2003-05-28
- Madam Speaker Braham took the Chair at 10 am.
MOTION
Routine of Business
Routine of Business
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the routine of business be rearranged to permit the opposition response to the Budget 2003-04 to be taken at 11 am on Wednesday, 28 May 2003.
Motion agreed to.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have given permission for:
various media to broadcast live, or rebroadcast, with sound and vision, the opposition’s
budget reply;
8TOP FM radio will broadcast live the opposition’s budget reply; and
the Northern Territory News to take photographs.
RESPONSES TO PETITIONS
The CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to petitions number 23, 24 and 32 have been received and circulated to honourable members. The text of the responses will be included in the Hansard record.
- Petition Nos 23 and 24
Closure of Panorama Guth
Date presented: 18 February 2003
Presented by: Ms Martin
Referred to: Chief Minister
Date response received: 27 May 2003
Date response presented: 28 May 2003
In response to Petition Nos 23 and No 24 requesting that serious consideration be given to the preservation
of the Panorama Guth building and painting, I am pleased to advise that the facility has been purchased by
two local Territorians, Mr Terry Leigh and Mr Kevin King.
Mr Leigh and Mr King have indicated that they intend to maintain the existing tourist infrastructure and to
keep the ‘Guth Collection’ intact.
Petitioners should note that Northern Territory legislation (sections 29 and 39, Northern Territory
Heritage Conservation Act) protects prescribed archaeological places and objects, including many of the
artefacts in the Guth collection. Under the act, ministerial approval is required to carry out work in relation
to, or remove any such objects from one place to another, including to outside the Northern Territory.
- Petition No 32
Upgrading portion of Fog Bay Road
Date presented: 29 April 2003
Presented by: Mr Maley
Referred to: Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
Date response received: 27 May 2003
Date response presented: 28 May 2003
Upgrade of Fog Bay Road
The government has identified the sealing of Fog Bay Road as a government priority and
will continue with the upgrading program over future years.
and 33.2 km (except Leviathan Creek) at a total cost of $2.3m ($1m 1999-2000 and $1.3m
2001-02).
a contract was awarded to upgrade and seal Fog Bay Road from 33.2 km to Dundee Drive
(approximately 40 km). Completion of the work is scheduled for 16 July 2003.
and sealing of the Fog Bay Road between Cox Peninsula Road and Namarada Drive at an estimated
cost of $8.5m, and includes the upgrading of the four major stream crossings being Charlotte, Annie,
Rocky Rivers and Leviathan Creek.
complete the seal to Dundee Beach.
In April 2003, the Dundee Progress Association wrote to my department unanimously endorsing
the continuation of sealing westward towards Dundee Beach.
preference for sealing from the eastern end of the road, and will be providing a formal submission.
review of current priorities for projects post 2002-03 for upgrading the Fog Bay Road. This review
will consider the different positions expressed by the association, reflecting the views of residents of
the Fog Bay area, and the petitions including the views of many non-residents of the Fog Bay area.
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Tracy Aged Care Facility - Closure
Tracy Aged Care Facility - Closure
Mrs AAGAARD (Health and Community Services): Madam Speaker, it is regrettable that I must report to the House on the decision by Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens Association to close the Tracy Aged Care facility in Wood Street, Darwin.
The Commonwealth government has primary responsibility for the provision of residential aged care services nationally. I have written to my federal counterpart, minister Kevin Andrews, to get his assurance that the needs of the residents are considered during this transition period. I am disappointed that it has taken several days for the federal minister to publicly reassure residents and families that places would be found in other aged care facilities.
Tracy Aged Care provides for a mix of clients both high and low care. There are places for 57 clients including a 15-bed dementia unit at Arafura House in the grounds of Tracy Aged Care. All areas are, unfortunately, affected by the decision to close.
The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing is acting as we speak to manage the transition of residents to new accommodation, ably assisted by my staff in Aged and Disability Services. It is expected that residents will transfer to other residential aged care facilities in Darwin. In fact, as of late yesterday, I have been assured that the vast majority of low and high care residents will find places at the new Masonic facility in Tiwi which will be officially opened on 21 June 2003.
Although the Commonwealth has primary carriage of issues in relation to residential aged care services, I am determined to ensure that there is a strategy in place that will provide the best possible outcome for Tracy Aged Care residents. I am aware that Tracy Aged Care has many residents who have made a significant contribution to Territory society, including many who have contributed to the rebuilding of Darwin after the cyclone. We, as a government, care about these valued senior Territorians and will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition to a new facility.
Today, I have asked officers from my department to continue to work closely with both Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens and the Commonwealth during this transition phase. This should ensure that the residents experience the least possible disruption or anxiety in this transition. I met with the president of Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens, Mrs Marie Oldmeadow, last Sunday to discuss the current situation and the transition arrangements for Tracy Aged Care. It was a very difficult decision that the board had to make, and I extend my thanks to the Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens for their commitment to aged care in the Territory over many years.
During 2002, Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens entered into an agreement with the Uniting Church Frontier Services for that organisation to manage Tracy Aged Care for a period of two years commencing in June 2002 following a very lengthy period of trading difficulties. It is reassuring that Frontier Services have advised that they will continue to manage Tracy Aged Care for the duration of the transition phase, and that the doors will not be closed until all residents are in a suitable place. I extend my thanks to the National Director of Frontier Services, Rosemary Young, and the Territory Director of Frontier Services, Ms Sharon Davis, for their care and concern for the residents of Tracy Aged Care.
Madam Speaker, it should be acknowledged that both the current and previous Territory governments have always supported Tracy Aged Care, particularly with funding assistance. As I made reference to earlier, the Commonwealth is responsible for the delivery of aged care services throughout the nation. Territorians can be assured that the Territory government will work with the Commonwealth to ensure that the needs of the residents are met.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for her timely statement here this morning.
It is with great disappointment that I see that Tracy Aged Care is going to close in the future. As you know, the complex sits within my electorate of Port Darwin, and many of the people who live there are constituents of mine. It has provided a wonderful service over nearly three decades with support from the previous government, and we have been proud to provide that support in the past. I am pleased to hear the minister is going to be working well, with the current staff of Tracy, in order to try to assist the residents in making their move into other accommodation as stress free as possible.
However, I do remind the minister that her predecessor, the member for Wanguri, made a comment in the House in June 2001, which was that the minister cannot deny responsibility for the operation of nursing homes in the Northern Territory. He was speaking quite specifically about Tracy Aged Care at that time. So, there is a role for Northern Territory government to play in this matter.
The provision of nursing care to the aged is a complex issue. I know it has been very difficult for the Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens Association to maintain this complex. It is hard and it is difficult because of the need for it to be viable. I know the Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens Association has anguished over this decision for many, many months. I know members of the board are still very concerned and upset that they have had to come to this conclusion. I guess to some extent, it has been quite fortuitous here that we have one new nursing home about to open and another one well and truly on the drawing board. So, time wise, it has probably been as best a time as it could happen.
Once again, I thank the minister and her department for assisting in this process.
Mrs AAGAARD (Health and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her words. I would just like to make a comment on her reference to the member for Wanguri. The member for Wanguri, when he was in opposition, was talking about some very strange practices which happened at Tracy Aged Care and were investigated by the nurses …
Members interjecting.
Mrs AAGAARD: This is quite a separate issue, quite a separate issue. But, Madam Speaker, I would have to say that the Board of Tracy Aged Care, the Darwin Pensioners and Senior Citizens, came to see me in late 2001 to discuss their very serious financial problems. Since that time, we have worked very closely with them to try to sort out this problem. To then turn on the member for Wanguri, as if somehow these things are related to him - which is how I read this - is totally ludicrous. These are significant financial problems that have been ongoing for some time. Frontier Services have been in there; they have been running the organisation very well. I am very pleased that there is a transition program in place. I will be ensuring, absolutely ensuring …
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, minister. Attorney-General.
Prisoner Numbers
Dr TOYNE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, we currently have record numbers of prisoners in our gaols and record numbers in remand - a powerful indication that our law enforcement and crime prevention strategies are starting to bite and provide protection for Territorians. The latest figures show that 620 sentenced offenders are currently being detained, with another 156 prisoners on remand, and our prisons are currently running at 97% capacity. The increase is significant, particularly with the new fines recovery regime which has resulted in nearly 100% reduction in fine defaulters going to gaol, along with the reduction in the number of Indonesians held for fishing and people smuggling offences on behalf of the Commonwealth government.
One of the explanations is that sentencing lengths have increased during the time of this government. A comparison of average sentencing lengths in the last year of the CLP government and the first 12 months under this government shows a 13% increase in the average sentence lengths for all sentences, and a huge 49% jump in the average sentence length for property offenders. These figures convincingly show that our new property offence regime is targeting the right people and the right offences and showing the results we want - unlike mandatory sentencing.
We now have to look at strategies to help us manage our burgeoning prison population.
Mr Elferink: Do you agree with this, Jack? We were racists for these sorts of results. Remember that?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Macdonnell!
Dr TOYNE: Madam Speaker, I am finding it very hard to …
Members will be aware I recently had to approve the placement of previously convicted remand prisoners with sentenced prisoners as an immediate strategy to tackle overcrowding in our remand blocks. However, this is only an interim measure. We will be looking at the need for new bed capacity, but new prisons will certainly not be considered as they are a highly expensive option. We will also be looking at targeted punishments and investigating other initiatives, such as closely supervised community work orders and home detention for appropriate cases.
I want to be clear that these are not soft options. Under home detention, for example, the conditions are very strict; the sentenced offender must remain at home, must not drink alcohol and must not leave the premises at any time without permission. We are looking at use of the new electronic bracelet system to ensure that those conditions are stringently adhered to. Home detainees are subject to random checks at any time of day or night and have to submit to breath and urine testing.
What these increases in our prison numbers tell us is that our new targeted strategies to attack crime are having an impact and the serious criminals are going to gaol, and that our new property offence regime is producing results, unlike the discredited mandatory sentencing laws of the CLP. Regardless of any options we adopt, the increase in our prison population and sentence lengths send a clear message that if you do the crime in the Northern Territory, you will do the time.
Mr MALEY (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his comments. It always astounds me when people talk about things they do not know anything about. There is an issue about the remand prisoners being in the general prison population, but the real issue is what is this government going to do about that? What is this government going to do about increasing capacity and properly resourcing Correctional Services?
The real reason why there are more people in prison is because of the economic downturn caused by this government. This will invariably lead to higher rates of offending. For the minister to stand up and tout that it is because of some tough-on-sentencing regime introduced by this government is clearly incorrect, misleading and wrong. The government’s response, it seems, is to look at options to get people out. They are talking about home detention and some alternative programs.
There are some fundamental, structural problems that have to be addressed, and one is keeping remand prisoners completely separate from the mainstream prison population. The government needs to address that, and the only way to do that is to ensure that the capacity exists to deal with those remand prisoners. It may mean the resources to build or expand a section of the prison; it may mean the resources to properly support our Correctional Services officers.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I will be brief. As one who supports mandatory punishment, I must admit I found it very difficult to believe what I saw in today’s paper. There has to be some punishment - not something that might happen if you do something wrong again. That was a very serious offence, and the sentence sends out the wrong message to youth.
I have some concerns about what the minister was saying. I do not believe that remand prisoners should be mixed up with ordinary prisoners. I ask the government to urgently look at ways to change that situation. I do not think that it is the appropriate way to handle remand prisoners.
Wildman River has been closed for quite a number of weeks, and I gather it is going to be opened again. As there have been a record of number of prisoners in gaol, I have to ask why it was closed. I know the minister said that increasing the number of gaols is expensive, but there is a need for places like the Wildman River operation in other centres like Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. There is certainly a need for young people to have a chance to get away from all those bad habits and get on the straight and narrow.
Dr TOYNE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, first in answer to the member for Nelson, we are talking about adult prisoners here. Wildman River was part of our juvenile detention facilities. We may well look at Wildman River or a similar program in the case of adult, low security prisoners. That is one option we have. We will look at the options.
What I can say, though, is that I do not resile from having this problem to deal with because every single one of the increased prisoner numbers are offenders. They are people who have created victims in our community. We have to send a very strong message to offenders in the Northern Territory that we are fair dinkum and we are following up on their offences and they are going to punished according to the laws of the Northern Territory. That is happening.
We will deal with this problem as a management problem and a problem of prioritisation and resources. I will report to this House as we put arrangements in place. However, we are not going to back off on this. We are going to go after the offenders into the future.
Traeger Park Sporting Complex Upgrade
Mr AH KIT (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, the Martin Labor government made an election commitment of $5m to facilitate the upgrade facilities at the Traeger Park Sporting Complex in Alice Springs. In the recent sittings held in Alice Springs, I outlined the government’s continuing commitment to upgrade this facility in partnership with the Alice Springs Town Council and the user groups at Traeger Park. I am pleased to report that next year’s budget, presented by the Treasurer yesterday, provides a further $2.5m towards the ongoing upgrade.
Traeger Park caters for a range of indoor and outdoor sports that are conducted throughout the year. In September and October last year, prior to the Masters Games, the Alice Springs Hockey Centre was upgraded at a cost of $800 000 as the first step in our government’s commitment towards this program. Along with its usage by the Masters Games hockey participants, two national hockey games have since been played at the venue.
The Alice Springs Town Council has now prepared a masterplan, in consultation with user groups, for the staged development of the complex. Extensive consultation with the facility’s advisory committee was undertaken and the masterplan identifies a range of short, medium and long-term actions. The implementation of this plan would deliver sporting facilities capable of holding national and international events. The identified highest priorities, under the masterplan, include upgrading of the lighting of the main oval, upgrade of the grandstand, perimeter and internal fencing, entry treatments, and the necessary site services. The Northern Territory budget provides a further $2.5m program towards implementation of the masterplan, as I mentioned earlier.
The possibility of an Australian Football League pre-season match to be held in Central Australia next year has an impact on the upgrade priorities for 2003-04. The immediate priority is for an upgrade of floodlighting to the main oval. This is in keeping with the aim of the masterplan to stage development in a coordinated and useful sequence in response to stakeholder needs and funding availability. Floodlighting will also facilitate night use of the oval by other sporting groups. The budget commitment in 2003-04 will see Traeger Park well on the way to becoming one of the Northern Territory’s major sporting facilities.
I really enjoyed the recent sittings in Alice Springs. I spoke then of the government’s commitment to the upgrade of Traeger Park as a high quality sporting facility for the people of Central Australia, and I am pleased to confirm the government’s financial commitment in the 2003-04 budget. The government’s commitments towards upgrading Traeger Park demonstrates that we are a government for all Territorians. I congratulate the Alice Springs Town Council, the user groups and members of the facility’s advisory team on the excellent work they are doing, and look forward to the results of our continuing partnership.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, well may the minister applaud their contribution to their election promise to the residents of Alice Springs. I grant that in ascertaining the nature of this project, it has taken some time, nonetheless, it has been done and I accept that.
However, there are other election commitments that this government has made in the same area that have been left completely unattended. One being the multi-purpose, indoor recreation facility in Palmerston, which the Palmerston community was told quite clearly that that is what they would get. Don’t you worry, if there is a change of government, it will still be respected. Money had already been put into that. And what did this government say when they came to office? ‘We will now consult the community and see exactly what they want’. Well, that community had been consulted three years before a change of government. It is just a smokescreen and an opportunity to let yourselves off the hook to make another commitment coming up to the next election. I tell you what, the Palmerston residents will not be fooled by such a thing.
The other issue is the Marrara Stadium. Granted, you made some contribution there. How about making a contribution to the contractors? How about paying the contractors and the blow-out of that budget, which will be investigated thoroughly during estimates? The contractors need to be paid.
Mr AH KIT (Sport and Recreation): Lovely to see that the shadow spokesperson for sport and recreation is fired up today, Madam Speaker. As he should understand, there was an election commitment, yes, and we will honour that election commitment. We said, quite clearly, that this will be done in this term of government. As I understand it, we still have a couple of years to go.
There cannot be a cheque written out for $7m and handed over. We have not even organised where that site is going to be, what the design and documentation is going to be …
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: That is how you ran government; that is not how we do business. We are going to do this properly. We said that we would do it in the term of this government; we did not say we would in the first 12 months or the first two years. We are working our way through that professionally, and we will do it with expertise.
Container Deposit Legislation
Dr BURNS (Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, the government has decided the introduction of container deposit legislation (CDL) in the Northern Territory is not viable at this time.
This has not been an easy decision to reach. We have examined the options carefully and have concluded that the only practicable means of successfully implementing CDL is through a uniform national approach. Through the Environment Ministers Council, the Northern Territory government will continue to be engaged in discussions at the national level. It is expected that, as a national packaging covenant is reviewed over coming months, CDL will remain on the agenda. In short, the Territory government is not prepared to expose itself to the likely legal, taxation and competition policy challenges that could arise from the introduction of CDL. We are not prepared to risk the possibility of significant price increases …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: We are not prepared to risk the possibility of significant price increases that could result from the introduction of CDL in a single jurisdiction. Nevertheless, litter abatement and resource recovery is an issue which remains a priority for the government.
Whilst the examination of CDL will continue at a national level, we will not continue to sit on our hands. Instead, the government has endorsed a comprehensive five-point plan for reducing litter and improving recycling across the Territory. Our plan will comprehensively address litter of all types, not just beverage packaging. It will include initiatives to address litter in public places, fast food outlets and major events.
There is no simple solution to litter and recycling; it requires action on a number of fronts. Both the community and manufacturers must take responsibility for ensuring that our environment remains clean. Some of the initiatives that are being proposed here are a small grants program to assist communities in improving litter and recycling; funding for projects that promote behavioural change and assist better litter and recycling services such as litter bin trials and public place recycling trials; and funding support for the Territory Tidy Towns program.
Mr Dunham: Shame on you. Territory Tidy Towns, there is a new one.
Dr BURNS: Another point - I hope you are listening - the creation of a litter and resource recovery fund that funds strategic projects such as better market development for recycled materials; strengthening the Litter Act and Waste Management and Pollution Control Act to ensure litter bugs are appropriately fined and that manufacturers act responsibly to reduce the impacts from packaging; and lastly, requiring government agencies to prepare plans to reduce and recycle waste and promote environmentally friendly purchasing.
This government acknowledges that there is significant community support for strong measures to reduce litter and increase recycling, and this has led to considerable support for CDL. Nevertheless, we do not anticipate the introduction of CDL over the next three years. Instead, we will pursue a range of flexible initiatives strongly focussed on achieving less litter at the local level.
The Beverage Industry Environment Council (BIEC) has indicated it is prepared to invest up to $500 000 per annum for litter abatement in the Territory. Over the coming weeks, I will be negotiating with BIEC as well as other industry sectors that contribute to the litter stream, that a community obligation rests with them and all manufacturers whose packaging and products litter our towns, communities, streets and parks.
I anticipate that in August I will bring forward a ministerial statement that will include comprehensive strategies, costing and funding arrangements, and that will provide an opportunity for a full parliamentary debate.
CDL remains an option for the future but it has become patently clear that the model preferred by the Territory community could only be implemented through a national system involving the Commonwealth and other states and territories. Our alternative plan incorporates initiatives that will encourage everyone in the community to participate in activities aimed at reducing litter across the Territory. It is a comprehensive plan, it is a good plan and it is a workable plan that will have positive results that we will all be able to see.
Mr REED (Katherine): Madam Speaker, that statement simply added to the rubbish that litters the whole of the Northern Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Government members, order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, order!
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I welcome the minister’s statement but what it proves is that the beverage industry is behind this and that is what it is all about. That is why they caved in. The beverage industry put the pressure; and the other side of the pressure against introducing CDL was: ‘Here is a cheque for $500 000’. We have been down that path before. I was a member of the Territory Anti-Litter Committee which was funded by the same industry that makes sure CDL was not introduced by the previous government.
Now, this government has done exactly that after it criticised that government for doing the same thing. I just say what a lot of bureaucratic bumph. They are not going to achieve anything because it was proven under the Territory Anti-Litter Committee that you do not change people’s ways that greatly. The simple way is CDL because when it affects the pocket it affects people’s attitudes. You can have all these nice platitudes. You can have all those people in bumble bee costumes running around all those isolated communities, but you go out to some of those communities and tell me that it made one ounce of difference to the litter. It did not. And where does litter end up? It ends up in your council dump. And who pays for that? We do!
CDL changes that and that is why it is important. I should remind the minister there was a briefing sometime around Christmas by the department which said they had a way around the so-called taxation problems. I did not hear one thing after that. I did hear a lot of pressure from the beverage industry and then things changed. So, make your own assessment as to what happened.
Dr BURNS (Heritage and Environment): Madam Speaker, the comments by both the Opposition and the Independent member for Nelson clearly underscore the fact that a reasoned, informed debate needs to occur on this very important issue. I have heard nothing from here or from there that would convince me otherwise to that which I heard when I attended the ministerial council in Melbourne and the South Australian minister talked about the possibility of a legal challenge - more than the possibility of a legal challenge. I would ask the member for Nelson to just give some ear to what is being proposed here.
This is a comprehensive set of strategies that is proposed, not only for the major regional centres in the Territory but those remote Aboriginal communities that he has just talked about. I believe that this particular strategy will have a very effective and comprehensive effect on litter in the Territory. That is why I am standing behind it.
I just want to put on the public record that I have never met with the Beverage Industry Environment Council. For anyone to even suggest that somehow there is some sort of pay-off here, it is just absolutely ludicrous. I find it offensive.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: It is a little disappointing that I cannot obviously make a comment from the Chair. But I am disappointed, minister, that you did not wait to have a briefing on the proposed legislation.
Ministerial reports noted pursuant to sessional order.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 148)
(Serial 148)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
Madam Speaker, the Financial Management Act was amended in 2002 to give authority to key aspects of the Working for Outcomes framework. As members are aware, Working for Outcomes is the new financial and performance management framework which commenced in 2002-03 and represents a significant program of financial reform that is being implemented via a staged approach.
The new framework requires a major change in the way in which agencies are accountable for their performance and delivering services to the community. The framework also requires accrual accounting and accrual-based budgeting and financial reporting.
As the then Treasurer advised parliament when introducing changes to the Financial Management Act in 2002, Working for Outcomes will be implemented in stages over a number of years. This bill therefore represents the second in a series of amendments that will be required to provide legislative authority for Working for Outcomes.
The amendments in the bill are focussed on whole-of-government financial reporting provisions and appropriation arrangements for employee entitlements paid by the Central Holding Authority. The amendments are technical in nature and need to be enacted by the end of the 2002-03 year to facilitate the transition to accrual-based reports and centralised appropriation arrangements. Thus, the bill specifies a commencement date of 30 June 2003 and has a specific application clause.
A special appropriation provision in the Financial Management Act is necessary for superannuation benefits and long service leave payments from the Central Holding Authority to employees. This provision recognises the new centralised management of these employee entitlements and ensures legal certainty for meeting the payments. A similar special appropriation for superannuation benefits exists in the Superannuation Act and this has now been brought together in the Financial Management Act, and explicitly linked with the Central Holding Authority.
The bill contains technical amendments necessary to enable the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement to be presented on an accrual basis, and enable greater consistency with the requirements for a Fiscal Results Report under the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act.
These amendments will improve the transparency and consistency of the Territory’s whole-of-government financial reports and will ensure that the range of financial reports, including the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement and the budget, are presented on a consistent and comparable basis. Accordingly, as the 2002-03 budget was accrual based, it is important that the 2002-03 Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement is also able to be presented on an accrual basis.
Importantly, it needs to be noted that accountability to the Territory community is not reduced by these amendments; it is, in fact, enhanced by the provision of more information under accrual accounting requirements. In this regard, where there is no specific provision in the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act for information required in section 9 of the Financial Management Act, the current provisions have been retained in the legislation. This applies to the reporting of write-offs, waivers, postponements, gifts and ex gratia payments approved by the Treasurer.
It further needs to be noted that the changes proposed for the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement are only related to the transition to accrual-based data. Other important provisions that specify preparation time and audit requirements have not been changed.
Changes are also proposed to the Treasurer’s Quarterly Financial Statements under section 8 of the Financial Management Act. The act is being amended to clarify that quarterly statements are required for each of the first three quarters of the financial year – the September, December and March quarters. This is in recognition that the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement will, in effect, be the report for the fourth quarter as quarterly reports are cumulative as the year progresses.
Section 8 is also being augmented to reflect an alignment with the requirements of the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act. Once again, this change is proposed to improve the consistency and comparability of the Territory’s whole-of-government financial reports, and to provide a comprehensive reporting and accountability framework.
These bills will pass in June on urgency, so opposition and independent members have just three weeks between those sittings to seek a briefing on any issues contained in the bills. We welcome that approach and Treasury will be there to provide a briefing.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Take Six Bills Together
Take Six Bills Together
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent bills entitled the Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 149); Stamp Duty Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 150); Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 155); Mineral Royalty Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 152); First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 153); Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2001 Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 154):
(a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regards to,
respectively, the second readings, the committee’s report stage in the third readings
of the bills together; and
Motion agreed to.
TAXATION (ADMINISTRATION) AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 149)
STAMP DUTY AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 150)
PAY-ROLL TAX AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 151)
MINERAL ROYALTY AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 152)
FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 153)
MOTOR VEHICLE AMENDMENT ACT 2001 AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 154)
Bills presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move the bills be now read a second time.
The bills seek to put in place a package of measures announced as part of the 2003-04 budget. Specifically, there are six bills proposing amendments to the Taxation (Administration) Act, Stamp Duty Act, Pay-roll Tax Act, Mineral Royalty Act, First Home Owner Grant Act, and Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2001. These bills are about assisting Territory business and promoting a more fair, equitable, and robust tax system. The key proposals announced in the budget involve reducing the tax burden on Territorians and Territory businesses by:
- abolishing the Temporary Budget Improvement Levy from 1 July 2003;
reducing the payroll tax rate from 6.3% to 6.2%;
exempting from stamp duty leases and franchises with an average annual rent of $30 000 or less; and
increasing the hiring duty exemption threshold from $36 000 to $90 000.
I will now address the measures included in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2001 Amendment Bill. The Temporary Budget Improvement Levy was introduced as part of the November 2001 mini-budget and was originally set to cease on 28 November 2004 for new motor vehicle registrations, and 4 January 2005 for motor vehicle registrations due for renewal on or after that date. This bill proposes to cease the levy from 1 July 2003, nearly 18 months ahead of its original cessation. This will have the effect of reducing the Territory’s motor vehicle registration fees to be among the lowest in the country and will benefit the owners of over 90 000 vehicles.
I now turn to the Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill. The bill delivers on the government’s commitment to reduce the burden of payroll tax on business by providing a reduction in the payroll tax rate from 6.3% to 6.2%, with effect from 1 July 2003. This measure will benefit all employers that pay payroll tax in the Territory, some 1400 employers. The revenue foregone from the rate reduction is expected to be $1.5m on a full-year basis. The $3m previously earmarked for payroll tax reductions in 2003-04 has been used to fund this rate cut as well as partly defray the cost of the early cessation of the Temporary Budget Improvement Levy.
In addition, the bill proposes to allow the designated group employer of a payroll tax group to lodge a single payroll tax return encompassing all members of the group and to make one payroll tax payment for the whole of the group from 1 July 2003. The amendment will assist with reducing taxpayer compliance and administration costs because at present all employers, including members of a payroll tax group, are required to lodge their own return and pay their own tax. This change follows similar treatment in New South Wales and Victoria.
The payroll tax grouping provisions relating to discretionary trusts operate when a person is a beneficiary of a discretionary trust as a result of a trustee or another person, or the trustee and another person, exercising a power or discretion. However, recent amendments to similar provisions in New South Wales have highlighted that a person may also become a beneficiary of a discretionary trust as a result of the failure of a power or discretion being exercised. The bill proposes to amend the grouping provisions to ensure that a person will be considered to be a beneficiary of the discretionary trust where they may benefit as a result of the failure of a power or discretion being exercised. As this change is an anti-avoidance measure, it is proposed to commence from 27 May 2003, the date that it was announced as part of the budget.
I now turn to the Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2003 and the Stamp Duty Amendment Bill 2003. The government is concerned about impediments faced by Territory business, and small business in particular, and is committed to doing what it can to assist business. In recognition of this commitment, the bills introduce a stamp duty exemption for leases and franchises of $30 000 per annum, or a lesser proportionate amount if the lease or franchise has a term of less than a year. Where the average rent payable under the lease or franchise does not exceed this amount, no duty will be payable. It is expected that this concession which will apply from the 1 July 2003, and will be the second highest exemption threshold in Australia, will exempt over 450 leases and franchises from stamp duty each year. Most of these leases and franchises are held by small Territory-based businesses. Importantly, stamp duty will no longer be paid in respect of nearly half of all leases and franchise agreements that were subject to stamp duty before the introduction of this concession.
To maintain the integrity of the tax base, the exemption threshold will not apply to leases executed prior to 1 July 2003, even if they are stamped after that date. In addition, refunds of stamp duty will not be given where a person attempts to minimise stamp duty by cancelling leases executed prior to 1 July 2003, and seeking a refund of the duty paid.
From 1 July 2003, the bill has also proposed to increase, from $36 000 per annum to $90 000 per annum, the exemption threshold that applies to hiring businesses before their hiring receipts become subject to stamp duty. This will result in the Territory having the third highest hiring duty exemption threshold in Australia. It is expected to result in 34 businesses no longer paying this tax, which is approximately 15% of businesses that do pay the tax. Of these businesses, the vast majority operate solely in the Territory.
The bills also contains several measures to rectify inequities that arise when a person acquires interest in land in the Territory indirectly through a corporation or unit trust that owns such land. To limit avoidance opportunities, each of these measures commence from 27 May 2003; the date they were announced as part of the budget. Together, these measures will have the effect of more closely aligning the stamp duty consequences of direct and indirect acquisitions of land, and act to simplify the rules that determine the assessment of ‘land rich’ stamp duty. These measures broadly align the Territory’s land rich provisions with those of the Australian Capital Territory.
The ‘land rich’ provisions provide a mechanism to cause the transfer of a majority interest of shares in a land rich corporation, or units in the land rich unit trust, to be subject to duty as if the interest was acquired directly in the land owned by the corporation or trust. A land rich corporation or trust is characterised by 60% or more of the assets of that entity comprising land or mining tenements in the Territory with a value greater than $500 000.
These provisions attempt to ensure the indirect transfer of land and mining tenements by way of an unlisted corporation or trust is taxed as if ownership of that property was transferred directly. The first of these measures removes the requirement for land to comprise 60% or more of all the assets of a corporation or trust before such an entity qualifies as being land rich. Consequently, a person who acquires 50% or more of the shares or units in the corporation or trust that owns land in the Territory with a value of $500 000 or more will be liable for land rich duty, irrespective of the value of any other assets owned by the corporation or trust. Importantly, duty will continue to be based on the entitlements of the shares or units acquired and the value of land owned by the corporation or trust. For example, the acquisition by a person of 70% of the shares in a corporation that owns land in the Territory valued at $500 000 or more, will result in duty being charged on 70% of the value of Territory land owned by the corporation.
Transitional provisions preserve the previous 60% land rich test for transactions that occurred prior to 27 May 2003. Furthermore, any interest acquired on or after 27 May 2003, but before 1 January 2004, pursuant to an agreement entered into before 27 May 2003, will be subject to the former land rich provisions to determine if land rich duty is payable on that acquisition.
The measures also alter the existing majority interest provisions to cause land rich stamp duty to apply to an acquisition that results in a person acquiring or increasing a majority interest in a corporation or trust, where that person and related persons, previously held an interest in that corporation or trust, irrespective of when any previous interest were acquired.
The measures also alter the valuation rules to provide that, where a majority interest is acquired or increased through a series of transactions within a three-year period, duty is to be calculated on the value of the land owned by the corporation or trust at the time each interest is acquired. However, this period may be extended where the majority interest is acquired or increased through the exercise of an option. To ensure that this measure will not operate retrospectively to charge duty on transactions that did not fall within the former land rich aggregation rules, transitional provisions ensure that the three-year period will not generally extend back beyond 20 August 2001.
In addition, an anti-avoidance measure is being inserted to rectify a loophole that reduces the land rich duty payable on a series of accumulating acquisitions. Another measure changes the way in which acquisitions of interests in corporations and trusts that are quoted on a recognised financial market, such as the Australian Stock Exchange, are excluded from land rich duty. This change clarifies that stamp duty is not payable in respect of acquisitions of interest in corporations and trusts while they were quoted. However, the provisions cause these acquisitions to be taken into consideration when determining whether a person has acquired an interest of 50% or more in such a corporation or trust when an acquisition occurs after the corporation or trust is no longer quoted. To further align the stamp duty treatment of direct and indirect acquisitions of land all existing stamp duty exemption for intergenerational transfers of pastoral land between family members will also apply to indirect transfers of ownership of land that arise through the change in ownership and control of corporations and trusts. This replaces an existing concession in the land rich provisions which excludes primary production land when determining whether a corporation or trust meets the 60% land rich test, but charges duty on such land if the corporation or trust is land rich.
These proposals fundamentally change the way in which land rich stamp duty will be applied in the future. They remove the advantage that many big businesses have enjoyed in the past, where they have been able to indirectly acquire high value land and pay substantially less stamp duty than someone buying their home. For example, corporations with multi-million dollar land holdings in the Territory have been sold in the past incurring less than $100 in stamp duty whilst many families incurred several thousand dollars buying their home.
The bills also propose two amendments in relation to the application of stamp duty to motor vehicle certificates of registration. The first proposed amendment seeks to make motor vehicle dealers jointly and severally liable with the purchaser for the duty payable on the issue of a motor vehicle certificate of registration arising from the transfer of used motor vehicles. This change, which will commence from the date to be proclaimed, has been made in response to the practices of some dealers and purchasers in relation to the sale of used vehicles that has resulted in no stamp duty being paid, stamp duty being minimised in contravention of the law, and stamp duty being paid long after the law requires. The amendment will bring the Territory into line with legislation operating successfully in Victoria and is expected to result in the improved timeliness of collections. The commencement date for this measure will be determined having regard to an appropriate period to enable dealers and the Motor Vehicle Registry to implement the change.
The second amendment relating to motor vehicle stamp duty proposes to allow a refund of duty on the cancellation of the sale of a motor vehicle. This amendment is consistent with other stamp duty refund provisions and is proposed to commence from 1 July 2003.
Some laws in force around the world operate to provide that an entity is the successor in law of, continuation of, or the same entity as another entity in which property was previously vested. Attempts have been made in other states to use these laws to effectively transfer dutiable property by amalgamating entities to avoid paying stamp duty. However, the Territory stamp duty laws impose duty on a conveyance of dutiable property that vests in or accrues to a person. Consequently, notwithstanding the operation of other laws, stamp duty would still be payable. To put the matter beyond doubt, the bills propose a number of amendments that clarify that a stamp duty liability results from these transaction. It is recognised, however, that it is not appropriate for stamp duty to be paid where a vesting occurs only because of the registration of a body corporate as a company under the Corporations Act of the Commonwealth. Accordingly, the bills provide that no stamp duty is payable in these circumstances. These changes are proposed to take effect from 27 May 2003.
The bills also propose to introduce two stamp duty anti-avoidance measures, both of which are necessary to ensure the integrity of the Territory’s stamp duty regime. The first measure relates to the so-called ‘Clayton’s contract’ provisions. Under these provisions, certain changes in beneficial ownership of dutiable property or marketable securities are subject to stamp duty even though the ownership change has not been effected by a dutiable instrument. An exception to this rule arises when the change occurs as a result of the issue or redemption of units in unit trust. This exception has been successfully exploited as part of a complex scheme to avoid stamp duty in another state. Accordingly, the bill proposes to amend the exception by providing that stamp duty will be payable on the change in beneficial ownership of dutiable property occurring as a result of the issue or redemption of units unless it is shown that the issue or redemption is not a tax avoidance scheme or part of a tax avoidance scheme.
The second measure relates to stamp duty exemption provided for conveyance of property made for the purpose of effecting the appointment of a new trustee on the retirement of a former trustee. A number of schemes have been detected and have exploited this exemption through the use of complex schemes involving the use of trusts to avoid the payment of stamp duty. In order to prevent further abuse of this exemption, the bill proposes to limit the exemption to situations in which the conveyance is made solely for the purpose of appointing a new trustee on the retirement of a former trustee. Both these anti-avoidance measures are proposed to commence from 27 May 2003, the date that they were announced as part of the budget.
The bills also provide a number of minor administrative and technical amendments that enhance the efficiency and equity of the stamp duty scheme. The first proposes to introduce an exemption from stamp duty on the conveyance of dutiable property and marketable securities to a former bankrupt from the estate of that former bankrupt. This exemption is to commence on 1 July 2003 and brings the Territory into line with all of the states and the Australian Capital Territory.
It is also proposed to exempt from stamp duty agreements to temporarily transfer licences issued under the Fisheries Act and on temporary transfers made in accordance with such agreements from 1 July 2003. The change brings the Territory in line with the majority of the states and the ACT, and enhances the regulation of the commercial fishing industry by removing a perceived impediment to registering temporary transfers of fishing licences.
Another stamp duty exemption is proposed for policies of health insurance entered into by insurers in the course of their health insurance business under the National Health Act. The Territory has never sought stamp duty in respect of health insurance policies as they were never considered to be dutiable policies of insurance. Accordingly, this exemption provides certainty in the operation of the law and will align the Territory with all the states and the ACT. This proposal is to take effect from 1 July 2003.
Where a partnership holds dutiable property and there is a conveyance of an interest in the partnership, stamp duty is payable. Acquisitions of interest in partnerships are valued by assessing the unencumbered value of the interest acquired by a partner, less the value of the partner’s existing interest in the partnership, if any. It has become apparent that the provisions of stamp duty legislation that value partnership interests on the formation of a partnership do not always operate as originally intended and in some instances partners will not be assessed for the correct amount of stamp duty. Accordingly, the bills propose to amend from 1 July 2003 the manner in which partnership interests are valued on the formation of a partnership to ensure that these interests are valued equitably.
Under the stamp duty legislation, an ‘Australian insurer’ is required to register to pay stamp duty on policies of insurance in respect of property or risks in the Territory. For administrative reasons, the bills proposed broaden the definition of ‘Australian insurer’ to include the Territory government. It is proposed that this amendment will take effect from 1 July 2003.
Following amendments made to the stamp duty laws as part of last year’s budget, an exemption from stamp duty is provided on the reconstruction of certain corporate groups. The bills propose two minor amendments in relation to this exemption to enable corporations incorporated outside of Australia to cease to exist without triggering a clawback of duty on an exempt corporate reconstruction; and clarify one of the conditions relating to how consideration for a transfer of property can be provided. Both these amendments are proposed to commence from 1 July 2003.
Deeds are subject to stamp duty of $20. This includes agreements under seal that are not otherwise subject to stamp duty. Liability may arise, for example, where a company has executed an agreement using its company seal but will not apply to similar agreements executed by individuals who do not place a seal on an agreement. Therefore, charging deed duty on agreements under seal discriminates against certain businesses and places an unnecessary compliance burden on them. Accordingly, the bills propose to remove deed duties on agreements under seal from 1 July 2003. It should be noted that other deeds will continue to be subject to stamp duty.
Madam Speaker, I turn to the First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill. Currently the first home owner grant legislation does not specify a time within which prosecutions for offences may be commenced. Consequently, the Justices Act applies such that a prosecution under the act must be commenced within six months of an offence being committed. This time period is considered to be inadequate in many instances as information in relation to first home ownership must often be sought from interstate. Accordingly, the bill proposes to amend the grant legislation to allow for the prosecution of offences within three years of the offence allegedly being committed. Of note is that this change is intended to apply only to offences alleged to have been committed on or after 27 May 2003, the date the change was announced as part of the budget.
The amendment brings the act more closely in line with similar provisions in other Territory taxing acts, as well as broadly aligning it with the states and the ACT.
I turn to the last of the bills proposing changes to the Territory’s revenue regime, being the Mineral Royalty Amendment Bill.
This bill proposes to put in place a number of measures that together enhance the administration of, and provide for more equitable operation of, the Territory’s mineral royalty regime by reforming the manner in which exploration expenditure is used to reduce the payment of mineral royalty. Under the Territory’s mineral royalty regime, miners are able to obtain a royalty deduction for ‘eligible exploration expenditure’. This includes expenditure incurred in the Territory for exploration work conducted in the Territory; or outside of the Territory, where it relates directly to exploration work conducted in the Territory.
Generally, there are two methods by which exploration expenditure can be claimed by a miner. The first is where the miner incurs the expenditure itself. The second is by way of the miner purchasing an exploration expenditure certificate, or EEC, from an explorer. Under the EEC scheme, explorers submit details of their exploration expenditure to the Treasury which then issues an EEC. An EEC has a face value equivalent to the amount of exploration expenditure incurred within the Territory by the explorer.
The EEC scheme is intended to assist explorers by allowing them to ‘sell’ their EECs to a royalty paying miner so that explorers can recoup some of their exploration expenditure. Miners are able to use EECs that they acquire to reduce their royalty liability. The market sets the price of EECs. They generally sell for 10% of their face value.
This scheme is not confined to explorers, however, as miners are also able to convert their own exploration expenditure incurred in the Territory into EECs. This allows miners to reduce the amount of royalty that they pay and to carry forward their exploration expenditure to reduce future royalty payments.
There are two important aspects to claiming exploration expenditure for royalty purposes. Firstly, miners are able to deduct from their mining revenue 150% of exploration expenditure incurred by them, and also that purchased through the EEC scheme. That is, exploration expenditure incurred by a miner and the value of the EECs purchased by the miner is taken to be increased by 50%. Secondly, the extent to which royalty can be reduced by deducting exploration expenditure and EECs from mining revenue is capped by legislation to 35% of the royalty that would otherwise be payable.
The increasing supply of unclaimed EECs and the small number of royalty payers, has constrained the price that explorers are able to obtain for their EECs. Due to these factors, the current scheme has operated to the detriment of explorers and Territory royalty collections and to the benefit of royalty payers. The bill seeks to reduce the detrimental impact on explorers and royalty collections by decreasing the exploration expenditure deduction cap from 35% to 25%, and removing the 50% uplift factor on exploration expenditure. These amendments together are expected to increase royalty collections by $3.8m per annum, and will result in additional EECs being purchased each year by royalty payers from explorers.
The additional revenue from increased royalty collections will be committed to funding the ‘Building the Territory’s Resource Base’ initiative to the tune of $3.8m per year for the next four years. It should be noted that these amendments are not intended to be retrospective, so will apply from the first ‘royalty year’ to commence on or after 1 July 2003.
The second amendment proposed by the bill will cease the issue of EECs in respect of expenditure incurred on or after 1 July 2003. The amendment is considered necessary because notwithstanding the changes outlined previously, the current EEC scheme will continue to result in more EECs being issued than claimed, which will perpetuate the deficiencies of the current scheme. It should be noted that even though no more EECs will be issued for exploration expenditure incurred after 30 June 2003, royalty payers can continue to use existing EECs to reduce future royalty payments until 1 July 2010. That is, royalty payers will no longer be able to use exploration expenditure certificates beyond 1 July 2010, which is considered sufficient time to utilise the current stock of EECs.
To assist miners in the Territory, the bill provides that royalty payers will continue to be able to reduce the royalty payable by them to the extent of exploration expenditure that they incur in their mines. Again, Treasury is available for briefing for members of parliament who seek clarification or further information on those bills.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bills to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
APPROPRIATION BILL 2003-04
(Serial 147)
(Serial 147)
Continued from 27 May 2003.
Mr BURKE (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the Martin government came to power at the turn of a new century, a century that has already been marked with a new reality that is both increasingly insecure and increasingly violent. World events that marked the first years of this new century - 11 September, global terrorism, huge corporate collapses, Afghanistan, the Bali bombings, the war in Iraq, SARS, the increasing instability in Indonesia – have all jolted Territorians into the reality that we are not immune from world events.
Our economy has suffered greatly, particularly our largest service industry, tourism. Territorians feel more insecure. Businesses have closed their doors; others are contemplating what the future holds. The latest Yellow Pages survey reveals business confidence in the Territory economy is at an all time low. Our population is decreasing. Families are experiencing great financial stress because of the need to make their money stretch from week to week. Despite the best efforts of our police, people fear for their safety, and for the safety of their loved ones in the face of increased violence, crime and threatening behaviour on our streets and public areas.
However, the spirit of Territorians remains our greatest strength: the battlers working hard in small business to make a go of it; the mums and dads with one or both at work and struggling to support a young family; the young people out there on their own trying to get a job; or those at the other end of life who have done their bit and are now frail and elderly and in need of care. All have a belief in the future of the Northern Territory. They want to play a part and they want a government that not just lets them participate but really encourages them.
These are the circumstances in which this budget has been delivered. These circumstances demanded a budget that provides real leadership and a vision for Territorians and shines a light on the horizon; that gives ordinary Territorians a sense of hope, pride and achievement - a budget that showed the government was in touch and was responsive and caring and recognised their needs.
This is not it. This is not even a ‘steady as she goes’ budget, because we are not going anywhere but down. It is said that opportunities are like shooting stars: there for a moment and then gone. The Martin government has missed its opportunity to provide the leadership Territorians are seeking in these difficult times. It has failed to demonstrate any confidence or vision to take the Territory forward and to show it cares and is concerned. That saddens me.
The members on that side of the House should ask themselves these questions: where is the help for the battlers in this budget? Where has your government made life easier by lowering the cost of living apart from abolishing the vindictive rego tax? What does this budget do to stop the population slide? Where are the initiatives that give us the edge in areas like tourism? Where is the innovation to get us back on top again?
I cannot find the answers to those questions in this budget. What I have found is a set of figures that are largely incompatible with the last lot of budget books this government produced a mere nine months ago. Not one agency is estimated to come in on the budget figure they were allocated a mere nine months ago. Ten agencies have exceeded the allocation they were given a mere nine months ago. Six agencies have underspent the allocation they were given a mere nine months ago. We are not speaking about small amounts here. They vary from an extra $20m that Health is expected to spend compared with its 2002-03 budget allocation, to a $5.5m underspend by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. No wonder the Treasurer said yesterday that you take your chances with these figures.
It does not only apply to the money figures. Try comparing the staffing figures for each agency with those published only a week ago by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment. Somewhere between the Commissioner for Public Employment’s March quarter figures and the budget papers being prepared, 619 public servants have gone missing. What kind of financial management is this that cannot only get its figures so wrong, but also cannot account for many of the people who work for it? I will tell you the answer: it is a government that proclaims proudly that it is increasing funding by $900 000 this year for mental health, but produces budget figures that show an increase of only $183 000. The trick is in the words used in this mean-spirited budget. I will quote from Budget Paper No 3 at page 194:
- The 2003-04 budget includes $0.9m to provide for the first stage of a major upgrade of mental health services …
Note those words ‘the … budget includes’. This is not new money; this is not additional funding. This will have to come from existing funding. That is just one example, there are others.
This is a budget that says the government is increasing the police budget by $1.6m for more police and fire officers in Budget Paper No 1, only to state in Budget Paper No 3 that $3.93m is needed to increase police numbers and a further $930 000 is needed for more fire fighters. Even Labor’s own Access Economics approved document said $3.93m would be needed and this was repeated in the mini-budget of 2001. That real cost takes care of any increase in the police budget. Any other initiative, and hope, for increased services can only come from its cutting of other services.
This budget says ‘safer communities is a major priority’, but how do you achieve that when the Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget gets less than inflation? This is a government that continually announces that health, education and law and order are their key priorities. How can they possibly cut these departments when they only get cost of living increases or less? That is what is happening to Police, Health and Education.
This is a government that says that the Health Care Agreement with the federal government is totally unacceptable, but then counts in its funding the maximum possible figure it can receive under that particular agreement. The Treasurer says in his budget speech that the government does not use optimistic revenue assumptions that would be unlikely to be met, but he sanctions the most optimistic figure for health because if he did not, there would have been no increase in the total health budget. The federal government has said,. ‘If you accept all our conditions and sign on the dotted line, we will give you $92m in 2003-04 under the Health Care Agreement,’; an increase on last year of almost $14m. And how much does the Treasurer say he has increased the health budget by? Surprise - $14m.
There had to be fat cuts in the health budget to fund any initiatives and there are, notwithstanding the rescue package that had to be put in place halfway through the financial year because of the incompetent management of this health minister. In the 2002-03 budget, aged and disability services was allocated $48.3m. In 2003-04 it is $45.9m. Public health services received $39.8m in the 2002-03 budget. This has been cut to $34.9m. The community health services budget in 2002-03 was $109m and this has been reduced by $10.6m in 2003-04. This budget is all trick and no treat.
Look at education. There is an increase of $13.5m which matches the inflation figure being used by Treasury of 2.5%. Now, if costs are going to increase by 2.5%, and employee expenses then alone are going up $13m, then how will the initiatives be funded unless there are cuts in other areas? What are those cuts? What impact will they have on our kids’ education? Certainly, there have been cuts in other departments. Community Development, Sport and Recreation is cut back by more than $12m, even with the extra $2.7m it is receiving for the itinerants project. And this so-called ‘business friendly’ government has chopped the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development by almost $8m. DCIS is down and so is Justice.
One of the worst cuts is Tourism. It is one of the biggest employers in the Territory, and a sector that is suffering severely in the present climate. In the 2002-03 budget, the commission was allocated $28m. It is now estimated it will spend $2m less than that, and its budget for 2003-04 is almost $1m less than last year. This is not the time to be saving on tourism. It is a time to spend money to get people travelling to the Territory again.
The Treasurer told us jobs are a top priority for the Martin Labor government. For the sake of us all, I hope that is right, because the budget papers reveal that, and I quote:
In year average terms, employment is estimated to have decreased by –0.1% in 2002-03.
That is on page 40 of Budget Paper Northern Territory Economy. After almost half its term, this government which says their priority is jobs, jobs, jobs has produced a decline in the level of employment, a drop in the number of jobs. As I mentioned earlier, there has been a decline in the population of the Territory. The ABS figures out yesterday show the population of the Territory has dropped below what it was almost two years ago. The reason is simple. Last year, 3283 more people chose to leave the Territory than come here. They voted with their feet. They have had to go elsewhere to pursue their dream that the Territory was once famous for; the dream that, up here, if you worked hard, you would be rewarded and part of the reward would be the great lifestyle and the freedoms we used to enjoy. Under the CLP, the difference was opportunity. Under Labor, the opportunity has dried up.
This government has scraped through the first 21 months on the back of the railway and is praying it will get through the rest of its term on the back of the Wickham Point development and increased defence spending. But even with those projects, the government is predicting that economic growth will ease off in the coming financial year. It is hoping that business confidence will increase, although the Yellow Pages Index published yesterday shows it is declining and is now the lowest of any state or territory.
The budget papers predict business investment to ‘flatten out’ and private consumption is set to be ‘moderate’ in 2003-04. That is on page 23 of the Budget Paper Northern Territory Economy. So where is the stimulus from this government? It has cut back on capital works and it has introduced revenue changes that will affect investment in the Territory. The stamp duty changes it has made in relation to land rich businesses is a new tax on investment. It hits small and medium business, the price of businesses, the family companies - not the big companies that are listed on the Stock Exchange. The Treasurer says it is equitable. He says it is unfair that some big company buys land as part of taking over another company and does not pay stamp duty like someone buying a house. But the big companies, the ones listed on the Stock Exchange, are not affected by this change. This is a tax on investment in private companies and businesses and it is a tax on land. The small business that wants to expand, the Territorian who wants to buy into a business, the retirees seeking an investment, have all seen the price tag on the dream increase by more than 5% overnight.
This is about equity all right. You buy some equity in a business and now you have to pay the government a tax. That, I am advised, is unique in Australia. Similarly, the abolition of the exploration expenditure certificate will hit small Territory businesses. It was an incentive to mining exploration companies to purchase their goods and services in the Territory from Territorians. Now it has gone. The government believes it will pick up extra revenue from mining royalties because of this measure, but it has not factored in the cost to those Territorians who service the industry. Another hit for small business.
I said earlier that the budget predicts investment will flatten out. With these sorts of measures, it will be flattened. One of the great ironies of this budget is that it is predicated on the growth in revenues from the GST. Isn’t it ironic that this Labor Treasurer now says that it is good that the states have a growth tax? How does that stack up against all those comments made by those now in government about the GST before it was introduced? Once again, they are being hypocritical, a common position for Labor.
Of course, it is obvious why this Treasurer now thinks the GST is wonderful. In 2000-01, my government received $1.2bn. In the first year of Labor they received almost $1.3bn. This financial year, the floodgates opened and they received an extra $223m; next financial year it jumps another $100m to $1.6bn. Overall, they are receiving an additional $740m from the GST alone compared to what the previous government received. Now, that is enough to convert even the most biased Labor politician into a supporter of the GST.
What have they done with this money? How have they used it to foster the creation of further wealth in the Territory? How have they ensured that the economy grows, ensuring greater returns for everyone, including the government revenue stream? That is another question this government and this budget fails to answer.
These are some of the things this budget should have done and it is what the CLP will do in government. We will restore pride in the Territory’s achievements, a belief in the opportunities that lie ahead, and a sense of confidence that we will attain them. These things are important - to ensure Territorians want to stay here, our young people want to seek jobs here, and those considering leaving, or have left, come home. The Martin government is eroding these things. In its willingness to play the blame game by constantly saying how bad a situation it is in, how it must tighten its belt, and how Territorians must suffer and bear it, it is sending another message. It is sending the message that the confidence is gone, the ability to fight above our weight is gone, the difference of the Territory is gone. The message is that we are worse than the other states; the message is, we are mediocre.
This government’s rhetoric is destroying Territorians’ confidence in their own past decisions, confidence in their Territory, and it is sending a message Australia-wide that we are not the place to go for opportunities, but a place with big problems. Now, that is not what I would do. I want to get the excitement and the pride back. I want to put the difference and the opportunity back into ‘the difference is opportunity’. I want a safe community, not a safer community, but safe, and one that exceeds national benchmarks for our efforts. I want young families to enjoy our parks and neighbourhoods with a real sense of community, without fear of harassment or threats of violence. I want to see less dogs behind high fences and locked gates because of the fear of intruders. I want to see neighbours communicating with each other in the streets again because the intruders that rob people will be gone, they will be in gaol. I want to see our suburban shops and shopping centres returned to the people, rather than be closed and taken over by derelicts. This means more police on the beat now, and if that requires more recruit intakes, more funds for the police college, a concerted effort to attract good police from other states, then that is what will be done.
We will be a government that sees its first duty is to the battlers, the ordinary Territorians, to the families trying to make ends meet and the small businesses trying to survive. I want a government that will make people say, ‘This is where I want to bring up my children’. A CLP government is committed to affordable and easily accessible childcare, including after-school care, in all our primary schools, not just some of them. It will provide a school system that ensures our children are really learning, and thereby securing their future. It will reduce class sizes in early childhood to no more than 20, and direct adequate resources into the teaching profession to ensure that educational standards in the Territory are at a level we can all be proud of. There will be a choice of real job opportunities, with special emphasis on those making a decision to either continue with formal learning or to enter the workforce from year 10.
Our young Territorians will have the best information and support available to them to help them make their choice. The ‘New Beginnings for Palmerston High’ program demonstrates how a proactive relationship with business and those considering entering the workforce can work. Those sorts of programs deserve government support and they will get it.
We will provide affordable land and housing and investment certainty. Pride and confidence creates an environment for investment, and we will assist further with real cuts to the cost of conveyancing. We will provide a new suburb for Darwin with the development of the Lee Point land.
We will rebuild the confidence of small business by recognising the vital role they have in the fabric of the economy. We will take advantage of GST payments from the Commonwealth to reduce the impost of payroll tax on Territory businesses.
The CLP will restore the Territory to its former status of being envied by other states because of the impact it has on tourism marketing. It will be so ‘in your face’ that it will be dinner table conversation around Australia. People will want to come here, and the competition will say, once again, how do those Territorians do it so well? We did it before with the Daryl Somers campaign of ‘You’ll never, never know if you never, never go’ and we will do it again, with a range of tourism experiences that are fresh, exciting and very professional. Investment in tourism also means investment in infrastructure in our regional centres of Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. As a vital part of tourism I will reinvest and revitalise our parks and wildlife effort to ensure that our top tourist destinations are returned to their former status and continue to expand.
There are many examples of how mega-departments are a failure. The former Departments of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Parks and Wildlife, Mines and Energy, and Tourism have lost their identity. Their public profile and contact with industry and their overall professionalism has been reduced. We will consult with the public service, industry and other stakeholders to determine the best structure for the public service, with a view to restoring their morale, professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness; but without inflicting another two years of mindless reviews.
This is not a return to the past, but a recognition that we can do better than subsuming identities and effort that have been built up over many years just to save costs or emulate some management plan that comes from down south.
Roads are the bones of the Territory …
Dr Toyne: It is the same tired old rhetoric. You never learnt a thing.
Ms Martin: What did you do with roads?
Mr BURKE: … they strengthen our economy by providing the base upon which so much of our economy depends to move to markets.
I must have scratched the surface a bit, Madam Speaker, they do not even have the common courtesy to be quiet and listen to the Opposition Leader and his budget reply. We did it; we sat there, listened to it - did not agree with a lot of it; thought it was disastrous as I am explaining - but we had the common courtesy to do it. Typical of Labor. Must be scratching something, they are getting a bit touchy.
Roads are the bones of the Territory. They strengthen our economy by providing the base upon which so much of our economy depends to move to markets. The Stuart Highway has been described as our backbone. Now, let us strengthen the ribs by putting a real effort into the arterial roads into our regions. The priority will be to provide strong links into such areas as the Barkly, Katherine, Daly road network, Sturt Plateau, Ti Tree and Deep Well. We will move to ensure that, when gas comes onshore, some of it stays here to reduce energy costs and feed industry. We will fast-track the development of the smaller gas fields in the Bonaparte Gulf and the Timor Sea to secure both a domestic supply and the fulfilling of overseas contracts.
We will put real effort into making the railway what our forefathers dreamed of: a link with Asia and the markets beyond, not just a transcontinental service. We will re-engage with Asia and not be too frightened to fly there. We will proceed with the development of the wharf precinct with the immediate establishment of a project management company to oversee the work by private developers, to ensure the integrity of that development is maintained for Territorians. We will fast-track the development of Owen Springs as a great resource for the people of the Centre, for Territorians and our visitors. We will be a government that believes in the Territory and does not have as its driving aim the desire to turn the Territory and Territorians into replicas of their southern cousins. We will be a government that respects Territorians and does not try to interfere in every aspect of their lives. We will be a government that says Territorians know what is best for them not governments. A growing, confident economy can afford these measures and more.
With the introduction of the GST we have a growth tax that is already providing more revenue to the Territory than any previous scheme. It is revenue that needs to build the economy, to pursue development and investment, to provide services to Territorians. It should not be frittered or squirreled away, but invested in Territorians today so that tomorrow is even better. Territorians can do it. They just want a government that will lead the way, not stand in their way; a government that makes decisions rather than making up committees; that sees Territorians as being very special people, not just statistics; that is not so single-minded about getting the government in the black that it is sending the rest of the Territory into the red.
That is what a budget should do; it should deliver. This one has not. This budget has failed to provide leadership in these difficult times. It has failed the mums, the dads, our kids and Territory business. The shutters are closed when they should be flung opened. This budget should have given Territorians the way forward and the fresh hope about their future. It should have been one to give business confidence at a time when it is the lowest in Australia. At a time when there is every reason to be confident about our future prospects this government demonstrates it lacks the courage, the belief, or the know how to take the Territory forward.
Because of this budget the Territory is condemned to marking time in the next 12 months instead of charging forward. Governments should lead the charge; Territorians are ready to follow. Our problem is that this government does not know what the orders are. They are on hold and, unfortunately, so is the Territory. It could be so different if only they had a government that could restore the confidence that Territorians have always had. We are a ‘can do’ Territory hamstrung by a ‘can’t do’ government. This budget was the opportunity to change that. It should have and it failed.
Debate adjourned.
INFORMATION AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 157)
(Serial 157)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr TOYNE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The Information Act received assent on 8 November 2002 and will commence on 1 July 2003. The act is a very important piece of legislation in the Northern Territory and is part of this government’s broader strategy to ensure access to government information, reasoned decision making, and provide the foundations for open, transparent government that represents the people and is accountable to them.
This government is pleased to be responsible for an act that will make government work more efficiently. A key component of the act, and the one which has attracted most public attention, is the ‘freedom of information’ regime, or as it is commonly known FOI. In addition to providing the public with the right to access information held by public sector organisations, the act protects people’s privacy by providing for the responsible collection and handling of personal information.
The act is going to have a major impact on the workings of government. To ensure that public sector organisations are ready and prepared for the commencement of the legislation, the Information Act Implementation Team was established to oversee the development of practices and policies in relation to the implementation of the act. The team has been working closely with the Information Commissioner and senior staff from all public sector organisations. As a consequence of those consultations it has become apparent that certain amendments need to be made to the act before it commences. The purpose of this bill is to make those changes.
In order to amend the act before it commences on 1 July 2003, the bill will be debated in the June sittings of parliament. Because of the timing of the June sittings this bill will proceed on urgency. I encourage the opposition shadow spokesperson to seek a briefing from my office prior to the debate.
At the time of drafting of the act, consideration was given to the situation of the Territory Insurance Office, the TIO. The policy position adopted was that for public sector organisations that were commercially competitive with private sector organisations would be subject only to the personal information provisions of the legislation. In other words, such organisations would provide access to personal information but the organisation’s commercial and business records would not be subject to the FOI processes. The act currently achieves this by providing that government business divisions and government owned corporations are the only public sector organisations with respect to personal information.
However, the TIO is neither of these bodies. Although it was considered, at the time of passage of the legislation, that the existing section 5 definition of a public sector organisation had been drafted so as to exclude the TIO. Further consideration has concluded that this may not be the case. This was never the intention of the legislation.
This bill now rectifies that error by providing that a public sector organisation may be declared by regulation to be a public sector organisation for personal information only. The regulations will be amended before 1 July 2003 to provide that TIO is declared to be a public sector organisation for personal information only.
In addition, the act currently applies to the Information Commissioner. This results in certain anomalies, including the fact that the Information Commissioner is responsible for reviewing his own decisions. Queensland and Western Australia also have Information Commissioners, and in those states the Information Commissioner is expressly excluded from their FOI legislation. This bill excludes the Information Commissioner from the operations of the act.
As currently drafted, no application fee applies if a person wishes to access their own personal information, but agencies may charge $30 if a person is seeking to access non-personal information - that is, information about the workings of government. In consultation with staff from public sector organisations, the implementation team has identified numerous administrative difficulties if the application fee is not paid at the time of making the application. This bill provides that the application fee, if relevant, must be paid at the time of making an application.
In addition to the FOI and privacy provisions, the act also sets legislative standards for responsible record keeping and management, including the management of Territory Archives. One of these requirements is that public sector organisations must transfer a record to the Archive Service for inclusion in the Territory Archives not later than 30 years after the record was created. In most cases, this ensures that records are properly preserved. There are, however, some public sector organisations that regularly use records that were created more than 30 years ago, and they need to be able to retain them. This bill provides that a public sector organisation may apply to the Archives Service for an extension beyond the 30 year limit. The extension may last only for a period of five years, but the public sector organisation may reapply for an additional arrangement. The Archives Service can cancel the extension if the public sector organisation no longer needs to retain the record, or if it is not meeting the appropriate standard for retaining the records.
The bill also contains some minor amendments. The act currently provides that a review is not to be conducted by the officer or employee of the public sector organisation that made the decision the subject of the review. It has been suggested that this may be misleading, and implied that a review must be conducted by another agency. In order to make it clear that the review is to be conducted by a different officer, not a different agency, the word ‘that’ has been changed to ‘who’.
The act also provides that information which is obtained because of an officer’s involvement in administration of the act must remain confidential. The penalty for breaching this provision is 2500 penalty units, currently $275 000, or imprisonment for two years. This penalty is far in excess of the accepted penalty for an offence for a breach of confidentiality and was not intended. This bill corrects this oversight, and amends the penalty provision from 2500 penalty units to 400 penalty units. The act lists the types of matters that may be prescribed in the regulations. There is currently no provision for the regulations to prescribe for payment and refund of deposits for processing fees. This bill amends the act to permit the regulations to prescribe for the payment and refund of deposits for processing.
I am proud to be standing here today, knowing that this government had the courage to introduce the Information Act and finally bring the Northern Territory in line with other jurisdictions. However, I appreciate that it is sometimes necessary to fine tune legislation of such importance, and I remain open to suggestions from Mr Peter Shoyer, the Information Commissioner, or public service organisations for further amendment.
The Department of Justice has also agreed to undertake a preliminary review of the act once it has been operative for nine months. I am confident that with the guidance of the Information Commissioner and the support of public sector employees, the new FOI and privacy regimes will introduce a new era of accountability to the Northern Territory. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Pass all stages
Pass all stages
Dr TOYNE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Information Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 157) passing through all stages at the June 2003 sittings.
Motion agreed to.
FIREARMS AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 158)
(Serial 158)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
These amendments are necessary due, in the most part, to the implementation of the Council of Australian Government reforms regarding handgun control brought about at a special COAG meeting convened by the Prime Minister in the wake of a tragic shooting at Monash University in October 2002. Included in the reforms is a compensated buy-back and amnesty for category H firearms.
Honourable members should note that some of the details of these reforms are yet to be settled between the Commonwealth and the states and territories. One area of disagreement concerns the number of special accredited disciplines that should be exempt from the proposed category H sports shooting disciplines organised by sports shooting clubs. The Northern Territory government agrees that sports shooters make a strong argument for seeking the exemption of five special accredited disciplines. The Commonwealth, on the other hand, assert that only two disciplines should be exempt.
In the government’s view, there are three primary reasons for adopting its stance. Firstly, it was not a COAG resolution to prohibit the use of hand guns in internationally recognised disciplines. Secondly, the Commonwealth’s proposal will have the effect of banning specific events enjoyed by dozens of sports shooters at the Arafura and Masters Games. This is unacceptable and it is not in the Territory’s interest. Thirdly, this government believes that gun laws must balance the interests of the community against those of the sports shooters. There is no evidence that sports shooters in the Territory have been involved with any systematic mischief depicted by the Commonwealth in its reasons for seeking to restrict the number of disciplines.
This government will continue to seek to achieve a national consensus based on sound reasoning. It is hoped that a fair outcome may be achieved. In addition to implementing the COAG agreement, other outstanding issues relate to the issue of voluntary buyback and how the funding arrangements will be structured. The final outcome on these issues will be dealt with under the regulations. These amendments will also realise numerous resolutions of the Australasian Police Ministers’ Council in relation to a nationally consistent approach to firearms registration, licensing and control. I advise honourable members that this bill includes many, but not all, of the APMC’s resolutions. The balance of the resolutions will be introduced at a later date, including other complementary amendments to the Firearms Act.
Before I turn to the substantive matters under the bill, I would like to recognise the constructive role the Shooters Council plays in firearms regulation and its involvement in the development of legislation such as this. The Shooters Council made its submissions to government and the police in a professional and constructive way, notwithstanding the council did not agree with much of what came out of the COAG process. We look forward to the Shooters Council and the shooters of the Northern Territory continuing to work through these and other issues with police and government in a constructive manner, characterised by goodwill, delivering concrete benefits for the community and the sports shooters in our community.
I now turn to the main components of the bill, dealing with the COAG agreement regarding hand gun controls. A hand gun or, more appropriately, a pistol and an air pistol are, for the purposes of the act, category H firearms. As it currently stands, the Commissioner of Police may grant a licence to a person to possess and use a category H firearm if the commissioner is satisfied the applicant has a genuine reason and a genuine need for the firearm. A genuine reason for possessing or using such a firearm includes sports shooting and firearms collection.
These amendments only restrict the possession and use of category H firearms for sports shooters and antique firearms collectors. All other genuine reasons for possessing and using a category H firearm remain unamended. For example, a person seeking a category H firearms licence for business or employment purposes will need to satisfy the commissioner under the current procedures.
Under the proposed arrangements it will be necessary for a person wishing to acquire a category H firearm to be a shooting member of an approved firearms club; have satisfactorily completed a firearm safety training course; and have held a permit for at least three months to use a category H firearm under supervision. The term ‘shooting member’ is defined in the bill. In addition, the person must provide to the Northern Territory police a fingerprint sample. This is to allow the police to undertake an interstate criminal check on the person. On the completion of a person’s period of probation with the firearms club, the person may apply for a category H sports shooter’s license. It will be necessary for the applicant to have his or her application endorsed by the firearms club. The endorsement is to provide that the applicant is a member of a club; the details of the applicant’s membership; the firearms owned by the member; and at least two character references from people who have known the member for at least two years. A member does not include an associate member.
The grant of a category H firearms licence authorises the person to only possess a prescribed category H firearm for use at an approved firearms club. It will be a condition of the grant of the licence that the person must participate in sport shooting events at the prescribed participation rate, or satisfy the Commissioner of Police as to the reason the person was unable to participate at that rate. The club’s record keeping requirements are strengthened to ensure that the club is obliged to record a person’s dates of participation at sport shooting events. Other record keeping requirements are also inserted and will be discussed shortly.
Consistent with the COAG reforms, there will be a cap on the number and type of hand guns a person may possess. A condition of the licence is that a person may hold no more than the following firearms:
(a) one .22” calibre pistol or one centrefire pistol;
Notwithstanding this limitation, a person may also apply to hold additional firearms than those permitted, if the person can demonstrate a genuine need for any additional firearms and the holder has held a category H sports shooter’s license for a period of 12 months.
To ensure compliance with the limitation of ownership of certain category H firearms the owner of the firearm must present his firearms to the commissioner before 31 December 2003. To facilitate this requirement, the commissioner may specify a time and a place which a category H firearm is to be produced. If the firearm is not a type that is prescribed the registration of the firearm is to be cancelled and the firearm surrendered to the Territory. Any acquisition of category H firearms that is not of the type prescribed is to be on just terms. A court may determine the amount of compensation.
The registration of any firearms that have not been presented by 31 December 2003 will be cancelled. Provisions have been inserted to allow the commissioner to issue a notice to a person who is unable to produce a firearm as directed. The notice gives the person an opportunity to satisfy the commissioner as to why the requirement was not complied with. If the commissioner is not satisfied with the person’s reasons all licences held by the person, including all firearm registrations, will be revoked.
The bill also incorporates part of the National Firearms Trafficking Policy Agreement as endorsed by the Australasian Police Ministers’ Council on 17 July 2002. This agreement is aimed at the illegal trade and illicit manufacture of firearms, and requires all jurisdictions to incorporate similar legislation. I will now briefly turn to these action plans. However, as a preliminary point, I stress that it is an underlying theme of the act that only fit and proper people should be involved with and have access to firearms. These amendments are intended to enhance this policy objective.
The first relevant amendment is the introduction of ‘close associate’ provisions for firearms dealers. The Commissioner of Police must not grant a firearms dealer’s licence to a person if the commissioner is of the opinion a close associate is not a fit and proper person to be the close associate of the firearms dealer. A ‘close associate’ is a person who has an interest of whatever kind, or has some form of control or management in the business being carried on by the firearms dealer. A firearms dealer must notify the Commissioner of Police of any changes in the dealer’s close associates within seven days of any change. Alternatively, the commissioner may require the dealer to submit a declaration of the names and addresses of close associates. Heavy penalties apply for a person failing to make a declaration or providing information which the person knows is false or misleading.
The next amendment restricts a prescribed person’s access to firearms, by making it an offence for a firearms dealer from employing these people. A ‘prescribed person’ is defined in the bill as meaning a person who has, amongst other things, his or her firearms dealer’s licence, or firearms licence, or permit, revoked for an offence under the act. A further limitation of access to firearms is that the commissioner must refuse to grant a licence, or permit, or to revoke a person’s licence, permit, or certificate of registration, if the commissioner is of the opinion the person is a risk to public safety or that it would be contrary to the public interest. In forming his opinion, the commissioner must have regard to any criminal intelligence report or other criminal information. Because of the confidential nature of the criminal information, the commissioner is not required to give any reasons for his decision which is likewise non-reviewable in any court or tribunal. This is based on public policy and preserving this kind of information in the possession of the commissioner. To ensure proper accountability in forming the necessary opinion, the commissioner is unable to delegate this power.
The penalties for any unauthorised possession of a firearm have been amended and brought into line with modern community standards. Also, the term ‘possession’ has been widened for the purposes of the act to deem a person to be in possession of a firearm, if the firearm, ammunition, or silencer is in or on any premises owned, leased, occupied or in the care, control or management of the person. The court may, however, be satisfied that the firearm, ammunition or silencer was brought onto the premises by a person who was authorised to do so, or that the person did not know, or be reasonably expected to know, that the firearm, ammunition or silencer was on the premises. A firearm includes a prohibited firearm and the term ‘premises’ means any place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft.
I have already mentioned the record keeping requirements for a firearms club. Increased record keeping obligations will also apply to a firearms dealer and a firearms armourer. In relation to a firearms dealer, the current provisions for quarterly returns is no longer relevant and has little value. The proposed amendment replaces the quarterly returns with the lodgement of a record of transaction concerning any sale, purchase or storage of a firearm or firearm part by the dealer within seven days of the date of the transaction. Similarly, a firearms armourer will be required to make a record of the particulars of each firearm that has come into the armourer’s possession or is no longer in his possession within 24 hours of the event. Copies of the records are to be provided to the commissioner by no later than seven days after the last day of March, June, September and December in each year.
Another action plan under the agreement, and included in this bill, is the introduction of nationally consistent provisions for an offence for the unlawful manufacture of firearms. Presently, the act provides that a firearms dealer can manufacture and repair a firearm. The right to manufacture and repair firearms will be given to a firearms armourer with severe penalties for any unauthorised person manufacturing a firearm, including a prohibited firearm or pistol.
Further amendments to the Firearms Act contained in the bill will facilitate the administration of the act by amending a number of anomalies or strengthening current provisions. The current provisions relating to the period of disqualification for a person applying to register a firearm for an offence under the act are confusing and ambiguous. The bill will provide a new procedure, simplifying the regime into a three tier system as follows: where a person has been found guilty of an offence, and a court has imposed a pecuniary penalty, the person cannot apply to register a firearm for a period of two years. Where, however, the court has imposed a period of imprisonment, the period will be five years. In some instances, a breach of the act may be more appropriately dealt with by the issue of an infringement notice. Therefore, an infringement notice similar to an offence under the Traffic Act, may be issued by a member of the police force in certain circumstances.
These amendments, however, will not limit the court’s powers in disqualifying a person from registering a firearm. The courts will have the power to disqualify a person for such period that the court specifies. The court may also revoke the person’s licence or permit for a similar period. Where the court revokes a person’s licence, permit or certificate of registration, or where the person’s licence, permit or certificate is automatically revoked for a disqualifying offence under the act, a member of the police force may, without warrant, search and seize any firearm or ammunition. This power already exists in certain instances, however, this amendment will give a member of the police force the power to seize firearms where it is in the public interest or public safety to do so.
The bill also introduces a circumstance of aggravation in the penalty regime under the act. Where a person is found guilty of an offence under the act, and at the time of the offence the person was the subject of a refusal, a suspension or revocation or a period of disqualification for a licence, permit or registration, the person is liable to twice the penalty that is otherwise provided for in the offence.
In addition, notwithstanding any other period of disqualification under the act, the court is to disqualify the person from holding any licence for a further period of four years on the imposition of a pecuniary penalty and 10 years for a period of imprisonment. An order to Keep the Peace under section 99 of the Justices Act is to be a disqualifying offence.
These amendments will greatly assist in ensuring that access to firearms is restricted to people authorised to possess and use them. The amendments will enhance the administration of the act in such a manner as makes it more consistent and fairer to those Territorians who own or intend to own firearms.
Finally, I should draw to honourable members’ attention that the COAG agreement requires these amendments to take effect from 1 July 2003. Therefore, it will be necessary to have this bill brought back on for consideration in the first week of the June sittings in contravention of Standing Order 178 which requires the bill to lay before the Legislative Assembly for one month. To that end, I invite any honourable member to contact my office to arrange a briefing session to enable members to consider and debate the bill in June.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Pass all stages
Pass all stages
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker I move that so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Firearms Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 158) passing through all stages at the June 2003 sittings.
Motion agreed to.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Youth Parliament in Alice Springs
Youth Parliament in Alice Springs
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I make a brief statement about the Youth Parliament held in Alice Springs. As you are aware, it was held on Friday, 2 May. The teams were accommodated at the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park during the program, where they participated in a week of parliamentary procedures training and social and recreation programs arranged by Sean Philips of the YMCA. I might add the Clerk and Clerk Assistant had already conducted parliamentary training with them prior to that. As well as that, the Clerk Assistant went to Nhulunbuy to assist the students from there who participated.
It is important that we know that the youth involved in this debated a range of issues including an MPI on the need for Northern Territory youth to be heard. The issues debated including the lowering of the voting age to 16, and the need for a mechanism for local youth representation to have input to government and/or town councils. It was very pleasing to hear the Youth Parliament debate all these issues.
On their behalf, I table for consideration by the Chief Minister and members the following bills, as amended and passed during their deliberations:
the Youth Community Service Bill 2003, a bill for an act to reduce the incidence of substance
abuse by Territory youth by providing for education, community support, and by requiring
offenders to spend time performing constructive community work. The sponsors of that bill
were Yirara College and Our Lady of Sacred Heart College;
the Rights of Adults to Donate Organs Bill 2003. It was to provide for organ donation by adult
Territorians, sponsored by St Philip’s College and ANZAC Hill High School; and
the Inhalation of Petrol Fumes Bill - a bill for an act to reduce damage to health, property crime,
violence and community disruption arising from the inhalation of petrol fumes. It was sponsored
by the Nyangatjatjara College at Yulara.
I also table for members’ perusal the Airport Security Bill which was, in fact, negatived by the Youth Parliament.
Honourable members, they had excellent leadership in the form of the Youth Chief Minister, Sarah Schubert, the Youth Leader of the Opposition, Aimee Dixon, the Youth Speaker, Kate Barrett, and the Youth Administrator, Jamie Coutts.
It gave me great pleasure to present some awards. In deciding those awards, the adjudicators based their assessment on public speaking, voice projection - all qualities I know that we would like to have - content and persuasive argument used to put their case and debate, ability to think on their feet and make reasoned arguments, amendments to bills on the run, a willingness and ability to engage in impromptu debate, and appropriate poise and demeanour demonstrated in the Chamber.
I was very impressed with their performances, notably those of Kurt Schulte, Sarah Schubert, Julia Winterflood, Peter Mick, David Caffrey, Aimee Dixon and Dane Campbell. I presented the Best Performer Award to Kurt Schulte from Centralian College, the Encouragement Award to Julia Winterflood from Alice Springs High School, and a Special Mention Award went to Warren Murphy from the Nyangatjatjara College who delivered a speech in English despite it being his second language.
I commend all those involved, particularly those teachers Tina Lapalombara from St Philip’s College, Linda Barrett from Nhulunbuy High School and Ian Sharp from Centralian College. I also want to pay particular thanks to Sarj and Gaddy, who spent considerable time with the young students and became their special friends. If this year is any indication, we can expect great things from our 2004 Youth Parliament.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Pass all stages
Pass all stages
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following bills, namely Appropriation Bill 2003-04 (Serial 147), Financial Management Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 148), Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 149), Stamp Duty Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 150), Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 151), Mineral Royalty Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 152), First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 153), and Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2001 Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 154), being passed through all stages at the June 2003 sittings.
Motion agreed to.
NORTHERN TERRITORY ABORIGINAL SACRED SITES AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 160)
(Serial 160)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr AH KIT (assisting Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act was gazetted in June 1989. This bill would amend the act to give the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority legal certainty to charge fees for some services; specifically in relation to determining authority certificates, arranging conferences, and providing extracts of the registers of sacred sites and authority certificates.
The bill also amends the penalty provisions of the act. Monetary amounts set in 1989 are converted to penalty units in accordance with the Penalty Units Act. The scale of the penalties is updated to take account of inflation since 1989 and to a balance between individual and corporate penalties in closer accord with today’s realities.
Members will be aware that the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act gives effect to a scheme of site protection applying to all land in the Northern Territory. The broad purpose of this scheme of site protection is stated in the act. It is to effect a practical balance between the recognised need to protect and enhance Aboriginal cultural tradition in the Northern Territory and the aspirations of the whole of the people of the Northern Territory for our economic, cultural and social advancement.
Under the prevailing scheme, intractable conflicts between developers and Aboriginal people are largely avoided. The site avoidance provisions of the act have been able to accommodate Aboriginal interests in sacred sites and projects as complex as the Alice Springs to Darwin railway and as simple and common as roadside borrow pits. In short, the protection of Aboriginal sacred sites in the Northern Territory has been successful and has brought great benefits to site custodians and to all Territorians.
There are a number of key elements to this success. The independence of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority is one. It is a board composed of five male and five female custodians of sites in the Northern Territory nominated by the land councils, and two other members. The land council nominees have been people of outstanding knowledge in areas of Aboriginal tradition and respected also for their leadership in other areas. It is also fundamental that Aboriginal custodians have been able to place their trust in the processes, confident that they will be consulted and that their cultural information will be confidential and secure under the legislation.
The act and the Authority have also earned the confidence of the wider community through the transparent, consistent and timely responses to applications for Authority certificates. People proposing to use or work on land may apply to the Authority for an authority certificate to cover their proposed activities. The authority certificate provides them with a legal defence against prosecution in relation to the works or uses covered by the certificate as long as they observe any conditions required to protect sacred sites. More than that, the process can be an opportunity for applicants to work with custodians to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of issues so that the end result reflects the agreement of the people directly involved.
Authority certificates are determined by the Authority only after they have consulted the relevant Aboriginal custodians and conducted on-ground surveys to identify sites. The Authority must decline to issue a certificate if the proposed works will damage a sacred site. An authority certificate will be issued to the applicant if the works can proceed without damage to, or interference with, any sacred sites on or in the vicinity of the land. There may be conditions imposed within the certificate to ensure that sites are not damaged. Within the authority certificate processes applicants can ask the Authority to arrange conferences with custodians. This provides an avenue for direct detailed discussions between developers and affected custodians.
Since 1995, the Authority has carried out limited cost recovery for authority certificate determinations including conferences. There has been a very high degree of compliance with billing requests for authority certificates. The Authority has also charged for the production of extracts of its public registers, the Register of Sacred Sites and the Register of Authority Certificates. Notwithstanding the high rate of billing compliance for all these services, the legal basis for these charges is uncertain because the act requires the Authority to provide services regardless of whether the applicants agree to pay costs. The bill is intended to establish a legal basis for fees and charges that does not depend on withholding or withdrawing a service. An applicant for an authority certificate would incur a debt to the Authority that is independent of whether a certificate was issued or the conditions that might be imposed.
It is important to understand the benefit obtained by recipients of authority certificates because this explains why there is already wide acceptance of the user pays principle. The companies and individuals receiving the services provided by the Authority benefit by obtaining certainty about the effect of sacred sites on their projects. Recipients of authority certificates are indemnified against prosecution as long as they comply with the conditions of the certificate. In effect, the recipient of an authority certificate is able to transfer all risk arising from the existence of sacred sites on or in the vicinity of their project to the Authority and hence to the government. This is a highly valued service not available in any other jurisdiction.
As I have said, the bill removes legal uncertainty over the cost recovery arrangements followed by the authority over many years. The bill proposes that fees be prescribed by regulation for ‘standard applications’ for authority certificates. Because of the broad benefits of the scheme to the Northern Territory community as a whole, full cost recovery for standard applications is not contemplated. The fee structure will maintain existing charging practices. By setting standard fees for specified categories of applications, applicants will know the costs in advance and be able to factor them into their activities. By charging standard fees, applicants also will not be exposed to variations in the actual costs of dealing with different applications.
Members may be aware that elsewhere in Australia the resource development industry meets the full costs of activities such as consultations, site surveys and negotiation over indigenous concerns. The authority has taken the same approach to charging for authority certificates for substantial resource and infrastructure projects. The amendments in the present bill would allow for full cost recovery for authority certificate activities for these kinds of projects which are classified as non-standard applications.
The bill modifies the established procedures so that the authority has to advise an applicant if the application is to be classified ‘non-standard’. The applicant has to be provided with prescribed criteria for classification and the prescribed methods of charging, and may request other relevant information. This also applies to applicants for meetings with custodians if these are judged to involve substantial costs. If the applicant confirms the basis for charging a non-standard application within 60 days, the application takes effect from the confirmation date. This applies to applicants for meetings as well as authority certificates.
This confirmation period applying to non-standard applications and to meetings involving substantial costs has required adjustments to be made to the existing time constraints for the authority to determine applications and arrange meetings. Otherwise, these are consistent with the existing act and the processing timing of standard authority certificates of application is unaffected.
Disputes about the classification of applications as standard or non-standard or the basis of charging can be referred to the minister of the day to decide. There is also provision for the minister to hold monies as security in relation to charges for non-standard applications.
In summary, the bill amends the existing scheme to establish a legal basis for the authority to charge in relation to authority certificate applications and some other services to the public. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to the House.
Debate adjourned.
TOBACCO CONTROL AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 161)
(Serial 161)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mrs AAGAARD (Health and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Tobacco Control Act 2002 to clarify a number of issues surrounding the operation of the act in liquor-licensed premises other than restaurants, to clarify the restrictions relating to al fresco dining areas, to adjust the restrictions on the display of some tobacco products, and finally to introduce a definition of ‘specialist tobacconist’ for the purposes of the act.
Since 1 January 2003, Territorians have been able to enter public places knowing that they will not be exposed to the potential harm of breathing environmental tobacco smoke. From World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2003, the second phase of legislation commences, providing smoke free places for workers and ensuring that smokers and non-smokers can enjoy equal amenity in liquor-licensed premised, except restaurants which must be entirely smoke free.
Other changes commencing on 31 May relate to the retail sale of tobacco, with all retailers now being required to have a tobacco retailer licence. The display of tobacco products will be restricted and all advertising and promotions of tobacco products will be prohibited.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance of these public health measures in helping prevent our young people from becoming attracted and addicted to tobacco products. As is quite common with complex legislation, since the act has been implemented, it has become quite apparent that some clarification is needed to clearly articulate the requirements of the legislation to both venue operators and patrons. I have also become aware of some other issues, which are clarified by this bill and in amendments to the regulations. All changes have been closely worked through with industry to ensure the smooth implementation of the act. I will now indicate the amendments in the bill.
The bill provides further clarification in relation to smoking in liquor-licensed premises. Restaurants, whether they are liquor-licensed premises or not, must be smoke free. The bill makes it clear that dining areas within other liquor-licensed premises must also be completely non-smoking, and that in addition, equal amenity for smokers and non-smokers will be provided throughout the rest of the venue. This protects patrons and all staff involved in serving food, whether they work in a restaurant, club or tavern, from being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. In addition, a dining room, or food service area within a multipurpose venue, such as a community sports club, is only required to be non-smoking during the period the room is being used as a dining area. When the room is being used for another purpose, then the operator is simply required to provide equal amenity for smoking and non-smoking patrons. The bill makes it clear that equal amenity must be provided throughout all the remaining area of licensed premises, over and above the non-smoking food service areas.
This bill will also clarify for patrons of liquor-licenced premises which are not restaurants, that meals may be consumed in smoking areas if staff do not serve the meal there. That is, a patron could be served a meal in a non-smoking area but choose to take and eat the meal at the bar, for example, which permits smoking. Again, the purpose is to provide protection for wait staff across a range of venues from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, while continuing to provide choice for patrons who may have a long history of a counter meal at the local.
Bars may continue to serve manufactured pre-packaged snacks over the counter, without that area automatically becoming a food service area and therefore smoke free. This is intended to allow the sale of snack foods such as chips and nuts to be sold in conjunction with alcohol in a smoking area, which of course supports responsible service of alcohol. This provision does not allow food service to occur in a smoking area and thus expose wait staff to environmental tobacco smoke. A minor amendment to the bill excludes al fresco dining areas from the ban on smoking within 2 m of an entrance to enable small venues to continue to provide smoking tables in their outdoor areas.
The bill and associated regulations also makes adjustments regarding the display of tobacco products. As canvassed in the review of the Northern Territory Tobacco Act Discussion Paper 2002, retailers will be limited to displaying one of every product type in each size, as well as a different package type, such as hard pack and soft pack for cigarettes, and in a tin and pouch for loose tobacco. In addition, cartons may be displayed but will again be limited to one of each product type. Displays of cigars will remain limited to two cigars of each size and type, but there will be no maximum limit on the total number of cigars on display. The fundamental principle underlying these changes is that retailers are entitled to display one example of each of the tobacco products they have for sale, as long as they do not exceed the maximum display area which remains unchanged.
Retailers have already been notified of the changes to be made to the numbers of different types and sizes of tobacco products permitted to be displayed. These comments apply equally to specialist tobacconists, who will be restricted to a maximum of 12 square metres of display space, as outlined in the relevant amendment to the regulations. Otherwise, they will be subject to the same restrictions as other retailers. The definition of a specialist tobacconist will also be clarified as a separate retail operation where 85% of the total retail operation is derived from tobacco.
I wish to mention three amendments which will be made to the regulations after these amendments to the act are passed. They relate to casinos, signage and oil rigs. I describe them here because once enacted they will modify certain obligations imposed by the regulations from 31 May.
In line with the original discussion paper and my second reading speech, casinos will be required to provide smoking and non-smoking tables on the basis of equal amenity rather than half of their tables and machines being non-smoking. This was the original intent. When workplaces become smoke free on world No Tobacco Day, they will not be required to display signage. A new regulation will also make it explicit that no smoking signs are not required at the doorway either, since doorways have been non-smoking areas since 1 January when the community is now well used to the idea. Accordingly, no smoking signage will not be required at Parliament House.
Oil and gas platforms are the only workplaces where it is not possible to go outside to smoke, for obvious safety reasons. Indeed, under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act, smoking is only allowed in specially enclosed areas on oil rigs. Therefore, in the only exemption to the smoke-free workplace provision, oil and gas platforms may continue to provide a single, separate room for smokers. This room will be additional to the general staff recreation room and will be fully enclosed and separately ventilated.
The Tobacco Control Act is one of the most significant pieces of public health law introduced into the Northern Territory. The bill before the House serves to clarify details for the benefit of operators and patrons. From 31 May 2003, the second phase of legislation begins. It will provide smoke-free workplaces for workers, and ensure that smokers and non-smokers can enjoy equal amenity in licensed premises other than restaurants.
Under the provisions of the current act and regulations, restrictions relating to retailer displays of tobacco products, equal amenity in casinos, signage on workplace entrances, and oil rigs also commence on 31 May 2003. However, the amendments which I have just outlined to these areas will not come into effect until this amendment bill is passed. In order not to disadvantage those affected, my department will ensure that no action is taken against them for failing to comply with these provisions that are to be amended between 31 May and the date upon which the amendments come into operation.
Finally, I draw to honourable members’ attention that it will be necessary to have this bill brought back on for consideration in the first week of the June sittings in contravention of Standing Order 178, which requires the bill to be before the Legislative Assembly for one month. To that end, I invite any honourable member to contact my office and arrange for a briefing session to enable members to consider and debate the bill in June. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Pass all stages
Pass all stages
Mrs AAGAARD (Health and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Tobacco Control Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 161) passing through all stages at the June 2003 sittings.
Motion agreed to.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Take two bills together
Take two bills together
Mr VATSKALIS (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent bills entitled Land Development Corporation Bill 2003 (Serial 155), and Trade Development Zone Act Repeal Bill 2003 (Serial 156) –
(a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively,
the second readings, the committee’s report stage, and the third readings of the bills together; and
(b) the consideration of the bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.
Motion agreed to.
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BILL
(Serial 155)
TRADE DEVELOPMENT ZONE ACT REPEAL BILL
(Serial 156)
(Serial 155)
TRADE DEVELOPMENT ZONE ACT REPEAL BILL
(Serial 156)
Bills presented and read a first time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I move that the bills be now read a second time.
This government is determined to ensure that the reality of a world class transport hub is developed in Darwin. We know that the advent of the railway is now a reality that even the most sceptical Territorians and, indeed, Australians, cannot ignore. We must build on the efforts taken so far and the tremendous work that has been done in making the East Arm Wharf and surrounding area a world class facility.
The Chief Minister announced the formation of a new land corporation in November 2001, principally to develop and manage the proposed industrial estates at East Arm, Middle Arm and Glyde Point. The concept of an industrial and commercially oriented land corporation was developed to ensure the Territory is in the best position to take advantage of major industrial projects due to commence or accelerate this year. The projects include the completion of the Adelaide to Darwin rail link, the completion of Stage 2 of the East Arm Port and onshore and offshore oil and gas projects. It is through the provision of support for these major industrial activities and appropriate linkages that the Territory economy will continue to grow and prosper.
Beyond natural resources, land is an essential requirement for any onshore industry. It is intended that the Land Development Corporation is able to provide quick access to appropriately developed land, thus allowing businesses to focus on their core activities and producing for the Territory. To do this the Land Development Corporation will be established with a land estate at East Arm including the Trade Development Zone. Other areas at Middle Arm and at Glyde Point on the Gunn Point Peninsula will be added as the areas are required.
The corporation’s responsive land release and development focus will assist business and industry to establish in the Territory close to rail, port, air and road transport connections. The new corporation will be provided with freehold title over the estate to enable the management and lease of appropriate areas in a commercially oriented manner. The corporation will be able to arrange leases under the Real Property Act with terms and conditions more often seen in the private sector. It is important to understand that the industrial land asset is viewed as critical to the future of areas such as the wharf and rail internodal transport system. We have protected the land asset by only leasing areas for appropriate lengths of time. In addition, freehold arrangement would not be entered into without compelling reasons and specific approvals.
The corporation’s activities would not be confined to Darwin. Other areas of land in the Territory may be placed under the control of the Land Development Corporation for development as the need arises.
The bill provides that the minister may direct the corporation in the manner in which an activity is undertaken particularly where the activity is non-industrial in nature. I expect such interest will be few and far between but examples include the maintenance of a World War II site and open space areas at East Arm. Any ministerial direction will be laid before the Assembly and reported in the annual report of the corporation in a normal manner of ministerial direction.
The Darwin Port Corporation has been closely consulted in the preparation of this bill to ensure that areas of perceived conflict are avoided. The new corporation may undertake marine associated activities at East Arm or Glyde Point in the future such as developing marinas, moorings for cruise yachts, jetties, flotation basins and developing waterfront industrial land. However, the core business of running a commercial port remains the purview of the Port Corporation. The accepted view is that the two corporations will complement each other’s activities.
While the new Land Corporation will be able to deal in real property and issue leases and licences, it will not be exempt from the Planning Act or any other laws of the Territory. It must be seen to operate in as much of a commercial manner and on similar grounds for business it might be perceived to be competing with.
The corporation will have an advisory board of five members with a maximum of two public sector employees with the balance of the board drawn from the private sector. The prerequisites for appointment are to have a proper qualification or experience or knowledge. Appointment of members will be for a period of up to three years with the ability for terms to be extended. The normal termination of clauses relating to offences and bankruptcy have been included. However, the requirement for the minister to consider a termination has been removed as the termination in these instances under this act will be automatic.
The government intends that the Land Corporation is an immediate and effective body from day one. The corporation will consist of a corporate sole, the Chief Executive Officer, who will seek the advice of the advisory board on commercial matters relating to corporation’s estate. Reporting structures for the corporation are clearly defined under the bill. To some, the reporting requirements might seem onerous, however, we are also dealing with a finite and valuable estate on behalf of all Territorians and the government intends to ensure it is made best use of now and into the future.
Following the example of the AustralAsia Railway Corporation Act the government has decided that this act will also include provision for local industry participation agreements. The provision will mean that industries establishing in Land Development Corporation estates may be required to enter into an agreement on local industry participation. The provision also provides that a civil penalty will apply if there is a breach of such an agreement.
The bill is cognate with the repeal of the Trade Development Zone Authority Act. Australia is now party to all trade agreements which restrict government subsidies and many forms of government assistance to exporting business. Australian business and government also adhere to principles of competitive neutrality onshore. To say the least, times have changed since the concept of the Northern Territory Trade Development Zone. The concept of a zone where businesses derive a benefit over other like businesses because they are in a particular zone is no longer appropriate in today’s business world.
Government therefore does not intend that the corporation take on the activities of what is currently the Trade Development Zone Authority. The corporation becomes responsible for the land interest, assets and liabilities of the Trade Development Zone on its establishment. The current leesees will, at that point, become tenants of the Land Development Corporation. It is intended that there will be as little disruption to Trade Development Zone businesses in this change over as possible. A provision is made in the bill for the assignment of all rights, authorities, other than the exemption from payroll tax and stamp duty. These exemptions as a right of the TDZ licence will cease with the repeal of the Trade Development Zone Act. A separate arrangement is being provided by Treasury to cover payroll tax concessions over licences until the licences expire. Stamp duty concessions will cease all together.
The budget allocation for the Trade Development Zone Authority of $1.108m will transfer to the Land Development Corporation on 1 July 2003. Staff of the existing zone will transfer into corporation positions on an acting basis until after the first Advisory Board meeting, expected in July or August 2003. I expect that the corporation’s positions will be filled as appropriate from that time forward.
My colleague, the Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development, announced a new trade support program commencing on 1 July 2003. This new program coincides with the repeal of the Trade Development Zone Authority Act. I welcome the announcement and its availability to businesses throughout the Territory.
The merits or otherwise of the Trade Development Zone have been debated many times in this House by our predecessors, and I do not intend to revisit an issue, that to some, has become a long and sorry saga. The existence of the Northern Territory Land Corporation has not been overlooked in the preparation of this bill. However, the Northern Territory Land Corporation’s land holdings are divergent and vast. Government demands that this new land corporation is focussed on supporting our up and coming industries associated with the advent of rail, completion of the new wharf and the onshore and offshore oil and gas projects.
A review of the Northern Territory Land Corporation will be undertaken over the coming year and, where appropriate, land will be transferred to the Land Development Corporation.
Madam Speaker, in closing, I wish to explain that the government is seeking urgency on this bill because of the technical requirements for legislation to sit on the Table for a full month. Given the shortage of time between these sittings and the June sittings, the legislation will not meet that number of days. Therefore, I am indicating now that because we wish to move this legislation through in the June sittings, we will be doing so under urgency. I am happy to provide a briefing to the opposition spokesperson as soon as he wishes. I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Pass all stages
Pass all stages
Mr VATSKALIS (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Land Development Corporation Bill (Serial 155) and the Trade Development Zone Act Repeal Bill (Serial 156) passing through all stages at the June 2003 sittings.
Motion agreed to.
APPROPRIATION BILL 2003-04
(Serial 147)
(Serial 147)
Continued from 27 May.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, it is with much pride that I rise to contribute to this Appropriation debate. The Treasurer’s budget speech yesterday flies in the face of comments we heard from the Opposition Leader this morning in his reply which hinged on three things: one, that he has a rear view mirror vision of where the Territory is going; that he mis-reads, as we saw last year, the budget papers; and that in his ad hoc approach to what he would do were he in government, it showed that he has not learnt from nearly two years in opposition.
These budget papers have more detail in them than we ever saw under the CLP. I stood in here year after year trying to work out what the differences in figures were between one year and another, and I said to various ministers: ‘What does that mean?’ and they said: ‘You’re stupid. You don’t understand’. But those variations from one year to another, which can be a one-off payment or a one-off spend of some kind, were not in the budget papers. They were never indicated in the global figures we received. The trick for year after year was to change the line items so we could not do an apples and apples comparison; we had apples, pears, peaches, bananas all over the place, year after year after year.
There are difficulties because of the change from cash to accrual, undoubtedly. We saw in estimates the struggle, I would say, for both sides of the House. At least we admitted we were coming to terms with accrual. It is difficult to see the change, but there was no such admittance from the other side, simply this bull at a gate approach, admitting nothing but demonstrating through questions that they did not understand one aspect of the budget. And, as we saw in the Opposition Leader’s reply this morning, would not even read the budget papers, would not go through Budget Paper No 3, which gave many of the answers to the statements he was making based on non-reading of the budget papers. You could say it was ignorance; maybe he did not have time. I know there are time constraints on everyone, but to come in here and lead with his chin through his whole half hour response was simply embarrassing. It was no better than last year. Last year, the Opposition Leader came in and misread the budget papers, was talking to the wrong page of the budget papers, and made a total hash of his response. This one was looking backwards. This one was based on the wrong information, and the vision that the Opposition Leader said was missing from the budget this year. He tried to have an ad hoc approach to it. If that is a vision, then I know why the CLP are in opposition.
The 2003-04 budget is a responsible and responsive budget. We are reducing the CLP’s deficit legacy while delivering on the key concerns for Territorians. The key features of the budget are more jobs, safer communities and tax cuts for Territorians. If doing that says you lack a vision, then I am proud of what we are doing - creating jobs for Territorians. How more visionary do you have to be? Jobs for Territorians, providing safer communities. How much more fundamental is that - providing safer communities right throughout the Territory. And tax cuts for Territorians, along with the $127m that is in the budget to reduce the cost of living. How more fundamental is that to go to the heart of what Territorians need to be able to live happily in our community, and that is reducing the cost of living. There are significant funds in this budget to do that.
These are the priorities. I commend the Treasurer for delivering, what I believe - and by the way Territorians have responded - is an excellent budget. The only members of our community who are griping and grizzling, in an ill-informed way about this budget, are sitting opposite here. You have compliments coming from the Chamber of Commerce, the TCA, the Property Council, just to name three. When you look at the response we have had to this budget, the only response was a collective bag of misery on that side of the parliament. I would respect the comments coming from the opposition if they were informed, but they are not. They are taking on the mantle of an opposition that simply argues in opposition for the sake of it - nothing constructive.
This budget continues many of the important initiatives which were commenced in 2002-03, such as the implementation of the Economic Development Strategy to drive economic growth and create more jobs for Territorians. It continues the work with the community through community Cabinet meetings on important issues, including how to make the Territory safer for Territory families, and working through my Office of Territory Development to deliver major projects, bringing gas onshore, and capitalising on the freight and value-added opportunities that will come with the completion of the railway.
Building safer communities, as I said, is a key component of this year’s budget. This year’s budget clearly demonstrates that the government is serious about tackling the real problems of antisocial behaviour and itinerancy in our community. As the Treasurer outlined in his speech, we have, for the first time in the Territory, committed real resources to tackling this ongoing and serious issue. For the 2003-04 budget, $5.25m has been allocated for the expanded itinerant strategy which will operate across the Territory. $2.75m of that is to fund a range of medical intervention and law enforcement strategies, as well as initiatives to encourage people to return to their communities and away from a destructive, itinerant lifestyle.
A further $2.5m is to be utilised on capital initiatives for homeless and itinerant people. This is an important initiative as part of our $5.25m. Many people come to Darwin and other centres in the Territory and there is literally nowhere for them to stay. The low cost accommodation that is available is full, and often that low cost accommodation - most of my experience of this is in Darwin - is taken up with people who are living in those accommodations on a full-time basis. Therefore, short-term accommodation that is low cost is virtually unavailable in Darwin. That allocation of $2.5m will start to turn that around, so that you do not sleep in the street when you come to Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs or Nhulunbuy. There will be accommodation options which is a very important component of tackling the problems we have with antisocial behaviour. This is a whole-of-government, whole-of-community strategy that is tackling the causes of itinerancy and providing practical solutions. I say practical, tough, but effective solutions.
The budget also delivers on my government’s No 1 priority, and that is jobs for Territorians. $6m has been allocated to the Capital Works Program for the railway corridor construction which will include the construction of fencing, crossings, replacement roads and water sources. A further $7.5m has been set aside for passenger terminals in Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin, with work set to begin shortly. This is important work with the railway on schedule for completion in early 2004.
The Office of Territory Development has been charged with working with FreightLink and Territory business to capitalise on the economic activity and jobs that will come with the completion of the railway. An international freight symposium will be held in Darwin, in February next year, which will consider major developments in the international and national freight industry. A three-year Commonwealth agreement for $100 000 each year has been secured to assist the activities of the Northern Territory Freight Working Group. That is the important thing that is continuing about the railway.
I say again, I recognise the significant work that was done by the previous government in getting financial close on the railway; a most complex and difficult project. I am proud to stand here and congratulate all those who were previously involved. However, the work undertaken by my government is the critical work for growing the capacity of that rail, for growing the domestic freight and also, the import and export. As I reported to this House, I was delighted in visiting three Asian countries in March with a business delegation, including FreightLink, to find that there is a real response in Asia, from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, at looking at the investment possibilities here at the port associated with that new rail/port link. Even though there is much work to go, and it is not necessarily easy for companies to change their existing freight patterns, I believe that our new central trade corridor will offer those opportunities for import and export into Australia. We will see that grow, and grow significantly. We have a target in the first four years of operation of taking the current 5000 containers that cross our port every year, to 50 000. I believe that we can see that capacity grow perhaps even further in that time but, certainly significantly over 10 years.
While major construction projects such as the rail and onshore gas are important, it is essential that the Territory diversify the base for its economic activity, particularly in the knowledge-based areas. A step along this path is to establish Central Australia as a national and internationally renowned centre for desert knowledge. $250 000 has been allocated for the ongoing operation of the Desert Knowledge project. This funding will support the Desert Knowledge Australia Statutory Corporation, legislation for which was introduced at the Alice Springs sitting. In this budget, $150 000is allocated as the first of seven annual contributions to the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre for research and development. The total Territory contribution will be $1.33m in cash and $10.73m in kind over the seven year life of the CRC. As you know, Madam Speaker, it is a most significant project; there is $20m from the federal government in cash over the seven year life of the CRC. All together it is a $94m project, with cash and in-kind support.
In the April sittings, I also foreshadowed provision of $2.2m in this budget to establish headworks as a first step in developing the Desert Knowledge precinct in Alice Springs. This precinct will become a major knowledge centre driving social and economic growth in the region. Selling the competitive advantage of the Territory such as our desert and tropical knowledge base to potential investors interstate and overseas is crucial to encouraging more investment and more jobs. In the 2003-04 budget, an additional $500 000 has been allocated for marketing the Territory to overseas investors and to Australians as a preferred place to live, work and invest – making a total of $720 000 available. Many Australians and overseas investors have no concept of the business and lifestyle opportunities we have to offer and are certainly surprised when they visit the Territory’s population centres and realise we are a sophisticated and thriving community.
With all the exciting major projects on the drawing board this is a critical time for getting our message to potential workers and investors in the Territory. The marketing project will include promotion of Australia’s Asian gateway to support the new trade route and the ‘difference is opportunity’ for recruitment and investment attraction to the Territory. When this government says Territory, we mean the whole Territory, not just Darwin. As such, part of the department’s ongoing commitment to regional development, $285 000 has been allocated to furthering regional initiatives. $200 000 has been provided to the Alice in 10 initiatives for the Quality of Life project to assist overall project coordination. This will include the development of Central Australian crime prevention strategies and the establishment of dry areas in town camps. $30 000 has been provided to support the Tourism Think Tank Forum within the Barkly Blueprint to develop a master strategy to attract and retain tourists in the Tennant Creek region. $55 000 has been allocated as part of the Katherine region development plan comprising $30 000 to assist development of a boat ramp and $25 000 for a heritage trail along the Katherine River. My government is serious about continuing to break down the Berrimah Line and to ensure the benefits of economic growth, jobs and safer communities flow through to all Territorians.
This year will see the further roll out of this government’s community engagement strategy. It is an initiative that seeks to include Territorians in the policy development process including through the Community Cabinet process, using community engagement to improve public participation is consistent with my government’s emphasis on social justice. As part of this government’s commitment to genuine engagement with Territorians, Cabinet will continue to visit communities all around the Territory as part of the Community Cabinet program. In the coming year, Cabinet will conduct around 10 Community Cabinets to spend time listening to Territorians’ concerns and the aspirations they have for their communities. It is vital in this day and age that government’s stay in touch with the community and take their messages on board. That is what this government is doing through its community engagement programs.
In order to support the expanded focus of the department’s responsibilities, an additional $500 000 has been allocated from the 2003-04 budget to establish a small corporate communications unit within the Department of Chief Minister to provide a full range of pubic affairs services to the agency. During the 2003-04 financial year, the department will release multicultural, seniors and women’s policy strategies as well as an indigenous women’s strategy – another first for the Territory. In the 2003-04 budget there is allocation for the Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence Strategies and they have risen to $1.48m. This represents a total increase of $400 000 over two years.
Madam Speaker, you have paid the power bill?
Madam SPEAKER: Can you still see, Chief Minister?
Ms MARTIN: Yes, I can.
$500 000 of this will be allocated to a major family development and capacity building initiative under the Aboriginal Family Violence Strategy. This has been designed to offer different and more sustainable whole-of-community outcomes around issues relating to family violence. A further $54 000 has been allocated to form the Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Advisory Council to the Chief Minister, with the Social Policy Unit in my department providing additional resources and support.
A hallmark of my government’s approach to policy development has been a positive and constructive engagement with indigenous Territorians. This is delivering real benefits, getting away from the politically driven obstruct-and-litigate approach of the previous government to solving issues and moving forward with major advances in areas such as mineral exploration.
The Office of Indigenous Policy continues to be expanded within the department to facilitate across government coordination on strategic issues, including the implementation of workability reforms to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, resolution of issues relating to Kenbi, resolution of land and native title issues on Territory parks and reserves, whole-of-government coordination for the Indigenous Economic Development Policy, communicating the government’s policies to the indigenous and wider communities through a regular news magazine, tackling the lack of funding available to address the chronic state of housing in remote communities, coordinating the whole-of-government approach to the Indigenous Communities Coordination Pilot at Wadeye, improving the capacity of the Northern Territory government to respond to indigenous issues, and a small program of research and capacity development.
My government is also about promoting our great Territory lifestyle, and encouraging Territorians to have fun. We will continue our strong support for the V8 Supercars this year; a great weekend for Territorians which matches that of the Finke Desert Race. As the minister said today, we have provided additional funding to support the Finke Desert Race, which is a great activity for the people of Alice Springs and for which the Minister for Central Australia lobbied long and hard. Next year will be its 30th year, and the race has grown to be included as a round of the National Off-Road Championships. We have already committed $50 000 to support the event until 2005 and in the next financial year, there will be a further $300 000 to relocate the start/finish line area to improve competitor safety and provide better facilities for spectators.
1 July 2003 marks 25 years of self-government for Territorians. This is an important milestone in our history. Government will be ensuring that it is recognised and celebrated right across the Territory. We have much to celebrate, and an initial $200 000 has been allocated to the Major Events Corporation in this financial year for a range of activities that will not only look at our past, but also how we move towards our future. Celebrations will span a 12 month period, and we will be highlighting a number of special people, special events and unique aspects of our lifestyle. Details of the events will be announced shortly.
As Minister for Arts and Museums, I am pleased to say that my government has continued its strong support for the arts community in the Territory. More than $2.5m will be allocated to continue the excellent work of our major arts organisations including funding for projects under the Art Grants Board, Artistic Scholarships and Art in Schools programs, and to support the Regional Arts Fund.
The government’s minor new works program will provide $673 000 towards upgrading facilities at our premier cultural institutions - the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct and the Bullocky Point site of Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory. An additional $250 000 has been allocated for the establishment of a Northern Territory Office for Film, Television and New Media. This office will be based in Alice Springs. The employment of industry professionals and a modest funding program in the first year will kick start a strategic support, promotion and industry development program. This will help broker strong local, national and international industry networks and partnerships, and will develop strategic options and directions for the Territory’s successful film industry.
Project support funding will be matched through the Arts Sponsorship program in the first year to make $50 000 available to the local industry, increasing in subsequent years of the initial three-year plan. This exciting initiative will benefit the Territory and encourage industry consultation and potential partnerships. On the Office of Film, Television and New Media, we are the only part of Australia that does not have such an office. When you visit such established institutions as the South Australian Film Corporation and realise the work they have done so successfully over a number of years now, then we certainly have been missing out.
This allocation of $250 000 is a modest start, but it is a start. Importantly, recognising the role of Central Australia in our film, television and new media industry, this office will be set up in Alice Springs. I am very proud to make this announcement today. I know it was in yesterday’s budget, but as the minister responsible, and recognising the work done through the Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development, I believe we have made an important start for job creation in recognising a small but very effective industry in the Territory.
Looking at my electorate, I personally welcome some long awaited initiatives to improve the conditions of schools in the electorate of Fannie Bay. Stage two of the upgrade of Parap Primary School will start, probably later this year, that is an allocation of $4m. The first stage was to relocate the administration block, thereby freeing up where the administration block previously was for a new IT centre. The $4m will go towards refurbishing existing classes, some new classrooms, moving the preschool on to the primary school site, and finishing the refurbishment of what is a very old school. It was built in 1958 and, really, since then there has been little upgrade of the school. When you look around the school, they have done very well. The classrooms are so old you can actually put your hand through the boards, and following the Wet, the classrooms are full of water and stink. It is impossible to get that smell out. Because of their construction so many years ago, you cannot stop the water coming in during the wet season. It has been a long awaited upgrade. I say to those of the school community and the Fannie Bay/Parap community, they lobbied long and hard and that lobbying was very justified. The arguments they put were very good. It has been great to be able to say that we recognise the importance of this school and the need for its upgrade. I am proud of this allocation for stage two of the upgrade in this budget.
The Darwin High School, which is the biggest and a comprehensive high school, and the oldest in Darwin, is very much in need of an upgrade. With over 1200 young people now at that school, the facilities there are not ones you would expect in the 21st century. The masterplan is being developed and the refurbishment of Darwin High will start with an initial allocation of $1m. We committed $7m to that refurbishment in our first term of government, and over the next three years, the refurbishment will include the upgrading of existing facilities such as the multipurpose hall, the construction of new science laboratories, the demolition of sections of Block A to enable the area to be turned into standard classrooms, the refurbishment of Block B to provide extra classroom space, the reallocation of staff faculty rooms, and the supply of temporary demountables during the redevelopment.
It is going to be one of those difficult redevelopments. To keep a school of 1200 operating effectively during that refurbishment time is going to be a challenge. When you look at how expert our developers and builders are in enabling schools to have major redevelopments but continue operating, I think this will be successfully done for Darwin High. I recognise the expert work that was done at Stuart Park Primary between the school council, the principal and the builders, Sunbuild, and was pleased to see that Sunbuild were also doing stage one of Parap Primary, so the school has been able to continue operation quite effectively while a major redevelopment is happening. The work of the redevelopment of those two schools is long overdue and, I know, very welcomed, both at Parap and Darwin High, by staff, students and parents.
Another couple of initiatives in the budget this year that will impact on my electorate are the funds for the itinerant strategy. The shopping centres of Fannie Bay, Parap and Stuart Park have constant problems with antisocial behaviour, with people sleeping in the street, begging, and harassment. It is a constant frustration not only to the business community, to the shopkeepers at those three shopping centres, but also to members of the community. Certainly recognising that and the negative effect that antisocial behaviour has is what is underpinning the effective strategies being developed with the resources we are putting towards that itinerant strategy. Those funds will be very welcome in the Fannie Bay electorate and right across the Territory.
Another aspect is the commitment from Health that the ambulance operations at Parap will now be increased to seven days and 24 hours a day. That initiative is welcomed by both the people of my electorate and all those living in the inner city area. When you consider the activity of the inner city area, to have a Parap base being responsive to the needs of the community of central Darwin is overdue but most welcome. I recognise the special efforts of the Minister for Health and Community Services.
Not only is this a budget that will be welcomed right across the Territory, the specific initiatives that relate to my electorate will also be very welcome. It is a very responsible and responsive budget; it is reducing the budget deficit legacy of the previous government but delivering in key areas for Territorians: more jobs, safer community and less taxes. I certainly commend this budget to the House.
Mr HENDERSON (Business, Industry and Resource Development): Madam Speaker, I support the Treasurer’s statement on the 2003-04 Northern Territory budget and future initiatives for the Territory.
In relation to Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the following new initiatives for the 2003-04 financial year will see the agency better positioned to deal with crime and public safety issues. Funding of $3.93m has been made available this financial year in line with the government’s commitment to provide 50 additional police members over the four-year term of government - that is, 10 in 2001-02, 10 in 2002-03, 10 in 2003-04 and 20 in 2004-05. The increase in police resources will help to ensure that there are more police in place to target known problem areas and to help reduce the rate of crime. In fact, 27 police constables graduated in May this year, and a new recruit squad of 35 will commence training in June 2003.
Ongoing recruiting will help the Northern Territory Police Force to maintain its strength and grow. In line with the three-point plan on drugs and the six-point plan on property crime, this government has given a commitment to provide additional police resources for street patrols and home invasion offences and the doubling of the Drug Squad. Twenty of the 50 positions have been established since 2001-02, with 10 allocated to Task Force Ranger which specialises in property crime including unlawful entries and home invasions. Eight have been assigned to Darwin Region Patrols and two positions were also assigned to the Drug Intelligence Unit.
Funding of $930 000 has been allocated in 2003-04 in line with the government’s commitment to increase the fire service by 16 extra fire officers over its first term. This increase of 10 officers from 2002-03 and six in 2004-05 will ensure the fire service has the appropriate staff in place to maintain an effective service to the community.
Since July 2002, the fire and rescue service has increased its staffing establishment by 10 positions. This includes five positions that were fast-tracked from the 2003-04 financial year. The remaining six, making up the total of 16, will be recruited in the 2004-05 financial year.
I am also pleased to announce the following initiatives further demonstrating this government’s commitment to law and order issues. Recurrent funding of $1.5m has been allocated for the ongoing maintenance of the Police Realtime Online Management System, PROMIS. This compares to the $300 000 allocated by the previous government for this purpose. This additional funding will cater for recurrent server maintenance, application enhancements and maintenance, upgrading and licensing, additional database support, and backup and remote accessing. PROMIS is an information management system initially developed and used by the Australian Federal Police and chosen by the CLP government in 1999. Other users include the Australian Capital Territory Police and other Commonwealth law enforcement agencies. This boost will allow the provision of an improved service to the community through better police performance, greater operational efficiency and increased safety for operational members, and better service to the public through timely access to accurate information. The serious underfunding of PROMIS by the previous administration is certainly one of the reasons for frustrations experienced by police with this system. This government has done what it can to help improve the useability of PROMIS.
Additional recurrent funding of $3m has been allocated to rectify identified underfunding for public sector personnel support for the police. This funding will help ensure that police are able to focus on operational issues with an appropriate level of technical and administrative support. This has been necessary because of the under funding of police by the CLP administration. Twelve administrative and technical positions, including vital roles like police pilot and forensic workers and so on, received no funding from the previous government. So year after year the police have had to take money from other areas including its operations budget to fund these civilian roles. This budget ends that practice and will mean the end of rediverting funds from other areas to pay for these vital positions.
In line with this government’s election commitments, $1.42m has been provided for the construction of a new police, fire and emergency services facility at Humpty Doo. This will provide the community with an enhanced tri-service response to meet community expectations for a localised policing service in a growth area. Service requirements at Humpty Doo and the rural areas have significantly increased over the past years, and this facility will ensure that community’s needs are met.
$300 000 has been made available in 2003-04 for Stage 2 of the mounted patrol facility at the Peter McAulay Centre. This funding will allow for offices to be built as part of the second phase of the development of the facility in order to ensure that the mounted patrol is housed in first class accommodation. The completion of a superior facility will better support the ability of the mounted unit to contribute to a high profile presence in the community.
This year will see the continuation of the cell upgrade program with funding of $800 000 being provided for the modification and upgrade of police holding cells at Adelaide River, Gunbalunya, Maningrida and Santa Teresa, in line with the Territory’s commitment to complete the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. $250 000 has been provided for the upgrade of the police station at Ali Curung. This will allow for the construction of the charge room and interview room, upgrading the public reception area, and to install more efficient airconditioning. This modernisation will not only improve police working conditions, but also enable an enhanced level of service to the Ali Curung community.
This government is committed to providing the people of the Territory with safe and secure environments in which to live. Part of that process is the provision of fire and rescue services capable of reducing loss of life, injury and property damage to the community. The major fire appliance replacement program for the year 2003-04 will be for a large Incident Support Vehicle that will be built and purchased for the Darwin region at a cost of $600 000. This vehicle will specifically carry rescue equipment for motor vehicle rescues, equipment for hazardous material spills, and CBR for chemical, biological, radiological incidents.
In keeping with the national commitment, recurrent funding of $100 000 has been made available for the maintenance and replacement of CBR protective equipment to enable the ongoing development of a counter terrorism capability. This is in addition to the $537 000 provided by the government in 2002-03 to purchase essential equipment. This acquisition was agreed so that all state and territory police forces could provide their first responders with the capability to effectively and safely respond to a terrorist CBR incident, and minimise the harm to the greater community caused by such an event. It will allow appropriately trained personnel to respond and safely extract injured or affected people for treatment. It will also enable the cordoning and containment of affected areas to prevent widespread contamination of the public, and facilitate the forensic examination and gathering of crucial evidence in support of the investigation and prosecution of those persons responsible in the event of a terrorist incident. This funding will raise the level of preparedness within the Northern Territory Police and government to adequately respond to terrorism threats.
Recurrent funding of $110 000 has been provided to Neighbourhood Watch programs to enable more community-based initiatives to be undertaken to reduce crime. This funding will allow the Neighbourhood Watch Board of Management to assist with staff development, advertising and promotion of the Neighbourhood Watch program, publication of the Neighbourhood Watch members’ handbook, and replacement of Neighbourhood Watch street signage. As part of the government’s overall repairs and maintenance program, $2.688m has been allocated to police for repairs and maintenance to ensure valuable assets are maintained across the Territory.
The minor new works program will amount to $802 000 for minor upgrades throughout the NTPFES. This will also ensure that quality facilities for Police, Fire and Emergency Services are maintained and enhanced. All of the initiatives I have just outlined will allow Police, Fire and Emergency Services to continue to provide an efficient and effective service to the community.
Turning now to my other portfolio responsibilities of Business, Industry and Resource Development, this year my department of DBIRD will have a budget of $76m in delivering services to the Territory. The Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development has a particularly broad range of activities and provides a leadership and coordination role for the economic development of business and industry, and the development of available resources across the regions of the Territory.
Today, I am pleased to describe how the framing of this budget will continue to build upon the sound economic basis that this government has established with its Economic Development Strategy for the Northern Territory, in particular, the support in the budget for the services delivered by the department in relation to business, trade and industry development, and the minerals and petroleum sector. I am delighted that in the coming year we will see a strong and growing focus on indigenous economic development following the recent Indigenous Economic Summit held in Alice Springs. My department will play a major role in this endeavour.
I now detail the ways in which we will deliver support for economic development.
Business support: acting promptly in response to business community needs, my department is developing a dedicated online access point, or one-stop-shop, to help local business locate the correct service in an easy to use business portal. This facility will bring together all programs, including information services into one convenient location. In addition to existing services, the business portal will be regularly updated with any new information or linkages to other levels of government that provide business services. Another feature will be the provision of details and contacts for other Northern Territory initiatives. This initiative is funded to an amount of $172 000 for 2003-04 and $132 000 in subsequent years.
In addition to the business portal, my department is also developing the integrated service delivery channel, an online facility that will make it possible for business clients to renew or apply for licences from the comfort of office or home via the Internet. This initiative will take around two years to fully develop. Phase one of this project has commenced and will include online applications for local and interstate trade promotions, business name renewals and cessations, fish retailer licence renewals, applications for fossickers permits and special liquor licences. The budget has provided $400 000 in 2003-04 to establish the integrated service delivery channel.
Over the coming months, the Territory Business Centre in Darwin will itself undergo some changes to incorporate an expanded and improved call centre facility and a more efficient and accessible customer service area.
Procurement reform has been a major focus of this government and is being undertaken in partnership with industry. In keeping with this focus, the government will spend $500 000 in 2003-04 and a further $325 000 in subsequent years on procurement training for departmental procurement personnel and the members of the Procurement Review Boards. I am also pleased to announce the formation of the Procurement Reference Group, established under the leadership of Treasury and the Government Procurement Council. The PRG is the focal point for receipt and investigation of representations and complaints about Northern Territory government procurement activities. The Government Procurement Council, led by private sector representatives, will play an important role in ensuring improved forecasting of requirements, a more strategic release of government work, improved tender documentation, emphasis on value for money in awarding tenders and improved communication and relations between agencies and suppliers.
Defence industry support: amongst my ministerial responsibilities, I hold the important portfolio of Defence Support which is administered by DBIRD. The defence industry is a vital industry sector in the Northern Territory that has underpinned the Territory’s economic growth over many years. This government has strongly supported the sector, and in recognition of its growth has established a stand alone Defence Support Unit responsible for identifying and facilitating industry development opportunities for expanding defence related business and activity in the Territory. This is an exciting industry with exciting prospects coming out of large projects such as the patrol boat replacement project, the armed reconnaissance helicopter project, and new Defence Housing Authority developments. The new Defence Support Unit will build strongly on existing networks and relationships with key defence personnel to achieve greater local participation in defence contracts.
Trade development: to provide extra impetus to the successful implementation of the Northern Territory’s International Trade Strategy, the Territory government is introducing a major new trade support program in 2003-04. Known as the Trade Support Scheme, the program will supersede the existing Export Marketing Assistance Scheme with transitional arrangements to accommodate current EMAS clients and approved grant recipients.
The new scheme’s broad eligibility criteria and increased budget will allow all Territory firms to apply for advisory and financial support to strengthen trade capabilities, knowledge and activities on a dollar for dollar basis with government on eligible trade development projects. Outcomes from the scheme will include improved knowledge of key international markets, strengthened competitiveness, targeted in-country support, development of trade routes and market links, and enhanced availability of key resources and skills to support participation in existing and new markets and regions. Additional funding of $250 000 has been allocated to the scheme, over and above the existing funding for EMAS, bringing the total funding available to this scheme to $330 000.
Regional emphasis: I should stress that the efforts of DBIRD are Territory-wide. The department maintains a high level of service to each region as our industry base, particularly mining, pastoral and horticulture, has a strong regional spread. One such initiative is the proposed upgrade of the road between Maxwell Creek and Pirlangimpi on Melville Island. The Territory government is offering in-principle support for a forestry project being developed by Sylvatech and the Tiwi Land Council to harvest pine from plantations established in the 1970s by the Commonwealth government. The offer is for funding of $1m to construct 29 km of road to enable timber harvesting to commence. I was very pleased to be in the Tiwi Islands with my colleague, the member for Arafura, to be able to announce the funding for that project. It is a very exciting project that the Tiwi people are thrilled about, and a real concept. It is proof that business and industry and Aboriginal people can come together and realise a significant project, economic value and jobs for the Tiwi.
My colleague, the member for Arafura, is going to have a significant role to play and one that will be relished in terms of ensuring that there is training and opportunities for Tiwi people to participate on that project. It is a real commitment from Sylvatech to ensure that as many local jobs are created out of that project as possible. I am looking forward, along with the member for Arafura, to witness the first shipment of timber leaving the Tiwi Islands from this project in August this year. The first shipment is going to India. It will be a significant increase to the Territory’s export and trade figures. It is a long way from the Tiwi Islands to India, but it is a great and very exciting project, and it is good to see that type of activity starting to take place on Aboriginal communities.
Minerals and petroleum: the advancement of the Territory’s mineral and petroleum prospectivity to discovery is a key component of the government’s Economic Development Strategy. Intensive and sustained geological exploration is the fundamental process that discovers new resources. New resources must be discovered and developed if the Territory’s mining and petroleum sectors are to continue to be significant wealth creators into the future.
Consequently, I am delighted this budget will enable us to launch the government’s new mineral and petroleum exploration attraction strategy, Building the Territory’s Resource Base. Under this initiative, an additional $15.2m will be provided for the minerals and energy group over the next four years to enhance the capacity of the group to facilitate the Territory’s mineral and petroleum potential. This new initiative will position the Northern Territory at the forefront of destinations worldwide for mineral and petroleum exploration investment. Central to this new strategy is the work of geoscientists from my department’s Geological Survey Division. Their focus will be on enhancing the Territory’s geological prospectivity by providing industry with high quality, low cost, new generation geoscientific data, information and ideas. Work programs on the Geological Survey Unit over the next four years will further unlock the Territory’s complex geological framework, maximising the explorer’s understanding of mineral and petroleum systems. Particular attention will be given to completing work on the vast sand-covered and poorly explored western Arunta geological region, which links the great gold producing areas of Tennant Creek and the Tanami.
An ambitious new program is planned for the Pine Creek geological region in the western Top End, highlighting its significant, unrealised polymetallic and diamond potential. A multi-disciplinary focussed geoscientific approach to the Amadeus Basin, already a significant gas producer in its own right, will spark renewed explorer confidence in the petroleum and mineral potential of this under-explored terrain.
Building the Territory’s Resource Base will capitalise on recent Australian developed advanced exploration technologies that will complement the department’s pioneering airborne geophysical data sets and emerging exploration geochemical databases. Targeted …
Mr Dunham: Where’s the cash? You are down $2.8m next year.
Mr HENDERSON: $15.2m, to the member for Drysdale.
Mr Dunham: Should be up $4m.
Mr HENDERSON: You should be cheering for this: $15m over four years. Targeted application of these technologies …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, you would think they would be cheering this good news …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: You would think they would cheering this good news but all they can see is doom and gloom and little devils running around in the detail.
Madam Speaker, I can tell them the industry will be cheering this initiative and I am looking forward to launching this initiative on Friday at the Minerals Council, because they will not be churlish about it, I can tell you. They will be very supportive of it - very exciting developments.
Building the Territory’s Resource Base will capitalise on recent Australian developed, advance exploration technologies that will complement the department’s pioneering airborne geophysical data sets and emerging geochemical databases. Targeted application of these technologies enhanced by strategic drilling programs should significantly advance the discovery of mineral deposits hidden beneath the surface veneer of weathered rocks and soil that covers large portions of the Northern Territory. The development and maintenance of intuitive web-based spatial data delivery systems will be a priority of my department over the life of the initiative. This government recognises the importance of online access to information in order to facilitate investment decisions, and as means to promote the Territory’s exploration opportunities to the world.
Last month, I had the pleasure of granting the 500th exploration licence since this government came to office. This was a significant achievement that will ensure a high level of mineral exploration activity for the foreseeable future. Associated with the high level of activity is a requirement to adequately manage exploration activities to ensure maximum benefits are obtained for the Northern Territory. Building the Territory’s Resource Base provides for that management. It will ensure that additional resources are available to continue the high quality land access for explorers and miners through the grant of further titles. To this end, the government will commence the Native Title Act right to negotiate procedure for grant mining titles and continue its successful strategy for the grant of exploration title using the Native Title Act expedited process.
On the legislative front, the government will undertake a major review of the Mining Act and will finalise its submission to the Commonwealth in relation to proposed workability amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act. I am very pleased with how discussions have progressed in our submission to the Commonwealth. For the first time, I am exceedingly hopeful that we will see the government, the mining industry in the Northern Territory, and the land councils of the Northern Territory, jointly approach the Commonwealth government with agreed amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act to approve proposed workability …
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr HENDERSON: It is good to hear support. I am sure that if we do pull that off, there will be significant support from each and every member here in this Assembly. It just goes to show that if we work together in acknowledging all stakeholders’ rights to land, we can achieve significant outcomes. I will be very much looking forward to bringing the detail of those negotiations and the proposed amendments back to this parliament for full debate in the not-too-distant future.
The Northern Territory is actively promoting acreage offshore and onshore for petroleum exploration and development through a number of avenues, including APPEA and the Northern Territory initiatives. Whilst petroleum permits have reduced in numbers over the last few years, potential upcoming projects are expected to stimulate petroleum initiatives from explorers. In 1999, the Commonwealth government decided, for consistency and efficiency, that offshore petroleum safety should be handled by one Commonwealth agency - the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority, NOPSA. After much negotiation and discussion, the Northern Territory agreed and support NOPSA’s creation.
This new organisation will take effect on 1 January 2005 and will affect the way the department does business offshore. The effect of this new organisation will require changes to staffing and legislation, however, ultimate development and exploration control will remain with the Territory. The mining services division of the department has an active program of community liaison particularly focussed on indigenous communities that are affected by mining or petroleum exploration or development. Its nationally recognised programs will continue with enhanced funding from Building the Territory’s Resource Base initiative. This will enable the restructure of the community services branch which provides these valuable services so that a new team is able to operate in the field. It will also fund new and enhanced interactive computer-based teaching material and relevant 3-D models to support the program of community visits.
The valuable work of the indigenous mining and enterprise taskforce to enhance the opportunities for indigenous employment and provision of services to the mining industry will continue with management facilitation by the community services branch. The mining services division also supports the executive manager of the minerals and energy group. Officers of this division facilitate my role and the Northern Territory government’s involvement in two ministerial councils that impact on minerals and energy resources in the Territory - the Ministerial Council on Energy and the Ministerial Council on Minerals and Petroleum Resources. The government will continue to play a constructive and influential role on these councils.
Mr Deputy Speaker, the government is fully committed to the sustainable exploration and development of the Territory’s petroleum and mineral resources. I commend the Treasurer for including in this budget a raft of tax cuts to business. These measures are welcomed by business, and combined with the measures I have outlined which will reduce red tape, improve government services to business and access to government services to business, and the significant improvements to government purchasing, means that Territory business has been a big winner from the 2003-04 budget. I commend this budget to honourable members.
Mrs AAGAARD (Health and Community Services): Mr Deputy Speaker, I start by congratulating the Treasurer on the 2003-04 budget. It is an excellent budget; one that acknowledges the constant challenges of delivering health and community services in the Northern Territory.
I have stood in this House on a number of occasions to put on record this government’s commitment to ensuring the Territory has a health system that is responsible, sustainable and effective. In my budget speech last year, I hailed a budget that was visionary, progressive, fair, and above all, delivered on the commitment that this government has made to the people of the Northern Territory. This year I am equally proud to stand hear and speak to a budget that balances vision and fairness with sound and irrefutable pragmatism. A budget that continues to deliver on the government’s commitment to Territorians. Their health and wellbeing remains one of the Martin government’s key priorities.
In February this year with the launch of the findings of the Bansemer Review of my department, I acknowledged that the Territory’s health system had been sick for a long time. It is no secret that the previous government presided over repeated budget blow outs, little accountability and historic under-funding for at least 10 years. It failed to focus on emerging costs and cost shifting by the Commonwealth. The Bansemer Report is a prescription for better health and we have started along the road to recovery.
This budget is a cornerstone of that long-term strategy for recovery. It is not a quick fix, but it is smart, it is focussed, and it is based on realities. The Department of Health and Community Services will receive a record $561m for 2003-04, an increase of $14.2m on the 2002-03 budget. This is on top of the $15m injected into the budget in February this year; an increase of $34m since the beginning of this financial year, and might I say, $98m since coming to government. In the face of Commonwealth miserliness and increasing costs, this government has developed a budget that will still allow my department to deliver on core services and enhance areas that were identified in the review as requiring priority: mental health, oral health, renal health, child protection, and HIV/AIDS, as well as honouring priority election commitments.
This budget requires continuous, rigorous financial management and efficiencies by my department together with evidence-based decisions for investment and disinvestment, which are aligned to government and departmental priorities. All governments should be constantly reviewing their programs and making sure that they are in line with government priorities and also community priorities and needs.
As a result of priority setting, my department will build its capacity to respond to cornerstone programs over a number of years. Most importantly, this is the first time any Northern Territory government has given the Department of Health and Community Services a fixed commitment for growth. This certainty for the department is fundamental to the management, planning and prioritising of health and community services delivery. It is an essential part of building a sustainable system.
This budget acknowledges the ongoing increases in the cost of providing essential services, and the need for strict priority setting. My department has implemented successful cost savings measures throughout this financial year. Continued efficiency measures such as vacancy management in non-acute areas and vigilant monitoring of expenditure will remain paramount in the year ahead.
The two key messages that I wish to put on the record here today are achieving rigorous priority setting, and maintaining core services into the future. What do Territorians need when they are acutely unwell, chronically ill, needing a helping hand, or requiring a specialist in community services? They need hospitals that provide quality treatments, they need responsive ambulance and other retrieval services, they need access to client focussed and culturally appropriate mental health, oral, renal and children’s services. The most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community need vigilant, viable and ongoing care and support. Rigorous priority setting is here to stay. Core services have been funded now and into the future.
I will now address my department’s budget in more detail. In formulating this budget, the Martin government has been guided by the advice provided in the Bansemer Review which has informed directions and policies. This has been difficult work in the face of historic underfunding, lack of transparency of resource allocation within the health and community service system, and significant shortfalls in some areas of administration.
There are a number of priorities for improving the reach and quality of services. The Bansemer Review has guided us to identify five priority areas for the Department of Health and Community Services over the next five years. These are mental health, oral health, renal services, child protection, and HIV/AIDS. We are going to put sustained effort into making improvements in these areas over the next five years. We are not going to change our focus every year, which all too often has been the practice of the past. Our budget also makes clear the Martin Labor government’s commitment to improving services for young people, primary health care services for Aboriginal Territorians, telehealth services, and an appropriate level of resourcing for our hospitals.
This government inherited a mental health system that has been left to deteriorate to a state where it fails to meet the needs of clients, is under-resourced and poorly supported. In 2003-04, $900 000 will be used to boost the current forensic mental health service, and strengthen child and adolescent mental health services and services for remote and regional areas.
Over the next three years there will be an injection of $7.2m into the mental health sector, with funding of a further $2.5m in 2004-05 and $3.9m in 2005-06. This is the most significant increase in mental health funding for a number of years. This additional funding will also be allocated to advance clinical mental health services, and strengthen consumer and carer support services provided by non-government organisations. Specific initiatives include specialist child and youth mental health services, Aboriginal mental health coordinators, mental health nurses, enhancements to forensic mental health services, and funding for consumer and carer support services provided by the non-government organisations.
I will comment on some things that the Leader of the Opposition said in relation to mental health spending. He made the claim that there was no increase in this funding. The simple answer for the Leader of the Opposition, is yes, there is a one-off Commonwealth SPP which finishes in 2002-03, so obviously it is not in the budget, and there is an acquittal of Commonwealth funded projects where the revenue was received in 2001-02. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition would like to be a little bit more informed before he makes these kinds of comments.
In recent years, oral disease has been linked to prematurity, low birth weight and some heart diseases. Maintenance of good oral health plays a very important role in the health of people with illnesses, such as rheumatic heart disease, diabetes and renal failure. It is an integral component of general health. Once again, this government inherited an oral health service that has been chronically underfunded and that operates on a service model that is unsustainable.
This government is committed to improving the state of oral health in the Northern Territory; to revitalising public dental services; and to re-establishing services at a sustainable level. An injection of $400 000 this coming financial year is part of a four year commitment to upgrade oral health services across the Northern Territory. We will increase the number of dentists and dental therapists we employ across the Territory, and provide for high standard infection control through the use of appropriate disposables. Recruitment of two new dentists, one for the Top End and one for Central Australia, and an additional dental therapist for the Top End, will improve services and enhance the Children’s Dental Service to East Arnhemland.
I have stood in this House on a number of occasions to talk about renal disease in the Northern Territory. It is expected that the diagnosed rates of chronic disease, especially renal disease, will continue to increase over the next ten years. The cost of renal dialysis in the Northern Territory has grown at approximately 12% per annum in recent years. My department’s budget demonstrates this government’s commitment to doing something about this unacceptable situation, and its responsiveness to the recommendation of the Bansemer Review.
My government intends to lay the foundations for the development of renal services in remote communities. This funding commitment of $2.55m will be spent on renal services, including the operation of a dialysis centre at the Palmerston Health Precinct to service the many renal patients in the Palmerston and rural area; the expansion of current regional and remote renal services in line with increased demand, including transferring further patients from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek for treatment; and the provision of community-based dialysis services for self-care patients at Galiwinku and Groote Eylandt. Training of patients from Galiwinku and Groote Eylandt has commenced, and liaison between my department and these communities continues. We are also expanding the dialysis unit in Tennant Creek, and there will be the employment of specialist renal nurses to train patients wanting to return to their home communities. This is a commitment to Territorians in remote communities, reducing their need to travel long distances to receive essential treatment.
Another area we will be improving is in the area of child protection. An additional $0.5m of funding will enable the Child Protection Service to expand the program, providing after hours child protection responses for children at risk throughout the Territory. A senior child protection worker will be available after hours, all evenings, on weekends and on public holidays. The current after hours service operates only on an on-call basis. My department will now be in a position to provide a better service and also provide improved support for police, who encounter children or young people in need of care after hours. The project will also increase my department’s capacity for follow-up work with young people and their families who require high levels of support from Family and Children’s Services and the police - a real commitment to Territory families. This is, in fact, a boost of $1.8m to the FACS budget since coming to government.
The Leader of the Opposition has also made comments that we have not put this $500 000 in the budget, whereas we have. Once again, he should have sought a briefing before making such comments. In fact, there has been a cessation of a one-off Commonwealth funding project in 2002-03 to provide an Aboriginal foster care and family support service. This was a one-off program that the Commonwealth funded.
HIV/AIDS is an area where government has set a priority and the department will respond to it over a number of years. Beginning in 2004-05, there will be an additional $2m to address HIV/AIDS issues, rising to $4.5m in the following year. In the interim, in 2003-04, health workers in the major district centres will provide targeted sexual health services to groups that are potentially high risk for the spread of infection. This was identified as the highest priority, short-term activity.
Other budget highlights include the new development at Royal Darwin Hospital which will open in July 2003, and the Territory will have a state-of-the-art emergency department, intensive care unit, high dependency unit, coronary care unit, and operating theatres. The $3.6m a year in recurrent funding for the new development will provide an optimal facility where staff have more room to do their work. Territorians will continue to receive an excellent standard of acute care in far more comfortable surroundings. As the Treasurer has outlined, this will increase emergency beds from 15 to 28, ICU from five to eight, coronary care beds from three to 10, and will create a maximum of nine beds in the new high dependency unit.
The Martin government is committed to appropriate telehealth development in the Northern Territory, particularly as a means of improving remote service delivery. In response to our election commitment, we will establish a health call centre providing triage, advice, and referral services to Territorians no matter where they live. Today, I am pleased to announce that we are committing $290 000 to support its implementation. A range of call centre models have been developed in Australia in recent years, and the Department of Health and Community Services is working with Northern Territory general practitioner organisations to establish the most appropriate model to meet the needs of our population. We will ensure that the model and level of service delivery developed will suit local goals and meet local needs. I see the health call centre as a positive step towards increasing the quality and availability of health services, particularly for remote areas. It will also play an invaluable and cost-effective role in directing patients and consumers towards the most appropriate service responses, as well as providing advice when other face-to-face services are not available.
Building on last year’s $260 000 enhancement to ambulance services, a further $130 000 has been allocated to the St John Ambulance Service which, from November this year, will lead to the provision of around-the-clock ambulance services operating from Casuarina, Palmerston and Parap, as well as a volunteer service at Humpty Doo. This fulfils an important election commitment made by this government and will improve the responsiveness of the ambulance service for Darwin, Palmerston and the rural areas.
Too many children - especially Aboriginal children - have inadequate diets; they go to school with empty stomachs. The government finds this unacceptable. I have stood here on many previous occasions and described the very high rates of adult chronic diseases: coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and renal disease among the adult indigenous population. The causative factors lie largely outside mainstream health services - poverty, smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol misuse and environmental health factors - but there is increasing evidence that poor nutrition and infections in early childhood are also implicated.
The school breakfast program is a government initiative to provide healthy breakfast to at least 500 students in remote areas. $300 000 has been allocated in 2003-04 and recurrently. My department is working closely with the Department of Employment, Education and Training, and discussions are already taking place to identify the schools that will participate in the pilot program. It is envisaged that local communities will be heavily involved in the operation of the program which will not only improve health, but is expected to contribute to improved school attendance and performance.
As I said earlier, my department has to continue to live within its means. In the face of rigorous priority setting and a focus on core services, we continue to face challenges. Under the previous government, the Territory’s public hospitals were under-funded and overspent their budgets to the detriment of all other health and community services. This budget recognises and responds to the Bansemer Review’s recommendations for a more strategic and long-term approach to the acute care sector. Hospital improvements and efficiencies are the name of the game. This approach is consistent with this government’s Building Healthy Hospitals initiatives. The review recommends the establishment of an NT hospitals network, to link the five Territory acute care hospitals, to facilitate access to specialists skills, and increase economies of scale across the hospitals in areas such as purchasing.
Over the last few months, a range of potential efficiencies have been identified by my department, and the imminent creation of the hospital network provides the opportunity to manage them strategically. Once the level of spending and the budget allocation are synchronised the savings can be applied to maximise the dollars at the bedside.
Another major initiative is to maximise revenue. All patients who have private insurance, who have capacity to have accounts paid by a third party will be identified.
In 2003-04, the Department of Health and Community Services will invest in a capital works program across the Northern Territory which includes the installation of an additional chiller at Royal Darwin Hospital to provide sufficient capacity to operate the airconditioning across the hospital; new multi-purpose service centres at Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy to increase the long-term viability and improve access to a range of health and aged care services; new remote health clinics at Daly River and Minjilang; plus upgrades to a number of clinics in the Top End and Central Australia. This will improve the delivery of primary health care services, including a greater emphasis on cultural needs, client confidentiality and occupational health and safety issues.
Minor new works funding of $1.787m is focussed upon the critical priority items needed to ensure safe and effective health services including completing the installation of duress alarms in category 2 clinics for staff protection; upgrading the Royal Darwin Hospital microbiology laboratory to Australian standards; enhancing security of the mental health in-patient unit at Royal Darwin Hospital; and making building modifications to improve the functionality of remote health centres in the Top End and Central Australia; and the sobering up shelter at Katherine. Capital equipment funding of $2.948m will replace or purchase vital diagnostic machines, patient monitoring equipment and surgical supplies and equipment.
In conclusion, health and community services must remain affordable to the Territory. We are going to create a system that is both responsible and responsive. This government will ensure that rigorous priority setting is here to stay. This government is funding core health and community services now and into the future as part of our commitment to building a sustainable system.
Just before I conclude, I would like to add that in this morning’s speech by the Leader of the Opposition, he claimed that there was a decrease in the aged and disability services budget. And if honourable members refer to page 196 of Budget Paper No 3, if he had actually bothered to look at the bottom of the page it actually talks about the key variations. Perhaps if I just direct him to that page and the third dot point, he would actually be able to read for himself why there is a variation in that part of the budget.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I acknowledge the staff of my department who have had a challenging year and yet whose commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Territorians is unfailing. I thank them for their patience as we embark along the road to restoring the department’s health and wellbeing. This is a budget based on priorities, core services and reality. I commend the budget to the House.
Mr REED (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker ...
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: Well, we hear the cheers from some members on the government benches, but I do make the point that in arguably one of the most important service sector departments, Health and Community Services, that the minister used only two thirds of the time allotted to her. Now, there is a sign of a minister who does not know her job. There is a sign of a minister who does not want to talk too much about the budget because she has only received an increase that equates to the 2.5% inflation. There is a minister who is not prepared to fully expound the detail of the budget for which she is responsible and to explain in detail to the House, and in turn Territorians, the issues pertaining to the budget and the reason that there has been cost shifting within her agency between some service components of her department.
Preventative health, for example, has received less funding this year than it did last year and that demonstrates a quantum shift in the approach of the Department of Health and Community Services where they are now going to relate their services to fixing people when they are sick rather than preventing people from getting sick.
They are the core issues that the minister should have taken the opportunity to use the full time available to her so that she could fully explain those very important matters. A shift of that kind, away from preventative health, away from stopping people and helping people not to get sick to the circumstances that we now face where there is a shift away in funding terms from those types of activities to transfer funding from those areas to hospitals - that is, to say just treat people when they are sick instead of stopping them from getting sick - is a quantum shift in the delivery of health services by this government. It ill behoves the minister to waste the time that she had available to her, not to fully utilise that time and not fully explain to Territorians those very core issues in health service delivery to Territorians.
This government has maintained that health is one of its most important objectives as a government. We have not seen that from the minister tonight, and we have not seen that demonstrated in this budget because the budget has only been increased by the inflation of 2.5%. From that point of view, it is a stationary budget as far as health services are concerned.
As we heard in Question Time today, the acting CEO has sent out a directive that says to people in the department: ‘Tell us where we are going to make cuts because we have to adhere to the government’s new policies and some of the things we are currently doing, we are going to have to stop doing because we are going to transfer that money to other areas’, and one of those transfers is from preventative health to patching people up when they are sick.
The budget, overall, I would sum up as a do-nothing budget. It does not carry the Territory forward; it does not address the issue of the extreme lack of confidence that the business community has in the Northern Territory, either in the future or in this government. This government is more than 20% on the negative as far as business attitudes towards it are concerned. Business confidence in the Northern Territory is at its lowest ever and it is currently the lowest level of business confidence in the nation.
Population has decreased; 3283 more people left the Territory last year than came to the Territory. That is a very serious issue that this government has failed to address in this budget, and it could have addressed it by ensuring that this budget returned the Territory to its former status of a ‘land of opportunity’, a place where other Australians flocked to because they knew they could get a job, they knew that they perhaps could go into business for themselves, and they knew that that would be supported by a good lifestyle. People around the nation, and Territorians who are experiencing it first hand, are fast recognising that those things are behind us.
There was the glimmer in the minds of many Territorians that this budget would reverse that trend. Well, it has not. Yes, there are opportunities, as the Chief Minister again laboured today in her contribution to this debate, of gas coming onshore and the work that is going to be done there. But that is still a little way down the road. Business at the moment, with its lack of confidence in the government and lack of confidence in being able to survive, is struggling to pay its wages bills to its staff over the coming weeks and months, not the coming years waiting for gas to take place and to generate some activity.
What was expected of this budget this week was that there would be some bridging projects that this government would put forward that would keep the construction and other industries busy, and be able to bridge the gap between the low level of activity today and the high level of activity when the gas projects start. The gas projects, we should not forget, are going to be beneficial to some sectors of the business and commercial industries in Darwin, but they are not going to be very beneficial to places outside Darwin. One of the things that this budget does is move the Berrimah Line north to Parap; you can now call the Berrimah Line the Parap Line because the focus of this government is shrinking more and more to this building, and to Darwin.
What this budget does is nothing. It does not carry the Territory forward and it does not offer any hope at all to parts of the Territory outside of Darwin. There is no new initiative in this budget, there is not one single new initiative that was not on the drawing board, either from the former government, or that has not been happening over the last couple of years. We have heard about the railway, we have heard about some roadworks, we have heard about some other minor projects, but there is nothing new in it. There are no new projects in Alice Springs, there are no new projects in Tennant Creek, there are no new projects in Katherine.
The biggest industry employer in the Northern Territory, the tourism industry, has suffered a cut in expenditure in its budget. This year, the tourism industry is going to be in dire straits and it is a great shame. The industry is now starting to voice these concerns publicly. They realise that they have been done in. They have a dud minister, they have a minister who does not know the industry, they have a minister who tells them they have increased funding, and they have a Treasurer who goes to extreme lengths to make things good.
I ask the Tourism minister to turn to page 263 in Budget Book No 3, and see if he is satisfied with this - the Treasurer might do the same thing, because there is an implication for him here in that to - there is a rounding up. From time to time you can accept a rounding up in the presentation of an amount regarding a particular activity. Now, roundings up are usually in the form of perhaps up to $10 000. If it is $1 490 000, you might say that is $1.5m. However, in the case of the Tourist Commission, they have received, we are told in Budget Paper No 3, page 263, further funding, and I quote:
Further funding of $1.5m for marketing campaigns.
Dr Burns: Absolutely.
Mr REED: Yes, absolutely, says the minister. But if you look at the variation, the additional money that has been provided for this further $1.5m is, in fact, $1 407 000, a rounding up of $93 000, not a bad effort, minister, not a bad effort. And for the Treasurer to have a rounding up of $93 000 is extraordinary in the extreme. This is a government of open, honest and accountable approaches that they promised Territorians. That is why the tourism industry feel that they have been done in. On the one hand they are being told they are getting $1.5m, and of course they are not, and I will go into that in a minute. In actual fact, the additional money that the commission is getting is $93 000 less than that. Now, $93 000, in the overall context of the budget, might not seem a lot to the minister, but it is a lot to a tour operator who might not make that much money in a year. His or her profit might be less than $93 000. They look at those amounts as being very obscure, to say the least; to be obnoxious, in fact. They are the sorts of things that the minister is going to have to explain to the tourism industry.
The minister can also feel assured that we will be explaining to the tourism industry that trade and consumer shows to be attended in the coming year are going to be less than those attended in the last year. There is going to be less activity by the Tourist Commission selling the Northern Territory as a tourist destination next year than there was this year. This is something that the minister is proud of. Marketing activities undertaken are going to fall at a time when the tourism industry is facing its most critical situation in history. When it wants and needs the most support from government, it is getting the least. Last year, the Tourist Commission’s allocation was $28m. They were only allowed to spend $26m. Their budget this year is $27m and we are told that there is an increase …
Dr Burns: Read page 269.
Mr REED: No, minister, we are not going to …
Dr Burns: Read page 269. You should understand.
Mr REED: The interjections from the minister do not wash. The allocation, in last year’s budget papers was $28m. The fact is, of that $28m only $26m was spent. So, a $27m gross budget this year is $1m less than the $28m allocated to the commission last year. However often he repeats it, whatever context he puts it in, this dud minister will not get across to the tourism industry that they have more money. He will not get it across simply because these very budget documents demonstrate that trade and consumer shows attendance and marketing activities to be undertaken will fall in the coming financial year, at the very time when the rest of the nation is promoting more aggressively to ensure that they can get as many visitors to their patch, to go on holidays, and to support their tourism industry. What is this government doing? It is going backwards in support for the tourism industry.
I raise these issues because of their importance to the Territory economy, and because of the importance to my electorate regarding the value of the tourism industry to the Katherine economy. It is from these two points of view that I demonstrate to the industry the shortcomings of this budget and the dire circumstances that the tourism industry – and they are well aware of it – will find themselves in. That is a very clear demonstration of the shortcomings of this particular budget.
The other pea and thimble tricks – well, the education budget, for an example, is going to get an increase of about $13m. That equates to about inflation, so the increase in the costs of that department doing its job over the coming year will be absorbed by the increase of $13m. However, there is another increase. In the budget documents you will find that the salaries bill for the Department of Education is going to increase by – how much next year? - $13m! Therefore, not only have they not received any real increase in funding, but the $13m they have will be absorbed by the increased inflation which has been set at 2.5%, and the salaries bill for the department has also gone up by $13m. Therefore, in any event, they have a double jeopardy there. They also have to find the $13m for the extra salaries that have been promised to the teachers – and I do not argue about that.
However, I do argue about the fact that the government is trying to tell us that the Department of Employment, Education and Training has an increase in its allocation when, in fact, it has not, simply on inflationary terms. It has a double jeopardy because their wages bill has gone up by a similar amount of $13m. There is a substantial decrease in real terms in the Department of Employment, Education and Training’s budget, rather than any suggestion of an increase. I simply say to members of the House: look very carefully at these figures. Unless you do, you will not get the real story of what this budget really means to you.
I would be very surprised if members of this House do not receive as many complaints as I do about the state of our national highways: the Stuart Highway, the Victoria Highway and the Barkly Highway. I raised this in Question Time today and received an unsatisfactory answer – in fact, I got no answer – from the Treasurer. The Commonwealth in this Treasurer’s advice will be providing $27.3m for national road funding this year, yet it is only planned that some $14m will be spent. Where is the other $13m going? Where is that being syphoned off to? I think there is a bit of cost shifting going on here. I can see now why, over the last two years, during the term of this government, there has not been one additional overtaking lane constructed on our national highways. There has not been one, or rather, there has only been one, at the most, and in some places no roadside slashing, no verge slashing, to ensure that our roads are safe. There has been very little done regarding roadside stops, and as regards major maintenance for our highways, we have seen very little of that over the last two years.
They are very important arterial routes in the Northern Territory. This is tied funding, which the Commonwealth provides to the Northern Territory government to undertake this work, and it just is not being done. The Treasurer might like to reconsider the answer he gave today because it was not really an answer in any convincing terms. He has not convinced anyone and will not convince anyone with those sorts of answers, that there has not been cost shifting. He certainly will not convince anyone that there is a good reason for the roads crumbling under the wheels of their vehicles.
The cost of living. We heard much in yesterday’s budget speech about $127m to reduce the cost of living. There was nothing new in that program. They were ongoing programs. Does the Treasurer really expect Territorians to believe that they contemplated cutting out part of that $127m, stopping the assistance to seniors, removing the child care funding, and the other components of the $127m? Of course not, and to claim that as a wonderful new initiative of this budget is just deceitful. They are ongoing programs. The obnoxious part about that reference, that $127m, was that there were no additions, there was no improvement or assistance to Territorians to further reduce the cost of living. Nothing changed, but it was presented by the Treasurer as a wonderful initiative, notwithstanding that there was nothing new in it.
Look at capital works; we hear a lot about capital works. From the government we hear that the capital works program is a thing of wonder and that it is generating all sorts of activity across the economy, and that the construction industry is busy and all the contractors are happy. Well, they are not. Certainly, the ones that come to me certainly are not.
There was an example given again in relation to that program in Question Time today. The Chief Minister last year, after the budget 2002-03, Clare Martin MLA, Chief Minister, and I quote from it, Mr Deputy Speaker:
- Chief Minister, Clare Martin, today announced …
This is 20 August 2002:
- … the government would begin design work on a new $10 m high school for Palmerston.
This gets an announcement last year. We find out last week, the education minister stands up and he says, ‘$10m for a new high school in Palmerston’. Oh, all right, that gets another announcement. Then we get the budget books and we find that the $10m high school for Palmerston is programmed to commence construction in, when? May, next year, 12 months time. Further to that, we get from the minister for education and the Treasurer today, that even that is in doubt because it is subject to a review.
So, you have a palpable reason there as to why the construction industry does not believe this government’s story that there is a big capital works program and that the Territory economy is benefiting from it. All you are getting is a lot of talk which goes from one year to the next, and now we are even projecting that particular story, this great initiative, to the next financial year.
We can look forward to the Palmerston high school being a feature in the next year’s budget. It is going to be talked about for three budgets; not a brick will be laid, not a person will be employed, not a scrap, not a dollar of economic benefit will flow to Territorians, not a job will flow to a contractor or a sub-contractor notwithstanding that there will have been three announcements: one by the Chief Minister; one by the Treasurer and Education minister, and subsequent announcements next year. That is why you lot are in trouble in terms of your Capital Works program because no-one believes you, and nor should they. No better example could be provided.
Police have gone backwards in this budget. Do not believe the nonsense, and Territorians will not, about an increase in the police budget. Even if there are an additional 10 police that flow from this budget with the $1.5m that has been allocated for it, that is going to be taken up by the new police station at Humpty Doo, and I do not deny that that should be built. That police station is going to require at least 10 officers on roster if it is going to be adequately manned to be able to operate in a functional and useful way to the community which means that no other police station in the Northern Territory will receive an additional officer.
That in itself is a matter of concern. We read daily in the newspaper, we hear it on the radio, we see it on the television, reports of increased levels of crime, increased levels of dissatisfaction in the community with the unsatisfactory approach by this government to law and order and the subsequent problems that people are experiencing as a result of that: the lack of safety, the loss of property, the damages to their vehicles. This government throws at those complaints a never ending stream of statistics. Statistics are not working. Statistics are not helping the Territory to be a better place. The police budget receiving $1.5m for 10 extra policemen who will go to one new police station is not going to help the situation either. In fact, that level of inflationary increase which other departments have received is not evident in the police budget. They will be going backwards as far as funding is concerned.
The payroll tax decrease of 6.3% to 6.2% - it is fascinating how things change. I recall in years past when the former government had a decrease of a similar level, 0.1%, the then Labor opposition called that meaningless, worthless, an insult, and all sorts of other derogatory terms. Yet, when they have a decrease of 0.1%, it is the most wonderful thing that God ever put breath into. It is amazing how blatant this government can be in how it presents what it does, and how it expects the Territory community to conveniently forget anything that it said in the past, and to think that those blatant cases of deceit by this government will not be noticed by Territorians. Of course they are, and Territorians will long remember.
I now dedicate some time to my electorate. Katherine, like Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, is suffering from low economic activity. At this time of the year, people are normally facing the prospect of a good tourist season. Across the Northern Territory, tour operators are saying that their bookings are down, their level of activity is down. I know one operator in Katherine who experienced in March a serious decline in numbers compared to last year; in April, a more serious decline in numbers this year compared to last year; and to last weekend, May to date, an even more serious decline in that company’s May returns this year compared to last year. They should be very worrying trends to the Tourism minister, but all we hear from him is reassurances that everything is okay and the budget has gone up.
Well, the budget has not gone up. The level of activity we see from the budget papers is going to reduce, in fact, in terms of …
Dr Burns: Wrong, wrong.
Mr REED: … promotionals over the next year. The minister can repeat, galah and parrot like as much as he likes that I am wrong, but the fact is the tourism industry are not wearing it. They are not wearing it for very good reasons. So what else, you might ask, is going to happen in the Katherine region that will carry the economy along a bit, and be new and innovative and something that this government can put its hand to and claim as an achievement? Well, I have to say, sadly, Mr Deputy Speaker, nothing.
There is nothing in the budget for the Katherine region that will generate any level of economic activity, or any job creation that will be substantive and long-lived in terms of returns to the local economy. Katherine is not alone in that regard. Alice Springs and Tennant Creek are in very much the same situation and, as I said earlier, the Berrimah Line now lies at Parap.
That is a very sad set of circumstances. The private sector is holding back. They have been waiting for a lead from government, and if they had seen a lead from government in terms of new projects, new bridging programs and developments to carry them through until the gas started, then the private sector would have responded saying, ‘Okay, the government has confidence in the future of the Territory. They are going to invest in a number of new and innovative projects, not only in the Top End, but right across the Northern Territory and the regions, so if they have confidence in the Territory, we as a business community will have confidence and we will start to invest too’.
Well, I believe that all you are going to see from this budget is a further shrinking of confidence in the private sector. All you are going to see is a further decrease in population, over and above the 3283 negative result from the population figures of last year, the decline. That is going to have a spiralling effect on the income that the Territory government will get from GST disbursements from the Commonwealth. The Territory government will only have itself to blame in that regard.
In closing, Territorians have nothing to be happy about with this budget. It is a do nothing, go nowhere budget that is a trick or treat without any treat, without any smell of a treat whatsoever. It will fast become known as that across the Territory as Territorians get through the little bit of gloss that covers this budget up, get down to the real basis of it and find that there is no foundation there at all.
Mr VATSKALIS (Transport and Infrastructure): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I trust since you have studied law, you have probably studied some ancient history, and you may recall very well who Cassandra was. Cassandra was the daughter of Priam of Troy. She was a prophet, and she foretold only doom and gloom, disaster. We have a Cassandra from Katherine, the member for Katherine, and he cannot see anything positive. I see the member for Blain is smiling. Obviously, he knows the history of Cassandra, and he can probably agree with me there is a Cassandra in the House who has just walked out. The member for Katherine, unfortunately, foretold doom and gloom with this budget that actually does not offer anything to anybody, it is not going to improve the economy, it does not deliver anything outside the so-called Berrimah Line, and certainly there is no money in the budget, and everything is an illusion. Well, I have news for him.
Yesterday, the Treasurer delivered a very good budget. The budget revealed that, for the second year in a row, this government has spent a massive amount of dollars in developing the Territory’s infrastructure. In fact, in 2002-03, the total cash spend will be $439m. This coming financial year we will spend $434m. In total, in the first two years of the Martin government, there will be $900m spent on infrastructure. How it compares with the two last years of a Labor government - only $102m more. In the first two years, we have spent $100m more than the Burke government spent in the last year in office.
Let us have a look at what we are going to spend this year. Despite the prophecies of the member for Katherine that nothing is happening, in capital works this year we are going to spend $129m; in minor works, $220m; in repairs and maintenance, $116m; in program delivery, $22m; PowerWater capital works $52m; PowerWater repairs and maintenance, $42m; capital grants $42m; and indigenous essential services repairs and maintenance, $9.7m. The total - $434m. For the second year running, the government’s program is in excess $0.5bn.
The structure that this government has employed in this year’s infrastructure spend is underpinned by a number of principles and actions. First, we continue our principle of a high cash injection to ensure that we reduce revote, and that the projects announced in the budget can get on the ground and start as quickly as possible. This year, the revote is estimated to come in at $119m. That is a little higher than we hoped, but is a result of the government extending the program to develop rail passenger terminals in Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek, and a $9m business park development. Not big projects according to the member for Katherine. It is estimated at the end of 2003-04 the revote will be $102m. This is in stark contrast to the CLP government, which left a revote in 2000-01 that stood at $157m - a revote that would not allow any new projects to go to the ground because, simply, there was no money left.
The second principle we are applying this year follows on from our efforts in our first budget. In this budget, we are trying to increase the number of projects we fund, to spread the work around the entire industry. Last year, we made a conscious effort to have money injected in the minor new works budget. We also made sure that minor new works were getting out to the industry in an orderly fashion – not peaks and troughs. I want to see minor new works coming out in an orderly fashion and not peaking at the end of the year. I have also worked with my Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the agencies and departments have their minor new works list approved quickly, and the information flows to my department so that the design people can work very quickly - once again trying to avoid peaks at the end of the financial year.
In addition to minor new works, I am pleased to advise the House that the budget for 2003-04 year accommodates significantly more projects in comparison to 2002-03. This is because major projects like the East Arm Wharf and the hospitals are washing through the system. That has given us the flexibility to introduce into the capital works programs more jobs for those companies that fit into the $3m to $10m category. We are not going to fall into the same trap the CLP government fell into a few years back. There were a few big projects and they felt with this project everything was fine. What they forgot - and some members of the CLP admitted publicly - were the small subcontractors, the people who could not work on the railway, the wharf precinct, or the East Arm development, the people who paint houses, do repairs and maintenance, and work mainly on small projects, even the small companies that operate in projects of $1m to $5m, were left out in the cold. We are not forgetting these people. We are making sure that there will be enough projects to go out for the small subbies, for the mid-size companies, so there will be plenty of work out there.
I am particularly proud of our effort at improving the infrastructure of the Territory, and of our efforts in supporting jobs in the industry in the Territory. I said before that, in the first two years, the government has put out $102m more. That is $102m means more jobs, bigger investment in the Territory and, certainly, more infrastructure.
I now turn to other operational elements of my Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. We work to build a better Territory for all Territorians, and it is crucial that we monitor our natural resources and protect our environment for future generations. In the area of conservation and natural resource management, my department’s work is supported by a budget allocation of more than $54m. More than $24m will be spent on maintaining our outstanding system of Territory parks. This year, an additional $0.5m has been earmarked for the new parks’ agenda, providing for greater engagement of indigenous Territorians. We also provide $300 000 for the new Owen Springs Reserve in Central Australia. This money includes salary for the rangers, funding for general operating expenses, such as vehicles, provision of power and water to the ranger’s station, and funds for fire, weed and feral animal management.
My department is working with the community to allow sensible, balanced development in the Douglas Daly region through the Daly Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, a draft water allocation plan, and a draft Daly Regional Land Use Development Plan that will be formulated. This plan will combine biodiversity, water resource and land management issues in to comprehensive regional planning framework for formal declaration under the NT Planning Scheme. The Douglas Daly Region will come under the Northern Territory Planning Scheme in order to ensure controlled development.
I am pleased to report that my department continues to work in support of Darwin’s role as the Australia’s Asian gateway and the lynchpin of the AustralAsia trade route. The department is working closely with the federal government on marine and port safety. We are working to ensure that East Arm is top of the line when it comes to security. The Darwin Business Park, a key commitment of the economic development strategy, is progressing well with a budget allocation of about $9m in 2003-04. Construction works started in May and the completion is expected to be in December 2003. We are in negotiations with a major freight forwarding and consolidation company about land tenure and land tenure arrangements, and the negotiations under way are progressing very well. The government is also progressing with an $18m project to service the Middle Arm Peninsula. In 2002-03, we spent $5.5m; we expect to spend the same amount of money 2003-04. The first stage of the road is completed and we are about to commence the construction of the power line and the temporary sub-station and provision of water.
Under the economic development strategy we are committed to preparing the site for the joint user terminal in the East Arm development area to allow fuel companies to develop new facilities and free up the Stuart Park Tank Farm area for, eventually, new residential development. We face significant setback due to the withdrawal by ExxonMobil as equity investors. However, I am pleased to inform the House that an independent terminal operator is negotiating with the companies and the government to establish a joint user terminal.
Last week, I was pleased to announce that the Land Corporation will be operational on 1 July 2003. Its primary focus will be developing and managing industrial estates to meet the land requirements of emerging industries. In conjunction with this initiative the Trade Development Zone Act will be repealed and the Trade Development Project Support Scheme will be introduced.
In the important area of planning and building, an increase of $400 000 brings the allocation this year to $39m. This provides for continuing reform and a whole new approach that allows greater input for the community to planning processes, and greater security for home builders and the general public in relation to building in the Territory.
My department supports the Territory’s development in line with the economic development strategy through integrated, accessible and effective transport services to support economic and social development. Public transport is a key area of service delivery from the government. The use of public transport, and alternative forms of transport such as walking and cycling, has been identified as an important issue for the Northern Territory and Darwin in particular. $19.8m has been allocated to this area, an increase of over $400 000. This funding includes a major review of public transport services, the first in many years, to provide better, more targeted services as well as funding for school services and the Mandorah ferry.
Through the public transport study we have started looking at options for developing an integrated public transport system in the greater Darwin area. The study will take 12 to 18 months and include extensive research and public consultation. We will look at bus, light rail and ferry systems and will also examine the location of a permanent site for the Alice Springs to Darwin rail terminal. We are also working to increase safety and security for passengers and drivers of public buses and we have expanded the trial of security cameras in the buses.
The department continues to support infrastructure development for the livestock industry. Primary industry, including cattle export, is a significant contributor to the Territory economy and the government works closely with industry organisations to identify priorities for upgrading works on the road network. Despite the doom and gloom of the member for Katherine, the department is working very closely with the industry and the Cattlemen’s Association in order to provide safe and upgraded stock routes, roads that the association and the industry can use to bring livestock to Darwin or to transport livestock in and out of their areas, including $1m for the Sandover Highway, $0.5m for the Finke Road, $1.2m for the Point Stuart Road, and $1.5m for strength upgrading works of deficient bridges on the Roper Highway which happens to be south of Parap.
The 2003-04 program also includes pavement rehabilitation with an allocation of $1m for various sealed rural arterial roads and $0.5m for sealed local roads to provide stronger, smoother and safer roads for livestock transport.
My portfolio supports the tourism industry through developing and maintaining appropriate infrastructure. Priority actions include funding the Outback Way to the tune of $40m over two terms of government. This work includes six roads in the Northern Territory: the Plenty Highway, part of the Stuart Highway, the Lasseter Highway, part of the Uluru Road, part of Kata Tjuta Road and Tjukaruru Road. The government is also committed to upgrading the Tanami Road to reduce the likelihood of prolonged closure during wet periods. We have proposed a $6.5m program to address problem areas on the road. In 2002-03, $1.5m was allocated for sealing works. $2m has been approved for the 2003-04 financial year. These combined totals will see the seal extend a further 23km towards Tilmouth Well.
The Mereenie Loop Road project, another road south of Parap, will be funded to the tune of $3m this coming financial year. The provision of year-round all-weather transport routes to indigenous communities is essential for the supply of goods and essential services. The government’s 2003-04 capital works program includes $1m to upgrade the Central Arnhem Road from Beswick to Gove, $0.5m for the Ngukurr to Numbulwar Road, and $1m for the Cox Peninsula Road to Belyuen. Ongoing maintenance, including regravelling of some areas of unsealed roads will continue throughout the Territory to reflect the needs of the communities.
The Darwin Port Corporation budget for 2003-04 illustrates the strongest commercial focus for this organisation in a number of years, and possibly in its lifetime, as an agency of the Northern Territory government. The Darwin Port Corporation expects to increase its total equity position by approximately $3.1m, an 18% increase on the previous year’s budget position.
The Darwin Port Corporation estimates a profit before revaluation or write-down and tax of approximately $4.5m. This is expected to be the largest profit the corporation has made in the last 20 years, and probably during its operating lifetime. This is primarily due to the organisation taking a very hard line on obtaining more acceptable rates of return on its line of business, which in turn ensures that an acceptable return is delivered to the Northern Territory government. This has resulted from a stringent review of all activities associated within the six lines of business the corporation operates, and adoption of an enhanced budgeting process. The corporation continues to receive a sizeable investment from the Northern Territory government during 2003-04 towards construction of the East Arm Wharf facilities.
It is expected that the following projects will be finalised during the coming year, making the new infrastructure available to the port for operating purposes:
the railway container terminal land and associated works:
extension of the existing wharf face by 110m;
completion of container crane relocation; and
construction of a bulk liquids berth.
It is expected that this project will total $23m in investment during the 2003-04 financial year. In addition, the corporation is focussing its efforts on relocating commercial activities at East Arm, with the establishment of port control operations at East Arm in mid-2003, and new workshop facilities towards the end of 2003.
It gives me great pleasure to inform honourable members of the Martin government’s continual effort and success in advancing the Territory’s multicultural society. The Northern Territory is a place where cultural and linguistic diversity are considered assets and an important part of our unique way of life. Through my Ethnic Affairs portfolio, the government provides:
interpreter and translation service to assist agencies to communicate and deliver their services;
an interpreter card to further assist Territorians to access appropriate language services;
two interpreters based at the Royal Darwin Hospital for Greek and Chinese patients;
financial assistance for projects that promote cultural and linguistic diversity in the Northern Territory.
Once again, we maintained the funding at the same level as last year, $697 000 in 2003-04;
operational assistance for migrant and ethnic community organisations, such as the Multicultural Council
of the Northern Territory, the Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia, the Multilingual
Broadcasting Council of the Northern Territory and the Melaleuca Refugee Centre; and
Cultural Linguistic Awards totalling up to $150 000 for individuals and ethnic community groups to
undertake research, further study or specialised training in languages or other cultural activities related
to their ethnic origin. We support the Police Ethnic Advisory Group.
In recognition of the importance of our culturally diverse society, the government has and will continue to engage with the community to develop major policy initiatives. Examples of such initiatives include the Social Development Strategy, the Multicultural Policy and Economic Development Strategy. Each of these initiatives will have important inputs on the Territory’s social, cultural and economic future.
This budget is a good budget. It is a budget which under the circumstances of fiscal integrity and fiscal management delivers to all Territorians.
However, coming again to the doom and gloom prediction by the member for Katherine, things do not happen only in Darwin, things happen throughout the Territory. I will give you a very brief example of some of the things that are going to happen in the next year: Gillen Primary School stage one, airconditioning, $300 000; Darwin High School upgrade, $1m; remote schools upgrade, $3m. In Central Australia, Traeger Park upgrade, $2.5m. Outside Darwin, Nguiu football oval upgrade, $300 000. In the remote areas, Ramingining airstrip - to seal the runway, $1m; Bulman - $700 000 for sealing the runway; Hodgson Downs airstrip upgrade - to seal the runway, $800 000.
Nothing happens in Tennant Creek, the member for Katherine said. The multipurpose service - $600 000; Nhulunbuy multipurpose service $1.5m, remote health clinics, $3m. In Central Australia, Larapinta residential subdivision stage one, $1.5m; the Desert Knowledge Precinct headworks, $2.2m. Expenditure in Darwin - $1.1m for the first works in the wharf precinct, and $3m allocated for the preliminary works for the Darwin convention centre.
Mr Deputy Speaker, as I said before, it is a good budget. It is a budget that provides jobs, jobs, jobs and the builds the infrastructure of the Territory to ensure high economic growth. It is a budget that was delivered by the Treasurer yesterday. I have to admit it was a budget better than I personally expected for the simple reason we were not sure how we were going to manage the debt that the previous government had left us. We managed to reduce the debt significantly, and we managed to deliver the second highest infrastructure budget in the history of the Territory. I commend and congratulate the Treasurer for the budget delivered to all Territorians.
Mr AH KIT (Community Development): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak to my portfolio responsibilities, encompassing a wide and diverse mix, which includes Community Development, Local Government, Regional Development, Territory Housing, Territory Housing Business Services, Libraries, Sport and Recreation, and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. I also assist the Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs.
The total operating expenditure for 2003-04 for the Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs is $204m. This includes a budget allocation for the Arts and Museums portfolio for which the Chief Minister is responsible. This is a decrease of approximately $14m on last financial year. The decrease is primarily attributable to a drop in Commonwealth funding under the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement. This agreement involves a shortfall of more than $20m over the next five years. This, combined with a shortfall of at least $75m in the Aboriginal rental housing program over the same period, is of great concern to this government, particularly given the chronic underfunding by the Commonwealth in Aboriginal housing. However, I am in discussions with the Commonwealth Housing minister and am hopeful of securing additional funding during the course of this financial year.
In my budget speech at this time last year, I talked about the real decline in employment and training opportunities, health and housing outcomes in the bush, and how this government is making a commitment to rural and remote communities. I believe there has been a significant turnaround in the last 12 months. Recently in Alice Springs, I launched a strategy, Building stronger regions - stronger futures. This strategy signals the start of a new era in regional development in the Northern Territory. I am confident that, in the times ahead, this government will lift our regions to new levels of economic and social development and sustainability.
In 2003-04, $52.1m will be provided for regional governance frameworks and local government support. This includes a significant increase in funding of $800 000 to employ additional community development officers. The community development officers will assist in achieving this government’s desired outcomes of strong regions where economic and social outcomes are sustainable, and where cultural diversity is respected. The Northern Territory government wants to deal with the issues that are important to people where they live, work and relax, in a way that is inclusive of the whole of the community, and build the capacity of people in remote areas to fully participate in community and regional development. We will be taking an increasingly direct role in the facilitation of regional development. Staff will be applied directly to assist communities and regions to develop the capacity they must have if they are to participate fully in a strong developmental approach.
Through the Building stronger regions - stronger futures strategy there will be an emphasis for existing regionally-based development staff to change the way that the current council are supported. For far too long, the deal in remote communities has been that government has perversely rewarded failure on our remote communities, rather than success. The brief of the community development officers will be to build on success rather than repeatedly needing to pick up the wreckage of failure. However, where communities need that assistance from the community development officers, that level of assistance and service of delivery will continue to be available. To ensure that officers have the necessary skills to undertake this enhanced role, tertiary training is being developed in conjunction with the Charles Darwin University. All current community development officers will be encouraged to undertake the graduate certificate which will be to both the Northern Territory’s and their own benefit.
While a number of community development officers will have a capacity building role, others will support the establishment and ongoing operation of five regional development boards. The regional development boards will be established to facilitate and drive the development of regional development plans. This process will commence in 2003-04. Departmental officers, skilled in capacity development, will be allocated to priority regions for extended periods to work on issues considered central to the development of the region by both the regional community and the government. Regional development plans will be progressively developed for all regions and will be the vehicles for negotiation of initiatives across the whole-of-government, enhancing government coordination in the process. Partnerships between government and communities will be formed. These will be formal binding agreements where the government and the community commit to the achievement of service delivery outcomes.
Legislation will be introduced in 2003-04 to provide for the establishment of regional authorities where existing community councils agree to come together. This is not about creating a new tier of government, but about achieving enhanced economies of scale to ensure that more effective and efficient service delivery frameworks can be put in place. This government has a long-term commitment to the regional planning process and to the formation of workable, regional agreements that provide practical pathways to achieve agreed outcomes. This is essential to the development of strong communities. Grants of over $41m will be provided in the coming financial year to support local government structures.
In accordance with government’s commitment to tackle the unacceptably high rate of infant drownings in the Northern Territory, the highest in the nation, over-arching legislation for the fencing of private swimming pools became a reality with the introduction of the Swimming Pool Fencing Act on 1 January 2003. This legislation covers the whole of the Northern Territory but applies exemptions to properties over 2 hectares. A pool fencing unit has been established and currently comprises 12 pool fencing inspectors, two in Alice Springs, plus five administrative staff. A further five inspectors will be engaged for six months to the end of November 2003 to ensure that the wait for non-urgent inspections does not become too long as a result of the high priority that is being given to property transfers and tenancies. A total of $1.35m has been allocated in 2003-04 to enable the unit to operate effectively.
Funding has been allocated separately for loans and grants that form a part of the government’s five point water safety plan. This is, in effect, a cost shift from local government to the Northern Territory government. Owners of swimming pools and spas installed prior to 1 January 2003 are required to register their swimming pool or spa before 30 June 2004. Owners of swimming pools or spas installed prior to 1 January 2003 will not have to upgrade their swimming pool or spa enclosure to Australian standards to achieve a compliance certificate, until such time as the property is transferred or there is a change of tenancy. There are no transfer fees or charges for registration of swimming pools or spas that were installed prior to 1 January 2003. The early registration incentive scheme is available to encourage owners to bring existing swimming pool or spa enclosures to the appropriate Australian standards as soon as possible. The early registration incentive scheme is made up of two parts: a cash grant, and an interest-free loan for a period of up to five years. The total amount of the grant and the loan available is capped at $5000. This is the first time an Australian government has provided such an incentive package.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, this brings me to another government initiative, the Water Safety Awareness Program, a government-subsidised water safety awareness program for children under five years of age. This financial year, $200 000 has been allocated to support this water safety training program that will be available to Territory children. The final components of this program are now being put together by my department in conjunction with the Water Safety Council. Details of the program will be announced in the coming financial year. Supervision and education are seen as important components of reducing the number of drownings, therefore, parent participation and education is a vital part of the program for it to have long-term and ongoing benefits. The program will be designed to provide basic principles that can be used and practised by parents during the course of the young child’s development. This program is not a learn to swim program, nor can it drown-proof children. Supervision must always be available to young children. Parents and guardians will be encouraged to learn basic resuscitation as part of the program. Over the three year period for which funding will be allocated, it is hoped the program will reach the parents of over 6000 children in the 0-5 year age group.
Territorians place great value on lifestyle and our unique attractions. We are enthusiastic participants in sports and a multitude of recreational activities and cultural pursuits. Our sporting success is well known across the nation and, indeed, overseas. This government actively promotes the benefits of physical activity and through my Office of Sport and Recreation, the government will continue to support sport and recreational activities. The government’s grant program supports the effective operations of our sporting bodies and the delivery of quality programs to participants, officials and volunteers.
Over $5m has been set aside for the newly introduced triennial grants program that begins a new era in funding for the sport and recreation sector. New programs have also been introduced to assist sport and recreation organisations and local governing bodies with facility and grass roots development. For the first time, annual and triennial funding is on offer with a less restrictive approach to funding being adopted. Organisations can identify particular focus areas, and reporting will be linked to performance, not just financial acquittal.
Peak sport and recreation organisations and local governing bodies will be able to access funding areas that have been designed to support and develop their business operations, activities and programs. These programs are ‘Managing your business’, ‘Building your capacity’, ‘Planning your pathway’, ‘Developing your community’, and ‘Improving your facility’.
At the recent Alice Springs sittings, I provided a broad outline of the government’s commitment of working with the Alice Springs Town Council and the Central Australian sports community to upgrade Traeger Park. This budget provides a further $2.5m for this upgrade, fulfilling another government election commitment. This builds on the $800 000 provided last October for the upgrade to the Alice Springs Hockey Centre. The flood lighting at Traeger Park will undergo a major upgrade, and this has already resulted in consideration by the Australian Football League of staging pre-season matches in Alice Springs in the near future. In addition, work will commence on the design of a new grandstand and administration building at Traeger Oval. Ultimately, the new stand will provide first class facilities for event management, players and the media, and will open up opportunities for Alice Springs to attract further high level sporting and cultural events to the town.
Under the capital works program, money will also be spent on the Nguiu Oval, the home of the Tiwi Islands grand final, also known by the Tiwi people as the Stan Tipiloura Oval. That money is being provided for an upgrade, including flood lighting to improve this important facility. The upgrade will promote extended use of the oval and encourage such activities as coaching and practice to take place in the cool of the evening, as well as its use by sports other than Aussie rules; sports such as soccer, touch football, softball, etcetera.
Following the recent reconstruction the three storm-damaged netball courts in Katherine, funds will be provided for further repair and upgrading. At Marrara oval, works will continue with a range of improvements catering for player, media areas and other general service areas. This upgrade has already secured the Aboriginal All Stars v Carlton match and the AFL pre-season game earlier this year as well as the forthcoming first international cricket test and the one day international. Other major sporting events are now expressing an interest in using these upgraded facilities.
As well as being great for our lifestyle, these events are good for our tourism sector and Territory business generally. This financial year, 2003-04, funding of $1.48m will be provided to enable the sports events branch to continue with the detailed organisation of the 2004 Alice Springs Masters Games, the Arafura Games 2005 and to successfully deliver the 31st Northern Territory Sports Awards in April 2004.
Government is only too aware of the effect of the ongoing concern in the region due to the devastation of the SARS virus, which brought about the cancellation of this year’s Arafura Games. Support from the Asia Pacific regions is particularly strong for the Arafura Games 2005, and I believe that the strong relationships that have been developed with our neighbours to the north will see us through these difficult times.
The 2002 Alice Springs Masters Games were an enormous success, generating a direct income flow to the Alice Springs community of almost $7.5m. 90% of the 2002 Alice Springs Masters Games sponsors have already indicated that they wish to continue their sponsorship in 2004. 88% of the participants surveyed have indicated that they will return for the 2004 Masters Games. Preparations are well under way to not only renew our relationships, but also to entice new participants to Alice Springs.
This financial year will also see another Northern Territory Sports Awards night to celebrate sporting excellence in our community. With the level of sporting greatness we have in abundance in the Territory, I am sure the number of nominations received this year will be even higher than the number of nominations received in 2003, which was just under 100.
The Northern Territory Institute of Sport continues to be a leader in the development of our talented young athletes. As a sporting centre of excellence, its programs will continue to assist aspiring athletes towards national and international representation. Since the institute’s doors opened, more than 535 athletes have been supported in its short history, and this premium sporting institute proudly boasts its support of seven Olympians, eight World Champions, eight Para-Olympians, seven Commonwealth Games representatives, 28 National Champions, 84 Australian representatives, and 17 Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holders. Individual athletes can apply for elite development scholarships, while the Northern Territory Institute of Sport also offers squad scholarships in Australian Rules, cricket, hockey, netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, ten pin bowling and tennis.
Some of the highlights to look forward to over the coming year include:
our very own female touch footballer, Bo Delacruz, representing Australia at the World Cup now
in Kumagya, in Japan. Bo is the only representative outside of Queensland and New South Wales
to make the Australian team. From all reports, they are doing well. They beat New Zealand the
other evening 9-2, so it is hopeful that they are on their way to winning another International Touch
Championship;
the development of hockey players, Desmond Abbott, Greg Anstess, Colin Hennessy, Mark Hickman,
David Hennessy, Michaela Milhailou and Symone Bell, who have all made Australia teams or squads;
the progress of tennis pair, Adil Hakeem and Peter Parian, who are ranked number 1 and 2 in Australia
for boys 12 and under;
the progress of the Northern Territory’s Institute of Sport cricket team in Darwin’s A Grade, particularly
talented batsman, Stephen Regan, who has trained with the national under 17 squad;
James McManus, the Darwin Rugby League Rookie of the Year in 2002, has been named in the Australian
Institute of Sport 2003 squad. James has been an integral part of the Northern Territory Institute of Sport’s
Broncos, who are currently leading the Darwin Rugby League competition;
the defence of the Northern Territory Under 18 National Australian Football League Division Title, led by
the recruitment of former Essendon champion, Darren Bewick, as head coach of the institute, and Australian Football League’s NT Thunder programs, with his offsiders, Chris Lewis and Darren O’Brien. Moreover, we
look forward to more of our young Australian league footballers graduating from this program to join the likes
of the brilliant Xavier Clarke and Jarred Brennan, not to mention the Burgoyne brothers;
the continued success of our ten pin bowlers, Ronald Voukolos, Robert Kennedy, Bobbi-Jo Kalcher and
Andrew McArther who have all been selected for national training squads;
the progress of motorcyclist AJ Roberts who was recently selected to compete for Australia at an internal competition in Brazil later this year; and
the development of the fifteen athletes in the Junior elite Development Scholarship program, supported by
the Carbine Club, including Maria Tsoukalis and Rebecca Brooke, who recently won gold at the Australian
junior age weightlifting championships.
This long list of achievements is proof of the Northern Territory government’s positive support and investment in helping the Northern Territory Institute of Sport create an environment where our youngsters can excel.
This budget continues the government’s support for our elite achievers, and provides them with the opportunity to realise their sporting dreams for themselves and their community.
Sports funding will also be used to develop strategies to increase the number of indigenous women participating in sporting activities throughout the Territory. There are currently 35 funded community sport and recreation officers throughout the Territory. The indigenous sports officers will be identifying women in communities to take on a leadership role with development and delivery of sports programs. My department’s indigenous sports officers are currently involved in the Wadeye draft youth strategy, and will be involved in 2003-04 in the implementation of the youth development unit initiatives. These officers are working with community sport and recreation officers in the development and delivery of approximately 12 different sports in regional and remote areas.
Community concerns about itinerant issues have been expressed for many years. This has been growing and requires a coordinated long-term response. It is an issue that was ignored by the previous CLP regime. This government has initiated a considered, integrated and decisive program to address the issue. In the last financial year 2002-03, our government provided funding of $500 000 to commence the itinerants project in Darwin and Palmerston. This project has seen a range of initiatives introduced to address problems caused by antisocial behaviour.
Initiatives introduced to date in the Darwin/Palmerston program include:
community day patrol launched in December 2002. This patrol is operating very successfully and
will be upgraded in the coming financial year to improve the regularity of service and number of
vehicles on patrol;
sobering-up shelter - hours of operation have been extended to 24 hours on an ‘as needs’ basis;
the information and referrals office commenced operation at Centerlink Casuarina in December 2002,
and has been averaging approximately 30 identification applications per day. This one-stop shop also
provides an network of opportunities to encourage people away from a homeless lifestyle and substance abuse; and
the Larrakia hosts commenced operations in April 2003 and will operate in markets and shopping centres
throughout 2003-04. They will also continue, no doubt, to work in conjunction with the Larrakia
ambassadors who have the responsibility of working in the CBD area of Darwin.
In 2003-04, the government has allocated $5.25m for the itinerants strategy which includes $2.7m recurrent funding appropriated to the Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs, and $2.5m for capital infrastructure. This funding will broaden the strategy to address issues throughout the Territory. Government has recognised the need to provide substantial funding to address the issue of antisocial behaviour in an ongoing and effective manner. A three-pronged strategy has been developed to take account of the need to provide adequate infrastructure, health treatment and intervention where this is needed, and to ensure there is legislative support to address these issues. $2.5m has been made available for infrastructure and will be available for construction of basic accommodation and shelter to house itinerants in the shorter term.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe this strategy will see a significant reduction in the incidence of antisocial behaviour on our streets and all major Territory towns, and at the same time achieve significant progress in delivering rehabilitation and other health services to those who most in need of medical mental health and substance abuse programs. A recent development in the itinerants project has been the involvement of Mala elders; senior and highly respected leaders from throughout the Top End, travelling into Darwin to assist the project by visiting and talking with itinerants. The objective of the visit by the Mala elders was to encourage itinerants to respect Larrakia land and to return to their families if there is no pressing need to be away from their country and responsibilities. Support for bringing the Mala elders to Darwin to assist the itinerants project is another example of this government’s commitment to a collaborative approach to a complex social issue.
I extend my congratulations to departmental staff, the Larrakia Nation, the itinerants project team, the Office of Crime Prevention, and of course, to the Mala elders for their tremendous cooperative efforts in assisting to address these issues. Let us not over look also the good work that has been done with the 40 to 50 agencies that have been involved from the very beginning, when the consultant, Claude Memet and Associates, were charged with coming up with a report about how we work towards successfully developing programs and resourcing those programs to alleviate as much as possible the antisocial behaviour problems, not just in Darwin and Palmerston, but throughout the Northern Territory. I look forward to the Mala elders returning to Darwin in a couple months and for them to continue to play an ongoing role in the Territory wide itinerants strategy.
The government does not tolerate antisocial behaviour and we will be working with a range key stakeholders including Aboriginal organisations, town councils and service organisations to develop a Territory-wide response that acknowledges the rights of people to access public places. Specifically, we will be injecting significant resources into health services to manage intoxication and outreach services to provide brief interventions and to link clients to services, extended hours of sobering up shelters, and the establishment of new day facilities to encourage clients to a productive lifestyle, etcetera.
This government has recognised the needs of all Territorians despite criticism offered from the opposition which is expected. I certainly believe that this has been a good budget delivered by the Treasurer. I commend the budget to the Chamber.
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Visitor
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, before acknowledging you, the Chair acknowledges the presence of Mr Allan Clauth and bids him a warm welcome.
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Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, before I start, the Minister for Local Government made a fairly long statement about the proposed new regional development authorities. I hoped he would make a ministerial statement. It is a fairly controversial change and it would be good to have that debated in parliament. There are a lot of issues it raises.
I suppose it is pretty difficult to get excited about any budget. The only people who get excited about budgets are Treasurers, shadow Treasurers, members of the Department of Treasury, or people who just love numbers. But when you see this pile of books here it is really a bit hard to get excited about it all. Be that as it may, we have a budget this year.
A member interjecting.
Mr WOOD: No, I do not get excited about numbers, I tell you.
A member: Humpty Doo, I said.
Mr WOOD: Oh, sorry, yes. But I suppose as usual …
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Hang on, I will get to that later. I suppose as usual with a budget, there is something to crow about and there is something to wonder about. I will concentrate initially on my own area.
It is pleasing to see that the government has provided $50 000 for a bicycle path for the Girraween Primary School. Presently, children travelling from the Girraween Estate on bicycles have to use Girraween Road and cross the nearby creek. The road, besides being very busy, is quite narrow at the creek crossing, and this new bicycle path will allow children to cycle to school in safety. I know that the Litchfield Shire Council is willing to do the work when the money becomes available and I hope that is soon.
I also welcome work on the Produce Road/Arnhem Highway intersection. Many motorists have raised their concerns about the left-hand slip lane into Produce Road. There was a bit of confusion as to whether this was in the budget, but having spoken to the minister, he reassures me that this will certainly be in the budget this year. The present slip lane on the Arnhem Highway is not long enough, with traffic moving along that section of the highway at 100 km an hour. Quite a few of the residents have told me how unsafe it is to turn off onto Produce Road and I am pleased to see that the minister has approved funding for that upgrade in minor works.
The building of the Humpty Doo Police, Fire and Emergency Services facility is welcomed in the rural area. I know this has been a commitment since the mini-budget. As with a number of matters I am going to raise today, you wonder whether it is a new initiative. I praised this two years ago; I probably praised it last year, and now I am going to praise it this year. It is exactly the same initiative. So, whilst I think it is great, it originated in the mini-budget.
I would be interested to see the plans for the new facility because the Humpty Doo St John Ambulance division has been calling for some time for a home for their division, for both adults and cadets. The adults at present have to go to Palmerston and the cadets are using Taminmin High School. They need a place to do their training and to store their training equipment. I ask the minister to see if there has been any allowance for this type of use in the design of the new facility, bearing in mind that will be the home of the ambulance.
For a long time I have been pushing for the extension of the bicycle path along the old railway line from Palmerston to the Arnhem Highway. As people might know, most of the bicycle path from Darwin to Palmerston uses the old railway line facility but, for some reason, when it reached Palmerston, it never went any further. I am happy at least to hear that the government is going to do a costing on the bicycle path from Palmerston to Howard Springs Road. I hope that costing is in the budget, but probably it being such a minor item, it is not easily seen.
One area I do believe the government needs to focus on is continuing support for the Freds Pass Recreation Reserve. I know they have said the reserve can use the large shed at Stokes Hill Wharf but, of course, this will still require over $300 000 to relocate as well as an engineering check to see whether the building is actually reusable. The Freds Pass Reserve is a major centre of sports in the Territory. The recent highly successful development of the Litchfield Soccer Club shows how much the rural area is growing. This club is using the new Aussie Rules ground but really needs its own pitches purpose built. The athletic club uses a rough grass track around a Rugby League ground and, as such, it is not the best place for running - at least, that is my excuse for not winning the Litchfield Masters Gift!
The Rugby League ground requires lighting, not only so it can attract home games, but so that junior matches can be played in the evening. Polocrosse, an original and long-term user of the Freds Pass area, also requires lights so it can operate at night. There are many other improvements that are required at Freds Pass. I only highlight these facts as this facility has largely been built by volunteer and Litchfield Council input. Yes, there has been government assistance, and I recognise that the government has promised $1m towards a swimming pool, although I am not sure where that is going, but I believe that assistance needs to be ongoing rather than ad hoc.
Overall for the Litchfield Shire, even though I am quite pleased of what funding the government has given us, overall I think the rural area has not received very much funding - $50 000 for a bicycle path and a slip lane in my area, and $1.6m for Police, Fire and Emergency.
Mr Stirling: $1.42m.
Mr WOOD: $1.42m, so as I said that was allocated or …
Mr Stirling: A great buy.
Mr WOOD: It is, yes, very good, but it was put forward in the mini-budget and it has now come to fruition.
A member: These things take time.
Mr WOOD: I realise that, but I just hope people realise that Litchfield Shire’s population of 17 000 people is the fourth largest population centre in the Territory. It is the main centre for horticulture; certainly it is one of those areas used by the live cattle industry. It has a large number of defence areas, it has a number of our major tourist spots and it is a resource-base for Darwin. Most of Darwin is built on those resources dug out of the Litchfield Shire. I reckon, and I am biased of course, and I know the member for Goyder will probably say the same thing, it is the best area in the Territory. It is growing, you only have to look at Coolalinga, it is growing at an extraordinary rate. It is an area that the government needs to give a little bit more attention, and I might raise a little issue about that later on.
Now to some comments about the budget. I will start with Budget Paper No 4, where it says $10m is allocated to construct a new high school at Palmerston. Whilst that will be good for people in both Palmerston and the rural area, it is not exactly certain, as the minister said in Question Time, whether it will be built in this financial year. I note that the final design and scope is supposed to happen after the secondary education review has been completed. Minister, I hope that there is a public forum in the rural area regarding that review. I have been encouraged to go to the one in Palmerston, and I will be going to that one. Because we have the one and only high school in the rural area, which is different from all other high schools as it is an agricultural high school, some of the suggestions I have heard coming from the review so far would certainly worry people at Taminmin High School as to the viability of that school. It is important that the government looks at having a public forum in the rural area, so parents who send their children to that school have some input.
On a similar school issue, there is, once again, no funding for a Catholic high school near the corner of Lambrick Avenue and the Stuart Highway. I have been asked many times by many people whether there is going to be another secondary school in the rural area. I have said that there does not seem to be a proposal for a government secondary school, except perhaps at Weddell, but there has been a proposal for a Catholic high school. However, after four years of trying to get funding, there is still no funding for this facility. This would certainly give rural and Palmerston people another option when it comes to secondary education. I hope the government will at least consider it in the next budget.
Moving to a different topic, I am also pleased to see an expansion of the medium security facilities for the Don Dale Centre. Having visited the Don Dale Centre, I think it could do with some upgrading. I hope that this medium security facility is not at the expense of the Wildman River work camp, which I have said many times is a very important facility.
Mr Stirling: It is pretty run down.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but does that matter for young kids, I mean it is the people who run it, rather than the shape, the look of the facilities.
Mr Stirling: Duty of care.
Mr WOOD: Very good people out there. Well, I do not think those kids would be too worried about duty of care. They just need a hug and they need someone to get them back on the straight and narrow. I would hope your comments are not foreshadowing closure of the Wildman River work camp.
Mr Stirling: Not my area.
Mr WOOD: I know. It would be good to see an expanded recreational area such as a football oval at the Don Dale Centre. People might just turn up there once and see a basketball court, a swimming pool, it has a little bit of a gym, although I am told that has been scaled down. If you have kids around about the ages of 15 up to 17, they need a bit more space, otherwise they get bored. I reckon if there is one place they could do with a bit of a football oval, it is out there. Sport is always important, even in detention and, having met some of these kids who came from some of the football clubs around town, expansion of that facility would be a good program.
I notice in the Housing Business Services, there is a budget item that more medium density housing will be developed in the Darwin and Palmerston area. I do not know whether any of that will be built in the Humpty Doo District Centre, but I know that there are many older rural people who would like to stay in the rural area. I would be interested to know if the government is intending to put any public housing for older rural folk in this region. I will also be interested to see whether the government will be using low energy design in these houses. It is something that has been raised here. I believe it is important, and the government has certainly supported the national changes to energy design. Therefore, I would like to see whether they put some of those design features in their own houses, such as making sure houses are on the east/west alignment, vents in the roof, breezeways, light coloured roofs and walls. That is another point I raise.
In the Department of Health and Community Services, we still have a hospice on the books, which is something I supported. However, it needs a bit of explanation as to what is happening with it. The hospice was shown in last year’s budget as being approved for the 2002-03 budget, yet it was not built. Is the government going to build a hospice or has it changed its mind?
Royal Darwin Hospital was supposed to have a new incinerator and low-load boiler built, as they were also approved in last year’s budget. Whilst these are excellent projects and I support them, it still begs the question: why were they not installed last year?
I also note that a $300 000 renal dialysis treatment room is to be based at Palmerston. This is also welcome, but I hope there will be a shared facility as I do not believe there should be any duplication when Danila Dilba moves into the area. I am a great believer that Danila Dilba and the medical centre there should share facilities.
Ms Lawrie: Are you supporting the move? Good!
Mr WOOD: Yes, I support Danila Dilba moving to Palmerston, but they should be working as part of, or next door to, the present facility so that equipment is shared. I have no problem with Aboriginal people serving Aboriginal people in the health area but, as I have said, there are a lot of people – x-ray machines do not distinguish between who they are x-raying, and they are very costly.
The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment has announced $4.5m for a railway terminal to be constructed in Palmerston. For starters, I presume this is the temporary railway terminal. It is not really in Palmerston; it is at East Arm. It is a pity that there has been no real discussion over where this railway station should go, except in the media. To spend $4.5m for a temporary facility which will drop passengers amongst the sandflies does not seem to show a lot of foresight. I ask the government to rethink this one and look at the possible siting of the station where the extension of Tiger Brennan Drive will go and the new railway is aligned - which is somewhere behind Pinelands.
I also notice that $4.2m is to be spent on construction of PowerWater infrastructure to Wickham Point. Part of this $4.2m will have to be paid - should be paid for - by ConocoPhillips. They are one of the largest companies in the world and they are not putting a penny towards infrastructure. When I asked the minister about this he said: ‘ConocoPhillips will pay for the cost of the infrastructure through their water charges’. When residents of Girraween Estate asked for an extension of the water main past their blocks, they were informed by the minister that they would have to pay $9000 to $12 000 per block. There was no mention of them paying the cost of the infrastructure through their water charges. It seems there is one rule for the big end of town and another for the small fry.
I also note $1.6m for urban enhancement programs. I am wondering whether the minister could tell us whether any of that will go to Coolalinga. This is what I was referring to earlier. Coolalinga is a major shopping centre in the rural area and is the first Darwin regional centre that tourists drive through.
Mr Kiely: Urban?
Mr WOOD: Did I say urban? Well, I will change that to rural, thank you member for Sanderson. But it is called the Urban Enhancement Plan, and Coolalinga is probably regarded as urban enhancement.
A member: Oh, you cannot have it both ways!
Mr WOOD: Well, what happened in Katherine? They received money for an urban enhancement plan to do up their main street. Coolalinga, I think, should be entitled to the same thing. It is in desperate need of a professionally designed landscape plan which, I hope, would include the burying of the water pipes. At the present time it is a fairly unattractive main street through Coolalinga, and if we are to encourage tourists to that area, we certainly have to do much better than we are presently.
The minister has always announced the Stuart Highway duplication between Noonamah and the Cox Peninsula Road at a cost of $2.7m. I have a lot of problems with this particular item. In fact, I thought I was told that this item would not be on this year’s budget, but it obviously is. What the duplication of the Stuart Highway at this point will do is wipe out Strauss airstrip. I will continue to oppose this scheme and ask the government instead, to bury the waterline that is on the eastern side of the Stuart Highway as part of a stage one, and then stage two could be the duplication of the highway along where the pipelines were.
I just find it unbelievable that we have major heritage sites - and I have written to the minister for heritage, asking to have a meeting on site, and I hoped he would. However, I just received a letter today saying he will meet me in the big house. I ask the minister if he has the time, I know he is a busy person, to have a look at the four airstrips in the Litchfield Shire, not the three as are mentioned in the letter – they are Hughes, Livingstone, Strauss, and Sattler – so he can appreciate the importance of these airstrips.
If they duplicate, as said in the budget, the highway through Strauss airstrip, they will then continue it on and they will then take out Livingstone. So, two of the four airstrips will just be demolished. We will have lots of photos and nice pretty pictures but we will not have the real history of World War II in the Litchfield Shire. When you are looking at, as mentioned many times in the budget about growing economy, it is sad to see a lack of foresight, where we can use these World War II sites as heritage parks. I have said it before. Tourists can use this World War II heritage trail starting in the Litchfield Shire, right through to Darwin. It has the potential to help the local economy, it has the potential to remind young people of what really happened in the Top End, especially through World War II. You just have to see the names of the strips to realise those people who gave up their lives fighting for Darwin, like Strauss, like Livingstone, to understand the importance of maintaining these World War II sites as real memorials to those people. It is very sad that the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment can just treat them as if they are just another piece of bitumen in the bush.
The previous minister spoke about swimming pool legislation. I note that the taxpayers are footing a bill of $1.35m next financial year for the bureaucracy that I predicted would be the result of the swimming pool legislation. When we were debating the legislation in parliament, I suggested that fence requirements become part of the Building Act, and that the scheme should be administered through using existing pool registers in Darwin and Palmerston and within the infrastructure department. Surely this would have cost a lot less than $1.3m. Another example of where, I think, the costs have increased …
A member: What cost to save a child’s life?
Mr WOOD: Well, the cost is, for instance, nowadays, if you want to sell your house you must prove that you have no pool. The simplest way for that to be done was to require the real estate agents to simply, as they ticked off everything else, say, ‘This house has no pool’. What happens is you require an inspector, and these inspectors are so flat out, it is fairly difficult for them to come around and check your place, especially in the rural area.
I am not knocking those inspectors because I know they do their best. In fact, in many cases where there is an urgent job, they will go out of their way to do it. What I am saying it could have been done a lot better and a lot simpler and we could have saved a fair percentage of the $1.35m.
The Labor Party made quite a bit of noise in the lead-up to the Territory election in 2001 about the size of government, claiming the CLP was wasting money by having nine ministries and a media unit, and spending too much on advisors, consultancies and marketing. Now, Labor made some significant and smaller cuts when it came to government to address these issues. Gradually, we are seeing this turn around. After cutting the ministries to seven for a saving of almost $2m a year, we now have eight. I am not totally against that because by making bigger ministries, some of our ministers were overworked. For the sake of trying to look good, I would hate to see a minister sort of collapsing from overwork.
However, after abolishing the CLP government’s Communication Office in the mini-budget, offering savings of more than $1m a year, in this budget we see the Labor government is establishing a Public Affairs Unit in the Chief Minister’s department at the cost of $0.5m a year ongoing. This is despite the government observing in the mini-budget that a whole-of-government approach to communications on any issue could be arranged on an ad hoc basis without recourse to a separate unit.
I noticed in the Territory-wide section of the Regional Highlights that $150 000 has been allocated to assist the Drug Court to rehabilitate drug-dependent offenders. I am not sure what this means and I think it needs some more explanation. If this is for drug rehabilitation programs in the Territory, then it is a tiny allocation compared with the need. From my work on the substance abuse committee, it is obvious that there are not enough drug or alcohol rehabilitation services in the Territory and practically none outside the main centres.
I welcome the $55 000 for the establishment of an Air Quality Monitoring Program. I presume this is for the Darwin region and that testing will start well before the Phillips LNG plant begins operating so that we have good base line data to monitor the plant’s effects on air quality.
It is also pleasing to see $2m has been allocated for construction of two secondary school facilities at Kalkarindji and Minyerri. Since the Treasurer is also the Education minister, I ask if he could tell me what range of subjects will be offered at these high schools and whether the schools will offer education to Year 12 level?
In the Chief Minister’s department, the budget allocation for community engagement is more than $6m. The budget papers explain that the core aim is to increase the community’s participation in the public policy process. I would like to see inquiries and reviews, which hold public meetings, visit the rural area – well, maybe Palmerston, but I would prefer them to come out to the rural area. There are two areas where the rural area missed out recently: one has been on the review of the Electoral Act. It went to Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. That is an important review and, even though people can respond to that review privately, it was worthwhile having a forum in the rural area. Equally, it is important that the secondary education review hold a public forum in the rural area.
I suggest that the Chief Minister’s web site should have a centralised section where a member of the public can find out what legislation is being reviewed, what committees are taking submissions, what policy papers have been released, etcetera, so that it is easy to find out what is going on. At the moment, it is very ad hoc. This is perhaps something the new Public Affairs Unit could do.
I notice money has been allocated for the formation of a permanent parliamentary committee - not select - on Environment and Sustainable Development. I welcome that because environment and sustainable development will be ongoing issues as the Territory develops. I hope it can take on broader and some of the bigger issues, especially on development around this region.
I notice also the budget allocation for animal, plant and fisheries industry services has been cut by more than $4.5m. That is a pretty serious cut, especially as horticulture, aquaculture, live cattle, and hay, are all major areas of production in my area. It is fairly disappointing to see $4.5m cut from the budget.
I make the point that I looked at last year’s budget and went to the area where I thought primary industry was and tried to compare it with this year’s budget. I cannot make head nor tail of comparisons between one section and another. When the minister is explaining that area, if he could perhaps look at page 151 of Budget Paper No 3 in last year’s budget and tell me how it fits in with page 142 of Budget Paper No 3 in this year’s budget so that I can compare them, I would be most appreciative. I was trying to see how it related to this year, but I cannot compare those figures. They are so far apart it is very difficult.
There has also been a cut of $2m to Arts, Museums and Libraries, and there is no explanation as to what it means by ‘key variations’. I was wondering whether the Treasurer can explain why the budget has been cut by that much and what services will not be provided. I noticed Libraries have been cut. I am not sure what is going on with libraries. They are going through another review. From my time in local government, libraries have been through so many reviews it is a wonder that people have any time to put books on shelves. It is time that we reviewed the poor old libraries and let them be in peace for awhile.
The Health minister also announced on the weekend that there would be an extra $900 000 for Mental Health Services in the Territory, but the budget papers, page 196, show the increase for Mental Health Services as only $183 000. Would the Treasurer please explain this difference? Also, if $900 000 is going to be spent, despite what the figures say, what will it be spent on? Again, according to the budget papers, the Health Department expects to provide community-based public mental health services to 4600 people next financial year, the same number as this year. If the department is not expecting to treat more patients with the almost $1m extra, what will it do with it?
The budget papers predicted the revenue from Darwin’s commercial wharves is expected to decline by more than $800 000 next financial year. That is another area of concern. Given that the railway to the new port should be finished by early next year, should we not be expecting revenue from East Arm Port to pick up?
Just a couple of other items - one is the budget development levy being scrapped. That is great news. I have never been a great supporter of it, and I really believe that it was a hindrance to many small businesses, especially those people who owned the one tonne ute, and I can tell you that there are plenty of those people in my area.
A member: It is still there till December.
Mr WOOD: 1 July, I think; I hope the minister can clarify that.
Mr Elferink: The raise goes up on 1 July, we are still stuck with the levy until later on.
Mr WOOD: Anyway, I applaud the government for getting rid of it. I know we have to go for another year but, as I said, I did not think it was a good idea in the first place, but I am glad to see it go.
There were also some comments from one of the previous speakers about school buses. I am concerned that there is another review of school buses. I was reading a paper the other day that tells me this is only about the public bus system and that school buses will not be reviewed until somewhere late in 2004. I hope the government can find it in this budget to look at school bus services before that. I have written many letters to the government saying that the school buses in the rural area need reviewing. In fact, I think that the quote about school bus services not being looked at till 2004 is mentioned in a written reply to a petition that the member for Goyder presented to parliament regarding the extension of the Marrakai bus services. So, I ask the minister who looks after the buses at least to see whether we could bring that forward. I do not think that it would cost a lot of money, but by the time we have a review to look at new bus routes in the rural area it will be time for another review.
I probably do not get as excited as Big Kev about this sort of stuff. There is no doubt that there are some good things in the budget. One of the highlights for me is the $3m for preparatory works for the Darwin convention centre. What is urgently needed is some spark in the Territory. I am not saying that this budget does not have some good things in it. However, there is nothing that comes out and hits you in the eye and makes you feel good to be a Territorian. That is, at least, a start. The idea bringing on the Darwin convention centre is good. I hope that the Treasurer says there will be commitment to that. I believe that is one of the highlights in the budget. If we do a really good job in building a convention centre, people will be proud of it and that is what we need. With that, I conclude my remarks.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I speak on the first Stirling budget in an effort to find out how sterling the budget actually is.
Mr Stirling: I did a sterling job.
Mr ELFERINK: I am afraid that I sense a hint of tarnish on the sterling silver budget.
There are several issues that I wish to raise in relation to this budget tonight. I will respond largely to the Minister for Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs. As he introduced himself to the Chamber when commencing to discuss the budgetary issues, he also touched on the fact that he was the minister with carriage of the library service of the Northern Territory. My ears pricked up on that because I thought that if he is including that as part of his portfolio areas then, hopefully, he will make mention of it. Unfortunately, I heard much about swimming pool fences and the sports and recreation programs. I did not hear about library services in the Northern Territory. The minister’s silence on this particular issue is deafening.
The library system is under review through the public service. I am concerned that the library services are going to be hacked into as a result of this budgetary process. Indeed, as I look into Budget Paper No 3 in relation to library services, I notice that there are no changes in the funding arrangements, no allowances for CPI changes at all, which means that the libraries are being lower funded as a result of this budget, and increased. The CPSU has put out a bulletin where they are very concerned that a job-shedding exercise is being pursued, as well as a library shedding exercise. To give the members of this Chamber an idea of what exactly is being pursued, 25 different agencies are using seven different libraries which are facing the axe. They are the Art and Cultural Library; the Planning and Development Library; the Education Library; the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Library; the Natural Resources and Environment Berrimah Farm Library; the Natural Resources and Environment Alice Springs Library; and the Natural Resources and Environment Palmerston Library.
These libraries are very valuable resources for the public servants who rely on them, and they have staff members in them who seem to be on the verge of being ‘disestablished’ - I believe is the current public service use of the word - which basically means that the positions are going to be wound up, from what I can understand. It is interesting that bureaucracy produces terms and phrases which sound all too often very benign. I will never forget the American military ‘horizontal hexagonal rotating fixation unit’ - a nut. The fact is that, even as we hear Health Department acting CEOs talking about ‘disinvestment cuts’, I am afraid that we are going to hear the term ‘disestablishment job losses’ in the Northern Territory Library Services.
I was dreadfully disappointed to hear the minister with carriage over libraries did not touch on, or in any way refer to, the library services for which he has responsibility and carriage. I can only suggest that no news is bad news for the people who are affected by these library services. It just goes to show that the government, for all of its claims of what a wonderful job it is doing protecting and organising the public service, as often as they possibly can, is finding ways to cut into the public service. Ultimately that cuts into the service that those public servants provide to the people of the Northern Territory. I would be very concerned that natural resources and environment libraries at Palmerston, Berrimah and Alice Springs are not available to the scientists and professionals who work in those areas and who rely on the information stored in those libraries. Indeed, the planning and development library services numerous agencies from the Strehlow Research Centre, Local Government, Office of Aboriginal Development, Sport and Recreation, Territory Housing, and the list goes on.
The attack on these libraries and the silence of the minister is almost a confirmation of the fact that these libraries are going to be shut down. The minister should make it clear to the people of the Northern Territory what he intends to do and be honest and forthright with them. I appreciate that any budget brings constraints with it, however, those constraints should be openly and honestly discussed, not buried on page 180 of Budget Paper No 3 in the hope that they are going to go away and we are not going to hear anything more about it. I am always concerned when valuable resources are taken away from public servants. I put the minister on notice that questions during the estimates process will be asked about the libraries and what they are planning to do and I hope that those libraries will exist by the time that we do get to the estimates process.
I also flagged on Wednesday, 27 November 2002, during adjournment debates, an issue that I thought might become an issue in the future. Indeed, I was at great pains on that occasion to say to members of the House that I did not want to raise the issue in an effort to attack government. I wanted to forewarn government, give them the heads up, hoping that they would take some notice of the issue. On subsequent examination of the annual report from the Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs there was an acknowledgment that this was an issue and that they were aware of it. The issue was the shift of essential services from GBDs, or government business divisions, into government-owned corporations, which essentially shifted them away from the Northern Territory budgetary process and shifted them into the area where they were essentially private companies running and operating on a profit and loss basis like any other company.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I draw attention to the state of the House.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no quorum. Ring the bells. Continue, member for Macdonnell.
Mr ELFERINK: Thank you.
Members interjecting.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Continue, member for Macdonnell.
Mr ELFERINK: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I am glad that the members of Cabinet are here to listen to this because it is a very important issue I raise in relation to this matter, and that is the movement of government business divisions into government owned corporations.
What I cautioned on Wednesday, 27 November 2002, is that because these institutions would no longer appear in the budget papers there would be a great temptation to cost shift away from providing services into remote communities, especially outstations. Despite the fact that I raised this as an issue, despite the fact that it appears in the department’s annual report, my plea and the annual report have fallen on deaf ears. Many of these remote outstations - the same outstations that this government claimed that it would throw so much support behind - now have failing service delivery.
Many outstations in my electorate are seriously affected by the lack of services being provided. You have three tiers of government supposedly providing services, all of which are now pointing the finger at each other, saying: ‘Not our job’. That was exactly the response when I raised the issue with the minister for Education at about that time last year. I pointed out that there were school kids sitting in one of his schools which did not have running water. They actually had to carry a bucket from a water tank to flush the toilet. The minister for Education was appropriately shocked into action and did something about it on that occasion. But where schools do not exist, these sorts of things are occurring at a very common rate. ATSIC is saying: ‘Not us’, local government authorities are saying: ‘Not us’, and this government is saying: ‘Not us, either’.
This government came to power with a promise that it would support people in remote places, and by engaging in these processes, have caused the situation where the standards of service delivery have suffered in remote places.
I turn to the overall figures from Budget Paper No 3, from both last year and this year, in terms of the 2002-03 estimate. I notice that there has been some $6.5m blow-out in the department’s appropriation from Budget Paper No 3 of last year. The government’s response to this has been to cut even harder into the budget provided by the Treasurer. Where the appropriation last year was $211m, this year the Treasurer is merely seeking $204m despite the fact that expenditure for the department last year was $218m. I will return to some of the effects of this shortly.
Part of the problem is that the bureaucracy itself seems to be absorbing some of the expenditure rather than passing it on, and I specifically refer to the participation and development program through sport and recreation grants. The cost of administering a grant in last year’s budget paper, which is Budget Paper No 3, was $910. However, in this same period, just 12 months later, that estimate has blown out to $2618, which means that it costs the department to administer these grants some 2 times more and, indeed, the government is intending or expecting to have to spend even more in the following year in terms of how it manages these grants. I am wondering why the minister has not explained to this House why it is going to cost 2 times more than expected last year to administer these sports grants?
This also has an effect of washing from agency to agency, so the Arts and Museums grants, which were supposed to be $5.9m in Budget Paper No 3 of last year have been slashed and the estimated expenditure in grants in the Arts area has been slashed to $3.1m, or a little over 50% of the initial appropriation of money. That money has been taken out of the grants, out of the pockets of those people who rely on those grants, so we are talking about youth theatres and those sorts of things, and the government has no intention of increasing that amount. They have taken away from the arts community of the Northern Territory in quite a savage way in an effort to channel those monies into other areas, and one of those other areas is the expenditure on the administration of those grants alone.
Here comes an old and trusted area of mine, one that I have always shown a great deal of interest in, and I am disappointed that, once again, the minister did not touch on the Aboriginal Interpreter Service. The Aboriginal Interpreter Service, the minister is fully aware, is an area of this government in which I am very keenly interested. In last year’s Budget Paper No 3, the number of interpreters on the books was 300. The estimate for the number of interpreters at the end of this year is going to be 30 less than that, at 270, and the government intends to continue shedding interpreters in the following year to 257. It is clear that the government is starting to back away from the interpreter service. I am curious to know if the expenditure of government funds is the cause of the government starting to cut into the interpreter service.
Last year it was anticipated, for the purposes of the appropriation, that a cost per booking of $700 was expected for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service. That has blown out to $795 in the estimate in Budget Paper No 3, and next year they expect it to blow out even further to $870. The question that the minister then has to ask himself is, how am I going to disguise this, or how am I going to make it not look so bad? Well, that is quite simple: by lowering the number of intended bookings that the service is going to accept from 2400 to merely 2000 bookings. It is clear that things have gotten out of hand as far as the government is concerned, because its appropriation last year was nearly $1.7m to run the service. It has actually blown out, and their estimate is now $1.9m to provide the service. Yet, do they bring expenditure up to reflect the requirement in that service? No, they cut the service and then cut the amount available to the service to $1.739m.
So, here is how the Aboriginal Interpreter Service is now going to run according to this government’s budget papers. How they are going to do it?
Mr Ah Kit: Do you know how much Commonwealth money comes in that? You do not know, do you?
Mr ELFERINK: I know the minister is very sensitive about this, because he got stung the last time on this particular issue trying to cut into the Aboriginal Interpreter Service, yet he has been caught out again. The fact is that he wants to have less interpreters on the books, he expects to have fewer bookings, and he expects to cut the money out of the interpreter service. That is what it says in his book. So he can yell all he likes across this Chamber, but the fact is that what he has shown in these books is clearly a cut to the service in terms of the numbers, the money and the numbers of bookings. This minister is assiduous in avoiding this particular issue when he spoke to the House. Happy to talk about pool fencing. Happy to talk about wheel chair events. Happy to talk about pool fencing and sport, but not happy to talk about those areas where they have taken a slash and burn approach. The Aboriginal Interpreter Service is an area where the government has made its intentions particularly clear. I find that a great disappointment.
Another issue that I am concerned about, and that is the comment - and it was a particularly good comment by the minister when he did speak - that he wants to reward success rather than failure. That is something that he applies to local government issues, and I am grateful for that. I believe that is an appropriate means by which to advance …
Mr Ah Kit: You mob have been doing it wrong for 26 years. Thanks for admitting it.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I find it incredible that this minister can not even take ‘yes, good, well done’ for an answer …
Mr Ah Kit: Well done, John, well done. Well done, you are the best.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, order!
Mr ELFERINK: He is so ungrateful and ungracious that he cannot even take a compliment. It is fascinating that that happens to be his approach.
Nevertheless, I will touch on the $5.25m which has been set aside for support services to the itinerants program throughout the Northern Territory. There is a drift from those communities into larger towns. The government has acknowledged this by saying that they want to get elders to speak to people and to move them back into town. I believe that Galarrwuy Yunupingu is assisting in this, as well as other programs by which to remove these people from the streets: sobering-up shelters and better health outcomes. Indeed, as a result of the question I asked yesterday, the Chief Minister assured that there would even be subsidised accommodation for people who travel to town. I have no objections, and I do not suggest for a second that people should not travel to town. People in a free society have the right to move, generally, wherever they like.
However, I am concerned that we are now subsidising itinerant people and providing services in the major centres which will not act as a deterrent to keep those people away. In fact, it will have quite the opposite effect. I am concerned that if we start spending money on things like subsidised hostels, where are we going to place those hostels? In the Narrows? In Palmerston? In the CBD? In Fannie Bay? Where exactly are these hostels or accommodation services going to go?
Mr Ah Kit: You would do what Shane once wanted to do - monster and stomp on them.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I pick up on the interjection. Where the former Chief Minister said monster and stomp, you guys have declared war!
Mr Ah Kit: That is what you want to do.
Mr ELFERINK: You have declared war! What on earth does that mean? It means something a hell of a lot more violent than anything that has ever been suggested by the CLP! I watched the Attorney-General almost choke on reporting the fact that he was responsible for incarcerating more people. Political opportunism at its lowest level - opportunism at its lowest level!
A member: War!
Mr ELFERINK: War is their solution. The war on terrorism and the war on itinerants according to the members opposite. Now …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Member for Sanderson, order!
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: And the member for Daly! Enough!
Mr ELFERINK: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The anticipated expenditure is going to be $3500 per person on these programs. That is quite a lot of money and I know that any number of community groups would be well pleased to be receiving that sort of money per person for the area for which they are responsible. If we improve services in the communities, I am curious to know from the minister, and anybody in government, how this will have the effect of keeping the itinerants out of the areas where hostels and services are provided?
It is a legitimate question. It is not intended to be cute or difficult, but I am worried that as a result of this you are going to see a ramping up and an expectation in the major centres, that when people travel into town they will have received health services and accommodation services that they cannot get in their own communities. What is the disincentive? Where is the incentive to have these people go back to their communities. The minister talks about rewarding success. Well, surely, if the minister is serious about seeing jobs and growth and potential being realised in remote places, that the people who are going to drive the engine of those remote places are often the people who are going to be attracted by the services in the larger communities.
How is that a reward for success, Madam Speaker? And if those people do come to Alice Springs and start to fulfil the role of itinerants, surely the $3500 worth of services that they are going to receive is a reward for their own choice to fail? I am also a little bit concerned about the assumption that when I ask a question of the Chief Minister in relation to this particular issue, that I was talking exclusively about people who live on remote communities and Aboriginal people. It also applies to an itinerant from Alice Springs travelling to Darwin and vice versa; from Tennant Creek to Katherine. As far as I am concerned, I do not care what colour an itinerant is, what I am concerned about is the effect of vagrancy on subsequent results and crime.
These are legitimate questions and they are safety questions. The fact is that this is a self-fulfilling prophecy in many respects, that once you provide those services you are going to get more people relying on them which means they are going to cost more, which means that you are going to get more people relying on them. This is exactly the same as has happened in health around the world. Health budgets are growing and blowing out on a regular basis because more people are relying on them, thus the burden is increased, the budgets blow out. I cannot see what hand brake has been built into this process and I am deeply concerned that as a consequence of this particular program, success is not going to be rewarded at all.
Madam Speaker, generally I am concerned that this budget does not meet the expectations of the future. It is an effort to be a social engineering budget in many respects. It is a response to the here and now rather than with a view and an eye to the future. I would like to see a budget that will provide jobs. I would like to see a budget that would provide lights on the hills project. I want to see a budget which demonstrates a clear vision for the future. This is a budget which is simply idling along. The keys have been left in the vehicle, the engine is idling, but there is nobody at the steering wheel.
Mr BALDWIN (Daly): Madam Speaker, I will take up my contribution to the debate and I am not very impressed, like the member for Macdonnell. It is a very bland sort of a budget. I will start off by talking about the logo that the CLP produced when it was in government. I see the Labor Party and the Labor government is now using that logo which is commendable. It was a logo that was designed to depict to Australians and to our northern neighbours that the Territory was a place where people wanted to go to and were attracted to and a place where they could achieve. That logo, as you know, was called ‘the Territory’, and ‘the difference is opportunity’. We tested that logo over all sorts of places around Australia. We tested it with the business community in the Northern Territory. They were looking for something that they could identify with and that identified them, their businesses, as can-do businesses, unique in the Australia. The acceptance level of that logo was extremely high and the ownership levels of the logo was also very high. Everyone wanted to use it straight away. As I said, the Labor government is now using it.
But with this budget, they are not worthy of it. The budget they brought down yesterday is not worthy of that logo. The 2003-04 budget provides no opportunities for Territorians, no opportunities for families, no opportunities for businesses or for investors, for that matter. They should change that logo because it is an offence to the logo. They should change it to: ‘Territory Labor: the difference is no opportunity’. That would suit this mob. That would suit them. That is what the budget they have just brought down is all about. It is about no opportunity. There is no vision in it; there is nothing that Territorians can grab. You can see it from the contributions that they have made in this debate. They are struggling to find something to talk about in their own portfolios.
They go for a few minutes; they get up and they spray around to us, blame us for everything, even though they have been there for two years, and then they struggle to find something in their own portfolios to keep them going for 30 minutes. It is the most dismal, ordinary, bland budget that has ever been produced.
I turn to the portfolio that I am responsible for and, as the Leader of the Opposition said, there has been a $5.5m underspend by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. That is a shame. It means that this mob are not driving their own departments to utilise the money that has been allocated to them in last year’s budget. An underspend of $5.5m and a cut between last year’s allocation to this year’s allocation of $2.174m. That is $249.13m down to $247.01m. It does not matter how you spin these figures that are in the books. There has been a cut and there is another disturbing element to the budget for the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, and that is the Treasury mid-year report.
That report, which has to be tabled by 28 February, has the 2002-03 budget allocation in it, as it should, and then there is a revised estimate for the six months. It shows the revised estimate for 2002-03 as being $256.983m. That is the revised estimate, which is up on the allocation from last year of some $7.07m. We have been told in Budget Paper No 3 of this week’s budget that the revised estimate is $243.706m which is down $12.557m from that of the revised estimate just six months ago on Treasury’s figures.
Something is going on here. You get an allocation in one year, six months later you do a report and you do your revised figures; it is up by $7.07m half-way through, and then we get almost to the end of the year, here we are, in May, a month and a bit to run for this current financial year, and the estimate has gone down again. So, something is not quite right or it is just a fudge of the figures. Whichever way you look at it, there is a cut of $2.174m off last year’s budget. But it is also a decrease of $18.964m from the forward estimate in the mid-year report. So there are a lot of discrepancies in those figures.
I note the Chief Minister, in her contribution, short as it was, said us mob over here used to change line items every year, and that was not good enough, that was not what she did, apparently. Look at the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, and at the line items as they describe them from one year to the next. We go to Budget Paper 2002-03 and look up the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. We have all sorts of headings there with allocations against them. Under the planning, building and land management area we have land use planning, building control, land management and land development. Then we go to this year’s book and we look up the same sort of item, one would hope. Under land planning, development and management, the heading is the same, but instead of land use planning as the first sub-heading, we get land information infrastructure. We go to building control, and the only thing close there, it is not the next one, its about the third one down, is building regulation. And so on and so forth. And you can go through these and find they are certainly not the same. So what the Chief Minister accuses us of doing when in government, in fact, she is doing the same.
The other thing the Chief Minister raised, from memory, was that, from year to year our books never had explanations for all the ups and downs of allocations within that year, but her book does. So we looked back in her book, latest one, and we looked at …
Ms Lawrie: It is called key variations.
Mr BALDWIN: What is it called? Key variations - very good, with the emphasis on ‘key’. Now one would assume that they have all the variations in there, so the point being is that you have listed some variations, not all variations, throughout that book. So, when you sit in a glass house, Chief Minister, you should not throw rocks. You are doing exactly what you accuse us of doing.
Dr Burns: Was it for presentational purposes, was it?
Mr BALDWIN: Was yours? Is yours, to compare between them, because they are very hard?
Dr Burns: We did not artificially wind down estimates. There is a big difference.
Mr BALDWIN: They were for the very same reasons. As far as the budget goes, there has been a major cut, and it will be an interesting estimates. There have been cuts, for instance, to Environment. The minister responsible for Environment might want to explain all of that, but certainly Environment and Heritage have had cuts between last budget and this. That is from a government that supposedly has as a major plank its care about the environment.
On the issue of environment, I take the opportunity to raise, in my personal opinion, that there is going to be the need for an extensive education program on the encroachment of cane toads in the Top End, and particularly in Darwin. Not just television, radio, nor newspaper, but also an extensive education process in the schools for our children in the Darwin community. Also, of course, absolutely in remote communities to ensure that people are well prepared for the encroachment of cane toads. All that is going to take a lot of money. I do not see anything that is itemised in the budget that is going to take care of that. That is an item of interest that the minister for Environment might like to elaborate on.
I will also talk, while the minister is listening, on the comments he made today on alerting this House to his and his government’s position on CDL. One of the comments he made was that he had never met with the packaging industry.
Dr Burns: That is right.
Mr BALDWIN: I assume you mean you personally, not your office. Your office has met with the packaging industry as you well know. One would assume, if you want to split hairs, I know that one of the officers who represents you meets with the packaging industry. Your office, you - do you try to separate yourself? You are not responsible for your own staff?
Dr Burns: I am very responsible.
Mr BALDWIN: It is pretty ordinary to split hairs. You have, or your representatives from your office have, met with the industry from time to time.
Dr Burns: Have you met them?
Mr BALDWIN: I meet with them all the time.
Dr Burns: Good on you!
Mr BALDWIN: Yes. You mentioned the five-point plan. You said that the packaging industry and yourselves are putting together a package of $500 000 – I think you mentioned the figure - and that was to implement your five-point plan. You mentioned that you were going to bring forward a ministerial statement in August. Is that right? I am pretty sure. And that we would all get a chance to have a debate on this issue.
Dr Burns: You are avoiding the chance to comment on the budget right now.
Mr BALDWIN: No, I am not, because this has budget implications. Here we are - and this is my point - deliberating on a budget. Here is the minister talking about an issue of funding of $500 000; we get to talk about it in August. Meantime, what is going to happen with the litter abatement strategy that is already in place and already operating? Here I am talking, of course, about the KAB and Tidy Towns. What is going to happen to them? They are used to getting, Madam Speaker, as you would well know, some $220 000 of support from the Northern Territory government. They are also used to getting an additional $250 000 through the TALC committee. That is – what? - $470 000, roughly $500 000. What do they do in the meantime? What are you going to do for them in the meantime? Are you going to fund them to that amount? Do you realise what Territory Tidy Towns and KAB do? They visit over 200 communities in the Northern Territory throughout the year, throughout their whole process of getting around. What is it that they do out there? Do they just go and talk about rubbish and all that? No, I tell you what they do - and you most of you over there know it, because you have been to the awards nights.
Mr Ah Kit: We know. Get back onto the budget. We know.
Mr BALDWIN: This is a budget problem; he has a budget problem The Minister for Lands and Planning also has a budget problem because you are going to have to fork out for this to continue.
Do you know what they do? They go out and they make communities feel proud about their places, to get involved in litter abatement and beautification of their communities; to make people actually want to live in their communities. Here you are talking about itinerants and sending them home, and you are about to strip Territory Tidy Towns and KAB of the very funding they need to continue the work that they have been doing. Great work, great work.
Dr Burns: Have you checked with Tidy Towns. Have you checked with them?
Mr BALDWIN: No, I have not. I am assuming.
Dr Burns: Well, maybe you should. You should get the facts first. You are a lazy opposition.
Mr BALDWIN: All I am asking is that they clarify to Tidy Towns, this week, because they have made the announcement …
Dr Burns: I have already met with them.
Mr BALDWIN: I shall pick up on that interjection. Do they know the funding they are going to get? No.
Dr Burns: They have a fair idea.
Mr BALDWIN: No, they do not. I know that much.
Dr Burns: You have spoken to them!
Mr BALDWIN: Now, why does the minister not clarify that for them so that they can continue to operate? Here we are going into June and they do not know what it is they are going to get. Why don’t you do the right thing and clarify it for them. They, and all those 200 communities, I am sure, would love to know what is going on. It will be interesting to watch this fall out as we go along. He is talking about $500 000; $500 000 he is going to have in his five-point plan, a community grants program, a review of the Litter Act, I assume, from what he said today. One would assume that you would want to keep some sort of anti-litter campaign going through the Tidy Towns or KAB or similar. $500 000 for all of what he is proposing in the package and for the five-point plan is not going to leave very much for those communities out there. I look forward to that ministerial statement, and certainly to estimates to find out how much is being funded for those programs. It may take some time, August - I mean how slow do the wheels of this government turn?
Looking through the budget highlights in my area and you turn to page 211. Most of the dot points here are general day to day business that the department undertakes: reviewing acts, greenhouse actions, noise control regulations. Many of these things have been going on for so long. These are down as their budget highlights – facilitate more energy and environmentally appropriate building designs and so on and so on, reviewing more acts. Gives us a break! They are what the department does in normal day to day operations.
One of the highlights, I thought, ‘Oh, that is interesting, finally they are going to get moving on this particular initiative’, and that is the wharf precinct. $1m for redevelopment of the wharf. I jumped to a conclusion. I assumed that was for the wharf precinct, your wharf precinct, the one that we did all the planning for and it is ready to go, the land is available and it became the major plank in the economic summit. As it would. Everyone wants to get it going. This is the vision thing. We go to the economic summit, one of the big things that came out of it was get the wharf precinct going. Chief Minister comes in, does a mini-budget and says, ‘The major development plank in this mini-budget is the wharf precinct – gotta get it going’. Then everything went quiet.
The next thing we heard, during the Wet of 2002, was the minister for lands goes down the wharf, does a press conference, got plans, said, ‘We have a lot of interest in the wharf precinct and we shall have this thing going by late this year’. Under way! Gang busters! – no, no that is him. You will have it going by August. Okay, we do not hear anything. We get to the August budget last year. And what? One would expect some money for the head works in there. That is how these things operate. Some money for head works. Or are you going to do it out of minor new works or something? I think it will cost you a bit more than that. And what was in the August budget of last year – nothing! Not a cent, not a brass razoo for the most significant development for Darwin as described by the economic summit, as described by the Chief Minister as the major plank in her mini-budget. Nothing, not one cent. So, we wait. Maybe next budget. So, we wait, we wait. There is deathly silence, nothing is going on. We get to this budget, flick through it – bewdy! Here it is. There is $1m for the redevelopment of the wharf precinct. But, no! No, that is a conclusion I have jumped to, isn’t it?
Confirm for me: the redevelopment is for the wharf, for cruise ships; it is nothing to do with the development of the most strategic piece of land in Darwin.
Mr Vatskalis: Wrong again. You have it wrong again.
Mr BALDWIN: Well, you clarify it because everybody out there is waiting for some vision, some guts from this government which is just not forthcoming. This is the major plank from your economic summit and you have not lifted one finger on it. Not one finger on it. You are lazy. You have no vision. Give Territorians some hope that you are at least awake. That is what they are looking for.
Turning, in the last 10 minutes that I have available, to my electorate. I see the Daly Clinic is going to be built. I am glad of that and thank the government for doing that. I know that Daly has been writing to you for two years trying to get some attention from you with regard to a lease back arrangement of a health clinic, and that was the option that they would have preferred. However, you came up with $840 000 for the building of that clinic. That is great and I commend you for that. At long last, I commend you for that.
Members interjecting.
Mr BALDWIN: No, no. I am happy. That is great. However, can I alert you to a little problem? Since the floods of 1998, there are being declared - and the minister for lands might want to listen to this – new flood level heights for the Daly that apparently executive government cannot interfere with.
A member interjecting.
Mr BALDWIN: Okay, whatever. That means that all new buildings in Daly River will have to be built an extra 1.2 m above the current building height which means the health clinic will have to be built an extra 1.2 m higher putting it into the safety vectors of the airstrip. No can do. So, there is a problem. You might, minister for Infrastructure, need some more money, or you might have to do something about ameliorating the flood levels to a suitable height, if that is possible.
The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure mentioned roads. There is no detail in the budget that I can ascertain about upgrading roads in areas of the electorate that I know he knows are important, and in some cases I know he knows they are in need of urgent repair. I know that because I know that he has been informed of it, and I am talking of roads in the Sturt Plateau that are in need of urgent repair. They have been raised with the minister. They are so bad that trucks taking cattle to and from those properties on the Sturt Plateau, taking lick blocks, taking fertiliser, are still, today, getting bogged on those roads which are in urgent need of repair to allow those property owners to continue with the businesses they have invested so heavily in.
Likewise, for roads in Katherine/Daly Basin area. That has been raised with him and there was work done in the last budget period. But it is time, as I have said before in this House, to raise the level of expenditure in that area to allow the concept of the Katherine/Daly basin to move to its next phase. Money is needed infrastructure, for the town of Fleming, money is needed to push roads through from the Stray Creek area to Ferguson River. It does not have to be a major road at this stage. It could be a track that is 4WD accessible. That would be a start. But you need to keep progressing on roads that are important in areas that do supply economic wealth to the local economy. Those two areas I mentioned are an indication of that. The other thing that obviously needs to happen with the Katherine/Daly Basin is opening up more land. We need to see some action from the minister. I know he has been told these things by locals in the area, and we need some more action, please, minister.
Madam Speaker, as to the business and industry associations that service businesses, and the members of those various organisations in my electorate, I cannot determine from these papers their level of funding. I will wait until estimates to have a look at whether their operational funding has been changed in any way. I am sure if it has, I will be hearing about it fairly soon.
I was interested in the fact that the fertiliser freight subsidy is going to be cut by 50% in this year, and eventually the following year, cut off altogether.
Dr Burns: FarmBis, don’t you like FarmBis?
Mr BALDWIN: Yes, I like FarmBis.
Dr Burns: Good. A lot of other people do, too. It has been under utilised.
Mr BALDWIN: It is a program that has been around for a while, hasn’t it? The issue here though, is the excuse, and I will pick up on FarmBis before I get into that. I see - and this is how they fudge the books, these fellows. When you go to Industry Support, and you go to the small print, it says the fertiliser freight subsidy is going to be cut by 50%. It is going to go into FarmBis, and certainly, the second year it is going to be cut altogether, and all of that is going to go into FarmBis, which will make an extra $300 000 for FarmBis. Already, you are talking $300 000 in the book. I mean, small point, but you know, get it right, tell the truth.
The point about the fertiliser freight subsidy, the excuse that has been used for not continuing with it, is that nearly 50% of it is not being used, which tells you that 50% is being used. So 50% of that fund is having a direct benefit to primary producers in the Northern Territory. What you are saying to them now is, ‘We are going to cut that out’. Now, okay, if 50% is not being used, over a period of time, go back and do the figures. Sure, take that out, put it in FarmBis, good program. But leave the other 50% there to give them the assistance they are already getting. Why strip it away from them? You need every advantage to continue in farming in the Northern Territory. You need advantages, particularly when there is no fertiliser production in the Northern Territory that can bag up the composite fertilisers that are needed these days. That is a point there, and I am sure the 50% that get it and use it, will appreciate that.
Madam Speaker, in finishing, because I know I am running out of time, I say it is a very poor budget. I wanted to table this, because I think it is the Kava Budget. I think it is the Kava Budget because it is bland, it is being marketed as an exotic stimulant, but really it tastes like mud, and if you get enough of it, it puts you to sleep. And I will table that, because that is the name I have for this budget.
Leave granted.
Dr BURNS (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I can say at the outset that I have listened very carefully to the offerings from the members from the other side. All I can say is, I can hardly wait for the Estimates Committee. They have demonstrated a singular lack of understanding of the budget, of the components of the budget, and what is really out there. We have heard some incredible over-generalisations, particularly by the member for Katherine, about all the things that were not in the budget in terms of roads, infrastructure, potential for Katherine. Member for Katherine, it is pretty easy to get up here and sluice on for half an hour or 20 minutes and make all sorts of generalisations and weave a story. It is going to be a lot harder in the estimates process.
The opposition has just shown – and there has been an example with the member for Daly - how hard it is for them to do their research, to present a cogent case. I will come to some of the things the member for Daly spoke about today. It was significant; he talked about container deposit legislation and all the rest of it. I did not see him get up here this morning. I saw the member for Katherine get up. I thought the member for Daly was actually the shadow for the environment. I believe he is; I have not seen too many press releases from him. He has been superseded by the member for Katherine. It is a bit of worry, member for Daly. It is obvious that others on the other side, more experienced, have to take up the slack - and the emphasis is on ‘slack’ regarding his performance.
I will turn now to the budget. Tourism, of course, is my major portfolio. I have mentioned previously the employment of about 8000 people directly, and about the same number indirectly, in tourism, and the overarching figure of $2bn that it contributes to our economy. We are all aware of the adverse effects of a number of events that have occurred over the past few years in tourism. Territory tourism is especially vulnerable to global movements in the tourism and aviation business that are caused by a number of factors.
However, I believe we have had some great successes in the past year, chiefly with the expansion of Virgin Blue services in the Territory. The Northern Territory Tourist Commission and the NT Aviation Committee have worked very hard for over a year putting a business case to Virgin and a whole range of other airlines. It was a difficult time with confidential decisions precluding public releases of information. I am trying to be very careful about what is being said publicly. There have been many knockers, but there has been hard work done by the Aviation Development Director, the Tourist Commission, the airlines and many others. I believe we have laid the groundwork for further aviation expansions in the Northern Territory, and I expect to make other announcements, both on the domestic and international fronts, over the next year.
In support of the work on the aviation front, the government has also contributed additional resources to the Tourist Commission for marketing to drive the demand side, which is a very important aspect of the tourism equation. This year, the government has appropriated $27.202m to the Tourist Commission. That represents an increase of $1.144m. That is contrary to some of the statements made by the member for Katherine in this place, and the members for Katherine and Araluen in the media. I have implored them while they have been making these statements about this mythical $1m cut to the tourism budget, to think a little carefully and read - particularly read …
Mr MALEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I draw your attention to the state of the House.
Madam SPEAKER: A quorum is not present. Ring the bells. Oh, hang on. There are 10, so member for Goyder, do you realise you are in strife?
Mr MALEY: Am I?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes. But we might excuse you this time, seeing you do not know the rule about it. If you call a state of the House and there is a quorum, you are usually expelled. I will explain it to you. Come here.
Dr BURNS: Getting back to the point that I made, this mythical decrease in the tourism budget comes about because of the annotation on page 269 about the way in which the Holiday Centre has been shifted from underneath the Northern Territory Tourist Commission budget, to under Territory Discoveries. That accounts for the $1m that the member for Araluen was waving around in last year’s budget book. Member for Araluen, I pointed out where this error has come from and, once again, I will talk about comparing apples with apples. If you are comparing apples with apples, the estimate for 2002-03 for the expenditure in the Tourism budget is $26.05m, compared to the budgeted 2003-04 figure of $27.202m, an increase, an increase, member for Araluen, of $1.144m. So, once again, we can explore it further in estimates, but I am just trying to save you a couple of questions and it has been pointed out to you where your error is.
The Northern Territory Tourist Commission exists to market and influence the development of the Northern Territory as a competitive tourism destination for the continuing benefit of the Territory economy and the Territorians. The budget contains a number of key initiatives: additional funding of $0.5m for an international marketing campaign and this is the second year this government has provided additional funding to allow the Tourist Commission to increase its cooperative marketing campaigns in key overseas markets; an additional $1m in funding for a domestic marketing campaign. This extra funding will be added to that already spent by the Tourist Commission on marketing, allowing an extension of the domestic tourism recovery strategy. All of this adds us to a record $3.8m which is the largest spend since the around 1994-95 with the ‘Never, never go’ campaign. It will include television advertising in support of the print campaign that commenced in March.
The Tourist Commission budget has also been increased to cover the final payment of the Northern Territory’s commitment for the facilitation of Virgin Blue air services in the Northern Territory. Members would recall government committed $2m per year for two years to obtain a pre-Christmas 2001 start for Virgin’s operations in the Territory. The $1.5m set aside for this initiative in 2003-04, is the last component of this commitment which is spread over three financial years starting in 2001-02 and as I said, finishing in 2003-04.
The Northern Territory Tourist Commission is reallocating its funds internally to support the government’s investment in marketing and aviation. It will enter the second year of its highly successful three year partnership with NT Airports to fund an aviation development director.
If I could just return to our marketing campaign, I have had some initial briefings about the marketing campaign and also the Arafura rescue package. I believe that they are reaping benefits in a very difficult marketplace. I commend the commission and its efforts to bolster tourism to the Territory in a very difficult environment. I also believe that the Virgin services, firstly to Alice Springs, beginning next week, and later on to direct service Sydney-Darwin, will be very welcomed. It is very welcomed by the tourism industry, and will further bolster tourist numbers in the Territory.
Moving on to Territory Discoveries. This is the Tourist Commission’s wholesaling business division. It contributes to the Northern Territory’s economic growth by developing tourism products for sale to consumers in the domestic marketplace. A key change in the 2003-04 budget is the move of the NT Holiday Centre operation from the Tourist Commission side of the ledger into Territory Discoveries. I have already discussed that briefly. Just explaining this move. This move reflects the way the centre has been operating informally for some time and is appropriate given the bulk of the Holiday Centre’s work is selling Territory Discoveries product. This move was an outcome of the review of Territory Discoveries conducted as part of the development of the Northern Territory Tourism Strategic Plan 2003-07. This operational change has resulted in some shifts in the distribution of budgets and staff between the Tourist Commission and Territory Discoveries, although there has been no change to combined figures for tourism as a whole. I will emphasise that just in case someone wants to make some mischief with it.
The new structure is more transparent and provides a clearer picture on government’s investment in this business. I am pleased to report that the former Auditor-General, Mr Iain Summers, has been involved in the clarification of the somewhat complex relationships between Territory Discoveries, the Holiday Centre and the Northern Territory Tourist Commission. It was necessary to change these arrangements and we have acted on very expert advice including that of Mr Summers.
Territory Discoveries operating expenses are estimated to be $5.015m in 2003-04. This figure has decreased compared to 2002-03 due to a reduction in expenses related to operating efficiencies and also due to higher implementation expenses in 2002-03 than ongoing expenses planned for 2003-04 for the new reservation system. Tourism is everyone’s business and Territorians rely on a healthy tourism sector. This budget demonstrates the support for this vital industry. I reiterate this government’s support for the ongoing operations of Territory Discoveries.
I now turn to my portfolio of Primary Industry and Fisheries within the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, otherwise known as DBIRD. Primary industry staff of the department have developed and are working to sectoral plans for each primary industry as a part of this government’s Economic Development Strategy. The fisheries group is working with the Northern Territory Seafood Council on fishery sectoral plans. These sectoral plans allow department staff to work with all areas of Northern Territory primary industries and fisheries, to ensure industry growth that is sustainable and best practice. This will ensure that benefits from these industries can be enjoyed by all Territorians, now and in the future.
DBIRD also plays an important role in supporting indigenous economic development in the Northern Territory. The initiatives contained in this budget will affect this development. The Economic Development Strategy, Building a Better Territory, identifies the priority actions of this government in working with indigenous groups and organisations in order to bring indigenous land into production for economic, social and environmental outcomes. In particular, DBIRD staff are working with the Indigenous Land Corporation, the land councils and other organisations, communities and groups, such as the Jawoyn and Julalikari associations, to achieve specific economic outcomes such as the creation of employment in rural areas.
The establishment of Indigenous Community Marine Officers is an initiative of the Martin government of which I am particularly proud. Not only does this program provide a surveillance role that works to address issues associated with unsustainable and illegal fishing activities, it also serves to protect sacred sites and allows Aboriginal people to monitor interaction with marine animals and habitat. I shall talk more about this initiative in greater detail when I turn to the fisheries section.
Another sectoral plan has been established with the horticultural industry to encourage development through the management of knowledge, improved industry skills, and land, water and infrastructure availability. There is one initiative in the budget, and that is $2m for horticulture infrastructure development. I can assure the member for Katherine that a very serious proposal has come through from the Katherine area, particularly from the site where the NT Ag is at present, for a horticulture infrastructure facility that would integrate with the railway and provide infrastructure and cool rooms, etcetera, for the horticultural industry in the Katherine region. That will be welcomed by the industry in the Katherine area.
There are other plans for the heat treatment and infra-red sensing of mangoes to better market the product in harder-to-crack markets such as Japan. There are about four proposals on the table for that $2m, and each one of them looks interesting, although each one will have to be looked at by Treasury in terms of its feasibility.
As well, this government’s regional plans for livestock development will work to help this increasingly growing industry, especially in the areas of live cattle export. Specifically, these regional plans will help increase the sustainable production capacity of the Northern Territory pastoral industry, support infrastructure development for the livestock industry, increase markets for live animals and livestock products, and ensure that disease and pests do not impede market access for Northern Territory livestock products.
I turn to some of the specific budget allocations for primary industries. Participants in the horticultural industry in Central Australia will be pleased to hear the establishment of the Central Australian Queensland Fruit Fly Eradication Steering Committee. I looked at that twice when I first saw it. The committee is about the eradication of the Queensland Fruit Fly in Central Australia. This is the first step in planning for the eradication of this horticultural pest in Central Australia. Fruit fly outbreaks cause loss of market access and can decrease investor confidence for future horticulture development in affected regions. So, whilst Ti Tree is free of fruit fly, through their vigilance and their efforts, Alice Springs is not. If we are going to have further development of the horticulture industry in Alice Springs, we need to eradicate the fruit fly. This particular pilot program, Madam Speaker, I know you will be interested in it, is all about trying to eradicate the fruit fly in Alice Springs. There is a pilot project on the East Side that will not utilise pesticides. We do not want the department or someone going around there squirting all this pesticide in people’s backyards. What we are trying to do is coordinate the release of these sterile Queensland fruit flies with the coldest part of the year, and try to eradicate the fruit fly without using harsh chemicals. That is a very environmentally responsible thing to do.
Work will continue on implementing the highly innovative TropHort agreement with the CSIRO, Northern Territory University, now known as Charles Darwin University, and industry. I am pleased to say a strategic planning workshop has already identified the core directions that will be taken. I look forward to providing a more detailed report to the Assembly later this year. In particular, members will be pleased to know that research into varieties of bananas resistant to Panama disease shows promise with the potential for CSIRO to be involved with horticulture research staff from my department, in isolating genes resistant to Panama, with a view to further development of resistant strains of bananas. I know I am running short of time, but I would like to let the Assembly know that I visited the Lambells Lagoon area last week and met with some key players in the banana industry. I am hoping to follow up with their committee later on. I also met with representatives of the mango industry and the cut flower industry. There are a lot of good initiatives out there, and this government is pleased to support industry groups like the banana growers, to try to work their way through a conundrum like Panama disease, which is a big threat and risk to that particular industry.
The horticulture staff from the department have been working with the Central Land Council in support of the establishment of Centrefarm. I think that is a great project. Members of the Assembly will be pleased to know that the first commercial planting of table grapes on indigenous land in Central Australia should occur within the next 12 months.
Members will also be aware of the national program that began in mid-March this year to attempt the eradication of the grapevine leaf rust disease in the Top End. The project team comprises nine staff, not including field survey teams, and it is predicted this program will continue until June 2006. It was pleasing for me, I was out doorknocking, doing the right thing, on one side of the road, and the grapevine people were going along the other side of the road. I stopped and we had a bit of a chat. Things are going very well, and the public is really supporting that particular project. Once again, I will thank our Administrator, Mr John Anictomatis, for his great support for that particular program. That program is funded under a cost-sharing agreement between the states and Commonwealth, and the Territory is playing its part to support the protection of the multi-billion dollar grape industry throughout Australia.
Madam Speaker, minor new works: as part of an ongoing peanut industry development project in the Katherine/Daly region, the government will contribute to a joint project with the Peanut Company of Australia and local landowners to expand commercial peanut production trials. Though relying on an agreement between the landowners and the agency, $90 000 has been allocated to establish new irrigation works in the area. Local growers are conducting commercial scale research trials jointly with DBIRD and the Peanut Company of Australia. The new bores will allow the establishment of another site for expanded production of peanuts and allow rotation crops to be grown in the existing irrigation area that has been cropped for peanuts for a number of years. Viable commercial irrigation for farming systems, including rotation crops suitable for the area, must be established prior to the future growth and development of this industry.
I give an undertaking as Environment Minister that future development in that area in horticulture is very important. However, I am also very keen to see it balanced with the environmental needs of the Douglas Daly basin. I put on record in this House that I am very committed to that, and the ecological balance and sustainability based on science in the Douglas Daly region.
Other minor new works projects include: upgrading the access road and hard stand area at the Katherine Research Station; continued implementation of government energy management program audit recommendations; upgrading security at the Berrimah Agricultural Laboratory; redevelopment of the post-entry quarantine station at Berrimah; and the installation of a replacement septic system at the Douglas Daly Research Farm.
I will now mention some of the regional highlights for primary industry in the Northern Territory. An allocation of $240 000 will allow the continuation of the various agricultural and pastoral research and development projects the Northern Territory government undertakes with Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and Meat and Livestock Australia. These projects include the development of sustainable beef production systems and the determination of the impact of stocking rates and grazing regimes on land biodiversity.
I will pick up on an issue raised by the member for Nelson. He mentioned something like an apparent $4.3m cut in terms of extension activity through the department. I am assured that that is not the case; that is an anomaly through accrual accounting. However, I would invite the member for Nelson to have a briefing on this particular issue. I am very keen to talk further. I believe that the tourism issue that he raised regarding airfields and our wartime heritage is a very important issue and, as minister, I am very keen to support that. I would like to have further discussions with the member for Nelson on those two issues; they are very important. I assure him there has been no cut there. That will be an issue that will be explored, if necessary, through the estimates process.
We have also allocated $100 000 for the effluent re-use program at the Arid Zone Research Institute, including the recent appointment of a program manager. The whole issue of water reuse that I have touched on before is very important.
I will now outline the initiatives in the 2003-04 budget that affect fisheries in the Territory. I have mentioned the marine program already operating on the Tiwi Islands and, more recently, in Borroloola. I have not had the opportunity to meet with the Tiwi officers yet, but I have certainly met with the ones in Borroloola and they are very, very keen. They are good people and they are already having an effect in the Borroloola region in surveillance, and I wish them well. We are planning to expand this to Maningrida and Port Keats, and there has been an additional $180 000, increasing to $270 000, to the amount allocated in the department’s 2003-04 budget which will be used to establish these rangers in Maningrida and Port Keats early in the new financial year.
Of further interest, the Fisheries Division is currently participating in a fisheries compliance subcommittee that is working to establish a nationally accredited course for the Northern Territory indigenous marine rangers. Once again, the Northern Territory is leading the charge in this and it is very good to see. There will be an allocation of $385 000 to allow the continuation of various fisheries and aquaculture research and development projects that are jointly funded by the Northern Territory government, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, and other collaborators.
The projects include pilot studies of the North Australian Spanish mackerel for GENETAG. I am hoping to get out there and see that tagging program. It is a very exciting program; it is simple but it is very profound. It is going to tell us a lot about our Spanish mackerel population and its sustainability. It is an important project that has received national attention.
The aquatic pest team continues to expand its network of monitoring sites around the Northern Territory coast. The most recent incursion was the ramshorn snail, which is a known vector for the liver fluke - very nasty. It would have had a disastrous effect on our pastoral industry.
The Darwin Aquaculture Centre is seeking to expand the Northern Territory’s commercial fishing by working with industry and indigenous groups considering the potential of new activities involving trepang, sponge prawns, and the aquaculture of mud crabs.
Our natural environment and our social and natural heritage are critical to maintaining our Territory lifestyle. Here are some initiatives to promote this in the recent budget: $350 000 in additional funding for the Office of Environment and Heritage to expand environmental protection and heritage conservation services throughout the Territory. This will include funding for four new positions in the office - a very important allocation of additional funding for the Officer of Environment and Heritage. This was an election promise of ours, that we would build the Office of Environment and Heritage and we are sticking by our election promises. Those additional positions will be monitoring projects for compliance with environmental requirements including the construction of the Wickham Point LNG plant; one position looking at waste discharge licensing and monitoring. Some of it is going towards air quality management programs and an important allocation of $55 000 for an additional heritage position to increase the capacity for heritage assessments of development proposals.
Madam Speaker, $130 000 will be expended on the transfer of staff from Darwin to enhance the heritage conservation services available to the Alice Springs community. The Office of Environment and Heritage will also complete a review of the Heritage Conservation Act commencing in 2002-03, costing $130 000 and it will ensure the best possible statutory basis for conserving the Territory’s heritage. $200 000 in the Northern Territory heritage grant program and $114 000 funding support to the National Trust will continue. $335 000 is being provided for greenhouse policy development and related activity including finalisation of the Northern Territory strategy for greenhouse action. $100 000 will allocated to continuing the 24 hour pollution response service provided by the Office of Environment and Heritage, and $150 000 will be expended on the introduction of new environmental noise regulations and licensing of major Territory land fills and commercial waste contractors.
Environmental assessment of the development proposals including the expansion proposals for McArthur River Mine and Alcan operations at Nhulunbuy will continue at a cost of $650 000. $400 000 will be allocated for environmental policy, development and implementation including local waste management initiatives and participating in national environment protection activities.
Members opposite have not been able to find any bright spots in this budget. Madam Speaker, I do not think they are trying very hard. I think there are bright spots in there. We have had a difficult task. This has been my first budget as a Cabinet Minister, and it was very difficult. Not only coming to terms with the process, but the very fact that we did not have a lot of new money. We did not want to get back into debt and go into the same scale that the former crowd got into. I am very proud that we flagged up a $90m deficit last year, and it has come in at $30m. It shows, in the wake of a similar pattern in the previous year that we are on target with our deficit reduction strategies. We are on target with being fiscally responsible and we are setting the foundation for those major projects, those icon projects, such as the convention centre. They are going to have the stamp and the hallmark of the Martin Labor government all over them.
Debate adjourned.
TABLED PAPER
Yugul Mangi Community Government Council – Report of Dismissal
Yugul Mangi Community Government Council – Report of Dismissal
Mr AH KIT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 264(5) of the Local Government Act, I am required to table in the Legislative Assembly within five sitting days after the day of the dismissal of the Yugul Mangi Community Government Council a report that sets out the circumstances which gave rise to the dismissal. The council was formally dismissed on 28 March 2003.
In September 2001, Inspectors of Local Government, acting on a request from the Ombudsman of the Northern Territory, commenced an investigation into possible irregularities within the meaning of the Local Government Act to do with the affairs of the council that were identified by the Ombudsman during a visit to Ngukurr in May of that same year.
In August 2002, the inspectors following advice received from the Department of Justice put to me a case for the suspension of the council. Acting on that advice, I recommended to the Administrator that the members of the Yugul Mangi Community Government Council be suspended and further recommended that a manager be appointed.
Following the suspension of the council and the appointment of a manager, I appointed a commissioner to inquire into the affairs of the council and specifically:
the failure of the council to ensure the separation of the affairs of the council from the affairs
of Yugul Mangi Clan Development Pty Ltd;
the expenditure by the council of amounts for a purpose not authorised by or under the act or another act;
the expenditure by the council of amounts not allocated in the council’s adopted estimates;
the failure of the council to comply with directions issued by inspectors within the time specified in
the directions;
the failure of the council to provide reasonable assistance to inspectors;
the failure of members of the council to declare, under section 20 of the act, an interest in Yugul Mangi
Clan Development Pty Ltd; and
the failure of the council to fulfil its obligations under the Local Government Accounting Regulations.
The commissioner has since reported to me that he has inquired into those matters and his findings have vindicated my actions in originally recommending the suspension of the council. After further consideration of the findings and recommendations of the commissioner, I recommended to the Administrator that all members of the council be dismissed, and the Administrator has acted on my recommendation.
There was no other way but for me to visit Ngukurr on 26 March 2003 to advise the council that I had recommended that they be dismissed. The reasons for the dismissal were put to them at that meeting, and a plan of action that included the establishment of a constitutional review and implementation group comprised of agreed people from within the community and the government. The aim of this group is to review the council’s scheme with a view to holding elections for a new council as soon as practicable. I anticipate that a new scheme will be agreed over the next few months, hopefully leading to elections for a new council later in the year.
In his report, the commissioner also suggested that there were other matters that required further investigations by other agencies. These matters have been referred to those agencies. I have also provided the report to solicitors for the interested parties on the condition that they maintain the confidentiality of the report and show it to no person other than their own clients without my permission. This will enable them to address matters with respect to their clients.
With respect to my obligations under section 264(5) of the Local Government Act, I table the report that sets out the circumstances that gave rise to the dismissal of the Yugul Mangi Community Government Council.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the paper.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, I appreciate that the minister has acted in accordance with the act and has laid the reasons for dismissal before this Chamber as is required under the act. I was not aware that the minister was going to do this tonight. I notice that there are quite a few section numbers in relation to some of the accounting practices and the like. I seek that this debate be adjourned and left on the Notice Paper.
Debate adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr AH KIT (Community Development): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, tonight I would like to speak about the new Litchfield area plan released last week. Accompanying this are the new zoning maps for the Litchfield Shire. I do not want to put too fine a point on it but I regard this new plan as simply a planning prank or a joke. I do not believe that this could really be a serious document or a zoning map. The minister has said in his message to the community, who have to scramble through this document: ‘I appreciate the discussion of the two separate but inter-related projects may cause some confusion’. That must be the understatement of the year! This document is a hybrid - maybe even a genetically modified version - of planning, which will leave the Litchfield Shire in some more uncertainty about where it is heading.
For at least seven years, there was a review of the Litchfield Land Use Objectives and, although there were a number of submissions put forward, it was what the planners put forward that survived the processes, not what the communities thought. In fact, the Litchfield planning concept started off with this particular document; there have been three of those documents exhibited. They have had this first map; this second map and, eventually, we got the Litchfield Land Use Objectives, which the minister declared last year, even though, sadly, those land use objectives still did not recognise the importance of not industrialising the Darwin Harbour.
While all of this was going on, there was a review of the NT Planning Scheme, which came out in this form. That was initiated by the previous government. This was a review which was an attempt to create uniform zones throughout the Territory with uniform definitions. It also would reduce many of the existing planning documents to just a few. This booklet here was given to MLAs and the Development Consent Authority, but not to the public or the council.
The present government then put out this booklet and two more maps, which have been displayed in my front window for quite a while. One is showing all the existing zones in the Litchfield Shire, and the other showing how those existing zones would fit under the NT Planning Scheme. The average person would think the next step would be for the government to ratify and approve the NT Planning Scheme, and then bring out the Litchfield zone map with the new NT-wide zones on that map, along with accompanying definitions. No. What the new government has done is give us four new maps of the existing zones and the composition of zones. Finally, they have given us another map - this map here. It is unbelievable that people would be able to understand zoning in the Litchfield Shire. What they have done is presented existing zones and amended them, and they have included new zones for the NT Planning Scheme, which does not yet exist.
The problem with all of that is that you have ‘hot spot’ of zones. All the zones may have to change again if the NT Planning Scheme is ever finalised. The final scheme has made changes to the zones and their definition. This could apply to all the other developmental controls; the requirement for residential developments, commercial development, industrial development, service stations, building heights, advertising signs, parking requirements and loading bays. In two years time, or whenever the NT Planning Scheme is approved, the Litchfield Shire could be in for another zoning change.
Minister, to avoid all the angst and confusion, all you have to do is use the existing zones of the Litchfield Shire. Then, any development that is not allowed but fitting within your land use objectives, can either be given an exceptional development permit or use the SU zone; that is, the special uses zone. When the NT Planning Scheme is finally approved, then those areas with an exceptional development permit, or SU zone, can have, along with all the other zones, a straightforward changeover to the new zones - no confusion, no mess, no fuss. I would call on the minister to at least consider the merits of what I have just said.
I am not sure whether this new zoning map will be brought on for debate by the government, although I hope it will. I will just add a few more comments. Even though there has been a number of people turn up at the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee meeting saying: ‘Stay out of the harbour’, and even though the industrialisation of the harbour is opposed by the Litchfield Shire, the planners have still had their way. The land which is an obvious site for industry as an alternative to Darwin Harbour - that is, land next to Robinson Barracks - is now zoned RL2. If the minister has a look, there is the land that is suitable for industry. It is now zoned RL2, which I believe the planners always wanted; that is, it is zoned for residential land with eight hectare blocks.
This land is presently zoned extractive and presents an ideal opportunity for industrial development. To hear someone from the department tell me there was no water there astonished me, as the proposal to run a service corridor right past this area has been proposed. Obviously, water does not seem to be a problem with Wickham Point; the government is taking water there.
Another issue I would like to raise is that BP Palms seems to have a win with the government. The land next to BP Palms is a wetland. On these maps, originally it was zoned open conservation. Yet the government is willing to sell off the land for tourist commercial as marked on the new maps. As well, the land behind BP Palms, which is now open conservation, has now been substantially changed to light industry. The Strauss Airstrip, which I spoke earlier about, which was open conservation under existing zones, was shown as RL1 in the land use objectives, and is now zoned tourist commercial. This means this site, which should have either stayed conservation or heritage is now to be a tourist precinct with a duplicated highway demolishing the airstrip. That is a great view of our heritage! I am afraid I have to say: I wonder what the late Barbara James would have thought of that? I stood with her in front of the Supreme Court building to try and protect that. She would be ashamed.
We also have a large number of private blocks rezoned. For instance, the area set aside for horticulture in the Berry Springs/Darwin River area, now has quite a number of private blocks covered by the HP zone. If they thought they could subdivide into eight hectares, they are now not allowed to, because the minimum block size will be 25 hectares. Expansion of the HP zone applies to land in Acacia and at Lambells Lagoon. Land in the Elizabeth Valley will now go from RL2 to RL1, allowing people to subdivide down to two hectares. No matter how many times I have said it, I believe subdividing existing 80 hectares blocks into two hectares block will cause aggro when it comes to neighbour’s disputes over horticulture spraying in the Elizabeth River area.
Land in the Whitewood Road and Howard River Park areas have been zoned RR, meaning the minimum lots size can be 0.4 hectare; meaning if they fit within certain guidelines, they can cut up their land into smaller allotments, destroying the rural character of Litchfield Shire.
Minister, in all of the above cases whether the change of the zone will mean a negative or positive effect on the property values, people will not know unless they have seen these maps. This occurred in the previous change to zones in Litchfield Shire when the Lambells Lagoon area was rezoned HP, horticultural protection. Very few of the people who lived there knew that their RL2 blocks were turned into HP blocks. I believe the minister should immediately notify by mail all landowners who could be affected by a zone change before any approvals are given to a zone. Failure to do so would be a case of the government being derelict in its duty.
Minister, I can cover a large number of other aspects that this zoning map raises. I also heard some of the issues raised by the member for Arafura last night. However, I will keep it for another day when I believe this issue should have more fulsome debate.
Mr STIRLING (Nhulunbuy): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, earlier this month, I attended the Australian Education Union and COGSO dinner in Tennant Creek where I had the pleasure of presenting the Nhulunbuy Primary School teacher, Lorraine Mischlewski, with the Northern Territory Teacher’s Excellence in Parent Participation award. The award acknowledges the work done by teachers in Northern Territory government schools in promoting and actively working to create parent participation. Lorraine earned this award through a tireless enthusiasm and commitment to promoting parent involvement at Nhulunbuy Primary.
She has been a teacher for almost nine years, and for the past five years has taught Year 7. Her skills are being utilised this year to teach performing arts classes. She is an active member of the school council and attends a number of parent forums outside working hours. She uses her talents to source parents’ skills and strengths, and involves them in classroom activities. I take the opportunity to congratulate Lorraine Mischlewski on this significant achievement and hope she continues at Nhulunbuy Primary.
I also make mention of Nhulunbuy Primary School’s nomination for its excellence in involving parents in the school. While it did not win the award this time, the school was among the top five nominees for its efforts in involving parents in many aspects of school functions and activities.
I would like to commend also both the Australian Education Union and the Council of Government Schools Organisation for taking their annual conferences to Tennant Creek. It is not often that the regions, and a smallish place like Tennant Creek, have the benefit of these conferences being hosted in the town. It is an expense to the organisations, but I thought it gave the people of Tennant Creek an opportunity to get involved in both forums. They had a joint dinner in Tennant Creek that evening, which was good.
I also congratulate Alice Springs Turf Club, Tennant Creek Racing Club, and Katherine Race Club for the conduct of their racing carnivals over the past few weeks. I had the privilege, as racing minister, to attend each of those. Alice Springs was a terrific event leading up to the cup. I missed the cup itself; I flew back that evening. However, apart from the mix-up over third placing, I heard that it was a hoot of an event. Certainly, I had a good day before I left.
The Tennant Creek Cup is run on an amazing race track with a 390 m straight. They are fairly flying when they go past the finish post because they have so long to wind up in the straight. It gives every horse in the race an opportunity, and the dust is fairly flying at the top of the straight, as you can imagine. Again, a terrific day’s racing and congratulations to all involved at Tennant Creek.
Last week it was Katherine, and David Bates took the champ, Always Aspire, down there again. It won the Katherine Cup last year; it loves the track and got away with the cup again. I was disappointed in the number of horses in the events. In talking to a couple who did take horses down, there are some concerns about the heaviness of the state of the Katherine track; it has just too much fill on top. Therefore, we might need to work with the Katherine Turf Club with a view to getting it back to a surface more compatible to Darwin. As well as that heaviness of the track, there are some concerns about unevenness. If you have a good quality horse that is doing well in Darwin, you really are not going to want to put it on a track that is not up to the same par. We will work on that with Katherine.
Despite the paucity of the fields in terms of numbers, the crowd was sensational - 960 had paid through the gate by 2 pm. The cup was not run until 4.25 pm. I reckon that was double. Certainly, Dennis Booth reported that in the NT News.
I saw a unique race with only four in the field. One horse that had some money on it, and one that I fancied a little, happened to be caught three wide for about a 1000 m: I thought it was a pretty good effort to run three wide in a four horse race and run second. It reminded me of the time Shane Dye rode a Bart Cummings horse in the Caulfield Cup over the 2400 m. He had ridden it 17 wide for the last 1200 m and it was beaten, and ran second. They asked Bart Cummings: ‘How is your horse going to go in the Melbourne Cup in 10 days time? Will it get the 3200 m?’ He said: ‘It did it all right. It ran the 3200 m out all right last Saturday, it won’t be any trouble in the Melbourne Cup’. However, to be caught three wide in a four horse race, takes some doing, and I take my cap off to the kid. The mind boggles - the distance that horse ran to only narrowly be beaten in the end. But it was a terrific day’s racing with a terrific crowd. They enjoy their racing at Katherine.
The other person I want to mention in all of this is Dennis Booth, the Northern Territory News racing writer. I congratulate the NT News because they have picked up a beauty. Dennis Booth has a long history with the NT, and we see that in the NT News when he talks about individuals and horses - way past any of our memory - that he either brought into Darwin or knew the trainer who did or knew the jockey who rode it to its first win at Fannie Bay. It is terrific to have that colour in the writing in the NT News. He is a great supporter of country racing, as he is of greyhound racing.
We too often hear stories of country racing being too expensive, too hard to organise and that the death of country racing is nigh. Dennis Booth knows that is not the case. I know that is not the case because I have been to these meetings and it is terrific to see the support they get at the local level. I wish all those clubs all the very best for the future.
The Adelaide River Cup is another very popular event. There are buses going down from Darwin, and it has huge crowds as well. There have been some track alterations that Dennis Booth says will give the better quality horses a chance in the straight because, traditionally it has been the case at Adelaide River that, if you are not in front on the turn, don’t bother coming because you do not have time to get to the leader in the straight. I look forward to that. Well done, Dennis Booth and NT News, and well done those three clubs. Country racing is far from dead in the Northern Territory. I intend to work with each of those clubs, as minister for racing, to ensure that it goes on to bigger and better things.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, it is with pleasure tonight that I draw members’ attention to a very special occasion for a former Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Mr Ray Chin OAM will celebrate his 80th birthday in June this year.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs BRAHAM: Ray transferred to the Legislative Council in 1968 after 15 years in the Commonwealth Public Service. After commencing as the Clerk of Records, he rose to become the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in 1982, a position he held until his retirement in 1983.
Ray Chin was born in Canton in China and came to Darwin following the bombing of Canton. He completed his primary schooling in Darwin before returning to Canton for his secondary schooling. Ray and his family were in Darwin during the bombing in 1942 and headed to Katherine where they were bombed again and fled to Adelaide.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force, serving four years including a deployment to New Guinea in 1945. Ray Chin, although about to celebrate his 80th birthday, is a very active community member and has been associated with Northern Territory Legacy since 1962 as Honorary Secretary, Chairman and President; a member of the Chung Wah Society since 1953, including two terms as President and was awarded life membership in 1991; a member of the Returned Services League since 1946 with life membership since 1970; the Darwin Bowls Club since 1968; the PROBUS Club of Darwin since 1988; a member of the School Council of the Chinese Language and Cultural Centre; and a member of the Hakka Committee since 1990. In addition to that, in 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the community, a well deserved award.
When Ray Chin first came to Darwin, there were only about 2500 people. His memories of the time include that meat was sixpence a pound; fish was cheap and there was so much of it that anyone would catch it and give it away. Ray speaks fondly of Darwin in the earlier days when the lifestyle was pretty good, people were happier and nobody worried about money.
The Darwin community is joining Ray to celebrate his birthday. On behalf of all officers and members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, I wish Ray Chin a happy 80th birthday, a most auspicious occasion.
Members: Hear, hear.
Mrs BRAHAM: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I recently opened the Central Australian Art Society Advocate Award in Alice Springs. The Central Australian Art Society is the oldest art organisation in the Northern Territory, having been established in 1963. The first meeting of the society, a voluntary organisation run by practising artists, was held on 12 March 40 years ago.
One of the earliest members, Halcyon Lucas, who joined in 1966, is still painting actively today. The work on show at this particular exhibition is open to all artists, both amateur and professional, who are resident in Central Australia and beyond - from Yulara to Darwin - but they must be Territory artists. The Advocate Central Australian Art Award Exhibition is a combination of two annual exhibitions, which have been organised by the committee since 1968, but were combined in 2000. It has a people’s choice prize; the winner is selected by popular vote. It began in 1980, and gives the public the chance to express their taste in art. We are very grateful to the Centralian Advocate for being the sponsors of that particular award. As well as that, a sponsor is Leaping Lizards Gallery, which has also awarded a prize this year.
There are 68 entries this year from artists around the Territory, mainly Central Australia. I am pleased to say it is the same number as there were last year. However, there are also 18 new artists, and every year they have awarded a special prize to an artist who is exhibiting work for the first time. Last year, the award was won by Lucy Skoss. She called her little painting My Dad, The Outback Kid. That was used in their brochure this year to demonstrate just what someone could do. This year, the award went to Henry Smith for Dick Kimber, The Storyteller. If you have an opportunity to see this particular art exhibition, you will be very impressed with the work that has been done. At the moment, I am not sure who is going to win the people’s choice award, but it would not surprise me if it was a bit of a tie between Dick Kimber, The Storyteller, or Ron Talbot’s Ustinov, which is also a very extraordinary painting.
I congratulate the members of the Central Australian Art Society for the wonderful exhibition they have put on and their encouragement of the arts in Central Australia, and the Araluen staff who have assisted them with this great exhibition.
I was also pleased to be involved in with the opening of the new office for Relationships Australia in Larapinta Drive recently. It was not only the launch of Respectful Resolutions, the new mediation service of Relationships Australia in Alice Springs, but also the launch of Relationships Australia’s Men’s Project; so it was really a double celebration.
Relationships Australia has been operating in Alice Springs for the past 18 years and has been providing counselling for individuals, couples and families, as well as providing community education on a range of topics, including Building Better Relationships, Baby Makes Three, and Rebuilding After Separation. Each year, Relationships Australia sees over 300 people in Alice Springs. What is surprising is that nearly 70% have come to improve their relationships, which is great. It is a bit sad, but it is a fact of life that over 50% of people who enter into a relationship will leave this relationship. Exiting a relationship is a difficult time, and even more so when children are involved. Having someone to go to can help ease the pain when you are ending it, and the maze that must be navigated to reach a conclusion. This is a one-stop shop, and it was a recommendation of the report of the Family Law Pathways Advisory Group, titled Out of the Maze.
Respectful Resolutions is one such one-stop shop where Relationships Australia is providing counselling, mediation, parenting advice and education, as well as having all the information required by separating families so they do not have to walk all over town to get what they want. This will assist people at a time when they need it most, and is the first such service in Alice Springs.
Respectful Resolutions will also focus on the needs of children. Relationships Australia have developed an education course, What About Children, and this is designed for parents to show how they can assist their children during the transition of separation. Relationships Australia’s Men’s Project is focussing on men who have separated, or are going to separate. I am sure you will agree that this is a very important program that is being established. It is not a healthy sign that, each day in Australia, four men who have separated will commit suicide. This project is looking at ways that will attract men to seek assistance from agencies such as Relationships Australia and other community organisations. The project will run for two years and the findings will be disseminated to agencies across the Northern Territory.
It is heartening to have such services operating in Alice Springs that are usually only found in large centres. Alice Springs Town Council has certainly been supportive in helping to establish this service at these new premises. We certainly welcome the services and projects that will help people in Alice Springs. I congratulate all those involved in establishing the service in these new premises.
Dr TOYNE (Stuart): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, it is my sad duty to mention today the passing of a staunch Territorian, Mr Ron Dickson.
Ron was appointed to the Consumer Affairs Council in July 1999 until November 2002, but did not seek re-election last year due to ill health. Ron has been a resident of Darwin since the 1950s. During that period, he experience Cyclone Tracy and was directly involved as a member of the emergency food committee with the specific purpose of maintaining supplies during the initial emergency reconstruction period. His business experience within the Northern Territory included over 25 years as director of Hickman and Company and Hickman’s Distributors, which became the main grocery, variety and clothing supplier in northern Australia, particularly to remote Aboriginal communities from Broome through to Thursday Island. During this period, the company was also heavily involved in developing and supplying small business throughout the Northern Territory; particularly in Darwin.
Ron was involved for many years with some of Australia’s largest grocery manufacturing organisations, raising the issue of, and negotiating, capital city pricing for Darwin, whereby the price of goods offered in all capital cities should be the same. He achieved successful outcomes in many cases. Ron also worked as Sales Manager and Purchasing Officer for Top End Wholesale Distributors, with responsibility for negotiating, costing and promotional deals. Ron was a hard worker and his wide experience in the food distribution industry was invaluable to the Consumer Affairs Council when he joined in 1999.
He was passionate about ‘a fair deal’ for all Territorians and was a strong advocate for people living outside the urban centres, especially remote communities. His inspiration, energy and commitment to consumer protection was unchallenged and commendable. During his time on the council, Ron, together with other members, travelled to remote communities visiting stores and talking to community and government representatives in an effort to find ways to reduce the price of goods in remote stores. He and the council addressed freight subsidies, nutritional value of goods sold, especially take-aways, and took the issue of lack of shelf pricing in stores head on. Ron was a proud and caring man and stood up for what he believed in; a fair deal for all.
Ron is survived by his wife Shirley, who works at St Mary’s Primary School, and his four children, Mark, Helen, Bernadette and Robyn. Ron’s passing is a loss to the Territory and I express my great sympathy to his family.
Ms LAWRIE (Karama): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, this evening I acknowledge Territorians who have contributed greatly to our community in selfless service as volunteers and professionals in many capacities. I continue my remarks from last night in regard to Centenary Medal recipients recently acknowledged by the federal government, and also acknowledged by the Northern Territory government.
I commend former Senator Grant Tambling on his recognition for service to the Northern Territory. Many people know Mr Tambling as an advocate for the people of the Northern Territory. He has worked tirelessly for their rights and continues to be very much an active member of our society here in Darwin and, I dare say, travelling throughout the Territory whenever the opportunity provides him. I acknowledge the support he has received from his charming and intelligent wife, Sandy, throughout his distinguished career
I also acknowledge Penni Tastula, who received recognition for significant contribution to Northern Territory tourism and job creation. Penni Tastula runs Northern Gateway; she is a dynamic member of our tourism industry in the Territory. She is someone who is forthcoming and honest in her comments about tourism and is a woman of great vision. I have had the pleasure of speaking to Penni on many occasions about how she sees tourism shaping in the Territory and where she see its future. She is very much a strong advocate of our ties with Asia, and I know she has business partners in the Asian region. I commend Penni for her vision and for her diligence to tourism in the Territory.
I acknowledge tonight a constituent of mine, Elwyn Watkins. Elwyn Watkins was recognised for service to people with disabilities. Elwyn is a quadriplegic who has not allowed her disability to stand in the way of tremendous progress for people with disabilities. She manages to move around the community. She put her energy into purchasing a car for herself to drive. It is a car that Juan Antonio Samaranch was driven around in during the Olympic games. Her car is her ticket to freedom and movement throughout our community. She has had significant modifications made to the car to enable her, as a quadriplegic, to drive it. Obviously, she has severe mobility impairments, but she is a woman of great strength, integrity, and tremendous vision and has never shied away from trying to explore new opportunities for people with disabilities. I feel very honoured to know Elwyn and to work with her and to continue to pursue the rights of people with disability, many of whom are my constituents.
The Centenary Medal has been awarded to Adjunct Professor Grahame Webb for his service to the Essington School and crocodile research. Adjunct Professor Webb has his own internationally recognised business, Wildlife Management International. He is also the owner/operator of Crocodylus Park, and founded Essington School. Adjunct Professor Webb is a man of tremendous foresight, energy, intelligence and vision. He has committed decades of his life to progress crocodile research in the Northern Territory at times, I believe, against great adversity from a system that felt threatened by his expertise and knowledge. I am pleased to be a part of the government that is working with him to advance the international status of the Northern Territory in the area of crocodile research and wildlife management.
I recognise he has made a significant contribution to tourism through Crocodylus Park. I recently accompanied a group of school children from Holy Family School on an excursion to Crocodylus Park. He gave his time, quite unselfishly, to talk to the children about the various research projects occurring at the park. It made a significant impact on their visit to the park to be able to meet the man who created Crocodylus Park.
On Thursday 20 May, I held a morning tea at my electorate office as a fundraiser for the Cancer Council. We had about a dozen constituents, most of whom are senior citizens who eke out a very difficult living on a pension. However, we managed to raise $170. My heartfelt thanks go to those pensioners who gave their own small change - no small feat at all - to providing assistance to the Cancer Council, a very, very worthy charity indeed.
I acknowledge tonight, a grant provided by the Northern Territory government of $50 000 to go to crime prevention initiatives in the Karama electorate. The crime prevention initiatives will provide lighting in three key areas that the community has sought lighting for for about six years now. Specifically, I refer to a laneway between Donaldson Court and Kalymnos Drive, council owned property; however, sadly extremely neglected for years. It is also going to provide lighting in a park opposite Karama Shopping Centre, referred to by the locals as Mulla Mulla park because it borders Mulla Mulla Circuit. This park is frequently the site of antisocial behaviour, and residents living around the area have had to put up with disgusting behaviour for many years. Lighting has been a recommendation on the books for quite some years. The former member for Karama conducted a community safety audit of the area which recognised the need for lighting but, like most things in the electorate those days, nothing happened. It is a great pleasure to see that we are going to provide lighting to that park.
The shopping centre at Malak has been an area that, over years, has been run down. I know that there will be rejuvenation of the shopping centre as part of some budget initiatives by the Northern Territory government. I am pleased to say that part of this $50 000 grant will go to lighting a park opposite the shopping centre. Many of my constituents have raised concerns; they do not feel it is safe enough to move through the park at night to access the shops. Soon, there will be lights and it will be a safe area again for the community. I thank the Chief Minister for the initiative of the $50 000 grant. On behalf of the Malak and Karama residents, I assure the Chief Minister it is money that is indeed going to be very well spent.
I also held a Neighbourhood Watch meeting in my office on 21 May. In excess of 30 constituents attended that meeting, and a decision was made to form a Karama Neighbourhood Watch Committee, which is extremely pleasing. I have put a proposal to the residents already that delegates from the Neighbourhood Watch Committee join with the Karama Crime Prevention Committee so that we can have coordinated strategies on crime prevention in the Karama area.
I attended the SIDS and Kids quiz night recently at the Casuarina Club. SIDS and Kids is a non-profit organisation that assists families who deal with their grief at the loss of an infant or a child. SIDS and Kids is not funded by any government agency; they rely purely on fundraising. Therefore, I take every opportunity to support this very worthwhile charity which provides hours of good service to families in grief. SIDS and Kids have some tremendous volunteers working for them at the moment, who are trained to provide specific grief counselling. They are parents who have lost children themselves, either infants and children. It is really important that we support families in times of grief because if we do not, families will often disintegrate and there will be ongoing social problems. In the worst instances, parents who are unable to cope resort to suicide. I urge all members of this parliament to support SIDS and Kids NT whenever they are given the opportunity.
I thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker, and the Northern Territory government for giving us, as parliamentarians, the opportunity to hold the historic parliamentary sittings in Alice Springs. The feedback as I moved around the Alice Springs community was overwhelmingly in support of the sittings being held in Alice Springs. It was an enormous logistical effort, coordinated by the Clerk and the Legislative Assembly team, and they are to be highly commended on the hours of effort they put in to creating what was a magnificent sittings in Alice Springs.
I know that there were many members of the Alice Springs community who attended day after day to watch the proceedings. They were absolutely fascinated by the workings of parliament; it dispelled many myths that were in the community about what we, as parliamentarians, do during sittings. The feedback I received is that people are keen for us to return to Alice Springs for another sittings. It was of benefit to the community in an economic sense. Taxi drivers were telling me that they had taken more per shift during that week than they had taken in many years. I know that the Northern Territory government went to great pains to ensure that we provided stimulus to local business while we were there. I attended the local shopping centres, bought souvenirs for my children, went to local restaurants, and generally moved about the community, meeting as many people as I could.
I attended the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services College graduation parade on 8 May. It was a wonderful moment to be there to witness the graduation of a constituent of mine, Linda Farrand, who is 27 years of age. She is the mother of a young child. Prior to joining the Northern Territory Police, Linda worked for the Fines Recovery Unit. She primarily has a financial background and aims to complete her studies in an Associate Diploma in Business (Accounting). Linda, fortunately, will be stationed in Darwin. She is an asset to our community. I took along a bottle of champagne and congratulated her, and said that she is indeed someone the Karama community holds in high esteem. We need more people like her, who are willing to dedicate their careers to law and order enforcement in the Northern Territory.
It was great to see her graduate, and there will be some 102 new police coming out of graduate programs through to January next year. That will make a real impact on the police operational capacity. Police have been calling for many years for increased police resources, and it was a wonderful occasion to witness the graduation of some 27 recruits on 8 May. They are all fine, upstanding members of our community. Some had come from interstate to join our force, and I sincerely hope that they stay and live in the Territory and enjoy the wonder of the Territory as we have done. It was also wonderful to see so many recruits who are local Northern Territorian people.
There was also a graduation for the Fire and Rescue Service. It was a rare combination of both fire and rescue and police graduates graduating on the same evening. The Fire and Rescue Service graduates also seemed to consist of a very strong contingent of Darwin people, with just a sprinkling of some from interstate.
It was a humbling experience to see so many people commit their professional life to serving members of the community. I acknowledge the great effort that they went to in completing their training courses. They are arduous courses; and the participants are tested physically, mentally and emotionally. They all stood up to the test extremely well. There was due recognition given from a very strong contingent of the public, family and friends, as well as senior members of both forces, to congratulate them. It reminded me of just how, with government support and resources, we can turn what are sometimes seen as negatives very much into positives, with job growth in the area of law and order enforcement, as well as giving real ongoing and lasting professions to members of our community while they, in turn, do great service for residents.
Karama has been in the news lately. I disagree with some people’s view of the area; crime statistics bear out that we are actually no worse than any other area of the Darwin and Palmerston area. Certainly, we have had peculiar demographics to deal with in the number of people living in the area who do not have the mechanisms to cope in an urban environment. I will continue to work closely with the itinerants strategy people, and those interested in juvenile justice, to ensure that the issues we have had regarding itinerant and juvenile crime are ameliorated.
I have had many residents thank me for the effort and energy I have put in over the past 18 months in turning the area around. We have had increased police patrols since I have been the local member. We have had increased security and the community is starting to see a real improvement in law and order around the area. Concerted community effort with everyone working together and residents joining Neighbourhood Watch to become the eyes and ears of our community and communicating to police - all of these are starting to make a difference to our community and we see the results in Karama. It is a beautiful place, naturally surrounded by beauty with Holmes Jungle. We have the Leanyer Recreation Park not far from us. We have a high multicultural community which, I believe, can be an example of tolerance, harmony, and peace in a law-abiding society. I am very proud to be elected as their representative and I commit to working hard to continue to make inroads into community safety.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight I address the vexed issue of the commercial passenger vehicle industry. You may recall that, on 27 November last year, the minister rose in this Chamber to move an amendment to the commercial passenger vehicle act. However, the day prior to that, he delivered a statement, speaking in detail about the commercial passenger vehicle industry.
Up to that time, he had something in the order of 18 months of consultation with the industry. He spoke about all the submissions, both oral and written, that he had received from people who have worked in the private hire car industry, the minibuses, and also the taxi industry. You will recall that, with the introduction of the amendment bill, he spoke about the introduction of executive taxis, a limousine service, the removal of private hire cars, and the complete restructure of the taxi and minibus industry.
Since the introduction of the amendment bill in November last year, nothing has occurred - absolutely nothing has happened. I am not sure what this minister is about. He knows full well that the tabling of the legislation was intended to bring about a restructure of the industry commencing 1 July this year. He has not progressed any of that legislation at all. I know, however, that he has been privately consulting with groups across the Territory, and giving expectations to the industry of things that he intends to bring about. For instance, I believe that on the Monday prior to the sittings in Alice Springs, he met with a group of operators in Alice Springs and told them he intended to change the legislation to now exclude executive taxis altogether; that he was going to reintroduce private hire cars into the legislation; he will continue to maintain a limousine service; he was going to charge $3500, in the first instance, to existing private hire car operators for their plates, which will rise to $4500 the next year, and finally to $6000 in the third year; and any new entries into to the private hire car industry will have to pay $6000 up-front. That was only a month ago that he said that to the people in Alice Springs.
I heard yesterday that he spoke to people in the private car industry in Darwin, saying that, yes, he is going to increase the private hire car licence to $2000 a year. That is inconsistent with what he has told people in Alice Springs. Where is this minister getting to? We do not really know. I believe he told the member for Drysdale that he was going to withdraw this amendment bill and introduce another one. If he is going to do that, he has run out of time. He cannot bring it in tomorrow because he has not given notice that he is going to do so, which means he has to do that in the first week of the sittings in June. This minister is going to now ask this Chamber to pass, on urgency, his amendment bill to the commercial passenger vehicle legislation - legislation that we have had no chance to look at.
He has botched it up over the last almost two years. We still have not seen anything concrete - nothing in writing - about what he intends to do. The industry does not even know. The industry has been told one thing in Alice Springs and another in Darwin. Nowhere can the industry say to themselves, or to anybody: ‘Where are we going with this?’ When people in the private hire car industry want to get their cars registered past 30 June, they are told: ‘You cannot’. If they cannot, it means their business comes to a screeching halt on 30 June. How can you tell a small business person who has a significant mortgage with the bank for the purchase of his car and his plates to operate his small business that, come 30 June, they have nothing? Nobody can tell him what he has; MVR cannot tell him what he has.
As late as today, I received a phone call from a taxi driver, who went to the MVR to get his licence renewed. He was given a new driver’s licence with his H endorsement. He thought: ‘I have that, I have my ID card, I am still a taxi driver’ - until he went back to his taxi and started driving and he spoke to somebody who knew a bit more about it and told him: ‘No you cannot; your H endorsement on your driver’s licence does not entitle you to drive a taxi. You have to have a ID card that is current with an expiry date on it’. He does not have that, so suddenly he was driving a taxi with illegal identification. If he were in an accident, his insurance policy would not cover his passengers, and they would be at risk. This driver did not know what he had to do. Many of his colleagues do not know what they have to do. When they ring up the MVR, they cannot clearly advise them on what they have to do.
Currently across the Territory, there are taxi drivers who have their own personal driver’s licence with the H endorsement. They also have an ID card. There are three types of ID cards floating around within the industry at the moment. Two of those, I understand, are now supposed to be lapsed ID cards, but without any expiry date. The holders of those cards have an expectation that they can keep that going. I am told that they are supposed to have their ID cards renewed. However, nobody has advised them of that. You or I, or a taxi driver, gets a notification from MVR saying that our driver’s licence is due to expire, and to please go in and renew it. These taxi drivers do not get any notification that they must have their ID cards renewed also. Therefore, now you have taxi drivers who are driving happily away, thinking they are doing everything legally and correctly, and we all know today that they are not.
This government and this minister has not done their job properly. Taxi drivers do not know whether they are legal or not. They do not know, understand, or have been informed about the processes they have to go through. When they try to get the information from MVR, they do not seem to get the right information. This minister has had almost two years to get this right. He came into this parliament saying that the CLP had completely mucked it up in the years preceding, that we had ruined an industry and he was going to set it right. For two years he has been trying to do something, and he does not seem to be able to get it right.
Is he just simply stupid or he is just plain incompetent? The industry will be able to answer that better that I can, I am sure; they have talked to him often enough and long enough about the problems. We do not know whether the minister has even approached Cabinet about the proposals he has put to the people in Alice Springs and Darwin, which are so very dissimilar that you wonder whether this minister is just making it up on the run. Where is he getting to? Where did he get the information to tell the people in Alice Springs and why is it so different to the information he has told people in Darwin?
I understand from having discussions with my colleague, the member for Drysdale, that he had to write to the minister to intercede on behalf of a minibus driver who was looking for a licence. Again, that has been a major issues. I have not heard whether the minister has responded to the member for Drysdale as yet. This minister has to do something, and do it urgently. If he cannot do it, the Chief Minister has to intervene, because people with businesses have less than five weeks left before the whole business disappears down the gurgler. It is all this minister’s fault, nobody else’s. This minister has not done it right; he has procrastinated on this issue. He has allowed time to drag on without making a decision.
The legislation as it stands at the moment is now worthless. All the businesses people own, that have cost them tens of thousands of dollars to set up, will now be worth not one cent after 30 June this year. We have only less than five weeks, as I said. The minister must come back to this House, as soon as he can, and at least give some definitive advice as to what he is going to. Regarding legislation, it is too late now. If there is going to be legislation brought to this House in June, may I suggest to the minister that he at least consult the opposition about that legislation between now and the June sittings, so that we can have a close look at it and, perhaps, even go back to the community to seek some further input as to what the is the best thing to do before 30 June. Otherwise, I fear that some of our taxis will have to be mothballed. The PH industry will be absolutely in disarray; they will be mothballed as well. Maybe that is what the minister wants: to knock out the industry by one way or another. That might be the reason he is doing it so poorly and badly.
I wish the minister was here to respond tonight. I believe he has time …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker! The member for Greatorex is reflecting on the presence or absence of a member in the Assembly and I ask him to withdraw it.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Greatorex is aware of the protocols and I ask him to withdraw that.
Dr LIM: I will withdraw that, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker. I hope the minister will respond in tonight’s adjournment. I know he has not spoken so far, and it would be good for him to come back and to tell us what he has in mind so that both the opposition and the industry …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker! The member for Greatorex used the words ‘come back to say’. Once again, he is reflecting on the presence or absence of a member in the Chamber.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, I remind you that you are well aware of the standing orders, and I ask you to withdraw any reference to the absence of any member from this House.
Dr LIM: I withdraw the words ‘come back’. I hope the minister will come and tell us what he intends to do with the industry …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker! The member for Greatorex is persisting with this. ‘Come’ is a verb in English. He said that he will ‘come in here’ and do it. Now, he is persisting …
Dr LIM: I did not say ‘come in here’; I said ‘come and tell us’. He can come and tell us. He can come and tell me anytime he likes.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, I remind you that you are well aware of the standing orders, and I ask you to refrain from any reference …
Dr LIM: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I accept your advice and I have withdrawn the words ‘come back’, haven’t I?
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, will you just listen? You are well aware of the standing orders. I will now ask you to refrain from any reference to anyone not being in this House. I ask you to continue. You are well aware of the standing orders.
Dr LIM: I accept your advice, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker. I am saying I would like to hear the minister tell us - tell me tonight - and I am sure he has plenty of time to organise his words tonight to come and tell us.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Continue.
Dr LIM: Thank you. Tell us what he intends to do with this legislation, with this industry. The people out there who are working in this industry are desperate to know for themselves. Their businesses are going down the gurgler, and this minister has done absolutely nothing about it to make it better for them.
I do not know how much more time the minister needs. He has had two years to do it and he has done nothing about it. I do not need to pursue this any further; I rest my case. This minister has absolutely devastated this industry. The people in the taxi and private hire car industries are now looking at losing a lot of money. This government, with all its good intentions, has done nothing about it.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I speak about an event I opened on 17 May, the International Pistol Shooting Federation’s NT Hand Gun State Titles 2003. It was a fabulous event that I was asked to open. The range at Mickett Creek is a credit to this government for maintaining it, and to the previous government for the foresight and money that they put into it. The range complex is good, and all the local and international shooters commented on how well the range is set up.
There was a good crowd when I went there at 7.30 am. Seventy to 75 shooters were there from across Australia - all states were represented – and there were also some international shooters. Of course, the Assembly will understand that the Arafura Games, for reasons far beyond the control of any government, had to be cancelled for this year. However, because the shoot was incorporated into the Arafura Games rather than created for the Arafura Games, they were quite comfortable in going on with their hand gun state titles which form part of the national titles.
While I was there to open up the competition, there were several people speaking. A range officer talked about safety issues. Mr Des Lilley, the Australian IPSC Regional Director, welcomed the visitors and talked about the competition. As you would expect, he spoke on the pending firearms amendment legislation that had its second reading in the House today, and also the legislation at federal level. He was quite critical of the federal government’s stance on it, but he praised a number of the states for the position they have taken. He was particularly praiseworthy of the position taken by the Territory with regard to sports shooting, and the stand that the Martin Labor government was taking in regard to this - how they were standing up to the federal Liberal government in this matter. He was actually a bit surprised that we did not seem to be getting that support from our federal members.
I found it a bit incredulous that the two federal CLP members - that is Senator Scullion and the member for the House of Representatives, Dave ‘never-to-be-found’ Tollner, of the freedom fighters’ federation, as he likes to call it - where are they in this debate? Where are they? Where are these people who stand up and say that the rights of Territory citizens are being eroded. Where is Mr Tollner on this matter? Nowhere to be seen, and that is an indictment against the CLP locally and federally; that they are nowhere to be seen regarding a body that they purport to serve and stand by. You bring up a contentious issue, and where does this cowardly mob go? They go to cover. It is just shocking treatment of a good amateur club of people who are trying to get on with their sport, a sport that they love. They are not being supported one iota by the CLP, which is part of their federal counterparts, the Liberal Party and the National Party - and do not let them try and tell you they are an independent Territory party, the CLP are well and truly part of the federal parties. They will not even back 70-odd blokes. That is disgusting, and a real indictment of where they stand with their flippy-floppy policy making on the run, and not caring a scratch.
However, I will not let politics get in the way of what was a really good morning. After Des Lilley highlighted these facts, I mentioned to the club the other things that we are doing for all sporting clubs in the Territory, particularly in the area of public liability. They understood that we are in there for all these clubs, trying to make sure that the Territory lifestyle can kick on; that people can enjoy those simple things in life. They were not too aware of the caps that we put on public liability, the things that we made so that they could progress their clubs, and structure their finances and know how things were going. So, they were pretty happy with us.
As part of the opening ceremony, it was also my honour to go to the Don Dale Speed Shoot on Range 2B and have a couple of shots. The match director, Gareth Graham, took me there. It was a 45, I think - I am not too good on pistols. He showed me how to stand and he said: ‘Have you shot before?’. I have actually had a couple of shots, particularly with the 9 mm. I have been at that range and have had a couple of shots, but it was the first time I have fired a pistol such as this. He stood me there, got me in the square, showed me how to operate the pistol, gave me a full drill: safety glasses, earplugs, fully kitted out. They are very safety aware; they are not cowboys, as some members of the Liberal Party would have you think. These are sportsmen, not cowboys, and should not be treated like cowboys. Anyway, he had me all kitted out and showed me the range. There were a couple of drop targets and one that was one swinging. You will be pleased to know, I did not miss a shot or target, and got them all. There were two that were too quick for me. He said they would be up there for a while.
However, I learned one thing in that short time; that ‘a while’ in a pistol shooter’s speed competition is a lot shorter than in ‘a while’ in a politician’s life. So, those targets dropped before I really got my sights on them. But the ones that I aimed for, I hit. They were pretty happy with it, and I was pretty chuffed about it myself. When I came off I realised it was a little too long to be taken seriously, but I had a go, and I stood up there in that range with those shooters. I was going to be counted. I was not going to back away from Territorians, and not going to just wimp away and hide under the covers. That is what it is all about.
An irony struck me about the Don Dale Speed Shoot. I could see an analogy. Do you remember the Don Dale Park that used to be at the hospital, and the hospital renovations going on at RDH? What happened to that park? Bulldozed - no consultation, no nothing. This icon of the CLP - and he was a good bloke, and let me make it quite clear here, I am not having a go at Don Dale - but what has happened to the park that the CLP set up there at RDH, the Don Dale memorial? ‘Let us do an extension, let us bulldoze it. Let us not recreate it anywhere else’ - this icon of the CLP gone. This park in his name, gone. We all remember the tragedy and the circumstances of his passing at RDH. It was a fitting memorial which I had no problems with – gone.
What happened to the Hotel Darwin, another Territory icon? Stealth of night, what happened - CLP, gone! Just gone like that. I tell you, this is the party that has no concept of heritage - no concept at all. No concept of the icons for us. They do not care. They do not stand up for the little bloke in the street, and they certainly do not stand up for Territory lifestyle.
Anyway, I had a good time. There were many people who put in for the titles and assisted to get them going, and they were all volunteers. You can imagine, in a small shoot, you have to have statisticians. They did a remarkable job given the time constraints they were working under. They work in this room, just hammering away. The statisticians were Chris Lucas, Gina Graham and Janye Moon and they did a fabulous job. I ask the House’s permission to incorporate this list of names of competitors for the open division of the NT state titles 2003, with the percentage points and competitor’s name, and where they come from.
Leave granted.
NT State Titles 2003
Open Division Match Results
- Percent Name Region
100.00 Errol Thomas Qld
99.34 Gareth Graham NT
81.48 Justin Arthur SA
80.08 Tony Hume NT
- 80.01 Kerri Anderson Qld
79.00 Linda Blowers Qld
76.56 Bilbo Binks NT
74.22 Mark Springbett NT
73.27 Darryl Tinning NT
71.64 Ped Rowatt SA
68.01 Michelle Knee NSW
66.32 Bob Brown NT
63.05 Bob De Bruyn SA
- 61.92 Des Lilley SA
- 60.91 Bandicoot Riley NT
60.84 Chris Gergis NT
59.07 Todd Knight NT
54.34 Frank Thill NT
53.42 Mini-Me Lucas WA
52.10 Diane De Bruyn SA
51.81 Guus Von Gerhardt NT
51.36 Arthur Martel SA
50.07 Colin Bisson Qld
48.13 Graeme Clark Qld
47.98 Robert Haworth NT
47.43 Rodney Fleeton NT
43.96 Kris Kalisnik NT
41.51 Alan Wade NT
38.79 Diane Bisson Qld
35.10 Ken Chambers NT
32.17 Gus Knee NSW
26.41 Wayne Bradley
18.82 Kelly Dunn Vic
Joe Pisani NT
NT State Titles 2003
Standard Division Match Results
100.00 Dave Lucas WA
93.62 Steve Haines WA
89.19 Mark Walklin NT
87.64 Mark Rakitich WA
87.22 Cliff Mercer NT
78.39 Alain Blowers Qld
69.54 Ken Harkin NT
63.36 Chris Starmer WA
62.19 David Hooper Vic
55.84 Greg Brown NT
50.84 Chuck Appel Qld
50.20 Karen Anstey WA
48.72 Peter Hatzipanagtiotis SA
44.43 Gary Clark WA
35.76 Mal Boyd NT
27.83 Phil Johns NT
27.42 Alex Maksacheff NT
26.99 Steve Westlund NT
23.54 Andrew McDevitt NT
18.50 Stacy Walklin NT
NT State Titles 2003
Production Division Match Results
100.00 Mark Burne NT
84.62 Greg Moon Vic
76.48 John Bellman NT
49.94 Dean Ward NT
47.17 Tony Williams NT
21.84 Bob Crowell NT
Mr KIELY: That is the good work of the statisticians getting it in.
Tony Hume took a day off work so he could help set up the function, along with another bloke, Mick Riley, who is also a chief range officer. He took holidays so that he could work there. This is the sort of commitment these chaps have for their sport. and it is fabulous.
Bill Grimster was in charge of the kitchen with the other crew. It should be remembered that the kitchen was looked after by the men and not the women. Do not ever think that the men are out there shooting all the time with the wives in the kitchen. It is not the case; the women are out on the range and the men are cooking. This is the self-sufficient club that this place is.
There were some more volunteers. Gareth Graham, whom mentioned previously is a great bloke; knows his apples, looks after the range, is very safety conscious and has a passion for his sport. I met John Bellman two years ago when I was a volunteer at the last Arafura Games in communications. He looked after me then and looked after me now. He has a heart of gold.
I mentioned the chief range officer, Mick Riley. Todd Knight was another chief range officer. There was also Greg Moon, a great mate of Mick Riley’s. Mick Riley was telling me how good looking Greg Moon was, but he said it tongue in cheek and he wanted me to comment on his looks. I would not buy into that one; it was a bit of a go.
Another whining comment I will make on the IPSC is that, as I said, they are not cowboys. I would like to read you a couple of their rules. I should also say that the range down there at Micketts Creek is a cold range:
- Guns may only be loaded on the firing range under the supervision of range officer. Off-line the
gun must be unloaded at all times and holstered or cased, unless you are in a designated safety area …
That is the standard of safety that these people bring to their sport - very safety conscious. They have safety areas, and all safety areas have been clearly signed:
- They must be used to case and uncase, gear up, dry fire, do repairs or to show the gun. You have to
maintain safe muzzle direction at all times and no ammunition may be handled in a safety area …
They are really dinkum about safety - not as Canberra would have you believe. With the rules here for everyone to see, it is beyond me why the CLP is not there fighting the cause for them; why the CLP members of the Liberal Party there are not talking to our Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister.
There is a very interesting rule here, which underscores a lot about the professionalism, and shows that this is a sport for everyone - a sport that they hold dear and wish to maintain as a really good activity for all the family.
- Dress code. Practical shooting is a sport. No camouflage outfits, controversial slogans or other items
of dubious taste …
That should do away with a few from the other side having a go at sport shooting:
… of dubious taste to be of displayed or worn. The match director will be the final arbiter of dubious taste.
In other words, they want to keep out anyone who thinks: ‘Let us all dress up as cowboys or paramilitary and have a go’. It is not that sort of thing there.
Dr Burns: Or freedom fighters.
Mr KIELY: Or freedom fighters, yes. I am quite surprise young Dave is not down there. I guess dubious taste might rule him out of it. If ever there was a man with dubious taste it would be that MHR, I can tell you.
Mr Mills: You digress. Get on with it.
Mr KIELY: I digress. As I said, the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services introduced the second reading speech on the Firearms Amendment Bill today. I am going to send this speech to the IPSE club because I am sure they will be interested in this. This is what he said in part of his speech:
- The Shooters Council made its submission to government and the police in a professional and
constructive way, notwithstanding the council did not agree with what came out of the COAG
process. We …
Our government:
- … look forward to the Shooters Council and shooters of the Northern Territory continuing to work
through these and other issues with police and government in a constructive manner, characterised
by goodwill, delivering concrete benefits for the community and the sport shooters in our community.
I call on our federal members of the Country Liberal Party, and the Country Liberal Party to get behind this community sports club and help them. Support them. Do not turn your back. Do not run for cover and take the cowards way out. Stand up for your constituents. Do not kowtow to Canberra.
Mr BONSON (Millner): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I talk about three important functions that tend to have an effect on my electorate and the Darwin community as a whole.
The first one was the 60-year anniversary of 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit. It was first formed in 1943 and this year they turned 60 years old. I was lucky enough, on behalf of the Chief Minister, to attend their parade celebrating the occasion. Wing Commander Dennis Davidson, the commanding officer, gave a brief summary of the welcome to 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit:
- On behalf of the members of No 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit, I am pleased to welcome you
to this Tarakan Day parade on the 60th birthday of our unit.
114 MCRU is a unit distinguished in history and background. Indeed, in the six decades of its existence,
114 MCRU has made a measured and significant contribution to the Australian Defence Force. Formed
at the height of the World War II when Australia was directly threatened, 114 MCRU served with distinction
in south-west Pacific area of operations and again during the 1950s and 1960s. The unit deployed to
Butterworth, where it contributed significantly during the Malayan emergency and Indonesian confrontasi.
During the 30 years since, 114 MCRU has continued to lead the way in RAAF air defence operations,
having participated in almost every major exercise since the 1970s.
- As the title suggests contemporaneous 114 MCRU often deploys into the field and its personnel are trained to
a high level of readiness in accordance with our motto: Swift to react.
Quite simply, what the commander alluded to in mentioning the unit’s personal motto is this: ‘Our people, past and present, are the sum of 114 MCRU’. That summarises what Wing Commander Dennis Davidson, commanding officer, was trying to say at the event.
Music for the parade and presentation ceremony was provided by the Royal Australian Air Force Central Band, conducted by Flight Lieutenant John Buckley, and drum major, Warrant Officer Steve Bate. Also attending was a gracious gentleman I had the honour to first meet on this occasion, the reviewing officer, Air Vice-Marshall John Blackburn AM, Head Policy Guidance and Analysis Division. He was visiting from the ACT. In this book, they give a brief, detailed outline of his achievements in the service.
I also met Wing Commander Dennis Davidson, the Commanding Officer of 114 MCRU. I have had the honour of meeting him on several occasions now, and a fabulous gentleman he is. The parade appointments were Host Officer and Wing Commander Dennis Davidson; Parade Commander Squadron Leader B Risstrom; Parade Adjutant Flying Officer J Cantella; Parade Warrant Officer R McRill; Flight Commanders No 1 Flight, Flying Officer L Price; No 2 Flight, Flight Lieutenant T Martin; Tail Bearer, Pilot Officer J Young; Tail Warrant Officer Greenwood; Tail Escorts Flight Sergeant G Bunn and Flight Sergeant TW Jeffery and Co-Orderly Sergeant G Johnson.
I had the honour of having morning tea with these gentleman. They were fantastic to talk to; they were very polite and they made me feel quite welcome. I was lucky enough to get a fabulous photo with some of the gentleman serving in our Royal Australian Air Force.
Everyone realises the contribution, over many years, the Defence Forces have made to the Territory, and they continue to make, particularly in serving and protecting our communities. I note that, in recent years, the added influx of Defence Force families and infrastructure has been a welcome development for our economy. In fact, the 1990s was a significant part of our prosperous boom.
In summary, I had a fabulous time at the 60th anniversary. I also mention that they served in the Pacific in 1943-45, New Britain in 1943, New Guinea from 1943-44, Borneo in 1945, Butterworth in 1956 to 1966, Amberley in 1968 to 1997, Tindal in 1997 to 1999 and in Darwin 2000 to 2003.
I move on now to a fabulous event I have attended for the last two years - the member for Johnston was also there – and that is the Filipino function. What a magnificent function that was. As always, the Filipino community and their partners know how to have a great time. They put on a great meal and entertainment. Generally, they just want to have a good time and they make all the politicians and distinguished guests feel special, as though you are doing something for the community. I thank organisers, Fele Mann and her husband, Prince Roman, who are constituents of mine. They did a magnificent job in setting up the evening and they put in a lot or work.
This occurred on Saturday, 10 May. I understand the member for Johnston was representing the Chief Minister at the Super Gala and Beauty Pageant 2003 Filipino Club of Darwin. As happens in Darwin, this was held at the Italian Club, of all places! The contestants for Miss Filipino Australia 2003 were Merille Antalan, Hayley Miles, Natascha Jakubowski, Ivelle Manansala, Jessiepher Stephenson, Julie Ann Kruhse, Julie McAulay, Louana Uddon, Rachel Pech and Jennyca Nieva with Ivelle Manansala being crowned Miss Filipino Australia NT for 2003.
Not many people in this House would know that my partner is of German Filipino descent. When she was around these girls’ age, her mother put her into this competition. She would have won except for the swimsuit that her mother put her into, which was a leopard skin. She ended up finishing second for the night.
After being involved with the Filipino community, one thing you realise is how much they enjoy entertaining - singing, playing music, guitars etcetera. Many people in the Northern Territory, in Darwin in particular, who are descended from Filipino people - there are quite a lot mixed with the Aboriginal community in Darwin - will realise that some of the bands that were made up during the 1930s to 1970s in Darwin were quite talented. People could sing, play guitar and drums, and dance. This was all to do with the mixture of Filipino families with local families.
There were many performances on the night. There was Pia McElroy, Bernadine Crute, and Edith and Nikkie Maxwell, a mother and daughter duet. There were dance numbers by Juniper Tree Dance Company, the Mediterranean Dance Troupe, Swift Team and Maharlika Association Dancers. The member for Johnston got quite excited when Rod Dingle, the Filipino Emcee king, and celebrity singer, Lillian de los Reyes from Sydney came out and put on a big show. They made everyone laugh. They caused a lot of amusement, particularly when Lillian came over to Dr Burns and I and played up to us. The crowd loved it and there was much cheering, screaming and barracking, I suppose. It was a fantastic night. Again, I would like to thank Fele Mann and her husband for inviting me. It was a fantastic night. The member for Blain also attended and I am sure he also enjoyed the night.
The last function I would like to talk about is close to my heart, being someone who loves sport and has been involved in sport in Darwin for many years. On Monday night just past, 26 May 2003, there was the launch of the book, The First Fifty Years of Rugby League in the Northern Territory. It was held in the Stranger’s Lounge and involved Rugby League representatives - all the old time legends. I would have liked to have seen some of the current players there, but that was not the case. However, all the old time legends are characters of Darwin and the Northern Territory. I am sure many of them have fabulous stories to tell. They are characters in their own right and quite funny to talk to. It was great to catch up with them and have a quiet ale and to spin many yarns.
The author of that book was Frank McPherson. I had the opportunity to meet him for the first time that night, but my family know him and his family very well. He did a fantastic job. The minister reminded us that this is only a starting point for the history of Rugby League in the Northern Territory. I am sure it can be built upon. Nevertheless, everyone was quite happy with the book - with the stories and particularly the photos, going way back. It mentions people of the Raymond clan, Jimmy Anderson, Ray Nagus, and Sammy Nagus. I grew up idolising Sammy Nagus as a person and a character. When you see him around town, he is just a nice guy - a champion Rugby League person, and a champion community person. He puts a lot of effort back into the Nightcliff Dragons. Chico Edward Motlop, the late J Edward Motlop - I had the pleasure of growing up with his sons, particularly Eddie, Mo, Paul and Mark. They are a few years older than me but, to the Nightcliff Football Club, the Nightcliff Dragons and, in general as a community, they showed how to live a certain lifestyle, I suppose, and to present yourself as a local boy in Darwin, and to give maximum effort in everything you do. I definitely respect that family and the effort they have made, and it was quite sad that Chico Edward Motlop passed away at an early age.
Phil De La Cruz was mentioned in the book, Norm De La Cruz and Gerry De La Cruz represented the De La Cruz family. When talking about singers and dancers, well, if these guys were in their prime, they would be singing in America right now in some rap group, or singing Elvis songs. They were just fantastic. I had the pleasure, at my late uncle’s wedding anniversary - I think it was something like a 40-year wedding anniversary – of listening to Norm De La Cruz sing. Girls from the ages of 6 to 66 were cheering and screaming, and husbands and wives lost control. Norm is a real crooner, and to watch him and his brother, Phil , who was known as ‘the Prince’ - they were real entertainers around the Rugby League scene.
There was Lionel Butler of course; ‘Junior’ Clive Lang, a great friend of my father’s; Don Ling; Dave Napier; Doodles Ah Mat - and the Ah Mat family obviously played a important role in football and Aussie Rules; Nungah Ah Mat and their sons Robbie, Matthew, John, all played Rugby League and Aussie Rules in Darwin – a great sporting family; the Coopers, other relations of ours - Joe, Reuben, and Robbie Cooper. Robbie Cooper was probably the most dazzling Rugby League player I have ever watched and was a great football talent. Both Reuben and Robbie were fantastic Aussie Rules players as well. There were also the Fry brothers, fantastic Rugby League players.
There is a list of names I would like to mention - I am going to run out of time here: the Edwards family, Joe Romelo, the Corries, Daniel Ayob, Luke Manolis, Joe Roman, Norm Hothman, Cain and Jacob and Kenny Bonson, David Parfitt, Daniel Parfitt, James Parfitt, Eric Fejo, Russell May, Kenny Sutton, Peter Alley, the Seden boys – Daniel, Peter, Paul, Gavin, all great rugby league footballers, Steven Carne, Beau Carne, etcetera. A fantastic night was had by one and all. I could go on and on but that is all the time that I have. I had a fantastic night.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016