; Mrs Lydia Ngalula Monongama, President of the Congolese Union of the Northern Territory; Mrs Fatuma Ahmed Ali, the Chair of the Somalia Community in the Northern Territory; Mr Kristopher Morris, President of the Sudanese Australian Association of the Northern Territory; Mr Albert Payne, President of the United Liberian Community in Australia; and Mr Issa Ntigahera, from the Burundi community.
All these people are out there working hard with their community members to help with the integration into our society. These people have come from predominantly refugee backgrounds. They know what it is like to live in a hard spot. They want the best for their families, and they are putting in and working hard to make a go of living in this great community of Darwin, and great country of Australia.
They are not, as minister Andrews would portray them as, troublemakers not integrating or wishing to be a part of our community. Nothing could be further from the truth. I see them in my area and have been to many functions they have organised. I will just go over some of the functions. They have community events such as the African Dinner Dance and the Fringe Festival. They contribute to the Darwin Festival and do different fundraising for Australian aid agencies providing assistance in Africa, and other community activities and multicultural events. They are heavily involved in the Sanderson Diocese, and are part of the choir at the Catholic church in Sanderson. They are members of the Police and Ethnic Advisory Group, and are on various reference groups. They are on our school and parent councils and are very much throughout the fabric of our society.
They have the Afro-Oz Soccer Club which is a development point into soccer. The kids go there to pick up the skills and then go off to other clubs. In basketball, Jock Manning represented the NT at the Arafura Games in 2005 in athletics. We have Ricky Mathews who is going to represent NT Athletics in Tasmania.
Members of the African community have also served on our court juries.
I have trouble with what Hon Kevin Andrews has stated. I cannot help but think I am in tune with the Sudanese-Australian Association on this; that his comments were purely politically motivated, particularly at this time of the election cycle. It is a very sad and dishonourable thing.
The letter to Hon Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, from members of the Sudanese community, of which copies were presented to the Chief Minister and I, states in one paragraph:
- Mr Andrews, we don’t agree as other don’t. The Reverent David Pargeter, Director of the Mission of the Uniting Church, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania said: ‘the refugees need support, not vilification’ …
How true is that statement?
- … also Mr Voloschenco of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland said: ‘Australia’s humanitarian program should be based on need and that need should be recognised with appropriate settlement policies and programs’. Your statement that ‘Sudanese are not integrating into Australian society’ is wrong ...
The Labor Party in the Northern Territory, the government, on behalf of the people of the Territory, accepted the letters from the Sudanese representatives of the community. I was saddened we did not see a bipartisan approach to this. We did not see any members from the conservative side of politics on the steps. I have not heard any mention in this House or any members from the conservative side come out against this. I urge and call on all members of the conservative side of politics and the Independents to step up to the plate and to call this exercise by the federal government what it is: base political mileage and vilification of a group that is being disempowered within this society.
If they do not come out and stand by the African community on this one, they stand condemned for sharing the views of their federal leaders on this issue. I call on them. I have seen the member for Blain at some of the African functions. He should be in this House next week, and I call on him to say that the actions of the federal government, and Hon Kevin Andrews in particular, are wrong, and he decries their motives and reasons for doing this, and that he stands by the African community.
He has the opportunity to do this next week. Then, I think, everything will be right. However, until then, I do not believe he has much call to be going to any African functions, and to stand there pretending that he is their friendly representative when, clearly, his actions decry such displays to their community.
Before I finish, I put on record my thanks to Mr Ron Mitchell and Ms Roslyn Henry from the Multicultural Council of the NT for providing me with the a lot of information about the numbers of African Australians in Darwin and the Northern Territory. They have been a great help in getting this together. They were also at the march, and it was good to see members of the community marching with the Sudanese Australians.
As I wrap up, I would like to put on record a letter to the editor that was drafted by the Sudanese Australians prior to coming on the march up the hill - the peaceful march, might I add - finally finishing at Parliament House, where they were greeted by members of the Northern Territory government as representatives of the greater Darwin and Northern Territory community. The Sudanese Australians said to the editor:
- The Darwin-based Africa Australia Friendship Association, those people who provide the annual African Dinner Dance and other well loved community events in Darwin, takes this opportunity to denounce the recent announcements by Immigration minister, Kevin Andrews, concerning African migration to Australia. Despite the disruption to their lives, of turf or border wars in their country, the horrific trauma of witnessing death and destruction far beyond the imaginings of comfortably situated Australians, and long years of refugee camp life that many of them have endured, the Sudanese are peacefully among us, sending their kids to school, going to work, university, church etcetera, leading lives we wish for all citizens.
Whatever problems of adaption they face, they have the same problems any new wave of migrants has faced. They are merely the victims of the hostility all sides of the new waves of migration face. For example, the Italians knew what it was like to be rejected; the Vietnamese were met with suspicion and fear. These latest new arrivals to Australia and all Australians, indigenous included, and that would be not before time, deserve support, encouragement and understanding, not vile lies and negativity. Singling out the Sudanese as a cause of social ills is to blame any group for no good reason. But, as they are generally black skinned, this time, there is not even need to budget for yellow stars of David or pink triangles.
Who was it said, ‘It takes good people to do nothing, but evil to triumph’, or words to that effect? In the upcoming election, readers should use their vote to rid Australia of this morally corrupt government, who will seek to maintain their hold on power by dividing the Australian community, and so by using racial vilification and appeal to ignorance and prejudice to do so.
Yours sincerely,
Fezile Mpehle
President
Africa Australia Friendship Association
I support that letter to the editor. I support the African Australians in their endeavours for a just and free society and for a society based on equality and tolerance. We pride ourselves here in the Territory of being a tolerant society. Tolerance does not come easy and must be worked on at all times. To have a government turn their back on one class of citizen, merely because of the colour of their skin and because they are disempowered, is a very low and vile act, indeed. This community has no room for racial vilification. Once again, I call on all members of parliament, particularly the members on the conservative side, to show where they stand on this issue, decry the moves and actions of Hon Kevin Andrews, and stand up for these citizens of the Territory.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, before I turn to the electorate of Johnston, I support the words of the member for Sanderson. I have met Kevin Andrews and, even though I did not agree with him on workplace laws and IR, I thought he was a pretty decent sort of a bloke. I am amazed that he has come out and said this. I join with the member for Sanderson’s call for people in the community, including members in this House, to come out in support, particularly of our African immigrants in the Northern Territory. I agree with the member for Sanderson; I have only seen good things associated with them. They are hard-working and they deserve a lot of respect. They have come to settle here and we should afford them respect and dignity. Member for Sanderson, I certainly join with you in your call.
It is with great joy that I heard that Mike and June McIntyre of Moil won the 2007 Public Housing Garden Competition. Mike and June won the Best House Garden Category, as well as the Overall Best Garden. I have seen Mike and June’s garden develop over the years and was truly impressed by the hard work and great effort they put into landscaping and garden layout. It was a fantastic win for Mike and June, because I am told that the standard of this year’s competition was particularly high and that everyone was extremely competitive in showcasing their environments.
Congratulations to all the winners of the various categories, and especially to my constituents, Mike and June McIntyre of Moil.
Tonight I congratulate Joshua Barnes and Valerie Roussos of Wagaman Primary School, Ailie Sinclair and Riley May of Moil Primary School, and Broderick Tracker and Briana McMurray of Jingili Primary School on being awarded the Quiet Achiever Awards for Term 3. Well done, and keep up the good work.
I also mention again the exceptionally talented Grace Fuller of Moil Primary School who, as I mentioned in the last sittings, won seven medals in the NT Championships Surf Competition. Grace has now participated in the NT Championships for Athletics and received the Most Outstanding Hurdler trophy, plus gold for the 70 m, 100 m and 200 m sprints, the hurdles and the high jump, as well as a silver medal for the shot put, and a bronze medal for the discus. What an amazing all-round performance and one Grace and her family should be rightfully proud of.
Just for good measure, Grace also won a runner-up medal in the Under 11 Darwin Netball Association 2007 Dry Season competition and a trophy from the University Netball Club for her participation in the Under 11s competition. I do not know where Grace is going to find room to keep all of those awards, but I am sure Mum and Dad will make sure there is plenty of room somewhere. Grace is clearly an outstanding all-round athlete, and someone we will have to keep an eye on in the future.
Many of the kids at the Moil Primary School lead particularly active sporting lives, which is great and is something that needs to be actively promoted. To this end, the school encourages its students to bring their trophies, awards and medals to school so that their achievements can be recognised. I am pleased to also promote the kids’ achievements and would like to mention the following competitors:
Jayden Harris won the medal from the Nightcliff Cricket Club for participation in the 2007 ‘Milo Have A Go’ competition;
Jackie Liang also received a trophy from Casuarina Junior Football Club for playing in the Under 9s team;
Hugh Harbeck earned a trophy from Casuarina Junior Football Club for the Under 8s team;
Jesse Brown received a trophy from Jingili BMX Club for achievements in the two-day Open Sprocket Rockets;
Billy Browne received a medal from the Jingili BMX Club for participation in the two-day Open; and
Braxton Carruthers won a medal from the Jingili BMX Club for participation in the gruelling two day Open.
This is a list of great young sportsmen and sportswomen. I congratulate them for all their efforts.
Charlotte McRostie and Elizabeth McRostie, also from Moil Primary, are to be congratulated on raising $233 and $254 respectively in the MS Readathon for which they both received a certificate. Well done, Charlotte and Elizabeth.
As you will be aware, Tournament of Minds is a problem solving program open to teams from both primary and secondary schools throughout Australia, and Singapore and New Zealand. Last year, Moil Primary School had the honour of winning the Maths/Engineering Section in the Northern Territory. This year, the school’s social science team won the Northern Territory Primary Division and will now go to Canberra at the end of the week to complete in the Nationals. It gave me great pleasure to provide some financial assistance to help the team members attend the national final.
I am sure members of the Assembly will join with me in wishing the team of Jedda Bennett-Kellam, Helen Carroll, Stacey Gould, Nick Deveril, Sau-ching Leung and Benjamin Lu all the very best for a successful and enjoyable competition. They will be required to solve demanding open-ended challenges in one of the fastest growing interschool programs which provides fantastic educational opportunity for the youth of Australia.
The Moil lot have now thrown themselves into the demanding job of fundraising to get them to the national competition. Amongst other things, you might have seen them at Mindil Beach markets on Thursday nights trying to raise money by selling numbers for a dollar or two, or playing their musical instruments.
At Jingili Primary School I was pleased to hear that certificates of credit have been awarded for the Australian Mathematics Competition for the Westpac Awards. Congratulations to Shannen Pugh, Ryan McMurray, Luke McIntosh, Chantel Holloway, Asher Bradbury, Renae Williams, Jacqueline Withers, Lance Schmidt, Kailin Rosas, Emma Ramsay, Theo McMahon, Jeremy Kimm, Zachary Hartley, Breanna Haase, William Anstey, Oliver Walsh, Koal Smith, Sheyanne Carne, Cohen Stephenson, Jarrah Fowler, Shaun Franklin, Anthony Mehonoshen, Mietta Russell, and Tre Manning-Watson. It is a fantastic effort on the part of all those competitors.
In other areas of the electorate I was pleased to support Dale Motter of Wagaman, who was invited to represent at the 2007 Football Federation of Australia National Youth Championships at Coffs Harbour last week. I look forward to hearing the results.
I was pleased to have lunch on Monday with the Filipiniana Senior Citizens at the Malak Community Centre, a rare opportunity as Cabinet is usually scheduled for Monday. The Executive Committee, which includes President Inday Garling - who was unable to attend the lunch but I look forward to catching up with her in the near future, Mario Aisa, Manuela Payne, and Berlinda Sarmiento do a fantastic job with the association. At the lunch it was great to see Tina Black, Peggy Alp, Marilyn Smith, Trining Sunit, Angela Fernan, Perla Fischer, Cynthia Molina, Teresita Tabuzo, Nelita Villarosa, Mely Carson and Aurora Newman. It was great to catch up with everyone and enjoy a fantastic lunch.
The FSCA has been meeting for nearly 15 years. Unfortunately, their usual venue, the Alawa Community Hall which is located on the Alawa ovals next door to the university and leased by the university, has fallen into disrepair. This has caused the association a lot of concern but, fortunately, it has been recommended to the Darwin City Council’s first-quarter budget variation in October that $35 000 be contributed to the university to enable substantial renovations to be carried out.
I was glad to write to the council and the university on this issue and really push it because the current venue at Malak is a nice place, but does not have the space. It certainly does not have the sprung dance floor that the senior citizens love. They love their music, they love to dance, to have fun and enjoy themselves and have good fellowship. Unfortunately, numbers have dropped off since they have gone to Malak because there are transport problems involved. I was glad to advocate for them. I believe the result is positive, and I will be reporting back to this House when, hopefully, the group is able to move back into the Malak Hall and I am able to go and enjoy fellowship with them and sing a few songs. They love to sing; I sing along with them, and have a very pleasant time. I look forward to this project getting under way shortly so that the Filipiniana Seniors can again enjoy the great facility provided in Alawa.
It is always great to speak about the Johnston electorate in the adjournment debate. It is fantastic to be the member for Johnston. I enjoy doorknocking and meeting the people in the electorate and getting involved in their social activities. It is a real pleasure to be reporting tonight on the many goings on within the electorate.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016