2004-02-19
Madam Speaker Braham took the Chair at 12 noon.
Dr TOYNE (Central Australia): Madam Speaker, today I present a report on the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs. Last week, I announced what is one of the most significant capital investments in Alice Springs by any Northern Territory government: we are committing $20.9m, initially, towards building the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs, with further funding for Stage 2 approved for further budgetary consideration. This project will not only mean significant employment during the construction phase, but will also open new doors of opportunity for Central Australians.
The first stage of the precinct development involves building major new infrastructure, which includes: $15.8m for the Desert People’s Centre; $1.6m for a shared library; $1.3m for site works; and $2.2m for headworks. The amounts include an $8.4m Australian government grant for the Desert People’s Centre. The first of the headworks contracts have already been let to a local business, and work has already commenced.
Desert Knowledge will be a considerable boost to the local construction industry, creating 245 jobs over three years during the construction period. It also has the potential to make an impact on indigenous employment, with all future construction tenders looking to maximise indigenous employment and training opportunities.
The Desert People’s Centre will create new and dynamic ways of learning and teaching, and has the potential to change the social and economic future for desert people. It means a new and more effective way of delivering services and training for people living in remote communities. The second phase of the project will include a Living Desert Centre, a cultural facility - a potential tourist drawcard - and headquarters for the Desert Knowledge Australia.
Desert Knowledge, with its partners, will put Central Australia at the forefront of the knowledge development in the Northern Territory, capitalising on our extensive scientific and technical knowledge, as well as thousands of years of indigenous expertise. This is a new opportunity for us. The Red Centre has a chance to be known internationally as the smart centre.
The Desert Knowledge Precinct will be a striking new home for these emerging opportunities. The precinct is on the south side of Alice Springs with around 70 hectares set aside for the precinct’s core development area. It will form a striking gateway to Alice Springs from the south, with a strong visual impact of ochre coloured road surfaces, special street lighting, banners and sculptured portals.
I would like to congratulate everyone involved in developing the Desert Knowledge concept over the years. This includes Ken Hawkins as the architect of the Desert Knowledge Precinct concept plan; Lhere Artepe Board and members, particularly Brian Stirling; traditional Aboriginal custodians of sacred sites; the Desert People Centre Board, chaired by Harold Furber; the consultant Project Director, Gregor Ramsay; Batchelor Institute Chair, Gatjil Djerrkura, the Deputy Chair, Rosie Kunoth Monks and Director, Veronica Arbon; the Centre for Appropriate Technology Board and staff, Chair, James Bray and Director, Bruce Walker; the Desert Knowledge Australia Interim Board, chaired by John Baskerville; the Desert Knowledge Australia Steering Committee, chaired by Ken Johnson; the Desert Knowledge Precinct Planning Committee, again chaired by Ken Johnson. I thank, also, all of those agencies staff within DEET, DIPE and the Department of Chief Minister for their ongoing hard work to get this project to fruition.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I share the minister’s positive comments about the Desert Knowledge Centre, and also the congratulatory comments he made to all the people who were involved. However, I believe it is important also to put it all in some historical context.
In 1998 the CLP government, then under the Chief Ministership of the member for Brennan, launched Alice in 10 to gather within one context things that can be done in Central Australia to improve the livelihood, wellbeing, and economic activity that could be promoted from Central Australia. From there came several projects, of which the Desert Knowledge project was the most significant. I was with the then Chief Minister to identify the site, and launch the Desert Knowledge project at the site identified south of Heavitree Gap in Alice Springs. From then, the project has continued to develop to the stage where now we have something in the order of $97m or $95m for the whole project over that seven years. I am pleased to see that this Labor government has acknowledged the value of the Desert Knowledge project and has continued to support it just as we did under the CLP.
What I am unhappy about is that the rest of Alice in 10 has been languishing since this government came in. For the last two-and-a-half years, apart from the Desert Knowledge project - again another project delivered to the government by the CLP - there has been nothing else. It is important for this minister to understand that Alice in 10 needs to have some oxygen. It needs to have ministerial support to ensure that other projects, such as the Desert Knowledge project, will be identified for the benefit of Alice Springs.
Dr TOYNE (Central Australia): Madam Speaker, despite the member for Greatorex’s energetic attempts to turn this into a party political issue, this project, above all else, is owned by the Central Australian community whose talent, time, energy and commitment brought this forward. To be putting party batching on it is just absolutely inappropriate.
I just hope that you read the transcript of what I said at the opening, where I acknowledged, very fulsomely, the bipartisan support that had been provided to the project. I am not going to play those silly little games. This is a very important project for the community and the region of central Australia. That is the spirit in which I am going to support it, and I would hope that the CLP take up and continue a bipartisan support for this project. The community is more important than either of us and, to be playing these sort of games in front of such an historic development, is totally belittling to you.
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on the visit I undertook to Tennant Creek last week, and acknowledge the assistance that was provided for the organisation of the visit by the member for Barkly and my departmental officers.
I was in Tennant Creek for several days, and I had the opportunity to meet a broad section of the community, gain a first-hand experience of the mining activity in the region, meet people involved in the industry, attend a meeting of the indigenous mining and enterprise task force, and talk to the first ever mining supply forum held in the town.
For many years, Tennant Creek has been the golden centre of the Northern Territory, with many copper and gold mines contributing significant wealth to the Territory and Australia. However, over a period of time, the gradual closure of these mines resulted in Tennant Creek becoming a mining town without a mine. Many thought it had a bleak future, but that has now been turned around.
During my stay I was briefed by the Manager of Giant Reef mining company, Mr Joe Ariti, who also took me for a tour of the mine site and the Warrego processing plant, where I was allowed to hold - unfortunately, only temporarily - a freshly poured 10 kg bar of gold, mined from the Giant Reef mine. Giant Reef Mine Ltd officially opened the Chariot Mine in October 2003 and, in striking the ore, the Warrego mill for processing. Chariot is expected to produce in excess of 60 000 ounces of gold per year, over a three-and-a-half year period of mining. There are predictions that this may increase to 100 000 ounces of gold.
Chariot employs about 30 people at the mine, 20 at the Warrego mill, and 20 in exploration and administration. I was also briefed by Mr Jack Savage and Howard Blizzard of the Peko rehabilitation project, about the progress of their innovative technique to treat tailings with specialised bacteria, and then extract metal such as gold, copper and cobalt that were left as tailings many years ago due to inefficient extraction techniques. They intend to process four million tonnes of tailings at the old Peko mine in Tennant Creek to produce gold, copper cobalt and magnetite, and the project has a mine life of about seven years. The pilot plan has proven successful and Peko has recently been issued with an authorisation for full scale re-treatment operations. Construction is expected to commence in May 2004, with commissioning later this year.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Mr Trevor Tennant, who is progressing the opening of the Bootu Creek mine 110 km north of Tennant Creek, which is scheduled for later this year. Bootu Creek proposes to establish an open cut mining operation to produce approximately 400 000 tonnes per annum of manganese ore over several years. It is proposed to truck the ore to the new railway, and rail freight it to Darwin for export through the port, and the project will employ approximately 35 to 50 people.
I also attended an indigenous mining and enterprise task force forum, which was attended by mining companies and organisations in Tennant Creek. The purpose of the task force is to increase the participation of indigenous people in the mining industry and support enterprise.
I was able to officially open the first ever mining suppliers workshop held in Tennant Creek, attended by a number of mining executives who provided advice to the business representatives on the requirements for establishing successful supplier relationships.
Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented me from travelling far out of Tennant Creek, but I did have an opportunity, by telephone hook-up, to discuss pastoral and fishing issues with Barkly pastoralists and Borroloola residents.
I was also pleased to meet with the members of Tennant Creek’s ethnic community, and we shared a delightful meal of various home cooked traditional dishes. I should also recognise the work that this group does to organise functions and celebrations, such as Harmony Day in Tennant Creek.
Madam Speaker, the Tennant Creek I visited last week is vastly different to the one I visited when I first became a minister. There are real signs of optimism and renewed activity, particulary in the mining sector. I can say I am looking forward to scheduling another visit to Tennant Creek and see it continue to flourish.
Mr DUNHAM (Drysdale): Madam Speaker, it is nice to hear the minister had a big day out and got out of town, and that he got to Tennant Creek. I hope he gets to Gemco and the other mines that are operating. There are not many of them under this government - there are about five operating mines at the moment - and that will drop because the difficulty to access country must be acknowledged. This government will proudly talk about how many ELs have been approved …
Members interjecting.
Mr DUNHAM: They know the problems we have had with the Native Title Act. They know the problems with the Native Title Act are being resolved - nothing to do with them, thank you very much. They know the problems we have with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act.
Mining is the biggest contributor to the wealth of Territorians, and it has to be treated as a very serious issue. Going down to watch a gold pour is good, and it probably gave him a bit of a lift, but it is the front end - the hard end, the geological experience and the exploration that takes place - where the minister has to focus.
The minister talked about Bootu Creek and that is good. I have seen some maps of the province and I know it is certainly handy to the rail line. What the minister has to tell us is what happens when it gets to this end of the rail line. I hope he would put that in his speech, because bulk ore handling and how that will go through the Port of Darwin is the important issue. It is all very well to say we can load stuff on a train and get it overseas, but manganese as a product does not attract much rate per tonne. Bootu Creek is a small and marginal province, and I would hope that the minister would be able to tell us how the government is going to facilitate that, not talk about the good fortune of finding an ore body, of somebody mining gold and pouring it and him being on site so he can hold it in his graspy little hands. What we want to hear is this government’s efforts to facilitate this important industry for the Northern Territory. It should be done by way of a ministerial statement, so that members can contribute, other than this abbreviated, abridged way.
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, yes, I had a day out, but it actually lasted a week, not a day. As a matter of fact, people in Tennant Creek thought my car had broken down, it sat there for four-and-a-half days because, as they told me, the previous ministers used to fly in/fly out.
I would like to respond to the queries by the member for Drysdale. Yes, the experience was very important, and that is the reason why, upon my return. I asked my department to facilitate aerial surveys of the area, in Tennant Creek in particular. Yes, all handling and loading is very important and, when I was the minister for the port, I approved a trip to South Africa by executives of the port to investigate loading facilities. I understand the Port Authority is preparing a Cabinet submission for the purchase of ore loading facilities.
It is very important that we support the mining industry. Mining is not a dirty word. Yes, you are absolutely right, member for Drysdale, it is actually one of the biggest income earners for the Territory. I will continue to support the mining industry and do everything possible to see more mines in the Territory.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I give an updated report on the wreck of the Booya, that was first located in Darwin Harbour in October 2003. The government and my predecessor acted swiftly to protect the site by placing an interim conservation order over the wreck site under the terms of the Heritage Conservation Act 1991.
The cultural significance of the wreck site has a number of dimensions: a three-masted schooner; the vessel was built in 1917. As the Argosy Lemal, it served in World War II as a communications ship.
At the time of its loss during Cyclone Tracy, the Booya, as it was then known, was one of the last merchant sailing ships still operating in Australian waters. Perhaps more significantly, the Booya is associated with the catastrophic events of Cyclone Tracy in 1974; in particular, the loss of life at sea, which occurred as a result of the cyclone. The wreck site itself, therefore, has a strong symbolic significance as the place where several people lost their lives in tragic circumstances. It is believed that the remains of up to five crew members may still be on board the ship.
The police are also involved with investigating the wreck site and recovering any material that will assist in identifying the missing crew members. Progress in this regard has been slow, as conditions only allow diving a few days every month, and the work is painstaking. Nevertheless, progress has been made and work is likely to continue until May. Nothing more can be done to the wreck site until the Coroner’s office completes its investigation and gives the all clear. In the meantime, my Office of Environment and Heritage is coordinating efforts to make sure that certain work can be undertaken as soon as the all clear has been given. There may still be some fuel on board and this will have to be removed. The wreck also needs to be made diver safe. The wreck site needs to be secured so that these important activities can be undertaken.
To assist the Coroner and the Harbour Master, I recently signed another instrument, placing a further interim conservation order over the site. The first interim conservation order, signed by my predecessor, was due to expire on 31 January 2004. The interim conservation order I have just signed will give a further 90 days protection to the site.
Madam Speaker, no decision has been made as yet about the long-term management strategies for the wreck site, although work on an interim management plan is well under way. I am, of course, aware of the significant community interest in the wreck of the Booya. Recreational fishermen, divers, heritage enthusiasts and, of course, the owners of the vessel and relatives of all those who died, will no doubt have strong views on how the wreck site should be managed. These interests need to be taken into account, and the Office of Environment and Heritage is consulting with all interested parties on the interim management plan.
I do not expect I will be considering the options of permanent heritage listing of the wreck site in the short term, given the work that remains to be undertaken. However, in due course, I will receive advice from the Heritage Advisory Council on the heritage value of the wreck site. If this leads to a proposal for permanent heritage listing, then community comment will be sought and I expect the owners, recreational fishermen, divers, the relatives of those who died, and the heritage enthusiasts to be directly consulted. The exact management arrangements for the wreck site will need to be negotiated, but I can give an assurance that government is committed to a balanced outcome for all interested parties.
Mr BALDWIN (Daly): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for bringing this issue on. It is a very important issue. When the discovery of the Booya was made, obviously family, friends and people connected to those who lost their lives during the cyclone were much relieved in one sense. However, it has thrown up a conundrum for the minister and others to deal with in terms of what you do about protecting the remains of the ship now once the coroner has finished his investigations and what happens if, indeed, the remains of those people who went down with the ship are found, and then the ongoing preservation of that site.
It will be a bit of a conundrum because people will want to have some access. I, for one, from a personal position, would like to see it preserved where it is not tampered with by divers – but that is a personal thing. I can understand that there is heritage value in looking at these things, but it must be protected in some way.
I am glad to see the interim conservation order has been extended. It will be an interesting time to look at the issues as they come up, when people offer submissions. It is a bit like the submarine that is out near Bathurst Island. It is a grave site, after all, and we need to put that first and foremost in our minds. Obviously, fishermen will want to access that area and, as I said, divers also. However, first and foremost, it is a place where people lost their lives in a very significant event in the Territory’s history and I certainly would like to see some sort of preservation in that regard.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his response, and he is right. All comments are being called forward at the moment and will come together under the management plan.
Reports noted pursuant to Sessional Order.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to create new radiation protection legislation that will provide a consistent regulatory regime, consistent with national legislation to protect people and the environment from harmful effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation.
The bill also provides a regulatory regime for the licensing, registration and/or accreditation of persons manufacturing, possessing, using, storing, transporting, disposing of, or otherwise dealing with radiation sources in the Northern Territory.
The bill proposes to replace the Radiation (Safety Control) Act. The bill also proposes to repeal the Radiographers Act with a simultaneous transfer of powers and functions of the Radiographers Board, necessary for the continued regulation of radiographic procedures, to the Chief Health Officer under a proposed new regulatory regime.
The bill does not apply to mining activities in relation to uranium ores or uranium oxide, which are regulated by the Mining Management Act. It also does not apply to possession, packing, storage or transport of radioactive ores or concentrates, which is regulated by the Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packing and Transport) Act.
The Radiation (Safety Control) Act commenced operation in 1980 and, despite subsequent amendment, does not reflect current national or international standards in the practice of radiation safety. This act applies primary radiation dose limits for employees and members of the public that are inconsistent with the 1990 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection adopted by the National Health and Medical Research Council in 1995. It is rooted in the terminology of the past and uses an outdated system of radiation measurement units. It contains inefficient and deficient licensing provisions, and it does not address protection from non-ionising radiation. Examples of non-ionising radiation include lasers, radio frequency generating equipment, man-made sources of ultraviolet radiation and magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, radiation safety standards are detailed in the body of the act, which impedes adoption of a new or revised standard.
The National Competition Policy review of the Radiographers Act in May 2000 found that the act contains potentially anti-competitive provisions and the overall benefits of regulating radiography procedures exceeds the overall costs; but this nett benefit is not large. Consequently, the review recommended that the act be repealed; radiographers no longer be a registered profession in the Northern Territory; the current licensing and inspectorial powers of the Radiographers Registration Board be transferred to the licensing power of the Chief Health Officer under current radiation and safety legislation; any specific criteria that are deemed to be necessary for the licensing of operators of ionising radiographic equipment be incorporated into subsidiary radiation safety legislation; and the need for the regulation of non-ionising categories of irradiation in health care be considered in the context of the national review of radiation safety control legislation.
The Radiation Protection Bill is consistent with the recommendations of the National Competition Policy review of the Radiographers Act completed in 2000, and the National Competition Policy review of the radiation protection legislation completed in 2001. It redresses the deficiencies of the Radiation (Safety Control) Act and the Radiographers Act and eliminates duplication of certain activities between the two acts.
The bill proposes a single piece of radiation protection legislation that will provide a consistent regulatory regime to protect the public and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. Notable features of the bill include:
a clear statement of the objective of the act which, in addition to the protection of people, also includes
protection of the environment from the harmful effects of radiation;
broadening of the radiation protection field to include both ionising and, for the first time, non-ionising
radiation;
provision for the adoption of standards and, notably, lower occupation and public dose limits consistent with
the national and international standards of radiation protection;
the introduction of the term ‘body corporate’ to radiation protection legislation in the Northern Territory.
This will facilitate effective implementation of the radiation control measures, including control of radiation
sources which, consequently, will enhance the security of radiation sources;
increasing the number of authorities which can be granted under the act, ensuring that accreditation standards are
being achieved and high standards are being maintained;
a potential increase to the maximum duration of a licence from one year to up to three years;
provision of the establishment of an expert body to advise the Chief Health Officer on matters relating to the
administration of the act; and
requirement that the minister review the operation of the act before its 10th year anniversary, and afterwards at
intervals of not more than 10 years. This will prevent occurrence of the deficiencies typifying the current legislation.
In summary, the bill offers Territorians the same degree of radiation protection that is currently afforded other Australians. I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr AH KIT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a second time.
I take this opportunity to introduce the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2004 into the House. The Animal Welfare Act came into effect on 27 March 2000, and there have been a number of relatively minor amendments since that time. Animals are an essential part of our societal structure. They play an important part in our physical, emotional and economic wellbeing. Animals provide significant companionship for many people of all ages; they interact with people in many recreational and sporting fields. There is a concomitant responsibility upon us to ensure that the welfare of animals is well provided for. Coupled with this is a requirement to promote public awareness of best practices for the care and management of animals.
The objectives of the legislation are spelt out in section 3 of the act; namely, to ensure that animals are treated humanely, to prevent cruelty to animals, and to promote community awareness about the welfare of animals. The legislation has a broader scope than just preventing cruelty to animals. Their welfare, overall care and wellbeing is the focus of the act.
Two issues with respect to animal welfare have recently emerged as national issues; namely, the tail docking of dogs and horse firing. At the Primary Industries Ministerial Council meeting in October 2002, the ministerial council agreed in principle to the introduction of a national state and territory ban on the routine tail docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes. The main elements of the proposed ban are that non-therapeutic tail docking of dogs born after a specified date would be prohibited, and only a veterinarian could carry out therapeutic tail docking of dogs. The Territory agreed to adopt the ban on tail docking for cosmetic purposes, and advised the Primary Industries Ministerial Council of the Northern Territory’s position on 30 June 2003.
The proposed amendment to section 9(1)(a) of the act will make it quite clear that the tail docking of a dog less than five days old is no longer permitted under the act. Section 9(2) of the current act allows an veterinarian to perform a procedure that is proscribed in section 9(1) of the act, if the veterinarian is of the opinion that it is reasonable and necessary to do so. This will allow a veterinarian to dock the tail of a dog if it is deemed necessary for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes only.
Clause 5 of the bill repeals Regulation 3 of the Animal Welfare Regulations, which prescribed the conditions relating to tail docking under former section 9(1)(a). With a ban on tail docking, these provisions are no longer necessary.
The additional amendment to the Animal Welfare Act is to ban on the practice of horse firing in the Northern Territory. The federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, on the advice of the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare, advised the states and territories on the recent development regarding the practice of horse firing. The practice is undertaken primarily in the horseracing industry, and involves a hot iron being placed on a horse’s leg to create an inflammatory response to encourage healing of a damaged tendon or tendon sheath. The practice causes unnecessary suffering and is not an effective treatment.
The matter was referred to the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee for consideration, and to the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing for advice. Both the AWAC and the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing have indicated support for the proposal to ban the practice of horse firing in the Northern Territory. The horse racing industry advised that they are unaware of the practice of horse firing in the Northern Territory, and that the Australian Rules of Racing state that a horse that has been subjected to a firing procedure in Australia is ineligible to race. I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
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.
The Fire and Emergency Act and Regulations have been in place for over seven years, in which time the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service has recognised some areas of the act that need to be reinforced and updated. Most of the amendments proposed in this bill reflect existing functions carried out by the Fire and Rescue Service under its more general powers. However, owing to the high importance of public safety, the risks involved, and the need for legal certainty in enforcing fire safety requirements, express statutory authority is seen as desirable.
These functions which the bill proposes to clarify are:
Biological and radiological decontamination. An Incident Command already has wide powers to deal with all
emergencies, but an express provision to require persons who may be contaminated by biological agents, such
as anthrax or radioactive materials, is seen as desirable in the interests of public awareness and safety.
Fire investigation. Provision is already made in the act for the Director of Fire and Rescue to appoint fire
investigators, but fire investigation is not specified as a role of the service.
Fire hazard reduction programs and back burning are established practices to prevent the spread and seriousness
of our rural fires, and it is seen as desirable to include hazard reduction as an express function of the NTFRS, and
to create an express power to back burn, which is currently carried out under the Incident Commander’s general
powers - which changes will avoid any potential conflict with other sections of the act which prohibit the lighting
of fires.
Public awareness and education programs - which are a popular and integral part of the Fire and Rescue Service’s
fire reduction strategy - and including an express power to carry out these functions, and the power to recover
costs of consumables for these programs where appropriate, and is consistent with other Australian fire services.
Note that there is no proposal for any new regime of additional charges. This legislative change is designed to
provide a solid legal basis for the current practice of seeking contributions to the expense of recharging fire
extinguishers used for demonstrations and similar costs.
The express power to make ‘user pays’ agreements for provision of fire services with major commercial enterprises
is proposed to provide for legal certainty in the two existing arrangements - with Nhulunbuy Corporation for the
airport and township, and with the Yulara Resort entity - but there is no plan to approach other existing enterprises
with arrangements of this nature, nor are any new arrangements proposed.
An express power to enter contractual arrangements for the provision of ancillary fire safety arrangements is also
proposed, to facilitate projects such as the NTFAST alarm monitoring system, pioneered by the Northern Territory
Fire and Rescue Service, which is used to protect many of our public and commercial buildings in the Territory today.
Two more of these fire fighting amendments require special mention: building safety and rail safety. The safety of buildings to which the public has access is a major concern to all of us, but particularly to our Fire and Rescue Service. Experienced members of the service regularly inspect commercial premises and buildings to which the public has access, and most commercial operators and property owners welcome the Fire and Rescue Service, value their advice, and follow safety directions in the interests of commercial security and public safety. Regrettably, and inevitably, there will always be a few operators who prefer to set different priorities; for instance, by keeping fire exit doors locked or by not maintaining fire service equipment.
The NTFRS already has the power to issue fire infringement notices, and does so from time to time. However, a more authoritative legislative basis for this regulatory work is seen as desirable to ensure the success of prosecutions in very serious cases. The existing Fire and Emergency regulations already provide for the prescription of classes of buildings - essentially public and commercial buildings - which must comply with additional regulatory fire safety measures. This system is to be given greater legal authority through an express provision in a new section of the act. In addition, there is also to be a new power for the NTFRS to prescribe individual buildings by notice, and for the director to issue notices requiring compliance with a particular fire safety requirement. This is not a power that would be used often, but would be used, for instance, in a situation where a private shed which does not belong to a class of prescribed buildings in the regulations, was being used to store highly inflammable chemicals, or in other circumstances which presented a high fire risk. Additional express safety requirement such as a duty to ensure that fire fighting equipment on prescribed premises is maintained, will be included in new regulations and will be backed up by creation of additional offences. This initiative will be part of a whole-of-government approach to issues of building fire safety.
As for the railway, this bill identifies the Fire and Rescue Service as the lead agency in dealing with rail and other transport accidents. In reality, the Fire and Rescue Service already attends to rail accidents, but these amendments provide powers to enter and deal with emergencies on railway property comparable with existing powers for road accidents and other emergencies. The Fire and Rescue Service is a member of the Rail Safety Unit and has had detailed emergency plans in place since mid-2003 for dealing with incidents on the Alice Springs to Darwin railway.
Where public safety is at stake, it is important that relevant legislation has teeth, and that the penalties are an adequate deterrent to people who, for reasons of convenience or neglect, might not meet the standards we require. The Fire and Emergency Act will move to the penalty point system for fines, involving a modest but necessary increase of around 10% from the level of fines in place since 1996, and will also harmonise its fire infringement notice scheme in line with other such schemes by allowing the withdrawal of a fire infringement notice to enable a formal prosecution to be instituted, where the offence is sufficiently serious.
We owe a great deal to our volunteers and the tireless efforts of our fire and emergency volunteers. The Fire and Rescue Service has amongst its volunteer units six groups who are referred to as Fire and Emergency Response Groups (FERG). These combine fire service auxiliaries, volunteers and emergency service volunteers as one unit. FERG volunteers in the small towns of the Northern Territory including Elliott, Pine Creek, Batchelor, Adelaide River, Mataranka and Timber Creek are trained in fire fighting, first aid and road accident rescue. They are also trained by the Northern Territory Emergency Service in search and rescue and, in some locations, cliff rescue. All fire and emergency equipment and supplies are provided by the NTFRS and NT Emergency Service, and they operate as part of these services.
However, as an experiment, the legislation which created them in 1996 deemed them to be incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act. The intention of this novel provision was to provide a corporate entity through which fundraising activities could be carried out and which could operate its own bank account and, incidentally, might protect volunteers and the government from possible public liability arising from fundraising activities. In practice, the deemed association has not proved very useful in the smaller units where no major fundraising initiatives are carried out, and it is doubtful whether it would, in practice, provide much legal protection to volunteers or government. Members of FERGs are already protected under section 47 of the act and are covered under the Work Health Act. With the passing of the Personal Injuries (Liabilities and Damages) Act 2003, volunteers are further protected from personal liability. It is proposed, therefore, to end this experiment in deemed incorporation. FERGs will still have the option to incorporate as independent associations under the Associations Incorporation Act, as do the larger emergency service response groups, if they wish to conduct substantial fundraising activities.
This government recognises that fire safety to the community is an important issue which has been highlighted by the recent fires in Central Australia. Government believes that the amendments will provide the NTFRS with the means to improve incident control and the means to raise the community’s awareness of fire safety issues. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
Continued from 26 November 2003.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, in speaking on the bill before the House today, I can indicate at the outset that the opposition will not be opposing the bill. However, I have to say that I wish to express some reservations while I am on my feet today, and I have already spoken behind the scenes to the minister about my position on these issues. He has been very kind to offer me a briefing yesterday, to clarify some of the details of that. As a result of that briefing, the amendments that I was going to bring today I shall not. However, I do wish to outline the nature of my concerns.
The reason that I am not trying to amend the bill before the House is not because anything that the bill is attempting to achieve already exists but, rather, I want to visit some of the aspects of the appellant process which will be available to people who are affected by the operation of this bill.
I was advised yesterday that the bill is, to a very large degree, aiming to do two things. One is to accommodate the agreement to COAG that this government has made in relation to, basically, gun-running offences. The opposition expresses no reservations in relation to that at all, and I am glad to see the minister has brought those particular issues before the House. However, there are also comments in relation to the appellant process - this being an administrative process we are talking about - particularly comments made by the minister in his second reading speech, where he uses the term ‘legitimate expectation’. It appears in the second reading speech as just two words. I am no lawyer, so these things are a mystical revelation to me sometimes. However, I have taken the opportunity to investigate the expression ‘legitimate expectation’ and found a whole raft of things had opened up before me.
As members will be fully aware, the processes of administrative decisions sometimes causes grief in the community. Indeed, in the Commonwealth there is the Administrative Appeals Tribunal at federal level, as well as similar bodies in other state jurisdictions. The Commonwealth Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act is the judicial review act which also operates to capture some of the common law, if you like, in the operation of how administrative appeals go forward. We have no such act operating in the Territory. In terms of administrative appeals bodies, we have those bodies. In this instance, the Firearms Act has a similar body, so a decision made by the commissioner is reviewable. However, there are some fairly hefty limitations placed on the appeals process, and that is the cause of my concern and will be at the centre of my comments today.
During the briefing yesterday, I was told that the Northern Territory Supreme Court has ruled that a renewal of a firearms licence, at law, is actually not a renewal of a licence and that, at any time that I or any person who is a current holder of a firearms licence goes to a police station and says: ‘I would like a new firearms licence because the expiry date on this one says I am about to lose mine’, it is actually a new application. You are going into the police station and are effectively writing out an application - you have to start all over again. This is where the minister uses the word and the term ‘legitimate expectation’, saying there should be no legitimate expectation that the firearms licence will be renewed. What the minister is actually doing is shutting down a whole body and grounds of appeal which are available to people who are licence holders.
I would like to visit the area of ‘legitimate expectation’ briefly because it is a ground for judicial review of a decision made by an administrative body. It is an important ground because it has now been tested in the High Court several times in various areas. For the edification of members, a ‘legitimate expectation’ is something that arises out of what you would consider, if you were given a licence and you did all the right things under the terms of that licence, and you went back to the government and said: ‘I would like a new licence’ then, being a responsible licence holder ‘I would like my licence renewed’ would have a legitimate expectation that you would get that licence renewed.
I turn briefly to comments in Administrative Law by Douglas and James, if memory serves me, at page 720, where it is stated:
The authors go on to quote Salemi, which is one of the cases, Kioa, and CCSU. I am sure members can look it up in the Douglas and James if they want to find the details. However, the grounds are then stated as:
This list is not exhaustive. Basically, what is being said by Douglas and James is that there are several environments that will create a legitimate expectation that you are going to get your licence back. That legitimate expectation will be the consequence you suffer in case your licence is not renewed.
A classic example is somebody who has a collector’s licence and has a weapons cache or gallery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. There may be the reasonableness of the decision-makers themselves and the existence of a regular practice – ‘I have had my licence renewed 20 times’ - or the satisfaction of a statutory condition – ‘I have done everything that the government expects me to do to maintain my licence’. What the minister is saying is that we are going to remove their right of appeal – and I will go into appeals shortly - or judicial review to seek a particular writ - perhaps a writ of mandamus - to have judicial review applied because it is a new application every time. It is not just a renewal; this is a new application and you can have no legitimate expectation that your application, although approved in the past, will be approved again.
I was advised yesterday at the briefing that the Supreme Court has upheld that position, but the question I members here is: although an issue is technical correct, law and the process of interpreting law is subjective. It is almost like an art form in a sense that if you are creating something, although all your brush strokes are technically correct, is the end result pleasing to the eye? Have you created Jackson Pollock or Rembrandt? This is also the question that is before members here today in essence, because although the Supreme Court has said: ‘Well, the government’s position is correct in terms of renewal of licence does not create a legitimate expectation, so there goes one of your rights to have the decision reviewed’, is it pleasing? Does it please me that such a decision has come down and that, as the result of decision – I am uncertain at this stage, but I am concerned about the ability of government and the trend that seems to be occurring in legislation, not only in this but other jurisdictions - for those grounds of appeal to be chopped away?
They have to be made clear: an appeal is not a common law right in terms of statute. Judicial review is something that you can apply. However, to actually appeal a decision is not a common law right. That is supported in the Building Licensing Board v Sperway Constructions (1976) 135CLR616 where Justice Mason says in paragraph four, and I quote:
Therefore, at the end of the day there is no right of appeal; there is only an ability to have a judicial review of the decision made by the administrative body. This was adopted in the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Grice Holdings v the Commissioner of Taxes on 23 October 2000, Justice Thomas was quoted as saying:
My understanding of the principle to be distilled from the authorities to which I have referred, is that where a person has a statutory right to appeal, the
At the end of the day, there is no common law right to appeal to a court for a decision made by an administrative body. All you can ask for the court to do is look at the operation of the administrative body and see if they have come to a just outcome.
There are obligations still, in spite of the fact that legitimate expectation is now not available - or will not be available as a result of this bill - where a person who is adversely affected by an administrative body can seek the right of appeal, or a judicial review of that decision. Bear in mind that a court cannot overturn that decision; they can simply say to the administrative body: ‘Go back and look at it again, because you have acted beyond the bounds of your law’. However, that process is very tight indeed. There is a general responsibility on administrative bodies to operate in a fashion which is reasonable. However, the courts are very loath to try and get involved in judicial review in relation to that.
Douglas and James reproduce the case, Associated Provincial Picture Houses Limited v Wednesbury Corporation, (1948) 1KB223. In that case, it dealt with a licence granted under the Cinematography Act, to grant licences permitting cinemas to be open on Sundays, subject to conditions as they saw fit to impose. The condition they saw fit to oppose in that case was, and I quote:
On the face of that, that would be a totally, screaming, unreasonable decision to prevent children under the age of 15 from going into a cinema. That is, effectively, a ban on children under the age of 15 going to the cinema. The Master of the Rolls, Lord Green, asked the questions: ‘Where can we get involved? How can we get involved in the process of overturning decisions for unreasonableness?’. Lord Green made these comments:
It gives you an indication as to how the courts perceive this particular position and how loath they are to get involved in administrative decisions. That being the case …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Macdonnell, I hate to do this to you but, because we only have one hour for lunch, could you resume your remarks after Question Time?
Mr ELFERINK: Absolutely, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you for that. Honourable members, we will resume this after Question Time when the member for Macdonnell will have the rest of his time allocated to him.
Debate suspended.
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, I thank members for allowing me to continue my debate in spite of the delay for Question Time and lunch. As members were aware, I was delivering a riveting dissertation on the administrative law aspect of ‘legitimate expectation’, unreasonableness and other limitations in administrative law decision-making.
I had finished off talking about a case that came out of England some time ago, and demonstrating that the judiciary is very cautious, indeed, in entering into areas of judicial review of administrative decisions and, basically, will do so on grounds of irrationality on the part of the decision-maker, discriminatory acts and, possibly, disproportionality regarding the parties concerned.
The fact of the matter is that the minister has effectively come into this House and he said: ‘Look, I want certain things for the Appeals Tribunal. What I want is certain increased powers - certainly quasi-judicial powers - in summonsing people’, and such things, notably the addition of the new Schedule 7 which is proposed by this legislation.
As I said before lunch, there is no desire on the part of the opposition to oppose the bill, in spite of the fact that I was considering amendments in a couple of areas. However, I understand what the bill is trying to achieve in the overall structure of it. If it were not for the fact that there was an independent tribunal made up from the commissioner’s representative, with a magistrate having the chair, and a representative from one of the firearms associations on board – and it was quite independent of the commissioner’s influence – I would be very concerned indeed.
This particular request that the minister brings before this House to pass legislation to empower a tribunal with further powers – and I presume powers which are more an attempt to clarify the powers of the tribunal, but limiting grounds for judicial review - is probably the very edge of where we, as an opposition, would allow the government to take us. I know this exists in other pieces of legislation. To create an amendment - which was my intention - to allow matters to go to the courts on appeals, would then render this act inconsistent with other acts, notably, acts like the Freedom of Information Act, which has a similar clause to this act. That means only questions of law can be sent to the Supreme Court for decision, and not questions of fact.
It is always a temptation - for myself at least - to want to see an administrative appeals process formalised more completely in the Northern Territory as a general statement of government policy. It is tempting to try and bring, possibly, a judicial appeal process to bear on some of these decisions. However, I understand some of the pragmatic problems.
I invite the minister to make some comments in relation to the quasi-judicial functions that this Administrative Appeals Tribunal is being given by this parliament today - specifically powers of summons and those type of things. A magistrate does sit on the chair of the tribunal. There is quite a lot of case law and intellectual work as to the role of the magistrate or a judicial officer sitting on an Administrative Appeals Tribunal of some sort. How do they separate out from their juridical roles?
The proposed Schedule 7 does give power to some witnesses. This is quite a powerful piece of legislation that is being asked for. It certainly clarifies the intent of Part 9 of the Firearms Act itself in what it is trying to achieve. I believe that was always the intent, reading between the lines of Part 9, and that is being been clarified by government here. However, it is a great deal of power being given to a tribunal, and I would urge reassurance for this House from the minister that, when these powers are granted to the tribunal, they will be urged to deal with them with prudence and justice in mind.
The whole process of administrative appeals has, written into it by its very nature, an element of natural justice for those people who are affected by administrative decisions. It is the flavour of the concept of legitimate expectations; a concept that we are going to allow to be removed by the process that we are going through here today. I still believe that the principles of natural justice must be brought to bear. I would trust that a magistrates sitting as the chair of a tribunal would bring those principles of natural justice to bear in relation to how the legislation is going to operate.
I put on record that this is probably the bare minimum that the opposition is prepared to tolerate in giving power to administrative bodies and limiting the ability of judicial review. If the government expects or hopes to walk in with legislation which has a less independent appeals body attached to it, greater judicial powers by the flavour of the functions that that review body is going to be given or, for that matter, asks for more ways to prevent judicial reviews from going forward, then the oppositions will stand up and be counted. We will make it abundantly clear to the government that we do not approve of the limitations that are being offered here today going any further.
I appreciate the briefing I was given yesterday. It cleared up in my mind’s eye certain parts of the issues that I had a problem with. It is with cautious reservation that we support this bill. However, I understand what the bill is trying to achieve. We certainly support the gun-running and the ammunition aspects of it; however, it is the appeals process which is a cause for concern. If I believe that the appeals process has failed in its ability to deliver justice to people affected by it, I shall be the first person to bring amendments to the bill back into this House.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I support the bill, but I have a couple of comments. One is I am very pleased to see that in the amendment schedule are proposed sections 68A(3) and (4). I know that Clive at the Coolalinga Gun Shop will be very pleased to see that.
Mr Henderson: We listened to him.
Mr WOOD: That is terrific. I spoke to him as well. He rang me later and said that it was going to happen, so I am very pleased that it is there.
What it highlights is whether we need to step back a little and review the amount of paperwork required from people like Clive. He showed me the book you must have when a person brings a rifle into his shop. It is the usual big book, in triplicate. So, if someone brings in 15 guns, as he said happened on one occasion, it takes about an hour to fill it all out. He said sometimes the police already have that information on their computers.
Mr Henderson interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Well, one of the complaints he has is that there seems to be an obsessive amount of paperwork which, as a small business owner, he has to fill in. He said sometimes the information he is compiling is exactly the same information that the police already have on file.
What I am saying is that it would be good if the department could look at some of the practical aspects that people in this business have to deal with, because they are small business. They are fixing guns and cleaning them up, and they certainly do not receive any money for filling in forms - not that forms are not important, but let us make sure that only the essential ones are filled in.
That is just a comment, minister, not a criticism. I make that simply because Clive mentioned how much extra paperwork this would require. He asked why you cannot just show your licence and say: ‘I am registered here to buy that particular grade of ammunition’. That is all you would need. However, I am pleased that the government has introduced those amendments.
There is one other area, minister, you might address. On the matter of renewal of a person’s licence, you said in your second reading speech that one of the amendments includes clarifying that the grant of a licence is not a renewal of the person’s licence, it results from the fresh application. If you could explain the difference. Was it a grey area or is it a different philosophy altogether?
I support the amendments because the people who have to deal with them think they are okay, and they are the ones who really know.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition spokesman and the member for Nelson for their comments and support for the proposed amendments.
In a spirit of cooperation in this area from government, when the member for Macdonnell came to speak to me with some specific concerns, we sought the best advice that we could in trying to allay his concerns. That is the way that this process should work. We want to have legislation that meets the needs of Territorians and provides, particularly in the area of firearms, protection from firearms falling into the hands of people who should not have them. These are important amendments and we need to get them right.
I can assure the member for Macdonell that, in relation to the parts of the amendment bill that he was talking about in respect of appeals provisions, it certainly is the intent of these provisions to clarify the role of the tribunal. It is not about watering back people’s right of appeal; it is purely clarifying the role of that tribunal. There may sometimes be grey areas, as the member said, that may affect the tribunal’s ability to deliver justice. I believe that the tribunal does deliver justice and, at the end of the day, a person’s ability to carry a firearm is one that is approved, given that person’s ability to meet certain criteria, particularly the confidence of the Commissioner of Police who is ultimately the authorising body. He has to make sure that, with the knowledge that the police may have about an individual, that individuals who should not have access to firearms because of either associations or criminal records do not have access to firearms so the broader community can be safer. I do not believe that this is a great attack on anybody’s right to hold a firearm; it really is about clarifying the rules of the tribunal.
First, I would like to reiterate my thanks to the police and support staff who have worked on the bill. I would like to thank the Shooters Council for their input, and I am advised that the council supports the terms of the bill.
The bill does not restrict the rights people currently have to appeal decisions that they are not happy with. I am advised that around two to three people a year wish to challenge the decision of the Commissioner of Police not to grant a firearms licence. This bill does not restrict their capacity to do this in the manner and process in which is currently in place. What it does, as I have advised, is to make the process clearer. The legal advice I have received states that.
We understand that the member for Macdonnell is studying law. It must be something to do with that seat; one of the previous incumbents was also studying law. I have never studied law, so I will talk to the legal advice that I have here, which states that, in the limitation for restricting an appeal to the Supreme Court, a question of law only is similar to a number of other repeal provisions in other legislation. For example, under the Medical Act, Mining Royalty Act, Pay-roll Tax Act, Taxation (Administration) Act or the Pastoral Land Act - to name a few - an appeal is not a common law right, but it is statutory right which may be taken away. Section 52(1) of the Firearms Act currently provides that an appeal is a re-hearing. These amendments do not alter this. A re-hearing allows the appellant to introduce fresh evidence. For example, where the Commissioner of Police revokes a person’s licence on the grounds that the person is not a fit and proper person to hold the licence, the person may provide the tribunal with evidence that was not before the commissioner in making his decision.
An application for a firearms licence is not a renewal but is, in fact, a fresh application. In Suter v Commissioner of Police, His Honour Justice Mildren said - and member for Nelson, this goes to your question:
The appeal provisions do not interfere with a person’s right to seek judicial review – under section 56 of the Supreme Court Rules - of a decision, contrary to the concerns raised by the member for MacDonnell. Because the bill includes an action as a ground of appeal in section 51, it might be argued that the grounds of appeal have been widened. The proposed amendments allow a person to appeal a decision after the 28 day appeal period has closed. As the act currently stands, if a person fails to appeal within the time, the right to appeal has been lost. This is substantive rather than merely procedural, as the right of appeal is a statutory right. Again, the argument is that these amendments actually widen the grounds for appeal than what is in the current act.
Under the common law or in the principles of natural justice, there is no requirement to give written reasons for an administrative decision. These amendments insert a provision: clause 16, proposed section 54(3). The amendments to the tribunal procedures were only intended to clarify and give administrative certainty to the regime under the act. As it presently stands, there are no procedures for the tribunal. Therefore, in substance, the concerns made by the member for Macdonnell are not founded. The rights of the two to three people a year who may wish to challenge a decision of the commissioner are not restricted. In fact, they are expended and they will benefit from the clarification and streamlining to the processes outlined in the bill.
In my second reading speech, I flagged further discussions with shooter’s representatives, which were taking place to resolve those issues in relation to ammunition. We heard what they said. We have a very good working relationship with the NT Firearms Council, and I would like to commend the Northern Territory police; that is a strong working relationship. On those administrative issues, I would encourage the Firearms Council to raise examples of those issues, directly with myself as minister or through the communications channels with the police directly. I am sure that we will do everything we can to resolve them. It is not about tying small business up in red tape; it really is about ensuring that only the people who carry firearms are known, accredited, and licensed and that people who run businesses of the sales of firearms and ammunition keep records.
It is an unfortunate fact that we have to keep a track of these weapons in our community. We are not looking to introduce red tape for the sake of introducing red tape. However, if there are practical examples like the unintended consequences of the original bill, then, as minister and government, we are prepared to listen to those and act where necessary. I hope I have clarified the concerns. We will be going into committee because I have circulated proposed amendments and I am happy to take further questions in the committee stage.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 21, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 22:
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.1. Proposed section 68A(1) currently states that, where a person sells his firearm, he would be unable to sell any ammunition which relates to the firearm unless he is the holder of a dealer’s licence or is authorised to do so by permit. This is an unintended consequence. The amendment seeks to restrict the effect of the provision to sales of ammunition where the sale is made in the ordinary course of business, trade or commerce.
Mr ELFERINK: Absolutely no comment in relation to that matter. I would think it is a reasonable and commonsense amendment. I take the opportunity that the minister gave me in his summing up to ask him one question, which is not on point in this particular clause. I wonder why the schedule has been the chosen place to put, effectively, the powers and procedures of the tribunal rather than the act itself? I am curious; it has only occurred to me while I was sitting here re-reading it.
Mr HENDERSON: My advice is that many pieces of legislation have the powers of tribunals and other bodies embedded in regulations or additional schedules. It was a drafting issue determined by Parliamentary Counsel.
Mr ELFERINK: Mr Chairman, I am not going to raise any great pain or angst over it. I have made myself clear, and I thank the minister for responding. Basically, what I was attempting to do was to suggest the CLP’s position as bare minimum on administrative appeal things - not only in relation to this act, but as a general standard across the board. In the absence of the Administrative Appeals Tribunals and those sorts of things in the Territory, as a general policy we have to be careful protecting those rights enjoyed by people who are subject to licences fairly carefully, without also limiting the power of government to administer itself.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.2 The proposed section 68A(2) is similar to the previous moved section, except it relates to the purchaser of the ammunition as opposed to the seller of ammunition.
Mr ELFERINK: The opposition supports it and thinks it is a sensible amendment to the bill before the House.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.3. We dealt with this in the second reading. We believe that the provision is unduly onerous on firearms dealers because the dealer already keeps adequate records of any sales. The provision, however, would allow the Commissioner of Police to track the volume of ammunition sales and the persons to whom the sales were made. This would give police an opportunity to ascertain whether they are persons of interest to police, and who are regularly purchasing a certain type of ammunition. We have listened to the concerns of the dealers, and the proposal is to delete those two subsections.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.4. This amendment is a consequence of the above amendments.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 22, as amended, agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported with amendments; report adopted.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 27 November 2003.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, we on this side of the House will be supporting the passage of the Food Bill today. The passage of this bill will bring the Northern Territory into line with all other jurisdictions in the country with regard to the legislative directions and controls working to reduce the risk to people of harm caused by the consumption of food.
Members will recall, I am sure, the awful situation in South Australia in 1995 when a little girl died and more than 20 children were hospitalised after eating a contaminated meat product produced by the Garibaldi company. After court proceedings, two of the company’s directors were fined $10 000 each for not recalling contaminated salami, the firm went into liquidation, and the Australian smallgoods industry took years to fully recover.
In the wake of this incident, the federal government, via COAG, embarked on a mission to improve legislation nationally, and this bill is part of that process. In other jurisdictions that have introduced similar legislation in the past two years, the changes have been accepted well. For example, as reported in the Sydney Daily Telegraph on 28 November 2001, the Managing Director of Castlemaine Bacon Company, John Harris, said that:
The Garibaldi incident put the spotlight onto the risks associated with the food industry, and changes have been made as a result. We should not become complacent with regards to these risks. In 2001, the Annual Report of OzFoodNet reported, and I quote:
OzFoodNet, in the same report, advised that they had identified some important risk factors for food-borne infections in Australia. These factors included: imported foods such as peanuts from China in 2001 and takeaway foods - and the statistics are affected by the increasing number of outlets in Australia and our increasing affinity for this sort of food. In 2001, for example, there were a number of incidents concerning takeaway kebabs, pizza and cooked chickens. Other risks are the consumption of seafood, red meat and poultry.
This bill will make things easier for many in the food industry because it mirrors national standards. It means that national companies can bring in consistent standards of practice in all their outlets. Comprehending the legislation becomes easier because definitions for terms such as ‘food’, ‘sell’ and ‘food business’ will now be the same throughout Australia.
In addition, and quite naturally, the bill details offences and the penalties that they can incur. The offences include unsafe handling of food and misleading advertising. Defences are also detailed, such as whether or not a person took what could be considered ‘reasonable precautions’ to prevent unsafe handling of food.
Other areas covered in the legislation include the adoption of a Food Standards Code; the role of the Chief Health Officer and his or her powers, which will include recalling food and/or prohibiting production; the role and powers of enforcement officers, who generally will be Environmental Health Officers; and the need for food businesses to register with the Chief Health Officer. I am pleased to see that there will be no fee charged for this. Businesses will need to register unless they obtain an exemption, which will usually only be supplied for ad hoc events like charity sausage sizzles.
This bill will repeal the Food (Interim Provision) Regulations, under which the Territory has operated for many years. Until now, the government required that restaurants were registered but, now, with this bill, this has been expanded to all food premises such as takeaways, market food stalls and supermarkets.
I understand from the briefing I received from the minister’s staff - and I thank them for that – that, provided a business has been performing at a reasonable standard up to now, there will be no changes they will need to make as a result of this legislation, apart from becoming registered.
I certainly hope, for the sake of business, that there is a smooth transition to this new set-up, and that the staff of the Environmental Health Unit are resourced adequately to ensure that they are able to conduct the necessary audits because, as we know, even in the Territory the consumption of unsafe food can bring about horrific results.
In July last year, the NT News reported on the case of a 37-year-old Territory woman who lost both her legs, many of her fingers and parts of her nose apparently from eating unsafe salami. Unfortunately, the toxins in affected meat cause blood clotting, which reduces the circulation to the extremities, causing gangrene. A victim then has to have the affected parts of their bode amputated to prevent the spread of gangrene and the consequent further damage to the tissues of their limbs.
Therefore, in an effort to prevent further such cases, this side of the House will be supporting this bill.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I also support the bill and, although I did not have a briefing because life is pretty busy sometimes, I have some general questions I would like answered. They are not too deep and meaningful, but they are important.
One question relates to the definition of ‘food business’. What if you are giving away food? Does that mean you are in a ‘business’ and where is that stated? On my reading, I could not see that.
Another question relates to clause 11(1)(d), which defines what you mean by ‘unsuitable’ in relation to food and says:
Without giving an opinion one way or another, does this phrase ‘biological agent’ mean genetic modification to a food? If so, could the government use that as a means of banning genetically modified food?
My next questions relates to clause 12, which deals with handling food in an unsafe manner. I presume that the person has to know that they are handling food to be charged with that offence. Say a person had no hygiene education and they handled food without knowing that is was an unhygienic practice, could they claim that as a defence? There does not seem to be a defence section for that part, although defences appear further on for other matters such as advertising and in respect of other handling of food.
Another question that has come to my attention relates to clause 14, which deals with the false description of food:
The question that has come to my attention is: what would happen if someone described food as Halal for Muslims? In other words, the food is fit to eat and will not cause physical harm, but it could cause anguish. That may need to be looked at.
Moving on to clause 17, which has three clauses:
(1) A person must not, in the course of carrying on a food business …
From my reading, clauses 17(2) and (3) are all wrapped up in clause 17(1). My question is: do we need clauses 17(2) and (3) because, the way I read it, you can cover it all in one section? I would be interested to know your comments.
Minister, this might be a very minor thing, but it relates to the difference between clause 60 and clause 63. Clause 60 deals with the return of a substance or things seized; clause 63 deals with the return of forfeited substance or thing. I would like to know what the difference between those parts of the act are. they seem to be pretty well the same. Whether it is splitting hairs, I am not sure, but they do not look very dissimilar. Do you need both of them in the act or could you actually get away with just having the one?
Another matter which the member for Port Darwin touched on was clause 70, the requirement that food businesses be registered. What would concern a lot of people, bearing in mind, minister, in your second reading speech - if I can find the clause - you said that, under clause 32, it is anticipated that charities and low risk ad hoc events such as sausage sizzles will be exempt from registration. Will Rotary, Lions, the local cricket club and the local pollies have to become registered if they want to have a sausage sizzle? This would also apply to things like the Landcare group, the Bushfires Council, the volunteer fire brigades, and the school fetes. I am presuming all those groups, including the pollies who want to have a sausage sizzle, will have to be registered and then have to apply for an exemption. If they were giving away sausages or meat - and I put it to you that I had a barbecue at the Australia Day cricket day at Howard River Park where, basically, the food was free. By being free, am I exempted from the requirement of being registered? It is something that maybe a few politicians here would be happy to see clarified just so that they are not breaking the law next time they are having a sausage sizzle.
I presume from the answer that the member for Port Darwin has from a briefing, that market food stalls will be required to be registered. Perhaps there is something I missed, but how much is that going to cost people to be registered?
Dr Toyne: Zero.
Mr WOOD: Nothing at all? So it is free - zero? Well, at least that is not an incumbrance on small business. The last question was on clause 73, which is on the conditions of registration. There does not appear to be anything in those conditions to see whether people know anything about hygiene. It says:
(1) It is a condition of the registration of a food business that the proprietor of the food business must comply with
this act and the regulations.
The questions are not meant to be trick questions. I believe it is important that some of those questions be answered. I know I am going to be questioned as a local member, because the Rotary, Lions, the cricket club, the Landcare group, the volunteer fire brigade, the people who run school fetes, will all be asking me from now on if they have to be registered. If you could give some answers on that in your summing up it will be very much appreciated.
Mr VATSKALIS (Ethnic Affairs): Madam Speaker, I support the legislation. At last, we see modern, up-to-date legislation to replace some of the very old pieces of legislation currently in existence in the Northern Territory in relation to food, namely the Food Act 1986, Food (Interim Provision) Regulations, Food Standard Regulations and part of the Public Health regulations. All this legislation was drafted very early in the 1980s and is out of date. Let me tell you, it created a lot of problems when we tried to apply this legislation in my previous life as an Environmental Health Officer around Darwin.
We had a lot of problems and difficulties trying to enforce legislation. To give you an example, while Giuseppe’s is a restaurant and must register, McDonalds is not, and should not register. The legal opinion we had was an eating house is only a place where food is served, and the definition of ‘serve’ means plates and cutlery. We have had a problem with the markets. We could not register the food stalls, despite the fact that some people with food stalls are running a successful business five days a week starting from the Mindil Beach Market on Thursday and continuing until Sunday at Mindil Beach.
To go down memory lane, when I first came to the Territory from down south as an Environmental Health Officer, to become the Manager of the Environmental Health Branch, in 1993 my first case was a serious case of food poisoning involving a number of people working at the Health Department who ate contaminated oysters at a restaurant for the Christmas party. Quite a few of them were seriously ill. Also in Darwin when I came here, I had several cases where top restaurants in Darwin were actually serving contaminated food, or food that was off. In one case, a Malaysian delegation from the Malaysian Health Department went to a top restaurant and all of them, including people from our Health Department, got sick. Recently, you have seen the newspaper that, again, a top restaurant in Darwin served contaminated oysters and quite a number of people became very sick.
We have had instances in Australia that resulted in death. The mettwurst incident in South Australia resulted in the death of a young child. The incident where peanut paste was contaminated with salmonella resulted in a large number of people being sick all over Australia. We have had a salmonella outbreak in Victoria from Vietnamese pork rolls which resulted in two deaths.
Food poisoning can actually manifest itself like a slight dose of vomiting and diarrhoea but, in some serious cases, can result in a prolonged illness. And incident was described by the member for Port Darwin of a young lady from Katherine who ate a contaminated salami stick and it resulted in amputation of her fingers, the tip of her nose and her feet. It also results in long-term illnesses that requires extensive surgery. The total cost to the community of food poisoning comes up to many millions of dollars, not only for pain and suffering, but loss of income and the cost to treat the people who have been afflicted with food poisoning.
The first time I got food poisoning in my life – I am 46-years-old - was only last month when, on the last day of our holidays in Bali, I ate something I should not and it resulted in food poisoning that lasted for a week. I tell you that I was not very impressed. It is a not joke. I was very careful to do all the right things: drink bottled water and only eat in good restaurants. The last day before we departed we ate something - and that hits you, and hits you really hard.
Is food safety a problem in the Northern Territory? Yes and no. I say yes and no because I do not want to alarm people. However, the reality is that food safety in the Northern Territory is a problem. We have seen in the newspaper many times people complaining about foreign bodies found in food. Lately, a woman was complaining about out-of-date products. In my previous life, I had to deal with the cockroaches in food and a piece of wire in some bread. The best I saw was actually a fully baked and sliced mouse in a loaf of bread.
The problem we have in the Territory is that the legislation was so old and the penalties so low that quite a few people went to court and only received a warning. We made the conscious decision to - instead of sending people to court - close their premises down under the legislation. Closing their premises down for one day cost more than going to the court, but also attracts publicity. I know the owner of a particular business in town very well. He told me that, after prosecution it took him a year to bring the patronage back the level it was before. Therefore, he was punished severely and, to his credit, he has been very, very careful in what he has done since then.
All complaints have been investigated by the Health Department. They are still investigated by the Health Department’s Environmental Health Services. The people who administer and enforce the legislation are the Environmental Health Officers who, incidentally, come from down south. They studied in southern universities since we did not have the university course in the Territory. I have to tell you that, out of the six people who worked in the Environmental Health Branch in Darwin urban, only one person was born in the Territory and that person had to go to South Australia to study.
In addition to that, the number of Environmental Health Officers in the Northern Territory is significantly less than in any other jurisdiction. I was working with six Environmental Health Officers to cover an area from Darwin to past Adelaide River, with approximately 120 000 people. The ratio in the Territory at that time was about one Environment Health Officer over 20 000 people, while the ratio in some of the states is one Environmental Health Officer over 12 000 or 15 000 people. Therefore, we still need Environmental Health Officers in the Territory, especially in remote communities because of the distance factor and the complexity of the problems.
Another problem we have in the Territory is that Environmental Health Officers are employed by the Department of Health. The recent report on the Department of Health indicated that it would be a good idea to devolve the Environmental Health Offices and Environmental Health Officers to the local councils, like it is in other states. It is probably a very good idea, and I urge the minister to consider this option. The Environmental Health Officers work very closely with people and business in the community and those who have worked in a particular local authority learn very quickly the conditions in that area, they know what is happening, and they develop really good links with the community and the proprietors.
The legislation is very good. It is very modern and up-to-date. It is legislation that will apply throughout Australia. All states have agreed to adopt certain parts of the model legislation, and I am very pleased that the Territory has finally agreed to adopt this legislation.
With regards to how many people will be affected in the Territory, we have about 1800 food premises in the Territory which prepare and sell food. Of them, only 578 are currently registered because of the deficiencies of the present legislation. Under the new legislation, all these premises will be required to register.
Coming back to the member for Nelson and his question about the sausage sizzle, there are provisions under section 32 of the act for the Chief Health Officer to exempt certain activities or businesses in order not to require registration. Certainly, the school fete and politician with the sausage sizzle would be one of these areas that would be exempt because it is impractical, first of all, to register it and then police it.
In answer to another question – and I apologise to the Minister for Health for replying on his behalf to the member for Nelson - about the requirement for people to register for business to be aware of the legislation and hygiene. It is a requirement; ignorance of the law is no excuse. Most times, people applying for registration are pretty well qualified and they know about hygiene. Also, the Environmental Health Officers in the past - and I am aware they still do - conduct seminars and workshops. I believe I was the first time that we translated, in seven languages, the basic rules of hygiene for people operating market food stalls.
The markets will be required to be registered. The markets were an area of concern for me when I first came to the Territory. The Mindil Beach Markets were operating in very primitive conditions. I remember a lot of stalls did not have bain-maries, and the main refrigeration was an esky with some ice. I put pressure on the markets to upgrade the facilities, and I recall very well that the association went and complained to the then minister for health, Mike Reed. Mr Reed asked me for a briefing, which I provided, and I am very grateful to him because his reply to the association was: ‘We have minimum standards of health in the Territory. We comply with that because we cannot afford to have any food poisoning incidents at the Mindil Beach Market because that would destroy the markets’.
From there on, we worked very closely with the association and with the council, despite the fact we had to force the council to upgrade the power at Mindil Beach Markets. The markets have now become one of the showcases of Darwin. I believe they are even listed in the Lonely Planet book and many tourists comment on it.
The markets are very successful. We have a number of markets here now. I am still concerned about the way they prepare food. I have been in places where the food was prepared in the kitchen with the two kids in nappies running around and a dog as well. Under the new legislation, all this will be streamlined. There will be guidelines and certain things that have to be applied with. Hopefully – not hopefully - we will see an upgrade of the facilities that people use to prepare food at home. They will upgrade their food handling techniques and we will see better quality food.
Regarding the comment by the member for Nelson about the section which refers to different substances and biological agent, the legislation does not apply to genetically modified food because, in reality, in genetically modified food you modify genetically part of the food. Therefore, it is not a totally different part that is put in the food, because it is actually part of the whole food.
However, what we are facing with biological or chemical agents are things like chemicals or liquids that should not be in food finding their way into food. To give you an example: sulphur dioxide in mince meat. You cannot put sulphur dioxide in mince meat. One day I recall I had in my care 120 kg of mince meat from a butcher that was contaminated heavily with sulphur dioxide. His excuse was: ‘I am selling to the Aboriginal communities. They do not have refrigeration. That is the only way to keep it’. It was a pathetic excuse. I believe the dogs at the RSPCA had a very good dinner that night.
A member interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: Because I asked them after.
Again, I fully support the legislation and I show very strong support to my ex-colleagues, the Environmental Health Officers. They have a very difficult job to do. In some cases, they have more power than the police; they can enter premises without a warrant, and quite rightly so; and they can enter a premises without a warrant to inspect if they suspect there is some illegal activity taking place there such as the illegal slaughter of animals, or illegal sale of food. There are cases here in Darwin where food such as fish and prawns was being sold from backyards.
Sometimes, they find very difficult proprietors to deal with. A well-known publican in Darwin kicked the Environmental Health Officers out the door one day, told them to ‘F-off’ and did not want them on his premises and said they had no right to investigate. They could easily have taken him to court and made an issue of it, but my response then was to ring him and tell him that, since we could not inspect his premises, I was going to withdraw his food licence and advise the Liquor Commission at the same time, which would mean no food licence or liquor licence. Very soon after that, he rang and apologised for the misunderstanding, and allowed Environmental Health Officers to enter his premises.
It is a difficult job and made more difficult by the fact that the act they were trying to operate under was very inefficient, very old, very cumbersome and not very clear. With this act, things are going to change. I am very pleased that it is adopted by our parliament. The only thing I am very disappointed about – and something that I would urge the minister to consider in the future – is food safety programs, especially for food businesses where they prepare for sale and sell large quantities of food - not necessary the school canteen or the small shop, but we are talking about food manufacturers, of which there are quite a few in Darwin - like those who prepare ice-cream or salads. A food safety program and food auditing is very important.
For your information, Coles New World and Woolworths require that the companies that deal with them have in place a food safety program, and those companies are audited annually by food auditors. The food auditor report goes to Coles New World or Woolworths. If you do not have one of those, you do not get into the business of selling your product in their supermarket.
I am aware that Environmental Health Officers have put in place seminars and workshops to help people understand the act. There has been wide consultation with the industry. I know that because I still have good contacts with these people. Actually, my electorate office is in the same area as the Environmental Health Office for Darwin Urban. Often I communicate; I am still a member of our institute and I participate in discussions with my colleagues on these issues.
Once again, Madam Speaker, it is an excellent act. It is long overdue. I urge the minister to consider the number of Environmental Health Officers, where they are situated, and to consider in the future food safety programs and food auditing, especially for large companies.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for both their support and their contribution to the debate.
I suppose my most dangerous contact with food was when we celebrated a New Year out bush with a flask of Caterer’s brand vanilla essence. I can tell you that I dreamt of custard for several nights after I had drunk it.
It is a very serious issue, in that statistics from the National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health have indicated 17.2 million cases of gastro each year in Australia, of which 5.4 million cases are ascribable to bad food. We are talking about 6.5 million days of paid work lost because of this problem. Like all other jurisdictions, we are trying to modernise and make as effective a food quality regime as possible. As members have indicated, this bill is both overdue and welcome to be put in place in Territory law.
I will deal with the issues raised by the member for Nelson - and I thank the member for Casuarina for dealing with a number of them. Let us go through them as you put them to us. The definition of a ‘food business’ is contained within the bill itself. You have to read two sections of it. One is clause 8, the meaning of food business, which basically says anyone who handles food intended for sale or sells food. It is not quite as straightforward as that might say. You then have to go back to page 5, which is the various definitions of the terms used in the bill, and look at what ‘sell’ actually means. ‘Sell’ has a much wider meaning than just simply taking money for food which you are proffering to people. Reading those two sections together will give you an idea of the scope of the regulated activity.
Following on the assurances from the member for Casuarina, charities’ local sausage sizzles and those sort of things will be exempted under clause 32 by the Chief Health Officer. Unless you are a lousy cook of sausages, you probably have nothing to worry about at your sizzle; they will go on unabated.
Mr WOOD: Do you have to ask for an exemption?
Dr TOYNE: No, there would be a blanket exemption describing those activities as being not necessary for registration. It would not be case by case. The Chief Health Officer would say: ‘I am not interested in seeing sausage sizzles included in this operation of this legislation’. He will exempt broad categories of charitable or one-off events within the community, so that it is simply not necessary to register them. The intent of the legislation is to pick up food handlers and food sellers who are operating regularly within the community, not one-off events of an amateur nature.
The definition of unsuitable food, a biological agent: GM food would make food unsuitable if it contained GM food or a GM component, if that GM component is defined as being unsuitable for human consumption. There is a whole standard and protocol for GM products separate to this act. They would have to pass that test before the food that they were in could be suitable for consumption. It is a whole other regime. You will see that several times through the operation of this proposed legislation. There are areas that will not come under this because there are other regulatory regimes that are taking care of those areas.
The handling of food in an unsafe manner: must a person know if they are handling a food in an unhygienic manner, and what are the defences if they do not know? That is all encompassed in the bill. There are very clearly defined defences and offences that people will be subject to under this regulatory regime.
False description of food is related to physical harm; it is not about the aesthetics or the moral or cultural value applied to a particular food. I guess you could say that, if someone was knowingly and deliberately purveying unclean food to an Islamic person, then there would be other remedies that they could seek under the law. However, it is certainly not embodied in this act; it will be simply if the food is capable of doing harm to the person who is consuming it.
In clause 17, Misleading conduct regarding food, you asked if clause 17(1) made clauses 17(2) and (3) redundant. It is not redundant but, on a tight reading of the intent of the way those clauses of the bill are drafted, they all do slightly different things. You need all three to do that. If you want that clarified, we can certainly sit down with you and do that. However, if you want to take my word for it, they are all very much required within the intent of the legislation. To give you a broad clue on what each section is doing, clause 17(1) covers registered food business pre-sales; clause 17(2) covers unregistered situations; and clause 17(3) covers packaging and labelling once the food is sold. There are three aspects of the activity of running a food business.
You asked what the difference between clauses 60 and 63 was. Clause 60 covers items that are seized but not necessarily forfeited, and the other one is where they have been both seized and forfeited and, in the case of a successful appeal to the local court, have to then be returned under the provisions in the bill.
Clause 70, regarding registration, I am not sure. What was the point there? That is dealing with the scope of the need to register. I have given you a fair undertaking that it is certainly not intended to have these one-off charitable community-based events. One thing I will do is table the application form for registration. As you can see, it is not a gigantic, bureaucratic paper chase. It is a tick the box, two pages. It gives you some of the contact details of the applicant obviously, the category of food business that it falls into with about 20 boxes - you just tick the ones that apply to your activity. ‘Do you provide, produce or manufacturer any of the following goods?’ and it gives the types of food products that you might be handling. There are further questions about the nature of the business. ‘Are you a small business?’; ‘Is the food you provide, produce or manufacturer ready to eat when sold to the consumer?’. The answer provides the scope of the business. Manufacturing and processing businesses have a couple of questions there, and so do retailers; and then the location of the premises where the food is being handled for sale. It is probably about a 10-minute task to fill that out, so we are not talking a big imposition of bureaucracy on businesses.
Currently, there are 578 registered eating houses under the current legislation. We estimate about 1850 food businesses will come under this new regime. Therefore, it is certainly wider. To cover that, it is a simple no cost registration and it establishes for us an effective database of wherever food is being handled to the general public within our community. We tried to keep this as absolutely low impact as we possibly could, both in any impost in time or money on businesses operating in our community.
The other assurance I can give you is that - and the point has been made by the member for Casuarina already – the role of the Environmental Health Officers who will carry this legislation is not purely policing and enforcing of the regulatory regime. They are there to interact with the food businesses to, basically, work through the types of issues you have referred such as like hygiene, hygienic handling and the quality assurance that needs to be brought to bear on any business that is purveying food into the community.
It is an interactive process where the EHO will do rounds of visiting food handling places such as the Mindil Beach Markets, go around to the stalls, look at how they operating, point out ways that they might improve the hygiene, or come within the regulations more. That process is far more important than the formal end of it where action might be taken against a small percentage of businesses to bring them up to scratch.
The proof of the pudding is that most of the penalties and offences that are in this legislation already exist. They are in the current legislation which is operating day-by-day in the Northern Territory. You do not hear much about it. You do not hear any great groundswell of discontent about the current regulation. I would expect, with a clearer piece of legislation and a consistent regime around Australia, we are probably, if anything, going to take whatever little heat - you are always going to get shonky operators in a small proportion of the community who do need to be kept in line with acceptable public safety levels. There is going to be that role always with the Environmental Health Officers.
However, what I am pointing out is that they are our greatest resource in going around and installing this new regulatory regime across a wider representation of food handling or food businesses within our community. I have absolute confidence, having met the Environmental Health Officer whom we are working with on this legislation and hearing the type of role description they gave themselves for the work, that that is going to be done with flexibility, intelligence and sensitivity, but with firmness where there needs to be firmness. It is not a job that you give an unskilled person. We are not giving these jobs to unskilled people. They are trained university graduates who are capable of making strategic decisions about the best way to ensure the public safety in these matters.
I hope I have covered all your concerns. I would like to again thank members for the support that you have expressed to this important piece of legislation. Finally, I would like to thank Xavier Schobben here, the other people who have worked on the legislation - it is a very good piece of work and I have great confidence bringing this into the House - and the previous minister for health who also had a lot to do with its early development. I believe this is going to be very beneficial new legislation in the Northern Territory.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Dr TOYNE (Health)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, as I said before, we are not going into the committee section of the bill could I say, in a summary, that there are still concerns and, because we cannot debate those …
Ms Lawrie: Get a briefing next time.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, member for Karama.
Ms Lawrie: My pleasure.
Mr WOOD: The minister had raised some issues there that I think would need clarification, and I will get a briefing on those. However, it is important to understand that the minister mentioned people can apply, and things like exemptions. The act says under ‘food business’, a business which handles food for sale is regarded as a food business regardless of whether it is commercial, charitable or of a community nature. I understand that the minister has said there will be exemptions.
The problem is we do not know what those exemptions are. For those that existed in the act, without seeing the exemptions, my understanding is that there will be a requirement - if you read that as it is – that the cricket club, the Lion’s Club, the Rotary Club, the Landcare group or whatever, as charitable organisations, are running a food business and would be required to fill in an application form, which I understand is not onerous. However, then, of course, someone has to approve them as being registered. I presume the authorising authority is the Chief Health Officer. Will their premises have to be inspected? Will I, as politician, doing something of a community nature, have my barbecue inspected?
I understand the minister said they will be exempt. What I am concerned about is what the exemption list looks like and who will deliver it to these people to tell them they are exempt?
They are the concerns I have. I am happy to have a briefing, but it is one of those things these groups would really like to know.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I will not be mean-spirited about this. You are raising what was always going to be a question about the scope of the application of this new legislation. I cannot tell you in an immediate and detailed way what exemptions have been put in place. What I can do is give you an undertaking, here on the public record, that we will go through the process – this legislation will commence about mid-year – and, as soon as the exemptions are known, I am quite happy to bring them back here. I am quite happy to arrange a briefing on where they finally lie.
If we have problems out there in the community, we will deal with them. If there is something that someone time-honoured has done, such as the annual sausage sizzle at Freds Pass or whatever it is, if it is having an untoward effect on those, we will deal with it.
We are not trying to shut down the beating heart of the community talking over issues over a sizzling sausage. That is not the intent of this reform and, if that is the outcome of it in some isolated cases, we will fix it. Ultimately, as with all legislation, we are answerable back to this House on its impact on the community. I am more than happy to both brief you on it and bring information back to members if there is some unintended effect. I can definitely say there is no intention to impact on those types of activities.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I make a statement on the progress made by this government in relation to employment and training in 2003, and to outline the government’s agenda for 2004. It is a progress report on how the government is rolling out the Jobs Plan we announced last year - the Territory’s first ever Jobs Plan.
Better education and training for all Territorians is a key commitment of this government. We recognise the importance of access to quality education and training opportunities for all Territorians so that they can enjoy high wage and high-skilled jobs. We are building a skilled and competitive work force supported buy an innovative and responsive education and training agenda.
At the outset, I want to congratulate the staff of the Employment and Training Division of the department for the tremendous effort in 2003. They, along with my office, did a remarkable job in piecing together a very complex and strategic Jobs Plan. They have been tireless in implementing it, and I am grateful for those extraordinary efforts.
The Jobs Plan laid out the government’s priorities in employment and training: jobs for Territorians; increased numbers of apprenticeships and traineeships; training to better meet the needs of industry, business and the community; more funding for small business for apprentices and trainees, particularly in traditional trades; an emphasis on preparing young Territorians for the work force through closer links between schools and industry and better career advice; and boosting indigenous employment by offering better career pathways, better matching of training to jobs and better learning support.
Not only did we set priorities, we have taken action to meet them. We have committed funds to employment, vocational education and training programs and initiatives over three years: $110m to train, re-train and prepare Territorians for employment and to increase community building capacity; $33m to fund and support the training of 7000 apprentices and trainees; $1.2m over three years to provide pre-vocational training for Territorians to assist them gain apprenticeships or traineeships; and $7m in incentives for employers to increase the employment of apprentices and trainees in small business, traditional trades, public sector and community local councils.
In our performance to date, I can inform the House that we have released $38m in contract offers to registered training organisations to provide and support a broad range of vocational, education and training programs and courses. The funding provides Territorians with access to training and skills development across a vast array of qualifications. The department has offered contracts to 27 Northern Territory registered training organisations for the delivery of training to apprentices and trainees in 2004. Twenty-five of the 27 registered training organisations are private providers. Funding commitment from government for this initial release of user choice apprenticeship funding is appropriately $9m for training in around 180 apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications across 16 industry sectors. We are providing $2m in 2004 to support additional training and administrative costs associated with apprenticeships and traineeships.
I am pleased to report that the initial round of the Northern Territory Employment Incentive Scheme was implemented as of 1 February 2004. Close to $1m will be made available to private sector employers to employ additional apprentices and trainees in small business, skill shortage trade areas and in local community councils. Over the next few month, eligible employers from across the Territory will access incentives for employing additional apprentices and trainees. The incentives include: $2200 for eligible small business employers; $7700 - with $4400 initial payment and $3300 on completion of the apprenticeship - in identified skill shortage trade apprenticeships; and $4400 - with $3000 initial payment and $1400 on completion - for local community councils.
It is a great opportunity for all employers, especially employers who have never had an apprentice or trainee, or who have the capacity to take on additional apprentices and trainees to take advantage of these and Commonwealth government incentives to provide Territorians with career opportunities and to assist in growing their business. The government has also set itself a target of taking on an additional 200 apprentices and trainees over three years. One hundred Territorians will be offered apprenticeships and traineeships in the public sector in 2004.
I am pleased to inform the House the overall number of Territorians commencing and training as apprentices and trainees is growing. On 31 December 2001, there were 2100 apprentices and trainees in training, with 1800 having entered into training contracts that year. As of December 2003, departmental records show in excess of 2600 apprentices and trainees in training, with a projected intake of around 2100 for the year. It is expected this trend will continue to grow as the government’s employer incentives kick in, and as a result of the Get VET marketing program. Importantly, we saw 900 apprentices and trainees complete in 2001, with a jump to 1100 completions in 2002.
The government is making a substantial investment in pre-vocational programs to prepare young Territorians for apprenticeships and traineeships. Riding on the back of the successful pre-vocational programs in the automotive, electrical and aviation sectors, the government has allocated $1.2m over three years to run further programs to better prepare Territorians for apprenticeships and traineeships in skill shortage areas.
A good example of how investment, in preparing Territorians for training, pays off is in the aviation industry. I had the good fortune to attend the Northern Territory Aviation Institute in 2003, which saw substantial government investment and training to support the aviation industry in the Territory. I am advised the industry has indicated eight of the 17 completing students available for employment in the industry are to be signed into apprenticeships. For the first time, we will not have to send our aviation apprentices interstate for training as we now have that capacity in Darwin.
While pre-vocational courses assist those with an interest in apprenticeships and traineeships to better transition to structured training, it is important we provide our school students with a taste of what is on offer in these areas. One of the most important and successful initiatives in this respect is the Vocational Education Training in Schools program. In 2003, the government provided $715 000 to VET in Schools funding. The funding provided 750 Northern Territory school students with the opportunity to access vocational education and training while still at school. Funding for VET in Schools has been increased to $980 000 in 2004. Over 830 young Territorians will have access to vocational education and training while at school this year.
A further success story in the Territory and testament to the effectiveness of this government’s policy with young people has been the growth in school-based apprenticeship and traineeships. With just 19 commencements in 2001, we saw 137 students undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in 2003, and this is projected to grow to 180 in 2004. That is a remarkable growth rate.
Government recognises we must market to our young people the benefits of undertaking structured training. The challenge for government and industry is to spark additional interest from our young people embarking on these employment options. In late 2003, I launched the government’s Get VET campaign aimed at raising the public profile of vocational education and training to promote the benefits of training in apprenticeships and traineeships. Before we move to phase 2 of the campaign, an independent evaluation will occur in March. That evaluation and consultation with stakeholders will guide the direction for the next stage of the Get VET campaign to be relaunched in the second half of 2004.
Under the Training for Remote Youth program, the government injected $1m in 2003 to provide 14-year-olds to 19-year-olds in regional remote localities with access to vocational education training programs. The funding supported 44 programs in 27 communities, with the training provided by 14 registered training organisations. In 2004, $1.2m in contracts have been offered for the delivery of 58 programs in 25 communities or community clusters, involving 11 registered training organisations.
The government is working with indigenous Territorians, industry groups and the Commonwealth to provide opportunities to access skills development and jobs. As an example, I have been advised negotiations are occurring with the Northern Land Council and Territory Construction Association for the delivery of pre-vocational training for indigenous people in welding, general construction and hospitality. Under these arrangements, DEET will commit funding of approximately $250 000 for the training of students, with the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations covering mentoring and administrative expenses. DEET is seeking to strike an agreement with the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the McArthur River Mine to conduct a training program for indigenous people on entry into mining.
Late last year, I viewed the end product of a specialised vocational education and training taster program developed by Charles Darwin University and Kormilda College. It involved 70 indigenous secondary school students from Kormilda College, St Johns College and Northern Territory Christian schools. I was impressed with the work that the people from these institutions had done on this project. I was even more impressed by the obvious enthusiasms and skills of the young indigenous people on the program. I am pleased to advise that DEET will contribute to the funding of the 2004 program. Forty-eight to 50 indigenous students will attend training two days a week to gain competencies within the sport and recreational, seafood, and automotive industry areas.
In 2003 and 2004, the government has allocated $2.1m each year to fund a range of training initiatives through flexible response funding and community response programs. Under these programs, indigenous communities identify training needs to cover the following areas: upskilling and re-skilling for community labour shortages; responsive ongoing skills development to assist in community capacity; and accredited and non-accredited adult community education.
In further improving employment and training services in regional centres across the Territory, an information and communication technology upgrade in July 2003 saw 117 new computers and ancillary equipment installed in DEET’s four regional training centres at Jabiru, Nhulunbuy, Katherine and Tennant Creek. In the near future, DEET intends to pilot the roll-out of an interactive distance learning system to the centres. IDL will allow the provision of flexible on-line learning for regional Territorians.
I mentioned under the Jobs Plan the government has emphasised the need to increase the training effort in the skill shortage and the traditional trade areas. In 2004, DEET increased the hourly rate it will pay registered training organisations to deliver training in the building and construction, automotive, electrical, and engineering industry sectors. Not only is this a means of compensating for the additional costs involved in training in these trade areas, it is also a strategy to improve the quality and responsiveness of training in sectors of industry so essential to economic growth in the Territory. I am also pleased to advise that, by increasing the hourly rate and, through cooperative negotiations, particularly with Charles Darwin University, we have been able to increase the annual hours curriculum and the funding dedicated to training in these industry sectors.
Another examples of the government responding to industry needs is in the area of additional training in welding. In 2003, DEET provided funding totalling $110 000 to support advanced welding courses that saw 25 local tradespeople graduate at the international ASME IX standard. A further $310 000 was provided to Charles Darwin University to upgrade the training facility and equipment and to ensure a safe training environment in the welding area. Charles Darwin University is now recognised by the Welding Training Institute of Australia as an approved training body to deliver training to international standards.
For the first time, the Territory will see a coordinated and structured approach across government agencies in relation to employment and training. All government agencies will be required to complete an employment and skills development impact statement as part of the Cabinet submission process. Officers from DEET are currently consulting with agencies on the proposed guidelines associated with implementation of this impact statement. The key objectives of the impact statement will assess the nett impact on employment either across the Territory or on a particular region; the impact on training and the potential for training opportunities, if any; and whether the training is to be publicly or privately funded. The impact statement will ensure Cabinet is better informed of employment and training implications associated with government policy, legislative and investment decisions. It is proposed the impact statement will be introduced in March 2004.
One of the most important components of the Jobs Plan is the development of Workforce NT. This will provide the first comprehensive report on the statement of employment with Territory. The report will provide government, industry and the community with information on: skill shortages; regional employment; indigenous employment; employment for disadvantaged Territorians; employment growth forecasts by occupation and industry; the impact of work force and employment trends on the Northern Territory; and employment impacts of major projects and government initiatives.
One area of disappointment in 2003 was the breakdown in negotiations with the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training under the 2004-06 Australian National Training Authority Agreement. The Territory, like the other states and territories, entered the negotiations in good faith with a commitment to striking a three-year funding arrangement with the Commonwealth that would underpin VET in line with the national VET strategy and the Territory priorities. Unfortunately, issues of contention could not be resolved and the Commonwealth, in the end, agreed with the states’ and territories’ proposal to roll over the 2001-03 ANTA Agreement to cover 2004.
This government will continue to boost the skills of Territorians to meet the demands of the work force. The work force is continuing to grow, as the latest figures for employment show. The Territory government will work with the Commonwealth to ensure a quality VET system that meets industry, individual and community needs, just as we will continue to build on our partnerships with industry, business, unions and the community to maximise employment and training opportunities for all Territorians.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement on employment and training. What he had to say was generally positive, and I look forward to great outcomes from the plan that he has introduced. In handing out accolades, I need to make some criticism as well. Minister, your government actually came in to the 2001 election with a huge job plan that you announced that you had, and was going to show us what it was going to be after the election. However, that did not appear for some two-and-a-half years. Obviously, somewhere, somehow, someone said something wrongly and it has taken a while for this Job Plan to appear.
This Job Plan however, I must say, is a reasonably positive one with some monies provided so the programs can be implemented. As far as the money allocation is concerned, there is a significant amount of money there, but we will see how well it is spread out and whether he can produce the programs and projects that the minister so keenly spoke about.
You may recall that another time I spoke about employment and training and I commented that, under the CLP government, we will be very keen to ensure that there are sufficient careers counsellors appointed within the education system to ensure that all our students obtain specialised counselling with regards to the career choices that they can make. For too long now, we have found that our students are not getting adequate careers counselling, many of the careers counsellors who have been provided for them have been literally plucked out of the teacher population, and many of these teachers have no experience other than their teaching career. Having careers counsellors specifically appointed from industry will provide these students with a much better perspective on careers they can follow.
Regarding what the government is doing in trying to promote training among our youth, there is a growing concern that, obviously, the money, while being promised, is not there. First, we hear about programs such as DTAL falling over. I am not certain why the minister has allowed this to happen. It is such a great program for our kids at school, where they can go and learn the theory in the classroom, and go from there to get their learner’s permit to then achieve a driver’s licence. Minister, this question has been put to you before, and we have not seen any considered action on your or TIO’s part to put the rumours to rest that DTAL is going to cease altogether. It is a good program that school kids of 16 years of age have been able to use to get their drivers’ licences.
As regards employment and jobs, minister, during Question Time you harangued the opposition for loss of jobs. Let me just give you some real statistics that you can work on. In May 2000, there were 72 000 full-time jobs. In June 2000, there were 71 600 jobs, and there was a slight decrease again in July, to 71 300 jobs. Then it started to decline. In August 2000, the full-time job numbers were 71 400. In September 2000, the numbers were 71 700. In October 2000, the numbers went up to 72 100.
To compare those figures with what happened this year, in January 2004, full-time jobs in the Northern Territory numbered 71 900. The last time it was below 72 000 jobs was in September 2000. You cannot say that your government has delivered on jobs when your absolute number of full-time jobs is below 72 000. Under the CLP, we handed it over to you at a time when the jobs were at a reasonable level. The CLP had a great program and, for some reason, it fell over when you took over government. People left the Northern Territory in droves and, had it not been for the railway project which brought in some 1400 jobs during its construction, we would have had absolutely diabolical numbers.
Had you introduced your Jobs Plan - which came some two-and-a-half years too late - right at the very beginning, perhaps we would not have seen such a great downturn in job numbers. You can say: ‘Oh, well, our job numbers have gone up of late’. If you look at the real stats, they demonstrate quite clearly that full-time jobs have gone down. The numbers of people employed have been padded up by part-time jobs. That is all it is. You know full well what they are. It is very easy to demonstrate that, had it not been for part-time jobs being so readily available in the Northern Territory, our employment rate would be a lot worse than it is today.
I want to now come to apprenticeships and what the Northern Territory government is trying to do. The Jobs Plan announced in this is reasonably good. The funding that has been provided for businesses to take on apprentices and trainees is reasonably encouraging. However, it is still early days. I do not believe that a quantum of subsidy is really meaningful at all - $2000 for an employer to take on a young trainee may not be adequate. Talk to some of the employers out there in the motor mechanics and motor servicing companies. When they take on an apprentice, for the first year-and-a-half to two years, those apprentices actually cost them money. It costs because those apprentices are not at the productive stage of their training. I recall doing that myself - training medical students and young doctors. They, in fact, cost you a lot of time and the compensation by government is never ever adequate. It is important for the government to understand that, to try and get our apprentice numbers up, there has to be some meaningful compensation to employers to ensure that they can spend their time in assisting the young trainees and apprentices.
The other thing that apprentices face is the cost of living. In their first year, they receive well below what a tradesman would receive. Sometimes, the income that they receive is even below what they can live on. There may be a possibility or an avenue here for you to consider assisting apprentices in a financial way, to encourage them to stay within their apprenticeships.
With the recent development of the Charles Darwin University, the minister was very encouraging in speaking about how vocational education and training could be provided through that avenue, and also through vocational education and training in schools. I draw the minister back to the model that Centralian College and Alice Springs High School has. Those two institutions have provided vocational education in schools, and vocational education per se in a very successful way. With the amalgamation of Centralian College with the Northern Territory University, I fear that there is going to be a huge dilution of the impact that those institutions in Alice Springs can provide. There are concerns now that a lot of the TAFE that was promised to be retained in Alice Springs will be transferred to, and be administered from, Darwin.
Centralian College has demonstrated for nearly 10 years that it is a very capable, efficient organisation. By moving the bulk of the administration to Darwin, and managed within a culture of higher education, I am concerned that what will happen is that the efficiency of the vocational education and training in the Northern Territory will be very significantly diminished. If that is the case, then all the heartache that all the staff have gone through to ensure the peaceful and smooth amalgamation of the institutions to the Charles Darwin University, will be such a waste.
The minister spoke about getting indigenous Territorians into the VET system as well. That is a marvellous aspiration. It was good to see a fine example of this – ADrail, during the construction of the railway line, was able to have more indigenous employees than they ever anticipated. Their numbers far exceeded their targets by almost 100%. If that is the case, that is a good indication of what appropriate Vocational Education and Training can do. If you give the training of appropriate level to people who are interested in it, then it becomes very meaningful.
One of the things we talked about is Just in Time training, as it is called. When somebody needs to have a particular skill, you offer that skill at the time that they need it, then the training will be retained. The person who is interested in it will then learn that skill very quickly because that skill is needed at that time – just in time. If we continue to follow that model, I believe that students in high schools, and people in Vocational Education and Training will also benefit greatly.
However, it comes down now to how we promote Vocational Education and Training in schools because, if we do not start looking after our kids in school, then we are not going to get very many qualified tradesmen over the next few years. They have been getting fewer and fewer since the early 1990s when there was a sudden fall in numbers. Today, we see why we are so short of tradesmen.
Many students will go to school, learn their lessons and then come through to secondary high school. I do not know whether members realise that some 70% of senior secondary high school students are not particularly interested in going to university - 70%. What do we do with them? If we keep on pushing them to go to Year 12 and aspire to be high academic achievers when they are really, in fact, not interested, then they are not going to be interested in learning and are not going to achieve the academic skills that we hope that they will. It would be better for these kids to be given careers counselling so that they will choose a vocation or a trade as their primary choice. I believe it is important for us, as members of parliament, to start talking about vocations, traineeships and trades as the primary choice for many of our students.
For so long, the debate on education has been all about higher education and about aspiring to go to universities. The reality is, only 30% of our Year 12 cohort get to universities and, of those, only 50% will actually end up graduating and acquiring a degree. We have, in fact, 85% of our senior secondary school students not coming out with a university degree. Let us concentrate on that 85%. That is a very big population and the one we should be encouraging to take up employment and training in non-university type courses. Again I say that, in schools, if given good careers counselling, they will then make the right choices. Schools themselves then need to provide the VET in Schools type programs and TAFE or VET institutions - whatever you call them these days - should be focussing on these kids to try to design courses that are attractive to them.
I continue to use the Centralian College model because it was a model that worked very well in Alice Springs. High school students in Year 11 could, in fact, go through school and, at the same time, undertake some VET subjects. Those subjects allow the students to then cross the school/TAFE barrier and do subjects and courses within a TAFE college. Often, they can come out at the end of Year 12 with both a high school certificate as well as a TAFE award. That TAFE award can often help them enter into industry very easily and quickly. Again, VET in Schools can do exactly the same thing: the students will actually be school-based trainees, as we call them, and spend a couple of days in industry and three days at school. Those two days per week they will be spending in industry will given them a taste of what working in industry is like. Sometimes it might not work so they swap to a different type of industry to have another sample of it to see what it is like and then, hopefully, in due time they would have enough experience to decide that there is particular career that they want to follow. Having that in schools will definitely allow our kids to get more use out of their education than just trying to be academic high achievers when they know that they are not interested, and going to universities when they have just been pushed in their by their teachers, schools and parents and are never going to be successful at the end of the time.
What other incentives can we give industry to try to take on all these trainees, apart from this job plan that the government has provided? We talk about the subsidies, but what we do not have is the employment base. We talked about how many jobs have been lost in this afternoon’s Question Time. We said that, since this Labor government has been in power, we have lost just a little more than 13 jobs each and every week. That is a huge loss of full-time jobs – a huge loss – and we had better start looking at what caused it and the government better start reversing this trend. Obviously, the government agrees that there has been a huge full-time job loss because, as I said early this afternoon, the Minister for Employment, Education and Training had revised his estimate for employment growth for this financial year 2003-04 from 2% down to 1%. In over the six months, he has seen the drop in employment and anticipates that the growth rate is not likely to be as big as he anticipated only six months ago.
The minister spoke about the employment and schools development impact statement that he is going to bring about. I am cautiously supportive of that. It is good to see government agencies required to provide government with an impact statement to see how they are doing, how they themselves are fostering or encouraging job development, and how they are also helping the community to get more jobs. It is also important for government to recognise that they need to have better policies to increase jobs. What interested me was a media release put out by the Deputy Chief Minister just recently. He used the words that he had the first meeting or an unprecedented meeting with industry to canvass their ideas. I cannot find that media release easily, unfortunately. However, if that were true, that really concerns me. How could the Deputy Chief Minister, the Treasurer, say it was the very first meeting he has had with industry to canvass the ideas? That is the problem with this government: they do not talk to people. When people want to talk to them, they cannot get to them. There is no access to government, and it has been the problem. Talk to most people who try to get access to the ministers, and all they get is a whole heap of minders getting in their way.
I spoke to a trainer in the TAFE section in the Northern Territory and asked him how we could enhance the numbers of students in Vocational Education and Training. He supported my thought that it is important to have good careers counsellors and, if the teachers are now going to be used as career counsellors, then there must be a means to change the mindset of teachers so they are not just university focussed. These teachers must also have some industry experience, whether that be through the teachers themselves actually going into industry for a week at a time to learn about industry so they can bring that information to the schools. Better still would be for teachers to be a lot more inclusive and invite different professions to come to schools to talk to students.
I was told a story that an engineering association offered to go to one of the schools to speak to the students and the careers counsellor, who was the teacher doing careers counselling as a part-time load, said: ‘Oh, we have never offered engineering careers counselling in this school because there are no students who are interested in engineering’. The engineer said: ‘Well, let us give it a go, anyway. Seeing that you have not had any students interested and you have not offered any engineering careers counselling, how are we to know for sure whether the students could have been interested in engineering or not?’ Anyway, after the engineers went to the school and talked to the students, they ended up with three applications from students of that school to take up engineering. So there you go; it is a chicken and egg thing. If you have teachers who are not promoting a particular career, then you are not likely to get students who are going to be interested in it.
The other thing this instructor told me about was that, in days gone by, before a student was allowed to take up an apprenticeship, there was a requirement for the student to be pre-tested. That identified whether the student had literacy and numeracy skills or deficiencies; whether there was an aptitude for the student to take up a particular trade. That pre-testing has gone by the wayside, and I understand that it disappeared when the ITC industry - I cannot remember the right name; it will come back to me in a minute - decided that pre-testing was not necessary and, as a result, there have been many apprentices who have gone into their first year and found that they did not have the prerequisite skills to undertake their apprenticeship. Today, with computer skills being very important in all sorts of trades, if you do not have literacy and numeracy skills, then it makes it very difficult for that young fellow or young woman to undertake the apprenticeship successfully.
The other issue regarding jobs for Territorians is mature-age apprenticeships. If a student has left school and decided not to take up an apprenticeship in the first place and has gone to work for a motor mechanic just as a junior labourer, if this young person then continued to work for the business for some six to nine months as a labourer and then decided at that time that they would like to be a motor mechanic, this young person could no longer plug into the apprenticeship scheme and get any subsidy from government. The employer now has to carry the full load of this apprentice who will be starting from scratch as though he or she had just left school.
That is unfair. I do not believe that anyone who wants to take up an apprenticeship should be treated differently from someone who has just left school and gone into an apprenticeship. You could be a mature-age person who wants desperately to be a motor mechanic - you are in your 30s, you have worked for 12 months or so for an employer as a labour and nothing more. You suddenly decide that yes, you are interested in a particular industry and you want to up-skill yourself through an apprenticeship. That should be supported, and I believe that this government should look at that very seriously. To have a mature-age person taking up an apprenticeship, it would be very unreasonable of the employer to pay this mature-age apprentice a junior apprentice start-up wage, which can be something in the order of about $5.50 per hour. You could not have a mature-age person doing that when that person, in fact, would have probably been earning more as a labourer than as an apprentice. Therefore, the employer has to take on this mature-age person at a higher wage scale. Such a scheme would be very useful.
Finally, with the couple of minutes that I have left, I want to stress my concern that the Charles Darwin University VET section is in some turmoil at the moment. I am sure the minister knows about it. If he does not, then he needs to go and speak to the vocational education sector of Charles Darwin University. There is a lot of uncertainty in continuation of work; how it is going to be administered; how courses are going to be delivered to trainees living outside of Darwin. That is a real concern. Employers will tell you, while bush apprentices would like to come into town for weeks at a time on block release to do their training, urban-based employers prefer to have their trainees do their theoretical training at the Charles Darwin University on day release because that provides the employer with a greater connection with the student. Usually, after a week block release, or usually longer, the student or apprentice returns to the employer, who has to then rejig the whole thing to get the trainee back into the right mindset for the workplace.
With those few words, I support the statement. I cautiously believe it is positive, and there is money involved in it, and I look forward to some positive outcomes out of the Jobs Plan.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I inform members of the Jobs Plan initiatives in my portfolios of Health, Justice and Central Australia. I am pleased to observe that the initiatives in all of these portfolio areas contribute to achievement of the objectives of the Jobs Plan by maximising employment and training opportunities for Territorians, making a significant contribution to community capacity building, and assisting in growing the Northern Territory economy and industry.
Taking Central Australia, this government’s Job Plan initiatives are really making an impact in our community. I was delighted last Friday to be able to present awards to the 10 Alice Springs graduates of the 2003 Northern Territory Public Service Apprenticeship Scheme. I am even more delighted to report to members that my own daughter, Alexandra, is starting on one of those apprenticeships right now in my old agency of Corporate and Information Services. It is great to see her being taken under the wing of some very good public servants who will bring her into the public administration processes. All the graduates have completed a Certificate III in Business Studies, and they were a very impressive group of young women. They had clearly not only enjoyed the course, but had very well-rounded skills and great sense of team work. Congratulations to their trainers and supervisors for what was clearly a job well done.
That is why I am particularly delighted that this government has provided close to an extra $1m a year to the scheme, tripling what was already available. This will ensure not just more opportunities for young people, but a much greater mix of graduates from different backgrounds. The $7m over three years to assist private sector employers to take on new and additional apprentices and trainees will be welcomed by the Alice Springs community. One of the greatest costs to business is recruitment, and one of the best ways to address this is by investing in our own young people, both indigenous and non-indigenous. More and more young people who have spent their life here are choosing to stay, or to leave for a few years but return. What better incentive to return is there than to offer real training and real jobs?
Last week, I announced the allocation of almost $20m to the construction of the first part of the Desert Knowledge Precinct. This will not only create almost 250 jobs over three years, but all tenders will be seeking to maximise the training and employment of indigenous workers. With assistance of organisations such as Footprints Forward, the opportunity exists to make a real impact on indigenous employment.
The Footprints Forward concept was developed from the Alice in 10 Quality of Life project and the indigenous employment challenge. It was developed in response to concerns with the unemployment rate amongst indigenous people in Alice Springs, and the difficulty employers and prospective employees have with navigating through various agencies. Footprints Forward aims to target young indigenous people who demonstrate an active interest in employment and require additional support to successfully maintain employment. Their services include providing mentoring, placements into school-based apprenticeships, work experience and structured employment programs, referrals to job network providers, employer awareness visits, cross-cultural brokerage, and conducting skills audits. Footprints Forward board of management was elected in November 2003 and represents business, government, indigenous organisations, and education bodies working in partnership to help our young people achieve employment.
I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that the Department of Health and Community Services has made significant progress towards achieving the objectives of the jobs plan: indigenous employment and career development. By May 2004, the Department of Health and Community Services will have completed a comprehensive review of its Aboriginal employment and career development strategy to enhance what was already a successful strategy. The department has undertaken many initiatives to bring indigenous people into the health work force. For example, the department participated in the entry level employment program for 2004 coordinated by the Department of Corporate and Information Services, and nominated 13 STEP trainees for 2004. The department has increased its indigenous cadetship program from 10 to 12, with a planned mid-year intake of another two cadets and school-to-work students starting in March.
Over the past two years, DHCS has been supporting traineeships with the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Remote Health. These traineeships support indigenous people through an apprenticeship specific to indigenous health and research. There are many initiatives already under way in the Department of Health and Community Services to assist indigenous staff in their employment and career development.
DHCS has supported six indigenous men in the indigenous men’s leadership program being run by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment. The concept was originally developed as a recommendation from the Ross River indigenous men’s health conference 1999, and came to fruition in July 2003 with 25 indigenous men from all agencies taking part. All of the 25 men will graduate with a Diploma in Frontline Management at Charles Darwin University in May 2004.
My department is working with the University of New England to develop an Aboriginal health management training program. The program is supported through the College of Health Service Executives and will assist indigenous staff through a degree in health management.
Retention and recruitment strategies aimed at indigenous employees includes the indigenous mentorship program. The program was developed in 2002 for the personal and professional development of DHCS indigenous staff. Another retention program to be introduced is the indigenous rotation and exchange program which will provide indigenous staff with the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge through exposure to different areas of the department. A long-term goal is rotation and exchange programs across NTPS agencies.
Recruitment and retention strategies: in recognition of the national and international shortage of skilled nurses, DHCS has specifically been developing a range of recruitment and retention initiatives targeting the nursing profession. These include:
the ongoing implementation of the nursing graduates program. This program provides a supportive environment
for nurse graduates employed in the NT hospitals, through structured education and training, and support by the
clinical nurse educators in the workplace;
a recruitment support unit has been established to provide an NT-wide coordinated approach to nursing recruitment;
and
the 2003 nursing marketing campaign is currently being reviewed for continuation in 2004.
Discussions are also under way with the Western Australian Department of Health to develop a joint partnership for the recruitment of remote area nurses. This partnership will see us working with, rather than competing against, Western Australia for resources that will provide nursing experience across jurisdictions. My announcement yesterday of the certification of the new enterprise bargaining agreement with the Australian Nursing Federation puts us in a strong position to attract new nursing staff. In fact, it makes us the most competitive jurisdiction except for New South Wales. The agreement provides our nurses with an 11% increase in salary over three years, with greater increases for many nurses through improvements in allowances and the introduction of extra classifications in the nursing career structure.
Recognising that it is not easy to access tertiary education, we have granted undergraduate and post-graduate nursing scholarships to the value of $136 800, and developed a paid re-entry program for nurses wishing to return to the profession after a period of absence. In the most recent grant round, in December 2003, a total of 52 applicants were awarded funding support.
In 2001, the Labor government committed funding up to $11.58m over four years for 75 additional hospital nursing positions. To date, the department has created 38 new nursing positions which include a range of specialist positions such as clinical nurse educators, nurse managers, renal and midwifery nurses, as well a general ward nurses. I am pleased to say that the department is on track to meet the target of 75 additional places.
Education and training for health professionals in the Northern Territory is one of the key planks of the Jobs Plan to maximise training and education programs to Territorians. DHSC managers arrange studies assistance grants schemes, one of which is accessible to medical students seeking funding supporting their studies. The studies assistance grant scheme is open to both internal and external applicants for a variety of vocational and higher education courses, short courses, conferences, workshops, or other professional development activities which are relevant to the health and community services industry in the Northern Territory. Whilst higher education contribution scheme fees are not funded under the scheme, associated support requirements such as amenities fees, text books, air fares, accommodation, medical equipment and uniforms are eligible to be funded.
Access to the scheme by medical students remains very high. In the most recent grants round in December 2003, medical students were the second highest category to receive funding support, with 14 applicants. The highest category was nursing with 22 successful applicants. There is also a partnership arrangement between DHCS and the Flinders University of South Australia whereby an NT quota of 10 places is made available for local students to complete their final years of study within the NT.
DHCS has a close relationship with Charles Darwin University and is involved in many levels of education and training for future professional staff in the health sector of the Northern Territory. For example, the nursing education council forum provides the opportunity to discuss issues on nursing education at the undergraduate and post-graduate and workplace levels. The forum comprises regular meetings with the Charles Darwin and Flinders Universities, plus private and public hospitals, community agency, and aged-care organisations. The department also provides educational support to clinical nurse educators at the Charles Darwin University in relation to skills development for their own professional development in clinical application. The department is engaged in ongoing negotiations with Charles Darwin University regarding the accreditation and joint delivery of courses, and has reached agreement with CDU for the delivery of an undergraduate nursing program - the first offered across the Northern Territory. Some nurse educators in Alice Springs provide clinical education to the Centre for Remote Health, complementing theoretical lectures delivered by CDU staff. DHCS staff are considered adjunct lecturers for the nursing undergraduate program.
A clinical education laboratory has been jointly established and maintained in Alice Springs for the education of CDU nursing undergraduate students and support for student placements, whereby a range of DHCS staff supervise university clinical field experience placement students in both the nursing and allied health areas. These examples show how agencies can work in real partnership with education and training providers to advance the skills base and capacity of our work force.
DHCS has a well-developed plan for professional development and training for its employees. Such development and training is an effective retention strategy and builds capacity in our work force. DHCS manages a range of studies assistance grants schemes that are open to internal and external applicants. I have already mentioned the studies assistance grants scheme and the undergraduate and post-graduate nursing scholarships. My department is contributing strongly to our Jobs Plan.
Like the Department of Health and Community Services, the Department of Justice has made significant steps towards achieving the objectives of the Jobs Plan. In particular, today I will speak of initiatives in indigenous employment and legal training and education.
Taking indigenous employment, the Department of Justice has an internal indigenous employment and career development strategy, which aims to increase the number of indigenous men and women recruited and retained within the department. There are a number of initiatives included in the action plan, ranging from promoting positive achievements of existing indigenous employees to the development of an indigenous mentor support network. The department is currently working on implementing these initiatives.
Justice currently participates in the National Indigenous Cadetship Program, and one law cadet is currently supported through provision of a living allowance, payment of HECs fees and books, and employment during semester breaks within the Department of Justice. The cadet is provided with a mentor who will supervise them during their placement, and also assist where required with their studies. On completion of the law degree, there may be an opportunity to undertake articles with the department and gain admission to the Bar.
Justice plans to expand its participation in formal apprenticeship programs, including the STEP program in the near future.
Legal education and training: the Department of Justice offers several articles of clerkship for law graduates every year in either Public Prosecutions or Legal Services. Recruitment to fill these vacancies is undertaken twice a year, in February and September. Justice also employs graduates on an ad hoc basis to undertake an associateship with a judge for 12 months, in addition to six months of articles. The Department of Justice also employs a number of legal students on various part-time or temporary contracts throughout the year, providing valuable work experience and exposure to the legal environment generally.
In addition to general training for administrative staff, specific and regular legal training is conducted for legal professionals within both the Public Prosecutions and Legal Services divisions. Continuing legal education is necessary for professional staff to maintain their skills and keep their qualifications current. Of course, continuing legal education helps to build capacity in our legal community.
The Department of Justice continues to contribute to training and information sessions conducted by the police, community agencies, schools and CDU. The Director of Public Prosecutions conducts an advocacy course at CDU whilst other professional staff lecture in individual subjects. In this way, the relationship between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and community groups is enhanced.
The Department of Justice, through Correctional Services, continues to recruit prison officers through its prison officer in-training programs. There are currently two programs under way - one in Darwin and one in Alice Springs - with a total of 28 new recruits.
It is increasingly important for recruitment and retention of skilled workers that we develop a workplace culture that enables staff to balance work with family commitments. To this end, the Department of Justice has developed a flexible work practices policy, which addresses a range of flexible work options including part-time work, casual work, job sharing, career breaks, work from home, and use of flex time.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to advise parliament of many initiatives under way in my portfolio areas in support of the Jobs Plan, and I commend the minister’s statement to this Assembly.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I welcome the statement by the Minister for Employment, Education and Training on his government’s agenda for employment and training for Territorians. There would not be one person sitting in this Assembly who does not realise the importance of quality education and training, and who has the desire to have as many Territorians as possible receiving high wages in high skill jobs.
There are some issues facing training in the Territory and some of those are being able to meet the needs of the industry, business and the community; access to appropriate training in regional and remote communities; the cost to small business in regional areas to take on apprentices and trainees; and the flexibility of training to suit all students. The key to successful outcomes for both students and the workplace is to have very close links between schools, training providers and industry.
In particular, I want to talk today about Katherine High School as a model for that scenario. Katherine High School started addressing the challenge of having suitable training for students, matching it with appropriate and available jobs in Katherine around 1995 with the YASA program. This program was replaced by VET, I believe, around 1999. I was fortunate enough, at that time, to address those classes on several occasions in relation to tourism training, so I found that quite exciting.
The advantages of VET are that students have a blend of school, work and TAFE. They will be allowed release time from school; they will have about 18 months training, working 10 hours a week in the workplace; and they have relief time from work to attend TAFE. This program is very flexible and increases the responsibility of the student to still go to school and to follow curriculum. It encourages them to go to work, and also be linked to a registered training provider which will give trade qualification. VET provides flexibility for kids who do not want to go to university, but can also be a pathway to university through Certificate IV level should they choose to go.
I particularly want to talk about how successfully the VET program is working at Katherine High School. I pay credit to teacher, Mrs Lesley Bannan, who is totally committed to ensuring that all students for whom she has responsibility realise their full potential. Lesley’s students are particularly fortunate to have a teacher who has recognised an opportunity for VET students at Katherine High School to be participants in a highly innovative course where three Year 12 subjects, with three quite separate trade qualifications, have been built into one course. The particular focus of these students is on bush tucker, local tourism and local area conservation.
The students are revelling in the course at the moment, which involves them meeting The Ghan train each Tuesday and Wednesday, greeting the passengers and assisting them to board the buses to travel to wherever they are going around Katherine; for example, the gorge, on a town tour, or Springvale Homestead. These students are providing the passengers with tourism information during the trip and also answering any inquiries that they have about Katherine. Therefore, it is up-skilling these students as well. As a result of this valuable experience, the 17 students, of which a third are indigenous, will complete a Certificate II. This highly innovative VET course has approval from DEET and SSABSA and is, of course, closely supervised. It also provides the entire requirement for NTOEC.
Katherine High School has an excellent partnership with Burridj Employment Centre in Katherine, who provide a trainer at no cost to Katherine High School. They also have close liaison with Waikan Employment and Training Services. I am very proud to say that Katherine High School is leading the way with this VET program. I believe the Get VET project in schools is very important for informing and encouraging the students and the wider community in what is available to them.
In Katherine last year, we had five people enter the apprenticeship scheme in health care, aged care, mechanics and hairdressing. I welcome an increase in access to the apprenticeship scheme for all Territorians. Over the years, the Jawoyn have been very successfully training indigenous as tour guides at Nitmiluk.
Some of the issues that arise though, are that small business is suffering in our current climate, and more funding to small business to encourage the employment of trainees or apprentices is very welcome. Another issue arises for education institutions such as the Charles Darwin University in Katherine where suitable courses need to be available for students to participate in the courses of their choice. This is not happening at the moment. People in Katherine have not been able to get their certificates that were completed last year and, in one instance, the year before. Other people are unable to complete their certificates because the course content is now not available in Katherine at Charles Darwin University. Therefore, to ensure all of these schemes are going to be successful, people need to know that, when they start their course, they can be guaranteed they can complete it and receive the certificate to acknowledge their commitment.
Charles Darwin University annexe of Katherine Rural College is now in discussions to establish a target range on the Rural College land, which will meet national standards and will be used as a training ground with accredited trainers.
Minister, in your ministerial statement I see no reference to the breakdown of regional and remote areas where these training programs will be actioned. Many times we see these schemes come into play and happen in the major towns such as, for instance, Alice Springs and Darwin. We need them to also be available in the regional areas and, especially of course, I am talking of Katherine at this time. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of your statements.
Mr BONSON (Millner): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, the government’s Job Plan is getting a fantastic response from business and the community. Businesses are signing up for incentives to put on new apprentices. The Jobs Plan is a first for the Territory. It is the framework of growing and developing our skills base, boosting opportunities for all Territorians, and constructing a highly skilled and flexible work force.
Under Jobs Plan NT the government is providing an extra $7m over three years for a range of employer incentives. The department has advised that, since the incentives became available at the start of February, 22 employers have taken on new apprentices in skill shortage areas, and 13 small businesses have taken on new apprentices or trainees. This is a fantastic start to a program which will support employers in building their work force, particularly those who have never had an apprentice or trainee. All those have had the capacity to take on additional apprentices and trainees.
Today, the minister delivered a new apprenticeship contract to local business Quality Electrical. I had the pleasure to travel to Quality Electrical with the Minister for Employment, Education and Training. A good friend mine, Michael Kathopoulis, is owner/operator of that business and the senior person in the office is his wife, Lisa Kathopoulis. I have known this couple on and off for 15 to 20 years, and I was very pleased that he is at a stage in his business where he is capable of putting on a young man and training him as an electrician. Their business is mainly based on airconditioners. They hope, eventually, to become one of the major suppliers in the Northern Territory. No doubt, with the hard work that Michael, Lisa and their partner John are putting into it, they will be successful. I hope to assist them in the future. Michael and Lisa of Quality Electrical will receive, over the period of the apprenticeship, $7700 in incentives for taking on the apprentice electrician. Under the Employer Incentive Scheme, employers are able to receive incentives for employing apprentices in skills shortage areas including automotive trades, panel beating, vehicle painting, diesel fitting, electrotechnology, systems electrician, refrigeration and airconditioning, engineering, fabrication and mechanical, commercial cookery, bricklaying, carpentry, concreting and steel fixing, plumbing, draining and gasfitting.
Indigenous employment and training activities have a focus, and activities are gathering momentum. Under this government, real outcomes have been delivered, not the rhetoric that we saw under the previous CLP government. We heard again this week in the House the nonsense on employment, education and training from the member for Greatorex - how unusual.
An example of real outcomes has been the success achieved by the Northern Land Council working with government and industry. The NLC recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Job Find Network Australia and is enhancing its program of training courses run in conjunction with the Territory Construction Association. The MOU, signed on 4 February, formalised the relationship between the NLC and Job Find built up over the past two years; first with the provision of employment and training service in the greater Darwin region and now with the expansion of these activities into nine Aboriginal communities across Arnhem Land.
The NLC chief executive, Mr Norman Fry, has said that three-year Arnhem Land contract will see a concerted focus on capacity building in communities such as Galiwinku, Maningrida, Ramingining, Gunbalunya, Warrawi, Minjilang, Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak and Jabiru. This is a good example of how, in a climate of cooperation built up by this government in industry, land councils, the federal government and local registered training organisations, are working together and building the capacity of Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
As is clearly detailed in the Jobs Plan, the priority of this government is to work in partnership with indigenous Territorians and other agencies and organisations, including business and industry, to take advantage of every opportunity to build economic independence and, thereby, improve social and economic outcomes for indigenous Territorians and all Territorians. I am told that the NLC and the TCA are also working on a successful cooperative venture with a Darwin-based company, NT Constructions, with young indigenous Territorians. Of the 21 graduates of that course, 19 have already been placed in either direct employment or apprenticeships. Another three training courses are due to be run in partnership with the TCA in the first half of this year commencing within the next two months.
Access to education, training and employment opportunities for all Territorians is vital to the future of this great Northern Territory, and the government is providing access to opportunities. The government has built a strong VET sector that offers students multiple pathways into careers. We brought a new university to the Territory, a university that extends across the whole of the Territory. We have expanded the capacity of young Territorians to access education and training across pre-vocational and vocational and higher eduction. Under the Jobs Plan, the government has strengthened links with industry by providing $4m over three years to assist school students to become job ready as part of the vocational learning in schools. Our young people are taking up these opportunities; there has been a huge growth in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
Anna Sebbens at the Dripstone High School was telling me that not only were large numbers participating in the school-based apprenticeships, but the students themselves were consistently turning up, participating and conversing with their employers, and getting great training and opportunities to look at what type of profession they want to follow. The extra income that they were able to earn from these school-based apprenticeships did matter; it was pocket money in people’s hands. We are talking about some of these young people, unfortunately, who have, over a fortnight, $2 for pocket money. Therefore, the opportunity through school-based apprenticeships and traineeships to obtain extra income was fantastic and it was working there. I hope to see this increase.
With only 19 commencements in 2001, 137 students undertook school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in 2003, and it is projected that the number will grow to 180 in 2004. This will ensure we are well placed to exceed the Jobs Plan target of 400 commencements over three years. This includes extra dollars in VET in School programs, and also in VET’s taster programs which, of course, allows young men and women the opportunity to have a look at what profession that they might want to pursue. I myself did not become settled on what profession I wanted to pursue until I was about 23 or 24. This gives them the opportunity to have a look around, and assists in working out what direction they want to take.
This is another example of innovative thinking and positive partnerships across the public and private divide; a partnership that assists our young people in the transition to employment. Getting young people who are leaving school into direct employment is an important role of government. This will allow young people to build up a work ethic at a very young age and, as we all know, people who have a good work ethnic are successful not only in employment, but in their personal lives.
The government has also committed $3m over three years for career advisors in the Territory schools to work closely with industry. This will assist students in their transition from school to employment or training and further study. Initiatives and actions from the jobs plan Building a Better Territory are growing jobs, developing our skills base and maximising opportunities for all Territorians - not rhetoric, but action.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to comment on a couple of issues with regards to training and employment. I welcome the statement. There is no doubt that the government is making a serious effort to train young people. You can see by the figures for apprenticeships that they are working hard in that area.
With VET, you can see the effort in the rural area through Taminmin High School, which has the automotive program whereby kids get old cars and part of the job is to do them up - always hoping that they do not do them up so well that they get them confiscated under the amendments to the Traffic Act. However, at least they enjoy doing them up. They have displayed them at the V8s, and have even done some limited racing with them. That is a really good program at Taminmin High. They also have office and computer skills and is the only school in the Territory, I believe, that trains young people in agricultural skills. That is important, too. You never know: one day they might even be allowed to grow cotton down there, but that could be a while yet.
As I said, the government is putting a big effort into apprenticeships and training. So it should be because, if we are to develop the Northern Territory, we need those sorts of people. One can see the need for some of these skills being developed with the arrival of gas onshore. Although there will be quite a number of people employed in the construction of the LNG plant, there will certainly be a lot of people who come from - dare I use the word - south who will have to come and assist in the construction of the LNG plant. I suppose the more people we can get skilled locally, the better that will be for our economy.
The downside of this statement is indigenous employment. We can say what we like about employment being down, but are we really hiding the fact that, on Aboriginal communities, unemployment is enormously high? If you look at the labour force figures for January 2004, the unemployment rate is supposed to be 4.5%. If you included CDEP in that, you are probably closer to 18%. That actually might even be higher in some places, but that is a fairly terrible statistic.
I will include in Hansard tonight some key findings from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research. I raise these issues because there is no easy solution to this. As a report from ATSIS said recently:
That statement sums up the problems we have with employing people in remote communities. Do you employ 20 welders? What are they going to do? I remember they used to do quite a bit of technical work years ago at St Francis Xavier Boys School, and quite a lot of those young men would come out with some skills, but really, you only need two mechanics or two welders in the workshop. It is fairly hard to handle 20 of them, and if you are doing 20 each year with those skills, the future for those people to use those skills is extremely limited.
Be that as it may, I will read these key findings in so that people can at least see what a difficult problem we have. It is one that I do not think is unsolvable, but one that we cannot say: ‘Well it is too hard, forget it’. As I said, this article comes from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research and says:
Economic outcomes for indigenous people in the Northern Territory are far from satisfactory.
is included.
So you have a huge reliance on government money:
counted as unemployment, then it rises from 53% to 57% of the labour force.
That is enormous:
Indigenous people account for 25% of all adults in the NT, but the indigenous share of total income is
only 11%. Indigenous share of employment (excluding CDEP) is only 4%.
Participation in the labour market is constrained by predominantly non-urban location, continuing low
literacy and numeracy outcomes, low levels of post-secondary qualifications, high levels of ill-health – 40%
of indigenous males reaching work force age will die before reaching retirement age.
Working age numbers expanding and current rate of job growth is insufficient to maintain the employment rate
at its low level of 33% (including CDEP).
To achieve an employment rate equivalent to other Territorians would require the creation of an extra 2000
indigenous jobs (inclusive of CDEP) each year for the next decade.
The Northern Territory has a serious economic development problem. Around one-fifth of its resident adult
population remains impoverished, structurally detached from the labour market and ill-equipped to engage it.
I suppose what that highlights is that we have to start looking at some fairly drastic action, otherwise this will just continue. As I have said before, we are starting to get generations of people who are totally reliant on a welfare payment, who know no other means of employment except through, perhaps, the CDEP or they just know unemployment is the normal way. Their father was on unemployment benefits and his father before him was on unemployment benefits.
I take up what the member for Millner said: if we are going to have employment we also have to teach people the work ethic, because the two things come together. I have said this before, as I know the member for Barkly has, and it probably will be ad nauseam: that I believe the Commonwealth government has to create jobs on these communities. People might say: ‘Well, that is artificial’. I say better to have some artificial jobs than no jobs at all.
Job creation was done in America during the depression. Why? Because people were impoverished. People had no money and also became mixed up in crime and all sorts of things because they did not have employment. Therefore, there is a responsibility on the Commonwealth to make full employment on these communities; to set up a structure where people get paid an adequate hourly rate, not the CDEP rate. We want an adequate minimum rate for people who are working in these communities. It would have to be well managed, because I know that the CDEP program in some communities - not all communities - can be subject to nepotism. The people who have not worked are occasionally shown on a sheet of paper at the end of day as having worked, mainly, I suppose, because they are under some pressure to make sure a family member or someone else does get their pay at the end of the day.
If you are to run a full-time employment program, then you have to make sure that people are out there working. As well as that, you need to have adequate capital equipment so people have meaningful work. It is no good saying: ‘Just go out there and pick up rubbish’. That might be one of the jobs, but you need equipment. You might be out there mowing the lawns of the parks and people’s places, repairing fences, or maintaining the airstrip. You will need capital equipment for doing all that work. You could be doing erosion control, or weed removal and spraying. There are many jobs that can be done on communities, and people have to be a little lateral in their thinking about finding jobs. People may not even have work all day. You might find that older people would like to only work in the morning. That is fine. It is better to have a job for those people, working the hours that they are satisfied with, than no job at all.
On top of that, parallel with that, you have to have education programs. You cannot just have one without the other. Full employment will not solve all the problems. I believe you will still have issues of substance abuse. Even when I worked on Bathurst Island where we did have full employment, there was, no doubt, some major issues with alcohol from time to time. However, at least you are giving people an opportunity to advance themselves. I know it is difficult, as this statement from ATSIS says that most people do not like to leave their home, culture and families. However, if we do not teach people and get them into the work ethic, then they are never going to make that next step up to a higher level of employment and training. We have to start somewhere, and we have slipped well behind over the years.
The minister has said that they are putting a lot of work into training people. I would imagine that the ones who will get jobs will be the ones who are closest to the urban communities. However, if we are going to go out and train people in remote communities, we have to give them some hope that that training is not just: ‘Well, that will fill in time. We have just paid them. Terrific. Tick off the statistic and say we employed 40 indigenous people somewhere out the back of here’. We must surely look at what the outcome of training those people is. Is there a job at the end of the line? Otherwise, we just go round and round in circles.
All I am saying to the government is these figures are good; you are working hard to employ people to improve the skills of the Territory. However, when you read the facts, the facts hit you hard that 25% of our population is indigenous, and that section of our community is really at the bottom end of the scale when it comes to economic development. We have a long way to go. I would be interested in hearing what the minister has to say about employment in Aboriginal communities and job prospects for those people who live in those communities who are being trained under some these schemes. All we will end up with is nice stories and platitudes but, if we keep having an unemployment rate, including CDEP of 53% to 57% and, if that does not start to go down, then we really are not succeeding at all.
Once again, I welcome the statement from the minister. There are certainly some serious efforts there, but the Territory has some real issues, though it is probably not the only place - I would say Western Australia and Queensland have similar issues. However, we have to start looking at some ingenious or other ways of tackling this - some of them might hurt, some of them might be painful. However, at the moment, we are actually going backwards and we need to stop that trend.
Mr McADAM (Barkly): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank the minister for his detailed statement on employment and training. I congratulate the minister on the initiatives outlined in the Jobs Plan and on the activities in the employment and training sector. The minister has outlined this government’s commitment to indigenous training and employment, and provided details of some of the programs. As is clearly detailed in the Jobs Plan, a priority of government is to work in partnership with indigenous Territorians and other agencies and organisations, including businesses and industry, to take advantage of every opportunity to build economic independence and, thereby, improve social and economic outcomes for all Territorian.
In 2003, this government contributed $101 000 towards the establishment of the Footprints for Indigenous Employment challenge. This initiative is jointly funded with the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and is aimed at assisting young indigenous people in Alice Springs to access and remain in employment. I have been advised that the government has increased its allocation to $186 000 in 2003-04 and $200 000 in 2004-05 to this very important and successful Alice in 10 initiative.
The Department of Employment, Education and Training, through their flexible response funding, the community response program, and also the Training for Remote Youth or TRY, has also funded many successful projects in Central Australia. I would like to inform the House of some of these programs that are building on the skills of the communities.
First of all, a stockman training course has occurred at Loves Creek, some 350 km east of Alice Springs, which began in July and ended in December and covered a wide range of areas including safety matters, mustering, drafting, branding cattle, livestock handling, repairs and maintenance of bore equipment and fencing. As a result of this accredited training, 12 indigenous men are now skilled to work on any cattle station in Australia. I am advised that all the other stations around Loves Creek support the training, and I understand that they will also employ some of these people who have completed the training.
As part of a community plan to be more reliant on community resources and less on outside contractors, 10 men at Harts Range, which is some 200 km north of Alice Springs, received accredited training in fencing and building maintenance. Applying the skills learned from the training, these men converted an old tin shed into an attractive women’s art centre. They also renovated a demountable for guest accommodation and built fences around the CDP compound and the new art centre. Incorporated as part of this program, DEET has also provided funds through the community response funding for some of the women to visit other established art centres in Central Australia and to learn how to use new the art centre and, obviously, in respect to marketing in the sales of arts and craft products.
Another very successful building and construction program exists at Yuendumu and this was conducted by the Conservation Volunteers Australia. This practical workshop was based on NOVATEL, a new, environmentally friendly building system that provides vital economic, social and ecological benefits. Employed by the Yuendumu Council - that is CDEP - these men are now applying their newly acquired skills to renovate houses and buildings as well as construct a new park and entertainment area within the community.
The horticultural project at Tjurma Homelands about 500 km south-west of Alice Springs has also achieved a number of very important milestones, the most important of which is that the community now has established areas where they can grow vegetables all the year round. The skills learnt through this training include germination of plants, greenhouse construction and irrigation. As an extension to this program, the communities will germinate and plant citrus trees during 2004, to create employment as well as to sell produce to community stores in the regions, thereby generating income.
In Tennant Creek Julalikari Council, under the excellent stewardship of Ross Jakamarra Williams, their President, and the management of Joe Carter, Kent Peak and Tony Miles, are presently in the process of developing and employment and training strategy to link both indigenous and non-indigenous local people to jobs in the mining industry. It is very much in its early stages, but the plan is to reintroduce an earlier program which proved to be very successful with Normandy Gold, now Newmont. Essentially, what occurred was that the organisation negotiated with, as I say, Normandy at the time, basically to determine the jobs available. They went on to determine the capacity of individuals to undertake the work, and they undertook a training program that was geared to the mine’s requirements.
I guess the difference in the delivery of the training program on the last occasion was that Julalikari started with about 20 participants. The first week included an orientation period during which the trainees were advised of outcomes required in respect of the course. During that period, people from Normandy were on hand as part of the commencement of the program, and that was very very important. The other difference from other programs is that after the second week, the training would commence at 9 am. Obviously, the hours were pared back to reflect workplace hours. For example, at the beginning of the fourth week, participants were required to attend the course starting at 7.30 am, and clocking off at 2 pm. A few weeks later, commencement was at 6 am, finishing at about 4 pm. Sure, some people dropped out, but at the end, about six people got full-time jobs at Warrego and many of those people are still gainfully employed within Tennant Creek and, indeed, with Newmont in their operations in other parts of Australia.
Also, the present CDEP manager, Tony Miles, will commence negotiations with Trevor Tennant of Bootu Resources, to determine the potential for jobs at their manganese mine some 110 km north of Tennant Creek. I know Tony is very keen to secure jobs in the mine as operators, but he is also keen to secure contracts such as cleaning, ground maintenance and even, perhaps, for laundering. I congratulate Tony Miles for his foresight and vision, and I would go so far as to say that he is possibly the best CDEP manager in the Northern Territory.
I spoke to Tony only yesterday, and he said the time was now to lay down the rakes, hang up the whipper snippers and get real jobs. That is the message that Tony is trying to get across in the community in regards to CDEP participants. I know that the member for Nelson has expressed some concerns in the past in respect of the operations of CDEP and, rightfully so, because in certain communities and organisations they are not well managed. However, let me assure the member for Nelson that, when they are properly managed, there can be no doubt that they are by far and away the best dole-to-work program in existence. I agree with you: the challenge is for us, as a government, and also the Commonwealth government, to basically put in place strategies which value-add to CDEP. We do not do that very well but, nonetheless, the initiatives announced by the minister here this afternoon certainly go part of the way.
I would also like to pay a tribute to Ross Williams - not the president - who is the training coordinator for Julalikari Council. Ross has approximately 20 trainees outsourced to organisations in Tennant Creek, including the private sector, and it is proving to be very successful. As I said, about 20 of these trainees have been placed in various capacities in local shops, local garages as mechanics, local panel beaters, and the local regional tourism association has trainees as well. I guess the difference in why this works so well as opposed to some of the others is that Ross actually acts as a mentor to all of these trainees, and also liaises and consults with the employer regarding any problems there may be between the employer and the trainee. The other good thing which is very important and perhaps highlights the innovative approach by Julalikari Council, is that they actually pay the wages of the trainees, and the host employer, at the end of each month, reimburses Julalikari Council. Therefore, that takes a lot of the paperwork and administrative detail which would normally apply to the employers and assists them as well.
Joy and Max Priest from Corella Creek - and I know minister Burns went there and spoke to both of these people. The minister might be pleased to know that things are moving forward. They have had discussions with the General Manager, Barkly Stations and AA Henry Burke of Brunette Downs, and they are looking at developing a training program, particularly for youth in the local area and based around the pastoral industry, very similar to the one at Love Creek but, probably, more specifically as required by Brunette Downs people themselves. Luke Marshall from Rural Industries Training Body will be assisting in respect to this exercise and will be in Tennant Creek on 26 February next week to get that under way.
Similar discussions are occurring in Elliot between the pastoralists, the Elliot District Council, Barunga Council and training providers. I do not have all the details in regards to that, but I have been advised that it could be that an announcement may be made in the very near future in regards to the status of that. I am confident that traineeships and jobs will flow from the exercises that are occurring at places like Elliot and Brunette Downs in regards to the pastoral industry.
MRM in Borroloola, now Xstrata, have an agreement - which the minister mentioned in his statement - with DEET in respect to training and employment outcomes. Over the school period I do know that Bill Baird, the local community development officer, negotiated with the school and with some of the students who were attending boarding school in Darwin, for six of those students to work for Xstrata for that period - which is for six weeks, I believe. Bill advises me that he was very impressed with those students and it is hoped - certainly his wish - that those people will be gainfully employed in the not-too-distant future; most certainly after they complete their studies.
These are just a few of some of the successful initiatives that are occurring in my electorate and, indeed, throughout Central Australia. I pay credit to the minister for his committed approach in dealing with the high levels of unemployment, and I wish him well for the future.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Industry): Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to speak in fulsome support for my colleague’s very important statement on the Jobs Plan that was released a few weeks ago. It is good to be following the member for Barkly in debate on this plan because I know how passionate he is about economic development and jobs for people in the Barkly region in particular, and certainly through the Northern Territory, and he had a lot of insight in his comments.
As Business and Industry Minister in the Northern Territory, I can say extremely confidently that one of the biggest issues facing our business community in the Northern Territory is attracting and keeping a skilled work force. It is an issue that they battle with every day. It certainly is an issue in regard to how government can assist in helping business. This is one very practical and obvious way that we can assist business in the Territory, both small and big: to ensure that there is a structure mechanism partnership between government, business, and the education system training providers to ensure that we do grow our own work force. It is very important because, by growing our own work force people are more likely to stay in the Northern Territory. We need to understand what the issues are in regards to the structure of that work force and the forecasting of were the jobs are going to be required into the future, so that we can have education and training programs in place to meet the demand that we know is going to come through some strategic research.
This has not been done in the Northern Territory before. As my colleague, the Employment, Education and Training Minister said, this is the first time the Territory government has had a division of employment within government to look at those structural issues, do the analysis and come up with the strategies, and then work with the private sector, the educational providers and the training providers to make sure that we can meet that demand. It is a huge job.
I would like to acknowledge the significance and importance of the Workforce NT component of the Jobs Plan. The report will have a big impact on the future skills development of the Northern Territory work force. This comprehensive report will bring together research data and other information to facilitate the strategic development and targeting of employment and training programs, and influence vocational education and training purchasing arrangements. This is a huge undertaking requiring audits of available information, the building of a database and the analysis and evaluation of extensive data sets. Data will be analysed and verified with stakeholders across the Northern Territory. Again, this is a partnership approach that we are taking here.
There is the work force of the future, Madam Speaker, up there in the Public Gallery. This is a large part of why we are undertaking this to make sure that not only my kids who are in the gallery, but all the other students in the Northern Territory can have meaningful jobs when they finish their schooling. It is great to see them.
I am a bit taken aback now, Madam Speaker.
It is very important that we do this work, and it is the first time that this type of analysis has been conducted in the Northern Territory. It will be made publicly available, because this is what our employers, large and small, want to see: that there is somewhere they can go to try and understand what the issues are and why it is so difficult to recruit and keep people here in the Northern Territory; what training is available on offer; how to tap into that; to make sure, with our Jobs Plan that they can access the training that is there; and, very importantly as an ex-apprentice myself, put apprentices on and get support for putting apprentices on and help absorb those costs.
Presently, the Workforce NT Unit in DEET is undertaking extensive consultation, and has initiated an audit process to identify what information is available, relevant, or not available. A series of workshops are being organised for late February/early March to provide stakeholders in regional centres with an overview of the proposed Workforce NT, and allow them to comment and input to the development of the report. The first release is set for September 2004, with this version to be a living document updated on a six-monthly basis. The Workforce NT will provide valuable information, not only for government but industry, business, unions and the community; who all have a stake in ensuring we maximise employment and skilling opportunities for Territorians. Importantly, this is not going to be a snapshot in time, but ongoing work with six-monthly updates and a very valuable asset in the strategic planning for our education and training into the future.
Once that analysis has been done, quality training is a key element in building the Territory work force. The minister mentioned earlier that the number of Territorians commencing training as apprentices and trainees is growing, with more than 2600 apprentices and trainees in training, with a projected intake of around 2100 for the year, and with a target of 7000 apprentices. It is a very challenging target, but wouldn’t it be a fantastic day to see in two or three years time, 7000 apprentices across the Northern Territory, particularly in those very hard to acquire traditional blue collar skills.
I recently released the manufacturing industry strategy. A huge issue for people in the manufacturing industry is getting and keeping those traditional blue collar trades. At the launch of the strategy at Fingers Aluminium workshop the other day, it was great to actually talk to a couple of apprentices: one young fellow, who was just one month into the job, was very keen and excited, and another guy was about three years in. It takes me back to my time on the shop floor. I always try, when I am out there with business and there are apprentices there, to talk to the 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. It is a huge time in their lives; a challenging time. It is certainly challenging for the employers because they make mistakes and those mistakes costs those employers money. Certainly the support we can provide through the Jobs Plan helps those employers.
It is important in this day and age - it used to be that you got your trade certificate and then you spent the rest of life working in that blue collar trade. As you get older, particularly up here, it becomes very tough and I suppose interest and aptitude wanes. It is very important that we actually take those blue collar trades through the apprenticeship as one phase, then they work in the trade for a number of years. It is important to continue to re-skill people so that they can move through into tertiary studies as engineers, project managers, or people doing document design, tender evaluation, and what have you. That has not happened in the past, but it will happen now as a result of this plan.
Following a national review of group training, the ANTA Ministerial Council agreed that national standards for group training organisations be introduced. In 2003, the two locally recognised group training organisations, Group Training NT and Tiwi Islands Training and Employment Board, were subject to an independent audit against the national standards. Both organisations passed their audits and were entered on the National Register of Recognised Group Training Organisations. I pay my compliments to both of those organisations which have passed that particular audit; that will stand them in good stead.
A new development in the Katherine region is a move for the formal registration of the Burridj Group Training as a nationally recognised group training organisation - the third group training organisation in the Northern Territory to seek national recognition. Burridj has been providing group training services and operating in Katherine under the umbrella of the Jawoyn Association Charitable Trust. The organisation recently separated from Jawoyn to become an independent, not-for-profit company, employing close to 50 indigenous and non-indigenous apprentices and trainees across a range of industry sectors.
Madam Speaker, I do not know that any of those three will ever aspire to being a politician, with what their dad has to put up with and wondering what on earth I am doing down here at the moment, talking to an empty room!
Burridj are employing close to 50 indigenous and non-indigenous apprentices and trainees across a range of industry sectors, including business services, automotive, construction, health and community services, hospitality, horticulture and engineering. DEET has provided assistance and guidance to Burridj on group training organisation’s registration requirements. Once they are formally recognised, they will be able to access joint Territory and Commonwealth group training funding administered by the department. Group training has, and will continue to play an important part in growing apprenticeships and traineeships in the Northern Territory. To the Burridj group, a fantastic achievement with 50 indigenous and non-indigenous apprentices and trainees in the Katherine region.
Industry input is vital to the development of training initiatives. One of the priorities for the Division of Employment and Training is to build on the working relationships with the six training advisory councils in the Northern Territory. To progress this and provide the councils with a better capacity to represent their respective industry sectors, this government has extended the former one-year contracts for funding out to three years. It is my understanding that we are one of the first jurisdictions to provide this degree of certainly, and I have no doubt it will provide benefits for both industry and government. This is a great initiative. Three-year contracts will allow these organisations to put in place business plans to see them into the future without having to worry, year on year, whether the funding is going to be recurrent.
Partnering with the Commonwealth: it is imperative that we develop closer working relationships with Commonwealth agencies with a stake in employment and training. I am pleased to advise that an MOU between the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Northern Territory department was struck in 2003. The agreement committed to cooperation in the delivery of, and exchange of, information regarding respective or related employment training programs and services. The primary objective of this arrangement is to ensure maximum benefits for unemployed people in the Territory, particularly indigenous people outside of urban areas and the labour market in general.
Key projects under way include implementation of an indigenous employment strategy for remote indigenous arts centres; use of complementary training and employment programs; and better linking to vocational training funding to support Commonwealth government employment services - in particular indigenous employment projects.
This government welcomes such a partnership and looks forward to outcomes that will benefit individuals and communities across the Territory. The establishment of a number of task forces to assist in fast-tracking the $5bn worth of major projects also calls for a consideration of ways by which we can maximum job opportunities for Territorians. It is on this basis that DEET representatives have been appointed to many of the task forces.
As outlined in the Jobs Plan, the government is keen to forge close links with the developers of major projects, which will also us to introduce responsive and innovation training programs that will skill Territorians for employment during the initial phases of the projects and provide for more sustainable and longer-term jobs and flow-on opportunities for local business and Territorians.
To further ensure that the Jobs Plan priorities remain at the forefront of planning, the government is committed to establishing an employment task force to coordinate and report on publicly-funded employment and training related initiatives across the public sector. The Ministerial Advisory Board for Employment and Training that this government set up with representatives of business, industry, community, unions and government, will act as a reference group to the task force. Further interaction will occur between the task force and industry, unions and community organisations on strategic employment and training matters.
In recognition of the importance of the task force, the minister has decided to initially chair the body which will be made up of chief executives from across the public sector. The terms of reference and operating procedures for that task force are being finalised, with the inaugural meeting schedule for 4 March 2004.
We are certainly lifting our game across government, and I commend the minister for driving through the public sector the importance of us doing our bit in taking on apprentices and trainees. My department of DCIS has a significant role in doing that, and those numbers are increasing significantly.
This is a very thorough statement, the first of its type in the Territory: a Jobs Plan and the Workforce NT report. The partnership theme is there. That is the strong theme that runs through our government with government business, industry, education providers and training providers working in partnership to understand what the issues are, to forecast the needs into the future, and then to make sure that we have the education systems and the training programs in place to ensure that our kids get the jobs of the future. I commend the minister on his statement.
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, if there are no further contributors to the debate, I would be delighted to sum up. I thank all members for their contribution to what is a benchmark statement on where we are and where we are going forward with employment and training.
I am pleased to see the opposition is supportive, overall, of the Jobs Plan. I am even more pleased to see that some of the initiatives we proposed were being fed back to the government by way of suggestions in their comments today. That speaks well for bipartisan support of where we want to go in employment and training. It is good to hear also the member for Katherine acknowledging government support for particular programs in Katherine.
The members for Greatorex and Katherine did talk a fair bit about the need for school-based apprenticeships. They talked about funding school counsellors and giving high school students career options - two extremely important issues with our secondary school population. I know, and members will be aware once the second reviews have been through, that it has something to say on these areas and picks up the importance of those areas.
Dr Lim: Are you going to put it out soon?
Mr STIRLING: The member for Greatorex was a minister in a Northern Territory, and he well knows that reports commissioned by government do go to Cabinet in the first instance before they go anywhere else.
Let me outline again for those members who raised those points. Initiatives in pre-vocational courses assist those with an interest in apprenticeships and traineeships to better transition to more structured training, and we offer school students a taste of what is on offer in these areas. One of the most important and successful initiatives in that respect is the vocational education and training schools program – VET in Schools.
In 2003, we provided $715 000 in VET schools funding, allocated to 20 cluster programs in the Darwin region, eight cluster or discrete school programs in the Alice Springs region, and two programs through Distance Education. We also contributed to the cost of 17 public school programs and seven non-government school programs. In total, the program provided 750 Northern Territory school students with the opportunity to access vocational education and training while still at school.
In line with the government’s recognition of the importance of this and other programs assisting our students to transition from school to work, funding for VET in Schools was increased to $980 000 in 2004. Allocations have been made to 17 cluster programs in the Darwin region, nine cluster or discrete schools in the Alice Springs region and two programs through Distance Education. There has been a huge growth in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. From just 19 commencements in 2001, 137 students undertook school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in 2003 and, this year, we are projecting growth to 180, which will ensure we are well placed to exceed the Jobs Plan target of 400 commencement over three years.
The member for Greatorex picked up on the Driver Training and Licensing Program. This was a program introduced in 1993 for young Territorians aimed to reduce the fatality rate of young drivers, and the severity of accidents for 16-year-old Territorians. A DTAL board was appointed by the minister for Education in 1993 to manage funds released by TIO from MACA to support driver training, in a time when MACA was fairly flush with funding. It has come to my attention the board was never formally recognised through government processes, but it did perform several management functions which form the board’s terms of reference and operational responsibilities. They were: liaison with DEET in schools; liaison with program instructors; monitoring of implementation and operation of DTAL programs; provision of guidelines to schools and instructors; dispute resolution; monitoring of program; and advice to the minister regarding budget requirements.
The board introduced changes to the program in the 2000-01 financial year. The introduction of nationally accredited log book training included an increase from eight to 12 driver training vouchers; and an increase of $140 per student, including a funded provisional licence at $26 per student; and the attendance age changed to allow 16-year-olds to 18-year-olds to participate; the value of the training vouchers was also raised from $35 to $40 per lesson.; and the reinstatement of a $500 assistance payment to the training providers to assist with the operation of DTAL in schools.
Mr STIRLING: In the 2002-03 financial year, the DTAL budget was $762 844, with 2419 students participating. The program delivered 109 courses provided by 27 schools and institutions. In 2003-04, the DTAL provided by TIO was $760 000, but the program is currently expending on average $100 000 per month and, as at 31 December 2003, $589 000 had been expended. The government’s arrangements for the DTAL program have not proved successful. The scope of operations for the program has been extended without the appropriate assurances of the capacity to resource additional components. As I said in the House in November, DEET is looking at range of options to keep the scheme running. More importantly, DEET is also looking at the outcomes.
As with many of the programs when we came to government, here is another example of a program that has never been reviewed in terms of the success of the program, completion rates, or effectiveness of the structure of the training. It has never been evaluated; never been looked at. For example, what are the completion rates? Given that government is prepared, and has been prepared, to pick up every single cost including the cost of the licences, and that there is no input at all from the student. What is the completion rate? If it is, as I am advised, something less than 50%, well, what a waste of money. What a waste of money, because many of these people are not even going through to completion rate. We need to know those sorts of rates. This is a program - a very good program - put in place. However, you have to know whether it is working or not.
DEET advised all stakeholders on 10 December that the program would be reviewed and a decision will be announced in March 2004. This information was communicated to schools, driving instructors involved in the program, and Motor Vehicle Registry. The program will continue - have no fear of that; it is an excellent program. However, there will have to be changes to the guidelines under which the program is managed to ensure our young people are getting the best, and that the program is proving value for money.
I am asking these questions: what are the best governance arrangements for the program …
Dr Lim: In the meantime, nobody gets anything!
Mr STIRLING: … what are the completion rates; how has the detailed program impacted upon road safety in the Territory; is the current training structure giving the best outcome for the budget; are driver instructor qualifications and safety standards adequate for delivery of the program; and how do we make quality driver training attractive to young Territorians by linking it to the Northern Territory Certificate of Education? They are the issues that I have charged the department with coming up with responses in a review of the program.
The member for Greatorex can sit there and throw all sorts of interjections - I did not even hear what he said. However, the fact is, here is a program that has been in place for 11 years and it has never been reviewed. School-based constables was in operation for 18 years and never reviewed before we came to government.
Dr Lim: Obviously do not trust the board!
Mr STIRLING: We will continue as we pick through. When these sorts of issues come up, the first thing we do is have a look and judge the effectiveness and evaluate value for dollar for money in those programs.
Rest assured, member for Greatorex, this program will continue, but I want several benchmark questions answered and I have put those on the record.
There were comments about the need for flexibility and delivery and yes, we recognise the important issue. I would like to advise the House I recently met with the Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University and was assured by her that the university will be responsive to the training needs of industry and the community. More importantly, the Vice Chancellor advised me that a new School of Trades has been established, and that she met with business and industry associated with the trades to look at opportunities for enhancing trade training in the Territory. She held a forum where she discussed these issues with industry, and I believe a large list of people were invited to the forum. I have heard that the outcomes have been positive.
I would like to further comment on the initiatives in regional and remote. The member for Katherine seems to have missed that bit of the statement. Let me advise the House of the government’s expenditure on training efforts in regional and remote areas. For 2003 and 2004, this government is allocating $2.1m each year to fund a range of training initiatives, through flexible response funding and community response programs. Further expenditure that is proving very successful has been through school-based apprenticeships in Katherine. In what has been a great effort, Burridj has worked closely with Katherine High School, and 15 students have been offered school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. DEET has provide assistance and guidance to Burridj on group training, organisation, and registration requirements and, once they are formally recognised, they will be able to access joint Territory and Commonwealth group training funding administered by the department.
The member for Nelson raised issues in relation to indigenous employment and participation in the work force. He is aware that this government is absolutely committed to improving the access of indigenous Territorians to the schools for employment and skills growth in business skills and development. We are doing this through the jobs plan, Building Stronger Regions and Indigenous Employment strategy. I and the government acknowledges that we have a long way to go, and we will continue to work to address the issues in this area.
There were some comments regarding job numbers overall. If I could just put on the record exactly where we are at the moment, in trend terms Territory employment increased to 97 400 in January 2004, the fifth consecutive month of growth, which now will be six consecutive months of growth. The recent strengthening is welcome after the slowdown throughout 2003. Since the trough in June 2000 in Territory employment figures, trend employments increased by 7200, a compound growth rate of 2.2% per annum.
There was comment about the employment grown figure being revised down from 2% to 1%. Employment growth in 2004 will be boosted by construction work for the LNG plant, an improved outlook for construction overall, and strengthening tourism activity, because that has been a flat spot over the past 18 months to two years. Of course, later this year, by about October, we would expect Alcan to be beginning to get into their massive all-up $2.5bn project and some 1200 jobs.
In January 2004, the Territory trend unemployment rate decreased to 4.5%. That was down from a revised 4.7% in December 2003. It was the eighth consecutive monthly fall. It was 1.2 percentage points lower than in January 2003. The trend unemployment rate is 3.5 percentage points below the 8% high point reached in October 2001. The average unemployment rate in the Territory for the 12 months to January 2004 was 5.8%. The national rate was 5.9%.
I accept, as I said this morning, that statistics are simply what you make of them off the page. However, they are the latest statistics provided by ABS as at January, and they show the eighth consecutive monthly fall in the unemployment rate in the Northern Territory. We are moving toward a quite significant strengthening of the labour market, and I would expect that to continue as the LNG plant gathers to full strength and the Alcan project commences later this year.
Thank you to all members for their contributions, which were generally positive. I would expect that to be the case. These are young Territorians that we are talking about. This is the need to grow and skill our work force right across the Territory, and these are the measures that we are putting in place. I thank members for their participation.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Mr VATSKALIS (Ethnic Affairs): Madam Speaker, today I provide the Assembly with a ministerial statement on multiculturalism in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory has a long and rich history of cultural and linguistic diversity which has enriched our community. Territorians of non-English speaking backgrounds have made, and are continuing to make, significant contributions to the economic, social and cultural development of the Northern Territory, and are represented in many fields of endeavour. If I could take, for example, the contribution of just a few ethnic communities, including the Chinese, Greek, Italian, Filipino and Indonesian communities.
Chinese immigrants have been settling in Australia for more than 150 years, and ethnic Chinese have been a significant part of Darwin and the Territory’s history from the early days of non-Aboriginal settlement. Initially coming to the Territory to meet labour shortages in the mining industry in the 1870s and 1880s, members of the Chinese community also took on other roles, including the provision of goods and services and capital. In fact, in hard times, Chinese credit carried Darwin financially. By 1911, and despite the White Australia Policy of 1901, the Chinese represented the largest ethnic group in Darwin and made up almost one-third of the population. Unfortunately, discrimination against Chinese was common and, in the dictates around the turn of the century, authorities periodically ordered the demolition of sections of Chinatown.
Today, thankfully, the ongoing contribution and achievements of members of the Chinese community in all aspects of our society, including public and community service, are recognised and celebrated. Some of our most prominent public servants have been members of the Chinese community, including Harry Chan OBE MLC, Australia’s first Chinese Mayor, and Alec Fong Lim AM, Australia’s first Chinese Lord Mayor, who both had long and celebrated careers in the service of the Darwin community. You only have to look at how well the Territory community today embraces traditions such as the Chinese New Year celebrations, lion dances, and dragon boat racing, to see how much the Chinese community is valued as an integral part of the Territory’s way of life.
There is also the contribution of the Greek community. At the beginning of the 20th century, Greek from the island of Kastelorizo migrated and settled in north Australia. In the 1950s, a small number of Kalymnians, who were brought to Broome, Western Australia, as divers, later became the nucleus of the vibrant Greek community of Darwin. Greek migrants started arriving and settling in Darwin as early as 1910 to work at the Vesteys meatworks.
Following the closure of the Vesteys abattoirs in the early 1920s, some Greeks diversified their activities and became involved in the construction industry, building houses in Darwin and the in bush. Others left pearling to join the construction industry. There was undoubtedly competition between Greek builders and others in the industry. Unfortunately, this competition generated animosity that eventually spilled over into the wider community. For a number of years, particularly following Cyclone Tracy, a minority of Darwin residents exhibited hostility and racism towards the Greek community. However, the obvious commitment of the Greek community to rebuild Darwin following the cyclone went a long way to build better relationships with others in the construction industry and the wider community.
Territorians have embraced the Greek community through its cultural festivals such as the Greek Glenti, and recognise the contributions to Darwin development through the naming of many streets such as Kalymnos Drive, Canaris Street and Maria Liveris Street. Greek is taught in Territory schools today and Darwin has established a sister city relationship with Kalymnos.
The contributions of many members of the Greek community in the Territory were highlighted during the term of our most recently retired Administrator, Mr John Anictomatis AO, the first Administrator of the Northern Territory to be appointed from the Greek community. This contribution has been recognised by the Martin Labor government and, over the last few years, almost $250 000 has been committed to enhance not only the assets of the community, but also to promote increased cultural and social activity. Today, the Greek community is an active part of our multicultural community and is seen as an integral part of the Territory’s economic social and cultural developments.
Also, there are the Italians. Italian migrants began settling in the Northern Territory in the early to mid-20th century, many escaping war-torn Europe following World War II. The 1921 Census recorded only 11 Italian-born persons living in the Territory and, by 1933, this figure had only trebled. Prior to World Ward II, the majority of Italians lived outside of Darwin, settling in Alice Springs as well as small mining communities. The vast majority of these original Italian migrants arrived with little or no money, working long hours to establish a life for themselves and their families here in Territory.
The early Italians settlers took on, with pride and commitment, positions as mechanics, cleaners, painters and shopkeepers, and they were strongly involved in the construction industry and small businesses. Some descendents of these earlier settlers still reside in Central Australia today, and many are still involved in the economic development of the Territory. Some of these families will be familiar to you, such as Simonetto, Fedelli, Castagna, Sabidin, Morelli and Golotti. This is not forgetting the Italian families that settled in the Top End, such as La Pira, Lo Castro, Finocchiaro, Magnoli, Priore and Randazzo. I thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for pointing out to me that Pasquale Ciccone was the first Italian to settle in the Centre and his descendents, the Gagliardi family, remain in Alice Springs today. I thank you very much for that comment, Madam Speaker. It is very important not to forget the pioneers of our communities.
Through their hard work and commitment, members of the Italian community from across the Territory also established businesses, many of which continue to operate today in areas such as construction, engineering, transport, retail and hospitality. These businesses are a vital part of the Northern Territory’s economic development and provide employment for many in our community.
However, the development of the Territory has also been enhanced through the cultural and linguistic contributions of the Italian community, and our knowledge and understanding of the Italian language and culture has continued to grow through the provision of Italian language classes in primary and secondary schools. Italingua NT also provides support for the promotion of Italian language and culture through its workshops and study courses for both Italian teachers and students in 15 schools in the Darwin and rural areas, with approximately 2500 students.
On 29 January 2004, I had the opportunity to present Italingua NT with a $10 000 cheque under the Cultural and Linguistic Awards, to assist them in providing two linguistic and cultural proficiency scholarships to teachers of Italian language while working within the Northern Territory education system. The skills and knowledge that the scholarship recipients will gain and share with their fellow teachers and students will further enhance our knowledge and understanding of our Italian community.
In February 2004, the Martin government also provided a grant of $55 000 to the Italian Club for the upgrade of the kitchen in their hall.
The Northern Territory has also benefited from the contribution of ethnic communities that originate closer to our shores. Amongst these, Filipinos and Indonesians have both had a long association with the Territory and have featured strongly in its development. The first Filipino immigrants arrived over 100 years ago, many settling here as pearl divers; a number of whom married into Aboriginal families. Many of these families continue to have a strong and influential presence in the Northern Territory, such as the Cubillo, Angeles, Villafor, Peres and Dela Cruz families. The 1911 Commonwealth Census recorded that there were 61 Filipinos residing in the Northern Territory, many of whom were involved in the pastoral and mining industries. In 1921, the cattle trade commenced between Darwin and Manila, with many members of the Filipino community involved in the industry until it ceased in 1930.
A second wave of Filipino migrants settled in the Territory in the 1970s, when a number of teachers were recruited by the former Commonwealth Teaching Service. The 1970s also saw the arrival of a number of other Filipinos with professional qualifications, including accountants, lawyers and doctors. Many of these Filipinos settled in regional areas such as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Newcastle Waters.
A third wave of immigration from the Philippines resulted from family reunions and marriage visas in the late 1970s and 1980s and today, the third largest birthplace of Territorians born overseas is the Philippines.
The Filipino community has added enormously to the Northern Territory’s rich cultural tapestry through their art and dance performances. Prior to World War II, a popular Filipino band, led by the Cubillo brothers, the Rondalla, played at the Administrator’s residence for weddings and other events. Unfortunately, the Rondalla was disbanded following the war, due to the death of the band leader, John Cubillo, during the bombing of Darwin.
Today, there are a number of cultural groups within the Filipino community, such as Kilos Kultura and the Filipino-Australian Association of the Northern Territory, that work to share and promote their art, dance and culture to other members of their community, as well as to the wider community. As part of the promotion of their culture, the Filipino community holds the Barrio Fiesta, which displays and shares the richness and diversity of Filipino cultural heritage with the wider community. Barrio Fiesta, which is supported by the Northern Territory government, has been held since 1997 and is now one of the five largest ethnic festivals in Darwin. The success of the Barrio Fiesta was recently acknowledged by the Darwin City Council, which presented the Filipino-Australian Association of the Northern Territory with the Community Group of the Year Award, as part of the 2004 Australia Day Awards, for its work in association with the festival. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the association on receiving this award.
However, the contribution of the Filipino community also extends to academic achievements and some of our schools’ highest achievers are members of this community.
The Northern Territory government and the wider community also recognise the role of the Filipino community in continuing to build our relations with the Philippines. Through the Filipino-Australian Association, the Filipino community has hosted the Philippines contingent to the Arafura Games. It is also worthy to note that Katherine has established a sister city relationship with General Santos in the Philippines.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work done by the Filipino-Australian Association of the Northern Territory in researching and documenting the history of the Filipino community and their contribution to the Territory. This project received $4500 from the 2002-03 Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, aimed to showcase the successful settlement of Filipinos in the Northern Territory, and has produced a fantastic book.
The Indonesian community has also had a long history of involvement in the development of the Northern Territory. This involvement goes back prior to the time that Matthew Flinders first circumnavigated Australia. Early settlers and explorers benefited from supply refurbishment from Indonesia, particularly Kupang and Makassar, when ships from the south failed to arrive or were late. In more recent history, the influence of Indonesia and a growing Indonesian community has been steady. Indonesian pearl divers, originally known as Coepangers, were brought to Darwin in numbers such that Indonesian pearl divers were at least as recognisable as any other group of pearl divers. Other Indonesian migrants not necessarily associated with the pearling industry also settled in Darwin and this migration continues even today.
Members of the Indonesian community can be found in all walks of life, from business people to public servants, and office workers to farmers. The significance of their contribution to the Northern Territory and our relationship with Indonesia is highlighted by the presence of an Indonesian Consulate in Darwin, the only formal representation of any government in the region in Darwin. As members would be aware, this is an active community that has shared its culture and tradition with the wider community through a variety of cultural events, thereby contributing to and enhancing our multicultural society. The culmination of this public cultural participation is the implementation of the Pesona Indonesia cultural display each year.
Our knowledge and understanding of Indonesian language, culture and tradition is further enhanced by the ongoing provision of Indonesian language classes in the Territory, from primary to tertiary level, and through a formal school exchange program. Today, the influence of the Indonesian community can be seen in many areas of our lives, including their contribution to our culinary diversity and our exciting range of fresh produce. It is through this community that the Northern Territory has developed and maintained investment and trade relationships - including the trade in live cattle - which have contributed so much to our economic development.
The significance of the Indonesian community to the Territory way of life and our economic, social and cultural development, is also evidenced by sister city relationships. Both Darwin and Palmerston City Councils have sister city relationships with cities in Indonesia. Darwin is aligned with Ambon, the capital of Maluka Province, and Palmerston is aligned with Kupang, the capital of Nusa Tenggara Timur Province.
The ethnic communities that I have highlighted are only some that have played a crucial role in the development of the Territory. It is also appropriate to recognise the Territory’s emerging ethnic communities, including those from African countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Liberia, that will undoubtedly make similar ongoing contributions to our economic, social and cultural development.
In 2002-03, 99 of our newest residents arrived as either refugees or under the Commonwealth government’s Special Humanitarian Program. The Commonwealth provides support for newly arrived humanitarian entrants through integrated humanitarian settlement strategy services. However, volunteers also assist in the provision of many of these services. Here in Darwin, for example, the Melaleuca Refugee Centre provides refugees and special humanitarian entrants with support and services, with the assistance of over 70 volunteers. The importance of these volunteers and the services that they provide was acknowledged in December 2003 when the Melaleuca Refugee Centre was presented with a National Australia Bank Northern Territory Volunteering Award, in the Community Services category. I would like to take this opportunity to again congratulate Mick Fox, his staff and volunteers, for all their hard work in supporting our newest residents. I am sure my fellow members would agree that this support is vital in helping them to create a new life in the Northern Territory, and to ultimately contribute to its development.
Territorians born overseas now represent approximately 15% of our population and more than 150 countries. In addition to this, some 27% of Territorians identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Our culturally linguistic diverse population is spread across the Territory. The 2001 Census found that, of the regional centres, the Darwin local government area has the highest proportion of people born overseas - nearly 22%; and Tennant Creek local government area has the highest proportion of Territorians who identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander - 40%.
The true nature of our multicultural society is also reflected in our tolerance towards, and the harmony between, those of different religious backgrounds. According to the 2001 Census, Territorians identify themselves as belonging to over 56 different religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. In addition, there are over 20 different Christian denominations in the Northern Territory, including Greek Orthodox and Oriental Christian.
Ethnic Territorians are represented and supported by over 70 ethnic and community groups, including the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, the Multilingual Broadcasting Council of the Northern Territory, and Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia. The diversity makes the Northern Territory a truly multicultural society; a society that this government celebrates and promotes. The Martin government is proud to support ethic and community groups, and Territorians from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. At this time, I would like to acknowledge support given by previous governments to these organisation and ethnic Territorians, and would welcome the opposition’s support of this statement.
The government, through the Office of Ethnic Affairs, provides a number of programs to assist migrants and ethnic people to maximise their participation in the social, cultural and economic development of the Northern Territory. These programs include the Northern Territory Interpreter and Translator Service, Overseas Qualifications Unit, Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, and cross-cultural awareness and communication workshops.
I had the opportunity in the past to share with the Assembly the benefit of these programs, but would like to highlight the success of the Cultural and Linguistic Awards, an initiative of our government. The awards, provided under the Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, were introduced in 2002. Since that time, 18 community development and study or research projects had been funded to assist in increasing knowledge and understanding of culture and language within both ethnic communities and the wider community. One of these projects was conducted by the Tamil Society, which held dance workshops and a formal performance by a visiting dance troupe from Singapore. This project and other similar projects, funded through the Cultural and Linguistic Awards, have assisted ethnic communities in improving the professionalism of their artists and cultural performance, making them more appealing and accessible to the wider community.
I am also looking forward to learning the outcome of a newly-funded project which will be conducted by the Central Australian Afghan Cameleers Heritage Society. Their project involves researching the history and contribution of the Afghan cameleers to the development of Central Australia.
I am very proud of the Cultural and Linguistic Awards program and the support it provides to ethnic people in order to continue the Territory’s cultural and social development. I also encourage all groups and communities in the Northern Territory that have not already done so, to take advantage of this awards program to research and document the history of their community in the Northern Territory and the contribution to our economic, social and cultural development. I repeat - I would like to encourage all multicultural groups, not only of non-English speaking background, but also mainstream groups like the Irish Society, the Scottish Society and even people who come from the British Isles to take advantage of this award program to record the history of their community in the Northern Territory.
The Cultural and Linguistic Awards are funded through a $250 000 per annum increase in ethnic sponsorship funding, which was introduced by our government in 2002-03. As a result of this increase in funding, the government now provides $697 000 for the Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, making it the largest in Australia in per capita terms and the fourth largest in dollar terms. Between 1 July 2003 and 31 January 2004, over 70 organisations were provided with funding through the program, with a further 52 applications for Harmony Day activities which are currently being assessed.
The Northern Territory government also provides $107 000 every year to fund Community Service positions that service the Greek, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese and East Timorese communities as part of the Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program. The level of interest in holding activities to advance multiculturalism and counteract racism is evidence of an active ethnic community; one that this government is proud to support.
The introduction of the Cultural and Linguistic Awards and the increase in sponsorship funding are just two of the election commitments that the government has delivered for ethnic Territorians to date. $200 000 has also been provided by this government to the Northern Territory Buddhist Society for the construction of their community education hall. The government recognises the importance of providing all Territorians, regardless of their ethnic background or ability to communicate in English, with equal access to the services and resources of government, as well as their right to participate in the decision-making and planning for the provision of such services.
The importance of language is also highlighted through the provision of language classes provided through primary and high schools across the Northern Territory. In addition to the intensive language program provided by the Anula Primary School and Darwin High School for migrants and refugees, our education system also offers a number of different language classes including Indonesian, Mandarin, Japanese, French, German and, as previously mentioned, Greek and Italian.
Consequently, I have asked my Office of Ethnic Affairs to develop a Northern Territory language services policy in conjunction with the Aboriginal Interpreter Service to guide the provision of service to Territorians for whom language may be a barrier in accessing those services. The policy will be particularly important, given the number of languages spoken by Territorians. According to the 2001 Census again, Territorians speak over 110 languages other than English at home. Given our large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, this includes a large number of Aboriginal languages. Of the migrant and refugees languages, the top five spoken in the Northern Territory are Greek, Filipino (Tagalog), Italian, Cantonese and German.
Multicultural communities are also encouraged to apply for funding to support arts and cultural activities through the Arts Sponsorship program. Arts NT provides a multicultural referral service which is hosted by Brown’s Mart through the provision of $15 000 each year. This service, which works closely with the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, assists organisations develop arts and cultural project applications to the Territory and Commonwealth funding bodies. The Multicultural Referral Service also maintains a database of available resources for multicultural artists and organisations.
Madam Speaker, our support of ethnic Territorians extends also to those who have not yet been granted permanent Australian residency or citizenship. I refer to the East Timorese and Afghan asylum seekers who currently reside in the Northern Territory. Members would be aware that many of these asylum seekers have made, over many years, significant contribution to the Northern Territory and have made it their home.
The government has provided $15 000 to St Vincent de Paul for the provision of assistance to East Timorese asylum seekers, and contributed $7000 to a community fundraising effort. Further assistance for the East Timorese asylum seekers has also been provided through the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission, the Office of Ethnic Affairs and the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development.
To date, of the 82 East Timorese asylum seekers in the Northern Territory, I understand that 51 have either been granted a visa, departed Australia or acquired permanent residency. A further 31 East Timorese asylum seekers are still awaiting the outcomes of their health and character checks, and I urge the Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Vanstone, to process these applications with minimal delay. The Northern Territory government has also written to Senator Vanstone in support of five Darwin-based Afghani refugees who have applied for permanent protection visas.
However, it is not only asylum seekers that this government is seeking as residents of the Northern Territory. Members will be aware of the ongoing national debate regarding the development of Australia’s population, and recall the initiative taken by this government in tabling the Northern Territory Population Strategy Issues Paper in August 2002. That paper was a critical step in defining the Territory’s position in the population debate; identifying issues relevant to our jurisdiction.
These issues include the need for the Territory to establish a critical mass of population in order to progress our development and attract investment. In particular, the paper identified the need to build and maintain a skilled work force, highlighting business and skilled migration as a potential accelerator to assist population growth in the Northern Territory. This position is in contrast with some other states, such as New South Wales, which is examining how to reduce the number of people wanting to settle there, particularly in Sydney.
The government is taking yet another step in this debate with the release of the Northern Territory Business and Skilled Migration Discussion Paper by my colleague, the Minister for Business and Industry, on Friday, 23 January 2004. The release of this discussion paper, translated into various languages, is very timely, given recent statements by the Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs regarding the introduction of regional settlement initiatives to increase the level of migration to regional areas of Australia.
Our government welcomes these new initiatives to increase the level of regional migration, and looks forward to working with the Northern Territory community, businesses, ethnic organisations and the federal government in developing the Northern Territory’s position with respect to these initiatives, which will further diversity our population. It is true that a diverse population can provide challenges to ensure the delivery of services is appropriate and accessible, particularly for those who come from a non-English speaking background. However, our diversity also presents many opportunities. By working with our ethnic Territorians and, through them, with their country of origin, we can expand and diversify the Territory’s economy, social and cultural development and continue to enhance our unique lifestyle.
The Northern Territory government welcomes the challenges and opportunities that our multicultural society presents, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with ethnic Territorians. It is a living multiculturalism that we practice here.
While it is not possible in the short time allocated to detail the history of their contribution, I am sure my that my fellow members will join me in acknowledging the value and ongoing contribution of our ethnic communities to the economic, social and cultural development of the Northern Territory.
Before closing, I wish to inform the Assembly that I am conscious that there has been a commitment on the part of this government to develop a multicultural policy. The issues that the Office of Ethnic Affairs has been grappling with in this regard are whether there should be a multicultural policy applicable to migrants and ethnic communities only, or whether it should address multiculturalism in the broadest terms, accompanied by a range of strategies to maximise the benefits that flow to the Northern Territory economy and lifestyle through a diverse and vibrant society. That being the case, I expect to release for public comment a document addressing the issues of diversity and multiculturalism within the next six months.
Finally, I wish to thank all the migrants and ethnic organisations across the Territory for their continuing efforts to make the Northern Territory a vibrant, harmonious, multicultural community.
Dr Lim: Are you going to move that the report be noted? Don’t they do that any more these days?
Mr VATSKALIS: Thank you, member for Greatorex. My apologies, Madam Speaker. I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, two ministers making two statements and they do not even bother to move that the statement be noted. I cannot image that. It is the government falling apart, that is what it is.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, get on with it.
Dr LIM: On reading the minister’s statement, of which I received a copy last night, I thought: ‘Not bad. It is a reasonably positive statement’. It was not until I reached the last three or four paragraphs that the minister just articulated, where he said that his government supports, or has a commitment to, multicultural policy. He went on to say:
Hello! Where have you been? Multiculturalism has been in this country for decades, or don’t you know it? And multiculturalism is about all of us - all of us Australians – welcoming everybody from all over the world to come and live as happy citizens in this country. That is what it is. What are you grappling with? Do you want to make you and me different from everybody else? You and I stand in this Chamber, minister – you are Greek, I am an ethnic Chinese born in Malaysia. This is the ultimate example of multiculturalism involved in politics in the Northern Territory. This is the classical example of how we, as Territorians, take our rightful place in this place without worrying about whether we are different or not. The moment you start making you or me different in this place, then we will always be different. We are Australians; we are one – and that is how we should be. Fine – promote multiculturalism, promote the difference in the cultures, so that we can all live together side by side in harmony. But are you grappling with it? I do not understand – I truly do not understand. If you can explain to me better, then do so.
The minister then went on to a whole list of descriptions about the different ethnic groups in the Northern Territory. It started with the Chinese people. I am not sure where the research came from that you had, minister, in regard to the Chinese immigrants, but I did a fair bit of research when I first came into this parliament in the early 1990s, and one of the references that I found was from a lecture given by Charles Tsang See-Kee. As you know, Charles Tsang See-Kee lived in the Northern Territory for many years and was one of our pre-eminent ethnic Chinese people, who died less than 12 months ago. In his lecture, he said Port Darwin was re-established for the fifth time in 1869, when hundreds of Chinese were brought in to develop the settlement. The numbers grew to 6122 by 1888. The Caucasian population then was around 1144. One year before that, in 1887, in fact, the first Chinese went into Central Australia to establish a market garden at Arltunga.
The minister then said that:
My research indicates otherwise; that it was not until 1911 that the numbers of Chinese dwindled to below the Caucasian population. The numbers decreased because of deportation and, to a minor degree, through migration to Queensland. Obviously, 1911 was the year that the Northern Territory was surrendered by South Australia to the federal government. There are obviously some differences in figures. It was my understanding that, around the turn of the century, the Chinese population was something like 8000 versus about 1000 Anglo-Celtic or Caucasian population. Minister, if I am wrong, that is fine, you can correct me. However, you might want to get your figures checked out a bit more closely.
The minister acknowledged a couple of prominent Chinese members of the community, Harry Chan and Alec Fong Lim. I believe Charles Tsang See-Kee should enter into the history books as one of those who should be acknowledged as a major contributor to the ethnic communities in the Northern Territory. In fact, Charles Tsang See-Kee was the first Chairman of the Ethnic Communities Council, and served on that for a very long time. I met him for the very first time when he came to Alice Springs to spread the influence of the ECC into Alice Springs and form the branch there. Unfortunately, Charles passed away about two or three years ago from quite a severe and long-term illness.
Another member of the Chinese community that I believe the minister should have acknowledged is Ray Chin. We saw him today standing at the podium as the president of the RSL Darwin Branch. He was, in fact, a Clerk in this parliament and served very loyally for many years. In his retirement he has continued to retain a great interest in matters Chinese, and was the patron of the Chung Wah Society for many years until his retirement this year.
The other one that I suggest you should have on record is Mr Adam Lowe who is now the president of the Chung Wah Society, but was probably one of the most senior public servants of Chinese ethnic origin in the Northern Territory’s public service. He rose to the level of the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Community Services at the time when it was called that.
There are lots of people in the Northern Territory of Chinese background who have contributed significantly to the development of the Territory. I understand there are about 10 000 people of ethnic Chinese origin living in the Northern Territory right now, which forms about 10% of the greater Darwin population and is quite significant. That significance obviously transfers into what has happened in this Chamber for the last seven years with the parliament being blessed by the lion dance in a very symbolic way. Here we are, part of the fabric of the Territory. The Chinese New Year Festival has been celebrated for many long years, and has been very well patronised by everybody from the Darwin community, sharing in the cultural difference and the celebration of the long history that we have had here.
I understand also that there are some 10 000 Greeks in Darwin. The oft quote is that there are more Kalymnians living in Darwin than there are on Kalymnos Island. I do not know whether that is true or not but, obviously, we have a very strong Greek community that has continued to contribute in many ways, particularly in the construction industry, but also very much in the retail industry in Darwin. We do not have as many Greeks in Central Australia. Obviously, they prefer the Darwin weather perhaps, rather than the Alice Springs weather. I have come to know many people in the Greek community and to understand much of the culture through exchanges.
In naming members of the Chinese community, I thought that the minister would have liked to acknowledge at least the most significant Greek person that we have in the Northern Territory, John Anictomatis who …
Mr Vatskalis: I did – page 5.
Dr LIM: I did not see that in your statement there. He was our previous Administrator. John served very well as the Administrator during his term, and I enjoyed working with him when I was on EXCO. He continues to live in Darwin, and I am sure will continue to contribute significantly to our community.
With regards to the Italian community, Central Australia has a fairly significant number, many of whom came in the early 1900s to go to the mica mines. I know people still living in Alice Springs who have are descendents of these early mica miners.
Minister, when you spoke about the families that are in Central Australia I did not hear clearly. I wondered whether you actually corrected all the names that you used. You mentioned the families of Simonetto, Fedelli, Castagna, Sabidin, Morelli and Golotta – it is not Golotti - and I am sure Joe Golotta would be most upset if he heard that you said Golotti. Having said that, Joe and I go back a few years. I remember young Joe Golotta. He is now working as a real estate agent. He built a house up on the hill near the golf course with the big statue of Mal Meninga. It is such a great feature that people actually drive up Range Crescent near the golf course just to look at that big statue. He uses that statue as a letter box actually.
The Filipino community, I understand, numbers about 8000 in the Northern Territory, and is probably the one group that has spread quite evenly across the Territory from Darwin down to Alice Springs. Most of them are living in Darwin, of course, because it is a bigger city, but the numbers in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine are also significant. They have been one of the groups that have merged into the community so very well. I have attend many of the functions including the Bario Festival and other festivities that they conduct at their own Filipino hall. I really appreciate their inclusion of me into their community to take part in their activities.
The most significant event that has occurred in the Filipino community in the Northern Territory was the visit of President Ramos. He came, in fact, to this Chamber and addressed a sitting of parliament. President Ramos was one South-East Asian dignitary - a politician, a person of influence - who extended his invitation for the Northern Territory to be involved in BIMP-EAGA. That is an indication of the strength of our relationship between the Northern Territory and people in South-East Asia. During the time of the CLP government, the Philippines and the Northern Territory had frequent exchanges of visitation among their leaders of government, as well as the public service.
With regards to the Indonesian influence, that goes back, as the minister said, for many years - hundreds of years. That fact is so evident in the inclusion of Indonesian vocabulary into the Aboriginal languages in the Top End. When I visited the Yolngu country during my many visits there on committee work, listening to the Yolngu people talking to each other in their language, I would every so often pick up an Indonesian word here and there. It was quite interesting to observe the links that different cultures have through people moving in and out and, sometimes, even living with the communities. Obviously, the Indonesian sailors and pearl divers were very much a part of the community here for centuries, and they have passed away leaving their influence behind.
Of note, though, is that we have a operating Indonesian Consulate in Darwin. Indonesia has seen it important enough to have their staff based in Darwin to enhance the relationship between the Northern Territory and Indonesia. Other countries have honorary consuls, but it is significant that Indonesia has, in fact, placed a consulate here. I have met many of the consuls and the assistant consuls who have been based in Darwin and have had great relationship with them, meeting with them and having the opportunities to discuss matters of mutual interest with the Indonesian staff.
I wanted to talk about the ethnic mix with percentages and all that, but I do not know if I really need to do that.
The minister spoke about the amount of money that his Office of Ethnic Affairs has provided to many of the ethnic and cultural groups to sponsor their programs, whether they be linguistic programs, teaching languages that those ethnic groups have been particularly interested in, or even in infrastructure - building club houses or halls. That is a very necessary thing. Ethnic communities are not large, by any means. Fundraising can be sometimes very difficult and onerous, and to build their halls can take a lot of their time and resources. To expect them to raise $200 000 to $300 000 can sometimes be very difficult for them. It is important for the Northern Territory government to recognise that and ensure that adequate funds are provided to these ethnic groups so that they can have their infrastructure established without too much hardship.
With regard to language or linguistic promotion in the Territory, I was pleased to hear that the Northern Territory government has been able to negotiate with the Greek government to obtain teachers to be based in Darwin. That was a very good move, and the more we can do that, the better. It is important for the minister to recognise that. Perhaps he should be looking at other ethnic groups to see whether he can help them to get language teachers into the Northern Territory.
There is the Chinese Language and Culture Centre which teaches Mandarin. They are reasonably self-sufficient; they get some funding from the government. Most of the time, their teachers are all people who have come from that part of the world where they speak Mandarin regularly and are still able to impart the language to younger people in Darwin. It is important.
However, maybe you ought to seriously consider bringing a teacher also from either Taiwan or the People’s Republic of China. Either country would speak the same - the pronunciation is exactly the same. The writing, however, is now slightly different because the People’s Republic of China have gone to simplified Chinese script, whereas Taiwan has maintained the old classical Chinese script. If there is a will to do this, perhaps you ought to look at somebody who can teach the new simplified Chinese script because that is what is going to be, I believe, internationally adopted. Singapore has gone that way. I believe Taiwan is hanging on to the old script for historic reasons more than anything else.
The last point I will talk about is regional migration, and perhaps even about business and professional migration. It is something that has not been done very well in the Northern Territory. Everywhere else in Australia, people are migrating to the capital cities and, for some reason, we in the Northern Territory have not been able to retain migrants. They might come here for the first couple of years to satisfy the conditions or restrictions of their visa. However, once the restriction is removed, very quickly they would move on, usually to Melbourne or Sydney. I believe the government has to negotiate with the federal government to ensure that those restrictions are maintained on the visas for long enough for these people to really establish roots. A two-year restriction is too short; five years might be a better time frame. Normally, if somebody stays in the one spot for five years, they establish deep enough roots that they are less likely to up and disappear from that area.
Obviously, when you first come to a new country, you want to gravitate to people you know and feel comfortable with. If you make it easy then, before you know, they will leave the Territory to go down south. Also, I believe that if you bring in migrants who have local representation, it makes it a bit easier because it allows people to then find zones or places of comfort where they can go to meet people who talk the same language and look like them. That gives them a start and a place where they feel comfortable, and it allows them to grow and develop and then venture out and be one their own.
At the moment, the Sudanese, the people from Sierra Leone, have settled in Alice Springs very well. The former Migrant Resource Centre, now called the Multicultural Centre, has been very supportive of our newer migrants to Central Australia, and has been very effective in developing a base where people have been able to go for support whenever they feel they need to.
With regards to professional people – the doctors and nurses who come to the Northern Territory. I know a fair bit about the doctors who came to Alice Springs to work; it has been a pity that most of them have chosen to move away from Alice Springs. I found that most of them who move away had found that they were not happy with the way that their lives had been affected by the administration of the health system. It is a real pity, because these people were dedicated to Central Australia; they wanted to work and live there, they bought their own homes, had children there. However, because of the administration of the health system, things had gone wrong and they did not feel supported. They felt that they are under-valued and, as a result of that, they pulled up roots and left town.
These are the doctors that we need desperately. Central Australia has had difficulties retaining doctors, in particular - doctors who have said they wanted to stay, but have not been looked after well by the government. If that is the case, then we need to look into it. The minister needs to look at it from an Ethnic Affairs point of view also; not just from the working conditions or the financial returns that these doctors can get as salaries. There may be issues of race or discrimination that need to be thought about. Think about it. I do not want to point fingers at anybody, but there are issues about discrimination that these doctors feel that they cannot overcome. I know because they have come to speak to me about it.
You need to find out for yourself; talk to them. Just because they work for the hospital, it is not just the Health Minister’s responsibility. If they are of a different ethnic background, then it is your responsibility also, and it would pay you to find out from them what their issues are and what difficulties they have encountered when they apply for work in Central Australia. I am not sure what it is like in the Top End. I am not as close to them as I am in Central Australia, of course. I request that you pay some attention to that to ensure that these doctors do not feel so discriminated against that they just get up and leave the Territory.
What happens then? You get the ever round cycle of having to recruit and then lose them, recruit and lose them. It costs you a lot of money to recruit these doctors, relocate them for a couple of years at the best, and then they are gone again. The best and most cost-effective thing you can do is to recruit once and keep them forever. If you can do that, we will have our full complement of doctors and nurses and other allied health professionals in Central Australia to look after some 50 000 patients or thereabouts - which is the pool of patients they get from Central Australia.
As I said, I was initially going to get up to support the statement without any criticism, but there are few little things that the minister could have added to it. We do have a multicultural policy, minister, and I do not know what the office is grappling with. I do not understand that. If you can explain that in your closing remarks, I would appreciate it.
Ms LAWRIE (Karama): Mr Deputy Speaker, I congratulate the Minister for Ethnic Affairs for bringing the multicultural statement to the Chamber this evening. I sometimes ponder about multiculturalism and where it exactly fits in the scope of the Territory, because I cannot actually separate it from any aspect or fabric of the Territory. To me, it is intrinsically woven into every facet of the Territory.
The minister’s statement sets out that it has been 150 years since the ethnic Chinese settled in the Territory. They certainly became very much the backbone of industry in the sense of the mining and retail they were involved in. They were the cleaners, the bakers, the milk deliverers. They really created the small business infrastructure and backbone to the Territory in the very early days of our development. As we know, they were followed by the Greek and Italian people, and there was a Japanese migration in the early days of the Territory as well, linked to pearling.
For me, it is very embedded within the life that we know as Territorians, living here in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, playing alongside Greek, Italian, and Chinese kids. I remember when the boatloads of refugees first started arriving from Vietnam, and when the Timorese started to arrive as well, fleeing the invasion of Timor. That was the first awakening, I guess, and awareness of multiculturalism in terms of refugees, because I did not see multiculturalism, in a sense, when I was playing alongside the Greek and Italian and Chinese kids; they were just friends. Their families were old Darwin families who had been there generations - certainly before my own family - and they were pillars of our society and community. They were highly regarded and highly respected families who also held much of the wealth in the Territory as well. You could point to anywhere in the Territory - whether it is the German or Afghan settlement in Alice Springs, or the Chinese who really dominated the Pine Creek region. There was a tremendous rich tapestry there of hard-working, dedicated, fiercely Territorian families who happened to have been migrants, ultimately, at some stage of the centuries and decades that the Territory shares as its history.
I love the fact that I am representing the most multicultural seat in the Territory. It is a seat that I sought, quite specifically, because of the nature of the demographic. Living and working amongst families from the Philippines, Indonesia, Timor, China - whether it is Hong Kong Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Singapore Chinese, mainland China Chinese, Taiwanese. There are many varied backgrounds of the Chinese because, as we know, Fujian Chinese are very different to Hong Kong Chinese, and the Hakka Chinese. We are living against those very different facets of the Chinese community because we have a lot of Timorese Chinese living in my electorate. There are many Vietnamese families, and there are families from Thailand. The leader and backbone of the Cambodian community I met in the very early days of doorknocking in Karama, and she has been a woman of great inspiration to me. There are Laotion families there, Sri Lankan, Indian, and Pakistani. We have some Afghani refugees there at the moment who, I note, the minister is advocating on their behalf that they get to stay. We have been joined, as we have heard in the debate here tonight, African refugees. There are large numbers of Sudanese in my electorate. We have people from Eritrea and, tucked in there as well, we have Bosnian refugees who preceded the African refugees.
The desires and needs that these families show me that they have, are to remain very much in tune with their culture and their homeland. They have a reliance on getting information on what is happening in their homeland, because all of them still have family wherever they have come from. It is important to ensure that we have good services still such as SBS. I know that the government is working on shadowing issues for television reception in the northern suburbs, because SBS is very much an important source of news and information to these families in what is occurring in their homelands which, fundamentally, affects people they love dearly. It has been my experience that many of these families do not have the wealth to stay in constant phone contact. It is incredibly expensive and, in many cases, there are no phones in the villages or areas in their homelands where they are trying to get message and word through to their family. Therefore, they really do rely on the news and information service of SBS Television.
I am advocating, at the moment, for some funding to assist the Portuguese-Timorese Club, for example. They have a satellite there that is no longer working, and the television set is in need of replacement. The reason they need it is they are desperate to again receive television broadcast from Portugal. We have the European Soccer Cup coming up in July and I can absolutely assure you, that club will come alive if they can have good television coverage beamed straight in from Portugal. We have an application going to the Community Benefit Fund for that which I am supporting.
The other issue that a lot of people speak to me about is not new to most people: they need decent employment. It first struck me when I worked at SBS radio in Melbourne in the 1980s just how much discrimination still exists in the work force for people who come from a non-English speaking background; irrespective of the fact that they might hold several degrees in their homeland, that they speak and write better English than most Australians. However, they have an accent and, much to our eternal shame, these people are seen as less desirable employees in many job interviews, and are relegated to positions far below their skill level.
There is debate in our society about looking at entrance in terms of skilled migration and whether people’s degrees should be accepted here or whether you need bridging courses and, if you need bridging courses, how long are they for and how much they cost. These issues are still to be tackled by governments in Australia, and I look forward assisting our Minister for Ethnic Affairs in taking them on head-on.
Certainly, it is the key issue affecting the African families living here in our community. We have highly educated people who are still job seeking. The only jobs they are picking up are the cleaning jobs. They are willing to do the cleaning jobs because they are so pleased to be here, out of a war-torn home situation. Many of them have not been in their homeland for many years; they have been in refugee camps in other parts of Africa. Therefore, first and foremost, they are absolutely delighted to be in a place that provides peace for the first time, and a significant improvement in lifestyle. They are keen to work and they are keen to use the skills that they have. It has been a very frustrating process to see.
I have written letters to the university, to research centres, to the public service with people’s CVs saying: ‘Consider this person’. In discussions between the Ethnic Affairs Minister and the minister for Education, we really need to look at how, as a government, we can encourage employment. I am not suggesting queue jumping in terms of your employment opportunity but, for many people, it is really just being able to be considered and getting off the list of applications that are rejected, and actually getting in there for the interview.
Some kind of affirmative action employment strategy would be fairly avant-garde but, in a multicultural place where we are looking at attracting business migrants and skilled migration, it would hold the Territory in a very fine stead. In small jurisdictions you can sometimes do things that, in large jurisdictions, it would take far too many negotiations and machinations to achieve.
Therefore, I suggest in discussion on multiculturalism in the Northern Territory that we really do have to deliver very much more in fairness in employment. I will, at the same time, recognise that many of the migrant families who settled and created a very prosperous home in the Territory, did so off the back of incredibly hard work. For example, the Yap family. I have a lot of dealings with Henry Yap, son of the very well-known and highly-respected Pedro Yap. They own Malak Shopping Centre. They started out as a Chinese Timorese family here after having fled Timor. They went to a couple of places in the world before finally settling in Darwin. They created their family wealth from a cleaning business, have branched out into several different businesses now, and are very highly-respected members of our community.
Being able to work with Henry Yap in a multicultural community has brought enormous dividends to Malak. Henry understands the nature of multiculturalism because he has grown up as part of a minority culture in Darwin and he is so open to creativity and providing opportunity for people of a non-Anglo Saxon background. That ranges from the young indigenous children who go down to his shop and are paid to do odd jobs, through to be able to embrace the idea of creating a multicultural hub at Malak.
The Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory recently announced in its newsletter that the government is funding the creation of a multicultural office at Malak Shopping Centre, and I am so excited about this project. It will create a really good working space for the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, with some beautiful refurbishment of the shopping centre at Malak. It has the potential to become very much the hub of multicultural service delivery in Darwin. What a very appropriate location, because it will be located within walking distance or a very short driving distance from the clients of that service: the multicultural people of Darwin and Palmerston.
Moving on from that, I also acknowledge the hard-working – and the minister’s statement really does spell out very clearly, in terms of some significant ethnic communities here in Darwin, the work they did in building the infrastructure and building-up Darwin. I have had a fair bit to do with many of the well-established Italian families. I work very closely with the La Pira family, who own Karama Shopping Centre, and who laid the roads to build the suburbs of Karama. I look forward to continuing to work with that family, because they very much have the ethic of putting back into the community. I know Nica La Pira has, over the years, been very helpful to people in need. On a few occasions I have sought out assistance from Nica for poor families in the community and she has always been very forthcoming. She is an absolute pillar of our society and a very inspirational woman, and she has taught her son, Peter very well.
Looking at the development of the families like the Randazzos, La Piras, Finocchiaros, I could not imagine a built Darwin environ that we have without the efforts, commitment, love and passion that those families have shown for the Territory. I know that extends to other centres in the Territory as well where they had significant developments.
As we know - and the minister I know is incredibly strong on this subject - a great need for multiculturalism is the provision of linguistic options. The School of Languages at Nightcliff, when we came to government, I reckon was pretty well on its last legs. They were so terrified that funding was being stripped away from them. It was a Labor election promise that we would support that School of Languages. I have to say the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, with the support of the Chief Minister, being able to put $400 000 into the School of Languages has been a significant turnaround for the opportunity for people to be able to continue their linguistic needs. I will place on the record that I very much have an interest in this School of Languages. My seven-year-old and eight-year-old daughters are attending with their Italian friends and learning Italian every Wednesday afternoon. I could not be more delighted. It was their choice: ‘Mum, we want to learn Italian’. It possibly could be because their grandmother speaks Italian to them regularly even though she is not Italian. So, off they go to the School of Languages. I am absolutely delighted.
Language enhances people; we know that. They learn Bahasa at school, which I did when I was growing up in Darwin. It is one of those lovely life cycles to see your children go off to school and learn Bahasa just as you did, in this city that is very much on the doorstep of Asia. I congratulate the minister for the tremendous support he has given to the School of Languages. I have committed my support to them; I have gone there and met with the teachers. I will always be a passionate advocate for continuing the School of Languages.
Another aspect, obviously, of multiculturalism is ensuring that their cultural needs are met. Their cultural needs often are intrinsically linked to religious needs. There is an Indonesian Uniting Church in my electorate and I go there and attend services and sing hymns in Bahasa. It is actually improved my Bahasa, having to go and use it again after all these years. The Hindu temple is nearby in the electorate of Sanderson - a very popular temple. The Buddhist temple is nearby in the electorate of Wanguri. We have the Serbian Church in Malak. I like the opportunity to get to the mosque in Wanguri, because the Islamic Society is such a diverse society. I was there recently and I think they said they had members of the Islamic Society from 17 different nations in the world. They are very much a respected society in multicultural Northern Territory, and going from strength to strength at the moment. I congratulate the minister for the financial support he has given to the Islamic Society. They have a fantastic new children’s playground there. They have a gorgeous new kitchen and a very impressive new verandah on the mosque, which has really enhanced it.
I want to also touch very quickly on the fact that, as we all know, Darwin is very much on the doorstep of Asia. It is a joy to see at the Mindil Beach, Rapid Creek, Nightcliff, or Parap Markets all the food stalls set up there by the families from the various countries that are our Asian neighbours – the Thai, Filipino, Indonesian, Chinese, Cambodian, and Laotian food stalls with the absolutely delicious food. However, what it does is very much underpin a tourism attraction and draw that Darwin has. Being the jewel at the Top End of Australia, and very much the southern part of Asia, we are in the most opportune place to enhance our multiculturalism. I commend the minister for the support he has been providing to those communities.
There is a way to go. I have not really even touched on the tremendous Greek community we have here. I am living in and amongst the children of the old Greek Nightcliff families who I grew up amongst. It seems as though my generation moved from Nightcliff and Rapid Creek to settle into homes in Karama and Malak. Doorknocking was quite a bizarre experience for me because I kept running into people who, like myself, are now adults and have children of their own, who I had not seen for some 20 years. They were very much the respected Greek families. Mrs Skandaliaris was my first babysitter and there I was doorknocking her son, George Skandaliaris. I recognise the great work that Kerry Kyriacou does with Chris Konitis for the Cypriot community. Leo Athanasiou is a fantastic person providing great drive and vision in the Kalymnian community. John Rivas is great in the work of the Philippino community …
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member, your time has expired.
Mr VATSKALIS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that time be extended for the member to finish her contribution.
Motion agreed to.
Ms LAWRIE: It has been a wonderful opportunity for me recently to be working with Joe Da Silva in enhancing the Portuguese-Timorese Club. It is great to see the belt of multicultural clubs along Batten Road. The Italian Club is at Marrara, but that is a very popular venue for the communities who do not have a club of their own. I know there will be some exciting improvements in that area of Batten Road. I have had numerous different communities come to me and discuss their dreams, hopes and ambitions for the future as their numbers grow.
One thing that comes through constantly when I visit the various communities when they hold their functions or I am shopping and talking to various members of the communities, is that they all are very thankful for the support they have received from the Labor government. They are all very delighted that they have an Ethnic Affairs Minister that they believe is approachable …
Mr Vatskalis: Who speaks with an accent.
Ms LAWRIE: Who also speaks with an accent; they find great mirth in that. I know that the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory under the Presidency of Yogeswaran Sathianathan is in very capable hands. I look forward to working alongside them in ensuring their transitional move to Malak is an enormous success and that their needs for a great facility are met, and spending many years dedicated to assisting the multicultural communities in the Northern Territory.
I was born in Darwin. I am a fifth generation Australian on my father’s side and seventh on my mother’s side. Being a Jew, sometimes I feel as though I understand what it is to be a minority within a dominant culture. Whilst I am very much the Aussie girl and the Territory girl, I intrinsically understand the perspective of minority. Having lived in Hong Kong for four-and-a-half years and Vietnam for quite a while, I was minority. I understand the challenges that many of our poorer Asian nations have met, and I am committed to ensuring that the people from a non-English speaking background who have had the opportunity to come and settle in Australia are given greater and enhanced opportunities, and are respected for the vibrancy that their cultures bring to our beautiful Territory.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Mr Deputy Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to support the minister in his statement tonight. It gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on how multiculturalism has changed our lives. I look back through my life to when I went to school in the southern realms of Australia, generally speaking. For example, you could not get more isolated in the south than Wagga Wagga High School. The comparison nowadays of coming up to Darwin and seeing places like Darwin High School and going to the presentation nights each year in December and watching the incredible number of young people who are not white Anglo Saxon, is fascinating to see and a real inspiration.
I cannot remember when I went to school anybody coming from anywhere else but Australia. Everybody was white and most people had red hair and freckles and things like that. So things have changed in that regard. Diet has changed. When I was girl living in places like Wagga Wagga, the food was meat and three veg; it was incredibly bland. My mother was a terrible cook and I was as skinny as a rake. Now, thanks to things like lasagne and pizza, things have changed and, by golly, meat and three veg looks appallingly bland. I certainly prefer a good Italian meal rather than anything else.
Entertainment has changed too. I guess there was not a lot of entertainment at places like Wagga Wagga. However, in Darwin, of course through the multicultural community that we have, we enjoy such a range of things here, such as the Glenti, the Barrio Festival. Just last Tuesday this week we had the lion dancers here in the Assembly. Of course, things to do with another aspect of our multicultural society here is our Aboriginal community and all the things that they bring to our lives with their art, ceremonies, and that deepness that they bring to our community, linked to the history.
Friends and colleagues come from places that are not white Anglo Saxon, the minister being one, our deputy leader being another. Nowadays, of course, for all of us it is just taken as being part of life and you do not even notice it. But it enriches our lives being a group that only 30 or 40 years ago were definitely the dominant culture. In some of the places I lived in Australia, it was incredibly unusual to meet somebody with an accent.
One of the things that comes from being a member of parliament which is relatively new to me, has been the number of invitations that I have received from various cultural communities within the Northern Territory to participate in their events. It has brought real colour and joy into my life to be able to attend these events. I really appreciate the warm welcome that I receive when, often, I go somewhere where I do not know anybody at all. You walk in and, unlike Anglo Saxon Aussies to some regard, people from outside of Australia who come here, I believe, often have a higher regard for our Australian system - our political system. As a member of parliament, I feel that there is an element of respect from the people who invite me to functions that, perhaps, I would not get from a normal Aussie type function. The welcome at places like, for example, the Kalymnian Brotherhood is really appreciated.
The Territory is different. When you observe the media coming from interstate, there are often quite horrific stories that demonstrate that Australians do not live in harmony in some areas. However, here in the Northern Territory, generally speaking, we do a pretty good job. I do not really understand why it is better here in the Territory but I believe that it is. Whatever we are doing that is right, here is hoping that we keep it up.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the statement be noted. Those of that opinion say … oh, good evening! Member for Sanderson, did you just dance your way into parliament?
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I did stand to contribute to the ministerial statement. Forgive me for missing the call; I had to retrieve something from the printer. I will be brief.
It is a very good statement by the minister and there have been good and heartfelt contributions from the many speakers on both sides of the House about the multicultural aspects of the Territory. It does us all good to reflect on our society and its various components. When I look around at the many Australians that make up our community - the Austral-Asians, the Austral-Europeans, the Austral-Africans now, of whom we are seeing quite a number - it is a good thing. Most of all, up here, let us not forget the Australian Aboriginal people and the multicultural aspects that they bring to our society.
Multiculturalism is not about recent immigrants. It is not about new arrivals. It is all about the cultures and the character traits that we all bring to make up the rich fabric of our society. When we talk about the Aboriginal community and its multicultural aspects, there is a very rich society, indeed. I had the pleasure of living out on a community at one stage. It was a bit of an eye opener, being a minority in, arguably, my own country, but no more so, I would suggest, than some Aboriginal people feel being a minority in their own country. It is a matter of us being just groups of people living together in our own country.
In Arnhem Land, what struck me about the multiculturalism was the contact that the Aboriginal people had with Macassans. For many years, long before European settlement, the Macassans used to come down during the Dry Season looking for trepang and make their homes in Arnhem Land for about six months of the year over the Wet, when they would catch the trepang. They would boil it up as the processing and then, when their harvest was right, when the winds changed and the monsoon was favourable, they would go back to their own country. While living here, they would intermarry in Aboriginal communities. The language to our north is studded with Aboriginal words, just as the Aboriginal language in Arnhem Land is studded with Macassan.
As a matter of fact, during the centenary year, I think it was, there was a group of Indonesian relatives of Aboriginal people who made the trip there. How significant is that for talking about the bonds and the strengths of our multiculturalism, that these family ties still exist?
Another funny – well, a poignant - story that points to the multiculturalism and the strong ties that we have between our community and different countries is that there was a documentary maker who was coming out to Arnhem Land and I was assisting him with travel. He had some very old Indonesian maps that showed Australia but, of course, it showed it upside down; they showed it from a Macassan view of the world. We went out to Ramingining and met with some people at an outstation. As we were talking, the documentary maker mentioned a tidal wave that went through the islands to the north and wiped out quite a number of villages. As he was telling this to the people at the outstation, they became very upset because, in fact, they felt the strong family ties with these people who had been killed in this tragic natural disaster. It was a real eye opener for me to see the strength of this bond.
Here in the Territory, when we look at the benefits that we derive from the Aboriginal culture and the things that we have taken on as our own, I believe that a lot of the attitudes that we have towards each other can find their roots in what we have picked up from Aboriginal culture. It is a very rich culture, one that we are all learning from. They learn from us. They have done extremely well to be able to maintain their strong roots and strong ties with their land and their family, and yet we can still take from each other and tolerate each other.
That is what multiculturalism is all about; it is all about tolerance. Tolerance is an amazing thing because it is all about understanding, appreciating and accepting people for what they are and what they can do. It is not about wanting to change. The days of assimilation are gone and it was not a very good policy. It is the days of tolerance, where now we are able to look at Greek and Chinese communities, and we do not bung on the English test any more. We do not expect people who come here to be like me or like you, or like your neighbour; we value them for being different. The member for Port Darwin was saying when she was growing up it was meat and three veg. Well, most of us - certainly people around my age - grew up on meat and three veg.
Ms Carter: Your mum must have been a better cook.
Mr KIELY: I found the lasagne bowl a long time before the member for Port Darwin, I am afraid.
It was this tolerance which allowed us to accept. When I was growing up there was the fish and chip shop and the Chinese takeaway and, then when you went to the Chinese shop you always ordered steak and egg anyway. We have come a long way, and you can put it down to multiculturalism. It is just the way they have enriched our palates, and for that we are all forever grateful. You will not come to my house and find meat and three veg on the table. It is generally …
Dr Burns: It would be on the floor.
Mr KIELY: That is right. We are hoping one day it will lift up our cultural style of eating, thank you, member for Johnston. We eat from plates, we have not gone too feral.
Dr Burns: I am talking about the kids.
Mr KIELY: Oh, thank you. There are great things, even when we talk about the multiculturalism of Darwin. Prior to coming up here, I lived in Canberra. I will have to declare here that I am a southerner. I came up from Canberra, which, however, is a territory. A mate of mine there was Mick Perez. When I was coming up, he said to me: ‘You know, my family comes from Darwin’. I had never even thought about where he came from as such. I thought he was Spanish or something. I believe that his actual heritage is Filipino Aboriginal. He said: ‘Oh, we have a street up there named after our family’. I found it, it is out at Wanguri - Perez St. That was the strength, he still had a great sense of belonging to here and the Territory. That is wonderful. That is the kind of way that one settles their roots and their substance into the country that they have.
The minister spoke about all the old waves of migration that came here and the old families - the Chinese, the Italians, Greeks and others. Well, we are now looking at a new wave, and we are getting new waves of migration and new Australians coming from Africa. I am happy to say, at a school in my electorate, Anula school, we have an English as a Second Language unit. They do a fantastic job there, and the minister mentioned it in his statement. They have about 70 children there at the moment. They do a fantastic job. It is headed up by the assistant principal, Miss Sue Hyde. The teachers in the language school work wonders with these kids from all parts of the world whose English is a second language.
Linley Baker is very active and very passionate in her teaching of these kids to know what Australian society is about and the language, so that they can communicate and travel through our community quite freely. Along with Linley Baker, Nadia Gooding, Tracey Gurney, Rosita Kandias, Kay Byrne, and Janelle Thorne, all work really well. At school assembly times last year, I believe from memory, all the African students put on a great show. They were all in African dress, singing and dancing with spirit, and the kids at that school loved it.
If you want to talk about multicultural Territory and how it is going, go to Anula school and have a look at what goes on. The kids who are second generation here from overseas, whose English might be a second language at home, but not necessarily be their second language, are Aboriginal, Austral-European, as well as these African kids, and they are all getting on well together because the school is teaching tolerance.
I will just give you an idea of what the break-up of nationalities are at that unit so that people can understand what is going on in town. The nationalities include 75% of Africans these days. There are students from Liberia, Nigeria, and Kenya. There are students from all over Asia - Indonesia, Thailand, Bali, Timor and Vietnam. As a matter of fact, we even have a Japanese exchange student there. The teachers are focussed on English and they are teaching school culture to students. That is important; they are actually imparting our culture here. However, they are not asking them to take it on to assimilate – ‘Keep your own by all means, but learn this one’. The unit has bilingual support staff, and that is pretty incredible. The bilingual classes are taught on Tuesdays with a native speaker. They are really working hard. I will be making representations to our minister; this unit does some wonderful work and is always looking for extra resources. Of course, such a unit as this is intensive on the unit itself, and on the school and it is something that we, as a government and a community, need to contribute more to. I will certainly be taking those representations up with the minister.
When I mentioned tolerance, it is important just to touch on a couple of press releases that the Leader of the Opposition put out. In the first place it was: ‘The CLP will give Territory public servants opportunity - government’s hire from the south policy to be ditched’. In this, which was discussed in Question Time, was the term ‘southerners’. I regard that as code. Don Watson even used the term ‘dog whistling’. ‘Southerners’ - are we talking about southerners south of Darwin? Are we talking about southerners south of Katherine? Are we talking about southerners south of Alice Springs? Are we talking about the east coast of Australia? Are we talking about Brisbane and Townsville? Are we talking about South Australia? Are we talking about Western Australia? No, what we are talking about is the exclusion of all those who do not meet the criteria that the Leader of the Opposition has set as being acceptable people to be in the Territory. That is what it is. It does not only go to people who are southerners; who live in some southern region. It goes to anyone who is not fitting their mould. This goes for people from overseas.
I would also like to talk about bit of dog whistling – as I said, the term used by Don Watson for people talking in code - ‘The days of sit-down money must end’. We talk about a multicultural and tolerant society which is what this statement is all about. However, in here, the Opposition Leader talks about sit-down money on communities not going to families, being drunk on kava and ganga. Well, who are these welfare recipients we are talking about? You said ‘communities’ here. So, everyone on a community is on welfare? Well, I have news for the opposition! There are lots of people out there pulling a very decent wage. ‘Everyone on communities on CDEP or any other form of social welfare payment do not feed their kids’. Well, I have news for you! There are a lot of caring parents out on communities who do feed their kids. There are far more non-drinkers and far non-substance abusers on Aboriginal communities, who live on communities, than there are substance abusers.
Substance abusers are a very, very tiny minority. It is a social issue that we all have to attest, but here you are dog whistling, opposition. You are dog whistling saying that anyone on welfare on communities smokes ganga, drinks kava, gets stuck into the grog and do not feed their kids. Where does this policy end of anyone on welfare? Does this policy then extend to people in communities: people in our urban community? So, all supporting parents who are on welfare are considered to be ganga smoking, kava drinking, substance abusers, who do not feed their kids.
This is the sort of intolerance and wedge politics that these policies of the CLP are. I believe that anyone in receipt of a welfare payment who might be out of work for a little while and are on the dole, or anyone who is a supporting parent through no fault of their own, should seriously consider just where this is – and anyone on a low income for that matter. Anyone on a low income getting income support is, by definition of the CLP policy, second rate citizens and look out. So that is what I would like to say: that ours is a tolerant society; we should keep it that way. We should not look to be adopting the CLP policies – they are full of intolerance, racial divide, and wedge politics, and people should be aware of that when they sit down and consider this.
I would like to wrap up by saying that we have progressed on multiculturalism, much from the efforts of fine staff who work in the minister’s department – the Department of Ethnic Affairs. They are a great, hard-working mob, particularly the Director - she still might be - Janicean Price. I have been to many an event where the organisers have actually thanked her publicly. She is a hard-working public servant who does not ask for public recognition. She very rarely gets it for that matter, but it is public recognition that she deserves and I am happy enough to give, and I believe, fully supported by the minister. It is a wonderful thing, having public servants like that. I am not too sure, I hope she was born here – she did not just trapeze in from the south did she? But, if she did, I welcome her. I am sure that if the CLP consider their policies, they too might welcome her. I reckon she can stay, she is a Territorian. She is doing a great job for all other Territorians – all other Australians who might not have necessarily have come from an Anglo background, or might not necessarily have been born in the Territory.
Dr LIM: A point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker! I draw your attention to Standing Order 54 regarding explanation of speech and I read that standing order:
Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe the member for Sanderson has deliberately misinterpreted what I had to say. I did not even allude to the word ‘assimilation’ at any time. I questioned the minister’s words in his statement when he was talking about ‘grappling’ with the term multiculturalism.
Mr Kiely: Speaking to the point of order …
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, there is no point of order. We will not debate that.
Mr VATSKALIS (Ethnic Affairs): Mr Deputy Speaker, when I arrived in Australia, the first place I lived was Perth, and I became involved with the ethnic community very quickly. I was a member of the multicultural and ethnic community in Perth, but what impressed me in Perth was that, despite the multicultural and ethnic communities, there was no social mixing with ethnic communities. I would say that people used to live in areas which can be described as ghettos. You would find an Italian suburbs, Greek suburbs and Chinese suburbs. I have to admit that the first time I saw the Chinese New Year celebrations and the Chinese lion dance was when I first came to Darwin in 1993. I was a southerner as well and I came from somewhere else.
What really impressed me in Darwin was the number of ethnic communities and the way they grew with each other. I was very impressed when I found out that about 10% of the population of Darwin is Chinese, 10% of the population is Greek, with a significant number of Italians and a large number of Aboriginal people. All of them went to the same school together and they grew up together. It made me understand why we did not have the problems there are in other states. You cannot really be a racist and against each other when all of you went to the same school, grew up in the same neighbourhood, went to the same high school and are in the same area.
I had a big a lesson from my young son when he went to Nightcliff Primary School. In the first year, he came home one day and asked if one of his friends, Matthew, could come and play at home, which we accepted and Matthew arrived - a fine, young Aboriginal child, six years old. They played and played and when Matthew left, I said to my son: ‘Oh, your friend is Aboriginal’ and the answer was: ‘No, no. He is just a kid’. Kids do not see colour; they do not see origin. That is very true of the Territory and Darwin in particular. People do not see the differences; they see only what unites them and brings them together, and that is very important.
I appreciated the comments of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition about the Chinese history. I would appreciate, if he has a copy of his research, if I could have a copy presented to the Office of Ethnic Affairs. I would like to have a copy of his research because I am a scholar of history and I really enjoy reading it.
About who was here first - the Chinese, the Anglo Saxon or the Greeks - I cannot comment, but the history that I have researched tells me that there were five Greeks who arrived in the region with Vasco de Gama when he exploring East Timor and, later, there was Greek cook on the ship that Goyder used to survey the north of Australia. At the same time, there is a Chinese statue that was found on the coast of Darwin.
Dr Lim: That has been discredited by researchers.
Mr VATSKALIS: I have not read this, but I would welcome your research to be provided to us. Certainly, I did not want to mention every Chinese person today because that was not part of my statement. I would like to mention the Chinese people on another occasion more appropriate, but I agree with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition about Charles Tsang See-Kee. I worked with him when we worked together in multicultural radio, and I greatly appreciate the man.
I would like to mention - apart from the other people that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition mentioned – Eddie Quong. I reckon he is the only Chinese in Darwin who can speak fluent Greek. The first time I met, he astounded me. He described to me what he was in Greek. He told me that he learnt Greek when he was working building the Greek Hall and the Greek Church in the 1950s and 1960s, which was surprising. I was astounded when my colleague, the minister for cultural development, swore fluently in Greek because he learnt Greek when he went to school with Ross Anictomatis in the 1960s. So you find in the Territory something really different from the other states.
I did not want to mention all the Greeks. I mentioned John Anictomatis, the previous Administrator but, if I needed to mention somebody very important from the Greek people in Darwin, I would like to say it was Michael Kontoyiannis, one of the first divers who came to Broome. Unfortunately, Michael Kontoyiannis died when the propeller of a pearl lugger cut his lifeline while he was diving. His death made all the Greeks from Broome break their contracts with the pearl luggers to come to Darwin to work as builders.
I am strong supporter of learning foreign languages other than English. I believe that we have to become multilingual. Not everyone speaks English, and some people are very patriotic. If you go to France, people refuse to serve you unless you speak French because they are very strong supporters of their culture and their language.
I am a strong supporter of the School of Languages along with the Chief Minister. As a matter of fact, I am the Patron of the School of Languages and we strongly support it by providing adequate funding to cover the lack of funding from the Commonwealth.
As for the Chinese language, I am prepared to work with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for a Chinese teacher. We actually managed to get some Greek teachers from Greece with the help of the Minister of education. I am prepared to do the same from Taiwan or China. However, I understand there is a Chinese language school every Saturday morning at Alawa Primary School and Po Chow does a great job there teaching and being the headmistress of the school.
I absolutely agree about skilled migration. We need to keep skilled migrants in the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, the province is not with the Territory government; it is with the federal government. Lack of recognition of skills in trade and professional qualifications makes it very difficult for a doctor who has not qualified in England or Canada to have his qualifications recognised in the Northern Territory - and not only doctors; it applies to other professions.
When I first came to Australia, the federal government of Australia did not recognise my qualifications from Greece. I had to go back to the university to do exactly what I did in Greece. We strongly support skill migration. My Office of Ethnic Affairs works with people who come from overseas and helps them to assess their qualifications, and we will continue to do so. We have written to the federal government asking them to consider the Territory as one of the places that newly-arrived migrants can settle. The problem with other constituencies is a person who has permanent residency can apply for citizenship after two years, so it becomes a constitutional matter. How are you going to prevent somebody who can become a citizen in two years time from moving outside the Territory to go somewhere else?
We are providing funding for the communities, and also for the organisations that support the ethnic communities. The one you mentioned, the Multicultural Support Centre in Alice Springs, we are very supportive by providing funding for them to survive from year to year since the Commonwealth cut their annual funding.
It is great to have such fantastic staff at the Office of Ethnic Affairs. My appreciation to Janicean Price, who I knew from my previous life. She is well known in the ethnic communities. She is not only well liked, she is loved by the ethnic communities, and she is working very hard for different communities.
I will now address some of the issues that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition brought up about the Office of Ethnic Affairs grappling with issues about a multicultural policy. Yes, it is grappling, because we do not want it to be a policy about language, services, or ethnic communities only; we want to expand from that. We want a policy that incorporates everything that can be utilised to maximise opportunities for Territorians, to provide the opportunity for Territory businesses to make business with other countries, and for us to recognise new markets and to penetrate new markets - as my colleague, the member for Wanguri, pointed out yesterday in his trade statement. Their multicultural policy is not only about service and language provision, the things that until now we have considered for the ethnic communities. We want it to be more than that. We are now talking to the ethnic communities and other communities that do not come from a non-English speaking background - including Aboriginal, Irish, Scottish, and the mainstream Anglo-Saxon community – to encompass all the communities in the Territory.
One thing I will point out is that we do not believe in assimilation. As a matter of fact, we do not believe in tolerance any more. When you tolerate somebody, you do not have to like him but you tolerate him. We have moved from tolerance to acceptance, and we are even past acceptance. Now we are talking about harmony; living harmoniously as one community. Not me and you, different nationalities, but us, as Australians and, at the same time, accepting people for what they are - their background, customs and traditions. As somebody described once, in America when you mix the ethnic communities with the American way of life, you get a stew. You put everything in and what you get out tastes the same. Whereas in Australia, you get a salad. You put different ingredients in, and you get something that has a different taste. You can taste everything separately but, altogether, make something different.
Again, I find it very difficult to agree - and I find it mischievous that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would question the multicultural policy and the fact that we are trying to produce a good multicultural policy. I remind him that the CLP, whilst supporting the ethnic communities and providing funding for them, I do not really think that it believed in the ethnic communities. The reason is that, in the last election in 2001, the CLP made a conscious choice to put their preference to One Nation. Not only that, but the Deputy Leader of the Opposition did not hesitate to go on the radio and say he agreed with this policy. Now, to come in here and challenge this government and me about our multicultural policy, and how much support we provide to the ethnic communities, is a bit hypocritical. You will never be forgiven by the ethnic communities. They still remember it and they still know …
A member interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: You do not understand the ethnic communities. You never understood because you never tried to work with ethnic communities and find out what makes these communities tick. You have utilised and used the ethnic communities, or members of the ethnic communities, for political purposes. Even your press releases talk about division. You are quite right – division. You are not talking about uniting the communities in the Territory, you want to divide them. You want to put labels, ‘Us and the others, us and the southerners’. In the election in 2001 it was ‘Us and them, One Nation. We are not going to exchange preference with anyone else but One Nation’. The ethnic communities know what the CLP stands for. They know that you used them for voting purposes, and they have realised that, if somebody really supports the ethnic communities, it is this new Labor government of the Territory.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
On that note, it is with great pleasure that, as President of the Australia Day Council NT, I recognise Peter Spillett, AM FRGS, the winner of the Australia Day NT Achiever Award for 2004. This award was announced at the Australia Day NT Darwin Ball held at MGM Grand Casino on 25 January. The NT Achiever Award is an initiative of the Australia Day Council and has been running since 1990. Its aim is to recognise the achievement of one outstanding Territorian for the previous year.
Peter Spillett is a modest, quiet, humorous man who has lived an extraordinary life and whose contribution to the Territory, particularly Darwin, would be unrivalled. I have known Peter for many years. He is a long-term resident of Fannie Bay, moving there from the Parap Camp. I am also pleased and proud to call Peter a friend. There is so much to Peter’s life that anything I say now will only be brief snapshots. I could talk about the young Englishman during World War II: his work in signals, air traffic control, of being in an active theatre of war. Peter came to us, like so many, finding Darwin a haven after events of World War II. Darwin provided for Peter and his wife Muriel a lasting and peaceful home, but cosmopolitan enough never to become boring. His love of travel, particularly in Indonesia and South-East Asia, only fired by his service overseas, could be realised more easily from north Australia than from the chilly south.
There are many passions in Peter’s life. The first would have to be the Anglican Church. For many years, an active member of Christchurch Cathedral, he is tireless as a champion of the poor and the underprivileged, and has negotiated his way through more than half a century of active contribution to church business.
The second passion for Peter is the RSL. His time of active service and the comradeship he shared with his fellows in war, and now in peace, represents the best of mateship and good times. Sharing a beer with men like Ray Chin or Reg Wilson is a piece of old Darwin that will never change.
The third passion for Peter is his commitment to history and heritage. One-time director of the National Trust and author of 15 books and numerous published papers - particularly regarding north Australia and its contacts with South-East Asia - Peter is modest and diffident about his achievements. His books are a terrific read and most are still in print. Forsaken Settlement remains the definitive study of Victoria settlement at Port Essington.
Of his many achievements, Peter is recognised internationally as the expert on the centuries-old friendly trade between Macassan trepangers and the Aboriginal people. As part of the bicentennial celebrations in 1988, he was instrumental in the construction and sailing of a repla Macassan prahu. This boat, the Hati Marege was constructed in Indonesia and sailed to Darwin in celebration and recognition of this relationship.
Finally, Peter’s last passion - we are not going through all of them here, but the fourth is not bad - is to commit to the public good of our cities through active involvement in local government. Long-time member of Darwin City Council, Peter fought passionately for issues of public safety, improvement of amenities and better facilities for householders.
A fluent speaker of Bahasa Indonesia, among others his friends include Bishop Bello, Emeritus Professor Campbell MacKnight, not to mention all the friends and families from Parap Camp and Belsen days. He can tell you stories of Ted Egan, Tiger Lyons, Jim Bowditch and any others from Darwin’s colourful past.
His name is on almost every memorial and plaque in town. Just have a look; you can practically do a Peter Spillett walk. This is an active and enduring testimony to his work in preserving the history of our town. His name endures at Spillett House. For more than a decade he has answered public inquiries while undertaking his research at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Territory. He is a man who gives and continues to give to his community. It is not possible to name all the work Peter has done for us all. There are literally too many to list.
However, in the end, the reason I want to do this adjournment on Peter Spillett is because I like him. I spent happy times in my electorate at the old Parap hangar having a cup of coffee with Peter, Leo Izod and Tom Bertinshaw, with old Darwin old-timers dropping into have a yarn.
Peter Spillett is a unique part of Fannie Bay, of Darwin and of the Territory, and we are all so much better off because of it. An award very well deserved and, I must say, being there when Peter received it, I was absolutely stunned that he was the recipient of the Northern Territory Achiever Award.
On the same kind of subject, it is a privilege for me to acknowledge in our parliament a number of outstanding young Territorians who were recent recipients of the annual Australia Day Student Citizens Awards. These awards are part of the Australia Day family of awards and were presented either at school in front of peers and teachers or, for many students, they were able to receive their acknowledgement in Australia Day celebratory events around the Territory. Again, as President of the Australia Day Council NT, I was fortunate to be able to assist in the presentation of many of these awards at the Darwin City Council coordinated flag raising and citizenship event held at the Marrara Stadium on Australia Day. There was a fantastic crowd of over 600 family and friends also attending.
The Student Citizens Award program, organised solely within the NT since at least 1988, has primary and secondary schools right across the Territory participating. This year, out of the 200 schools in the NT, 117 schools participated, with the interest in participation in this award growing steadily every year. Schools are given the opportunity to recognise one student as their student citizen for the year. This award is not just about academic achievement, but recognition of good student citizenship - something I am sure that we will all agree, is worthy of recognition. The criterion considers each student’s involvement in their school activities, contribution to the school community, the values of a fair go and cultural understanding and consideration.
Clearly, these students, as the next generation, represent a bright future for Territorians and are an excellent role model for their fellow students. I am particularly happy to acknowledge these students and I know that members of parliament will join me in congratulating all of the 117 winners. I also commend the Australia Day Council for coordinating these awards and continuing to encourage schools and individuals to participate.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I can read out the 170 names or we could have them incorporated. I seek leave to have them incorporated.
Leave granted.
I wish to acknowledge the life of another wonderful Territorian. Jean Sullivan was 94 when she died earlier this year on 24 January. Jean was born into the Neville family in 1909 and married William - known as Bill - Sullivan in north Queensland in 1935. Jean and her husband Bill travelled to various centres throughout northern Queensland to accommodate Bill’s successive local government postings. In November 1959, Jean, Bill and their two children moved to Darwin where Bill was appointed the first Deputy Town Clerk in the infant Darwin City Council and, a short time later, to the position of Town Clerk.
Bill Sullivan developed a commanding presence within council and was to remain a dominant figure in council politics until his retirement in March 1974. Much has been documented about Bill and his contributions to the development of Darwin through the city council.
Jean lived in my electorate in the suburb of Stuart Park. She involved herself in the community over many years, and particularly enjoyed attending Darwin City Council functions and the Australian Chinese Society meetings and social events with her close friends, Lady Jessie Kearney and Lillian Chan. Jean was never afraid to express a strong opinion about issues that concerned her. A great friend of Jean, Wendy James, described her as being ‘a true hearted socialist, free thinker and supporter of Labor ideals’. Jean and Wendy were foundation members of the Book Club started over 28 years ago. Jean maintained her passion for literature and shared special bonds with her many friends as they shared in critiques of a wide variety of books.
Jean was also a long-term and highly-respected member of U3A Darwin, of which she was one of the first to attend in 1989. Nan Bell, President of U3A, recalls Jean as having a wonderfully sharp mind and a passion for history. Jean often shared with her friends her stories of early Darwin and of her fascinating life.
Jean’s love for the Territory was evident by her continual residency and personal contributions to the community even after Bill died in 1977 and, in later years, when her children and grandchildren ventured to live in other states. Both Jean and Bill were pioneers in many respects, with Jean literally living in the Northern Territory for nearly six decades and being witness to growth, destruction in Cyclone Tracy, and the many physical changes to the city’s skyline.
In her eulogy, Wendy James recounted:
Her wide circle of friends and families, but also the wider Darwin community, will sadly miss Jean Sullivan. She is survived by her son, Martin, and daughter, Jeanette, along with her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Finally, I would like now to spend a little time updating colleagues with news from the electorate of Fannie Bay.
The future development of the Arafura Bowls Club site has been outlined following an intense schedule of community consultation. A community driven plan has been developed through community consultation with local residents and stakeholders, including the residents association, business, the Darwin City Council and, of course, government. Government will set aside one-third of the 1.1 hectare site to be open space, ensuring that the significant aviation heritage of the area is recognised, and the importance of green space in a fairly built-up area like Parap.
As you know, Ross Smith Avenue was the landing runway for the first international flight into Darwin by Keith and Ross Smith when they arrived from England on 10 December 1919. Aviators Park at the end of Ross Smith Avenue, where Ross Smith’s plane actually stopped, pays tribute to this achievement and, of course, Ross Smith Avenue was the old runway up until the end of World War II. The open space at the Arafura site will be an appropriate entry statement and will contribute to the historic significance of Ross Smith Avenue.
There will be a call for expressions of interest for the development of the remainder of the site which is zoned R2. Conditions will be incorporated to ensure the development of the site reflects one of the Year of the Built Environment initiatives by highlighting tropical living and minimising energy consumption. A number of residents have been involved in contributing great ideas for this development. It has been a truly community driven result in that sense, and I was delighted when we announced it last week to have had such positive feedback from all those who had been involved.
Parap Residents Association, with the support of the Parap-Ludmilla Planning Forum, organised a number of community meetings to ensure the views of the wider community were canvassed. Thanks must go to John Gilbert, Monica van den Nieuwenhof, Greg McNamara, Wendy MacDonald, Jean Vickery, Betty Vogel, Chris Brownjohn, Claire George, Mavis Lindon, Robert Boscaini, representatives from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment – particularly Ann Stephens and John Gronow - and the minister’s office - thank you, minister Burns - REINT, the Institute of Architects, and Lyons Ward Aldermen Robyn Lesley, Carole Miller and Ian Fraser for their contributions and hard work in ensuring that the community was canvassed on this issue.
Expressions of interest for that site will be called for in March and we are hoping that work can start by mid-year. It is an exciting project, one to represent the best of tropical design we hope - that is what we are after - but also to provide a new amenity in the Parap area. It will work very well.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Deputy Speaker, to paraphrase a great opening to a speech, I have some wonderful news for Territorians, that news being that, this very day in the House of Representatives, a bill was presented by Mr Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration. The bill is to maintain the Northern Territory representation in the House of Representatives at its current level of two members at the next federal election.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr MILLS: That is marvellous, marvellous news, and every Territorians would be well pleased to hear that the federal government has responded to agitation by the member for Solomon, David Tollner, who presented a Private Members Bill to effect this chain of events that has resulted in the presentation of a bill sponsored by the federal government before the House of Representatives, which I only hope that the Territory federal representatives who belong to the Australian Labor Party will stand behind and support in a completely bipartisan way, because this is something that must be preserved so that we, as Territorians, have adequate representation at the highest level.
It is sad that, as a Territory, we have had a population decline. It is a fact that has been picked up and responded to by the technical measures which affect the reduction of federal representation. It is a fact that the population has declined. However, due to the strong representation of the member for Solomon who has prevailed on the federal government, they have been able to move themselves to bring forward a bill which presents the goodwill of the federal government to support the best interests of the Northern Territory. I believe that every citizen in the Northern Territory should be grateful for this response. We are a small population, we are a fragile economy, but we are a people who believe in our future. To have this expression of support from the federal government at this time is most encouraging.
At this particular point, I would once again say,: to have the robust representation, the agitation of the member for Solomon - and anyone who has met that unique of characters, David Tollner, would know that the effect of his enthusiasm and his desire to ensure that this came to pass - has resulted in the federal government paying attention to the need of the future and the current representation of the Northern Territory. I, as the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of the CLP, representing many Territorians, pay acknowledgement to David Tollner.
Mrs AAGAARD (Nightcliff): Mr Deputy Speaker, it was a real pleasure to join with other Territorians in the 62nd Commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin this morning at the Darwin Cenotaph. Over the past few years, this has become an important part of the commemorative calendar, and I am hopeful that, in the future, it will be recognised nationally as an important memorial day for all Australians. I offer my congratulations to the Darwin City Council for their coordination of the event at the cenotaph, and particularly to Colin West of Top End Sounds for his professional team at the commemoration. Thanks should also go to the staff of the Chief Minister’s Protocol Branch, especially Shaun O’Sullivan, for their hard work in putting together this, and many other functions, for Territorians.
One of the wonderful things about attending this event is meeting so many Darwin people - especially old Darwin families - and hearing the stories from those who survived the bombings, but also from loved ones and friends who are left behind. Today’s ceremony once again marked this important Territory occasion, with a group of about 50 Darwin defenders returning to Darwin especially for the occasion, as well as thousands of locals attending to commemorate the occasion.
It was a real pleasure to see so many young people at the event – around 800 in all. I was very pleased to see the group of 44 Nightcliff Primary School students, looking very smart in their full school uniforms, and also the contingent from Year 9 at Nightcliff High School, with the school Principal, Mr Paul Atkinson, who are working on a special project on the Bombing of Darwin, and were keenly interviewing senior Territorians and Darwin defenders to assist them with their project. I hope I will get an opportunity to see the results of that project at some time.
As a community event, it is always heartwarming to have the involvement of locals, like the President of the Northern Territory Council of Churches, the Rev Dr Lloyd Kent, who presented the prayers for the occasion; Mr Ray Chin OAM, President of the Darwin RSL, who recited the Ode of Remembrance; and especially the two Parap school students, Elizabeth Duguid and Stella Noor, who presented special stories about their families. Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe you were at the event this morning, and you may have heard also that many people commented that they were really the stars of the commemoration. I have to say that I would agree with them.
It was good to see many people from my own electorate of Nightcliff at the event - people who have long community involvement in Darwin: former Administrator, Austin Asche, who I believe was here during the air raids, and Dr Valerie Asche; Mr Peter Mitchell, the President of the NT RAAF Association, with his partner, Mrs Audrey Ellis; and hard-working community members, Mr Merv Brown and Mrs Margaret Brown.
I also saw that Mr John Roberts Snr of Perth had returned to Darwin. John was here during the first air raids and had just started working at the Darwin Post Office in 1942, which was destroyed in the first raid and which, of course, was on this site of Parliament House. Of course, John still has very close ties with the Territory, with his son, John Roberts Jnr, being the owner of Travellers World American Express in Darwin, and Bernie Kilgariff being his brother-in-law.
It was a special day, and I am sure many people both enjoyed the day, but especially remembered the courage and sacrifice of many for our freedom.
I now talk about another issue. I would like to recognise the many achievements of the staff and students of the Essington School in Nightcliff. The Essington School is an independent school and is not backed by any church or other organisation. As such, it must raise considerable funds through its students and general fundraising. Some years ago now, the Essington School was facing significant problems, mainly as a result of a mobile phone tower placed very close to the school. Even though it was moved, the time it took to organise the move meant that many parents had withdrawn their students from the school. However, today, thanks to the enthusiasm, hard work and vision of the principal, Mr David Cannon, the board of the school, especially its chair, Mr John McLaren, and the involvement of so many parents, in the development of the school, it is now a very successful school with an excellent reputation in the community, which attracts students from throughout Darwin and Palmerston.
The Essington School is celebrating 15 years as a school this year, and I am certain the school has many exciting events planned to celebrate the year. I certainly hope the school will consider staging another musical, because their production of Oliver late last year was an absolute bonanza and a real credit to the music coordinator, Mrs Jill Kuhn, and the many students, parents and grandparents who were involved in the production. My daughter, Zoe, and I attended and thoroughly enjoyed the production. There is certainly some budding talent in the school and, of course, amongst their parents and grandparents. Let me add here, it is very unusual to see three generations of people being involved in a production such as Oliver. It really goes to show what a wonderful community spirit the Essington School has.
It was also my pleasure to attend a special presentation assembly at the Essington School on Friday 13 February, and to assist with presenting many awards to students at the school. I was also very pleased to listen to a special presentation of the Kermit the Frog song, All About Rainbows - a delightful thing to watch those students singing that very special song. It was great to see the school population has increased again and the school continues to grow, not only in numbers, but in excellence in many areas of endeavour.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I want to put on the record a comment in regard to what happened in this Assembly here on Tuesday night or afternoon, in the course of the debate on the health statement. As the Opposition Whip, I am well aware of the fact that the deal between the two sides was three, three and one - three speakers from the government, three speakers from the opposition, and the member for Nelson as well. I know that is a fact because it was written on the Speaker’s running sheet. Once again, I wish to express my concern that certain members opposite have no trouble at all, particularly in the press, in implying that the deal was two-two. That comment discredits both Whips, and what happened in this House had nothing to do with us, once people took matters into their own hands. Both Whips had quite genuinely gone for three-three, and it was hugely disappointing for me to see the government shut down that debate and cut it to two-two. What the member for Nelson should think about that is beyond me, because I know he spent quite some time preparing for this important debate; something that he feels passionate about.
On another matter, the train has arrived in a place just south of Darwin. Everyone knows I am a wee bit disappointed that it does not quite make it into Darwin town; my electorate, the inner city. However, it does arrive and that is a great thing for the Territory. It is wonderful to see the success of The Ghan now that that has been incorporated with the train as well. My congratulations to everybody who has been involved with this project over decades.
However, a disappointment that I do have is the naming of one of the train engines, ‘The Steve Irwin’. I am sure members will recall that, on 15 October last year in this House, I commented on this matter. I made comments along the lines of ‘you are joking’ with regard to the name, and that it is an abomination. I urged the Chief Minister to do everything that she could in her power to encourage those who have control to do something and change that name; preferably name it something to reflect our Aboriginal heritage here in the Territory.
I am sure there would not be a person in the English-speaking world who would not be aware that on 2 January, Mr Irwin did something and it gained huge notoriety, I suspect, around the world. I have spoken to people in the other countries over the last few months and they have told me they certainly knew about it. On the 2 January, Steve Irwin took his four-month-old baby, named Bob, into a crocodile enclosure at his zoo in Queensland and held the baby while he hand fed a large crocodile. I seek leave to table a page from The Bulletin magazine that shows a graphic photo of that event.
Leave granted.
Ms CARTER: This was done, I believe, in order to entertain the people who had paid money to attend his show. Of course, what happened was that some people were highly affronted by this behaviour and photos and footage were taken, and it became public knowledge. In fact, it became worldwide outrage. On the same day as The Bulletin, 20 January 2004, The New York Daily News carried a front page photo of Irwin, accompanied by the headline: ‘Steve Irwin - Australian for Stupid’.
It became an Australian outrage and there were numerous papers. In fact, I cannot image there was one paper in this country that did not cover this story. There were letters to the editors, photos, TV coverage, newspaper coverage, and horrified comments left, right and centre. I will read this letter because it is a short one – I can assure you that there were much longer ones. It was in the Herald Sun on Tuesday 6 January. The letter is written by a person named Jo Mackechnie from Altona Bay:
Of course, within a day or so, Mr Irwin was defending himself and explaining to Australians and people worldwide that the reason he took his four-month-old baby into the crocodile enclosure and fed a crocodile at the same time was to ‘educate’ the baby. There is a fair chance that child cannot see anything, let alone a crocodile, or have any comprehension whatsoever as to what is going on. Then, in the heat of the moment, another day later, Mr Irwin told us all in the Herald Sun: ‘Mate, I’d do it again’, becoming highly defensive. Our Mr Irwin would do it all again. Then, to top it all off, we have this on 4 January, and I am reading now from the Sunday Territorian, page 7:
Here in the Northern Territory at around the same time, we had the tragedy of a young man being taken by a crocodile just south of Darwin and the horrific situation of his friends, having seen their friend dead in the mouth of crocodile, being stranded up a tree for a day with the crocodile lurking under the tree in which they were stranded. Then there was all the anguish and trauma for the family of the young man concerned.
Every year, we have the situation in the Territory where people are taken and killed by crocodiles. Territorians take our crocodiles very seriously and give them a great deal of respect. The behaviour of Steve Irwin flies in the face of the respect that we give crocodiles and the care that we take with our children. It absolutely astounds me that this man’s name is going to be on one of the train engines that haul our historic and important Ghan to and from Darwin.
Once again, I encourage the Chief Minister, and anyone who cares about the reputation of the Northern Territory, to do all that they can to get rid of the name Steve Irwin from that locomotive and replace it with a name that we can honour. May I suggest Albert Namatjira? Naming the train something like Albert Namatjira reflects honour across the whole of the Northern Territory and, of course, you could do things like put prints of Albert Namatjira’s work throughout the carriages of the train to add a Central Australian theme to it. Get rid of this ridiculous naming of the train after a silly man living in Queensland.
Mr DUNHAM (Drysdale): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I begin my contribution tonight with my family motto: bear and forebear. Bear, of course, means to support or hold up and to forebear means to tolerate.
I suppose I have carried this motto into my political life, too, because I believe my job is to support the Northern Territory, and the legislation we pass here that supports the quality of life for the people who elect us - it is to build. It is also to tolerate what that brings. I have been associated with politics for some time and I know what this job can bring to you.
All politicians should have the ambition of supporting building and constructive effort. However, it is, unfortunately, the case that it is often easier to destroy, and some people are disposed that way in any event. Indeed, our political struggle in here is really a modern, civilised equivalent of the crude and bloody battles that our forefathers had when they sought to covet other people’s turf and protect theirs. They sought to gain ascendancy by the strength of their conflicts and by showing no mercy; destroying those weaker and doing whatever it took.
Whatever it takes is still an interesting motto. In fact, it is the title of a book written by Senator Graham Richardson and it features in his style of approach to politics. He believes that he should do whatever it takes to win. It was also announced as the simple philosophy that the Chief Minister admitted she used in the Katherine by-election.
It is understandable that our debates in this place will be antagonistic. Indeed, the word ‘debate’ shares its ancestry with the word ‘battle’. We have come here to fight for our ideas and our philosophies, so this is a place of battle and it is called parliament. The word ‘parliament’ is derived from another word; it is derived from the French word ‘parlez’, meaning to speak. This, therefore, is a place that should encourage talk. It is on that basis that I derive my anger from the two days previous - the incapacity to use this place for the purpose for which it was intended.
The issue I want to talk about tonight is about our talking battles in this place. There are rules for these battles, and they are called the standing orders. There are a number of them that are critical to what happened a mere couple of days ago. For instance, Standing Order 44 asks that order shall be maintained in the Assembly by the Speaker. Standing order 57 enables people to make a personal explanation if they believe there are things that should be bought to the attention of parliament.
Standing Order 62 talks about offensive and unbecoming words and, interestingly, it talks about no member attributing directly or by innuendo to another member unbecoming conduct. All personal reflections upon members shall be deemed to be highly disorderly. It also says it gives an onus on the Speaker that, whenever words are used that are highly disorderly, such words shall not be published in the Parliamentary Record. That is Standing Order 62.2. It calls on the Speaker to intervene: ‘When offensive or disorderly words are used … the Speaker shall intervene’. Not ‘may’, not ‘think about it’; they ‘shall’ intervene.
It talks about disorder because, obviously, the people who designed parliaments of this type realised in this place of word battles there would become times when temperatures would get high and tempers would be frayed.
It allows for the naming of a member. Indeed, I was named by the Speaker under Standing Order 239 on Tuesday night. A member can be named if they:
(a) persistently and wilfully obstructed the business of the Assembly;
Which Hansard will record I did not do:
(c) used objectionable or disorderly words, which he has refused to withdraw;
Nor could it have been:
I was assessed to be guilty of disorderly conduct and I was ordered to withdraw from the Chamber. I do not necessarily have a big problem with that, but I do have a problem with how those disorderly words that reflected on me were used in this parliament to create a nexus between my exit and the quite right decision of the Speaker, to create a different issue out there.
It had been my intention to make a personal explanation, and I had hoped that the Speaker would preface my personal explanation with a short contribution of her own. I met with the Speaker today and I sought three things from her. I sought that the Speaker would confirm that her expectation, like the opposition’s – which has been mentioned in Hansard by the Whip - was for three speakers plus three speakers in the health debate. I would hope that she would be able to confirm, from her running sheet, that she had a reasonable, accurate representation of the agreement between the two Whips. I respect that the government can truncate debate at any time, and that the Speaker has to support that. I have no problem with that. I merely sought that she state a matter of fact that our expectation was in accord with her running sheet.
I also wanted the Speaker to confirm the reasons for my exclusion under Standing Order 240. Importantly, I wanted her to confirm that she did not believe that my behaviour was affected by alcohol. Indeed, in the hours prior to my ejection from this place, I had been in this parliament listening to every Speaker for the statements that had been brought before, and I am sure she could have attested to that.
I would have also liked her to confirm that she was not intimidated by me or in any bullied, as was alleged in today’s paper where the Leader of the Government Business said, and I quote from page 4 of today’s NT News, Thursday, February 19, where he said:
I would have thought that would have contributed to a more reasonable assessment and critique of that issue if the Speaker could have said that, in no way, was she was intimidated by me. In fact, I am sure she felt quite comfortable in the potency that that Chair brings, and the fact that I abide by her instruction immediately on every occasion.
It is my belief that, in the absence of comment on these critical issues, the government has been able to go outside this House and run a destructive, vicious and misleading campaign, alleging the link between my objection and drunkenness - an allegation which I strenuously reject. Likewise, bullying behaviour and the myth that there was broad agreement to keep the debate on the important health statement to two speeches a side. I believe all of those could have been put to bed - and they can be by reading Hansard and viewing the tape - if the authority of the Chair had been brought to bear on those salient facts.
Interestingly, though, on the four occasions I stood to speak on matters before the House, I was denied. On one occasion, I stood to speak in the so-called mini-statements - and I know it is the strange tradition that this House has adopted that these things are virtually undebated. However, I sought to make a contribution on the matters relating to prawn aquaculture and was prohibited. On another occasion, the debate about the train was cancelled. It features in the parliamentary debate as a fairly short contribution where minister Toyne moved abruptly: ‘… the debate be now adjourned’. I did protest that I sought to speak, and the Acting Deputy Speaker said: ‘No, the question is that the debate be adjourned’.
I then sought to speak on the health debate. It was from there that my frustration really broke out because, while parlez in the title of parliament means to talk, silence also from the French, meaning not to talk. If we have a silence mon here, I can well understand that the gagging and the continual incapacity of members to contribute to debates would be a feature of a brand new Westminster-style system.
Every member in this parliament knows they were the reasons for my anger, and Hansard clearly shows it. The Deputy Chief Minister and member for Sanderson saw an opportunity to suggest that alcohol was involved, resulting in this allegation being peddled to the media. Again, I reject that allegation absolutely. The Leader of Government Business, as I said, has also suggested swearing and screaming at the Speaker along with bullying, and the deal between the Whips, are also factors.
Let me ask you to consider for a minute where this political opportunism can lead and, in pondering this, just think. We are all colleagues in here together in this business of politics and, unfortunately, we are often not held in high regard by the community. These allegations have had this effect. The media has naturally responded with lead stories. A political point has been scored – taken. As one politician, I can take these things in my stride, but family and friends can, and do, get hurt. What I ask you, as elected members, is what has been achieved? A media whose headline is that I was drunk in the Chamber. My daughter, 5000 km away, has rung and asked if the media reports were true. I said to her what I say to you all again: I was not drunk; I was not affected by alcohol and I have been totally unfairly dealt with. My wife was moved to ring the ABC radio to correct the allegations by the broadcaster which she had been fed, that I had been drinking at lunchtime.
We are now at the crossroads and it is a matter for all of us to think about this. There were two members absent yesterday. An enormous amount of energy went into describing the reasons for my absence, reasons which the Hansard video footage and, ideally, a clarification from Madam Speaker would have more than adequately explained and put to bed.
The other absence was the Chief Minister who suffered from a one-day mysterious illness. What if the same amount of misinformation and spin doctoring went into speculating on her absence? I suggest we move to use this place to speak. Not a unique idea! It is supposed to be the hallmark of parliaments. I believe we should move to be focussed on construction, not destruction.
Let us move to not be accepting of the collateral damage that accompanies unfair personal attacks. I believe that the people who voted us here would want that.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Desert Knowledge Precinct
Desert Knowledge Precinct
Dr TOYNE (Central Australia): Madam Speaker, today I present a report on the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs. Last week, I announced what is one of the most significant capital investments in Alice Springs by any Northern Territory government: we are committing $20.9m, initially, towards building the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs, with further funding for Stage 2 approved for further budgetary consideration. This project will not only mean significant employment during the construction phase, but will also open new doors of opportunity for Central Australians.
The first stage of the precinct development involves building major new infrastructure, which includes: $15.8m for the Desert People’s Centre; $1.6m for a shared library; $1.3m for site works; and $2.2m for headworks. The amounts include an $8.4m Australian government grant for the Desert People’s Centre. The first of the headworks contracts have already been let to a local business, and work has already commenced.
Desert Knowledge will be a considerable boost to the local construction industry, creating 245 jobs over three years during the construction period. It also has the potential to make an impact on indigenous employment, with all future construction tenders looking to maximise indigenous employment and training opportunities.
The Desert People’s Centre will create new and dynamic ways of learning and teaching, and has the potential to change the social and economic future for desert people. It means a new and more effective way of delivering services and training for people living in remote communities. The second phase of the project will include a Living Desert Centre, a cultural facility - a potential tourist drawcard - and headquarters for the Desert Knowledge Australia.
Desert Knowledge, with its partners, will put Central Australia at the forefront of the knowledge development in the Northern Territory, capitalising on our extensive scientific and technical knowledge, as well as thousands of years of indigenous expertise. This is a new opportunity for us. The Red Centre has a chance to be known internationally as the smart centre.
The Desert Knowledge Precinct will be a striking new home for these emerging opportunities. The precinct is on the south side of Alice Springs with around 70 hectares set aside for the precinct’s core development area. It will form a striking gateway to Alice Springs from the south, with a strong visual impact of ochre coloured road surfaces, special street lighting, banners and sculptured portals.
I would like to congratulate everyone involved in developing the Desert Knowledge concept over the years. This includes Ken Hawkins as the architect of the Desert Knowledge Precinct concept plan; Lhere Artepe Board and members, particularly Brian Stirling; traditional Aboriginal custodians of sacred sites; the Desert People Centre Board, chaired by Harold Furber; the consultant Project Director, Gregor Ramsay; Batchelor Institute Chair, Gatjil Djerrkura, the Deputy Chair, Rosie Kunoth Monks and Director, Veronica Arbon; the Centre for Appropriate Technology Board and staff, Chair, James Bray and Director, Bruce Walker; the Desert Knowledge Australia Interim Board, chaired by John Baskerville; the Desert Knowledge Australia Steering Committee, chaired by Ken Johnson; the Desert Knowledge Precinct Planning Committee, again chaired by Ken Johnson. I thank, also, all of those agencies staff within DEET, DIPE and the Department of Chief Minister for their ongoing hard work to get this project to fruition.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I share the minister’s positive comments about the Desert Knowledge Centre, and also the congratulatory comments he made to all the people who were involved. However, I believe it is important also to put it all in some historical context.
In 1998 the CLP government, then under the Chief Ministership of the member for Brennan, launched Alice in 10 to gather within one context things that can be done in Central Australia to improve the livelihood, wellbeing, and economic activity that could be promoted from Central Australia. From there came several projects, of which the Desert Knowledge project was the most significant. I was with the then Chief Minister to identify the site, and launch the Desert Knowledge project at the site identified south of Heavitree Gap in Alice Springs. From then, the project has continued to develop to the stage where now we have something in the order of $97m or $95m for the whole project over that seven years. I am pleased to see that this Labor government has acknowledged the value of the Desert Knowledge project and has continued to support it just as we did under the CLP.
What I am unhappy about is that the rest of Alice in 10 has been languishing since this government came in. For the last two-and-a-half years, apart from the Desert Knowledge project - again another project delivered to the government by the CLP - there has been nothing else. It is important for this minister to understand that Alice in 10 needs to have some oxygen. It needs to have ministerial support to ensure that other projects, such as the Desert Knowledge project, will be identified for the benefit of Alice Springs.
Dr TOYNE (Central Australia): Madam Speaker, despite the member for Greatorex’s energetic attempts to turn this into a party political issue, this project, above all else, is owned by the Central Australian community whose talent, time, energy and commitment brought this forward. To be putting party batching on it is just absolutely inappropriate.
I just hope that you read the transcript of what I said at the opening, where I acknowledged, very fulsomely, the bipartisan support that had been provided to the project. I am not going to play those silly little games. This is a very important project for the community and the region of central Australia. That is the spirit in which I am going to support it, and I would hope that the CLP take up and continue a bipartisan support for this project. The community is more important than either of us and, to be playing these sort of games in front of such an historic development, is totally belittling to you.
Tennant Creek – Mining Industry
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on the visit I undertook to Tennant Creek last week, and acknowledge the assistance that was provided for the organisation of the visit by the member for Barkly and my departmental officers.
I was in Tennant Creek for several days, and I had the opportunity to meet a broad section of the community, gain a first-hand experience of the mining activity in the region, meet people involved in the industry, attend a meeting of the indigenous mining and enterprise task force, and talk to the first ever mining supply forum held in the town.
For many years, Tennant Creek has been the golden centre of the Northern Territory, with many copper and gold mines contributing significant wealth to the Territory and Australia. However, over a period of time, the gradual closure of these mines resulted in Tennant Creek becoming a mining town without a mine. Many thought it had a bleak future, but that has now been turned around.
During my stay I was briefed by the Manager of Giant Reef mining company, Mr Joe Ariti, who also took me for a tour of the mine site and the Warrego processing plant, where I was allowed to hold - unfortunately, only temporarily - a freshly poured 10 kg bar of gold, mined from the Giant Reef mine. Giant Reef Mine Ltd officially opened the Chariot Mine in October 2003 and, in striking the ore, the Warrego mill for processing. Chariot is expected to produce in excess of 60 000 ounces of gold per year, over a three-and-a-half year period of mining. There are predictions that this may increase to 100 000 ounces of gold.
Chariot employs about 30 people at the mine, 20 at the Warrego mill, and 20 in exploration and administration. I was also briefed by Mr Jack Savage and Howard Blizzard of the Peko rehabilitation project, about the progress of their innovative technique to treat tailings with specialised bacteria, and then extract metal such as gold, copper and cobalt that were left as tailings many years ago due to inefficient extraction techniques. They intend to process four million tonnes of tailings at the old Peko mine in Tennant Creek to produce gold, copper cobalt and magnetite, and the project has a mine life of about seven years. The pilot plan has proven successful and Peko has recently been issued with an authorisation for full scale re-treatment operations. Construction is expected to commence in May 2004, with commissioning later this year.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Mr Trevor Tennant, who is progressing the opening of the Bootu Creek mine 110 km north of Tennant Creek, which is scheduled for later this year. Bootu Creek proposes to establish an open cut mining operation to produce approximately 400 000 tonnes per annum of manganese ore over several years. It is proposed to truck the ore to the new railway, and rail freight it to Darwin for export through the port, and the project will employ approximately 35 to 50 people.
I also attended an indigenous mining and enterprise task force forum, which was attended by mining companies and organisations in Tennant Creek. The purpose of the task force is to increase the participation of indigenous people in the mining industry and support enterprise.
I was able to officially open the first ever mining suppliers workshop held in Tennant Creek, attended by a number of mining executives who provided advice to the business representatives on the requirements for establishing successful supplier relationships.
Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented me from travelling far out of Tennant Creek, but I did have an opportunity, by telephone hook-up, to discuss pastoral and fishing issues with Barkly pastoralists and Borroloola residents.
I was also pleased to meet with the members of Tennant Creek’s ethnic community, and we shared a delightful meal of various home cooked traditional dishes. I should also recognise the work that this group does to organise functions and celebrations, such as Harmony Day in Tennant Creek.
Madam Speaker, the Tennant Creek I visited last week is vastly different to the one I visited when I first became a minister. There are real signs of optimism and renewed activity, particulary in the mining sector. I can say I am looking forward to scheduling another visit to Tennant Creek and see it continue to flourish.
Mr DUNHAM (Drysdale): Madam Speaker, it is nice to hear the minister had a big day out and got out of town, and that he got to Tennant Creek. I hope he gets to Gemco and the other mines that are operating. There are not many of them under this government - there are about five operating mines at the moment - and that will drop because the difficulty to access country must be acknowledged. This government will proudly talk about how many ELs have been approved …
Members interjecting.
Mr DUNHAM: They know the problems we have had with the Native Title Act. They know the problems with the Native Title Act are being resolved - nothing to do with them, thank you very much. They know the problems we have with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act.
Mining is the biggest contributor to the wealth of Territorians, and it has to be treated as a very serious issue. Going down to watch a gold pour is good, and it probably gave him a bit of a lift, but it is the front end - the hard end, the geological experience and the exploration that takes place - where the minister has to focus.
The minister talked about Bootu Creek and that is good. I have seen some maps of the province and I know it is certainly handy to the rail line. What the minister has to tell us is what happens when it gets to this end of the rail line. I hope he would put that in his speech, because bulk ore handling and how that will go through the Port of Darwin is the important issue. It is all very well to say we can load stuff on a train and get it overseas, but manganese as a product does not attract much rate per tonne. Bootu Creek is a small and marginal province, and I would hope that the minister would be able to tell us how the government is going to facilitate that, not talk about the good fortune of finding an ore body, of somebody mining gold and pouring it and him being on site so he can hold it in his graspy little hands. What we want to hear is this government’s efforts to facilitate this important industry for the Northern Territory. It should be done by way of a ministerial statement, so that members can contribute, other than this abbreviated, abridged way.
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, yes, I had a day out, but it actually lasted a week, not a day. As a matter of fact, people in Tennant Creek thought my car had broken down, it sat there for four-and-a-half days because, as they told me, the previous ministers used to fly in/fly out.
I would like to respond to the queries by the member for Drysdale. Yes, the experience was very important, and that is the reason why, upon my return. I asked my department to facilitate aerial surveys of the area, in Tennant Creek in particular. Yes, all handling and loading is very important and, when I was the minister for the port, I approved a trip to South Africa by executives of the port to investigate loading facilities. I understand the Port Authority is preparing a Cabinet submission for the purchase of ore loading facilities.
It is very important that we support the mining industry. Mining is not a dirty word. Yes, you are absolutely right, member for Drysdale, it is actually one of the biggest income earners for the Territory. I will continue to support the mining industry and do everything possible to see more mines in the Territory.
Heritage Site – Wreck of Booya
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I give an updated report on the wreck of the Booya, that was first located in Darwin Harbour in October 2003. The government and my predecessor acted swiftly to protect the site by placing an interim conservation order over the wreck site under the terms of the Heritage Conservation Act 1991.
The cultural significance of the wreck site has a number of dimensions: a three-masted schooner; the vessel was built in 1917. As the Argosy Lemal, it served in World War II as a communications ship.
At the time of its loss during Cyclone Tracy, the Booya, as it was then known, was one of the last merchant sailing ships still operating in Australian waters. Perhaps more significantly, the Booya is associated with the catastrophic events of Cyclone Tracy in 1974; in particular, the loss of life at sea, which occurred as a result of the cyclone. The wreck site itself, therefore, has a strong symbolic significance as the place where several people lost their lives in tragic circumstances. It is believed that the remains of up to five crew members may still be on board the ship.
The police are also involved with investigating the wreck site and recovering any material that will assist in identifying the missing crew members. Progress in this regard has been slow, as conditions only allow diving a few days every month, and the work is painstaking. Nevertheless, progress has been made and work is likely to continue until May. Nothing more can be done to the wreck site until the Coroner’s office completes its investigation and gives the all clear. In the meantime, my Office of Environment and Heritage is coordinating efforts to make sure that certain work can be undertaken as soon as the all clear has been given. There may still be some fuel on board and this will have to be removed. The wreck also needs to be made diver safe. The wreck site needs to be secured so that these important activities can be undertaken.
To assist the Coroner and the Harbour Master, I recently signed another instrument, placing a further interim conservation order over the site. The first interim conservation order, signed by my predecessor, was due to expire on 31 January 2004. The interim conservation order I have just signed will give a further 90 days protection to the site.
Madam Speaker, no decision has been made as yet about the long-term management strategies for the wreck site, although work on an interim management plan is well under way. I am, of course, aware of the significant community interest in the wreck of the Booya. Recreational fishermen, divers, heritage enthusiasts and, of course, the owners of the vessel and relatives of all those who died, will no doubt have strong views on how the wreck site should be managed. These interests need to be taken into account, and the Office of Environment and Heritage is consulting with all interested parties on the interim management plan.
I do not expect I will be considering the options of permanent heritage listing of the wreck site in the short term, given the work that remains to be undertaken. However, in due course, I will receive advice from the Heritage Advisory Council on the heritage value of the wreck site. If this leads to a proposal for permanent heritage listing, then community comment will be sought and I expect the owners, recreational fishermen, divers, the relatives of those who died, and the heritage enthusiasts to be directly consulted. The exact management arrangements for the wreck site will need to be negotiated, but I can give an assurance that government is committed to a balanced outcome for all interested parties.
Mr BALDWIN (Daly): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for bringing this issue on. It is a very important issue. When the discovery of the Booya was made, obviously family, friends and people connected to those who lost their lives during the cyclone were much relieved in one sense. However, it has thrown up a conundrum for the minister and others to deal with in terms of what you do about protecting the remains of the ship now once the coroner has finished his investigations and what happens if, indeed, the remains of those people who went down with the ship are found, and then the ongoing preservation of that site.
It will be a bit of a conundrum because people will want to have some access. I, for one, from a personal position, would like to see it preserved where it is not tampered with by divers – but that is a personal thing. I can understand that there is heritage value in looking at these things, but it must be protected in some way.
I am glad to see the interim conservation order has been extended. It will be an interesting time to look at the issues as they come up, when people offer submissions. It is a bit like the submarine that is out near Bathurst Island. It is a grave site, after all, and we need to put that first and foremost in our minds. Obviously, fishermen will want to access that area and, as I said, divers also. However, first and foremost, it is a place where people lost their lives in a very significant event in the Territory’s history and I certainly would like to see some sort of preservation in that regard.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his response, and he is right. All comments are being called forward at the moment and will come together under the management plan.
Reports noted pursuant to Sessional Order.
RADIATION PROTECTION BILL
(Serial 203)
(Serial 203)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to create new radiation protection legislation that will provide a consistent regulatory regime, consistent with national legislation to protect people and the environment from harmful effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation.
The bill also provides a regulatory regime for the licensing, registration and/or accreditation of persons manufacturing, possessing, using, storing, transporting, disposing of, or otherwise dealing with radiation sources in the Northern Territory.
The bill proposes to replace the Radiation (Safety Control) Act. The bill also proposes to repeal the Radiographers Act with a simultaneous transfer of powers and functions of the Radiographers Board, necessary for the continued regulation of radiographic procedures, to the Chief Health Officer under a proposed new regulatory regime.
The bill does not apply to mining activities in relation to uranium ores or uranium oxide, which are regulated by the Mining Management Act. It also does not apply to possession, packing, storage or transport of radioactive ores or concentrates, which is regulated by the Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packing and Transport) Act.
The Radiation (Safety Control) Act commenced operation in 1980 and, despite subsequent amendment, does not reflect current national or international standards in the practice of radiation safety. This act applies primary radiation dose limits for employees and members of the public that are inconsistent with the 1990 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection adopted by the National Health and Medical Research Council in 1995. It is rooted in the terminology of the past and uses an outdated system of radiation measurement units. It contains inefficient and deficient licensing provisions, and it does not address protection from non-ionising radiation. Examples of non-ionising radiation include lasers, radio frequency generating equipment, man-made sources of ultraviolet radiation and magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, radiation safety standards are detailed in the body of the act, which impedes adoption of a new or revised standard.
The National Competition Policy review of the Radiographers Act in May 2000 found that the act contains potentially anti-competitive provisions and the overall benefits of regulating radiography procedures exceeds the overall costs; but this nett benefit is not large. Consequently, the review recommended that the act be repealed; radiographers no longer be a registered profession in the Northern Territory; the current licensing and inspectorial powers of the Radiographers Registration Board be transferred to the licensing power of the Chief Health Officer under current radiation and safety legislation; any specific criteria that are deemed to be necessary for the licensing of operators of ionising radiographic equipment be incorporated into subsidiary radiation safety legislation; and the need for the regulation of non-ionising categories of irradiation in health care be considered in the context of the national review of radiation safety control legislation.
The Radiation Protection Bill is consistent with the recommendations of the National Competition Policy review of the Radiographers Act completed in 2000, and the National Competition Policy review of the radiation protection legislation completed in 2001. It redresses the deficiencies of the Radiation (Safety Control) Act and the Radiographers Act and eliminates duplication of certain activities between the two acts.
The bill proposes a single piece of radiation protection legislation that will provide a consistent regulatory regime to protect the public and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. Notable features of the bill include:
a clear statement of the objective of the act which, in addition to the protection of people, also includes
protection of the environment from the harmful effects of radiation;
broadening of the radiation protection field to include both ionising and, for the first time, non-ionising
radiation;
provision for the adoption of standards and, notably, lower occupation and public dose limits consistent with
the national and international standards of radiation protection;
the introduction of the term ‘body corporate’ to radiation protection legislation in the Northern Territory.
This will facilitate effective implementation of the radiation control measures, including control of radiation
sources which, consequently, will enhance the security of radiation sources;
increasing the number of authorities which can be granted under the act, ensuring that accreditation standards are
being achieved and high standards are being maintained;
a potential increase to the maximum duration of a licence from one year to up to three years;
provision of the establishment of an expert body to advise the Chief Health Officer on matters relating to the
administration of the act; and
requirement that the minister review the operation of the act before its 10th year anniversary, and afterwards at
intervals of not more than 10 years. This will prevent occurrence of the deficiencies typifying the current legislation.
In summary, the bill offers Territorians the same degree of radiation protection that is currently afforded other Australians. I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
ANIMAL WELFARE AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 204)
(Serial 204)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr AH KIT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a second time.
I take this opportunity to introduce the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2004 into the House. The Animal Welfare Act came into effect on 27 March 2000, and there have been a number of relatively minor amendments since that time. Animals are an essential part of our societal structure. They play an important part in our physical, emotional and economic wellbeing. Animals provide significant companionship for many people of all ages; they interact with people in many recreational and sporting fields. There is a concomitant responsibility upon us to ensure that the welfare of animals is well provided for. Coupled with this is a requirement to promote public awareness of best practices for the care and management of animals.
The objectives of the legislation are spelt out in section 3 of the act; namely, to ensure that animals are treated humanely, to prevent cruelty to animals, and to promote community awareness about the welfare of animals. The legislation has a broader scope than just preventing cruelty to animals. Their welfare, overall care and wellbeing is the focus of the act.
Two issues with respect to animal welfare have recently emerged as national issues; namely, the tail docking of dogs and horse firing. At the Primary Industries Ministerial Council meeting in October 2002, the ministerial council agreed in principle to the introduction of a national state and territory ban on the routine tail docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes. The main elements of the proposed ban are that non-therapeutic tail docking of dogs born after a specified date would be prohibited, and only a veterinarian could carry out therapeutic tail docking of dogs. The Territory agreed to adopt the ban on tail docking for cosmetic purposes, and advised the Primary Industries Ministerial Council of the Northern Territory’s position on 30 June 2003.
The proposed amendment to section 9(1)(a) of the act will make it quite clear that the tail docking of a dog less than five days old is no longer permitted under the act. Section 9(2) of the current act allows an veterinarian to perform a procedure that is proscribed in section 9(1) of the act, if the veterinarian is of the opinion that it is reasonable and necessary to do so. This will allow a veterinarian to dock the tail of a dog if it is deemed necessary for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes only.
Clause 5 of the bill repeals Regulation 3 of the Animal Welfare Regulations, which prescribed the conditions relating to tail docking under former section 9(1)(a). With a ban on tail docking, these provisions are no longer necessary.
The additional amendment to the Animal Welfare Act is to ban on the practice of horse firing in the Northern Territory. The federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, on the advice of the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare, advised the states and territories on the recent development regarding the practice of horse firing. The practice is undertaken primarily in the horseracing industry, and involves a hot iron being placed on a horse’s leg to create an inflammatory response to encourage healing of a damaged tendon or tendon sheath. The practice causes unnecessary suffering and is not an effective treatment.
The matter was referred to the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee for consideration, and to the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing for advice. Both the AWAC and the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing have indicated support for the proposal to ban the practice of horse firing in the Northern Territory. The horse racing industry advised that they are unaware of the practice of horse firing in the Northern Territory, and that the Australian Rules of Racing state that a horse that has been subjected to a firing procedure in Australia is ineligible to race. I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 202)
(Serial 202)
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.
The Fire and Emergency Act and Regulations have been in place for over seven years, in which time the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service has recognised some areas of the act that need to be reinforced and updated. Most of the amendments proposed in this bill reflect existing functions carried out by the Fire and Rescue Service under its more general powers. However, owing to the high importance of public safety, the risks involved, and the need for legal certainty in enforcing fire safety requirements, express statutory authority is seen as desirable.
These functions which the bill proposes to clarify are:
Biological and radiological decontamination. An Incident Command already has wide powers to deal with all
emergencies, but an express provision to require persons who may be contaminated by biological agents, such
as anthrax or radioactive materials, is seen as desirable in the interests of public awareness and safety.
Fire investigation. Provision is already made in the act for the Director of Fire and Rescue to appoint fire
investigators, but fire investigation is not specified as a role of the service.
Fire hazard reduction programs and back burning are established practices to prevent the spread and seriousness
of our rural fires, and it is seen as desirable to include hazard reduction as an express function of the NTFRS, and
to create an express power to back burn, which is currently carried out under the Incident Commander’s general
powers - which changes will avoid any potential conflict with other sections of the act which prohibit the lighting
of fires.
Public awareness and education programs - which are a popular and integral part of the Fire and Rescue Service’s
fire reduction strategy - and including an express power to carry out these functions, and the power to recover
costs of consumables for these programs where appropriate, and is consistent with other Australian fire services.
Note that there is no proposal for any new regime of additional charges. This legislative change is designed to
provide a solid legal basis for the current practice of seeking contributions to the expense of recharging fire
extinguishers used for demonstrations and similar costs.
The express power to make ‘user pays’ agreements for provision of fire services with major commercial enterprises
is proposed to provide for legal certainty in the two existing arrangements - with Nhulunbuy Corporation for the
airport and township, and with the Yulara Resort entity - but there is no plan to approach other existing enterprises
with arrangements of this nature, nor are any new arrangements proposed.
An express power to enter contractual arrangements for the provision of ancillary fire safety arrangements is also
proposed, to facilitate projects such as the NTFAST alarm monitoring system, pioneered by the Northern Territory
Fire and Rescue Service, which is used to protect many of our public and commercial buildings in the Territory today.
Two more of these fire fighting amendments require special mention: building safety and rail safety. The safety of buildings to which the public has access is a major concern to all of us, but particularly to our Fire and Rescue Service. Experienced members of the service regularly inspect commercial premises and buildings to which the public has access, and most commercial operators and property owners welcome the Fire and Rescue Service, value their advice, and follow safety directions in the interests of commercial security and public safety. Regrettably, and inevitably, there will always be a few operators who prefer to set different priorities; for instance, by keeping fire exit doors locked or by not maintaining fire service equipment.
The NTFRS already has the power to issue fire infringement notices, and does so from time to time. However, a more authoritative legislative basis for this regulatory work is seen as desirable to ensure the success of prosecutions in very serious cases. The existing Fire and Emergency regulations already provide for the prescription of classes of buildings - essentially public and commercial buildings - which must comply with additional regulatory fire safety measures. This system is to be given greater legal authority through an express provision in a new section of the act. In addition, there is also to be a new power for the NTFRS to prescribe individual buildings by notice, and for the director to issue notices requiring compliance with a particular fire safety requirement. This is not a power that would be used often, but would be used, for instance, in a situation where a private shed which does not belong to a class of prescribed buildings in the regulations, was being used to store highly inflammable chemicals, or in other circumstances which presented a high fire risk. Additional express safety requirement such as a duty to ensure that fire fighting equipment on prescribed premises is maintained, will be included in new regulations and will be backed up by creation of additional offences. This initiative will be part of a whole-of-government approach to issues of building fire safety.
As for the railway, this bill identifies the Fire and Rescue Service as the lead agency in dealing with rail and other transport accidents. In reality, the Fire and Rescue Service already attends to rail accidents, but these amendments provide powers to enter and deal with emergencies on railway property comparable with existing powers for road accidents and other emergencies. The Fire and Rescue Service is a member of the Rail Safety Unit and has had detailed emergency plans in place since mid-2003 for dealing with incidents on the Alice Springs to Darwin railway.
Where public safety is at stake, it is important that relevant legislation has teeth, and that the penalties are an adequate deterrent to people who, for reasons of convenience or neglect, might not meet the standards we require. The Fire and Emergency Act will move to the penalty point system for fines, involving a modest but necessary increase of around 10% from the level of fines in place since 1996, and will also harmonise its fire infringement notice scheme in line with other such schemes by allowing the withdrawal of a fire infringement notice to enable a formal prosecution to be instituted, where the offence is sufficiently serious.
We owe a great deal to our volunteers and the tireless efforts of our fire and emergency volunteers. The Fire and Rescue Service has amongst its volunteer units six groups who are referred to as Fire and Emergency Response Groups (FERG). These combine fire service auxiliaries, volunteers and emergency service volunteers as one unit. FERG volunteers in the small towns of the Northern Territory including Elliott, Pine Creek, Batchelor, Adelaide River, Mataranka and Timber Creek are trained in fire fighting, first aid and road accident rescue. They are also trained by the Northern Territory Emergency Service in search and rescue and, in some locations, cliff rescue. All fire and emergency equipment and supplies are provided by the NTFRS and NT Emergency Service, and they operate as part of these services.
However, as an experiment, the legislation which created them in 1996 deemed them to be incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act. The intention of this novel provision was to provide a corporate entity through which fundraising activities could be carried out and which could operate its own bank account and, incidentally, might protect volunteers and the government from possible public liability arising from fundraising activities. In practice, the deemed association has not proved very useful in the smaller units where no major fundraising initiatives are carried out, and it is doubtful whether it would, in practice, provide much legal protection to volunteers or government. Members of FERGs are already protected under section 47 of the act and are covered under the Work Health Act. With the passing of the Personal Injuries (Liabilities and Damages) Act 2003, volunteers are further protected from personal liability. It is proposed, therefore, to end this experiment in deemed incorporation. FERGs will still have the option to incorporate as independent associations under the Associations Incorporation Act, as do the larger emergency service response groups, if they wish to conduct substantial fundraising activities.
This government recognises that fire safety to the community is an important issue which has been highlighted by the recent fires in Central Australia. Government believes that the amendments will provide the NTFRS with the means to improve incident control and the means to raise the community’s awareness of fire safety issues. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debate adjourned.
FIREARMS AMENDMENT BILL (No 2)
(Serial 194)
(Serial 194)
Continued from 26 November 2003.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, in speaking on the bill before the House today, I can indicate at the outset that the opposition will not be opposing the bill. However, I have to say that I wish to express some reservations while I am on my feet today, and I have already spoken behind the scenes to the minister about my position on these issues. He has been very kind to offer me a briefing yesterday, to clarify some of the details of that. As a result of that briefing, the amendments that I was going to bring today I shall not. However, I do wish to outline the nature of my concerns.
The reason that I am not trying to amend the bill before the House is not because anything that the bill is attempting to achieve already exists but, rather, I want to visit some of the aspects of the appellant process which will be available to people who are affected by the operation of this bill.
I was advised yesterday that the bill is, to a very large degree, aiming to do two things. One is to accommodate the agreement to COAG that this government has made in relation to, basically, gun-running offences. The opposition expresses no reservations in relation to that at all, and I am glad to see the minister has brought those particular issues before the House. However, there are also comments in relation to the appellant process - this being an administrative process we are talking about - particularly comments made by the minister in his second reading speech, where he uses the term ‘legitimate expectation’. It appears in the second reading speech as just two words. I am no lawyer, so these things are a mystical revelation to me sometimes. However, I have taken the opportunity to investigate the expression ‘legitimate expectation’ and found a whole raft of things had opened up before me.
As members will be fully aware, the processes of administrative decisions sometimes causes grief in the community. Indeed, in the Commonwealth there is the Administrative Appeals Tribunal at federal level, as well as similar bodies in other state jurisdictions. The Commonwealth Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act is the judicial review act which also operates to capture some of the common law, if you like, in the operation of how administrative appeals go forward. We have no such act operating in the Territory. In terms of administrative appeals bodies, we have those bodies. In this instance, the Firearms Act has a similar body, so a decision made by the commissioner is reviewable. However, there are some fairly hefty limitations placed on the appeals process, and that is the cause of my concern and will be at the centre of my comments today.
During the briefing yesterday, I was told that the Northern Territory Supreme Court has ruled that a renewal of a firearms licence, at law, is actually not a renewal of a licence and that, at any time that I or any person who is a current holder of a firearms licence goes to a police station and says: ‘I would like a new firearms licence because the expiry date on this one says I am about to lose mine’, it is actually a new application. You are going into the police station and are effectively writing out an application - you have to start all over again. This is where the minister uses the word and the term ‘legitimate expectation’, saying there should be no legitimate expectation that the firearms licence will be renewed. What the minister is actually doing is shutting down a whole body and grounds of appeal which are available to people who are licence holders.
I would like to visit the area of ‘legitimate expectation’ briefly because it is a ground for judicial review of a decision made by an administrative body. It is an important ground because it has now been tested in the High Court several times in various areas. For the edification of members, a ‘legitimate expectation’ is something that arises out of what you would consider, if you were given a licence and you did all the right things under the terms of that licence, and you went back to the government and said: ‘I would like a new licence’ then, being a responsible licence holder ‘I would like my licence renewed’ would have a legitimate expectation that you would get that licence renewed.
I turn briefly to comments in Administrative Law by Douglas and James, if memory serves me, at page 720, where it is stated:
- It is the presence of a legitimate expectation which conditions the existence of a claimant’s right to procedural fairness
and the corresponding duty of the decision-maker to observe procedural fairness in the treatment of the claimant’s case.
The content of that duty is dependant upon the circumstances of the particular case, but its existence is determined
by reference to a legal principle. So, a legitimate expectation may be created by the giving of assurances …
The authors go on to quote Salemi, which is one of the cases, Kioa, and CCSU. I am sure members can look it up in the Douglas and James if they want to find the details. However, the grounds are then stated as:
- … the existence of a regular practice … the consequences of denial of the benefit to which the expectation relates …
or the satisfaction of statutory conditions ...
This list is not exhaustive. Basically, what is being said by Douglas and James is that there are several environments that will create a legitimate expectation that you are going to get your licence back. That legitimate expectation will be the consequence you suffer in case your licence is not renewed.
A classic example is somebody who has a collector’s licence and has a weapons cache or gallery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. There may be the reasonableness of the decision-makers themselves and the existence of a regular practice – ‘I have had my licence renewed 20 times’ - or the satisfaction of a statutory condition – ‘I have done everything that the government expects me to do to maintain my licence’. What the minister is saying is that we are going to remove their right of appeal – and I will go into appeals shortly - or judicial review to seek a particular writ - perhaps a writ of mandamus - to have judicial review applied because it is a new application every time. It is not just a renewal; this is a new application and you can have no legitimate expectation that your application, although approved in the past, will be approved again.
I was advised yesterday at the briefing that the Supreme Court has upheld that position, but the question I members here is: although an issue is technical correct, law and the process of interpreting law is subjective. It is almost like an art form in a sense that if you are creating something, although all your brush strokes are technically correct, is the end result pleasing to the eye? Have you created Jackson Pollock or Rembrandt? This is also the question that is before members here today in essence, because although the Supreme Court has said: ‘Well, the government’s position is correct in terms of renewal of licence does not create a legitimate expectation, so there goes one of your rights to have the decision reviewed’, is it pleasing? Does it please me that such a decision has come down and that, as the result of decision – I am uncertain at this stage, but I am concerned about the ability of government and the trend that seems to be occurring in legislation, not only in this but other jurisdictions - for those grounds of appeal to be chopped away?
They have to be made clear: an appeal is not a common law right in terms of statute. Judicial review is something that you can apply. However, to actually appeal a decision is not a common law right. That is supported in the Building Licensing Board v Sperway Constructions (1976) 135CLR616 where Justice Mason says in paragraph four, and I quote:
- An appeal is not a common law proceeding. It is a remedy given by statute ...
Therefore, at the end of the day there is no right of appeal; there is only an ability to have a judicial review of the decision made by the administrative body. This was adopted in the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Grice Holdings v the Commissioner of Taxes on 23 October 2000, Justice Thomas was quoted as saying:
My understanding of the principle to be distilled from the authorities to which I have referred, is that where a person has a statutory right to appeal, the
- My understanding of the principle to be distilled from the authorities to which I have referred, is that where a person
has a statutory right to appeal …
… the remedy on appeal should be pursued rather than an application on a prerogative writ.
At the end of the day, there is no common law right to appeal to a court for a decision made by an administrative body. All you can ask for the court to do is look at the operation of the administrative body and see if they have come to a just outcome.
There are obligations still, in spite of the fact that legitimate expectation is now not available - or will not be available as a result of this bill - where a person who is adversely affected by an administrative body can seek the right of appeal, or a judicial review of that decision. Bear in mind that a court cannot overturn that decision; they can simply say to the administrative body: ‘Go back and look at it again, because you have acted beyond the bounds of your law’. However, that process is very tight indeed. There is a general responsibility on administrative bodies to operate in a fashion which is reasonable. However, the courts are very loath to try and get involved in judicial review in relation to that.
Douglas and James reproduce the case, Associated Provincial Picture Houses Limited v Wednesbury Corporation, (1948) 1KB223. In that case, it dealt with a licence granted under the Cinematography Act, to grant licences permitting cinemas to be open on Sundays, subject to conditions as they saw fit to impose. The condition they saw fit to oppose in that case was, and I quote:
- … no children under the age of fifteen years shall be admitted to any entertainments whether accompanied by an
adult or not …
On the face of that, that would be a totally, screaming, unreasonable decision to prevent children under the age of 15 from going into a cinema. That is, effectively, a ban on children under the age of 15 going to the cinema. The Master of the Rolls, Lord Green, asked the questions: ‘Where can we get involved? How can we get involved in the process of overturning decisions for unreasonableness?’. Lord Green made these comments:
- They have considered it and came to a decision upon it. It is true to say that, if a decision on a competent matter
is so unreasonable that no reasonable authority could ever have come to it, then the courts can interfere.
It gives you an indication as to how the courts perceive this particular position and how loath they are to get involved in administrative decisions. That being the case …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Macdonnell, I hate to do this to you but, because we only have one hour for lunch, could you resume your remarks after Question Time?
Mr ELFERINK: Absolutely, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you for that. Honourable members, we will resume this after Question Time when the member for Macdonnell will have the rest of his time allocated to him.
Debate suspended.
FIREARMS AMENDMENT BILL (No 2)
(Serial 194)
(Serial 194)
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, I thank members for allowing me to continue my debate in spite of the delay for Question Time and lunch. As members were aware, I was delivering a riveting dissertation on the administrative law aspect of ‘legitimate expectation’, unreasonableness and other limitations in administrative law decision-making.
I had finished off talking about a case that came out of England some time ago, and demonstrating that the judiciary is very cautious, indeed, in entering into areas of judicial review of administrative decisions and, basically, will do so on grounds of irrationality on the part of the decision-maker, discriminatory acts and, possibly, disproportionality regarding the parties concerned.
The fact of the matter is that the minister has effectively come into this House and he said: ‘Look, I want certain things for the Appeals Tribunal. What I want is certain increased powers - certainly quasi-judicial powers - in summonsing people’, and such things, notably the addition of the new Schedule 7 which is proposed by this legislation.
As I said before lunch, there is no desire on the part of the opposition to oppose the bill, in spite of the fact that I was considering amendments in a couple of areas. However, I understand what the bill is trying to achieve in the overall structure of it. If it were not for the fact that there was an independent tribunal made up from the commissioner’s representative, with a magistrate having the chair, and a representative from one of the firearms associations on board – and it was quite independent of the commissioner’s influence – I would be very concerned indeed.
This particular request that the minister brings before this House to pass legislation to empower a tribunal with further powers – and I presume powers which are more an attempt to clarify the powers of the tribunal, but limiting grounds for judicial review - is probably the very edge of where we, as an opposition, would allow the government to take us. I know this exists in other pieces of legislation. To create an amendment - which was my intention - to allow matters to go to the courts on appeals, would then render this act inconsistent with other acts, notably, acts like the Freedom of Information Act, which has a similar clause to this act. That means only questions of law can be sent to the Supreme Court for decision, and not questions of fact.
It is always a temptation - for myself at least - to want to see an administrative appeals process formalised more completely in the Northern Territory as a general statement of government policy. It is tempting to try and bring, possibly, a judicial appeal process to bear on some of these decisions. However, I understand some of the pragmatic problems.
I invite the minister to make some comments in relation to the quasi-judicial functions that this Administrative Appeals Tribunal is being given by this parliament today - specifically powers of summons and those type of things. A magistrate does sit on the chair of the tribunal. There is quite a lot of case law and intellectual work as to the role of the magistrate or a judicial officer sitting on an Administrative Appeals Tribunal of some sort. How do they separate out from their juridical roles?
The proposed Schedule 7 does give power to some witnesses. This is quite a powerful piece of legislation that is being asked for. It certainly clarifies the intent of Part 9 of the Firearms Act itself in what it is trying to achieve. I believe that was always the intent, reading between the lines of Part 9, and that is being been clarified by government here. However, it is a great deal of power being given to a tribunal, and I would urge reassurance for this House from the minister that, when these powers are granted to the tribunal, they will be urged to deal with them with prudence and justice in mind.
The whole process of administrative appeals has, written into it by its very nature, an element of natural justice for those people who are affected by administrative decisions. It is the flavour of the concept of legitimate expectations; a concept that we are going to allow to be removed by the process that we are going through here today. I still believe that the principles of natural justice must be brought to bear. I would trust that a magistrates sitting as the chair of a tribunal would bring those principles of natural justice to bear in relation to how the legislation is going to operate.
I put on record that this is probably the bare minimum that the opposition is prepared to tolerate in giving power to administrative bodies and limiting the ability of judicial review. If the government expects or hopes to walk in with legislation which has a less independent appeals body attached to it, greater judicial powers by the flavour of the functions that that review body is going to be given or, for that matter, asks for more ways to prevent judicial reviews from going forward, then the oppositions will stand up and be counted. We will make it abundantly clear to the government that we do not approve of the limitations that are being offered here today going any further.
I appreciate the briefing I was given yesterday. It cleared up in my mind’s eye certain parts of the issues that I had a problem with. It is with cautious reservation that we support this bill. However, I understand what the bill is trying to achieve. We certainly support the gun-running and the ammunition aspects of it; however, it is the appeals process which is a cause for concern. If I believe that the appeals process has failed in its ability to deliver justice to people affected by it, I shall be the first person to bring amendments to the bill back into this House.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I support the bill, but I have a couple of comments. One is I am very pleased to see that in the amendment schedule are proposed sections 68A(3) and (4). I know that Clive at the Coolalinga Gun Shop will be very pleased to see that.
Mr Henderson: We listened to him.
Mr WOOD: That is terrific. I spoke to him as well. He rang me later and said that it was going to happen, so I am very pleased that it is there.
What it highlights is whether we need to step back a little and review the amount of paperwork required from people like Clive. He showed me the book you must have when a person brings a rifle into his shop. It is the usual big book, in triplicate. So, if someone brings in 15 guns, as he said happened on one occasion, it takes about an hour to fill it all out. He said sometimes the police already have that information on their computers.
Mr Henderson interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Well, one of the complaints he has is that there seems to be an obsessive amount of paperwork which, as a small business owner, he has to fill in. He said sometimes the information he is compiling is exactly the same information that the police already have on file.
What I am saying is that it would be good if the department could look at some of the practical aspects that people in this business have to deal with, because they are small business. They are fixing guns and cleaning them up, and they certainly do not receive any money for filling in forms - not that forms are not important, but let us make sure that only the essential ones are filled in.
That is just a comment, minister, not a criticism. I make that simply because Clive mentioned how much extra paperwork this would require. He asked why you cannot just show your licence and say: ‘I am registered here to buy that particular grade of ammunition’. That is all you would need. However, I am pleased that the government has introduced those amendments.
There is one other area, minister, you might address. On the matter of renewal of a person’s licence, you said in your second reading speech that one of the amendments includes clarifying that the grant of a licence is not a renewal of the person’s licence, it results from the fresh application. If you could explain the difference. Was it a grey area or is it a different philosophy altogether?
I support the amendments because the people who have to deal with them think they are okay, and they are the ones who really know.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition spokesman and the member for Nelson for their comments and support for the proposed amendments.
In a spirit of cooperation in this area from government, when the member for Macdonnell came to speak to me with some specific concerns, we sought the best advice that we could in trying to allay his concerns. That is the way that this process should work. We want to have legislation that meets the needs of Territorians and provides, particularly in the area of firearms, protection from firearms falling into the hands of people who should not have them. These are important amendments and we need to get them right.
I can assure the member for Macdonell that, in relation to the parts of the amendment bill that he was talking about in respect of appeals provisions, it certainly is the intent of these provisions to clarify the role of the tribunal. It is not about watering back people’s right of appeal; it is purely clarifying the role of that tribunal. There may sometimes be grey areas, as the member said, that may affect the tribunal’s ability to deliver justice. I believe that the tribunal does deliver justice and, at the end of the day, a person’s ability to carry a firearm is one that is approved, given that person’s ability to meet certain criteria, particularly the confidence of the Commissioner of Police who is ultimately the authorising body. He has to make sure that, with the knowledge that the police may have about an individual, that individuals who should not have access to firearms because of either associations or criminal records do not have access to firearms so the broader community can be safer. I do not believe that this is a great attack on anybody’s right to hold a firearm; it really is about clarifying the rules of the tribunal.
First, I would like to reiterate my thanks to the police and support staff who have worked on the bill. I would like to thank the Shooters Council for their input, and I am advised that the council supports the terms of the bill.
The bill does not restrict the rights people currently have to appeal decisions that they are not happy with. I am advised that around two to three people a year wish to challenge the decision of the Commissioner of Police not to grant a firearms licence. This bill does not restrict their capacity to do this in the manner and process in which is currently in place. What it does, as I have advised, is to make the process clearer. The legal advice I have received states that.
We understand that the member for Macdonnell is studying law. It must be something to do with that seat; one of the previous incumbents was also studying law. I have never studied law, so I will talk to the legal advice that I have here, which states that, in the limitation for restricting an appeal to the Supreme Court, a question of law only is similar to a number of other repeal provisions in other legislation. For example, under the Medical Act, Mining Royalty Act, Pay-roll Tax Act, Taxation (Administration) Act or the Pastoral Land Act - to name a few - an appeal is not a common law right, but it is statutory right which may be taken away. Section 52(1) of the Firearms Act currently provides that an appeal is a re-hearing. These amendments do not alter this. A re-hearing allows the appellant to introduce fresh evidence. For example, where the Commissioner of Police revokes a person’s licence on the grounds that the person is not a fit and proper person to hold the licence, the person may provide the tribunal with evidence that was not before the commissioner in making his decision.
An application for a firearms licence is not a renewal but is, in fact, a fresh application. In Suter v Commissioner of Police, His Honour Justice Mildren said - and member for Nelson, this goes to your question:
Technically speaking, the act does not require for the renewal of a licence. When a licence expires, it is necessary
for the holder of the expired licence to make a fresh application.
The appeal provisions do not interfere with a person’s right to seek judicial review – under section 56 of the Supreme Court Rules - of a decision, contrary to the concerns raised by the member for MacDonnell. Because the bill includes an action as a ground of appeal in section 51, it might be argued that the grounds of appeal have been widened. The proposed amendments allow a person to appeal a decision after the 28 day appeal period has closed. As the act currently stands, if a person fails to appeal within the time, the right to appeal has been lost. This is substantive rather than merely procedural, as the right of appeal is a statutory right. Again, the argument is that these amendments actually widen the grounds for appeal than what is in the current act.
Under the common law or in the principles of natural justice, there is no requirement to give written reasons for an administrative decision. These amendments insert a provision: clause 16, proposed section 54(3). The amendments to the tribunal procedures were only intended to clarify and give administrative certainty to the regime under the act. As it presently stands, there are no procedures for the tribunal. Therefore, in substance, the concerns made by the member for Macdonnell are not founded. The rights of the two to three people a year who may wish to challenge a decision of the commissioner are not restricted. In fact, they are expended and they will benefit from the clarification and streamlining to the processes outlined in the bill.
In my second reading speech, I flagged further discussions with shooter’s representatives, which were taking place to resolve those issues in relation to ammunition. We heard what they said. We have a very good working relationship with the NT Firearms Council, and I would like to commend the Northern Territory police; that is a strong working relationship. On those administrative issues, I would encourage the Firearms Council to raise examples of those issues, directly with myself as minister or through the communications channels with the police directly. I am sure that we will do everything we can to resolve them. It is not about tying small business up in red tape; it really is about ensuring that only the people who carry firearms are known, accredited, and licensed and that people who run businesses of the sales of firearms and ammunition keep records.
It is an unfortunate fact that we have to keep a track of these weapons in our community. We are not looking to introduce red tape for the sake of introducing red tape. However, if there are practical examples like the unintended consequences of the original bill, then, as minister and government, we are prepared to listen to those and act where necessary. I hope I have clarified the concerns. We will be going into committee because I have circulated proposed amendments and I am happy to take further questions in the committee stage.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 21, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 22:
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.1. Proposed section 68A(1) currently states that, where a person sells his firearm, he would be unable to sell any ammunition which relates to the firearm unless he is the holder of a dealer’s licence or is authorised to do so by permit. This is an unintended consequence. The amendment seeks to restrict the effect of the provision to sales of ammunition where the sale is made in the ordinary course of business, trade or commerce.
Mr ELFERINK: Absolutely no comment in relation to that matter. I would think it is a reasonable and commonsense amendment. I take the opportunity that the minister gave me in his summing up to ask him one question, which is not on point in this particular clause. I wonder why the schedule has been the chosen place to put, effectively, the powers and procedures of the tribunal rather than the act itself? I am curious; it has only occurred to me while I was sitting here re-reading it.
Mr HENDERSON: My advice is that many pieces of legislation have the powers of tribunals and other bodies embedded in regulations or additional schedules. It was a drafting issue determined by Parliamentary Counsel.
Mr ELFERINK: Mr Chairman, I am not going to raise any great pain or angst over it. I have made myself clear, and I thank the minister for responding. Basically, what I was attempting to do was to suggest the CLP’s position as bare minimum on administrative appeal things - not only in relation to this act, but as a general standard across the board. In the absence of the Administrative Appeals Tribunals and those sorts of things in the Territory, as a general policy we have to be careful protecting those rights enjoyed by people who are subject to licences fairly carefully, without also limiting the power of government to administer itself.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.2 The proposed section 68A(2) is similar to the previous moved section, except it relates to the purchaser of the ammunition as opposed to the seller of ammunition.
Mr ELFERINK: The opposition supports it and thinks it is a sensible amendment to the bill before the House.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.3. We dealt with this in the second reading. We believe that the provision is unduly onerous on firearms dealers because the dealer already keeps adequate records of any sales. The provision, however, would allow the Commissioner of Police to track the volume of ammunition sales and the persons to whom the sales were made. This would give police an opportunity to ascertain whether they are persons of interest to police, and who are regularly purchasing a certain type of ammunition. We have listened to the concerns of the dealers, and the proposal is to delete those two subsections.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Chairman, I move amendment 72.4. This amendment is a consequence of the above amendments.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 22, as amended, agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported with amendments; report adopted.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
FOOD BILL
(Serial 197)
(Serial 197)
Continued from 27 November 2003.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, we on this side of the House will be supporting the passage of the Food Bill today. The passage of this bill will bring the Northern Territory into line with all other jurisdictions in the country with regard to the legislative directions and controls working to reduce the risk to people of harm caused by the consumption of food.
Members will recall, I am sure, the awful situation in South Australia in 1995 when a little girl died and more than 20 children were hospitalised after eating a contaminated meat product produced by the Garibaldi company. After court proceedings, two of the company’s directors were fined $10 000 each for not recalling contaminated salami, the firm went into liquidation, and the Australian smallgoods industry took years to fully recover.
In the wake of this incident, the federal government, via COAG, embarked on a mission to improve legislation nationally, and this bill is part of that process. In other jurisdictions that have introduced similar legislation in the past two years, the changes have been accepted well. For example, as reported in the Sydney Daily Telegraph on 28 November 2001, the Managing Director of Castlemaine Bacon Company, John Harris, said that:
- Although sales had dropped dramatically in 1995 after the Garibaldi incident, since then, with fewer competitors
and stricter laws, we almost benefit from all that in the end.
The Garibaldi incident put the spotlight onto the risks associated with the food industry, and changes have been made as a result. We should not become complacent with regards to these risks. In 2001, the Annual Report of OzFoodNet reported, and I quote:
- The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health conducted a national survey of gastroenteritis.
Preliminary data from interviews of 2417 people suggests that the incidence of food-borne illness is significantly
higher than previously thought.
OzFoodNet, in the same report, advised that they had identified some important risk factors for food-borne infections in Australia. These factors included: imported foods such as peanuts from China in 2001 and takeaway foods - and the statistics are affected by the increasing number of outlets in Australia and our increasing affinity for this sort of food. In 2001, for example, there were a number of incidents concerning takeaway kebabs, pizza and cooked chickens. Other risks are the consumption of seafood, red meat and poultry.
This bill will make things easier for many in the food industry because it mirrors national standards. It means that national companies can bring in consistent standards of practice in all their outlets. Comprehending the legislation becomes easier because definitions for terms such as ‘food’, ‘sell’ and ‘food business’ will now be the same throughout Australia.
In addition, and quite naturally, the bill details offences and the penalties that they can incur. The offences include unsafe handling of food and misleading advertising. Defences are also detailed, such as whether or not a person took what could be considered ‘reasonable precautions’ to prevent unsafe handling of food.
Other areas covered in the legislation include the adoption of a Food Standards Code; the role of the Chief Health Officer and his or her powers, which will include recalling food and/or prohibiting production; the role and powers of enforcement officers, who generally will be Environmental Health Officers; and the need for food businesses to register with the Chief Health Officer. I am pleased to see that there will be no fee charged for this. Businesses will need to register unless they obtain an exemption, which will usually only be supplied for ad hoc events like charity sausage sizzles.
This bill will repeal the Food (Interim Provision) Regulations, under which the Territory has operated for many years. Until now, the government required that restaurants were registered but, now, with this bill, this has been expanded to all food premises such as takeaways, market food stalls and supermarkets.
I understand from the briefing I received from the minister’s staff - and I thank them for that – that, provided a business has been performing at a reasonable standard up to now, there will be no changes they will need to make as a result of this legislation, apart from becoming registered.
I certainly hope, for the sake of business, that there is a smooth transition to this new set-up, and that the staff of the Environmental Health Unit are resourced adequately to ensure that they are able to conduct the necessary audits because, as we know, even in the Territory the consumption of unsafe food can bring about horrific results.
In July last year, the NT News reported on the case of a 37-year-old Territory woman who lost both her legs, many of her fingers and parts of her nose apparently from eating unsafe salami. Unfortunately, the toxins in affected meat cause blood clotting, which reduces the circulation to the extremities, causing gangrene. A victim then has to have the affected parts of their bode amputated to prevent the spread of gangrene and the consequent further damage to the tissues of their limbs.
Therefore, in an effort to prevent further such cases, this side of the House will be supporting this bill.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I also support the bill and, although I did not have a briefing because life is pretty busy sometimes, I have some general questions I would like answered. They are not too deep and meaningful, but they are important.
One question relates to the definition of ‘food business’. What if you are giving away food? Does that mean you are in a ‘business’ and where is that stated? On my reading, I could not see that.
Another question relates to clause 11(1)(d), which defines what you mean by ‘unsuitable’ in relation to food and says:
- contains a biological or chemical agent, or other matter or substance, that is foreign to the nature of the food.
Without giving an opinion one way or another, does this phrase ‘biological agent’ mean genetic modification to a food? If so, could the government use that as a means of banning genetically modified food?
My next questions relates to clause 12, which deals with handling food in an unsafe manner. I presume that the person has to know that they are handling food to be charged with that offence. Say a person had no hygiene education and they handled food without knowing that is was an unhygienic practice, could they claim that as a defence? There does not seem to be a defence section for that part, although defences appear further on for other matters such as advertising and in respect of other handling of food.
Another question that has come to my attention relates to clause 14, which deals with the false description of food:
- (1) A person must not cause food intended for sale to be falsely described if the person knows that a consumer
of the food who relies on the description will, or is likely to, suffer physical harm.
The question that has come to my attention is: what would happen if someone described food as Halal for Muslims? In other words, the food is fit to eat and will not cause physical harm, but it could cause anguish. That may need to be looked at.
Moving on to clause 17, which has three clauses:
(1) A person must not, in the course of carrying on a food business …
From my reading, clauses 17(2) and (3) are all wrapped up in clause 17(1). My question is: do we need clauses 17(2) and (3) because, the way I read it, you can cover it all in one section? I would be interested to know your comments.
Minister, this might be a very minor thing, but it relates to the difference between clause 60 and clause 63. Clause 60 deals with the return of a substance or things seized; clause 63 deals with the return of forfeited substance or thing. I would like to know what the difference between those parts of the act are. they seem to be pretty well the same. Whether it is splitting hairs, I am not sure, but they do not look very dissimilar. Do you need both of them in the act or could you actually get away with just having the one?
Another matter which the member for Port Darwin touched on was clause 70, the requirement that food businesses be registered. What would concern a lot of people, bearing in mind, minister, in your second reading speech - if I can find the clause - you said that, under clause 32, it is anticipated that charities and low risk ad hoc events such as sausage sizzles will be exempt from registration. Will Rotary, Lions, the local cricket club and the local pollies have to become registered if they want to have a sausage sizzle? This would also apply to things like the Landcare group, the Bushfires Council, the volunteer fire brigades, and the school fetes. I am presuming all those groups, including the pollies who want to have a sausage sizzle, will have to be registered and then have to apply for an exemption. If they were giving away sausages or meat - and I put it to you that I had a barbecue at the Australia Day cricket day at Howard River Park where, basically, the food was free. By being free, am I exempted from the requirement of being registered? It is something that maybe a few politicians here would be happy to see clarified just so that they are not breaking the law next time they are having a sausage sizzle.
I presume from the answer that the member for Port Darwin has from a briefing, that market food stalls will be required to be registered. Perhaps there is something I missed, but how much is that going to cost people to be registered?
Dr Toyne: Zero.
Mr WOOD: Nothing at all? So it is free - zero? Well, at least that is not an incumbrance on small business. The last question was on clause 73, which is on the conditions of registration. There does not appear to be anything in those conditions to see whether people know anything about hygiene. It says:
(1) It is a condition of the registration of a food business that the proprietor of the food business must comply with
this act and the regulations.
The questions are not meant to be trick questions. I believe it is important that some of those questions be answered. I know I am going to be questioned as a local member, because the Rotary, Lions, the cricket club, the Landcare group, the volunteer fire brigade, the people who run school fetes, will all be asking me from now on if they have to be registered. If you could give some answers on that in your summing up it will be very much appreciated.
Mr VATSKALIS (Ethnic Affairs): Madam Speaker, I support the legislation. At last, we see modern, up-to-date legislation to replace some of the very old pieces of legislation currently in existence in the Northern Territory in relation to food, namely the Food Act 1986, Food (Interim Provision) Regulations, Food Standard Regulations and part of the Public Health regulations. All this legislation was drafted very early in the 1980s and is out of date. Let me tell you, it created a lot of problems when we tried to apply this legislation in my previous life as an Environmental Health Officer around Darwin.
We had a lot of problems and difficulties trying to enforce legislation. To give you an example, while Giuseppe’s is a restaurant and must register, McDonalds is not, and should not register. The legal opinion we had was an eating house is only a place where food is served, and the definition of ‘serve’ means plates and cutlery. We have had a problem with the markets. We could not register the food stalls, despite the fact that some people with food stalls are running a successful business five days a week starting from the Mindil Beach Market on Thursday and continuing until Sunday at Mindil Beach.
To go down memory lane, when I first came to the Territory from down south as an Environmental Health Officer, to become the Manager of the Environmental Health Branch, in 1993 my first case was a serious case of food poisoning involving a number of people working at the Health Department who ate contaminated oysters at a restaurant for the Christmas party. Quite a few of them were seriously ill. Also in Darwin when I came here, I had several cases where top restaurants in Darwin were actually serving contaminated food, or food that was off. In one case, a Malaysian delegation from the Malaysian Health Department went to a top restaurant and all of them, including people from our Health Department, got sick. Recently, you have seen the newspaper that, again, a top restaurant in Darwin served contaminated oysters and quite a number of people became very sick.
We have had instances in Australia that resulted in death. The mettwurst incident in South Australia resulted in the death of a young child. The incident where peanut paste was contaminated with salmonella resulted in a large number of people being sick all over Australia. We have had a salmonella outbreak in Victoria from Vietnamese pork rolls which resulted in two deaths.
Food poisoning can actually manifest itself like a slight dose of vomiting and diarrhoea but, in some serious cases, can result in a prolonged illness. And incident was described by the member for Port Darwin of a young lady from Katherine who ate a contaminated salami stick and it resulted in amputation of her fingers, the tip of her nose and her feet. It also results in long-term illnesses that requires extensive surgery. The total cost to the community of food poisoning comes up to many millions of dollars, not only for pain and suffering, but loss of income and the cost to treat the people who have been afflicted with food poisoning.
The first time I got food poisoning in my life – I am 46-years-old - was only last month when, on the last day of our holidays in Bali, I ate something I should not and it resulted in food poisoning that lasted for a week. I tell you that I was not very impressed. It is a not joke. I was very careful to do all the right things: drink bottled water and only eat in good restaurants. The last day before we departed we ate something - and that hits you, and hits you really hard.
Is food safety a problem in the Northern Territory? Yes and no. I say yes and no because I do not want to alarm people. However, the reality is that food safety in the Northern Territory is a problem. We have seen in the newspaper many times people complaining about foreign bodies found in food. Lately, a woman was complaining about out-of-date products. In my previous life, I had to deal with the cockroaches in food and a piece of wire in some bread. The best I saw was actually a fully baked and sliced mouse in a loaf of bread.
The problem we have in the Territory is that the legislation was so old and the penalties so low that quite a few people went to court and only received a warning. We made the conscious decision to - instead of sending people to court - close their premises down under the legislation. Closing their premises down for one day cost more than going to the court, but also attracts publicity. I know the owner of a particular business in town very well. He told me that, after prosecution it took him a year to bring the patronage back the level it was before. Therefore, he was punished severely and, to his credit, he has been very, very careful in what he has done since then.
All complaints have been investigated by the Health Department. They are still investigated by the Health Department’s Environmental Health Services. The people who administer and enforce the legislation are the Environmental Health Officers who, incidentally, come from down south. They studied in southern universities since we did not have the university course in the Territory. I have to tell you that, out of the six people who worked in the Environmental Health Branch in Darwin urban, only one person was born in the Territory and that person had to go to South Australia to study.
In addition to that, the number of Environmental Health Officers in the Northern Territory is significantly less than in any other jurisdiction. I was working with six Environmental Health Officers to cover an area from Darwin to past Adelaide River, with approximately 120 000 people. The ratio in the Territory at that time was about one Environment Health Officer over 20 000 people, while the ratio in some of the states is one Environmental Health Officer over 12 000 or 15 000 people. Therefore, we still need Environmental Health Officers in the Territory, especially in remote communities because of the distance factor and the complexity of the problems.
Another problem we have in the Territory is that Environmental Health Officers are employed by the Department of Health. The recent report on the Department of Health indicated that it would be a good idea to devolve the Environmental Health Offices and Environmental Health Officers to the local councils, like it is in other states. It is probably a very good idea, and I urge the minister to consider this option. The Environmental Health Officers work very closely with people and business in the community and those who have worked in a particular local authority learn very quickly the conditions in that area, they know what is happening, and they develop really good links with the community and the proprietors.
The legislation is very good. It is very modern and up-to-date. It is legislation that will apply throughout Australia. All states have agreed to adopt certain parts of the model legislation, and I am very pleased that the Territory has finally agreed to adopt this legislation.
With regards to how many people will be affected in the Territory, we have about 1800 food premises in the Territory which prepare and sell food. Of them, only 578 are currently registered because of the deficiencies of the present legislation. Under the new legislation, all these premises will be required to register.
Coming back to the member for Nelson and his question about the sausage sizzle, there are provisions under section 32 of the act for the Chief Health Officer to exempt certain activities or businesses in order not to require registration. Certainly, the school fete and politician with the sausage sizzle would be one of these areas that would be exempt because it is impractical, first of all, to register it and then police it.
In answer to another question – and I apologise to the Minister for Health for replying on his behalf to the member for Nelson - about the requirement for people to register for business to be aware of the legislation and hygiene. It is a requirement; ignorance of the law is no excuse. Most times, people applying for registration are pretty well qualified and they know about hygiene. Also, the Environmental Health Officers in the past - and I am aware they still do - conduct seminars and workshops. I believe I was the first time that we translated, in seven languages, the basic rules of hygiene for people operating market food stalls.
The markets will be required to be registered. The markets were an area of concern for me when I first came to the Territory. The Mindil Beach Markets were operating in very primitive conditions. I remember a lot of stalls did not have bain-maries, and the main refrigeration was an esky with some ice. I put pressure on the markets to upgrade the facilities, and I recall very well that the association went and complained to the then minister for health, Mike Reed. Mr Reed asked me for a briefing, which I provided, and I am very grateful to him because his reply to the association was: ‘We have minimum standards of health in the Territory. We comply with that because we cannot afford to have any food poisoning incidents at the Mindil Beach Market because that would destroy the markets’.
From there on, we worked very closely with the association and with the council, despite the fact we had to force the council to upgrade the power at Mindil Beach Markets. The markets have now become one of the showcases of Darwin. I believe they are even listed in the Lonely Planet book and many tourists comment on it.
The markets are very successful. We have a number of markets here now. I am still concerned about the way they prepare food. I have been in places where the food was prepared in the kitchen with the two kids in nappies running around and a dog as well. Under the new legislation, all this will be streamlined. There will be guidelines and certain things that have to be applied with. Hopefully – not hopefully - we will see an upgrade of the facilities that people use to prepare food at home. They will upgrade their food handling techniques and we will see better quality food.
Regarding the comment by the member for Nelson about the section which refers to different substances and biological agent, the legislation does not apply to genetically modified food because, in reality, in genetically modified food you modify genetically part of the food. Therefore, it is not a totally different part that is put in the food, because it is actually part of the whole food.
However, what we are facing with biological or chemical agents are things like chemicals or liquids that should not be in food finding their way into food. To give you an example: sulphur dioxide in mince meat. You cannot put sulphur dioxide in mince meat. One day I recall I had in my care 120 kg of mince meat from a butcher that was contaminated heavily with sulphur dioxide. His excuse was: ‘I am selling to the Aboriginal communities. They do not have refrigeration. That is the only way to keep it’. It was a pathetic excuse. I believe the dogs at the RSPCA had a very good dinner that night.
A member interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: Because I asked them after.
Again, I fully support the legislation and I show very strong support to my ex-colleagues, the Environmental Health Officers. They have a very difficult job to do. In some cases, they have more power than the police; they can enter premises without a warrant, and quite rightly so; and they can enter a premises without a warrant to inspect if they suspect there is some illegal activity taking place there such as the illegal slaughter of animals, or illegal sale of food. There are cases here in Darwin where food such as fish and prawns was being sold from backyards.
Sometimes, they find very difficult proprietors to deal with. A well-known publican in Darwin kicked the Environmental Health Officers out the door one day, told them to ‘F-off’ and did not want them on his premises and said they had no right to investigate. They could easily have taken him to court and made an issue of it, but my response then was to ring him and tell him that, since we could not inspect his premises, I was going to withdraw his food licence and advise the Liquor Commission at the same time, which would mean no food licence or liquor licence. Very soon after that, he rang and apologised for the misunderstanding, and allowed Environmental Health Officers to enter his premises.
It is a difficult job and made more difficult by the fact that the act they were trying to operate under was very inefficient, very old, very cumbersome and not very clear. With this act, things are going to change. I am very pleased that it is adopted by our parliament. The only thing I am very disappointed about – and something that I would urge the minister to consider in the future – is food safety programs, especially for food businesses where they prepare for sale and sell large quantities of food - not necessary the school canteen or the small shop, but we are talking about food manufacturers, of which there are quite a few in Darwin - like those who prepare ice-cream or salads. A food safety program and food auditing is very important.
For your information, Coles New World and Woolworths require that the companies that deal with them have in place a food safety program, and those companies are audited annually by food auditors. The food auditor report goes to Coles New World or Woolworths. If you do not have one of those, you do not get into the business of selling your product in their supermarket.
I am aware that Environmental Health Officers have put in place seminars and workshops to help people understand the act. There has been wide consultation with the industry. I know that because I still have good contacts with these people. Actually, my electorate office is in the same area as the Environmental Health Office for Darwin Urban. Often I communicate; I am still a member of our institute and I participate in discussions with my colleagues on these issues.
Once again, Madam Speaker, it is an excellent act. It is long overdue. I urge the minister to consider the number of Environmental Health Officers, where they are situated, and to consider in the future food safety programs and food auditing, especially for large companies.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for both their support and their contribution to the debate.
I suppose my most dangerous contact with food was when we celebrated a New Year out bush with a flask of Caterer’s brand vanilla essence. I can tell you that I dreamt of custard for several nights after I had drunk it.
It is a very serious issue, in that statistics from the National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health have indicated 17.2 million cases of gastro each year in Australia, of which 5.4 million cases are ascribable to bad food. We are talking about 6.5 million days of paid work lost because of this problem. Like all other jurisdictions, we are trying to modernise and make as effective a food quality regime as possible. As members have indicated, this bill is both overdue and welcome to be put in place in Territory law.
I will deal with the issues raised by the member for Nelson - and I thank the member for Casuarina for dealing with a number of them. Let us go through them as you put them to us. The definition of a ‘food business’ is contained within the bill itself. You have to read two sections of it. One is clause 8, the meaning of food business, which basically says anyone who handles food intended for sale or sells food. It is not quite as straightforward as that might say. You then have to go back to page 5, which is the various definitions of the terms used in the bill, and look at what ‘sell’ actually means. ‘Sell’ has a much wider meaning than just simply taking money for food which you are proffering to people. Reading those two sections together will give you an idea of the scope of the regulated activity.
Following on the assurances from the member for Casuarina, charities’ local sausage sizzles and those sort of things will be exempted under clause 32 by the Chief Health Officer. Unless you are a lousy cook of sausages, you probably have nothing to worry about at your sizzle; they will go on unabated.
Mr WOOD: Do you have to ask for an exemption?
Dr TOYNE: No, there would be a blanket exemption describing those activities as being not necessary for registration. It would not be case by case. The Chief Health Officer would say: ‘I am not interested in seeing sausage sizzles included in this operation of this legislation’. He will exempt broad categories of charitable or one-off events within the community, so that it is simply not necessary to register them. The intent of the legislation is to pick up food handlers and food sellers who are operating regularly within the community, not one-off events of an amateur nature.
The definition of unsuitable food, a biological agent: GM food would make food unsuitable if it contained GM food or a GM component, if that GM component is defined as being unsuitable for human consumption. There is a whole standard and protocol for GM products separate to this act. They would have to pass that test before the food that they were in could be suitable for consumption. It is a whole other regime. You will see that several times through the operation of this proposed legislation. There are areas that will not come under this because there are other regulatory regimes that are taking care of those areas.
The handling of food in an unsafe manner: must a person know if they are handling a food in an unhygienic manner, and what are the defences if they do not know? That is all encompassed in the bill. There are very clearly defined defences and offences that people will be subject to under this regulatory regime.
False description of food is related to physical harm; it is not about the aesthetics or the moral or cultural value applied to a particular food. I guess you could say that, if someone was knowingly and deliberately purveying unclean food to an Islamic person, then there would be other remedies that they could seek under the law. However, it is certainly not embodied in this act; it will be simply if the food is capable of doing harm to the person who is consuming it.
In clause 17, Misleading conduct regarding food, you asked if clause 17(1) made clauses 17(2) and (3) redundant. It is not redundant but, on a tight reading of the intent of the way those clauses of the bill are drafted, they all do slightly different things. You need all three to do that. If you want that clarified, we can certainly sit down with you and do that. However, if you want to take my word for it, they are all very much required within the intent of the legislation. To give you a broad clue on what each section is doing, clause 17(1) covers registered food business pre-sales; clause 17(2) covers unregistered situations; and clause 17(3) covers packaging and labelling once the food is sold. There are three aspects of the activity of running a food business.
You asked what the difference between clauses 60 and 63 was. Clause 60 covers items that are seized but not necessarily forfeited, and the other one is where they have been both seized and forfeited and, in the case of a successful appeal to the local court, have to then be returned under the provisions in the bill.
Clause 70, regarding registration, I am not sure. What was the point there? That is dealing with the scope of the need to register. I have given you a fair undertaking that it is certainly not intended to have these one-off charitable community-based events. One thing I will do is table the application form for registration. As you can see, it is not a gigantic, bureaucratic paper chase. It is a tick the box, two pages. It gives you some of the contact details of the applicant obviously, the category of food business that it falls into with about 20 boxes - you just tick the ones that apply to your activity. ‘Do you provide, produce or manufacturer any of the following goods?’ and it gives the types of food products that you might be handling. There are further questions about the nature of the business. ‘Are you a small business?’; ‘Is the food you provide, produce or manufacturer ready to eat when sold to the consumer?’. The answer provides the scope of the business. Manufacturing and processing businesses have a couple of questions there, and so do retailers; and then the location of the premises where the food is being handled for sale. It is probably about a 10-minute task to fill that out, so we are not talking a big imposition of bureaucracy on businesses.
Currently, there are 578 registered eating houses under the current legislation. We estimate about 1850 food businesses will come under this new regime. Therefore, it is certainly wider. To cover that, it is a simple no cost registration and it establishes for us an effective database of wherever food is being handled to the general public within our community. We tried to keep this as absolutely low impact as we possibly could, both in any impost in time or money on businesses operating in our community.
The other assurance I can give you is that - and the point has been made by the member for Casuarina already – the role of the Environmental Health Officers who will carry this legislation is not purely policing and enforcing of the regulatory regime. They are there to interact with the food businesses to, basically, work through the types of issues you have referred such as like hygiene, hygienic handling and the quality assurance that needs to be brought to bear on any business that is purveying food into the community.
It is an interactive process where the EHO will do rounds of visiting food handling places such as the Mindil Beach Markets, go around to the stalls, look at how they operating, point out ways that they might improve the hygiene, or come within the regulations more. That process is far more important than the formal end of it where action might be taken against a small percentage of businesses to bring them up to scratch.
The proof of the pudding is that most of the penalties and offences that are in this legislation already exist. They are in the current legislation which is operating day-by-day in the Northern Territory. You do not hear much about it. You do not hear any great groundswell of discontent about the current regulation. I would expect, with a clearer piece of legislation and a consistent regime around Australia, we are probably, if anything, going to take whatever little heat - you are always going to get shonky operators in a small proportion of the community who do need to be kept in line with acceptable public safety levels. There is going to be that role always with the Environmental Health Officers.
However, what I am pointing out is that they are our greatest resource in going around and installing this new regulatory regime across a wider representation of food handling or food businesses within our community. I have absolute confidence, having met the Environmental Health Officer whom we are working with on this legislation and hearing the type of role description they gave themselves for the work, that that is going to be done with flexibility, intelligence and sensitivity, but with firmness where there needs to be firmness. It is not a job that you give an unskilled person. We are not giving these jobs to unskilled people. They are trained university graduates who are capable of making strategic decisions about the best way to ensure the public safety in these matters.
I hope I have covered all your concerns. I would like to again thank members for the support that you have expressed to this important piece of legislation. Finally, I would like to thank Xavier Schobben here, the other people who have worked on the legislation - it is a very good piece of work and I have great confidence bringing this into the House - and the previous minister for health who also had a lot to do with its early development. I believe this is going to be very beneficial new legislation in the Northern Territory.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Dr TOYNE (Health)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, as I said before, we are not going into the committee section of the bill could I say, in a summary, that there are still concerns and, because we cannot debate those …
Ms Lawrie: Get a briefing next time.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, member for Karama.
Ms Lawrie: My pleasure.
Mr WOOD: The minister had raised some issues there that I think would need clarification, and I will get a briefing on those. However, it is important to understand that the minister mentioned people can apply, and things like exemptions. The act says under ‘food business’, a business which handles food for sale is regarded as a food business regardless of whether it is commercial, charitable or of a community nature. I understand that the minister has said there will be exemptions.
The problem is we do not know what those exemptions are. For those that existed in the act, without seeing the exemptions, my understanding is that there will be a requirement - if you read that as it is – that the cricket club, the Lion’s Club, the Rotary Club, the Landcare group or whatever, as charitable organisations, are running a food business and would be required to fill in an application form, which I understand is not onerous. However, then, of course, someone has to approve them as being registered. I presume the authorising authority is the Chief Health Officer. Will their premises have to be inspected? Will I, as politician, doing something of a community nature, have my barbecue inspected?
I understand the minister said they will be exempt. What I am concerned about is what the exemption list looks like and who will deliver it to these people to tell them they are exempt?
They are the concerns I have. I am happy to have a briefing, but it is one of those things these groups would really like to know.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I will not be mean-spirited about this. You are raising what was always going to be a question about the scope of the application of this new legislation. I cannot tell you in an immediate and detailed way what exemptions have been put in place. What I can do is give you an undertaking, here on the public record, that we will go through the process – this legislation will commence about mid-year – and, as soon as the exemptions are known, I am quite happy to bring them back here. I am quite happy to arrange a briefing on where they finally lie.
If we have problems out there in the community, we will deal with them. If there is something that someone time-honoured has done, such as the annual sausage sizzle at Freds Pass or whatever it is, if it is having an untoward effect on those, we will deal with it.
We are not trying to shut down the beating heart of the community talking over issues over a sizzling sausage. That is not the intent of this reform and, if that is the outcome of it in some isolated cases, we will fix it. Ultimately, as with all legislation, we are answerable back to this House on its impact on the community. I am more than happy to both brief you on it and bring information back to members if there is some unintended effect. I can definitely say there is no intention to impact on those types of activities.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Progress and Agenda for Employment and Training
Progress and Agenda for Employment and Training
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I make a statement on the progress made by this government in relation to employment and training in 2003, and to outline the government’s agenda for 2004. It is a progress report on how the government is rolling out the Jobs Plan we announced last year - the Territory’s first ever Jobs Plan.
Better education and training for all Territorians is a key commitment of this government. We recognise the importance of access to quality education and training opportunities for all Territorians so that they can enjoy high wage and high-skilled jobs. We are building a skilled and competitive work force supported buy an innovative and responsive education and training agenda.
At the outset, I want to congratulate the staff of the Employment and Training Division of the department for the tremendous effort in 2003. They, along with my office, did a remarkable job in piecing together a very complex and strategic Jobs Plan. They have been tireless in implementing it, and I am grateful for those extraordinary efforts.
The Jobs Plan laid out the government’s priorities in employment and training: jobs for Territorians; increased numbers of apprenticeships and traineeships; training to better meet the needs of industry, business and the community; more funding for small business for apprentices and trainees, particularly in traditional trades; an emphasis on preparing young Territorians for the work force through closer links between schools and industry and better career advice; and boosting indigenous employment by offering better career pathways, better matching of training to jobs and better learning support.
Not only did we set priorities, we have taken action to meet them. We have committed funds to employment, vocational education and training programs and initiatives over three years: $110m to train, re-train and prepare Territorians for employment and to increase community building capacity; $33m to fund and support the training of 7000 apprentices and trainees; $1.2m over three years to provide pre-vocational training for Territorians to assist them gain apprenticeships or traineeships; and $7m in incentives for employers to increase the employment of apprentices and trainees in small business, traditional trades, public sector and community local councils.
In our performance to date, I can inform the House that we have released $38m in contract offers to registered training organisations to provide and support a broad range of vocational, education and training programs and courses. The funding provides Territorians with access to training and skills development across a vast array of qualifications. The department has offered contracts to 27 Northern Territory registered training organisations for the delivery of training to apprentices and trainees in 2004. Twenty-five of the 27 registered training organisations are private providers. Funding commitment from government for this initial release of user choice apprenticeship funding is appropriately $9m for training in around 180 apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications across 16 industry sectors. We are providing $2m in 2004 to support additional training and administrative costs associated with apprenticeships and traineeships.
I am pleased to report that the initial round of the Northern Territory Employment Incentive Scheme was implemented as of 1 February 2004. Close to $1m will be made available to private sector employers to employ additional apprentices and trainees in small business, skill shortage trade areas and in local community councils. Over the next few month, eligible employers from across the Territory will access incentives for employing additional apprentices and trainees. The incentives include: $2200 for eligible small business employers; $7700 - with $4400 initial payment and $3300 on completion of the apprenticeship - in identified skill shortage trade apprenticeships; and $4400 - with $3000 initial payment and $1400 on completion - for local community councils.
It is a great opportunity for all employers, especially employers who have never had an apprentice or trainee, or who have the capacity to take on additional apprentices and trainees to take advantage of these and Commonwealth government incentives to provide Territorians with career opportunities and to assist in growing their business. The government has also set itself a target of taking on an additional 200 apprentices and trainees over three years. One hundred Territorians will be offered apprenticeships and traineeships in the public sector in 2004.
I am pleased to inform the House the overall number of Territorians commencing and training as apprentices and trainees is growing. On 31 December 2001, there were 2100 apprentices and trainees in training, with 1800 having entered into training contracts that year. As of December 2003, departmental records show in excess of 2600 apprentices and trainees in training, with a projected intake of around 2100 for the year. It is expected this trend will continue to grow as the government’s employer incentives kick in, and as a result of the Get VET marketing program. Importantly, we saw 900 apprentices and trainees complete in 2001, with a jump to 1100 completions in 2002.
The government is making a substantial investment in pre-vocational programs to prepare young Territorians for apprenticeships and traineeships. Riding on the back of the successful pre-vocational programs in the automotive, electrical and aviation sectors, the government has allocated $1.2m over three years to run further programs to better prepare Territorians for apprenticeships and traineeships in skill shortage areas.
A good example of how investment, in preparing Territorians for training, pays off is in the aviation industry. I had the good fortune to attend the Northern Territory Aviation Institute in 2003, which saw substantial government investment and training to support the aviation industry in the Territory. I am advised the industry has indicated eight of the 17 completing students available for employment in the industry are to be signed into apprenticeships. For the first time, we will not have to send our aviation apprentices interstate for training as we now have that capacity in Darwin.
While pre-vocational courses assist those with an interest in apprenticeships and traineeships to better transition to structured training, it is important we provide our school students with a taste of what is on offer in these areas. One of the most important and successful initiatives in this respect is the Vocational Education Training in Schools program. In 2003, the government provided $715 000 to VET in Schools funding. The funding provided 750 Northern Territory school students with the opportunity to access vocational education and training while still at school. Funding for VET in Schools has been increased to $980 000 in 2004. Over 830 young Territorians will have access to vocational education and training while at school this year.
A further success story in the Territory and testament to the effectiveness of this government’s policy with young people has been the growth in school-based apprenticeship and traineeships. With just 19 commencements in 2001, we saw 137 students undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in 2003, and this is projected to grow to 180 in 2004. That is a remarkable growth rate.
Government recognises we must market to our young people the benefits of undertaking structured training. The challenge for government and industry is to spark additional interest from our young people embarking on these employment options. In late 2003, I launched the government’s Get VET campaign aimed at raising the public profile of vocational education and training to promote the benefits of training in apprenticeships and traineeships. Before we move to phase 2 of the campaign, an independent evaluation will occur in March. That evaluation and consultation with stakeholders will guide the direction for the next stage of the Get VET campaign to be relaunched in the second half of 2004.
Under the Training for Remote Youth program, the government injected $1m in 2003 to provide 14-year-olds to 19-year-olds in regional remote localities with access to vocational education training programs. The funding supported 44 programs in 27 communities, with the training provided by 14 registered training organisations. In 2004, $1.2m in contracts have been offered for the delivery of 58 programs in 25 communities or community clusters, involving 11 registered training organisations.
The government is working with indigenous Territorians, industry groups and the Commonwealth to provide opportunities to access skills development and jobs. As an example, I have been advised negotiations are occurring with the Northern Land Council and Territory Construction Association for the delivery of pre-vocational training for indigenous people in welding, general construction and hospitality. Under these arrangements, DEET will commit funding of approximately $250 000 for the training of students, with the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations covering mentoring and administrative expenses. DEET is seeking to strike an agreement with the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the McArthur River Mine to conduct a training program for indigenous people on entry into mining.
Late last year, I viewed the end product of a specialised vocational education and training taster program developed by Charles Darwin University and Kormilda College. It involved 70 indigenous secondary school students from Kormilda College, St Johns College and Northern Territory Christian schools. I was impressed with the work that the people from these institutions had done on this project. I was even more impressed by the obvious enthusiasms and skills of the young indigenous people on the program. I am pleased to advise that DEET will contribute to the funding of the 2004 program. Forty-eight to 50 indigenous students will attend training two days a week to gain competencies within the sport and recreational, seafood, and automotive industry areas.
In 2003 and 2004, the government has allocated $2.1m each year to fund a range of training initiatives through flexible response funding and community response programs. Under these programs, indigenous communities identify training needs to cover the following areas: upskilling and re-skilling for community labour shortages; responsive ongoing skills development to assist in community capacity; and accredited and non-accredited adult community education.
In further improving employment and training services in regional centres across the Territory, an information and communication technology upgrade in July 2003 saw 117 new computers and ancillary equipment installed in DEET’s four regional training centres at Jabiru, Nhulunbuy, Katherine and Tennant Creek. In the near future, DEET intends to pilot the roll-out of an interactive distance learning system to the centres. IDL will allow the provision of flexible on-line learning for regional Territorians.
I mentioned under the Jobs Plan the government has emphasised the need to increase the training effort in the skill shortage and the traditional trade areas. In 2004, DEET increased the hourly rate it will pay registered training organisations to deliver training in the building and construction, automotive, electrical, and engineering industry sectors. Not only is this a means of compensating for the additional costs involved in training in these trade areas, it is also a strategy to improve the quality and responsiveness of training in sectors of industry so essential to economic growth in the Territory. I am also pleased to advise that, by increasing the hourly rate and, through cooperative negotiations, particularly with Charles Darwin University, we have been able to increase the annual hours curriculum and the funding dedicated to training in these industry sectors.
Another examples of the government responding to industry needs is in the area of additional training in welding. In 2003, DEET provided funding totalling $110 000 to support advanced welding courses that saw 25 local tradespeople graduate at the international ASME IX standard. A further $310 000 was provided to Charles Darwin University to upgrade the training facility and equipment and to ensure a safe training environment in the welding area. Charles Darwin University is now recognised by the Welding Training Institute of Australia as an approved training body to deliver training to international standards.
For the first time, the Territory will see a coordinated and structured approach across government agencies in relation to employment and training. All government agencies will be required to complete an employment and skills development impact statement as part of the Cabinet submission process. Officers from DEET are currently consulting with agencies on the proposed guidelines associated with implementation of this impact statement. The key objectives of the impact statement will assess the nett impact on employment either across the Territory or on a particular region; the impact on training and the potential for training opportunities, if any; and whether the training is to be publicly or privately funded. The impact statement will ensure Cabinet is better informed of employment and training implications associated with government policy, legislative and investment decisions. It is proposed the impact statement will be introduced in March 2004.
One of the most important components of the Jobs Plan is the development of Workforce NT. This will provide the first comprehensive report on the statement of employment with Territory. The report will provide government, industry and the community with information on: skill shortages; regional employment; indigenous employment; employment for disadvantaged Territorians; employment growth forecasts by occupation and industry; the impact of work force and employment trends on the Northern Territory; and employment impacts of major projects and government initiatives.
One area of disappointment in 2003 was the breakdown in negotiations with the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training under the 2004-06 Australian National Training Authority Agreement. The Territory, like the other states and territories, entered the negotiations in good faith with a commitment to striking a three-year funding arrangement with the Commonwealth that would underpin VET in line with the national VET strategy and the Territory priorities. Unfortunately, issues of contention could not be resolved and the Commonwealth, in the end, agreed with the states’ and territories’ proposal to roll over the 2001-03 ANTA Agreement to cover 2004.
This government will continue to boost the skills of Territorians to meet the demands of the work force. The work force is continuing to grow, as the latest figures for employment show. The Territory government will work with the Commonwealth to ensure a quality VET system that meets industry, individual and community needs, just as we will continue to build on our partnerships with industry, business, unions and the community to maximise employment and training opportunities for all Territorians.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement on employment and training. What he had to say was generally positive, and I look forward to great outcomes from the plan that he has introduced. In handing out accolades, I need to make some criticism as well. Minister, your government actually came in to the 2001 election with a huge job plan that you announced that you had, and was going to show us what it was going to be after the election. However, that did not appear for some two-and-a-half years. Obviously, somewhere, somehow, someone said something wrongly and it has taken a while for this Job Plan to appear.
This Job Plan however, I must say, is a reasonably positive one with some monies provided so the programs can be implemented. As far as the money allocation is concerned, there is a significant amount of money there, but we will see how well it is spread out and whether he can produce the programs and projects that the minister so keenly spoke about.
You may recall that another time I spoke about employment and training and I commented that, under the CLP government, we will be very keen to ensure that there are sufficient careers counsellors appointed within the education system to ensure that all our students obtain specialised counselling with regards to the career choices that they can make. For too long now, we have found that our students are not getting adequate careers counselling, many of the careers counsellors who have been provided for them have been literally plucked out of the teacher population, and many of these teachers have no experience other than their teaching career. Having careers counsellors specifically appointed from industry will provide these students with a much better perspective on careers they can follow.
Regarding what the government is doing in trying to promote training among our youth, there is a growing concern that, obviously, the money, while being promised, is not there. First, we hear about programs such as DTAL falling over. I am not certain why the minister has allowed this to happen. It is such a great program for our kids at school, where they can go and learn the theory in the classroom, and go from there to get their learner’s permit to then achieve a driver’s licence. Minister, this question has been put to you before, and we have not seen any considered action on your or TIO’s part to put the rumours to rest that DTAL is going to cease altogether. It is a good program that school kids of 16 years of age have been able to use to get their drivers’ licences.
As regards employment and jobs, minister, during Question Time you harangued the opposition for loss of jobs. Let me just give you some real statistics that you can work on. In May 2000, there were 72 000 full-time jobs. In June 2000, there were 71 600 jobs, and there was a slight decrease again in July, to 71 300 jobs. Then it started to decline. In August 2000, the full-time job numbers were 71 400. In September 2000, the numbers were 71 700. In October 2000, the numbers went up to 72 100.
To compare those figures with what happened this year, in January 2004, full-time jobs in the Northern Territory numbered 71 900. The last time it was below 72 000 jobs was in September 2000. You cannot say that your government has delivered on jobs when your absolute number of full-time jobs is below 72 000. Under the CLP, we handed it over to you at a time when the jobs were at a reasonable level. The CLP had a great program and, for some reason, it fell over when you took over government. People left the Northern Territory in droves and, had it not been for the railway project which brought in some 1400 jobs during its construction, we would have had absolutely diabolical numbers.
Had you introduced your Jobs Plan - which came some two-and-a-half years too late - right at the very beginning, perhaps we would not have seen such a great downturn in job numbers. You can say: ‘Oh, well, our job numbers have gone up of late’. If you look at the real stats, they demonstrate quite clearly that full-time jobs have gone down. The numbers of people employed have been padded up by part-time jobs. That is all it is. You know full well what they are. It is very easy to demonstrate that, had it not been for part-time jobs being so readily available in the Northern Territory, our employment rate would be a lot worse than it is today.
I want to now come to apprenticeships and what the Northern Territory government is trying to do. The Jobs Plan announced in this is reasonably good. The funding that has been provided for businesses to take on apprentices and trainees is reasonably encouraging. However, it is still early days. I do not believe that a quantum of subsidy is really meaningful at all - $2000 for an employer to take on a young trainee may not be adequate. Talk to some of the employers out there in the motor mechanics and motor servicing companies. When they take on an apprentice, for the first year-and-a-half to two years, those apprentices actually cost them money. It costs because those apprentices are not at the productive stage of their training. I recall doing that myself - training medical students and young doctors. They, in fact, cost you a lot of time and the compensation by government is never ever adequate. It is important for the government to understand that, to try and get our apprentice numbers up, there has to be some meaningful compensation to employers to ensure that they can spend their time in assisting the young trainees and apprentices.
The other thing that apprentices face is the cost of living. In their first year, they receive well below what a tradesman would receive. Sometimes, the income that they receive is even below what they can live on. There may be a possibility or an avenue here for you to consider assisting apprentices in a financial way, to encourage them to stay within their apprenticeships.
With the recent development of the Charles Darwin University, the minister was very encouraging in speaking about how vocational education and training could be provided through that avenue, and also through vocational education and training in schools. I draw the minister back to the model that Centralian College and Alice Springs High School has. Those two institutions have provided vocational education in schools, and vocational education per se in a very successful way. With the amalgamation of Centralian College with the Northern Territory University, I fear that there is going to be a huge dilution of the impact that those institutions in Alice Springs can provide. There are concerns now that a lot of the TAFE that was promised to be retained in Alice Springs will be transferred to, and be administered from, Darwin.
Centralian College has demonstrated for nearly 10 years that it is a very capable, efficient organisation. By moving the bulk of the administration to Darwin, and managed within a culture of higher education, I am concerned that what will happen is that the efficiency of the vocational education and training in the Northern Territory will be very significantly diminished. If that is the case, then all the heartache that all the staff have gone through to ensure the peaceful and smooth amalgamation of the institutions to the Charles Darwin University, will be such a waste.
The minister spoke about getting indigenous Territorians into the VET system as well. That is a marvellous aspiration. It was good to see a fine example of this – ADrail, during the construction of the railway line, was able to have more indigenous employees than they ever anticipated. Their numbers far exceeded their targets by almost 100%. If that is the case, that is a good indication of what appropriate Vocational Education and Training can do. If you give the training of appropriate level to people who are interested in it, then it becomes very meaningful.
One of the things we talked about is Just in Time training, as it is called. When somebody needs to have a particular skill, you offer that skill at the time that they need it, then the training will be retained. The person who is interested in it will then learn that skill very quickly because that skill is needed at that time – just in time. If we continue to follow that model, I believe that students in high schools, and people in Vocational Education and Training will also benefit greatly.
However, it comes down now to how we promote Vocational Education and Training in schools because, if we do not start looking after our kids in school, then we are not going to get very many qualified tradesmen over the next few years. They have been getting fewer and fewer since the early 1990s when there was a sudden fall in numbers. Today, we see why we are so short of tradesmen.
Many students will go to school, learn their lessons and then come through to secondary high school. I do not know whether members realise that some 70% of senior secondary high school students are not particularly interested in going to university - 70%. What do we do with them? If we keep on pushing them to go to Year 12 and aspire to be high academic achievers when they are really, in fact, not interested, then they are not going to be interested in learning and are not going to achieve the academic skills that we hope that they will. It would be better for these kids to be given careers counselling so that they will choose a vocation or a trade as their primary choice. I believe it is important for us, as members of parliament, to start talking about vocations, traineeships and trades as the primary choice for many of our students.
For so long, the debate on education has been all about higher education and about aspiring to go to universities. The reality is, only 30% of our Year 12 cohort get to universities and, of those, only 50% will actually end up graduating and acquiring a degree. We have, in fact, 85% of our senior secondary school students not coming out with a university degree. Let us concentrate on that 85%. That is a very big population and the one we should be encouraging to take up employment and training in non-university type courses. Again I say that, in schools, if given good careers counselling, they will then make the right choices. Schools themselves then need to provide the VET in Schools type programs and TAFE or VET institutions - whatever you call them these days - should be focussing on these kids to try to design courses that are attractive to them.
I continue to use the Centralian College model because it was a model that worked very well in Alice Springs. High school students in Year 11 could, in fact, go through school and, at the same time, undertake some VET subjects. Those subjects allow the students to then cross the school/TAFE barrier and do subjects and courses within a TAFE college. Often, they can come out at the end of Year 12 with both a high school certificate as well as a TAFE award. That TAFE award can often help them enter into industry very easily and quickly. Again, VET in Schools can do exactly the same thing: the students will actually be school-based trainees, as we call them, and spend a couple of days in industry and three days at school. Those two days per week they will be spending in industry will given them a taste of what working in industry is like. Sometimes it might not work so they swap to a different type of industry to have another sample of it to see what it is like and then, hopefully, in due time they would have enough experience to decide that there is particular career that they want to follow. Having that in schools will definitely allow our kids to get more use out of their education than just trying to be academic high achievers when they know that they are not interested, and going to universities when they have just been pushed in their by their teachers, schools and parents and are never going to be successful at the end of the time.
What other incentives can we give industry to try to take on all these trainees, apart from this job plan that the government has provided? We talk about the subsidies, but what we do not have is the employment base. We talked about how many jobs have been lost in this afternoon’s Question Time. We said that, since this Labor government has been in power, we have lost just a little more than 13 jobs each and every week. That is a huge loss of full-time jobs – a huge loss – and we had better start looking at what caused it and the government better start reversing this trend. Obviously, the government agrees that there has been a huge full-time job loss because, as I said early this afternoon, the Minister for Employment, Education and Training had revised his estimate for employment growth for this financial year 2003-04 from 2% down to 1%. In over the six months, he has seen the drop in employment and anticipates that the growth rate is not likely to be as big as he anticipated only six months ago.
The minister spoke about the employment and schools development impact statement that he is going to bring about. I am cautiously supportive of that. It is good to see government agencies required to provide government with an impact statement to see how they are doing, how they themselves are fostering or encouraging job development, and how they are also helping the community to get more jobs. It is also important for government to recognise that they need to have better policies to increase jobs. What interested me was a media release put out by the Deputy Chief Minister just recently. He used the words that he had the first meeting or an unprecedented meeting with industry to canvass their ideas. I cannot find that media release easily, unfortunately. However, if that were true, that really concerns me. How could the Deputy Chief Minister, the Treasurer, say it was the very first meeting he has had with industry to canvass the ideas? That is the problem with this government: they do not talk to people. When people want to talk to them, they cannot get to them. There is no access to government, and it has been the problem. Talk to most people who try to get access to the ministers, and all they get is a whole heap of minders getting in their way.
I spoke to a trainer in the TAFE section in the Northern Territory and asked him how we could enhance the numbers of students in Vocational Education and Training. He supported my thought that it is important to have good careers counsellors and, if the teachers are now going to be used as career counsellors, then there must be a means to change the mindset of teachers so they are not just university focussed. These teachers must also have some industry experience, whether that be through the teachers themselves actually going into industry for a week at a time to learn about industry so they can bring that information to the schools. Better still would be for teachers to be a lot more inclusive and invite different professions to come to schools to talk to students.
I was told a story that an engineering association offered to go to one of the schools to speak to the students and the careers counsellor, who was the teacher doing careers counselling as a part-time load, said: ‘Oh, we have never offered engineering careers counselling in this school because there are no students who are interested in engineering’. The engineer said: ‘Well, let us give it a go, anyway. Seeing that you have not had any students interested and you have not offered any engineering careers counselling, how are we to know for sure whether the students could have been interested in engineering or not?’ Anyway, after the engineers went to the school and talked to the students, they ended up with three applications from students of that school to take up engineering. So there you go; it is a chicken and egg thing. If you have teachers who are not promoting a particular career, then you are not likely to get students who are going to be interested in it.
The other thing this instructor told me about was that, in days gone by, before a student was allowed to take up an apprenticeship, there was a requirement for the student to be pre-tested. That identified whether the student had literacy and numeracy skills or deficiencies; whether there was an aptitude for the student to take up a particular trade. That pre-testing has gone by the wayside, and I understand that it disappeared when the ITC industry - I cannot remember the right name; it will come back to me in a minute - decided that pre-testing was not necessary and, as a result, there have been many apprentices who have gone into their first year and found that they did not have the prerequisite skills to undertake their apprenticeship. Today, with computer skills being very important in all sorts of trades, if you do not have literacy and numeracy skills, then it makes it very difficult for that young fellow or young woman to undertake the apprenticeship successfully.
The other issue regarding jobs for Territorians is mature-age apprenticeships. If a student has left school and decided not to take up an apprenticeship in the first place and has gone to work for a motor mechanic just as a junior labourer, if this young person then continued to work for the business for some six to nine months as a labourer and then decided at that time that they would like to be a motor mechanic, this young person could no longer plug into the apprenticeship scheme and get any subsidy from government. The employer now has to carry the full load of this apprentice who will be starting from scratch as though he or she had just left school.
That is unfair. I do not believe that anyone who wants to take up an apprenticeship should be treated differently from someone who has just left school and gone into an apprenticeship. You could be a mature-age person who wants desperately to be a motor mechanic - you are in your 30s, you have worked for 12 months or so for an employer as a labour and nothing more. You suddenly decide that yes, you are interested in a particular industry and you want to up-skill yourself through an apprenticeship. That should be supported, and I believe that this government should look at that very seriously. To have a mature-age person taking up an apprenticeship, it would be very unreasonable of the employer to pay this mature-age apprentice a junior apprentice start-up wage, which can be something in the order of about $5.50 per hour. You could not have a mature-age person doing that when that person, in fact, would have probably been earning more as a labourer than as an apprentice. Therefore, the employer has to take on this mature-age person at a higher wage scale. Such a scheme would be very useful.
Finally, with the couple of minutes that I have left, I want to stress my concern that the Charles Darwin University VET section is in some turmoil at the moment. I am sure the minister knows about it. If he does not, then he needs to go and speak to the vocational education sector of Charles Darwin University. There is a lot of uncertainty in continuation of work; how it is going to be administered; how courses are going to be delivered to trainees living outside of Darwin. That is a real concern. Employers will tell you, while bush apprentices would like to come into town for weeks at a time on block release to do their training, urban-based employers prefer to have their trainees do their theoretical training at the Charles Darwin University on day release because that provides the employer with a greater connection with the student. Usually, after a week block release, or usually longer, the student or apprentice returns to the employer, who has to then rejig the whole thing to get the trainee back into the right mindset for the workplace.
With those few words, I support the statement. I cautiously believe it is positive, and there is money involved in it, and I look forward to some positive outcomes out of the Jobs Plan.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I inform members of the Jobs Plan initiatives in my portfolios of Health, Justice and Central Australia. I am pleased to observe that the initiatives in all of these portfolio areas contribute to achievement of the objectives of the Jobs Plan by maximising employment and training opportunities for Territorians, making a significant contribution to community capacity building, and assisting in growing the Northern Territory economy and industry.
Taking Central Australia, this government’s Job Plan initiatives are really making an impact in our community. I was delighted last Friday to be able to present awards to the 10 Alice Springs graduates of the 2003 Northern Territory Public Service Apprenticeship Scheme. I am even more delighted to report to members that my own daughter, Alexandra, is starting on one of those apprenticeships right now in my old agency of Corporate and Information Services. It is great to see her being taken under the wing of some very good public servants who will bring her into the public administration processes. All the graduates have completed a Certificate III in Business Studies, and they were a very impressive group of young women. They had clearly not only enjoyed the course, but had very well-rounded skills and great sense of team work. Congratulations to their trainers and supervisors for what was clearly a job well done.
That is why I am particularly delighted that this government has provided close to an extra $1m a year to the scheme, tripling what was already available. This will ensure not just more opportunities for young people, but a much greater mix of graduates from different backgrounds. The $7m over three years to assist private sector employers to take on new and additional apprentices and trainees will be welcomed by the Alice Springs community. One of the greatest costs to business is recruitment, and one of the best ways to address this is by investing in our own young people, both indigenous and non-indigenous. More and more young people who have spent their life here are choosing to stay, or to leave for a few years but return. What better incentive to return is there than to offer real training and real jobs?
Last week, I announced the allocation of almost $20m to the construction of the first part of the Desert Knowledge Precinct. This will not only create almost 250 jobs over three years, but all tenders will be seeking to maximise the training and employment of indigenous workers. With assistance of organisations such as Footprints Forward, the opportunity exists to make a real impact on indigenous employment.
The Footprints Forward concept was developed from the Alice in 10 Quality of Life project and the indigenous employment challenge. It was developed in response to concerns with the unemployment rate amongst indigenous people in Alice Springs, and the difficulty employers and prospective employees have with navigating through various agencies. Footprints Forward aims to target young indigenous people who demonstrate an active interest in employment and require additional support to successfully maintain employment. Their services include providing mentoring, placements into school-based apprenticeships, work experience and structured employment programs, referrals to job network providers, employer awareness visits, cross-cultural brokerage, and conducting skills audits. Footprints Forward board of management was elected in November 2003 and represents business, government, indigenous organisations, and education bodies working in partnership to help our young people achieve employment.
I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that the Department of Health and Community Services has made significant progress towards achieving the objectives of the jobs plan: indigenous employment and career development. By May 2004, the Department of Health and Community Services will have completed a comprehensive review of its Aboriginal employment and career development strategy to enhance what was already a successful strategy. The department has undertaken many initiatives to bring indigenous people into the health work force. For example, the department participated in the entry level employment program for 2004 coordinated by the Department of Corporate and Information Services, and nominated 13 STEP trainees for 2004. The department has increased its indigenous cadetship program from 10 to 12, with a planned mid-year intake of another two cadets and school-to-work students starting in March.
Over the past two years, DHCS has been supporting traineeships with the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Remote Health. These traineeships support indigenous people through an apprenticeship specific to indigenous health and research. There are many initiatives already under way in the Department of Health and Community Services to assist indigenous staff in their employment and career development.
DHCS has supported six indigenous men in the indigenous men’s leadership program being run by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment. The concept was originally developed as a recommendation from the Ross River indigenous men’s health conference 1999, and came to fruition in July 2003 with 25 indigenous men from all agencies taking part. All of the 25 men will graduate with a Diploma in Frontline Management at Charles Darwin University in May 2004.
My department is working with the University of New England to develop an Aboriginal health management training program. The program is supported through the College of Health Service Executives and will assist indigenous staff through a degree in health management.
Retention and recruitment strategies aimed at indigenous employees includes the indigenous mentorship program. The program was developed in 2002 for the personal and professional development of DHCS indigenous staff. Another retention program to be introduced is the indigenous rotation and exchange program which will provide indigenous staff with the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge through exposure to different areas of the department. A long-term goal is rotation and exchange programs across NTPS agencies.
Recruitment and retention strategies: in recognition of the national and international shortage of skilled nurses, DHCS has specifically been developing a range of recruitment and retention initiatives targeting the nursing profession. These include:
the ongoing implementation of the nursing graduates program. This program provides a supportive environment
for nurse graduates employed in the NT hospitals, through structured education and training, and support by the
clinical nurse educators in the workplace;
a recruitment support unit has been established to provide an NT-wide coordinated approach to nursing recruitment;
and
the 2003 nursing marketing campaign is currently being reviewed for continuation in 2004.
Discussions are also under way with the Western Australian Department of Health to develop a joint partnership for the recruitment of remote area nurses. This partnership will see us working with, rather than competing against, Western Australia for resources that will provide nursing experience across jurisdictions. My announcement yesterday of the certification of the new enterprise bargaining agreement with the Australian Nursing Federation puts us in a strong position to attract new nursing staff. In fact, it makes us the most competitive jurisdiction except for New South Wales. The agreement provides our nurses with an 11% increase in salary over three years, with greater increases for many nurses through improvements in allowances and the introduction of extra classifications in the nursing career structure.
Recognising that it is not easy to access tertiary education, we have granted undergraduate and post-graduate nursing scholarships to the value of $136 800, and developed a paid re-entry program for nurses wishing to return to the profession after a period of absence. In the most recent grant round, in December 2003, a total of 52 applicants were awarded funding support.
In 2001, the Labor government committed funding up to $11.58m over four years for 75 additional hospital nursing positions. To date, the department has created 38 new nursing positions which include a range of specialist positions such as clinical nurse educators, nurse managers, renal and midwifery nurses, as well a general ward nurses. I am pleased to say that the department is on track to meet the target of 75 additional places.
Education and training for health professionals in the Northern Territory is one of the key planks of the Jobs Plan to maximise training and education programs to Territorians. DHSC managers arrange studies assistance grants schemes, one of which is accessible to medical students seeking funding supporting their studies. The studies assistance grant scheme is open to both internal and external applicants for a variety of vocational and higher education courses, short courses, conferences, workshops, or other professional development activities which are relevant to the health and community services industry in the Northern Territory. Whilst higher education contribution scheme fees are not funded under the scheme, associated support requirements such as amenities fees, text books, air fares, accommodation, medical equipment and uniforms are eligible to be funded.
Access to the scheme by medical students remains very high. In the most recent grants round in December 2003, medical students were the second highest category to receive funding support, with 14 applicants. The highest category was nursing with 22 successful applicants. There is also a partnership arrangement between DHCS and the Flinders University of South Australia whereby an NT quota of 10 places is made available for local students to complete their final years of study within the NT.
DHCS has a close relationship with Charles Darwin University and is involved in many levels of education and training for future professional staff in the health sector of the Northern Territory. For example, the nursing education council forum provides the opportunity to discuss issues on nursing education at the undergraduate and post-graduate and workplace levels. The forum comprises regular meetings with the Charles Darwin and Flinders Universities, plus private and public hospitals, community agency, and aged-care organisations. The department also provides educational support to clinical nurse educators at the Charles Darwin University in relation to skills development for their own professional development in clinical application. The department is engaged in ongoing negotiations with Charles Darwin University regarding the accreditation and joint delivery of courses, and has reached agreement with CDU for the delivery of an undergraduate nursing program - the first offered across the Northern Territory. Some nurse educators in Alice Springs provide clinical education to the Centre for Remote Health, complementing theoretical lectures delivered by CDU staff. DHCS staff are considered adjunct lecturers for the nursing undergraduate program.
A clinical education laboratory has been jointly established and maintained in Alice Springs for the education of CDU nursing undergraduate students and support for student placements, whereby a range of DHCS staff supervise university clinical field experience placement students in both the nursing and allied health areas. These examples show how agencies can work in real partnership with education and training providers to advance the skills base and capacity of our work force.
DHCS has a well-developed plan for professional development and training for its employees. Such development and training is an effective retention strategy and builds capacity in our work force. DHCS manages a range of studies assistance grants schemes that are open to internal and external applicants. I have already mentioned the studies assistance grants scheme and the undergraduate and post-graduate nursing scholarships. My department is contributing strongly to our Jobs Plan.
Like the Department of Health and Community Services, the Department of Justice has made significant steps towards achieving the objectives of the Jobs Plan. In particular, today I will speak of initiatives in indigenous employment and legal training and education.
Taking indigenous employment, the Department of Justice has an internal indigenous employment and career development strategy, which aims to increase the number of indigenous men and women recruited and retained within the department. There are a number of initiatives included in the action plan, ranging from promoting positive achievements of existing indigenous employees to the development of an indigenous mentor support network. The department is currently working on implementing these initiatives.
Justice currently participates in the National Indigenous Cadetship Program, and one law cadet is currently supported through provision of a living allowance, payment of HECs fees and books, and employment during semester breaks within the Department of Justice. The cadet is provided with a mentor who will supervise them during their placement, and also assist where required with their studies. On completion of the law degree, there may be an opportunity to undertake articles with the department and gain admission to the Bar.
Justice plans to expand its participation in formal apprenticeship programs, including the STEP program in the near future.
Legal education and training: the Department of Justice offers several articles of clerkship for law graduates every year in either Public Prosecutions or Legal Services. Recruitment to fill these vacancies is undertaken twice a year, in February and September. Justice also employs graduates on an ad hoc basis to undertake an associateship with a judge for 12 months, in addition to six months of articles. The Department of Justice also employs a number of legal students on various part-time or temporary contracts throughout the year, providing valuable work experience and exposure to the legal environment generally.
In addition to general training for administrative staff, specific and regular legal training is conducted for legal professionals within both the Public Prosecutions and Legal Services divisions. Continuing legal education is necessary for professional staff to maintain their skills and keep their qualifications current. Of course, continuing legal education helps to build capacity in our legal community.
The Department of Justice continues to contribute to training and information sessions conducted by the police, community agencies, schools and CDU. The Director of Public Prosecutions conducts an advocacy course at CDU whilst other professional staff lecture in individual subjects. In this way, the relationship between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and community groups is enhanced.
The Department of Justice, through Correctional Services, continues to recruit prison officers through its prison officer in-training programs. There are currently two programs under way - one in Darwin and one in Alice Springs - with a total of 28 new recruits.
It is increasingly important for recruitment and retention of skilled workers that we develop a workplace culture that enables staff to balance work with family commitments. To this end, the Department of Justice has developed a flexible work practices policy, which addresses a range of flexible work options including part-time work, casual work, job sharing, career breaks, work from home, and use of flex time.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to advise parliament of many initiatives under way in my portfolio areas in support of the Jobs Plan, and I commend the minister’s statement to this Assembly.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I welcome the statement by the Minister for Employment, Education and Training on his government’s agenda for employment and training for Territorians. There would not be one person sitting in this Assembly who does not realise the importance of quality education and training, and who has the desire to have as many Territorians as possible receiving high wages in high skill jobs.
There are some issues facing training in the Territory and some of those are being able to meet the needs of the industry, business and the community; access to appropriate training in regional and remote communities; the cost to small business in regional areas to take on apprentices and trainees; and the flexibility of training to suit all students. The key to successful outcomes for both students and the workplace is to have very close links between schools, training providers and industry.
In particular, I want to talk today about Katherine High School as a model for that scenario. Katherine High School started addressing the challenge of having suitable training for students, matching it with appropriate and available jobs in Katherine around 1995 with the YASA program. This program was replaced by VET, I believe, around 1999. I was fortunate enough, at that time, to address those classes on several occasions in relation to tourism training, so I found that quite exciting.
The advantages of VET are that students have a blend of school, work and TAFE. They will be allowed release time from school; they will have about 18 months training, working 10 hours a week in the workplace; and they have relief time from work to attend TAFE. This program is very flexible and increases the responsibility of the student to still go to school and to follow curriculum. It encourages them to go to work, and also be linked to a registered training provider which will give trade qualification. VET provides flexibility for kids who do not want to go to university, but can also be a pathway to university through Certificate IV level should they choose to go.
I particularly want to talk about how successfully the VET program is working at Katherine High School. I pay credit to teacher, Mrs Lesley Bannan, who is totally committed to ensuring that all students for whom she has responsibility realise their full potential. Lesley’s students are particularly fortunate to have a teacher who has recognised an opportunity for VET students at Katherine High School to be participants in a highly innovative course where three Year 12 subjects, with three quite separate trade qualifications, have been built into one course. The particular focus of these students is on bush tucker, local tourism and local area conservation.
The students are revelling in the course at the moment, which involves them meeting The Ghan train each Tuesday and Wednesday, greeting the passengers and assisting them to board the buses to travel to wherever they are going around Katherine; for example, the gorge, on a town tour, or Springvale Homestead. These students are providing the passengers with tourism information during the trip and also answering any inquiries that they have about Katherine. Therefore, it is up-skilling these students as well. As a result of this valuable experience, the 17 students, of which a third are indigenous, will complete a Certificate II. This highly innovative VET course has approval from DEET and SSABSA and is, of course, closely supervised. It also provides the entire requirement for NTOEC.
Katherine High School has an excellent partnership with Burridj Employment Centre in Katherine, who provide a trainer at no cost to Katherine High School. They also have close liaison with Waikan Employment and Training Services. I am very proud to say that Katherine High School is leading the way with this VET program. I believe the Get VET project in schools is very important for informing and encouraging the students and the wider community in what is available to them.
In Katherine last year, we had five people enter the apprenticeship scheme in health care, aged care, mechanics and hairdressing. I welcome an increase in access to the apprenticeship scheme for all Territorians. Over the years, the Jawoyn have been very successfully training indigenous as tour guides at Nitmiluk.
Some of the issues that arise though, are that small business is suffering in our current climate, and more funding to small business to encourage the employment of trainees or apprentices is very welcome. Another issue arises for education institutions such as the Charles Darwin University in Katherine where suitable courses need to be available for students to participate in the courses of their choice. This is not happening at the moment. People in Katherine have not been able to get their certificates that were completed last year and, in one instance, the year before. Other people are unable to complete their certificates because the course content is now not available in Katherine at Charles Darwin University. Therefore, to ensure all of these schemes are going to be successful, people need to know that, when they start their course, they can be guaranteed they can complete it and receive the certificate to acknowledge their commitment.
Charles Darwin University annexe of Katherine Rural College is now in discussions to establish a target range on the Rural College land, which will meet national standards and will be used as a training ground with accredited trainers.
Minister, in your ministerial statement I see no reference to the breakdown of regional and remote areas where these training programs will be actioned. Many times we see these schemes come into play and happen in the major towns such as, for instance, Alice Springs and Darwin. We need them to also be available in the regional areas and, especially of course, I am talking of Katherine at this time. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of your statements.
Mr BONSON (Millner): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, the government’s Job Plan is getting a fantastic response from business and the community. Businesses are signing up for incentives to put on new apprentices. The Jobs Plan is a first for the Territory. It is the framework of growing and developing our skills base, boosting opportunities for all Territorians, and constructing a highly skilled and flexible work force.
Under Jobs Plan NT the government is providing an extra $7m over three years for a range of employer incentives. The department has advised that, since the incentives became available at the start of February, 22 employers have taken on new apprentices in skill shortage areas, and 13 small businesses have taken on new apprentices or trainees. This is a fantastic start to a program which will support employers in building their work force, particularly those who have never had an apprentice or trainee. All those have had the capacity to take on additional apprentices and trainees.
Today, the minister delivered a new apprenticeship contract to local business Quality Electrical. I had the pleasure to travel to Quality Electrical with the Minister for Employment, Education and Training. A good friend mine, Michael Kathopoulis, is owner/operator of that business and the senior person in the office is his wife, Lisa Kathopoulis. I have known this couple on and off for 15 to 20 years, and I was very pleased that he is at a stage in his business where he is capable of putting on a young man and training him as an electrician. Their business is mainly based on airconditioners. They hope, eventually, to become one of the major suppliers in the Northern Territory. No doubt, with the hard work that Michael, Lisa and their partner John are putting into it, they will be successful. I hope to assist them in the future. Michael and Lisa of Quality Electrical will receive, over the period of the apprenticeship, $7700 in incentives for taking on the apprentice electrician. Under the Employer Incentive Scheme, employers are able to receive incentives for employing apprentices in skills shortage areas including automotive trades, panel beating, vehicle painting, diesel fitting, electrotechnology, systems electrician, refrigeration and airconditioning, engineering, fabrication and mechanical, commercial cookery, bricklaying, carpentry, concreting and steel fixing, plumbing, draining and gasfitting.
Indigenous employment and training activities have a focus, and activities are gathering momentum. Under this government, real outcomes have been delivered, not the rhetoric that we saw under the previous CLP government. We heard again this week in the House the nonsense on employment, education and training from the member for Greatorex - how unusual.
An example of real outcomes has been the success achieved by the Northern Land Council working with government and industry. The NLC recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Job Find Network Australia and is enhancing its program of training courses run in conjunction with the Territory Construction Association. The MOU, signed on 4 February, formalised the relationship between the NLC and Job Find built up over the past two years; first with the provision of employment and training service in the greater Darwin region and now with the expansion of these activities into nine Aboriginal communities across Arnhem Land.
The NLC chief executive, Mr Norman Fry, has said that three-year Arnhem Land contract will see a concerted focus on capacity building in communities such as Galiwinku, Maningrida, Ramingining, Gunbalunya, Warrawi, Minjilang, Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak and Jabiru. This is a good example of how, in a climate of cooperation built up by this government in industry, land councils, the federal government and local registered training organisations, are working together and building the capacity of Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
As is clearly detailed in the Jobs Plan, the priority of this government is to work in partnership with indigenous Territorians and other agencies and organisations, including business and industry, to take advantage of every opportunity to build economic independence and, thereby, improve social and economic outcomes for indigenous Territorians and all Territorians. I am told that the NLC and the TCA are also working on a successful cooperative venture with a Darwin-based company, NT Constructions, with young indigenous Territorians. Of the 21 graduates of that course, 19 have already been placed in either direct employment or apprenticeships. Another three training courses are due to be run in partnership with the TCA in the first half of this year commencing within the next two months.
Access to education, training and employment opportunities for all Territorians is vital to the future of this great Northern Territory, and the government is providing access to opportunities. The government has built a strong VET sector that offers students multiple pathways into careers. We brought a new university to the Territory, a university that extends across the whole of the Territory. We have expanded the capacity of young Territorians to access education and training across pre-vocational and vocational and higher eduction. Under the Jobs Plan, the government has strengthened links with industry by providing $4m over three years to assist school students to become job ready as part of the vocational learning in schools. Our young people are taking up these opportunities; there has been a huge growth in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
Anna Sebbens at the Dripstone High School was telling me that not only were large numbers participating in the school-based apprenticeships, but the students themselves were consistently turning up, participating and conversing with their employers, and getting great training and opportunities to look at what type of profession they want to follow. The extra income that they were able to earn from these school-based apprenticeships did matter; it was pocket money in people’s hands. We are talking about some of these young people, unfortunately, who have, over a fortnight, $2 for pocket money. Therefore, the opportunity through school-based apprenticeships and traineeships to obtain extra income was fantastic and it was working there. I hope to see this increase.
With only 19 commencements in 2001, 137 students undertook school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in 2003, and it is projected that the number will grow to 180 in 2004. This will ensure we are well placed to exceed the Jobs Plan target of 400 commencements over three years. This includes extra dollars in VET in School programs, and also in VET’s taster programs which, of course, allows young men and women the opportunity to have a look at what profession that they might want to pursue. I myself did not become settled on what profession I wanted to pursue until I was about 23 or 24. This gives them the opportunity to have a look around, and assists in working out what direction they want to take.
This is another example of innovative thinking and positive partnerships across the public and private divide; a partnership that assists our young people in the transition to employment. Getting young people who are leaving school into direct employment is an important role of government. This will allow young people to build up a work ethic at a very young age and, as we all know, people who have a good work ethnic are successful not only in employment, but in their personal lives.
The government has also committed $3m over three years for career advisors in the Territory schools to work closely with industry. This will assist students in their transition from school to employment or training and further study. Initiatives and actions from the jobs plan Building a Better Territory are growing jobs, developing our skills base and maximising opportunities for all Territorians - not rhetoric, but action.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to comment on a couple of issues with regards to training and employment. I welcome the statement. There is no doubt that the government is making a serious effort to train young people. You can see by the figures for apprenticeships that they are working hard in that area.
With VET, you can see the effort in the rural area through Taminmin High School, which has the automotive program whereby kids get old cars and part of the job is to do them up - always hoping that they do not do them up so well that they get them confiscated under the amendments to the Traffic Act. However, at least they enjoy doing them up. They have displayed them at the V8s, and have even done some limited racing with them. That is a really good program at Taminmin High. They also have office and computer skills and is the only school in the Territory, I believe, that trains young people in agricultural skills. That is important, too. You never know: one day they might even be allowed to grow cotton down there, but that could be a while yet.
As I said, the government is putting a big effort into apprenticeships and training. So it should be because, if we are to develop the Northern Territory, we need those sorts of people. One can see the need for some of these skills being developed with the arrival of gas onshore. Although there will be quite a number of people employed in the construction of the LNG plant, there will certainly be a lot of people who come from - dare I use the word - south who will have to come and assist in the construction of the LNG plant. I suppose the more people we can get skilled locally, the better that will be for our economy.
The downside of this statement is indigenous employment. We can say what we like about employment being down, but are we really hiding the fact that, on Aboriginal communities, unemployment is enormously high? If you look at the labour force figures for January 2004, the unemployment rate is supposed to be 4.5%. If you included CDEP in that, you are probably closer to 18%. That actually might even be higher in some places, but that is a fairly terrible statistic.
I will include in Hansard tonight some key findings from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research. I raise these issues because there is no easy solution to this. As a report from ATSIS said recently:
The fact is that, on most remote communities, there are limited mainstream employment opportunities and people
do not have the desire to move from their home, culture and families to distant, unfriendly locations, even if
employment opportunities were available, which they are not.
That statement sums up the problems we have with employing people in remote communities. Do you employ 20 welders? What are they going to do? I remember they used to do quite a bit of technical work years ago at St Francis Xavier Boys School, and quite a lot of those young men would come out with some skills, but really, you only need two mechanics or two welders in the workshop. It is fairly hard to handle 20 of them, and if you are doing 20 each year with those skills, the future for those people to use those skills is extremely limited.
Be that as it may, I will read these key findings in so that people can at least see what a difficult problem we have. It is one that I do not think is unsolvable, but one that we cannot say: ‘Well it is too hard, forget it’. As I said, this article comes from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research and says:
Economic outcomes for indigenous people in the Northern Territory are far from satisfactory.
is included.
So you have a huge reliance on government money:
counted as unemployment, then it rises from 53% to 57% of the labour force.
That is enormous:
Indigenous people account for 25% of all adults in the NT, but the indigenous share of total income is
only 11%. Indigenous share of employment (excluding CDEP) is only 4%.
Participation in the labour market is constrained by predominantly non-urban location, continuing low
literacy and numeracy outcomes, low levels of post-secondary qualifications, high levels of ill-health – 40%
of indigenous males reaching work force age will die before reaching retirement age.
Working age numbers expanding and current rate of job growth is insufficient to maintain the employment rate
at its low level of 33% (including CDEP).
To achieve an employment rate equivalent to other Territorians would require the creation of an extra 2000
indigenous jobs (inclusive of CDEP) each year for the next decade.
The Northern Territory has a serious economic development problem. Around one-fifth of its resident adult
population remains impoverished, structurally detached from the labour market and ill-equipped to engage it.
I suppose what that highlights is that we have to start looking at some fairly drastic action, otherwise this will just continue. As I have said before, we are starting to get generations of people who are totally reliant on a welfare payment, who know no other means of employment except through, perhaps, the CDEP or they just know unemployment is the normal way. Their father was on unemployment benefits and his father before him was on unemployment benefits.
I take up what the member for Millner said: if we are going to have employment we also have to teach people the work ethic, because the two things come together. I have said this before, as I know the member for Barkly has, and it probably will be ad nauseam: that I believe the Commonwealth government has to create jobs on these communities. People might say: ‘Well, that is artificial’. I say better to have some artificial jobs than no jobs at all.
Job creation was done in America during the depression. Why? Because people were impoverished. People had no money and also became mixed up in crime and all sorts of things because they did not have employment. Therefore, there is a responsibility on the Commonwealth to make full employment on these communities; to set up a structure where people get paid an adequate hourly rate, not the CDEP rate. We want an adequate minimum rate for people who are working in these communities. It would have to be well managed, because I know that the CDEP program in some communities - not all communities - can be subject to nepotism. The people who have not worked are occasionally shown on a sheet of paper at the end of day as having worked, mainly, I suppose, because they are under some pressure to make sure a family member or someone else does get their pay at the end of the day.
If you are to run a full-time employment program, then you have to make sure that people are out there working. As well as that, you need to have adequate capital equipment so people have meaningful work. It is no good saying: ‘Just go out there and pick up rubbish’. That might be one of the jobs, but you need equipment. You might be out there mowing the lawns of the parks and people’s places, repairing fences, or maintaining the airstrip. You will need capital equipment for doing all that work. You could be doing erosion control, or weed removal and spraying. There are many jobs that can be done on communities, and people have to be a little lateral in their thinking about finding jobs. People may not even have work all day. You might find that older people would like to only work in the morning. That is fine. It is better to have a job for those people, working the hours that they are satisfied with, than no job at all.
On top of that, parallel with that, you have to have education programs. You cannot just have one without the other. Full employment will not solve all the problems. I believe you will still have issues of substance abuse. Even when I worked on Bathurst Island where we did have full employment, there was, no doubt, some major issues with alcohol from time to time. However, at least you are giving people an opportunity to advance themselves. I know it is difficult, as this statement from ATSIS says that most people do not like to leave their home, culture and families. However, if we do not teach people and get them into the work ethic, then they are never going to make that next step up to a higher level of employment and training. We have to start somewhere, and we have slipped well behind over the years.
The minister has said that they are putting a lot of work into training people. I would imagine that the ones who will get jobs will be the ones who are closest to the urban communities. However, if we are going to go out and train people in remote communities, we have to give them some hope that that training is not just: ‘Well, that will fill in time. We have just paid them. Terrific. Tick off the statistic and say we employed 40 indigenous people somewhere out the back of here’. We must surely look at what the outcome of training those people is. Is there a job at the end of the line? Otherwise, we just go round and round in circles.
All I am saying to the government is these figures are good; you are working hard to employ people to improve the skills of the Territory. However, when you read the facts, the facts hit you hard that 25% of our population is indigenous, and that section of our community is really at the bottom end of the scale when it comes to economic development. We have a long way to go. I would be interested in hearing what the minister has to say about employment in Aboriginal communities and job prospects for those people who live in those communities who are being trained under some these schemes. All we will end up with is nice stories and platitudes but, if we keep having an unemployment rate, including CDEP of 53% to 57% and, if that does not start to go down, then we really are not succeeding at all.
Once again, I welcome the statement from the minister. There are certainly some serious efforts there, but the Territory has some real issues, though it is probably not the only place - I would say Western Australia and Queensland have similar issues. However, we have to start looking at some ingenious or other ways of tackling this - some of them might hurt, some of them might be painful. However, at the moment, we are actually going backwards and we need to stop that trend.
Mr McADAM (Barkly): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank the minister for his detailed statement on employment and training. I congratulate the minister on the initiatives outlined in the Jobs Plan and on the activities in the employment and training sector. The minister has outlined this government’s commitment to indigenous training and employment, and provided details of some of the programs. As is clearly detailed in the Jobs Plan, a priority of government is to work in partnership with indigenous Territorians and other agencies and organisations, including businesses and industry, to take advantage of every opportunity to build economic independence and, thereby, improve social and economic outcomes for all Territorian.
In 2003, this government contributed $101 000 towards the establishment of the Footprints for Indigenous Employment challenge. This initiative is jointly funded with the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and is aimed at assisting young indigenous people in Alice Springs to access and remain in employment. I have been advised that the government has increased its allocation to $186 000 in 2003-04 and $200 000 in 2004-05 to this very important and successful Alice in 10 initiative.
The Department of Employment, Education and Training, through their flexible response funding, the community response program, and also the Training for Remote Youth or TRY, has also funded many successful projects in Central Australia. I would like to inform the House of some of these programs that are building on the skills of the communities.
First of all, a stockman training course has occurred at Loves Creek, some 350 km east of Alice Springs, which began in July and ended in December and covered a wide range of areas including safety matters, mustering, drafting, branding cattle, livestock handling, repairs and maintenance of bore equipment and fencing. As a result of this accredited training, 12 indigenous men are now skilled to work on any cattle station in Australia. I am advised that all the other stations around Loves Creek support the training, and I understand that they will also employ some of these people who have completed the training.
As part of a community plan to be more reliant on community resources and less on outside contractors, 10 men at Harts Range, which is some 200 km north of Alice Springs, received accredited training in fencing and building maintenance. Applying the skills learned from the training, these men converted an old tin shed into an attractive women’s art centre. They also renovated a demountable for guest accommodation and built fences around the CDP compound and the new art centre. Incorporated as part of this program, DEET has also provided funds through the community response funding for some of the women to visit other established art centres in Central Australia and to learn how to use new the art centre and, obviously, in respect to marketing in the sales of arts and craft products.
Another very successful building and construction program exists at Yuendumu and this was conducted by the Conservation Volunteers Australia. This practical workshop was based on NOVATEL, a new, environmentally friendly building system that provides vital economic, social and ecological benefits. Employed by the Yuendumu Council - that is CDEP - these men are now applying their newly acquired skills to renovate houses and buildings as well as construct a new park and entertainment area within the community.
The horticultural project at Tjurma Homelands about 500 km south-west of Alice Springs has also achieved a number of very important milestones, the most important of which is that the community now has established areas where they can grow vegetables all the year round. The skills learnt through this training include germination of plants, greenhouse construction and irrigation. As an extension to this program, the communities will germinate and plant citrus trees during 2004, to create employment as well as to sell produce to community stores in the regions, thereby generating income.
In Tennant Creek Julalikari Council, under the excellent stewardship of Ross Jakamarra Williams, their President, and the management of Joe Carter, Kent Peak and Tony Miles, are presently in the process of developing and employment and training strategy to link both indigenous and non-indigenous local people to jobs in the mining industry. It is very much in its early stages, but the plan is to reintroduce an earlier program which proved to be very successful with Normandy Gold, now Newmont. Essentially, what occurred was that the organisation negotiated with, as I say, Normandy at the time, basically to determine the jobs available. They went on to determine the capacity of individuals to undertake the work, and they undertook a training program that was geared to the mine’s requirements.
I guess the difference in the delivery of the training program on the last occasion was that Julalikari started with about 20 participants. The first week included an orientation period during which the trainees were advised of outcomes required in respect of the course. During that period, people from Normandy were on hand as part of the commencement of the program, and that was very very important. The other difference from other programs is that after the second week, the training would commence at 9 am. Obviously, the hours were pared back to reflect workplace hours. For example, at the beginning of the fourth week, participants were required to attend the course starting at 7.30 am, and clocking off at 2 pm. A few weeks later, commencement was at 6 am, finishing at about 4 pm. Sure, some people dropped out, but at the end, about six people got full-time jobs at Warrego and many of those people are still gainfully employed within Tennant Creek and, indeed, with Newmont in their operations in other parts of Australia.
Also, the present CDEP manager, Tony Miles, will commence negotiations with Trevor Tennant of Bootu Resources, to determine the potential for jobs at their manganese mine some 110 km north of Tennant Creek. I know Tony is very keen to secure jobs in the mine as operators, but he is also keen to secure contracts such as cleaning, ground maintenance and even, perhaps, for laundering. I congratulate Tony Miles for his foresight and vision, and I would go so far as to say that he is possibly the best CDEP manager in the Northern Territory.
I spoke to Tony only yesterday, and he said the time was now to lay down the rakes, hang up the whipper snippers and get real jobs. That is the message that Tony is trying to get across in the community in regards to CDEP participants. I know that the member for Nelson has expressed some concerns in the past in respect of the operations of CDEP and, rightfully so, because in certain communities and organisations they are not well managed. However, let me assure the member for Nelson that, when they are properly managed, there can be no doubt that they are by far and away the best dole-to-work program in existence. I agree with you: the challenge is for us, as a government, and also the Commonwealth government, to basically put in place strategies which value-add to CDEP. We do not do that very well but, nonetheless, the initiatives announced by the minister here this afternoon certainly go part of the way.
I would also like to pay a tribute to Ross Williams - not the president - who is the training coordinator for Julalikari Council. Ross has approximately 20 trainees outsourced to organisations in Tennant Creek, including the private sector, and it is proving to be very successful. As I said, about 20 of these trainees have been placed in various capacities in local shops, local garages as mechanics, local panel beaters, and the local regional tourism association has trainees as well. I guess the difference in why this works so well as opposed to some of the others is that Ross actually acts as a mentor to all of these trainees, and also liaises and consults with the employer regarding any problems there may be between the employer and the trainee. The other good thing which is very important and perhaps highlights the innovative approach by Julalikari Council, is that they actually pay the wages of the trainees, and the host employer, at the end of each month, reimburses Julalikari Council. Therefore, that takes a lot of the paperwork and administrative detail which would normally apply to the employers and assists them as well.
Joy and Max Priest from Corella Creek - and I know minister Burns went there and spoke to both of these people. The minister might be pleased to know that things are moving forward. They have had discussions with the General Manager, Barkly Stations and AA Henry Burke of Brunette Downs, and they are looking at developing a training program, particularly for youth in the local area and based around the pastoral industry, very similar to the one at Love Creek but, probably, more specifically as required by Brunette Downs people themselves. Luke Marshall from Rural Industries Training Body will be assisting in respect to this exercise and will be in Tennant Creek on 26 February next week to get that under way.
Similar discussions are occurring in Elliot between the pastoralists, the Elliot District Council, Barunga Council and training providers. I do not have all the details in regards to that, but I have been advised that it could be that an announcement may be made in the very near future in regards to the status of that. I am confident that traineeships and jobs will flow from the exercises that are occurring at places like Elliot and Brunette Downs in regards to the pastoral industry.
MRM in Borroloola, now Xstrata, have an agreement - which the minister mentioned in his statement - with DEET in respect to training and employment outcomes. Over the school period I do know that Bill Baird, the local community development officer, negotiated with the school and with some of the students who were attending boarding school in Darwin, for six of those students to work for Xstrata for that period - which is for six weeks, I believe. Bill advises me that he was very impressed with those students and it is hoped - certainly his wish - that those people will be gainfully employed in the not-too-distant future; most certainly after they complete their studies.
These are just a few of some of the successful initiatives that are occurring in my electorate and, indeed, throughout Central Australia. I pay credit to the minister for his committed approach in dealing with the high levels of unemployment, and I wish him well for the future.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Industry): Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to speak in fulsome support for my colleague’s very important statement on the Jobs Plan that was released a few weeks ago. It is good to be following the member for Barkly in debate on this plan because I know how passionate he is about economic development and jobs for people in the Barkly region in particular, and certainly through the Northern Territory, and he had a lot of insight in his comments.
As Business and Industry Minister in the Northern Territory, I can say extremely confidently that one of the biggest issues facing our business community in the Northern Territory is attracting and keeping a skilled work force. It is an issue that they battle with every day. It certainly is an issue in regard to how government can assist in helping business. This is one very practical and obvious way that we can assist business in the Territory, both small and big: to ensure that there is a structure mechanism partnership between government, business, and the education system training providers to ensure that we do grow our own work force. It is very important because, by growing our own work force people are more likely to stay in the Northern Territory. We need to understand what the issues are in regards to the structure of that work force and the forecasting of were the jobs are going to be required into the future, so that we can have education and training programs in place to meet the demand that we know is going to come through some strategic research.
This has not been done in the Northern Territory before. As my colleague, the Employment, Education and Training Minister said, this is the first time the Territory government has had a division of employment within government to look at those structural issues, do the analysis and come up with the strategies, and then work with the private sector, the educational providers and the training providers to make sure that we can meet that demand. It is a huge job.
I would like to acknowledge the significance and importance of the Workforce NT component of the Jobs Plan. The report will have a big impact on the future skills development of the Northern Territory work force. This comprehensive report will bring together research data and other information to facilitate the strategic development and targeting of employment and training programs, and influence vocational education and training purchasing arrangements. This is a huge undertaking requiring audits of available information, the building of a database and the analysis and evaluation of extensive data sets. Data will be analysed and verified with stakeholders across the Northern Territory. Again, this is a partnership approach that we are taking here.
There is the work force of the future, Madam Speaker, up there in the Public Gallery. This is a large part of why we are undertaking this to make sure that not only my kids who are in the gallery, but all the other students in the Northern Territory can have meaningful jobs when they finish their schooling. It is great to see them.
I am a bit taken aback now, Madam Speaker.
It is very important that we do this work, and it is the first time that this type of analysis has been conducted in the Northern Territory. It will be made publicly available, because this is what our employers, large and small, want to see: that there is somewhere they can go to try and understand what the issues are and why it is so difficult to recruit and keep people here in the Northern Territory; what training is available on offer; how to tap into that; to make sure, with our Jobs Plan that they can access the training that is there; and, very importantly as an ex-apprentice myself, put apprentices on and get support for putting apprentices on and help absorb those costs.
Presently, the Workforce NT Unit in DEET is undertaking extensive consultation, and has initiated an audit process to identify what information is available, relevant, or not available. A series of workshops are being organised for late February/early March to provide stakeholders in regional centres with an overview of the proposed Workforce NT, and allow them to comment and input to the development of the report. The first release is set for September 2004, with this version to be a living document updated on a six-monthly basis. The Workforce NT will provide valuable information, not only for government but industry, business, unions and the community; who all have a stake in ensuring we maximise employment and skilling opportunities for Territorians. Importantly, this is not going to be a snapshot in time, but ongoing work with six-monthly updates and a very valuable asset in the strategic planning for our education and training into the future.
Once that analysis has been done, quality training is a key element in building the Territory work force. The minister mentioned earlier that the number of Territorians commencing training as apprentices and trainees is growing, with more than 2600 apprentices and trainees in training, with a projected intake of around 2100 for the year, and with a target of 7000 apprentices. It is a very challenging target, but wouldn’t it be a fantastic day to see in two or three years time, 7000 apprentices across the Northern Territory, particularly in those very hard to acquire traditional blue collar skills.
I recently released the manufacturing industry strategy. A huge issue for people in the manufacturing industry is getting and keeping those traditional blue collar trades. At the launch of the strategy at Fingers Aluminium workshop the other day, it was great to actually talk to a couple of apprentices: one young fellow, who was just one month into the job, was very keen and excited, and another guy was about three years in. It takes me back to my time on the shop floor. I always try, when I am out there with business and there are apprentices there, to talk to the 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. It is a huge time in their lives; a challenging time. It is certainly challenging for the employers because they make mistakes and those mistakes costs those employers money. Certainly the support we can provide through the Jobs Plan helps those employers.
It is important in this day and age - it used to be that you got your trade certificate and then you spent the rest of life working in that blue collar trade. As you get older, particularly up here, it becomes very tough and I suppose interest and aptitude wanes. It is very important that we actually take those blue collar trades through the apprenticeship as one phase, then they work in the trade for a number of years. It is important to continue to re-skill people so that they can move through into tertiary studies as engineers, project managers, or people doing document design, tender evaluation, and what have you. That has not happened in the past, but it will happen now as a result of this plan.
Following a national review of group training, the ANTA Ministerial Council agreed that national standards for group training organisations be introduced. In 2003, the two locally recognised group training organisations, Group Training NT and Tiwi Islands Training and Employment Board, were subject to an independent audit against the national standards. Both organisations passed their audits and were entered on the National Register of Recognised Group Training Organisations. I pay my compliments to both of those organisations which have passed that particular audit; that will stand them in good stead.
A new development in the Katherine region is a move for the formal registration of the Burridj Group Training as a nationally recognised group training organisation - the third group training organisation in the Northern Territory to seek national recognition. Burridj has been providing group training services and operating in Katherine under the umbrella of the Jawoyn Association Charitable Trust. The organisation recently separated from Jawoyn to become an independent, not-for-profit company, employing close to 50 indigenous and non-indigenous apprentices and trainees across a range of industry sectors.
Madam Speaker, I do not know that any of those three will ever aspire to being a politician, with what their dad has to put up with and wondering what on earth I am doing down here at the moment, talking to an empty room!
Burridj are employing close to 50 indigenous and non-indigenous apprentices and trainees across a range of industry sectors, including business services, automotive, construction, health and community services, hospitality, horticulture and engineering. DEET has provided assistance and guidance to Burridj on group training organisation’s registration requirements. Once they are formally recognised, they will be able to access joint Territory and Commonwealth group training funding administered by the department. Group training has, and will continue to play an important part in growing apprenticeships and traineeships in the Northern Territory. To the Burridj group, a fantastic achievement with 50 indigenous and non-indigenous apprentices and trainees in the Katherine region.
Industry input is vital to the development of training initiatives. One of the priorities for the Division of Employment and Training is to build on the working relationships with the six training advisory councils in the Northern Territory. To progress this and provide the councils with a better capacity to represent their respective industry sectors, this government has extended the former one-year contracts for funding out to three years. It is my understanding that we are one of the first jurisdictions to provide this degree of certainly, and I have no doubt it will provide benefits for both industry and government. This is a great initiative. Three-year contracts will allow these organisations to put in place business plans to see them into the future without having to worry, year on year, whether the funding is going to be recurrent.
Partnering with the Commonwealth: it is imperative that we develop closer working relationships with Commonwealth agencies with a stake in employment and training. I am pleased to advise that an MOU between the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Northern Territory department was struck in 2003. The agreement committed to cooperation in the delivery of, and exchange of, information regarding respective or related employment training programs and services. The primary objective of this arrangement is to ensure maximum benefits for unemployed people in the Territory, particularly indigenous people outside of urban areas and the labour market in general.
Key projects under way include implementation of an indigenous employment strategy for remote indigenous arts centres; use of complementary training and employment programs; and better linking to vocational training funding to support Commonwealth government employment services - in particular indigenous employment projects.
This government welcomes such a partnership and looks forward to outcomes that will benefit individuals and communities across the Territory. The establishment of a number of task forces to assist in fast-tracking the $5bn worth of major projects also calls for a consideration of ways by which we can maximum job opportunities for Territorians. It is on this basis that DEET representatives have been appointed to many of the task forces.
As outlined in the Jobs Plan, the government is keen to forge close links with the developers of major projects, which will also us to introduce responsive and innovation training programs that will skill Territorians for employment during the initial phases of the projects and provide for more sustainable and longer-term jobs and flow-on opportunities for local business and Territorians.
To further ensure that the Jobs Plan priorities remain at the forefront of planning, the government is committed to establishing an employment task force to coordinate and report on publicly-funded employment and training related initiatives across the public sector. The Ministerial Advisory Board for Employment and Training that this government set up with representatives of business, industry, community, unions and government, will act as a reference group to the task force. Further interaction will occur between the task force and industry, unions and community organisations on strategic employment and training matters.
In recognition of the importance of the task force, the minister has decided to initially chair the body which will be made up of chief executives from across the public sector. The terms of reference and operating procedures for that task force are being finalised, with the inaugural meeting schedule for 4 March 2004.
We are certainly lifting our game across government, and I commend the minister for driving through the public sector the importance of us doing our bit in taking on apprentices and trainees. My department of DCIS has a significant role in doing that, and those numbers are increasing significantly.
This is a very thorough statement, the first of its type in the Territory: a Jobs Plan and the Workforce NT report. The partnership theme is there. That is the strong theme that runs through our government with government business, industry, education providers and training providers working in partnership to understand what the issues are, to forecast the needs into the future, and then to make sure that we have the education systems and the training programs in place to ensure that our kids get the jobs of the future. I commend the minister on his statement.
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, if there are no further contributors to the debate, I would be delighted to sum up. I thank all members for their contribution to what is a benchmark statement on where we are and where we are going forward with employment and training.
I am pleased to see the opposition is supportive, overall, of the Jobs Plan. I am even more pleased to see that some of the initiatives we proposed were being fed back to the government by way of suggestions in their comments today. That speaks well for bipartisan support of where we want to go in employment and training. It is good to hear also the member for Katherine acknowledging government support for particular programs in Katherine.
The members for Greatorex and Katherine did talk a fair bit about the need for school-based apprenticeships. They talked about funding school counsellors and giving high school students career options - two extremely important issues with our secondary school population. I know, and members will be aware once the second reviews have been through, that it has something to say on these areas and picks up the importance of those areas.
Dr Lim: Are you going to put it out soon?
Mr STIRLING: The member for Greatorex was a minister in a Northern Territory, and he well knows that reports commissioned by government do go to Cabinet in the first instance before they go anywhere else.
Let me outline again for those members who raised those points. Initiatives in pre-vocational courses assist those with an interest in apprenticeships and traineeships to better transition to more structured training, and we offer school students a taste of what is on offer in these areas. One of the most important and successful initiatives in that respect is the vocational education and training schools program – VET in Schools.
In 2003, we provided $715 000 in VET schools funding, allocated to 20 cluster programs in the Darwin region, eight cluster or discrete school programs in the Alice Springs region, and two programs through Distance Education. We also contributed to the cost of 17 public school programs and seven non-government school programs. In total, the program provided 750 Northern Territory school students with the opportunity to access vocational education and training while still at school.
In line with the government’s recognition of the importance of this and other programs assisting our students to transition from school to work, funding for VET in Schools was increased to $980 000 in 2004. Allocations have been made to 17 cluster programs in the Darwin region, nine cluster or discrete schools in the Alice Springs region and two programs through Distance Education. There has been a huge growth in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. From just 19 commencements in 2001, 137 students undertook school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in 2003 and, this year, we are projecting growth to 180, which will ensure we are well placed to exceed the Jobs Plan target of 400 commencement over three years.
The member for Greatorex picked up on the Driver Training and Licensing Program. This was a program introduced in 1993 for young Territorians aimed to reduce the fatality rate of young drivers, and the severity of accidents for 16-year-old Territorians. A DTAL board was appointed by the minister for Education in 1993 to manage funds released by TIO from MACA to support driver training, in a time when MACA was fairly flush with funding. It has come to my attention the board was never formally recognised through government processes, but it did perform several management functions which form the board’s terms of reference and operational responsibilities. They were: liaison with DEET in schools; liaison with program instructors; monitoring of implementation and operation of DTAL programs; provision of guidelines to schools and instructors; dispute resolution; monitoring of program; and advice to the minister regarding budget requirements.
The board introduced changes to the program in the 2000-01 financial year. The introduction of nationally accredited log book training included an increase from eight to 12 driver training vouchers; and an increase of $140 per student, including a funded provisional licence at $26 per student; and the attendance age changed to allow 16-year-olds to 18-year-olds to participate; the value of the training vouchers was also raised from $35 to $40 per lesson.; and the reinstatement of a $500 assistance payment to the training providers to assist with the operation of DTAL in schools.
Mr STIRLING: In the 2002-03 financial year, the DTAL budget was $762 844, with 2419 students participating. The program delivered 109 courses provided by 27 schools and institutions. In 2003-04, the DTAL provided by TIO was $760 000, but the program is currently expending on average $100 000 per month and, as at 31 December 2003, $589 000 had been expended. The government’s arrangements for the DTAL program have not proved successful. The scope of operations for the program has been extended without the appropriate assurances of the capacity to resource additional components. As I said in the House in November, DEET is looking at range of options to keep the scheme running. More importantly, DEET is also looking at the outcomes.
As with many of the programs when we came to government, here is another example of a program that has never been reviewed in terms of the success of the program, completion rates, or effectiveness of the structure of the training. It has never been evaluated; never been looked at. For example, what are the completion rates? Given that government is prepared, and has been prepared, to pick up every single cost including the cost of the licences, and that there is no input at all from the student. What is the completion rate? If it is, as I am advised, something less than 50%, well, what a waste of money. What a waste of money, because many of these people are not even going through to completion rate. We need to know those sorts of rates. This is a program - a very good program - put in place. However, you have to know whether it is working or not.
DEET advised all stakeholders on 10 December that the program would be reviewed and a decision will be announced in March 2004. This information was communicated to schools, driving instructors involved in the program, and Motor Vehicle Registry. The program will continue - have no fear of that; it is an excellent program. However, there will have to be changes to the guidelines under which the program is managed to ensure our young people are getting the best, and that the program is proving value for money.
I am asking these questions: what are the best governance arrangements for the program …
Dr Lim: In the meantime, nobody gets anything!
Mr STIRLING: … what are the completion rates; how has the detailed program impacted upon road safety in the Territory; is the current training structure giving the best outcome for the budget; are driver instructor qualifications and safety standards adequate for delivery of the program; and how do we make quality driver training attractive to young Territorians by linking it to the Northern Territory Certificate of Education? They are the issues that I have charged the department with coming up with responses in a review of the program.
The member for Greatorex can sit there and throw all sorts of interjections - I did not even hear what he said. However, the fact is, here is a program that has been in place for 11 years and it has never been reviewed. School-based constables was in operation for 18 years and never reviewed before we came to government.
Dr Lim: Obviously do not trust the board!
Mr STIRLING: We will continue as we pick through. When these sorts of issues come up, the first thing we do is have a look and judge the effectiveness and evaluate value for dollar for money in those programs.
Rest assured, member for Greatorex, this program will continue, but I want several benchmark questions answered and I have put those on the record.
There were comments about the need for flexibility and delivery and yes, we recognise the important issue. I would like to advise the House I recently met with the Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University and was assured by her that the university will be responsive to the training needs of industry and the community. More importantly, the Vice Chancellor advised me that a new School of Trades has been established, and that she met with business and industry associated with the trades to look at opportunities for enhancing trade training in the Territory. She held a forum where she discussed these issues with industry, and I believe a large list of people were invited to the forum. I have heard that the outcomes have been positive.
I would like to further comment on the initiatives in regional and remote. The member for Katherine seems to have missed that bit of the statement. Let me advise the House of the government’s expenditure on training efforts in regional and remote areas. For 2003 and 2004, this government is allocating $2.1m each year to fund a range of training initiatives, through flexible response funding and community response programs. Further expenditure that is proving very successful has been through school-based apprenticeships in Katherine. In what has been a great effort, Burridj has worked closely with Katherine High School, and 15 students have been offered school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. DEET has provide assistance and guidance to Burridj on group training, organisation, and registration requirements and, once they are formally recognised, they will be able to access joint Territory and Commonwealth group training funding administered by the department.
The member for Nelson raised issues in relation to indigenous employment and participation in the work force. He is aware that this government is absolutely committed to improving the access of indigenous Territorians to the schools for employment and skills growth in business skills and development. We are doing this through the jobs plan, Building Stronger Regions and Indigenous Employment strategy. I and the government acknowledges that we have a long way to go, and we will continue to work to address the issues in this area.
There were some comments regarding job numbers overall. If I could just put on the record exactly where we are at the moment, in trend terms Territory employment increased to 97 400 in January 2004, the fifth consecutive month of growth, which now will be six consecutive months of growth. The recent strengthening is welcome after the slowdown throughout 2003. Since the trough in June 2000 in Territory employment figures, trend employments increased by 7200, a compound growth rate of 2.2% per annum.
There was comment about the employment grown figure being revised down from 2% to 1%. Employment growth in 2004 will be boosted by construction work for the LNG plant, an improved outlook for construction overall, and strengthening tourism activity, because that has been a flat spot over the past 18 months to two years. Of course, later this year, by about October, we would expect Alcan to be beginning to get into their massive all-up $2.5bn project and some 1200 jobs.
In January 2004, the Territory trend unemployment rate decreased to 4.5%. That was down from a revised 4.7% in December 2003. It was the eighth consecutive monthly fall. It was 1.2 percentage points lower than in January 2003. The trend unemployment rate is 3.5 percentage points below the 8% high point reached in October 2001. The average unemployment rate in the Territory for the 12 months to January 2004 was 5.8%. The national rate was 5.9%.
I accept, as I said this morning, that statistics are simply what you make of them off the page. However, they are the latest statistics provided by ABS as at January, and they show the eighth consecutive monthly fall in the unemployment rate in the Northern Territory. We are moving toward a quite significant strengthening of the labour market, and I would expect that to continue as the LNG plant gathers to full strength and the Alcan project commences later this year.
Thank you to all members for their contributions, which were generally positive. I would expect that to be the case. These are young Territorians that we are talking about. This is the need to grow and skill our work force right across the Territory, and these are the measures that we are putting in place. I thank members for their participation.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Multiculturalism in the Northern Territory
Multiculturalism in the Northern Territory
Mr VATSKALIS (Ethnic Affairs): Madam Speaker, today I provide the Assembly with a ministerial statement on multiculturalism in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory has a long and rich history of cultural and linguistic diversity which has enriched our community. Territorians of non-English speaking backgrounds have made, and are continuing to make, significant contributions to the economic, social and cultural development of the Northern Territory, and are represented in many fields of endeavour. If I could take, for example, the contribution of just a few ethnic communities, including the Chinese, Greek, Italian, Filipino and Indonesian communities.
Chinese immigrants have been settling in Australia for more than 150 years, and ethnic Chinese have been a significant part of Darwin and the Territory’s history from the early days of non-Aboriginal settlement. Initially coming to the Territory to meet labour shortages in the mining industry in the 1870s and 1880s, members of the Chinese community also took on other roles, including the provision of goods and services and capital. In fact, in hard times, Chinese credit carried Darwin financially. By 1911, and despite the White Australia Policy of 1901, the Chinese represented the largest ethnic group in Darwin and made up almost one-third of the population. Unfortunately, discrimination against Chinese was common and, in the dictates around the turn of the century, authorities periodically ordered the demolition of sections of Chinatown.
Today, thankfully, the ongoing contribution and achievements of members of the Chinese community in all aspects of our society, including public and community service, are recognised and celebrated. Some of our most prominent public servants have been members of the Chinese community, including Harry Chan OBE MLC, Australia’s first Chinese Mayor, and Alec Fong Lim AM, Australia’s first Chinese Lord Mayor, who both had long and celebrated careers in the service of the Darwin community. You only have to look at how well the Territory community today embraces traditions such as the Chinese New Year celebrations, lion dances, and dragon boat racing, to see how much the Chinese community is valued as an integral part of the Territory’s way of life.
There is also the contribution of the Greek community. At the beginning of the 20th century, Greek from the island of Kastelorizo migrated and settled in north Australia. In the 1950s, a small number of Kalymnians, who were brought to Broome, Western Australia, as divers, later became the nucleus of the vibrant Greek community of Darwin. Greek migrants started arriving and settling in Darwin as early as 1910 to work at the Vesteys meatworks.
Following the closure of the Vesteys abattoirs in the early 1920s, some Greeks diversified their activities and became involved in the construction industry, building houses in Darwin and the in bush. Others left pearling to join the construction industry. There was undoubtedly competition between Greek builders and others in the industry. Unfortunately, this competition generated animosity that eventually spilled over into the wider community. For a number of years, particularly following Cyclone Tracy, a minority of Darwin residents exhibited hostility and racism towards the Greek community. However, the obvious commitment of the Greek community to rebuild Darwin following the cyclone went a long way to build better relationships with others in the construction industry and the wider community.
Territorians have embraced the Greek community through its cultural festivals such as the Greek Glenti, and recognise the contributions to Darwin development through the naming of many streets such as Kalymnos Drive, Canaris Street and Maria Liveris Street. Greek is taught in Territory schools today and Darwin has established a sister city relationship with Kalymnos.
The contributions of many members of the Greek community in the Territory were highlighted during the term of our most recently retired Administrator, Mr John Anictomatis AO, the first Administrator of the Northern Territory to be appointed from the Greek community. This contribution has been recognised by the Martin Labor government and, over the last few years, almost $250 000 has been committed to enhance not only the assets of the community, but also to promote increased cultural and social activity. Today, the Greek community is an active part of our multicultural community and is seen as an integral part of the Territory’s economic social and cultural developments.
Also, there are the Italians. Italian migrants began settling in the Northern Territory in the early to mid-20th century, many escaping war-torn Europe following World War II. The 1921 Census recorded only 11 Italian-born persons living in the Territory and, by 1933, this figure had only trebled. Prior to World Ward II, the majority of Italians lived outside of Darwin, settling in Alice Springs as well as small mining communities. The vast majority of these original Italian migrants arrived with little or no money, working long hours to establish a life for themselves and their families here in Territory.
The early Italians settlers took on, with pride and commitment, positions as mechanics, cleaners, painters and shopkeepers, and they were strongly involved in the construction industry and small businesses. Some descendents of these earlier settlers still reside in Central Australia today, and many are still involved in the economic development of the Territory. Some of these families will be familiar to you, such as Simonetto, Fedelli, Castagna, Sabidin, Morelli and Golotti. This is not forgetting the Italian families that settled in the Top End, such as La Pira, Lo Castro, Finocchiaro, Magnoli, Priore and Randazzo. I thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for pointing out to me that Pasquale Ciccone was the first Italian to settle in the Centre and his descendents, the Gagliardi family, remain in Alice Springs today. I thank you very much for that comment, Madam Speaker. It is very important not to forget the pioneers of our communities.
Through their hard work and commitment, members of the Italian community from across the Territory also established businesses, many of which continue to operate today in areas such as construction, engineering, transport, retail and hospitality. These businesses are a vital part of the Northern Territory’s economic development and provide employment for many in our community.
However, the development of the Territory has also been enhanced through the cultural and linguistic contributions of the Italian community, and our knowledge and understanding of the Italian language and culture has continued to grow through the provision of Italian language classes in primary and secondary schools. Italingua NT also provides support for the promotion of Italian language and culture through its workshops and study courses for both Italian teachers and students in 15 schools in the Darwin and rural areas, with approximately 2500 students.
On 29 January 2004, I had the opportunity to present Italingua NT with a $10 000 cheque under the Cultural and Linguistic Awards, to assist them in providing two linguistic and cultural proficiency scholarships to teachers of Italian language while working within the Northern Territory education system. The skills and knowledge that the scholarship recipients will gain and share with their fellow teachers and students will further enhance our knowledge and understanding of our Italian community.
In February 2004, the Martin government also provided a grant of $55 000 to the Italian Club for the upgrade of the kitchen in their hall.
The Northern Territory has also benefited from the contribution of ethnic communities that originate closer to our shores. Amongst these, Filipinos and Indonesians have both had a long association with the Territory and have featured strongly in its development. The first Filipino immigrants arrived over 100 years ago, many settling here as pearl divers; a number of whom married into Aboriginal families. Many of these families continue to have a strong and influential presence in the Northern Territory, such as the Cubillo, Angeles, Villafor, Peres and Dela Cruz families. The 1911 Commonwealth Census recorded that there were 61 Filipinos residing in the Northern Territory, many of whom were involved in the pastoral and mining industries. In 1921, the cattle trade commenced between Darwin and Manila, with many members of the Filipino community involved in the industry until it ceased in 1930.
A second wave of Filipino migrants settled in the Territory in the 1970s, when a number of teachers were recruited by the former Commonwealth Teaching Service. The 1970s also saw the arrival of a number of other Filipinos with professional qualifications, including accountants, lawyers and doctors. Many of these Filipinos settled in regional areas such as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Newcastle Waters.
A third wave of immigration from the Philippines resulted from family reunions and marriage visas in the late 1970s and 1980s and today, the third largest birthplace of Territorians born overseas is the Philippines.
The Filipino community has added enormously to the Northern Territory’s rich cultural tapestry through their art and dance performances. Prior to World War II, a popular Filipino band, led by the Cubillo brothers, the Rondalla, played at the Administrator’s residence for weddings and other events. Unfortunately, the Rondalla was disbanded following the war, due to the death of the band leader, John Cubillo, during the bombing of Darwin.
Today, there are a number of cultural groups within the Filipino community, such as Kilos Kultura and the Filipino-Australian Association of the Northern Territory, that work to share and promote their art, dance and culture to other members of their community, as well as to the wider community. As part of the promotion of their culture, the Filipino community holds the Barrio Fiesta, which displays and shares the richness and diversity of Filipino cultural heritage with the wider community. Barrio Fiesta, which is supported by the Northern Territory government, has been held since 1997 and is now one of the five largest ethnic festivals in Darwin. The success of the Barrio Fiesta was recently acknowledged by the Darwin City Council, which presented the Filipino-Australian Association of the Northern Territory with the Community Group of the Year Award, as part of the 2004 Australia Day Awards, for its work in association with the festival. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the association on receiving this award.
However, the contribution of the Filipino community also extends to academic achievements and some of our schools’ highest achievers are members of this community.
The Northern Territory government and the wider community also recognise the role of the Filipino community in continuing to build our relations with the Philippines. Through the Filipino-Australian Association, the Filipino community has hosted the Philippines contingent to the Arafura Games. It is also worthy to note that Katherine has established a sister city relationship with General Santos in the Philippines.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work done by the Filipino-Australian Association of the Northern Territory in researching and documenting the history of the Filipino community and their contribution to the Territory. This project received $4500 from the 2002-03 Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, aimed to showcase the successful settlement of Filipinos in the Northern Territory, and has produced a fantastic book.
The Indonesian community has also had a long history of involvement in the development of the Northern Territory. This involvement goes back prior to the time that Matthew Flinders first circumnavigated Australia. Early settlers and explorers benefited from supply refurbishment from Indonesia, particularly Kupang and Makassar, when ships from the south failed to arrive or were late. In more recent history, the influence of Indonesia and a growing Indonesian community has been steady. Indonesian pearl divers, originally known as Coepangers, were brought to Darwin in numbers such that Indonesian pearl divers were at least as recognisable as any other group of pearl divers. Other Indonesian migrants not necessarily associated with the pearling industry also settled in Darwin and this migration continues even today.
Members of the Indonesian community can be found in all walks of life, from business people to public servants, and office workers to farmers. The significance of their contribution to the Northern Territory and our relationship with Indonesia is highlighted by the presence of an Indonesian Consulate in Darwin, the only formal representation of any government in the region in Darwin. As members would be aware, this is an active community that has shared its culture and tradition with the wider community through a variety of cultural events, thereby contributing to and enhancing our multicultural society. The culmination of this public cultural participation is the implementation of the Pesona Indonesia cultural display each year.
Our knowledge and understanding of Indonesian language, culture and tradition is further enhanced by the ongoing provision of Indonesian language classes in the Territory, from primary to tertiary level, and through a formal school exchange program. Today, the influence of the Indonesian community can be seen in many areas of our lives, including their contribution to our culinary diversity and our exciting range of fresh produce. It is through this community that the Northern Territory has developed and maintained investment and trade relationships - including the trade in live cattle - which have contributed so much to our economic development.
The significance of the Indonesian community to the Territory way of life and our economic, social and cultural development, is also evidenced by sister city relationships. Both Darwin and Palmerston City Councils have sister city relationships with cities in Indonesia. Darwin is aligned with Ambon, the capital of Maluka Province, and Palmerston is aligned with Kupang, the capital of Nusa Tenggara Timur Province.
The ethnic communities that I have highlighted are only some that have played a crucial role in the development of the Territory. It is also appropriate to recognise the Territory’s emerging ethnic communities, including those from African countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Liberia, that will undoubtedly make similar ongoing contributions to our economic, social and cultural development.
In 2002-03, 99 of our newest residents arrived as either refugees or under the Commonwealth government’s Special Humanitarian Program. The Commonwealth provides support for newly arrived humanitarian entrants through integrated humanitarian settlement strategy services. However, volunteers also assist in the provision of many of these services. Here in Darwin, for example, the Melaleuca Refugee Centre provides refugees and special humanitarian entrants with support and services, with the assistance of over 70 volunteers. The importance of these volunteers and the services that they provide was acknowledged in December 2003 when the Melaleuca Refugee Centre was presented with a National Australia Bank Northern Territory Volunteering Award, in the Community Services category. I would like to take this opportunity to again congratulate Mick Fox, his staff and volunteers, for all their hard work in supporting our newest residents. I am sure my fellow members would agree that this support is vital in helping them to create a new life in the Northern Territory, and to ultimately contribute to its development.
Territorians born overseas now represent approximately 15% of our population and more than 150 countries. In addition to this, some 27% of Territorians identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Our culturally linguistic diverse population is spread across the Territory. The 2001 Census found that, of the regional centres, the Darwin local government area has the highest proportion of people born overseas - nearly 22%; and Tennant Creek local government area has the highest proportion of Territorians who identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander - 40%.
The true nature of our multicultural society is also reflected in our tolerance towards, and the harmony between, those of different religious backgrounds. According to the 2001 Census, Territorians identify themselves as belonging to over 56 different religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. In addition, there are over 20 different Christian denominations in the Northern Territory, including Greek Orthodox and Oriental Christian.
Ethnic Territorians are represented and supported by over 70 ethnic and community groups, including the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, the Multilingual Broadcasting Council of the Northern Territory, and Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia. The diversity makes the Northern Territory a truly multicultural society; a society that this government celebrates and promotes. The Martin government is proud to support ethic and community groups, and Territorians from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. At this time, I would like to acknowledge support given by previous governments to these organisation and ethnic Territorians, and would welcome the opposition’s support of this statement.
The government, through the Office of Ethnic Affairs, provides a number of programs to assist migrants and ethnic people to maximise their participation in the social, cultural and economic development of the Northern Territory. These programs include the Northern Territory Interpreter and Translator Service, Overseas Qualifications Unit, Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, and cross-cultural awareness and communication workshops.
I had the opportunity in the past to share with the Assembly the benefit of these programs, but would like to highlight the success of the Cultural and Linguistic Awards, an initiative of our government. The awards, provided under the Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, were introduced in 2002. Since that time, 18 community development and study or research projects had been funded to assist in increasing knowledge and understanding of culture and language within both ethnic communities and the wider community. One of these projects was conducted by the Tamil Society, which held dance workshops and a formal performance by a visiting dance troupe from Singapore. This project and other similar projects, funded through the Cultural and Linguistic Awards, have assisted ethnic communities in improving the professionalism of their artists and cultural performance, making them more appealing and accessible to the wider community.
I am also looking forward to learning the outcome of a newly-funded project which will be conducted by the Central Australian Afghan Cameleers Heritage Society. Their project involves researching the history and contribution of the Afghan cameleers to the development of Central Australia.
I am very proud of the Cultural and Linguistic Awards program and the support it provides to ethnic people in order to continue the Territory’s cultural and social development. I also encourage all groups and communities in the Northern Territory that have not already done so, to take advantage of this awards program to research and document the history of their community in the Northern Territory and the contribution to our economic, social and cultural development. I repeat - I would like to encourage all multicultural groups, not only of non-English speaking background, but also mainstream groups like the Irish Society, the Scottish Society and even people who come from the British Isles to take advantage of this award program to record the history of their community in the Northern Territory.
The Cultural and Linguistic Awards are funded through a $250 000 per annum increase in ethnic sponsorship funding, which was introduced by our government in 2002-03. As a result of this increase in funding, the government now provides $697 000 for the Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program, making it the largest in Australia in per capita terms and the fourth largest in dollar terms. Between 1 July 2003 and 31 January 2004, over 70 organisations were provided with funding through the program, with a further 52 applications for Harmony Day activities which are currently being assessed.
The Northern Territory government also provides $107 000 every year to fund Community Service positions that service the Greek, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese and East Timorese communities as part of the Ethnic Affairs Sponsorship Program. The level of interest in holding activities to advance multiculturalism and counteract racism is evidence of an active ethnic community; one that this government is proud to support.
The introduction of the Cultural and Linguistic Awards and the increase in sponsorship funding are just two of the election commitments that the government has delivered for ethnic Territorians to date. $200 000 has also been provided by this government to the Northern Territory Buddhist Society for the construction of their community education hall. The government recognises the importance of providing all Territorians, regardless of their ethnic background or ability to communicate in English, with equal access to the services and resources of government, as well as their right to participate in the decision-making and planning for the provision of such services.
The importance of language is also highlighted through the provision of language classes provided through primary and high schools across the Northern Territory. In addition to the intensive language program provided by the Anula Primary School and Darwin High School for migrants and refugees, our education system also offers a number of different language classes including Indonesian, Mandarin, Japanese, French, German and, as previously mentioned, Greek and Italian.
Consequently, I have asked my Office of Ethnic Affairs to develop a Northern Territory language services policy in conjunction with the Aboriginal Interpreter Service to guide the provision of service to Territorians for whom language may be a barrier in accessing those services. The policy will be particularly important, given the number of languages spoken by Territorians. According to the 2001 Census again, Territorians speak over 110 languages other than English at home. Given our large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, this includes a large number of Aboriginal languages. Of the migrant and refugees languages, the top five spoken in the Northern Territory are Greek, Filipino (Tagalog), Italian, Cantonese and German.
Multicultural communities are also encouraged to apply for funding to support arts and cultural activities through the Arts Sponsorship program. Arts NT provides a multicultural referral service which is hosted by Brown’s Mart through the provision of $15 000 each year. This service, which works closely with the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, assists organisations develop arts and cultural project applications to the Territory and Commonwealth funding bodies. The Multicultural Referral Service also maintains a database of available resources for multicultural artists and organisations.
Madam Speaker, our support of ethnic Territorians extends also to those who have not yet been granted permanent Australian residency or citizenship. I refer to the East Timorese and Afghan asylum seekers who currently reside in the Northern Territory. Members would be aware that many of these asylum seekers have made, over many years, significant contribution to the Northern Territory and have made it their home.
The government has provided $15 000 to St Vincent de Paul for the provision of assistance to East Timorese asylum seekers, and contributed $7000 to a community fundraising effort. Further assistance for the East Timorese asylum seekers has also been provided through the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission, the Office of Ethnic Affairs and the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development.
To date, of the 82 East Timorese asylum seekers in the Northern Territory, I understand that 51 have either been granted a visa, departed Australia or acquired permanent residency. A further 31 East Timorese asylum seekers are still awaiting the outcomes of their health and character checks, and I urge the Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Vanstone, to process these applications with minimal delay. The Northern Territory government has also written to Senator Vanstone in support of five Darwin-based Afghani refugees who have applied for permanent protection visas.
However, it is not only asylum seekers that this government is seeking as residents of the Northern Territory. Members will be aware of the ongoing national debate regarding the development of Australia’s population, and recall the initiative taken by this government in tabling the Northern Territory Population Strategy Issues Paper in August 2002. That paper was a critical step in defining the Territory’s position in the population debate; identifying issues relevant to our jurisdiction.
These issues include the need for the Territory to establish a critical mass of population in order to progress our development and attract investment. In particular, the paper identified the need to build and maintain a skilled work force, highlighting business and skilled migration as a potential accelerator to assist population growth in the Northern Territory. This position is in contrast with some other states, such as New South Wales, which is examining how to reduce the number of people wanting to settle there, particularly in Sydney.
The government is taking yet another step in this debate with the release of the Northern Territory Business and Skilled Migration Discussion Paper by my colleague, the Minister for Business and Industry, on Friday, 23 January 2004. The release of this discussion paper, translated into various languages, is very timely, given recent statements by the Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs regarding the introduction of regional settlement initiatives to increase the level of migration to regional areas of Australia.
Our government welcomes these new initiatives to increase the level of regional migration, and looks forward to working with the Northern Territory community, businesses, ethnic organisations and the federal government in developing the Northern Territory’s position with respect to these initiatives, which will further diversity our population. It is true that a diverse population can provide challenges to ensure the delivery of services is appropriate and accessible, particularly for those who come from a non-English speaking background. However, our diversity also presents many opportunities. By working with our ethnic Territorians and, through them, with their country of origin, we can expand and diversify the Territory’s economy, social and cultural development and continue to enhance our unique lifestyle.
The Northern Territory government welcomes the challenges and opportunities that our multicultural society presents, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with ethnic Territorians. It is a living multiculturalism that we practice here.
While it is not possible in the short time allocated to detail the history of their contribution, I am sure my that my fellow members will join me in acknowledging the value and ongoing contribution of our ethnic communities to the economic, social and cultural development of the Northern Territory.
Before closing, I wish to inform the Assembly that I am conscious that there has been a commitment on the part of this government to develop a multicultural policy. The issues that the Office of Ethnic Affairs has been grappling with in this regard are whether there should be a multicultural policy applicable to migrants and ethnic communities only, or whether it should address multiculturalism in the broadest terms, accompanied by a range of strategies to maximise the benefits that flow to the Northern Territory economy and lifestyle through a diverse and vibrant society. That being the case, I expect to release for public comment a document addressing the issues of diversity and multiculturalism within the next six months.
Finally, I wish to thank all the migrants and ethnic organisations across the Territory for their continuing efforts to make the Northern Territory a vibrant, harmonious, multicultural community.
Dr Lim: Are you going to move that the report be noted? Don’t they do that any more these days?
Mr VATSKALIS: Thank you, member for Greatorex. My apologies, Madam Speaker. I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, two ministers making two statements and they do not even bother to move that the statement be noted. I cannot image that. It is the government falling apart, that is what it is.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, get on with it.
Dr LIM: On reading the minister’s statement, of which I received a copy last night, I thought: ‘Not bad. It is a reasonably positive statement’. It was not until I reached the last three or four paragraphs that the minister just articulated, where he said that his government supports, or has a commitment to, multicultural policy. He went on to say:
The issues that the Office of Ethnic Affairs has been grappling with in this regard are whether it should be a
multicultural policy applicable to migrants and ethnic communities only, or whether it should address
multiculturalism in the broadest terms, accompanied by a range of strategies to maximise the benefits
that flow to the Northern Territory economy and lifestyle through a diverse and vibrant society.
Hello! Where have you been? Multiculturalism has been in this country for decades, or don’t you know it? And multiculturalism is about all of us - all of us Australians – welcoming everybody from all over the world to come and live as happy citizens in this country. That is what it is. What are you grappling with? Do you want to make you and me different from everybody else? You and I stand in this Chamber, minister – you are Greek, I am an ethnic Chinese born in Malaysia. This is the ultimate example of multiculturalism involved in politics in the Northern Territory. This is the classical example of how we, as Territorians, take our rightful place in this place without worrying about whether we are different or not. The moment you start making you or me different in this place, then we will always be different. We are Australians; we are one – and that is how we should be. Fine – promote multiculturalism, promote the difference in the cultures, so that we can all live together side by side in harmony. But are you grappling with it? I do not understand – I truly do not understand. If you can explain to me better, then do so.
The minister then went on to a whole list of descriptions about the different ethnic groups in the Northern Territory. It started with the Chinese people. I am not sure where the research came from that you had, minister, in regard to the Chinese immigrants, but I did a fair bit of research when I first came into this parliament in the early 1990s, and one of the references that I found was from a lecture given by Charles Tsang See-Kee. As you know, Charles Tsang See-Kee lived in the Northern Territory for many years and was one of our pre-eminent ethnic Chinese people, who died less than 12 months ago. In his lecture, he said Port Darwin was re-established for the fifth time in 1869, when hundreds of Chinese were brought in to develop the settlement. The numbers grew to 6122 by 1888. The Caucasian population then was around 1144. One year before that, in 1887, in fact, the first Chinese went into Central Australia to establish a market garden at Arltunga.
The minister then said that:
- By 1911, and despite the White Australia Policy of 1901, the Chinese represented the largest ethnic group
in Darwin and made up almost one-third of the population.
My research indicates otherwise; that it was not until 1911 that the numbers of Chinese dwindled to below the Caucasian population. The numbers decreased because of deportation and, to a minor degree, through migration to Queensland. Obviously, 1911 was the year that the Northern Territory was surrendered by South Australia to the federal government. There are obviously some differences in figures. It was my understanding that, around the turn of the century, the Chinese population was something like 8000 versus about 1000 Anglo-Celtic or Caucasian population. Minister, if I am wrong, that is fine, you can correct me. However, you might want to get your figures checked out a bit more closely.
The minister acknowledged a couple of prominent Chinese members of the community, Harry Chan and Alec Fong Lim. I believe Charles Tsang See-Kee should enter into the history books as one of those who should be acknowledged as a major contributor to the ethnic communities in the Northern Territory. In fact, Charles Tsang See-Kee was the first Chairman of the Ethnic Communities Council, and served on that for a very long time. I met him for the very first time when he came to Alice Springs to spread the influence of the ECC into Alice Springs and form the branch there. Unfortunately, Charles passed away about two or three years ago from quite a severe and long-term illness.
Another member of the Chinese community that I believe the minister should have acknowledged is Ray Chin. We saw him today standing at the podium as the president of the RSL Darwin Branch. He was, in fact, a Clerk in this parliament and served very loyally for many years. In his retirement he has continued to retain a great interest in matters Chinese, and was the patron of the Chung Wah Society for many years until his retirement this year.
The other one that I suggest you should have on record is Mr Adam Lowe who is now the president of the Chung Wah Society, but was probably one of the most senior public servants of Chinese ethnic origin in the Northern Territory’s public service. He rose to the level of the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Community Services at the time when it was called that.
There are lots of people in the Northern Territory of Chinese background who have contributed significantly to the development of the Territory. I understand there are about 10 000 people of ethnic Chinese origin living in the Northern Territory right now, which forms about 10% of the greater Darwin population and is quite significant. That significance obviously transfers into what has happened in this Chamber for the last seven years with the parliament being blessed by the lion dance in a very symbolic way. Here we are, part of the fabric of the Territory. The Chinese New Year Festival has been celebrated for many long years, and has been very well patronised by everybody from the Darwin community, sharing in the cultural difference and the celebration of the long history that we have had here.
I understand also that there are some 10 000 Greeks in Darwin. The oft quote is that there are more Kalymnians living in Darwin than there are on Kalymnos Island. I do not know whether that is true or not but, obviously, we have a very strong Greek community that has continued to contribute in many ways, particularly in the construction industry, but also very much in the retail industry in Darwin. We do not have as many Greeks in Central Australia. Obviously, they prefer the Darwin weather perhaps, rather than the Alice Springs weather. I have come to know many people in the Greek community and to understand much of the culture through exchanges.
In naming members of the Chinese community, I thought that the minister would have liked to acknowledge at least the most significant Greek person that we have in the Northern Territory, John Anictomatis who …
Mr Vatskalis: I did – page 5.
Dr LIM: I did not see that in your statement there. He was our previous Administrator. John served very well as the Administrator during his term, and I enjoyed working with him when I was on EXCO. He continues to live in Darwin, and I am sure will continue to contribute significantly to our community.
With regards to the Italian community, Central Australia has a fairly significant number, many of whom came in the early 1900s to go to the mica mines. I know people still living in Alice Springs who have are descendents of these early mica miners.
Minister, when you spoke about the families that are in Central Australia I did not hear clearly. I wondered whether you actually corrected all the names that you used. You mentioned the families of Simonetto, Fedelli, Castagna, Sabidin, Morelli and Golotta – it is not Golotti - and I am sure Joe Golotta would be most upset if he heard that you said Golotti. Having said that, Joe and I go back a few years. I remember young Joe Golotta. He is now working as a real estate agent. He built a house up on the hill near the golf course with the big statue of Mal Meninga. It is such a great feature that people actually drive up Range Crescent near the golf course just to look at that big statue. He uses that statue as a letter box actually.
The Filipino community, I understand, numbers about 8000 in the Northern Territory, and is probably the one group that has spread quite evenly across the Territory from Darwin down to Alice Springs. Most of them are living in Darwin, of course, because it is a bigger city, but the numbers in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine are also significant. They have been one of the groups that have merged into the community so very well. I have attend many of the functions including the Bario Festival and other festivities that they conduct at their own Filipino hall. I really appreciate their inclusion of me into their community to take part in their activities.
The most significant event that has occurred in the Filipino community in the Northern Territory was the visit of President Ramos. He came, in fact, to this Chamber and addressed a sitting of parliament. President Ramos was one South-East Asian dignitary - a politician, a person of influence - who extended his invitation for the Northern Territory to be involved in BIMP-EAGA. That is an indication of the strength of our relationship between the Northern Territory and people in South-East Asia. During the time of the CLP government, the Philippines and the Northern Territory had frequent exchanges of visitation among their leaders of government, as well as the public service.
With regards to the Indonesian influence, that goes back, as the minister said, for many years - hundreds of years. That fact is so evident in the inclusion of Indonesian vocabulary into the Aboriginal languages in the Top End. When I visited the Yolngu country during my many visits there on committee work, listening to the Yolngu people talking to each other in their language, I would every so often pick up an Indonesian word here and there. It was quite interesting to observe the links that different cultures have through people moving in and out and, sometimes, even living with the communities. Obviously, the Indonesian sailors and pearl divers were very much a part of the community here for centuries, and they have passed away leaving their influence behind.
Of note, though, is that we have a operating Indonesian Consulate in Darwin. Indonesia has seen it important enough to have their staff based in Darwin to enhance the relationship between the Northern Territory and Indonesia. Other countries have honorary consuls, but it is significant that Indonesia has, in fact, placed a consulate here. I have met many of the consuls and the assistant consuls who have been based in Darwin and have had great relationship with them, meeting with them and having the opportunities to discuss matters of mutual interest with the Indonesian staff.
I wanted to talk about the ethnic mix with percentages and all that, but I do not know if I really need to do that.
The minister spoke about the amount of money that his Office of Ethnic Affairs has provided to many of the ethnic and cultural groups to sponsor their programs, whether they be linguistic programs, teaching languages that those ethnic groups have been particularly interested in, or even in infrastructure - building club houses or halls. That is a very necessary thing. Ethnic communities are not large, by any means. Fundraising can be sometimes very difficult and onerous, and to build their halls can take a lot of their time and resources. To expect them to raise $200 000 to $300 000 can sometimes be very difficult for them. It is important for the Northern Territory government to recognise that and ensure that adequate funds are provided to these ethnic groups so that they can have their infrastructure established without too much hardship.
With regard to language or linguistic promotion in the Territory, I was pleased to hear that the Northern Territory government has been able to negotiate with the Greek government to obtain teachers to be based in Darwin. That was a very good move, and the more we can do that, the better. It is important for the minister to recognise that. Perhaps he should be looking at other ethnic groups to see whether he can help them to get language teachers into the Northern Territory.
There is the Chinese Language and Culture Centre which teaches Mandarin. They are reasonably self-sufficient; they get some funding from the government. Most of the time, their teachers are all people who have come from that part of the world where they speak Mandarin regularly and are still able to impart the language to younger people in Darwin. It is important.
However, maybe you ought to seriously consider bringing a teacher also from either Taiwan or the People’s Republic of China. Either country would speak the same - the pronunciation is exactly the same. The writing, however, is now slightly different because the People’s Republic of China have gone to simplified Chinese script, whereas Taiwan has maintained the old classical Chinese script. If there is a will to do this, perhaps you ought to look at somebody who can teach the new simplified Chinese script because that is what is going to be, I believe, internationally adopted. Singapore has gone that way. I believe Taiwan is hanging on to the old script for historic reasons more than anything else.
The last point I will talk about is regional migration, and perhaps even about business and professional migration. It is something that has not been done very well in the Northern Territory. Everywhere else in Australia, people are migrating to the capital cities and, for some reason, we in the Northern Territory have not been able to retain migrants. They might come here for the first couple of years to satisfy the conditions or restrictions of their visa. However, once the restriction is removed, very quickly they would move on, usually to Melbourne or Sydney. I believe the government has to negotiate with the federal government to ensure that those restrictions are maintained on the visas for long enough for these people to really establish roots. A two-year restriction is too short; five years might be a better time frame. Normally, if somebody stays in the one spot for five years, they establish deep enough roots that they are less likely to up and disappear from that area.
Obviously, when you first come to a new country, you want to gravitate to people you know and feel comfortable with. If you make it easy then, before you know, they will leave the Territory to go down south. Also, I believe that if you bring in migrants who have local representation, it makes it a bit easier because it allows people to then find zones or places of comfort where they can go to meet people who talk the same language and look like them. That gives them a start and a place where they feel comfortable, and it allows them to grow and develop and then venture out and be one their own.
At the moment, the Sudanese, the people from Sierra Leone, have settled in Alice Springs very well. The former Migrant Resource Centre, now called the Multicultural Centre, has been very supportive of our newer migrants to Central Australia, and has been very effective in developing a base where people have been able to go for support whenever they feel they need to.
With regards to professional people – the doctors and nurses who come to the Northern Territory. I know a fair bit about the doctors who came to Alice Springs to work; it has been a pity that most of them have chosen to move away from Alice Springs. I found that most of them who move away had found that they were not happy with the way that their lives had been affected by the administration of the health system. It is a real pity, because these people were dedicated to Central Australia; they wanted to work and live there, they bought their own homes, had children there. However, because of the administration of the health system, things had gone wrong and they did not feel supported. They felt that they are under-valued and, as a result of that, they pulled up roots and left town.
These are the doctors that we need desperately. Central Australia has had difficulties retaining doctors, in particular - doctors who have said they wanted to stay, but have not been looked after well by the government. If that is the case, then we need to look into it. The minister needs to look at it from an Ethnic Affairs point of view also; not just from the working conditions or the financial returns that these doctors can get as salaries. There may be issues of race or discrimination that need to be thought about. Think about it. I do not want to point fingers at anybody, but there are issues about discrimination that these doctors feel that they cannot overcome. I know because they have come to speak to me about it.
You need to find out for yourself; talk to them. Just because they work for the hospital, it is not just the Health Minister’s responsibility. If they are of a different ethnic background, then it is your responsibility also, and it would pay you to find out from them what their issues are and what difficulties they have encountered when they apply for work in Central Australia. I am not sure what it is like in the Top End. I am not as close to them as I am in Central Australia, of course. I request that you pay some attention to that to ensure that these doctors do not feel so discriminated against that they just get up and leave the Territory.
What happens then? You get the ever round cycle of having to recruit and then lose them, recruit and lose them. It costs you a lot of money to recruit these doctors, relocate them for a couple of years at the best, and then they are gone again. The best and most cost-effective thing you can do is to recruit once and keep them forever. If you can do that, we will have our full complement of doctors and nurses and other allied health professionals in Central Australia to look after some 50 000 patients or thereabouts - which is the pool of patients they get from Central Australia.
As I said, I was initially going to get up to support the statement without any criticism, but there are few little things that the minister could have added to it. We do have a multicultural policy, minister, and I do not know what the office is grappling with. I do not understand that. If you can explain that in your closing remarks, I would appreciate it.
Ms LAWRIE (Karama): Mr Deputy Speaker, I congratulate the Minister for Ethnic Affairs for bringing the multicultural statement to the Chamber this evening. I sometimes ponder about multiculturalism and where it exactly fits in the scope of the Territory, because I cannot actually separate it from any aspect or fabric of the Territory. To me, it is intrinsically woven into every facet of the Territory.
The minister’s statement sets out that it has been 150 years since the ethnic Chinese settled in the Territory. They certainly became very much the backbone of industry in the sense of the mining and retail they were involved in. They were the cleaners, the bakers, the milk deliverers. They really created the small business infrastructure and backbone to the Territory in the very early days of our development. As we know, they were followed by the Greek and Italian people, and there was a Japanese migration in the early days of the Territory as well, linked to pearling.
For me, it is very embedded within the life that we know as Territorians, living here in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, playing alongside Greek, Italian, and Chinese kids. I remember when the boatloads of refugees first started arriving from Vietnam, and when the Timorese started to arrive as well, fleeing the invasion of Timor. That was the first awakening, I guess, and awareness of multiculturalism in terms of refugees, because I did not see multiculturalism, in a sense, when I was playing alongside the Greek and Italian and Chinese kids; they were just friends. Their families were old Darwin families who had been there generations - certainly before my own family - and they were pillars of our society and community. They were highly regarded and highly respected families who also held much of the wealth in the Territory as well. You could point to anywhere in the Territory - whether it is the German or Afghan settlement in Alice Springs, or the Chinese who really dominated the Pine Creek region. There was a tremendous rich tapestry there of hard-working, dedicated, fiercely Territorian families who happened to have been migrants, ultimately, at some stage of the centuries and decades that the Territory shares as its history.
I love the fact that I am representing the most multicultural seat in the Territory. It is a seat that I sought, quite specifically, because of the nature of the demographic. Living and working amongst families from the Philippines, Indonesia, Timor, China - whether it is Hong Kong Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Singapore Chinese, mainland China Chinese, Taiwanese. There are many varied backgrounds of the Chinese because, as we know, Fujian Chinese are very different to Hong Kong Chinese, and the Hakka Chinese. We are living against those very different facets of the Chinese community because we have a lot of Timorese Chinese living in my electorate. There are many Vietnamese families, and there are families from Thailand. The leader and backbone of the Cambodian community I met in the very early days of doorknocking in Karama, and she has been a woman of great inspiration to me. There are Laotion families there, Sri Lankan, Indian, and Pakistani. We have some Afghani refugees there at the moment who, I note, the minister is advocating on their behalf that they get to stay. We have been joined, as we have heard in the debate here tonight, African refugees. There are large numbers of Sudanese in my electorate. We have people from Eritrea and, tucked in there as well, we have Bosnian refugees who preceded the African refugees.
The desires and needs that these families show me that they have, are to remain very much in tune with their culture and their homeland. They have a reliance on getting information on what is happening in their homeland, because all of them still have family wherever they have come from. It is important to ensure that we have good services still such as SBS. I know that the government is working on shadowing issues for television reception in the northern suburbs, because SBS is very much an important source of news and information to these families in what is occurring in their homelands which, fundamentally, affects people they love dearly. It has been my experience that many of these families do not have the wealth to stay in constant phone contact. It is incredibly expensive and, in many cases, there are no phones in the villages or areas in their homelands where they are trying to get message and word through to their family. Therefore, they really do rely on the news and information service of SBS Television.
I am advocating, at the moment, for some funding to assist the Portuguese-Timorese Club, for example. They have a satellite there that is no longer working, and the television set is in need of replacement. The reason they need it is they are desperate to again receive television broadcast from Portugal. We have the European Soccer Cup coming up in July and I can absolutely assure you, that club will come alive if they can have good television coverage beamed straight in from Portugal. We have an application going to the Community Benefit Fund for that which I am supporting.
The other issue that a lot of people speak to me about is not new to most people: they need decent employment. It first struck me when I worked at SBS radio in Melbourne in the 1980s just how much discrimination still exists in the work force for people who come from a non-English speaking background; irrespective of the fact that they might hold several degrees in their homeland, that they speak and write better English than most Australians. However, they have an accent and, much to our eternal shame, these people are seen as less desirable employees in many job interviews, and are relegated to positions far below their skill level.
There is debate in our society about looking at entrance in terms of skilled migration and whether people’s degrees should be accepted here or whether you need bridging courses and, if you need bridging courses, how long are they for and how much they cost. These issues are still to be tackled by governments in Australia, and I look forward assisting our Minister for Ethnic Affairs in taking them on head-on.
Certainly, it is the key issue affecting the African families living here in our community. We have highly educated people who are still job seeking. The only jobs they are picking up are the cleaning jobs. They are willing to do the cleaning jobs because they are so pleased to be here, out of a war-torn home situation. Many of them have not been in their homeland for many years; they have been in refugee camps in other parts of Africa. Therefore, first and foremost, they are absolutely delighted to be in a place that provides peace for the first time, and a significant improvement in lifestyle. They are keen to work and they are keen to use the skills that they have. It has been a very frustrating process to see.
I have written letters to the university, to research centres, to the public service with people’s CVs saying: ‘Consider this person’. In discussions between the Ethnic Affairs Minister and the minister for Education, we really need to look at how, as a government, we can encourage employment. I am not suggesting queue jumping in terms of your employment opportunity but, for many people, it is really just being able to be considered and getting off the list of applications that are rejected, and actually getting in there for the interview.
Some kind of affirmative action employment strategy would be fairly avant-garde but, in a multicultural place where we are looking at attracting business migrants and skilled migration, it would hold the Territory in a very fine stead. In small jurisdictions you can sometimes do things that, in large jurisdictions, it would take far too many negotiations and machinations to achieve.
Therefore, I suggest in discussion on multiculturalism in the Northern Territory that we really do have to deliver very much more in fairness in employment. I will, at the same time, recognise that many of the migrant families who settled and created a very prosperous home in the Territory, did so off the back of incredibly hard work. For example, the Yap family. I have a lot of dealings with Henry Yap, son of the very well-known and highly-respected Pedro Yap. They own Malak Shopping Centre. They started out as a Chinese Timorese family here after having fled Timor. They went to a couple of places in the world before finally settling in Darwin. They created their family wealth from a cleaning business, have branched out into several different businesses now, and are very highly-respected members of our community.
Being able to work with Henry Yap in a multicultural community has brought enormous dividends to Malak. Henry understands the nature of multiculturalism because he has grown up as part of a minority culture in Darwin and he is so open to creativity and providing opportunity for people of a non-Anglo Saxon background. That ranges from the young indigenous children who go down to his shop and are paid to do odd jobs, through to be able to embrace the idea of creating a multicultural hub at Malak.
The Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory recently announced in its newsletter that the government is funding the creation of a multicultural office at Malak Shopping Centre, and I am so excited about this project. It will create a really good working space for the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, with some beautiful refurbishment of the shopping centre at Malak. It has the potential to become very much the hub of multicultural service delivery in Darwin. What a very appropriate location, because it will be located within walking distance or a very short driving distance from the clients of that service: the multicultural people of Darwin and Palmerston.
Moving on from that, I also acknowledge the hard-working – and the minister’s statement really does spell out very clearly, in terms of some significant ethnic communities here in Darwin, the work they did in building the infrastructure and building-up Darwin. I have had a fair bit to do with many of the well-established Italian families. I work very closely with the La Pira family, who own Karama Shopping Centre, and who laid the roads to build the suburbs of Karama. I look forward to continuing to work with that family, because they very much have the ethic of putting back into the community. I know Nica La Pira has, over the years, been very helpful to people in need. On a few occasions I have sought out assistance from Nica for poor families in the community and she has always been very forthcoming. She is an absolute pillar of our society and a very inspirational woman, and she has taught her son, Peter very well.
Looking at the development of the families like the Randazzos, La Piras, Finocchiaros, I could not imagine a built Darwin environ that we have without the efforts, commitment, love and passion that those families have shown for the Territory. I know that extends to other centres in the Territory as well where they had significant developments.
As we know - and the minister I know is incredibly strong on this subject - a great need for multiculturalism is the provision of linguistic options. The School of Languages at Nightcliff, when we came to government, I reckon was pretty well on its last legs. They were so terrified that funding was being stripped away from them. It was a Labor election promise that we would support that School of Languages. I have to say the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, with the support of the Chief Minister, being able to put $400 000 into the School of Languages has been a significant turnaround for the opportunity for people to be able to continue their linguistic needs. I will place on the record that I very much have an interest in this School of Languages. My seven-year-old and eight-year-old daughters are attending with their Italian friends and learning Italian every Wednesday afternoon. I could not be more delighted. It was their choice: ‘Mum, we want to learn Italian’. It possibly could be because their grandmother speaks Italian to them regularly even though she is not Italian. So, off they go to the School of Languages. I am absolutely delighted.
Language enhances people; we know that. They learn Bahasa at school, which I did when I was growing up in Darwin. It is one of those lovely life cycles to see your children go off to school and learn Bahasa just as you did, in this city that is very much on the doorstep of Asia. I congratulate the minister for the tremendous support he has given to the School of Languages. I have committed my support to them; I have gone there and met with the teachers. I will always be a passionate advocate for continuing the School of Languages.
Another aspect, obviously, of multiculturalism is ensuring that their cultural needs are met. Their cultural needs often are intrinsically linked to religious needs. There is an Indonesian Uniting Church in my electorate and I go there and attend services and sing hymns in Bahasa. It is actually improved my Bahasa, having to go and use it again after all these years. The Hindu temple is nearby in the electorate of Sanderson - a very popular temple. The Buddhist temple is nearby in the electorate of Wanguri. We have the Serbian Church in Malak. I like the opportunity to get to the mosque in Wanguri, because the Islamic Society is such a diverse society. I was there recently and I think they said they had members of the Islamic Society from 17 different nations in the world. They are very much a respected society in multicultural Northern Territory, and going from strength to strength at the moment. I congratulate the minister for the financial support he has given to the Islamic Society. They have a fantastic new children’s playground there. They have a gorgeous new kitchen and a very impressive new verandah on the mosque, which has really enhanced it.
I want to also touch very quickly on the fact that, as we all know, Darwin is very much on the doorstep of Asia. It is a joy to see at the Mindil Beach, Rapid Creek, Nightcliff, or Parap Markets all the food stalls set up there by the families from the various countries that are our Asian neighbours – the Thai, Filipino, Indonesian, Chinese, Cambodian, and Laotian food stalls with the absolutely delicious food. However, what it does is very much underpin a tourism attraction and draw that Darwin has. Being the jewel at the Top End of Australia, and very much the southern part of Asia, we are in the most opportune place to enhance our multiculturalism. I commend the minister for the support he has been providing to those communities.
There is a way to go. I have not really even touched on the tremendous Greek community we have here. I am living in and amongst the children of the old Greek Nightcliff families who I grew up amongst. It seems as though my generation moved from Nightcliff and Rapid Creek to settle into homes in Karama and Malak. Doorknocking was quite a bizarre experience for me because I kept running into people who, like myself, are now adults and have children of their own, who I had not seen for some 20 years. They were very much the respected Greek families. Mrs Skandaliaris was my first babysitter and there I was doorknocking her son, George Skandaliaris. I recognise the great work that Kerry Kyriacou does with Chris Konitis for the Cypriot community. Leo Athanasiou is a fantastic person providing great drive and vision in the Kalymnian community. John Rivas is great in the work of the Philippino community …
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member, your time has expired.
Mr VATSKALIS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that time be extended for the member to finish her contribution.
Motion agreed to.
Ms LAWRIE: It has been a wonderful opportunity for me recently to be working with Joe Da Silva in enhancing the Portuguese-Timorese Club. It is great to see the belt of multicultural clubs along Batten Road. The Italian Club is at Marrara, but that is a very popular venue for the communities who do not have a club of their own. I know there will be some exciting improvements in that area of Batten Road. I have had numerous different communities come to me and discuss their dreams, hopes and ambitions for the future as their numbers grow.
One thing that comes through constantly when I visit the various communities when they hold their functions or I am shopping and talking to various members of the communities, is that they all are very thankful for the support they have received from the Labor government. They are all very delighted that they have an Ethnic Affairs Minister that they believe is approachable …
Mr Vatskalis: Who speaks with an accent.
Ms LAWRIE: Who also speaks with an accent; they find great mirth in that. I know that the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory under the Presidency of Yogeswaran Sathianathan is in very capable hands. I look forward to working alongside them in ensuring their transitional move to Malak is an enormous success and that their needs for a great facility are met, and spending many years dedicated to assisting the multicultural communities in the Northern Territory.
I was born in Darwin. I am a fifth generation Australian on my father’s side and seventh on my mother’s side. Being a Jew, sometimes I feel as though I understand what it is to be a minority within a dominant culture. Whilst I am very much the Aussie girl and the Territory girl, I intrinsically understand the perspective of minority. Having lived in Hong Kong for four-and-a-half years and Vietnam for quite a while, I was minority. I understand the challenges that many of our poorer Asian nations have met, and I am committed to ensuring that the people from a non-English speaking background who have had the opportunity to come and settle in Australia are given greater and enhanced opportunities, and are respected for the vibrancy that their cultures bring to our beautiful Territory.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Mr Deputy Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to support the minister in his statement tonight. It gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on how multiculturalism has changed our lives. I look back through my life to when I went to school in the southern realms of Australia, generally speaking. For example, you could not get more isolated in the south than Wagga Wagga High School. The comparison nowadays of coming up to Darwin and seeing places like Darwin High School and going to the presentation nights each year in December and watching the incredible number of young people who are not white Anglo Saxon, is fascinating to see and a real inspiration.
I cannot remember when I went to school anybody coming from anywhere else but Australia. Everybody was white and most people had red hair and freckles and things like that. So things have changed in that regard. Diet has changed. When I was girl living in places like Wagga Wagga, the food was meat and three veg; it was incredibly bland. My mother was a terrible cook and I was as skinny as a rake. Now, thanks to things like lasagne and pizza, things have changed and, by golly, meat and three veg looks appallingly bland. I certainly prefer a good Italian meal rather than anything else.
Entertainment has changed too. I guess there was not a lot of entertainment at places like Wagga Wagga. However, in Darwin, of course through the multicultural community that we have, we enjoy such a range of things here, such as the Glenti, the Barrio Festival. Just last Tuesday this week we had the lion dancers here in the Assembly. Of course, things to do with another aspect of our multicultural society here is our Aboriginal community and all the things that they bring to our lives with their art, ceremonies, and that deepness that they bring to our community, linked to the history.
Friends and colleagues come from places that are not white Anglo Saxon, the minister being one, our deputy leader being another. Nowadays, of course, for all of us it is just taken as being part of life and you do not even notice it. But it enriches our lives being a group that only 30 or 40 years ago were definitely the dominant culture. In some of the places I lived in Australia, it was incredibly unusual to meet somebody with an accent.
One of the things that comes from being a member of parliament which is relatively new to me, has been the number of invitations that I have received from various cultural communities within the Northern Territory to participate in their events. It has brought real colour and joy into my life to be able to attend these events. I really appreciate the warm welcome that I receive when, often, I go somewhere where I do not know anybody at all. You walk in and, unlike Anglo Saxon Aussies to some regard, people from outside of Australia who come here, I believe, often have a higher regard for our Australian system - our political system. As a member of parliament, I feel that there is an element of respect from the people who invite me to functions that, perhaps, I would not get from a normal Aussie type function. The welcome at places like, for example, the Kalymnian Brotherhood is really appreciated.
The Territory is different. When you observe the media coming from interstate, there are often quite horrific stories that demonstrate that Australians do not live in harmony in some areas. However, here in the Northern Territory, generally speaking, we do a pretty good job. I do not really understand why it is better here in the Territory but I believe that it is. Whatever we are doing that is right, here is hoping that we keep it up.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the statement be noted. Those of that opinion say … oh, good evening! Member for Sanderson, did you just dance your way into parliament?
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I did stand to contribute to the ministerial statement. Forgive me for missing the call; I had to retrieve something from the printer. I will be brief.
It is a very good statement by the minister and there have been good and heartfelt contributions from the many speakers on both sides of the House about the multicultural aspects of the Territory. It does us all good to reflect on our society and its various components. When I look around at the many Australians that make up our community - the Austral-Asians, the Austral-Europeans, the Austral-Africans now, of whom we are seeing quite a number - it is a good thing. Most of all, up here, let us not forget the Australian Aboriginal people and the multicultural aspects that they bring to our society.
Multiculturalism is not about recent immigrants. It is not about new arrivals. It is all about the cultures and the character traits that we all bring to make up the rich fabric of our society. When we talk about the Aboriginal community and its multicultural aspects, there is a very rich society, indeed. I had the pleasure of living out on a community at one stage. It was a bit of an eye opener, being a minority in, arguably, my own country, but no more so, I would suggest, than some Aboriginal people feel being a minority in their own country. It is a matter of us being just groups of people living together in our own country.
In Arnhem Land, what struck me about the multiculturalism was the contact that the Aboriginal people had with Macassans. For many years, long before European settlement, the Macassans used to come down during the Dry Season looking for trepang and make their homes in Arnhem Land for about six months of the year over the Wet, when they would catch the trepang. They would boil it up as the processing and then, when their harvest was right, when the winds changed and the monsoon was favourable, they would go back to their own country. While living here, they would intermarry in Aboriginal communities. The language to our north is studded with Aboriginal words, just as the Aboriginal language in Arnhem Land is studded with Macassan.
As a matter of fact, during the centenary year, I think it was, there was a group of Indonesian relatives of Aboriginal people who made the trip there. How significant is that for talking about the bonds and the strengths of our multiculturalism, that these family ties still exist?
Another funny – well, a poignant - story that points to the multiculturalism and the strong ties that we have between our community and different countries is that there was a documentary maker who was coming out to Arnhem Land and I was assisting him with travel. He had some very old Indonesian maps that showed Australia but, of course, it showed it upside down; they showed it from a Macassan view of the world. We went out to Ramingining and met with some people at an outstation. As we were talking, the documentary maker mentioned a tidal wave that went through the islands to the north and wiped out quite a number of villages. As he was telling this to the people at the outstation, they became very upset because, in fact, they felt the strong family ties with these people who had been killed in this tragic natural disaster. It was a real eye opener for me to see the strength of this bond.
Here in the Territory, when we look at the benefits that we derive from the Aboriginal culture and the things that we have taken on as our own, I believe that a lot of the attitudes that we have towards each other can find their roots in what we have picked up from Aboriginal culture. It is a very rich culture, one that we are all learning from. They learn from us. They have done extremely well to be able to maintain their strong roots and strong ties with their land and their family, and yet we can still take from each other and tolerate each other.
That is what multiculturalism is all about; it is all about tolerance. Tolerance is an amazing thing because it is all about understanding, appreciating and accepting people for what they are and what they can do. It is not about wanting to change. The days of assimilation are gone and it was not a very good policy. It is the days of tolerance, where now we are able to look at Greek and Chinese communities, and we do not bung on the English test any more. We do not expect people who come here to be like me or like you, or like your neighbour; we value them for being different. The member for Port Darwin was saying when she was growing up it was meat and three veg. Well, most of us - certainly people around my age - grew up on meat and three veg.
Ms Carter: Your mum must have been a better cook.
Mr KIELY: I found the lasagne bowl a long time before the member for Port Darwin, I am afraid.
It was this tolerance which allowed us to accept. When I was growing up there was the fish and chip shop and the Chinese takeaway and, then when you went to the Chinese shop you always ordered steak and egg anyway. We have come a long way, and you can put it down to multiculturalism. It is just the way they have enriched our palates, and for that we are all forever grateful. You will not come to my house and find meat and three veg on the table. It is generally …
Dr Burns: It would be on the floor.
Mr KIELY: That is right. We are hoping one day it will lift up our cultural style of eating, thank you, member for Johnston. We eat from plates, we have not gone too feral.
Dr Burns: I am talking about the kids.
Mr KIELY: Oh, thank you. There are great things, even when we talk about the multiculturalism of Darwin. Prior to coming up here, I lived in Canberra. I will have to declare here that I am a southerner. I came up from Canberra, which, however, is a territory. A mate of mine there was Mick Perez. When I was coming up, he said to me: ‘You know, my family comes from Darwin’. I had never even thought about where he came from as such. I thought he was Spanish or something. I believe that his actual heritage is Filipino Aboriginal. He said: ‘Oh, we have a street up there named after our family’. I found it, it is out at Wanguri - Perez St. That was the strength, he still had a great sense of belonging to here and the Territory. That is wonderful. That is the kind of way that one settles their roots and their substance into the country that they have.
The minister spoke about all the old waves of migration that came here and the old families - the Chinese, the Italians, Greeks and others. Well, we are now looking at a new wave, and we are getting new waves of migration and new Australians coming from Africa. I am happy to say, at a school in my electorate, Anula school, we have an English as a Second Language unit. They do a fantastic job there, and the minister mentioned it in his statement. They have about 70 children there at the moment. They do a fantastic job. It is headed up by the assistant principal, Miss Sue Hyde. The teachers in the language school work wonders with these kids from all parts of the world whose English is a second language.
Linley Baker is very active and very passionate in her teaching of these kids to know what Australian society is about and the language, so that they can communicate and travel through our community quite freely. Along with Linley Baker, Nadia Gooding, Tracey Gurney, Rosita Kandias, Kay Byrne, and Janelle Thorne, all work really well. At school assembly times last year, I believe from memory, all the African students put on a great show. They were all in African dress, singing and dancing with spirit, and the kids at that school loved it.
If you want to talk about multicultural Territory and how it is going, go to Anula school and have a look at what goes on. The kids who are second generation here from overseas, whose English might be a second language at home, but not necessarily be their second language, are Aboriginal, Austral-European, as well as these African kids, and they are all getting on well together because the school is teaching tolerance.
I will just give you an idea of what the break-up of nationalities are at that unit so that people can understand what is going on in town. The nationalities include 75% of Africans these days. There are students from Liberia, Nigeria, and Kenya. There are students from all over Asia - Indonesia, Thailand, Bali, Timor and Vietnam. As a matter of fact, we even have a Japanese exchange student there. The teachers are focussed on English and they are teaching school culture to students. That is important; they are actually imparting our culture here. However, they are not asking them to take it on to assimilate – ‘Keep your own by all means, but learn this one’. The unit has bilingual support staff, and that is pretty incredible. The bilingual classes are taught on Tuesdays with a native speaker. They are really working hard. I will be making representations to our minister; this unit does some wonderful work and is always looking for extra resources. Of course, such a unit as this is intensive on the unit itself, and on the school and it is something that we, as a government and a community, need to contribute more to. I will certainly be taking those representations up with the minister.
When I mentioned tolerance, it is important just to touch on a couple of press releases that the Leader of the Opposition put out. In the first place it was: ‘The CLP will give Territory public servants opportunity - government’s hire from the south policy to be ditched’. In this, which was discussed in Question Time, was the term ‘southerners’. I regard that as code. Don Watson even used the term ‘dog whistling’. ‘Southerners’ - are we talking about southerners south of Darwin? Are we talking about southerners south of Katherine? Are we talking about southerners south of Alice Springs? Are we talking about the east coast of Australia? Are we talking about Brisbane and Townsville? Are we talking about South Australia? Are we talking about Western Australia? No, what we are talking about is the exclusion of all those who do not meet the criteria that the Leader of the Opposition has set as being acceptable people to be in the Territory. That is what it is. It does not only go to people who are southerners; who live in some southern region. It goes to anyone who is not fitting their mould. This goes for people from overseas.
I would also like to talk about bit of dog whistling – as I said, the term used by Don Watson for people talking in code - ‘The days of sit-down money must end’. We talk about a multicultural and tolerant society which is what this statement is all about. However, in here, the Opposition Leader talks about sit-down money on communities not going to families, being drunk on kava and ganga. Well, who are these welfare recipients we are talking about? You said ‘communities’ here. So, everyone on a community is on welfare? Well, I have news for the opposition! There are lots of people out there pulling a very decent wage. ‘Everyone on communities on CDEP or any other form of social welfare payment do not feed their kids’. Well, I have news for you! There are a lot of caring parents out on communities who do feed their kids. There are far more non-drinkers and far non-substance abusers on Aboriginal communities, who live on communities, than there are substance abusers.
Substance abusers are a very, very tiny minority. It is a social issue that we all have to attest, but here you are dog whistling, opposition. You are dog whistling saying that anyone on welfare on communities smokes ganga, drinks kava, gets stuck into the grog and do not feed their kids. Where does this policy end of anyone on welfare? Does this policy then extend to people in communities: people in our urban community? So, all supporting parents who are on welfare are considered to be ganga smoking, kava drinking, substance abusers, who do not feed their kids.
This is the sort of intolerance and wedge politics that these policies of the CLP are. I believe that anyone in receipt of a welfare payment who might be out of work for a little while and are on the dole, or anyone who is a supporting parent through no fault of their own, should seriously consider just where this is – and anyone on a low income for that matter. Anyone on a low income getting income support is, by definition of the CLP policy, second rate citizens and look out. So that is what I would like to say: that ours is a tolerant society; we should keep it that way. We should not look to be adopting the CLP policies – they are full of intolerance, racial divide, and wedge politics, and people should be aware of that when they sit down and consider this.
I would like to wrap up by saying that we have progressed on multiculturalism, much from the efforts of fine staff who work in the minister’s department – the Department of Ethnic Affairs. They are a great, hard-working mob, particularly the Director - she still might be - Janicean Price. I have been to many an event where the organisers have actually thanked her publicly. She is a hard-working public servant who does not ask for public recognition. She very rarely gets it for that matter, but it is public recognition that she deserves and I am happy enough to give, and I believe, fully supported by the minister. It is a wonderful thing, having public servants like that. I am not too sure, I hope she was born here – she did not just trapeze in from the south did she? But, if she did, I welcome her. I am sure that if the CLP consider their policies, they too might welcome her. I reckon she can stay, she is a Territorian. She is doing a great job for all other Territorians – all other Australians who might not have necessarily have come from an Anglo background, or might not necessarily have been born in the Territory.
Dr LIM: A point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker! I draw your attention to Standing Order 54 regarding explanation of speech and I read that standing order:
- A member who has spoken to a question may again be heard to explain himself in regard to some material part of his speech which has been misquoted or misunderstood, but shall not introduce any new matter, nor interrupt any member addressing the Chair, and no debatable matter may be brought forward nor may any debate arise upon such explanation.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe the member for Sanderson has deliberately misinterpreted what I had to say. I did not even allude to the word ‘assimilation’ at any time. I questioned the minister’s words in his statement when he was talking about ‘grappling’ with the term multiculturalism.
Mr Kiely: Speaking to the point of order …
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, there is no point of order. We will not debate that.
Mr VATSKALIS (Ethnic Affairs): Mr Deputy Speaker, when I arrived in Australia, the first place I lived was Perth, and I became involved with the ethnic community very quickly. I was a member of the multicultural and ethnic community in Perth, but what impressed me in Perth was that, despite the multicultural and ethnic communities, there was no social mixing with ethnic communities. I would say that people used to live in areas which can be described as ghettos. You would find an Italian suburbs, Greek suburbs and Chinese suburbs. I have to admit that the first time I saw the Chinese New Year celebrations and the Chinese lion dance was when I first came to Darwin in 1993. I was a southerner as well and I came from somewhere else.
What really impressed me in Darwin was the number of ethnic communities and the way they grew with each other. I was very impressed when I found out that about 10% of the population of Darwin is Chinese, 10% of the population is Greek, with a significant number of Italians and a large number of Aboriginal people. All of them went to the same school together and they grew up together. It made me understand why we did not have the problems there are in other states. You cannot really be a racist and against each other when all of you went to the same school, grew up in the same neighbourhood, went to the same high school and are in the same area.
I had a big a lesson from my young son when he went to Nightcliff Primary School. In the first year, he came home one day and asked if one of his friends, Matthew, could come and play at home, which we accepted and Matthew arrived - a fine, young Aboriginal child, six years old. They played and played and when Matthew left, I said to my son: ‘Oh, your friend is Aboriginal’ and the answer was: ‘No, no. He is just a kid’. Kids do not see colour; they do not see origin. That is very true of the Territory and Darwin in particular. People do not see the differences; they see only what unites them and brings them together, and that is very important.
I appreciated the comments of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition about the Chinese history. I would appreciate, if he has a copy of his research, if I could have a copy presented to the Office of Ethnic Affairs. I would like to have a copy of his research because I am a scholar of history and I really enjoy reading it.
About who was here first - the Chinese, the Anglo Saxon or the Greeks - I cannot comment, but the history that I have researched tells me that there were five Greeks who arrived in the region with Vasco de Gama when he exploring East Timor and, later, there was Greek cook on the ship that Goyder used to survey the north of Australia. At the same time, there is a Chinese statue that was found on the coast of Darwin.
Dr Lim: That has been discredited by researchers.
Mr VATSKALIS: I have not read this, but I would welcome your research to be provided to us. Certainly, I did not want to mention every Chinese person today because that was not part of my statement. I would like to mention the Chinese people on another occasion more appropriate, but I agree with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition about Charles Tsang See-Kee. I worked with him when we worked together in multicultural radio, and I greatly appreciate the man.
I would like to mention - apart from the other people that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition mentioned – Eddie Quong. I reckon he is the only Chinese in Darwin who can speak fluent Greek. The first time I met, he astounded me. He described to me what he was in Greek. He told me that he learnt Greek when he was working building the Greek Hall and the Greek Church in the 1950s and 1960s, which was surprising. I was astounded when my colleague, the minister for cultural development, swore fluently in Greek because he learnt Greek when he went to school with Ross Anictomatis in the 1960s. So you find in the Territory something really different from the other states.
I did not want to mention all the Greeks. I mentioned John Anictomatis, the previous Administrator but, if I needed to mention somebody very important from the Greek people in Darwin, I would like to say it was Michael Kontoyiannis, one of the first divers who came to Broome. Unfortunately, Michael Kontoyiannis died when the propeller of a pearl lugger cut his lifeline while he was diving. His death made all the Greeks from Broome break their contracts with the pearl luggers to come to Darwin to work as builders.
I am strong supporter of learning foreign languages other than English. I believe that we have to become multilingual. Not everyone speaks English, and some people are very patriotic. If you go to France, people refuse to serve you unless you speak French because they are very strong supporters of their culture and their language.
I am a strong supporter of the School of Languages along with the Chief Minister. As a matter of fact, I am the Patron of the School of Languages and we strongly support it by providing adequate funding to cover the lack of funding from the Commonwealth.
As for the Chinese language, I am prepared to work with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for a Chinese teacher. We actually managed to get some Greek teachers from Greece with the help of the Minister of education. I am prepared to do the same from Taiwan or China. However, I understand there is a Chinese language school every Saturday morning at Alawa Primary School and Po Chow does a great job there teaching and being the headmistress of the school.
I absolutely agree about skilled migration. We need to keep skilled migrants in the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, the province is not with the Territory government; it is with the federal government. Lack of recognition of skills in trade and professional qualifications makes it very difficult for a doctor who has not qualified in England or Canada to have his qualifications recognised in the Northern Territory - and not only doctors; it applies to other professions.
When I first came to Australia, the federal government of Australia did not recognise my qualifications from Greece. I had to go back to the university to do exactly what I did in Greece. We strongly support skill migration. My Office of Ethnic Affairs works with people who come from overseas and helps them to assess their qualifications, and we will continue to do so. We have written to the federal government asking them to consider the Territory as one of the places that newly-arrived migrants can settle. The problem with other constituencies is a person who has permanent residency can apply for citizenship after two years, so it becomes a constitutional matter. How are you going to prevent somebody who can become a citizen in two years time from moving outside the Territory to go somewhere else?
We are providing funding for the communities, and also for the organisations that support the ethnic communities. The one you mentioned, the Multicultural Support Centre in Alice Springs, we are very supportive by providing funding for them to survive from year to year since the Commonwealth cut their annual funding.
It is great to have such fantastic staff at the Office of Ethnic Affairs. My appreciation to Janicean Price, who I knew from my previous life. She is well known in the ethnic communities. She is not only well liked, she is loved by the ethnic communities, and she is working very hard for different communities.
I will now address some of the issues that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition brought up about the Office of Ethnic Affairs grappling with issues about a multicultural policy. Yes, it is grappling, because we do not want it to be a policy about language, services, or ethnic communities only; we want to expand from that. We want a policy that incorporates everything that can be utilised to maximise opportunities for Territorians, to provide the opportunity for Territory businesses to make business with other countries, and for us to recognise new markets and to penetrate new markets - as my colleague, the member for Wanguri, pointed out yesterday in his trade statement. Their multicultural policy is not only about service and language provision, the things that until now we have considered for the ethnic communities. We want it to be more than that. We are now talking to the ethnic communities and other communities that do not come from a non-English speaking background - including Aboriginal, Irish, Scottish, and the mainstream Anglo-Saxon community – to encompass all the communities in the Territory.
One thing I will point out is that we do not believe in assimilation. As a matter of fact, we do not believe in tolerance any more. When you tolerate somebody, you do not have to like him but you tolerate him. We have moved from tolerance to acceptance, and we are even past acceptance. Now we are talking about harmony; living harmoniously as one community. Not me and you, different nationalities, but us, as Australians and, at the same time, accepting people for what they are - their background, customs and traditions. As somebody described once, in America when you mix the ethnic communities with the American way of life, you get a stew. You put everything in and what you get out tastes the same. Whereas in Australia, you get a salad. You put different ingredients in, and you get something that has a different taste. You can taste everything separately but, altogether, make something different.
Again, I find it very difficult to agree - and I find it mischievous that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would question the multicultural policy and the fact that we are trying to produce a good multicultural policy. I remind him that the CLP, whilst supporting the ethnic communities and providing funding for them, I do not really think that it believed in the ethnic communities. The reason is that, in the last election in 2001, the CLP made a conscious choice to put their preference to One Nation. Not only that, but the Deputy Leader of the Opposition did not hesitate to go on the radio and say he agreed with this policy. Now, to come in here and challenge this government and me about our multicultural policy, and how much support we provide to the ethnic communities, is a bit hypocritical. You will never be forgiven by the ethnic communities. They still remember it and they still know …
A member interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: You do not understand the ethnic communities. You never understood because you never tried to work with ethnic communities and find out what makes these communities tick. You have utilised and used the ethnic communities, or members of the ethnic communities, for political purposes. Even your press releases talk about division. You are quite right – division. You are not talking about uniting the communities in the Territory, you want to divide them. You want to put labels, ‘Us and the others, us and the southerners’. In the election in 2001 it was ‘Us and them, One Nation. We are not going to exchange preference with anyone else but One Nation’. The ethnic communities know what the CLP stands for. They know that you used them for voting purposes, and they have realised that, if somebody really supports the ethnic communities, it is this new Labor government of the Territory.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
On that note, it is with great pleasure that, as President of the Australia Day Council NT, I recognise Peter Spillett, AM FRGS, the winner of the Australia Day NT Achiever Award for 2004. This award was announced at the Australia Day NT Darwin Ball held at MGM Grand Casino on 25 January. The NT Achiever Award is an initiative of the Australia Day Council and has been running since 1990. Its aim is to recognise the achievement of one outstanding Territorian for the previous year.
Peter Spillett is a modest, quiet, humorous man who has lived an extraordinary life and whose contribution to the Territory, particularly Darwin, would be unrivalled. I have known Peter for many years. He is a long-term resident of Fannie Bay, moving there from the Parap Camp. I am also pleased and proud to call Peter a friend. There is so much to Peter’s life that anything I say now will only be brief snapshots. I could talk about the young Englishman during World War II: his work in signals, air traffic control, of being in an active theatre of war. Peter came to us, like so many, finding Darwin a haven after events of World War II. Darwin provided for Peter and his wife Muriel a lasting and peaceful home, but cosmopolitan enough never to become boring. His love of travel, particularly in Indonesia and South-East Asia, only fired by his service overseas, could be realised more easily from north Australia than from the chilly south.
There are many passions in Peter’s life. The first would have to be the Anglican Church. For many years, an active member of Christchurch Cathedral, he is tireless as a champion of the poor and the underprivileged, and has negotiated his way through more than half a century of active contribution to church business.
The second passion for Peter is the RSL. His time of active service and the comradeship he shared with his fellows in war, and now in peace, represents the best of mateship and good times. Sharing a beer with men like Ray Chin or Reg Wilson is a piece of old Darwin that will never change.
The third passion for Peter is his commitment to history and heritage. One-time director of the National Trust and author of 15 books and numerous published papers - particularly regarding north Australia and its contacts with South-East Asia - Peter is modest and diffident about his achievements. His books are a terrific read and most are still in print. Forsaken Settlement remains the definitive study of Victoria settlement at Port Essington.
Of his many achievements, Peter is recognised internationally as the expert on the centuries-old friendly trade between Macassan trepangers and the Aboriginal people. As part of the bicentennial celebrations in 1988, he was instrumental in the construction and sailing of a repla Macassan prahu. This boat, the Hati Marege was constructed in Indonesia and sailed to Darwin in celebration and recognition of this relationship.
Finally, Peter’s last passion - we are not going through all of them here, but the fourth is not bad - is to commit to the public good of our cities through active involvement in local government. Long-time member of Darwin City Council, Peter fought passionately for issues of public safety, improvement of amenities and better facilities for householders.
A fluent speaker of Bahasa Indonesia, among others his friends include Bishop Bello, Emeritus Professor Campbell MacKnight, not to mention all the friends and families from Parap Camp and Belsen days. He can tell you stories of Ted Egan, Tiger Lyons, Jim Bowditch and any others from Darwin’s colourful past.
His name is on almost every memorial and plaque in town. Just have a look; you can practically do a Peter Spillett walk. This is an active and enduring testimony to his work in preserving the history of our town. His name endures at Spillett House. For more than a decade he has answered public inquiries while undertaking his research at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Territory. He is a man who gives and continues to give to his community. It is not possible to name all the work Peter has done for us all. There are literally too many to list.
However, in the end, the reason I want to do this adjournment on Peter Spillett is because I like him. I spent happy times in my electorate at the old Parap hangar having a cup of coffee with Peter, Leo Izod and Tom Bertinshaw, with old Darwin old-timers dropping into have a yarn.
Peter Spillett is a unique part of Fannie Bay, of Darwin and of the Territory, and we are all so much better off because of it. An award very well deserved and, I must say, being there when Peter received it, I was absolutely stunned that he was the recipient of the Northern Territory Achiever Award.
On the same kind of subject, it is a privilege for me to acknowledge in our parliament a number of outstanding young Territorians who were recent recipients of the annual Australia Day Student Citizens Awards. These awards are part of the Australia Day family of awards and were presented either at school in front of peers and teachers or, for many students, they were able to receive their acknowledgement in Australia Day celebratory events around the Territory. Again, as President of the Australia Day Council NT, I was fortunate to be able to assist in the presentation of many of these awards at the Darwin City Council coordinated flag raising and citizenship event held at the Marrara Stadium on Australia Day. There was a fantastic crowd of over 600 family and friends also attending.
The Student Citizens Award program, organised solely within the NT since at least 1988, has primary and secondary schools right across the Territory participating. This year, out of the 200 schools in the NT, 117 schools participated, with the interest in participation in this award growing steadily every year. Schools are given the opportunity to recognise one student as their student citizen for the year. This award is not just about academic achievement, but recognition of good student citizenship - something I am sure that we will all agree, is worthy of recognition. The criterion considers each student’s involvement in their school activities, contribution to the school community, the values of a fair go and cultural understanding and consideration.
Clearly, these students, as the next generation, represent a bright future for Territorians and are an excellent role model for their fellow students. I am particularly happy to acknowledge these students and I know that members of parliament will join me in congratulating all of the 117 winners. I also commend the Australia Day Council for coordinating these awards and continuing to encourage schools and individuals to participate.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I can read out the 170 names or we could have them incorporated. I seek leave to have them incorporated.
Leave granted.
- Joseph Aberdeen, Nightcliff High School
Cassandra Ahwon, Amanbidji School
Larissa Ainsley, Casuarina Street Primary
Kathryn Ainsworth, Taminimn High School
Michael Andrews, Henbury School
Kaitlyn Andrews, Holy Family Primary
Gregory Anstess, Sanderson High School
Christie Bell, Braitling Primary
Tara Bent, Manunda Terrace Primary
Stephanie Biddle, Girraween Primary
Courtney Blume, Casuarina Secondary College
Lisa Braedon, Alice Springs High
Joyce Briscoe, Mt Allan School
Jessica Brodie, Nhulunbuy Primary School
Rebekah Burnett, Wanguri School
Jonathon Burton, Murray Downs
Maddisen Cameirao, Durak Primary School
Lisa Campbell, Marrara Christian School
Dane Campbell, Yirara College
Gwendolen Casson, Stirling School
Geobe Catuncan, St Paul’s School
Geoffrey Chandler, Bakewell Primary
Claire Chandler, St Mary’s Primary
Tara Chappell, Alyangula Area (Secondary)
Tsun-En Cheng, Bradshaw Primary
Levonne Chin, Stuart Park Primary
Meg Christie, Alyangula Area (Primary)
Fiona Clapin, Sadadeen Primary
Petroula Cleanthous, Nakara Primary School
Chandra Conway, Amoonguna School
Rowena Cooper, Maningrida CEC
Alicia Costello, Larapinta Primary
David Creeper, Moil Primary School
Andreen Davis, Gochan Jiny-Jirra School
Daniel De Witte, Katherine South Primary
Jemima Dempster, Litchfield Christian School
Reenee Dickson, Newcastle Waters School
Aimee Dixon, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College (Sadadeen)
Helen Dockrell, Essington School
Kasey-Lee Douglas, Batchelor Area School
Lionel Duncan, Urapunga School
James Fairbanks, St Philip’s College
Emma Farnell, Darwin High School
Heidi Fitt, Katherine School of the Air
Stuart Fong, Leanyer Primary
Konstantin Forbes, Bulman Community School
Honey Gannon, Middle Point School
Shianne Gawanarr, Milingimbi CEC
Jessie Giles, Charles Darwin University Senior Secondary
Bradley Gill, Araluen Christian School
Laurin Glasby, Katherine High School
Marissa Gordon, Belyuen School
Tara Gorlick, Tennant Creek Primary
Angus Gummow, Tennant Creek High School
Leonie Harold, Anula Primary
Jerwin Harrison, O’Loughlin Catholic College
Evonne Harrower, St Joseph’s College
James Hawkins, St Francis of Assisi
Katy Hayes, Alice Springs School of Air
Aaron Hicks, Driver Primary School
Benjamin Hill, Ross Park Primary
Rachel Jennings, NT Christian College
Rebekah Johnansen, Woodroffe Primary
Michael Keighran, Borroloola CEC
Deborah Kerringbo, Nganmarriyanga School
Anjuli Kundu, Alawa Primary
Irini Kypreou, Wagaman Primary
Leon Lami Lami, Mamaruni School
Lindsay Lawler, Bees Creek Primary
Taylor Le Strange, Yulara Primary School
Paul Machado, Nhulunbuy Christian School
Clarissa Mamarika, Angurugu School
Jessica Marris, Malak Primary School
Tashina McCubbin, Gillen School
Chad Miler, Woolianna Primary School
Jacinta Miller, Watiyawanu
Gabrielle Morriss, Nightcliff Primary School
Maria Moussa, Ludmilla Primary
Nomikoudena Mpilias, Karama School
Jolyon Muller, NT Open Education Centre
Almarenda Murrungun, Numbulwar CEC
Ben Neade, Elliott CEC
Jarrad Newman, Anzac Hill High School
Laura Nutton, Howard Springs Primary
Timothy O’Hagan, Millner Primary School
Horas Oppusunggu, Humpty Doo Primary
Holly Parker, Wulagi Primary
Brentley Plummer, Wugularr School
Brinthan Rajaratnam, St Andrew Lutheran School
Rhonda Rankin, Kalkaringi CEC
Lana Renshaw, Gray Primary School
Larry Ryan, Jilkminggan School
Napthali Scobie, Areyonga School Via
Geoffrey Selems, Adelaide River Primary
Sonya Shadforth, Robinson River School
Michelle Shaw, Jabiru Area School
Nicole Shotton, Douglas Daly
Jake Smith, Jingili Primary School
Brett Stockman, Nyangatjatjara College
Kaitlyn Swinbourn, Kormilda College
Andrew Symes, Tipperary Station School
Phillip Tamiano, Moulden Park
Floyd Thompson, Berry Springs Primary
Carmel Thompson, Darwin Adventist School
Ashley Tipungwuti, Xavier CEC
Jean Toia, Palmerston High School
Reana Vansyl, Holy Spirit Primary
Melissa Von Senden, MacFarlane Primary
Zoe Walker, Clyde Fenton
Clare Weir, St John’s College
Joanna Wells, Dripstone High School
Ben Whyte, Living Waters Lutheran Primary
Allan Wilkinson, Larrakeyah Primary School
Eliza Williams, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Traeger
Emily Wilson, Palmerston Christian School
Sarah Yuen, Parap Primary
Bradley Zanker, Sacred Heart
I wish to acknowledge the life of another wonderful Territorian. Jean Sullivan was 94 when she died earlier this year on 24 January. Jean was born into the Neville family in 1909 and married William - known as Bill - Sullivan in north Queensland in 1935. Jean and her husband Bill travelled to various centres throughout northern Queensland to accommodate Bill’s successive local government postings. In November 1959, Jean, Bill and their two children moved to Darwin where Bill was appointed the first Deputy Town Clerk in the infant Darwin City Council and, a short time later, to the position of Town Clerk.
Bill Sullivan developed a commanding presence within council and was to remain a dominant figure in council politics until his retirement in March 1974. Much has been documented about Bill and his contributions to the development of Darwin through the city council.
Jean lived in my electorate in the suburb of Stuart Park. She involved herself in the community over many years, and particularly enjoyed attending Darwin City Council functions and the Australian Chinese Society meetings and social events with her close friends, Lady Jessie Kearney and Lillian Chan. Jean was never afraid to express a strong opinion about issues that concerned her. A great friend of Jean, Wendy James, described her as being ‘a true hearted socialist, free thinker and supporter of Labor ideals’. Jean and Wendy were foundation members of the Book Club started over 28 years ago. Jean maintained her passion for literature and shared special bonds with her many friends as they shared in critiques of a wide variety of books.
Jean was also a long-term and highly-respected member of U3A Darwin, of which she was one of the first to attend in 1989. Nan Bell, President of U3A, recalls Jean as having a wonderfully sharp mind and a passion for history. Jean often shared with her friends her stories of early Darwin and of her fascinating life.
Jean’s love for the Territory was evident by her continual residency and personal contributions to the community even after Bill died in 1977 and, in later years, when her children and grandchildren ventured to live in other states. Both Jean and Bill were pioneers in many respects, with Jean literally living in the Northern Territory for nearly six decades and being witness to growth, destruction in Cyclone Tracy, and the many physical changes to the city’s skyline.
In her eulogy, Wendy James recounted:
- Jean was a woman who will be remembered for her warmth, dignity, independence and strength of character.
Her inquiring mind and interest in a wide range of subjects from world events, local issues, to becoming a writer
herself late in life, is an example to all on how to keep a vital mind active and stimulated right up to the end.
Her wide circle of friends and families, but also the wider Darwin community, will sadly miss Jean Sullivan. She is survived by her son, Martin, and daughter, Jeanette, along with her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Finally, I would like now to spend a little time updating colleagues with news from the electorate of Fannie Bay.
The future development of the Arafura Bowls Club site has been outlined following an intense schedule of community consultation. A community driven plan has been developed through community consultation with local residents and stakeholders, including the residents association, business, the Darwin City Council and, of course, government. Government will set aside one-third of the 1.1 hectare site to be open space, ensuring that the significant aviation heritage of the area is recognised, and the importance of green space in a fairly built-up area like Parap.
As you know, Ross Smith Avenue was the landing runway for the first international flight into Darwin by Keith and Ross Smith when they arrived from England on 10 December 1919. Aviators Park at the end of Ross Smith Avenue, where Ross Smith’s plane actually stopped, pays tribute to this achievement and, of course, Ross Smith Avenue was the old runway up until the end of World War II. The open space at the Arafura site will be an appropriate entry statement and will contribute to the historic significance of Ross Smith Avenue.
There will be a call for expressions of interest for the development of the remainder of the site which is zoned R2. Conditions will be incorporated to ensure the development of the site reflects one of the Year of the Built Environment initiatives by highlighting tropical living and minimising energy consumption. A number of residents have been involved in contributing great ideas for this development. It has been a truly community driven result in that sense, and I was delighted when we announced it last week to have had such positive feedback from all those who had been involved.
Parap Residents Association, with the support of the Parap-Ludmilla Planning Forum, organised a number of community meetings to ensure the views of the wider community were canvassed. Thanks must go to John Gilbert, Monica van den Nieuwenhof, Greg McNamara, Wendy MacDonald, Jean Vickery, Betty Vogel, Chris Brownjohn, Claire George, Mavis Lindon, Robert Boscaini, representatives from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment – particularly Ann Stephens and John Gronow - and the minister’s office - thank you, minister Burns - REINT, the Institute of Architects, and Lyons Ward Aldermen Robyn Lesley, Carole Miller and Ian Fraser for their contributions and hard work in ensuring that the community was canvassed on this issue.
Expressions of interest for that site will be called for in March and we are hoping that work can start by mid-year. It is an exciting project, one to represent the best of tropical design we hope - that is what we are after - but also to provide a new amenity in the Parap area. It will work very well.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Deputy Speaker, to paraphrase a great opening to a speech, I have some wonderful news for Territorians, that news being that, this very day in the House of Representatives, a bill was presented by Mr Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration. The bill is to maintain the Northern Territory representation in the House of Representatives at its current level of two members at the next federal election.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr MILLS: That is marvellous, marvellous news, and every Territorians would be well pleased to hear that the federal government has responded to agitation by the member for Solomon, David Tollner, who presented a Private Members Bill to effect this chain of events that has resulted in the presentation of a bill sponsored by the federal government before the House of Representatives, which I only hope that the Territory federal representatives who belong to the Australian Labor Party will stand behind and support in a completely bipartisan way, because this is something that must be preserved so that we, as Territorians, have adequate representation at the highest level.
It is sad that, as a Territory, we have had a population decline. It is a fact that has been picked up and responded to by the technical measures which affect the reduction of federal representation. It is a fact that the population has declined. However, due to the strong representation of the member for Solomon who has prevailed on the federal government, they have been able to move themselves to bring forward a bill which presents the goodwill of the federal government to support the best interests of the Northern Territory. I believe that every citizen in the Northern Territory should be grateful for this response. We are a small population, we are a fragile economy, but we are a people who believe in our future. To have this expression of support from the federal government at this time is most encouraging.
At this particular point, I would once again say,: to have the robust representation, the agitation of the member for Solomon - and anyone who has met that unique of characters, David Tollner, would know that the effect of his enthusiasm and his desire to ensure that this came to pass - has resulted in the federal government paying attention to the need of the future and the current representation of the Northern Territory. I, as the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of the CLP, representing many Territorians, pay acknowledgement to David Tollner.
Mrs AAGAARD (Nightcliff): Mr Deputy Speaker, it was a real pleasure to join with other Territorians in the 62nd Commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin this morning at the Darwin Cenotaph. Over the past few years, this has become an important part of the commemorative calendar, and I am hopeful that, in the future, it will be recognised nationally as an important memorial day for all Australians. I offer my congratulations to the Darwin City Council for their coordination of the event at the cenotaph, and particularly to Colin West of Top End Sounds for his professional team at the commemoration. Thanks should also go to the staff of the Chief Minister’s Protocol Branch, especially Shaun O’Sullivan, for their hard work in putting together this, and many other functions, for Territorians.
One of the wonderful things about attending this event is meeting so many Darwin people - especially old Darwin families - and hearing the stories from those who survived the bombings, but also from loved ones and friends who are left behind. Today’s ceremony once again marked this important Territory occasion, with a group of about 50 Darwin defenders returning to Darwin especially for the occasion, as well as thousands of locals attending to commemorate the occasion.
It was a real pleasure to see so many young people at the event – around 800 in all. I was very pleased to see the group of 44 Nightcliff Primary School students, looking very smart in their full school uniforms, and also the contingent from Year 9 at Nightcliff High School, with the school Principal, Mr Paul Atkinson, who are working on a special project on the Bombing of Darwin, and were keenly interviewing senior Territorians and Darwin defenders to assist them with their project. I hope I will get an opportunity to see the results of that project at some time.
As a community event, it is always heartwarming to have the involvement of locals, like the President of the Northern Territory Council of Churches, the Rev Dr Lloyd Kent, who presented the prayers for the occasion; Mr Ray Chin OAM, President of the Darwin RSL, who recited the Ode of Remembrance; and especially the two Parap school students, Elizabeth Duguid and Stella Noor, who presented special stories about their families. Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe you were at the event this morning, and you may have heard also that many people commented that they were really the stars of the commemoration. I have to say that I would agree with them.
It was good to see many people from my own electorate of Nightcliff at the event - people who have long community involvement in Darwin: former Administrator, Austin Asche, who I believe was here during the air raids, and Dr Valerie Asche; Mr Peter Mitchell, the President of the NT RAAF Association, with his partner, Mrs Audrey Ellis; and hard-working community members, Mr Merv Brown and Mrs Margaret Brown.
I also saw that Mr John Roberts Snr of Perth had returned to Darwin. John was here during the first air raids and had just started working at the Darwin Post Office in 1942, which was destroyed in the first raid and which, of course, was on this site of Parliament House. Of course, John still has very close ties with the Territory, with his son, John Roberts Jnr, being the owner of Travellers World American Express in Darwin, and Bernie Kilgariff being his brother-in-law.
It was a special day, and I am sure many people both enjoyed the day, but especially remembered the courage and sacrifice of many for our freedom.
I now talk about another issue. I would like to recognise the many achievements of the staff and students of the Essington School in Nightcliff. The Essington School is an independent school and is not backed by any church or other organisation. As such, it must raise considerable funds through its students and general fundraising. Some years ago now, the Essington School was facing significant problems, mainly as a result of a mobile phone tower placed very close to the school. Even though it was moved, the time it took to organise the move meant that many parents had withdrawn their students from the school. However, today, thanks to the enthusiasm, hard work and vision of the principal, Mr David Cannon, the board of the school, especially its chair, Mr John McLaren, and the involvement of so many parents, in the development of the school, it is now a very successful school with an excellent reputation in the community, which attracts students from throughout Darwin and Palmerston.
The Essington School is celebrating 15 years as a school this year, and I am certain the school has many exciting events planned to celebrate the year. I certainly hope the school will consider staging another musical, because their production of Oliver late last year was an absolute bonanza and a real credit to the music coordinator, Mrs Jill Kuhn, and the many students, parents and grandparents who were involved in the production. My daughter, Zoe, and I attended and thoroughly enjoyed the production. There is certainly some budding talent in the school and, of course, amongst their parents and grandparents. Let me add here, it is very unusual to see three generations of people being involved in a production such as Oliver. It really goes to show what a wonderful community spirit the Essington School has.
It was also my pleasure to attend a special presentation assembly at the Essington School on Friday 13 February, and to assist with presenting many awards to students at the school. I was also very pleased to listen to a special presentation of the Kermit the Frog song, All About Rainbows - a delightful thing to watch those students singing that very special song. It was great to see the school population has increased again and the school continues to grow, not only in numbers, but in excellence in many areas of endeavour.
Ms CARTER (Port Darwin): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I want to put on the record a comment in regard to what happened in this Assembly here on Tuesday night or afternoon, in the course of the debate on the health statement. As the Opposition Whip, I am well aware of the fact that the deal between the two sides was three, three and one - three speakers from the government, three speakers from the opposition, and the member for Nelson as well. I know that is a fact because it was written on the Speaker’s running sheet. Once again, I wish to express my concern that certain members opposite have no trouble at all, particularly in the press, in implying that the deal was two-two. That comment discredits both Whips, and what happened in this House had nothing to do with us, once people took matters into their own hands. Both Whips had quite genuinely gone for three-three, and it was hugely disappointing for me to see the government shut down that debate and cut it to two-two. What the member for Nelson should think about that is beyond me, because I know he spent quite some time preparing for this important debate; something that he feels passionate about.
On another matter, the train has arrived in a place just south of Darwin. Everyone knows I am a wee bit disappointed that it does not quite make it into Darwin town; my electorate, the inner city. However, it does arrive and that is a great thing for the Territory. It is wonderful to see the success of The Ghan now that that has been incorporated with the train as well. My congratulations to everybody who has been involved with this project over decades.
However, a disappointment that I do have is the naming of one of the train engines, ‘The Steve Irwin’. I am sure members will recall that, on 15 October last year in this House, I commented on this matter. I made comments along the lines of ‘you are joking’ with regard to the name, and that it is an abomination. I urged the Chief Minister to do everything that she could in her power to encourage those who have control to do something and change that name; preferably name it something to reflect our Aboriginal heritage here in the Territory.
I am sure there would not be a person in the English-speaking world who would not be aware that on 2 January, Mr Irwin did something and it gained huge notoriety, I suspect, around the world. I have spoken to people in the other countries over the last few months and they have told me they certainly knew about it. On the 2 January, Steve Irwin took his four-month-old baby, named Bob, into a crocodile enclosure at his zoo in Queensland and held the baby while he hand fed a large crocodile. I seek leave to table a page from The Bulletin magazine that shows a graphic photo of that event.
Leave granted.
Ms CARTER: This was done, I believe, in order to entertain the people who had paid money to attend his show. Of course, what happened was that some people were highly affronted by this behaviour and photos and footage were taken, and it became public knowledge. In fact, it became worldwide outrage. On the same day as The Bulletin, 20 January 2004, The New York Daily News carried a front page photo of Irwin, accompanied by the headline: ‘Steve Irwin - Australian for Stupid’.
It became an Australian outrage and there were numerous papers. In fact, I cannot image there was one paper in this country that did not cover this story. There were letters to the editors, photos, TV coverage, newspaper coverage, and horrified comments left, right and centre. I will read this letter because it is a short one – I can assure you that there were much longer ones. It was in the Herald Sun on Tuesday 6 January. The letter is written by a person named Jo Mackechnie from Altona Bay:
- I’ve always thought of Steve Irwin as an egotistical idiot and using his baby as just another prop for his act says it all. As for the child’s mother, words fail me.
Of course, within a day or so, Mr Irwin was defending himself and explaining to Australians and people worldwide that the reason he took his four-month-old baby into the crocodile enclosure and fed a crocodile at the same time was to ‘educate’ the baby. There is a fair chance that child cannot see anything, let alone a crocodile, or have any comprehension whatsoever as to what is going on. Then, in the heat of the moment, another day later, Mr Irwin told us all in the Herald Sun: ‘Mate, I’d do it again’, becoming highly defensive. Our Mr Irwin would do it all again. Then, to top it all off, we have this on 4 January, and I am reading now from the Sunday Territorian, page 7:
- Yesterday, Bindy Irwin, 5, was told by her parents to enter a new enclosure which adjoins a crocodile pen, and
splash around to encourage the reptiles to swim out.
Mum Terri then said: ‘Now, flail around and look helpless. That’s the good girl. Good girl!
‘The problem is if a crocodile comes in too quickly, then I have to buy new floaties because they always pop’.
‘That’s my girl, Bindy Irwin, the other white meat’.
Here in the Northern Territory at around the same time, we had the tragedy of a young man being taken by a crocodile just south of Darwin and the horrific situation of his friends, having seen their friend dead in the mouth of crocodile, being stranded up a tree for a day with the crocodile lurking under the tree in which they were stranded. Then there was all the anguish and trauma for the family of the young man concerned.
Every year, we have the situation in the Territory where people are taken and killed by crocodiles. Territorians take our crocodiles very seriously and give them a great deal of respect. The behaviour of Steve Irwin flies in the face of the respect that we give crocodiles and the care that we take with our children. It absolutely astounds me that this man’s name is going to be on one of the train engines that haul our historic and important Ghan to and from Darwin.
Once again, I encourage the Chief Minister, and anyone who cares about the reputation of the Northern Territory, to do all that they can to get rid of the name Steve Irwin from that locomotive and replace it with a name that we can honour. May I suggest Albert Namatjira? Naming the train something like Albert Namatjira reflects honour across the whole of the Northern Territory and, of course, you could do things like put prints of Albert Namatjira’s work throughout the carriages of the train to add a Central Australian theme to it. Get rid of this ridiculous naming of the train after a silly man living in Queensland.
Mr DUNHAM (Drysdale): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I begin my contribution tonight with my family motto: bear and forebear. Bear, of course, means to support or hold up and to forebear means to tolerate.
I suppose I have carried this motto into my political life, too, because I believe my job is to support the Northern Territory, and the legislation we pass here that supports the quality of life for the people who elect us - it is to build. It is also to tolerate what that brings. I have been associated with politics for some time and I know what this job can bring to you.
All politicians should have the ambition of supporting building and constructive effort. However, it is, unfortunately, the case that it is often easier to destroy, and some people are disposed that way in any event. Indeed, our political struggle in here is really a modern, civilised equivalent of the crude and bloody battles that our forefathers had when they sought to covet other people’s turf and protect theirs. They sought to gain ascendancy by the strength of their conflicts and by showing no mercy; destroying those weaker and doing whatever it took.
Whatever it takes is still an interesting motto. In fact, it is the title of a book written by Senator Graham Richardson and it features in his style of approach to politics. He believes that he should do whatever it takes to win. It was also announced as the simple philosophy that the Chief Minister admitted she used in the Katherine by-election.
It is understandable that our debates in this place will be antagonistic. Indeed, the word ‘debate’ shares its ancestry with the word ‘battle’. We have come here to fight for our ideas and our philosophies, so this is a place of battle and it is called parliament. The word ‘parliament’ is derived from another word; it is derived from the French word ‘parlez’, meaning to speak. This, therefore, is a place that should encourage talk. It is on that basis that I derive my anger from the two days previous - the incapacity to use this place for the purpose for which it was intended.
The issue I want to talk about tonight is about our talking battles in this place. There are rules for these battles, and they are called the standing orders. There are a number of them that are critical to what happened a mere couple of days ago. For instance, Standing Order 44 asks that order shall be maintained in the Assembly by the Speaker. Standing order 57 enables people to make a personal explanation if they believe there are things that should be bought to the attention of parliament.
Standing Order 62 talks about offensive and unbecoming words and, interestingly, it talks about no member attributing directly or by innuendo to another member unbecoming conduct. All personal reflections upon members shall be deemed to be highly disorderly. It also says it gives an onus on the Speaker that, whenever words are used that are highly disorderly, such words shall not be published in the Parliamentary Record. That is Standing Order 62.2. It calls on the Speaker to intervene: ‘When offensive or disorderly words are used … the Speaker shall intervene’. Not ‘may’, not ‘think about it’; they ‘shall’ intervene.
It talks about disorder because, obviously, the people who designed parliaments of this type realised in this place of word battles there would become times when temperatures would get high and tempers would be frayed.
It allows for the naming of a member. Indeed, I was named by the Speaker under Standing Order 239 on Tuesday night. A member can be named if they:
(a) persistently and wilfully obstructed the business of the Assembly;
Which Hansard will record I did not do:
- (b) been guilty of disorderly conduct;
(c) used objectionable or disorderly words, which he has refused to withdraw;
(d) persistently and wilfully refused to conform to any Standing Order;
Nor could it have been:
- (e) persistently and wilfully disregarded the authority of the Chair …
I was assessed to be guilty of disorderly conduct and I was ordered to withdraw from the Chamber. I do not necessarily have a big problem with that, but I do have a problem with how those disorderly words that reflected on me were used in this parliament to create a nexus between my exit and the quite right decision of the Speaker, to create a different issue out there.
It had been my intention to make a personal explanation, and I had hoped that the Speaker would preface my personal explanation with a short contribution of her own. I met with the Speaker today and I sought three things from her. I sought that the Speaker would confirm that her expectation, like the opposition’s – which has been mentioned in Hansard by the Whip - was for three speakers plus three speakers in the health debate. I would hope that she would be able to confirm, from her running sheet, that she had a reasonable, accurate representation of the agreement between the two Whips. I respect that the government can truncate debate at any time, and that the Speaker has to support that. I have no problem with that. I merely sought that she state a matter of fact that our expectation was in accord with her running sheet.
I also wanted the Speaker to confirm the reasons for my exclusion under Standing Order 240. Importantly, I wanted her to confirm that she did not believe that my behaviour was affected by alcohol. Indeed, in the hours prior to my ejection from this place, I had been in this parliament listening to every Speaker for the statements that had been brought before, and I am sure she could have attested to that.
I would have also liked her to confirm that she was not intimidated by me or in any bullied, as was alleged in today’s paper where the Leader of the Government Business said, and I quote from page 4 of today’s NT News, Thursday, February 19, where he said:
- Leader of Government Business, Paul Henderson, said Mr Dunham was ‘virtually screaming’ at the Speaker.
‘It was really outrageous bullying behaviour directed entirely at the Speaker - she had every right to throw him out’.
I would have thought that would have contributed to a more reasonable assessment and critique of that issue if the Speaker could have said that, in no way, was she was intimidated by me. In fact, I am sure she felt quite comfortable in the potency that that Chair brings, and the fact that I abide by her instruction immediately on every occasion.
It is my belief that, in the absence of comment on these critical issues, the government has been able to go outside this House and run a destructive, vicious and misleading campaign, alleging the link between my objection and drunkenness - an allegation which I strenuously reject. Likewise, bullying behaviour and the myth that there was broad agreement to keep the debate on the important health statement to two speeches a side. I believe all of those could have been put to bed - and they can be by reading Hansard and viewing the tape - if the authority of the Chair had been brought to bear on those salient facts.
Interestingly, though, on the four occasions I stood to speak on matters before the House, I was denied. On one occasion, I stood to speak in the so-called mini-statements - and I know it is the strange tradition that this House has adopted that these things are virtually undebated. However, I sought to make a contribution on the matters relating to prawn aquaculture and was prohibited. On another occasion, the debate about the train was cancelled. It features in the parliamentary debate as a fairly short contribution where minister Toyne moved abruptly: ‘… the debate be now adjourned’. I did protest that I sought to speak, and the Acting Deputy Speaker said: ‘No, the question is that the debate be adjourned’.
I then sought to speak on the health debate. It was from there that my frustration really broke out because, while parlez in the title of parliament means to talk, silence also from the French, meaning not to talk. If we have a silence mon here, I can well understand that the gagging and the continual incapacity of members to contribute to debates would be a feature of a brand new Westminster-style system.
Every member in this parliament knows they were the reasons for my anger, and Hansard clearly shows it. The Deputy Chief Minister and member for Sanderson saw an opportunity to suggest that alcohol was involved, resulting in this allegation being peddled to the media. Again, I reject that allegation absolutely. The Leader of Government Business, as I said, has also suggested swearing and screaming at the Speaker along with bullying, and the deal between the Whips, are also factors.
Let me ask you to consider for a minute where this political opportunism can lead and, in pondering this, just think. We are all colleagues in here together in this business of politics and, unfortunately, we are often not held in high regard by the community. These allegations have had this effect. The media has naturally responded with lead stories. A political point has been scored – taken. As one politician, I can take these things in my stride, but family and friends can, and do, get hurt. What I ask you, as elected members, is what has been achieved? A media whose headline is that I was drunk in the Chamber. My daughter, 5000 km away, has rung and asked if the media reports were true. I said to her what I say to you all again: I was not drunk; I was not affected by alcohol and I have been totally unfairly dealt with. My wife was moved to ring the ABC radio to correct the allegations by the broadcaster which she had been fed, that I had been drinking at lunchtime.
We are now at the crossroads and it is a matter for all of us to think about this. There were two members absent yesterday. An enormous amount of energy went into describing the reasons for my absence, reasons which the Hansard video footage and, ideally, a clarification from Madam Speaker would have more than adequately explained and put to bed.
The other absence was the Chief Minister who suffered from a one-day mysterious illness. What if the same amount of misinformation and spin doctoring went into speculating on her absence? I suggest we move to use this place to speak. Not a unique idea! It is supposed to be the hallmark of parliaments. I believe we should move to be focussed on construction, not destruction.
Let us move to not be accepting of the collateral damage that accompanies unfair personal attacks. I believe that the people who voted us here would want that.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016