2006-05-02
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received from His Honour the Administrator Message No 9 recommending to the Legislative Assembly a bill for an act to authorise the issuing and expending of public monies of the Territory in respect of the year ending 30 June 2007.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the routine of business of the Assembly be rearranged or suspended if a question or debate is before the Chair so as to permit the Treasurer to deliver the Budget 2006-07 at 11 am this day.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that I have given permission to various media to broadcast live, or rebroadcast with sound and vision, the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech, and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply.
I have also given permission to 8 TOP FM radio and the Territory network to broadcast live the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech, and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply. I have given permission to the Northern Territory News to take photographs during these times. I have given permission to 8 CCC in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to rebroadcast the Treasurer’s budget speech, the Leader of the Opposition’s reply, and Question Time each day. I also further advise that the Assembly will resume after lunch at 2.30 pm today.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that leave of absence be granted to the member for Katherine, Mrs Miller, for the May 2006 sittings due to ill health.
Motion agreed to.
The CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to petitions Nos 15 and 16 have been received and circulated to honourable members.
Petition No 15
Rescinding of decision to move Year 10 to Senior Schools
Date presented: 29 March 2005
Presented by: Dr Lim
Referred to: Minister for Employment, Education and Training
Date response due: 29 August 2006
Date response received: 28 April 2006
Date response presented: 2 May 2006
Response
I write in response to your correspondence regarding Petition No. 15 which was read in the Legislative Assembly on
29 March 2006. The petition outlines the concerns of the petitioners regarding the possible movement of Year 10 into
senior secondary colleges and schools.
The Making the Most of the Middle Years two-staged community consultation commenced in September 2005 and concluded
on 24 March 2006. The consultation process was aimed at finding ways to improve educational outcomes for 11 to 14 year old
students in their critical years of schooling and to prepare them for their senior secondary pathway. Stage One of the
consultation concluded that Years 7-9 should form the middle years, and therefore, that Years 10-12 should be senior secondary.
It is essential that retention and Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) completion rates be improved in the
Northern Territory. In order to achieve this, Year 10 students need to be better prepared for the range and depth of learning in the
senior years. Teachers who have a strong understanding of the demands of senior years’ studies are best placed to give
Year 10 students the detailed and rigorous preparation required. The recent review of the South Australian Certificate of
Education (SACE), on which the NTCE is based, recommended that students should commerce their SACE in Year 10 by
participating in two units specifically designed to prepare them for their learning in the senior years.
Diverse views were expressed during the course of the community consultation, including strong support for the introduction of
a middle years approach to teaching and learning. Region-specific concerns such as infrastructure, capacity and transport
issues were raised and these will be taken into consideration during the decision-making processes about this matter.
Should any structural changes occur, I am confident that careful planning by officers from the Department of Employment,
Education and Training will ensure a smooth transition to any new arrangements. The wellbeing of students is of the utmost
importance in process.
I trust this information addresses the concerns of the petitions.
Petition No 16
Year 10 Enrolment at Casuarina Senior College
Date presented: 29 March 2005
Presented by: Mr Mills
Referred to: Minister for Employment, Education and Training
Date response due: 29 August 2006
Date response received: 28 April 2006
Date response presented: 2 May 2006
Response
I write in response to your correspondence regarding Petition No. 15 which was read in the Legislative Assembly on 29 March 2006.
The petition outlines the concerns of the petitioners regarding the possible movement of Year 10 into senior secondary colleges
and schools.
The Making the Most of the Middle Years two-staged community consultation commenced in September 2005 and concluded on
24 March 2006. The consultation process was aimed at finding ways to improve educational outcomes for 11 to 14 year old students
in their critical years of schooling and to prepare them for their senior secondary pathway. Stage One of the consultation concluded
that Years 7-9 should form the middle years, and therefore, that Years 10-12 should be senior secondary.
It is essential that retention and Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) completion rates be improved in the
Northern Territory. In order to achieve this, Year 10 students need to be better prepared for the range and depth of learning in the
senior years. Teachers who have a strong understanding of the demands of senior years studies are best placed to give Year
10 students the detailed and rigorous preparation required. The recent review of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE),
on which the NTCE is based, recommended that students should commerce their SACE in Year 10 by participating in two units specifically designed to prepare them for their learning in the senior years.
Diverse views were expressed during the course of the community consultation, including strong support for the introduction of a
middle years approach to teaching and learning. Region-specific concerns such as infrastructure, capacity and transport issues
were raised and these will be taken into consideration during the decision-making processes about this matter.
Should any structural changes occur, I am confident that careful planning by officers from the Department of Employment, Education
and Training will ensure a smooth transition to any new arrangements. The wellbeing of students is of the utmost importance in process.
I trust this information addresses the concerns of the petitions.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on my trip to Shanghai and Singapore last month to promote Territory trade and tourism. The highlight of my time in China, from a trade perspective, was the second China Summit Freight Conference - a major freight conference attended by senior representatives from international shipping and global logistic firms.
The summit gave me the opportunity to promote the AustralAsia Trade Route as an alternative trading connection between China and Australia. It also gave me the chance to talk directly with a number of leading Chinese freight and shipping industry identities including senior executives from Yantian International Container Terminals, Orient Overseas Container Line, Kerry Logistics, APL Logistics, and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
I was joined at the summit by Chris Dunphy, Managing Director of Hai Win Shipping, to promote the Hai Win service between Shanghai and Darwin. He confirmed that the Hai Win service is operating profitably, and we discussed prospects for the possible expansion of the current monthly service, both in terms of frequency and destinations.
A key trade opportunity for Darwin is as a major distribution point for the supply of mining chemicals within Australia and for the offshore mining industry located in Indonesia. Many of these chemicals are manufactured in Shanghai and delivered to mines in northern Australia via the ports of Townsville and Fremantle. My department is working closely with Hai Win and some of the major chemical suppliers to bring this lucrative trade via Darwin which, in turn, will bring more jobs and investment to the Territory. I am hopeful that I will be able to provide more detail to the House on these plans in the near future.
It is also worth noting that the most recent Hai Win service arrived in Darwin on 27 April, and that bookings for the May service are very strong indeed. As a direct result of the summit, Chris Dunphy and John Parkes from FreightLink - who also joined me in Shanghai - will meet with a number of key importers from Adelaide and Melbourne this week in an effort to further grow Darwin-China trade.
Tourism was also a big part of our agenda, and I took the opportunity to meet with tourism representatives and leading travel writers while in Shanghai and Singapore. In Shanghai, I officially announced the engagement of Northern Territory Tourism trade representative, Joseph Sze, a long-standing tourism identity in Shanghai. While we have had a public relations representative in China since April last year, Joseph is the Territory’s first tourism trade representative in China. Although he will be based in Shanghai, he will also service Beijing and southern China, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Haikou. He will also work closely with our trade partners including Tourism Australia, the Aussie Specialists, Qantas, Royal Brunei, Tiger Airways, and the other state tourism bodies, to promote the Territory in this exciting emerging market. I believe his will be a significant appointment.
Currently, something like 300 000 Chinese tourists visit Australia each year, with only 1000 of those coming to the Territory. Given the obvious potential of Chinese tourism, it is vital we address the challenge of developing a greater awareness of the Territory in China. Research indicates that there is an emerging consumer group in China seeking nature-based experiences which the Territory is in a position to offer. The introduction of Tiger Airways services to Darwin in December last year, coupled with the commencements of flights into Shenzhen, Haikou and Guangzhou last month, provides affordable travel opportunities between the Territory and China. I am hopeful, now that we have a tourism trade representative based in China, it will allow us to make more of this major emerging market.
In addition to the promotional efforts of Joseph, we are also expecting 15 travel writers from southern China and Singapore to visit the Territory over the next six months. They will be hosted by Tourism NT on escorted familiarisation tours to various parts of the Territory.
In Singapore, I had one-on-one meetings with senior representatives of Tiger Airways and Qantas. Both airlines are focusing on improving services to Darwin, and we will work with them to ensure the best possible outcomes. Tiger Airways started its budget service last December, and Qantas has just announced it will increase its service to five flights a week between Darwin and Singapore. We will continue to further develop services between Darwin and Singapore, and continue our work in raising awareness about the Territory in the markets to our north.
In summary, Madam Speaker, I am very confident that last month’s visit to both Shanghai and Singapore will help in achieving real trade and tourism growth in the region over the coming years.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition welcomes the report. There is nothing more important for the Northern Territory than to exploit our strategic advantage within the region. We certainly welcome such reports and news of trips to China.
I noted the comments made over the weekend by the federal Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, softening his position on uranium. I am wondering whether there had been inquiries made of the Chief Minister from interests in China on the matter of uranium, and if that could be contained within her reply. There is, obviously, a great interest in using the resources we have here to build the wealth of the Northern Territory by exploiting our resources in a sensible way.
I understand from the report that the comments were largely focused on imports into Australia through our gateway. I believe for longer-term growth sustainability of our strategic advantage, we need to be talking more about exports - what leaves our nation to the region, in this case China, by way of primary industries, horticulture, fisheries and resource development products.
I recall on your first trip, Chief Minister, when you took a large contingent of media to show lovely shots of you in Red Square and the like, which was lovely, that a part of that …
Ms Martin: I did not go to Beijing.
Mr MILLS: … was a report that there was going to be …
Ms Martin: I did not go to Beijing. I went to Shanghai.
Mr MILLS: This was a couple of years ago. Listen carefully, please, Chief Minister. There was a report about a full fee paying students initiative coming to the Territory, a village being established in Palmerston. I am wondering if there is anything further to report on that. It received some headlines last time you visited China. I have heard nothing more since.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, there is much interest in the Territory. People like Professor Fei, a Chinese business person of some standing, have been expressing interest in educational accommodation and bringing students to the Northern Territory. We are still waiting for Professor Fei to give us an outline of what he is going to do. We have tried now for two years. Despite the activity of the Palmerston City Council and our activities to say: ‘What, in fact, is your presentation?’, we are still struggling to get that. Whilst we are showing interest in Professor Fei and those working with him, we are struggling to get an actual outline of what he wants to do. I say to Professor Fei: the door is open; you have to present your proposal in appropriate detail to the Territory government and the Palmerston City Council.
I thank the opposition for their support. It was a very important trip as trade and tourism is of the highest agenda for this government.
Dr BURNS (Infrastructure and Transport): Madam Speaker, members would be aware that over the past 12 months there have been a number of serious assaults against bus drivers on our transport system. This is why we gave a commitment to form a Bus Security Working Group to comprehensively examine safety and security on the Darwinbus Network. The working group first met last September and included representatives from bus drivers; the Transport Workers Union; bus contractors, Buslink and Darwin Bus Service; NT Police; NT WorkSafe; and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
Over the following months, the working group worked diligently to compile a report which identified a comprehensive list of factors impacting on safety and security on the network. There was strong support within the group for a physical security presence on the buses. All participants of the working group agreed that having additional personnel available to provide a physical deterrent and assist the bus driver would go a long way in reducing the frequency and severity of assaults against bus drivers and passengers.
In response to the report of the Bus Security Working Group, the government has developed a package of measures aimed at increasing driver and passenger security on the Darwinbus Network.
The central element of the government’s package is the creation of positions for four dedicated security officers at a cost of $330 000 per annum. These security officers will be appointed as inspectors under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act and will have statutory powers to demand the removal of troublesome passengers from buses or prohibit them from boarding, as well as to issue infringement notices. The main objective of the bus security officers will be to target known ‘hot spots’ where security is a concern. This includes on buses and at interchanges. Although acting in an educative and deterrent role, these officers will also have the capacity to issue infringement notices when necessary.
Protocols with police will be established so that priority attention will be given to these officers if a police presence is required. The security officers will be in visible uniform, similar to transport inspectors, and will also act as ambassadors for the Darwinbus Network by providing assistance and general advice to passengers. They will also be equipped with vehicles to provide a rapid response to security incidents on the network. The advantage of having these officers mobile and response-ready will be that they can cover a large component of the network by driving from hot spot to hot spot, maximising their physical presence. This issue is a major concern for bus drivers who have often had to rely on delayed response from private security officers when in immediate danger.
Another element of the government’s package will be the inclusion of bus drivers with emergency workers and good Samaritans in legislation which aims to protect people from assault while they are providing assistance to the public. This means assaults against bus drivers will now be viewed as aggravated assaults, meaning the maximum period of imprisonment following conviction will increase from one year to five years.
This sends a clear message to would-be offenders that the community will not tolerate any level of physical or verbal abuse of our bus drivers. Uniformed police from the Crime Reduction Units in Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston will also travel on the bus network on a targeted basis, and a number of measures to enhance communication and ongoing liaison between the Darwinbus Network and police will also be implemented.
The government will also ensure that all drivers are provided with adequate training in conflict resolution to equip them with the tools to defuse situations before they arise and to safeguard their own and their passengers’ physical security.
The Bus Security Working Group has done an outstanding job in identifying the issues that need to be dealt with to improve security on our network. I thank and congratulate them on their work. I believe the working group has an ongoing role in providing advice to government, and also working to implement the above measures in an effective way.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work closely with the working group to ensure the safest possible environment for drivers and the travelling public.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I welcome the minister’s initiatives to provide funding for placement of security officers on our buses. It is high time that some level of protection is provided to the bus drivers who are desperately trying to do their job to the best of their ability without being accosted and assaulted by their passengers.
However, it is a sad day when we recognise we have to go to this extent to protect people who are doing their normal jobs. It is a sad day when we recognise that the law and order initiatives in this Territory under this government have failed, and that there is a level of violence and antisocial behaviour against people in essential jobs such as nurses, doctors, bus drivers, and taxi drivers. They are all being attacked. It is a breakdown in law and order in our community which has caused this. While we are now protecting those people who are providing essential services, this government has to think about what it has done that has caused the failure of law and order in our community.
We have spoken at length about the issues of itinerants in the community. We talk about people who break into houses and shops. We talk about people who attack others in our streets. There is a breakdown in law and order and this government must address this. Using bandaids when there is an injury is fine, but there is obviously a significant problem from the front end. Why are people now disobeying social order? This is where this government has failed Territorians. It is time government stopped being in denial and addressed these issues seriously. Without them consciously looking at what is causing the problems, this will continue to happen and more and more bandaids will have to be put in place at greater expense to government and to Territorians.
Dr BURNS (Infrastructure and Transport): Madam Speaker, this is a government that faces reality. This is a government that has invested $75m in putting 200 extra police on the beat. This is a government that has worked actively to reduce crime in our community. This is also a government which will address significant issues of alcohol abuse, itinerancy and antisocial behaviour in our community. We are a government that faces up to our responsibilities. We are a government that works with the community and, in this case, we have worked with the unions to solve the problem. We will continue to do that.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums): Madam Speaker, last month I had the honour of opening the most significant exhibition of non-indigenous art to be held in the 25 years of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, The Sound of the Sky. Over 160 people attended the opening at which Betty Churcher, former Director of the National Gallery of Australia, was guest speaker. The Charles Darwin University Chamber Ensemble performed at the opening, as did the Territory’s answer to Sister Wendy, better known as Tessa Pauling, who was joined by Tom Pauling, Annie Gastin and Ken Conway, in delivery of a theatrical approach to the works on display.
The Sound of the Sky features about 150 works that look at the Northern Territory through the eyes of non-indigenous artists. Many of them have never been seen in the Northern Territory before. A significant number have, in fact, never been exhibited in Australia. The Museums and Art Galleries’ exhibition program is perhaps better known for its indigenous arts display particularly that of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, but it is not the whole story.
The Sound of the Sky is, if you like, the other side of the coin of artistic vision. It is the work created through the eyes of European artists who came to the Northern Territory over the last 200 years. Some had a fleeting contact with the place, some stayed longer, some are still here, some came willingly, and others, such as the artist who depicted Darwin’s World War II, would probably far rather have been somewhere else. But what marks the work of all the artists represented in this exhibition is the struggle to represent the Northern Territory from a diversity of cultural perspectives across 200 years of changing styles and techniques on one hand, and changing attitudes on the other.
In essence, what we are looking at here is a series of changing views, of changing cultural landscapes through which we can all look at the Northern Territory. From my point of view, this exhibition is a revelation. Of course, there are some images, such as those of Thomas Baines, which are familiar. Many I have never seen before. I am astonished at the beauty of some of the paintings. Some, especially those which deal with Aboriginal subjects, are disturbing. Some are culturally familiar to me, such as the number of images that deal with the Pukamani poles. Others, of course, are not.
Among the 150 artworks on display, a number have been gifted by the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory Foundation Ltd. A number have been loaned to the museum by interstate and international art galleries and private collectors.
More importantly, the exhibition is proving extremely popular with the public. Over 1000 people have attended in the first week, and we expect many more to attend between now and its closure in July. I urge all members of the Assembly to visit the exhibition and to encourage their constituents to also visit. As members well know, the Museum and Art Gallery is an important tourist destination in Darwin and we expect many tourists to also enjoy this great exhibition.
In closing, I offer my congratulations to Daena Murray who curated The Sound of the Sky as part of a major research project she has undertaken over the last three years. It is a credit to her scholarship that Territorians and visitors can enjoy this great exhibition. It is also a great credit to the many other staffers at the museum who have put in major efforts to make The Sound of the Sky such a success.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition supports the statement. It is well recognised that the museum is one of the treasures of the Top End and I always direct any visitors who have come my way to the museum. I visit museums all around the place and I am very proud to endorse our museum. It is a place we should continue to consider how we can develop and strengthen.
Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I was unable to attend the official opening, but will make the effort to get there before the exhibition closes.
In the minister’s comment there is no reference to what the precise contribution of the Territory government is to this exhibition. I am interested to know. It is just telling us a story about a nice exhibition that happened in town. I would not mind knowing exactly the contribution of the Northern Territory government to that exhibition. It is fantastic that it is supported. The arts are a critical element to the attraction of the Territory. What is the contribution of the Northern Territory government to this?
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums): Madam Speaker, just very briefly, we fund it. Surely, the member for Blain would understand this. The staff, the infrastructure, everything associated with the museum is funded by the Northern Territory government.
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, I report on the results of the Building the Territory Resource Base International Road Show in North America and the United Kingdom. The international market is important to the Northern Territory as many decision-makers from the exploration and mining sector are based outside Australia, particularly North America and Europe.
The resource boom is global and we have implemented an international marketing strategy to ensure the Territory maximises its share of the boom. The strategy was twofold: to raise the profile of the Territory in the international market by attending pre-eminent conferences; and to build on existing relationships and develop new business for the Territory by meeting clients, government officials and prospective clients.
Two key events were identified to help us penetrate the international market. They were the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention, also known as PDAC, one of the world’s largest mining conventions taking place in Toronto, Canada; and the Mining Journal’s 20:20 Investor Series, an investment attraction event in London with a focus on the European financial community.
The Northern Territory team travelled with Team Australia, which included Geoscience Australia, the State Geological Surveys and a selection of Australia’s best industry players. The Northern Territory was the only jurisdiction to have a minister present. I was, therefore, able to lead the delegation representing Australia, and effectively maximise the profile of the Territory. The Northern Territory delegation included my chief executive officers, Mr John Carroll, Mr Richard Brescianini and Mr Ian Scrimgeour as experts from the Northern Territory Geological Survey; the project organiser, Ms Lisa Mutch; and Northern Territory explorers, Arafura Resources and Compass Resources.
PDAC ran over three days and recorded its largest attendance ever with 14 500 mining, exploration and investment executives. The Australian team had a large pavilion within the PDAC trade fair, and also hosted the Exploration Down Under Seminar, which was attended by more than a 150 executives. As the representative for Australia, I provided the official opening and was followed by eight industry presentations, including Arafura Resources and Compass Resources.
From PDAC, we went to London for the one-day 20:20 Investor Series. There were 140 participants including stockbrokers, investors and analysts from the European financial community. Again, I gave the official Australia welcome, and was followed by the Northern Territory sessions which included Mr Brescianini, Arafura Resources and Compass Resources. I must note that these companies were a great support to the Northern Territory and undertook their presentations and travel at their own cost.
For the second part of our strategy, I attended 13 meetings scheduled over 10 days in Denver, Toronto and London. Key client meetings included Newmont, Vista Gold, Alcan, Sweetpea Petroleum, GBS Gold and Rio Tinto. As a follow-up, my chief executive and I have written to these clients to ensure that the contacts and the relationships continue to be developed and strengthened.
My meeting with prospective clients included Laramide Resources, Aldershot Resources and Summit Resources. These meetings highlighted the Territory government’s commitment to mining and exploration in the Northern Territory, and enabled us to provide information about the Territory’s prospectivity and infrastructure.
Finally, government meetings in support of our promotion of the Territory were arranged with the Australian Consuls-General in London and Toronto, Austrade in Toronto, and the Minister of Mines for Ontario, Canada.
My team was highly successful in maximising the Northern Territory profile at PDAC and at 20:20 Investor Series by heavy ministerial presence and securing the opening presentation of both events; gaining industry support from Arafura Resources and Compass Resources to provide credible back-up to the Territory’s message; developing state-of-the-art presentations which included Mr Brescianini’s presentation at 20:20, where an impressive Google Earth movie was used to encourage Territory investment; and the networking efforts of the Northern Territory Geological Survey team identifying numerous strong business leads for the Territory.
Madam Speaker, the Northern Territory’s business relationships with key clients has been strengthened and a pipeline for potential new business has been created through the many meetings attended during the trip.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the minister’s report was interesting. It would have been much more interesting, however, for him to provide the House and Territorians with an update on the negotiations with Xstrata regarding the McArthur River Mine. We know that there has been what the minister would regard as some headway, but the significant substantial issue has not been resolved. I would have thought, given the worth of the McArthur River Mine to the Territory in jobs and gross state product, that it would have been incumbent upon the minister to provide us with a report. However, this is a minister who runs from the serious issues. I understand why it is that he would not want to report to us, notwithstanding the importance for him to do so.
After the McArthur River phase one debacle earlier this year, the minister took off for a conference. It would be very interesting to see at what date the registration for the conference was and whether a late fee was payable, because the disaster was such a mess that the minister could not get out of town quick enough. He did not even have the courtesy to take his sidekick, the minister for the Environment with him - not very gentlemanly, Madam Speaker. He left the minister for the Environment here to take the blows that came. Everyone was going - the Chief Minister was out of town, and the mining minister was out of town when the Xstrata boss came here. No wonder people in the mining industry were less than happy. They remain less than happy because what they want from this government is fairly simple.
This sums up the moral and political dilemma the Northern Territory Branch of the Australian Labor Party faces, further illustrated this morning by the Chief Minister’s refusal to answer a simple question asked by my colleague, the member for Blain: when you were in China, did anyone ask you about uranium? She refused to answer it. Has the minister ever stated his position in relation to uranium and the economic benefits that may come from it? You are cowards. You hide, you run, and this minister has form. You do it all the time, you chicken.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, your time has expired.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, following on from the Leader of the Opposition, I believe it is important that the government comes out and says whether it supports the export of uranium to other countries and the expansion of that. I know we already export uranium. Do you support the expansion of that export industry?
Canada has a nuclear power program and also mines uranium. If you were in Canada, minister, I would have expected that you would have been talking to mining companies which would have been interested in developing the uranium industry in the Northern Territory or in Australia. I would have liked to have heard whether you had contact with companies which deal with uranium, and what was your point of view about exporting it if they had an interest in coming to Australia to develop it. It is an important issue at the moment.
The Chief Minister has been to China and would not say whether she raised the issue with China. This is an extremely important issue for the development of not only the Northern Territory but Australia. It has been discussed as a matter of priority in regards to whether we have a nuclear power program in Australia, and whether nuclear energy is a way of solving the greenhouse issues that we have in the world. Yet, when it comes to discussing whether we can be part of that, there is dead silence from the Labor Party. I do not care whether you agree with that, but at least come out and say what you think about exporting uranium.
People of the Northern Territory expect you as a party to say something, not to wait for a resolution from a national Labor Party conference in wherever it is going to be. We would like to hear what the Northern Territory government thinks of exporting uranium, and developing that industry for the benefit of Northern Territorians.
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their comments. I would like to advise the Leader of the Opposition that when the CEO of Xstrata came to the Northern Territory he actually did meet with me. But, did he meet with you? The information I have, despite what you stated in parliament at the time, is that they did not meet with you. Second, Xstrata made …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He is telling an untruth. To the extent that I understood him, he was suggesting that I did not meet with the CEO of Xstrata when, indeed, I did.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, if you feel that there has been a misleading statement you can see me about making a personal explanation.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I would like to advise the Leader of the Opposition that Xstrata has now put in a submission addressing the nine issues identified by me, and has agreed to provide additional and upgraded information in order to proceed through the environmental assessment process for the expansion to be assessed. When it has been assessed by my colleague and the advice is provided to me, then I will make a decision.
On this side of parliament, we make decisions carefully. We do not want to create another Mt Todd. We would like to leave an inheritance of wealth and development to Territorians, not a debt of multimillion dollar disasters created by the CLP.
Reports noted.
Continued from 29 March 2006.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, to the disappointment of the Chief Minister, I will be brief. This bill is supported.
I believe that there is something in all of us that has a natural knee-jerk reaction when we see legislation of the kind that has been described by others as draconian introduced in any parliament in this country. I recall, when the Commonwealth and other states and territories agreed to this legislation, that you were all at one. Then, of course, the very complex Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, did a bit of positioning - some might say shafting - of his Labor colleagues and the federal government, because it appears as though either he or his staff thought that perhaps he should not have agreed to what everyone agreed to in the first instance. However, it seems as though Jon Stanhope has recovered, although I note with interest the article in the Weekend Australian about Jon Stanhope’s government which is ‘erratic’. That is a reasonably polite way of describing his government.
In any event, as a lawyer, I have some concerns with some of the far reaching provisions found in this bill. However, as a politician and community representative, I understand well why it is this legislation comes before us today.
Minister, this could potentially be difficult legislation to track. We are hopeful, of course, that you will never have to call upon it, as will members of the police force. If it is called upon, I would lay a bet there would be all sorts of High Court challenges and you, minister, as a politician, would expect that to be the case.
I note law societies around the country, with only one or two exceptions, have had very little to say about this sort of legislation, which is interesting. I do not know why they have been silent, as so much of not only this legislation but other types of legislation in other jurisdictions would, I believe, present various difficulties to members of the legal profession.
However, that is the way of the world and it is with some understandable reluctance but with a philosophical view of the world today that the opposition lends its support to the bill. We wish you well. I am sure you will join with us and all Territorians and hope like hell that you never have to use it.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I speak in support of the bill. I understand we live in times which are different from several years ago when the idea of terrorism affecting the shores of Australia would probably have been very remote and something we would not have believed could happen. However, as has been seen, just because you have some sea between you and another country, it does not necessarily mean it will not happen. The London bombing certainly showed there is that possibility.
As you read through the bill, there are many safeguards to make sure these emergency powers are not abused, although I do have queries about a couple of issues which I would like to raise.
With regard to preventative detention orders, it is good that immediately someone is taken into custody that person has to be told they have the right of review by the court. However, there is a section in here which talks about detention in prison. My concern is that a person has not actually been charged; they have been brought into detention. If they are to be taken to prison under this bill, I have two concerns. One is that the remand centre in Darwin prison is totally inadequate and we need to look at the facilities we have there. Two, because there is no separation of the type of prisoners in the remand centre and you have just detained a terrorist – at least you think that person could be capable of doing a terrorist act – where would you put them in prison? Would you put them in the main part of the prison although they have not been charged with an offence? Would you put them in the remand area? Is that a suitable area if you have doubts about whether they are a terrorist? Remand people are there waiting to go to court.
I am interested to know where you would put people if they were to be put in prison. Perhaps you would just keep them in the lock-up at police headquarters? I am not sure. There is a clause in there enabling the person who is to be detained to be put in prison.
I had a quick look at the Hansard of 29 April 2003 when the Terrorism (Northern Territory) Request Bill continued its second reading. I made a note at that time regarding whether there were any safeguards, for instance, as to what was considered to be a possible terrorist act. I wondered at that time - and I am not sure whether I ever got an answer for it - whether it could be that these powers could be used against industrial action? There are times when industrial action is political. Could a strike or some low level civil disobedience possibly be seen as a terrorist act? In other words, could someone do something using civil disobedience which the police might see as having the potential under this bill to be regarded as a terrorist act? If so, what safeguards are in the bill to make sure that could not occur. I raised this at that time, and I ask the minister if that possibility is still within the framework of this new bill.
The other area was the declaration of the special area. I notice when you have a preventative detention order you can get a review by the Supreme Court. If the commissioner decides to declare a railway station, an airport or a bus depot a special area, the only person he has to get approval from is the minister. I do not know if there was any thought given to whether the courts would be involved in the declaration of a special area. It seems to me to be a far-reaching part of the legislation. I am not saying it is not needed. However, when I look at the preventative detention order section of the bill there does not seem to be the same checks and balances that the commissioner has if he issues a declaration of a special area. That could have widespread repercussions for something that may not have been intended. For instance, if the people who are at the special event feel they are being unduly ‘picked on’, where do they go for an appeal against their special event being declared a special area declaration? Those are my concerns.
I understand why we have a prohibitive contact order, which is reasonable, and why you need covert search warrants. Overall, minister, I am supportive of the bill but there are a couple areas there that need some explanation. I am interested to hear what you have to say in response.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition and the member for Nelson for their support for this legislation. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition: I hope this legislation is never used in the Northern Territory but it is in response to changing global environments. The first responsibility of any government is the protection of its citizens and that is the outcome of the COAG Agreement. It gives me no great pleasure as minister to have to introduce this type of legislation into the parliament.
I would just like to go to some history and background before addressing the specific points raised by the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Nelson as to the environment in which this legislation is being introduced and why it needs to be introduced.
Terrorism in many forms has been a global activity for many years. In essence, this particular legislation is borne from the London bombings on 7 July 2005 where 52 lives were lost. All of us could probably remember when we started to hear and see that footage as it came through. It was an attack that was extraordinarily cowardly in the discriminatory way in which those 52 innocent people lost their lives. COAG announced this package of measures on 27 September 2005. Just four months later, the Prime Minister, Premiers, and Chief Ministers moved very swiftly.
You can do all sorts of research on the Internet these days; it is a fabulous research tool. Preparing for my concluding comments in regard to this legislation, I came across a BBC News page dated Thursday, 28 July 2005, which shows, if people remember, there was a car with a number of explosive devices in it that was detained in a town called Luton and did not actually get to their intended targets. There is a photo of a bomb packed with nails which was intended to be detonated on the public transport system in London. It sends shivers down your spine to think that there are people out there with the motive not only to kill, but to maim as many people as possible in a totally indiscriminate manner.
That is the type of people you are dealing with; people who are, to my mind, totally irrational in regards to what they are trying to achieve and how they are trying to achieve it. That is a very graphic picture which shows why we need to introduce such legislation to give the police, when they do receive intelligence that this type of activity may be being planned and proposed as opposed as to after the event when the act has occurred, the powers to detain people and launch a very thorough investigation. The outcome of not acting quickly on intelligence is, unfortunately and tragically, many hundreds and thousands of people around the world being indiscriminately killed by those types of devices. That is the environment in which this legislation is framed.
Subsequent to the bombings on 7 July, there was a follow-up attempt in London on 21 July. Five people were charged with conspiring to attack the London transport network. Again, you can get details of those charges. The tragedy of all of this in the United Kingdom is that most people who have been charged with these offences are people who were born in the United Kingdom - people who are born citizens of that country taking up terrorist actions against innocent people.
Of course, in the Northern Territory, we have our own direct experience as a result of the Bali bombings in October 2002. Tragically, 202 innocent people lost their lives; 88 of those Australian citizens. We will all remember where we were when we heard that news coming through. I had the opportunity, as Asian Relations and Trade Minister, fairly soon after those bombings, to visit the site and lay a wreath there on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory. It was a pretty traumatic experience to be taken around that site by the commanding officer of the Australian Federal Police who was leading the investigation with the Indonesian authorities, to have a very chilling recitation of exactly what happened at Kuta that night, and how the bombs were arranged to cause maximum death and injury to the maximum number of people - a very cold, calculated and brutal attack that saw 202 innocent people losing their lives.
The way people in Darwin, in particular, responded is certainly evidence that we were directly affected by a significant terrorism event not too far from our shores in Darwin. We all know of and pay tribute to the heroic work of many people at Royal Darwin Hospital, our emergency services personnel and volunteers who assisted in the response to that atrocity in October 2002.
That was then followed up, almost exactly three years to the day, on 2 October 2005, when there were further bombings in Bali, which saw 23 people killed, four of those Australians - innocent Australians abroad killed by terrorist offences. There were 92 Australians - the 88 who were slain in 2002 and the four in 2005 - who have lost their lives to terrorism offences, and many hundreds and thousands of people across Australia directly affected by the loss of loved ones. This is the global environment that we are in.
There are many reports available for members, particularly those commissioned by security services and the Commonwealth government. There is no doubt that mainland Australia, potentially, is a terrorist target. This is a public document; there is no information here that is confidential. However, if members want to go to the latest ASIO Annual Report dated 2003-04, there is quite a detailed reference to potential terrorism activity on Australian soil.
In fact, we have had one Australian, a fellow by the name of Jack Roche, who was arrested on 18 November 2002 by the AFP on charges of conspiracy to commit offences under the Crimes (Internationally Protected Persons) Act that began in Perth on 17 May 2004. The prosecution presented evidence alleging that, in 2000, Roche had undertaken reconnaissance of the Israeli Embassy in Canberra and Consulate in Sydney at the direction of al-Qaeda for a proposed terrorist attack. On the 10th day of the trial, Roche pleaded guilty to the charges, and on 1 June 2004 was sentenced to nine years in prison with a four-year non-parole period, a very real example of the type of activity that Australia is exposed to.
There are a number of people mentioned, some of them more high profile, such as Willy Brigitte. On 22 September 2003, the French Security Service advised that French national, Willy Brigitte, had participated in military training in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan, and they believed he travelled to Australia in May 2003. It is clear that Brigitte travelled to Australia intending to do harm. As a result of the investigations, two other individuals were arrested by the AFP and charged under anti-terrorism legislation. It also goes on to say that, since 11 September 2001, a total of 20, including six in 2003-04, Australian people have been assessed or suspected of receiving or facilitating terrorism training overseas, and have had their Australian passports cancelled or denied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
We have seen a number of arrests in the not-too-distant past in Sydney and Melbourne. There is no doubt, tragically, that Australia does face a threat. This legislation is being implemented across Australia, as I have said, to give the police the powers that, on receipt of intelligence, they can take people in and question them, and try to head off any potential plan to effect a terrorism attack on mainland Australia.
I am comfortable, as Police minister and a minister of the government - and this has been discussed in Cabinet in the usual ways - that there are the appropriate checks and balances throughout this legislation.
I will now turn to the comments from the Leader of the Opposition. She stated she had some concerns, and hypothesised why the law societies across Australia have remained silent on this legislation that is being implemented. They have remained silent - and I defer to knowledge of the technical aspects of the law to the Leader of the Opposition - because the checks and balances are in this legislation. There is a requirement to report to this parliament on an annual basis as to whether the legislation has been used in the Northern Territory, and there is to be a comprehensive review as to the requirements and the need to have this legislation in place across Australia within five years.
In regard to the preventative detention orders which allow police to question people for up to 14 days without charge, they can only be granted once police have satisfied an eligible judge. To correct the member for Nelson, if the eligible judge does grant the preventative detention order, there is a requirement that that order has to be confirmed by the Supreme Court at the earliest opportunity. It is not giving powers to police directly to take people off the streets for up to 14 days without confirmation through the court system.
The Leader of the Opposition said – and I was a bit surprised – that the legislation was knee-jerk and draconian. It is not knee-jerk and draconian. It is very responsible legislation which has been put in place in extraordinary circumstances with checks and balances throughout the legislation. It is certainly not knee-jerk and draconian to my mind.
Member for Nelson, the issue about someone being apprehended and taken to the prison – we are talking about people who are being investigated, or suspected, or are contributing to, or planning a potential terrorist attack. They would be held in isolation in a high-security setting through our corrections systems. If there were a number of people detained as a result of a police investigation and we did not have the capacity, then some of those people would be transferred and held interstate. That would be an issue which would be worked out with corrections as the need arose.
The member for Nelson commented on whether this legislation could be used against striking workers. I say from the Labor government, no, it will not. There is no capacity for it to be used against Australians who are exercising their legal right to take industrial action. In fact, section 3(3) of the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002, precludes that. It says that advocacy falls within this subsection if it is advocacy protest, dissent or industrial action; it is not intended to cause serious harm, that is, physical harm to a person; cause a person’s death; endanger a person’s life other than the life of the person taking action; or to create a serious risk to public health or public safety.
Specifically, the legislation precludes it being used in order to quell advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action. That is covered, and there is no way we would introduce such legislation.
The member also asked about the capacity to declare special areas for police to be able to close off, and why that was my power as Police minister as opposed to through the courts. This issue has been worked through. It gives the police powers on application to me, that in a public place - and in the Territory context that is airports, the train station, and major sporting venues - where large numbers of people are going to be gathered for a particular event and police have intelligence immediately to hand that they suspect an act may occur, then there really is no time to go through a court or a legal process. There is a requirement for a review and because a special place has been declared as an area there is no direct impact on the liberties of an individual. Therefore, it really does give the police the powers, under extraordinary and exceptional circumstances, to secure an area from the public where they believe, as a result of intelligence received, an event may be being planned.
Like the Leader of the Opposition and every member of this House I hope that our Territory police force never has to use such legislation. However, we do live in times where such legislation is appropriate and is certainly not knee-jerk and draconian.
Before I conclude, I note that yesterday an Indonesian anti-terror unit found a backpack filled with explosives which were similar to those used in last year’s Bali bombings which killed 20 people. They found a bomb like those used in the Bali blast. They believe from intelligence - and I know that federal police and security services work very closely with Indonesian authorities - that some of the people apprehended are certainly linked to groups responsible for the previous Bali attacks. So there is evidence just yesterday that in Indonesia there are people plotting and planning similar events to that which occurred in Bali in 2002 and 2005. We will be vigilant.
I have every confidence in our police force to use these powers appropriately. I can reassure Territorians that the checks and balances are there. We live in pretty extraordinary times in regard to the threat of terrorism. I have to provide a report to parliament on an annual basis as to the use of these powers and a comprehensive review within five years. I commend the bill to the House.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Under Treasurer, Mrs Jennifer Prince, together with senior staff from Treasury. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the former Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, Mr Terry McCarthy. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
There are also members in the gallery of the University of the Third Age who have come to listen to the Treasurer’s budget speech, and other visitors. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. I table the 2006-07 Appropriation Bill and related budget papers.
Budget 2006-07 builds the Territory’s future. It delivers jobs, growth and a stronger Territory. It builds on the successful policies of the Martin government over the last five years to:
reduce taxes;
provide high levels of infrastructure spending;
invest in strategic economic drivers; and
implement a strong, social development program.
Budget 2006-07 delivers on the government’s priorities of supporting and growing business, improving educational outcomes, building a healthier Territory, providing a safer community for all Territorians, and enhancing our great lifestyle. It does so within sound and sustainable fiscal parameters. This budget grows the Territory’s economy. It creates jobs for Territorians through strategic investment in key areas. Most significantly, Budget 2006-07 makes a strong commitment to the future development of the tourism industry.
In 2003, the government responded to the then tourism crisis with a three-year tourism marketing package. Those funds helped turn around the tourism industry. I am pleased to announce that the government will now commit these funds on an ongoing basis. In 2006-07, tourism marketing will total $27.6m and the tourism budget will reach $38.3m. Tourism supports a wide range of small business. It accounts for 7500 jobs directly and thousands more indirectly.
The government will also support business, grow the Territory economy and create more jobs by continued high levels of expenditure on infrastructure. This year, $482m will be spent. Additionally, $100m will be spent by the Darwin Cove Consortium at the Darwin waterfront development as a result of the government’s commitment to the project. Since 2001, this Labor government has invested over $2.7bn in cash in infrastructure-related works and construction jobs - an unprecedented commitment.
In Budget 2006-07, the Martin government is also backing business and stimulating growth in jobs by continuing the most extensive tax reform program undertaken by any Territory government. This year, the government will further reduce payroll tax by lifting the threshold from $1m to $1.25m from 1 July 2006. One hundred and eighty-seven businesses will no longer pay payroll tax as a result of the threshold changes since 2004. This will make our payroll tax arrangements the most competitive in Australia for businesses with up to 100 staff.
The government will also cut two more business taxes in Budget 2006-07: stamp duty on unquoted marketable securities, and the grant or renewal of leases and franchises will be removed from 1 July 2006. Tax reforms in Budget 2006 will return $5.6m to the pockets of business this year. It brings the government’s total tax reform reductions to $74m. A further $134m reduction has been committed over the course of the announced reforms.
The Martin government’s tax reforms make the Territory the lowest taxing jurisdiction in Australia for a small business with up to 100 staff. We are proud of that achievement, but there is more to do. We will continue to ensure that business is supported with the most competitive taxation arrangements that we can provide.
The Territory has experienced an unusual number of natural disasters during 2005-06, including flooding in parts of Central Australia; the recent floods in Katherine, the Daly and their regions; and Cyclone Monica. The government has incurred immediate disaster-related costs and will, over the next year, undertake additional repairs and restoration and, in some cases, build new facilities.
Budget 2006-07 also builds the Territory’s future by supporting the government’s commitments to improved educational outcomes, a healthier Territory, and a safer community. Territorians can be in no doubt that improving education results is at the heart of the government’s second term agenda. It is critical that we provide the best possible opportunity for young Territorians now and into the future. This year, Employment, Education and Training will receive a record budget of $630.7m, an increase of 33% since 2001.
Building a healthier Territory is also essential for the future of our community. Investment in effective health programs will, over the longer term, return significant social and economic benefits to the Territory. Budget 2006-07 provides a significant boost to Health and Community Services. This year, the budget has been expanded to $788.6m, an increase of 64% since 2001.
Since coming to office in 2001, the Martin government has provided for a safer community. We have made significant legislative changes, toughening penalties, tackling antisocial behaviour, and addressing substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse. Unprecedented financial commitment backs this effort. Budget 2006-07 provides a record Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget of $212.4m, a 55% increase since 2001.
The government will provide $55.6m in community service obligations to the Power and Water Corporation. This payment subsidises the cost of providing power and water across the Territory. It keeps downward pressure on power, water and sewerage prices. There is a significant and growing difference between the cost of producing power and water, and the tariffs charged. Following a five-year freeze on power costs, those cost pressures are so great that a CPI-based increase of 2.6% will apply to the price of power, water and sewerage to take effect from 1 July 2006.
Before providing the detail of budget initiatives, I turn to the broader Territory economic outlook. During 2005-06, the Territory economy has continued to go from strength to strength. The estimated growth in gross state product in 2005-06 will be 6.7%. Investment expenditure has increased by an estimated 12%, largely due to construction work on the Alcan G3 refinery expansion at Gove, and completion of construction work on the LNG plant at Wickham Point. Consumption expenditure increased by a solid 4.2%.
Our population grew by 1.7% in 2005, well above national growth rates of 1.2%. 2005 saw positive nett interstate migration: more people moving to the Territory than leaving for the first time since the major Defence build-up in the mid-1990s. The Territory labour market continued to strengthen; an estimated 2000 new local jobs were created in this financial year, with ABS reporting resident employment up by an estimated 2.1%.
Over the last two years, house prices in the Northern Territory have increased by 33%, the strongest growth since the mid-1990s. Unit prices are up 36% over the same period. Residential building approvals, a lead indicator for future residential construction work, have increased by 36% over the last two years.
In 2006-07, the government expects that the strength of the economy and economic activity will remain at a high level with growth set to moderate only slightly. Gross state product growth is forecast to be 5.8% in 2006-07.
A full year of LNG production and export will be a major contributor to growth in 2006-07. Growth will also be supported by increased alumina production and a full year of manganese production from the new Bootu Creek mine. This will offset a decline in engineering construction as a result of the completion of the Alcan and LNG ‘mega projects’. Engineering work for the Darwin waterfront development, and new projects such as the development of the Blacktip gas field and the condensate processing facility, will ensure that engineering activity remains well above historic levels.
Continued growth will also be supported by the positive employment and population outlook. Local employment will be boosted by high levels of residential construction as the Territory property market continues to strengthen. It will also be supported by the continuing rebound of international visitor numbers and increased domestic airline capacity into the Territory. Accommodation capacity is set to increase, with a number of significant projects under way and planned. Airline capacity is also increasing, with new international and national carriers entering the Territory market.
Resident employment is forecast to increase by 2.3% in 2006-07. A forecast population growth of 1.5% in 2006, well above the national figure, will be supported by continuing positive nett migration inflows as more people are attracted to new opportunities in the Northern Territory. The latest Sensis consumer reports support a positive outlook, with Territory consumers the most confident in the nation. A nett 72% of Territory consumers reported feeling confident about their financial prospects for the year ahead compared to 56% nationally.
Growth in new motor vehicle sales is also strong at 6%, and well above the national growth of 2%. The outlook for the mining and energy sector is positive, with continued strong commodity demand and high prices, at least in the short term. Retail turnover in the Territory is forecast to increase by 4.5% next financial year.
In its March report, Access Economics said that the Territory is surfing two waves at once: a commodity boom, and a housing boom. The Territory economy is in the best shape it has been for over a decade, resulting in significant benefits for all Territorians.
I now turn to the fiscal projections in the budget. As members will recall, the government revised its fiscal strategy in 2004-05 to provide a greater stimulus to the economy and to increase service capacity, particularly in health, education, and law and order. In the 2005-06 budget, the cash targets were adjusted for three years to include the government’s contribution to the Darwin waterfront development. The timing of the community infrastructure has been revised to align with the completion of the convention centre. The cash targets for these three years have been reset accordingly, although the Territory’s contribution remains unchanged.
Also unchanged is the target to return to a balanced budget in 2008-09. The estimated outcome for 2005-06 is a deficit of $47m, a $21m improvement due to the change in waterfront timing. During 2005-06, there have been significant increases in both receipts and payments, with more than half of these due to finalisation of specific purpose payments from the Australian government.
Receipts have increased by $220m. GST revenue remains unchanged, however, specific purpose payments increased by $114m. $36m relates to the transfer of responsibility for indigenous housing from IHANT to the Territory government as part of the overarching agreement signed by the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister. In addition, a number of specific purpose payments have been finalised: $27m for education and training programs; $21m for the establishment of a National Trauma Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital; $19m for other health programs; and $11m for other agency programs.
The Territory’s own source revenue has increased by $106m, with $50m of this related to large one-off stamp duty transactions. Of the remaining $56m, $28m is increased tax revenue due to further growth in the local economy, with $14m from payroll tax, $8m in stamp duty, and $6m from gambling taxes. Mining royalties are expected to be $4m higher than projected last year. Of the remaining $24m, $7m is due to the improved performance of the government’s trading entities, and $17m largely from Health-related cross-border charges.
Payments have increased by $201m with $105m of this due to the increased specific purpose payments from the Australian government. The carryover from 2004-05 contributed $39m to the increase, whilst one-off legal costs accounted for $17m. Other approved increases were made to improve services and to help attract and retain teachers, nurses and police. These were Health, $25m; Education, $13m; and police, $10m. These increases were offset by reduced capital spending as a result of timing differences on the Darwin waterfront development project.
Turning to 2006-07, receipts are expected to be $3.05bn. While GST revenue is expected to be $138m higher than 2005-06 due to increased relativities, population and GST national collections, other revenue will be lower. Taxes receipts are expected to be $52m less due to the large one-off transactions in 2005-06 along with further reductions in the payroll tax resulting from the threshold lifting from $1m to $1.25m, and removal of two more business taxes. Other differences include the cessation of $8m in national competition policy payments; $5m in lower taxes and dividends from trading enterprises; and the effect of higher SPPs in 2005-06 in Education, Health and police, $17m. It is likely SPP revenues will increase during the year as future agreements are finalised. When the effect of one-off payments in 2005-06 is removed, payments are projected to increase by $53m with growth in the budgets of Health, Police and Education.
Spending on the waterfront in 2006-07 is expected to be $42m higher than that in 2005-06 as the development gathers pace.
The accrual result has worsened due to the revised actuarial assessment of the Territory’s unfunded superannuation liability. However, the forward estimates still show an improvement with a small accrual surplus projected for 2009-10, as well as the cash balance in 2008-09. The increase in the superannuation liability has resulted in higher nett debt plus employee liabilities; however, the real measure of budgetary health - the ratio of debt to revenue - continues to improve with 111% projected for 2009-10 compared with the 2001-02 ratio of 134%.
I turn now to the detail of the budget initiatives. Budget 2006-07 builds the Territory’s future. It delivers jobs, growth and a stronger Territory, and it delivers on the government’s commitments.
Support for business: Budget 2006-07 supports business through significant investment in key industries, infrastructure investment, continued programs supporting the skilling of Territorians, and taxation reform. Significant investment in tourism will help drive growth in our economy and support business. The Darwin waterfront development is another strategic investment. Investment in the Territory’s roads supports business and provides a significant boost to industry development. This year, an estimated $134.9m will be programmed for roads throughout the Territory, including national highways. Key new and continuing roadworks include:
$13.9m for the Mereenie Loop Road in Central Australia,
$4.5m for Litchfield loop road,
$1.3m for the Maryvale Road upgrade; and
a further $500 000 toward upgrading the Sandover Highway.
Upgrades will also occur to the Central Arnhem Road, the Point Stuart Road, and the Lasseter Highway. $29m will continue improvement of the Victoria Highway, especially the floodplain areas and bridges. $6.1m will be spent on the Local Roads to Recovery Program, and a further $6.1m to upgrade sections of the national highways that have failed to meet current standards. $2m will be spent on the Outback Highway program for improvements to the Plenty Highway.
Significant strategic investment will also be made across the Territory, strengthening power and water and essential services. Power and Water Corporation will invest $87.1m in capital works, and $39.8m in repairs and maintenance. Important projects include:
$25m for an additional power generation unit at Channel Island power station;
$7.5m for additional generation capacity in Alice Springs; and
$5m for a new Archer zone substation at Palmerston.
The government has agreed to bring forward $6m of its contribution to the undergrounding of power project to 2005-06 from 2006-07 and 2007-08 to allow more rapid progress. A further $2.1m is provided over two years having regard to the higher cost associated with the Dundee power project.
Indigenous essential services will also see important infrastructure investment across the Territory, with $1.35m to replace the power station at Canteen Creek; $610 000 upgrading the sewer rising main and pump station at Milingimbi; $410 000 for drilling new bores at Ngukurr; and $350 000 for a replacement water tank at Yuelamu.
To provide further support for business, the Martin government will allocate $3.8m for Building the Territory’s Resource Base for mining exploration; $500 000 to continue to assist with regional economic development throughout the Territory; $470 000 to continue delivery of business information and licensing services through the network of Territory Business Centres; a new system for licensing, including the management of business names will be introduced at a cost of $250 000 to be funded by fees on business names. The fee will be $60 for a new three-year registration, and $50 for a three-year renewal. The rate is about half that applying in the states and will also assist in the improved management of business names by providing a disincentive to retain unused business names.
The government will provide $650 000 to continue the highly successful and supported Business Management and Capability programs, including up-skills workshops, business coaching services, the Business Growth program, and practical events during October Business Month.
Throughout the course of 2006-07, the Martin government will fund $1.15m to peak Territory industry associations for specific development services. The government continues to support business by placing a strong emphasis on skilling Territorians. In Budget 2006-07, we will spend $84m on employment and training within the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Last year, the Martin government committed to commence training for 10 000 Territorians over four years; one year on, more than 2600 people have commenced. We will continue our announced Jobs Plan program throughout 2006-07.
This year, we will spend $1.1m on a Workwear/Workgear Bonus providing up to $1000 cash; $4.4m on school-to-work transition programs, an important program strongly supported by business; and $500 000 on the Build Skills NT program which lifts existing workers to new skill levels. The government will also provide around $37m to Charles Darwin University and $8.9m for the Batchelor Institute.
The Martin government’s reform of Territory taxes has provided strong support for business. It has delivered an unprecedented reduction of $74m in taxation to Territorians since 2001, and will deliver a further $134m in reductions over the life of our announced reform package.
This year, the government’s reduction in payroll tax will mean the tax-free threshold will have more than doubled from $600 000 to $1.25m in just three budgets. Fifty-eight businesses will no longer pay payroll tax, bringing to 187 the total number of businesses out of the payroll tax net. The savings to Territory businesses still paying this tax will increase to a total $66 182 since 2004. Combined with this government’s rate reduction from 6.5% to 6.2%, this reform means that a business supporting $2m in wages in 2000 would have paid $92 400 in payroll tax each year. Now, they will pay just $46 500. That is a substantial commitment to business by this government.
Since coming to office, the government has removed or reduced six stamp duties that affect small businesses. This year, we will remove two more. Over the next three years to 2009-10, the government will remove stamp duty on hiring arrangements and on the non-land components of business conveyances. These will both provide substantial return to business.
Budget 2006-07 gives Territory businesses a competitive edge. In New South Wales, a business with 50 staff will pay $85 128 more in recurrent taxes than its Territory counterpart. In Western Australia, they will pay $24 891 more. Businesses of 100 staff in New South Wales will pay $91 043 more than in the Territory and, in Western Australia, they will pay $13 328 more. This comparison clearly demonstrates the government’s substantial commitment to Territory business.
Other revenue changes include a range of equity and efficiency measures and the adoption of revenue units for fees and charges. The previous government introduced a framework for a unit-based system for fees and charges, but it has not been activated. We will move to adopt that system over the next six months, significantly improving administrative efficiency. Minor fee and charge increases will result as they are aligned with revenue units.
I turn now to our commitment to achieve better education outcomes. Specific programs and support includes continuation of the $42m Building Better Schools program, including the provision of an additional school counsellor to each secondary school across the Territory; $8.1m for continued funding of 100 additional teachers above formula; and $850 000 for implementation of the community engagement of 15 indigenous school communities.
The government will continue its commitment to specialised literacy programs. In Budget 2006-07, we will spend $4.4m jointly with the Australian government to continue the expansion of the national Accelerated Literacy program. In 2005, this program was run across 27 schools including 14 in remote locations, teaching 3300 students; 150 classes were provided, and 220 teachers received professional development and training. We will also spend $300 000 on bilingual education, an important literacy tool.
The Martin government allocated almost $2m in calendar year 2006 for the implementation of our back to school payment, a key commitment made in the 2005 election. This payment has been welcomed by Territory families and it helps with the cost of living. Budget 2006-07 supports a further almost $2m for the payment to be made at the start of the 2007 school year. Funds for middle years have not been identified in this budget, with the exception of an allocation for possible infrastructure needs. This is because the Cabinet is yet to make its final decision on this matter. When those decisions are made, the costs will be announced.
This year, around $67.5m is programmed for new and ongoing capital works, minor new works, and repairs and maintenance, including $8.6m for the Desert People’s Centre in Alice Springs; $2.5m to rebuild the Wugularr School on high ground; and $800 000 for a new special education annexe at the Humpty Doo Primary School. Budget 2006-07 will also fund repairs associated with Cyclone Monica to Maningrida school.
Health and Community Services: Building a Healthier Community will be advanced through a record Health and Community Services budget. This budget supports $196m for Royal Darwin Hospital, 75% more than allocated in 2000-01; $97m for Alice Springs Hospital, a growth of 79% over that same period; $23m for Katherine Hospital, up 66% since 2000-01; $17m for Gove District Hospital, an increase of 54%; and $10m for Tennant Creek Hospital, a 57% increase over the same period.
Budget 2006-07 also provides for key initiatives in Health and Community Services. A further $1.7m will be provided in 2006-07 to meet the care and support needs of children and young people entering into care in the Northern Territory. Funding of $500 000 will be provided to establish a new Central Australian Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service. $2.2m will be provided to support people with volatile substance misuse problems, including rehabilitation and treatment services.
Funding this year also provides significant support for families across the Territory. $8.2m will be spent on pensioner concessions. The government will implement its election commitment to introduce the Northern Territory carer’s card at a cost of over $1m. Recipients of the Australian government carer’s allowance will receive concessions for rates, power and water.
A new family service will be established in the Barkly region with funding of $200 000.
The Martin government has a strong record in support of childcare. In Budget 2006-07, the government will spend $3.6m on childcare subsidies. The government will also provide a one-off $500 000 grant this year to provide playground equipment to community-based childcare services fulfilling their 2005 election commitment.
Turning to initiatives aimed at fulfilling the government’s priority of building the Territory’s future by providing a safer community, since coming to office, the Martin government has been committed to expansion of the Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. This year, the government will provide a record budget of $212m, an increase of 55% since 2001. This year, total funding of $32m is provided to complete the O’Sullivan review recommendations. This will mean an additional 34 police and a total increase to 1130 in police strength. These funds will also be provided to establish dedicated traffic branches in Darwin and Alice Springs; provide increased capacity to develop, implement and promote educational road safety programs; and purchase a coastal vessel for the east Arnhem Land region. $440 000 will continue Stage 2 of the Aboriginal Community Police Officer program, an initiative to ensure that these officers are provided with a police vehicle to carry out their duties.
The Martin government is cracking down on antisocial behaviour and violence through this record growth in police numbers and in the police budget. $630 000 is provided for the Community Patrol Service in Darwin to combat antisocial behaviour. $560 000 will support the development and delivery of new treatment places for people who are subject to an Alcohol Intervention Order or a Prohibition Order from the alcohol court. $200 000 has been allocated to establish the alcohol court, implementing our 2005 election commitment. The government will provide $1.1m to the Office of Alcohol Policy to continue to tackle the underlying causes of alcohol abuse in the community, including $275 000 for the development of local area management plans for alcohol, particularly in Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs.
Additional funding is being provided for increased costs associated with higher prisoner numbers, including the opening of the low security facility. Court fees will be increased to state levels resulting in an additional $385 000 to meet higher operating costs of courts.
Territorians enjoy a great lifestyle. Budget 2006-07 supports recreational fishing with an emphasis on research and protection of that resource. More than $1m will be provided for a three-year program of buying back fishing licences; $500 000 will be provided towards fishing infrastructure; and $161 000 for continuation and enhancement of the world leading Genetag project featured on ABC television’s The Inventors program.
Protecting our environment is an important part of building the Territory’s future. This year, Budget 2006-07 delivers numerous election commitments. In Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, up to $50 will be provided as a subsidy for the purchase of water saving devices. In Darwin, the planned development of the Rapid Creek environment hub will begin. Budget 2006-07 also supports $3.1m for the continued development of an Environment Protection Agency in the Territory; $1m for the Daly River protection as part of the Living Rivers initiative; $566 000 for environment grants to community-based groups across the Territory; $500 000 for Mary River wetlands desalination works; $280 000 to protect the environment from cane toads; and the government will continue to provide the $30 subsidy for each trap purchased this year.
The Territory government supports 90 parks across the Territory. We are committed to protecting and enhancing these world-class assets. This year the government will provide $27.5m for these parks. This will support 145 rangers and 37 support staff. The government will also implement its election commitment to provide $90 000 for indigenous rangers in the Ntaria area.
Budget 2006-07 continues the Territory government’s push to bring world-class major events to the Territory. In 2006-07, the government will support international cricket at Marrara in July 2006; high quality AFL matches, including an August 2006 fixture between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide; an Aboriginal All Stars match early in 2007; around $2.3m for the Arafura Games in May 2007; $1.1m for V8 Supercars in July; $550 000 for the Alice Springs Masters Games in October 2006; and a National Basketball League match in 2007.
Budget 2006-07 provides almost $6.8m for the thoroughbred racing industry to support racing in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and rural areas, and $335 000 for the Darwin Greyhound Association.
The Territory’s cultural diversity is supported by $740 000 for the Multicultural Affairs Sponsorship Grant, and $400 000 for the Multicultural Facilities Development Program.
The arts enliven our community. The Territory has a proud creative tradition and a dynamic creative future. Budget 2006-07 supports that through $5.1m arts sponsorship which includes Arts NT grants, NT Film Office grants and public arts grants; $8.7m for the Museum and Art Gallery at Bullocky Point; $3.5m for the Araluen and Alice Springs arts precinct; and $3.8m for 27 public libraries across the Territory.
Budget 2006-07 builds the Territory’s future. It delivers growth, jobs and a stronger Territory. It backs business through strategic investment, industry support, tax cuts and a high infrastructure spend. The budget delivers better education outcomes, a healthier Territory, and a safer community. It strengthens our great Territory lifestyle. Most importantly, it grows the economic base of the Territory and provides thousands of jobs for Territorians. It achieves all of that within sound fiscal perimeters. It is a responsible budget.
In my budget speech last year I said the Territory government had achieved a lot, but there was more to do. Budget 2006-07 makes great strides in delivering the Martin government’s second term agenda. Madam Speaker, I commend this budget to the House, and to all Territorians.
Debate adjourned.
VISITOR
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of the father of the member for Arnhem, Mr John McCarthy. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Continued from 29 March 2006.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, at the outset, it is the intent of the opposition to support this bill, with some reservations. We understand the need for this mechanism to properly assess the costs and risks going forward in maintaining the MACA scheme. Gee whiz, that is actually something that started under another government, and I am sure the minister agrees that it is not a bad thing. During the TIO debate there was an admission from the government - the Chief Minister and the Treasurer principally - that there was a lack of understanding of how TIO operated. I see this bill being born from that lack of understanding and a need to increase the capacity to properly assess risk, and the maintenance of adequate levels of support for the MACA scheme.
It is good to see there has been that follow through. First, the acknowledgement that it is a complex area and there is a need to put in additional resources so there can be a better and more responsible assessing of issues related to the maintenance of schemes such as MACA. I feel, however, that this will be a further layer in a system which will permit a government not known for its capacity to lead from the front, to stand behind this commissioner and say: ‘We have no option. The independent commissioner has decreed this is the increase.’
The words of this bill and the second reading speech indicate that, ultimately, it will be the minister who will decide. However, I feel it will be the sort of system whereby the commissioner will say: ‘According to my judgment, this will be the new level of contribution that Territory motorists will need to pay’, and the government will wring its hands and say: ‘I cannot do much about that. Unfortunately, it is the commissioner who has made this judgment, and who am I to argue?’, thereby avoiding a politically damaging situation for government.
Remember it was this Labor government that topped up the MACA scheme at one stage to avoid a politically embarrassing situation. They were faced with either passing the cost on to Territory motorists, or finding it in their haphazard collection of bits and pieces of money lying around. There would be many CLP Treasurers who would love to be in the position this current Treasurer is in. I am sure in his quiet moments the Treasurer reflects that he is in a very fortunate position and, therefore, bears a great responsibility to ensure there is adequate and responsible management of the rivers of revenue that flow through. With those rivers they are able to say: ‘Rather than pass on a politically damaging decision, that being to increase the cost to Territory motorists, we will find a bit of money around the back and prop up TIO and the MACA scheme, and on we cruise.’ Of course, TIO had to pay that back.
That sort of dynamic will now be removed through a buffer so that the government will have the opportunity to make less courageous decisions because they do not have any capacity to argue, as it is an independent commissioner making these decisions. I fear that is what is going to happen. I see that, from the way bureaucracies and governance seems to work these days, people are elected to make courageous and gutsy decisions, and set up systems to protect themselves from making risky and politically gutsy decisions, and to provide protection. That is sad. I would expect greater robustness and integrity in the systems we put in place. However, it appears to be the way modern governments are working, particularly Labor governments which like to increase the mechanisms to provide self-protection.
In principle, I understand what is being done here, but it could be achieved without having an independent person do it. You simply need good quality advice and to have the courage of your convictions and make the decision.
Nonetheless, it is the will of government and no matter what I have to say, or how strong my comments are, the government’s will, will be done. These comments are legitimate and they will stand in the Parliamentary Record. One day I trust I will go back and look at them and say: ‘Hey, I told you so’, because I have a sense this is the way governments are going.
We will not clog up the process by manning the barricades on this one. We are raising those concerns, underlining them, and we will come back to look at them in time to come. The opposition provides qualified support.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I notice the member for Blain said: ‘Thy will be done’. I do not know whether that is something we necessarily do on this side all the time, but I have accepted the religious context. In regards to what the government wants, I do not necessarily always agree. I must admit that I do have concerns very similar to the member for Blain. In fact, the more I look at it, the more I do not support it. The Treasurer has given a list of reasons why this should occur. One would have to ask: if it has not already occurred, why does it not happen today?
Under the present system, the Treasurer has said:
‘these changes will promote greater stability’. I am not sure what is unstable about the system at the present time;
‘there will be accountability’. The MACA scheme, I presume, is accountable at the present time; when there is a change to it, it will be published in the Gazette or announced in parliament;
‘there will be transparency’. One of the foundations of the government is to be open and transparent so I have no doubt that this is already occurring under the existing system; and
‘it will be independent’. I am not sure what the sense of independence means here. If these decisions are being made about the MACA scheme surely that is based on good advice from TIO which the Treasurer or Treasury will look at and make a decision.
The Treasurer has also said that: ‘People will see timely motor accident compensation for as long as required’. What difference does it make if it is a CCC - the Compensation Contributions Commissioner; I do not know who thought of that name but it is a classic. I cannot see how having this extra person makes any difference to the price of fish. The minister, in his second reading speech, has said these are the reasons. You have to ask: are they sufficient reasons to add another level of bureaucracy? We would have to pay a commissioner and there would have to be some administration costs. I do not know why we would want to do this unless it was to remove political responsibility from the decision-making process. That is what I think is happening. I have never known - even with the previous government - anyone to be pleased from a political point of view to make a statement that the MACA scheme is going to increase. There are howls of protest from the public but, surely, there are plenty of decisions made in parliament that not everybody particularly likes. The price of electricity is going up; we do not stop the minister from making a statement that the price of electricity will be raised.
These are the things that you are elected for and the reasons given are not sufficient enough to change the existing system. The only other reason I can see mentioned is that it was done in maybe Victoria and South Australia. So what? You hear many times in this parliament that we do not follow what the rest of Australia does, we do what we think is best for the Territory. I believe that in such a small jurisdiction as the Northern Territory we do not want to be adding extra layers to our bureaucracy. Surely something could be done within the realms of government, as we know it at present, through Treasury and then through the minister.
I have to be convinced that having a new commissioner would provide greater stability, accountability, transparency, independence, and that people will get a better deal through this process. Perhaps people would have to pay higher premiums to pay for the cost of having a commissioner. I am willing to listen to what the Treasurer says. He might have some other reasons that were not enunciated in the second reading. I do not think it is necessary and we could live as we are today quite happily.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank the members for their contribution and their support - well, the support in one case and less than full support from the member for Nelson.
I pick up on what the member for Nelson was saying in relation to transparency. We would agree. Of course, it ought to be open and transparent. It is the costs of the scheme that are, invariably, going to determine the level of premium applied to motorists so that the scheme itself has a level of solvency that would give the TIO, government and, indeed, all motorists insured by TIO, a certainty that it could meet its outgoing liabilities in any period.
Let me assure the member for Nelson that this was not always the case. Prior to this government coming to office and to management changes at TIO, God only knows what went on in that organisation by way of cross-subsidisation and taking money from one arm of the business that was doing okay and sliding it under another to disguise poor performance.
We have knocked out those rorts and untidy accounting habits and practices that were so much a part of the former TIO regime. We have straightened up the organisation and separated its various arms of business. This is, indeed, another chapter in that book. Whilst we have worked hard to build transparency into that organisation - and the independent commissioner will add to that transparency around MACA - let me assure him that that was not always the case.
The commissioner is charged with certain functions - I will just go to the second reading so the member for Nelson is sure of this:
… required to determine contribution amounts in accordance with the prescribed prudential standards aimed at
maintaining an appropriate solvency position for the Motor Accident Compensation Scheme.
You could say that TIO should be able to do that. Well, in the past they did not. In the past, prior to the new management that is in place now, they did not:
Determinations would also be measured against an affordability standard which would be expressed as a proportion of
average weekly earnings.
In a sense, the government or the minister did that. I think the member for Blain referred to an example a few years ago where the advice coming from MACA was that in order to maintain solvency over the immediate financial year ahead required an increase to MACA of some 35%. Government took the view that that was an unsustainable level of increase on motorists.
It is okay to say we have the cheapest registration in the whole of Australia - and we have - but we have the dearest MACA rates in the whole of Australia which drives our overall costs of putting a car on the road towards the top. If MACA costs were not so high, we would be well placed toward the bottom. That is why we have asked the commissioner to determine whatever increase is required against an affordability standard. In order to avoid that 35% increase that was required at that time to keep MACA solvent, government injected $10m into MACA, and the increase was then a more manageable 8%, I think, at the time.
This is where the transparency comes from; this is what the commissioner has to measure everything against in working toward a final determination. You will see that the commissioner is required to consider the recommendations of the TIO and to consult with the responsible minister.
That is the important line for the member for Blain. The member for Blain was saying: ‘The government is going to hide behind the independent commissioner, and the independent commissioner is going to say that MACA has to go up 43%, and the government will say it has nothing to do with us, it is all the commissioner. It is the commissioner’s recommendation based on all of his findings’. That is not true. He has to consult with the Treasurer and the government. If the Treasurer and the minister responsible think that this does not sit very well against an affordability standard, then it is incumbent on government to do what it did a few years ago: it still has to take account of the solvency required to assure sustainability for the MACA scheme. If we were faced with that, and the commissioner came forward and said: ‘This is the increase you are looking at’, then government would probably have to dig deep and say: ‘What does X cash injection do to that level of premium increase that you are putting forward?’
That then can be worked out between the commissioner and the minister. The minister takes the recommendation to Cabinet, or gets a government view. That is relayed to the commissioner and the commissioner can then make the final determination. There is no hiding behind the commissioner here. There is no government blaming the commissioner for putting up MACA. At the end of the day, the political reality always is that because TIO is government owned and run and s a government scheme, it is always government’s fault when MACA contributions have to go up. It does not matter whether you have an independent commissioner or if the independent commissioner did not even have to meet with the minister, there would be no getting away from the fact that, at the end of the day, government is holding the responsibility for this, as it should be - it is a government scheme.
There is no hiding behind the commissioner. We do believe it will build in transparency. Regarding it being an extra layer of bureaucracy, it is a part-time position, something in the order of $50 000 to $60 000 per year to run the independent commissioner - not a great lot in costs to the scheme overall. However, it is another step along the way to independence, transparency, stability, if you like, for the organisation overall and there will be more reforms coming forward through the MACA scheme which I will bring into the House in the near future.
Madam Speaker, with those comments I thank members opposite. I move that the bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, over the past month, the forces of nature have severely affected a number of communities across the Territory’s Top End. The floods in the Katherine region and the damage left by Cyclone Monica in communities such as Maningrida, Jabiru, Oenpelli and Milingimbi have caused much heartache and considerable material loss. However, I am pleased to say that the renowned spirit and resilience of Territorians is alive and well.
It is hard for those observing these natural disasters from the comfort of their lounge rooms to imagine what these communities are going through. We have all been inspired by their incredible grace and good humour under pressure, and their fierce determination to rebuild their lives. After all, things could have been so much worse: a slightly different course and the full force of Cyclone Monica could have hit Nhulunbuy or Darwin. It could have caused extensive damage to many homes and destroyed the livelihoods of potentially countless Territorians. Also, it could have taken lives. We were very lucky. Ultimately, the greatest legacy from our wettest and wildest April on record will be the contribution it makes to our future preparedness and our ability to stay lucky.
Our response and recovery efforts have shown we were relatively well prepared for the events and well equipped for the cleanup. However, we can improve. The past month has given us a unique opportunity to learn, but we must respond in a considered way; it is certainly not a case of rushing out and rewriting the rule books. The experience we have gained as a community and as a government will simply add to the solid work done over many years to have plans in place for emergency response and recovery. These plans continuously evolve in the light of new experiences.
The Disasters Act has been in place for over 20 years and provides the legislative basis for the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Council, which oversees and coordinates the immediate emergency response and recovery action, and allows for the declaration of a state of emergency. The Counter Disaster Council responded quickly to managing the developing situations, led by Commissioner for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Paul White.
We take events such as flooding and cyclones extremely seriously, and that is why I quickly appointed recovery coordinators to oversee both operations and liaise with the affected communities. Former NT government chief executive, Barry Chambers, who was involved in recovery following the 1998 Katherine floods, oversaw the 2006 recovery effort in Katherine. Paul Tyrrell, chief executive of my department, coordinated the Cyclone Monica recovery effort. Both Barry and Paul are highly experienced, well respected, very capable and, most importantly, are aware of the talents and skills available to them in communities.
Last month, the Katherine region was once again inundated by floodwaters. We all remember the devastating events of 1998. At the time it was considered to be a 1 in 100 year flood, but carbon dating has since revealed there were two similar events within a few years of one another 400 to 450 years ago. The communities affected this time were Katherine town, Mataranka, Beswick, Jilkminggan, Binjari and Nauiyu. Barunga, Eva Valley and Bulman were monitored by Power and Water but did not experience any flooding. Heavy rainfall and flooding led to a 48-hour state of emergency being declared on Friday, 7 April, when the Katherine River broke its banks.
I had been looking forward to speaking with residents of the region at our Community Cabinet in Katherine on the Sunday and Monday, but it was not to be. I ended up visiting Katherine earlier than planned. I arrived on the Thursday and again on the Saturday with ministers Henderson, Burns and McAdam, and the chief executives of relevant government departments. Barry Chambers was also with us. We drove around to inspect the flood-affected areas and talked to residents. I stopped at Gwendoline Drive and spoke with residents in the worst affected areas. Remarkably, by lunchtime on Saturday, people were going about their business and beginning the long process of cleaning up. At the shopping centre, I spoke with the pharmacy owner who had made an extraordinary effort to clean and restock shelves. He asked me to let everyone know that they were up and functioning. I take this opportunity to congratulate Woolworths and their local manager, Simon Kennedy; they were involved in flood response and recovery coordination from the outset.
An air of normality was becoming evident in Katherine’s main street by Saturday afternoon. By Sunday evening, most people had returned home from the evacuation centres, and it became even more apparent that the spirit of the people of the Katherine region would prevail. The hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department, which had transferred to the high school with patients transferred to RAAF Base Tindal, was back in operation at the hospital by Sunday morning. The staff worked incredibly hard to clean the floors and disinfect everything ready for business as usual.
Upgrading of infrastructure based on the lessons learned after the 1998 floods meant that Power and Water suffered minimal flood damage to its infrastructure and, indeed, these services continued to operate through the duration of the flood. This was a critical factor in the rapid recovery of the Katherine community. Power was restored to all homes certified as electrically safe in the Katherine township by Sunday, 9 April. Services at the Kalano community were largely operational the next day.
The response and recovery were largely managed by Katherine residents themselves and their local Counter Disaster Committee. Up to 30 people were involved in responding and coordinating on-the-ground action to minimise the impact of flooding, including Katherine Mayor, Anne Shepherd, her chief executive officer, and local business people. This team, ably led by Commander Kate Vanderlaan, worked together extremely well and we are indebted to them for their tireless efforts.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, would you pause. Minister for Health, your conversation is quite loud. Would you mind going elsewhere? Thank you.
Ms MARTIN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I acknowledge and congratulate the administrative and teaching staff of Katherine High School. They ran the evacuation centres established at the school and at MacFarlane Primary School. They accommodated and fed over 600 people for several days in a professional and well controlled manner, which meant both schools were able to quickly return to their normal condition and be ready for the students the following week.
Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff should also be commended, not only for ensuring the main roads were opened quickly after the flooding had receded, but for the major role they will play in the repair of the regional road network, and the extensive building repair program over the coming months.
The Katherine Town Council played a key role and worked in partnership with Territory government agencies to quickly respond to the flood and the subsequent recovery work. Their effort in reopening the waste management facility was an important factor in maintaining public health.
Relief payment arrangements were announced on Sunday, 9 April. For the first time ever these arrangements were administered jointly by the Territory government and Centrelink. In an innovative and very effective move, we shifted money across to Centrelink which then used existing procedures to administer and distribute payments by electronic funds transfer on our behalf. Financial assistance packages were available from the Katherine Centrelink office from Monday, 10 April. By the next day, we had paid out $100 000 and processed 123 financial relief claims and, by the end of last week, around $375 000 had been paid out to over 500 households in the region for immediate relief and temporary accommodation. Assessment of claims relating to essential house repairs and replacement of household items is continuing at a rapid rate. The effective management of the claims process ensured that the money went quickly to people in genuine need.
I am delighted to report that, apart from a small number of people who were severely affected, the town of Katherine is largely back to normal. I am advised that there have been no reports of any environmental health issues such as gastro or mosquito-borne diseases, thanks in part to the swift work of the Department of Health and Community Services. They conducted extensive aerial spraying in Katherine in an effort to control potential mosquito outbreaks. More than 90 ha were treated to prevent mosquito larvae from reaching adult stage and spreading disease.
One story that must be told is the magnificent effort put in by members of the Northern Territory Fire Service and the volunteers who worked with Bushfires NT on the cleanup. As reports were received that the Katherine River was rapidly rising towards flood levels, Bushfires NT senior staff carefully monitored the event and planned for the inevitable cleanup. The flood peaked on the weekend and Bushfires NT staff and volunteers from bushfire brigades from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Batchelor and the Darwin rural area drove to Katherine on the Monday. The team established an independent camp with its own fuel and facilities, including catering, to ensure no additional burden on Katherine’s infrastructure. In three days, the volunteer teams had cleaned 21 houses in Katherine, in addition to the many houses cleaned by the fire service staff. An Alice Springs team departed Katherine on the Wednesday afternoon, and cleaned Mataranka Homestead before going home. One local Katherine volunteer joined up on the Monday, just so that she could make a contribution. It was an inspiring effort all round.
A government website was quickly established to assist with communications flow and it continues to be updated with the latest recovery news. This was of great assistance to the media, as well as to local community members.
A public debrief was held last week, organised and chaired by Katherine Mayor, Anne Shepherd. All key players attended: Kate Vanderlaan, chair of the local Counter Disaster Committee, and Barry Chambers, along with representatives of the main NT governments with a role to play, including senior members of the NT Police, flood forecasters from the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, and the Bureau of Meteorology. I should stress that the government representatives were there to listen, and I congratulate Anne on doing an excellent job. She made sure that members of the community had the chance to express their views and their concerns.
The total cost of recovery work on government buildings and on some local government infrastructure is about $1m. This includes $45 000 to prepare the hospital for reoccupation, $400 000 to allow residents to return to Kalano, and $500 000 for repairs at Beswick.
On Tuesday, 11 April, the government announced that a concessional loans scheme would be available to flood-affected businesses in the region and, additionally, businesses are able to access up to five hours of free coaching, including support and advice when negotiating with insurance and financial institutions, and for the development and review of business recovery plans.
While considerable attention was focused on the recovery effort in Katherine, we should not forget that significant work was also going on in other regional communities, including people returning to their communities, cleanups, restoration of services, and building repairs. A priority was schools, and the government has already announced a $2.5m commitment to provide a new school on higher ground at Beswick.
As Minister for Tourism, I was relieved to learn that there was little impact on tourism in the region. Feedback from many tourism operators in Katherine indicates there was limited negative impact. They were prepared this time, and combined with the fact that the flood was not as devastating as the floods of 1998, has enabled a quick recovery. However, Springvale Homestead, the Low Level Caravan Park, Shady Lane Caravan Park, Douglas Daly Tourist Park and the Mataranka Homestead did receive some flood damage and remained closed for some time after the flooding. I am pleased to report that all are now open for business.
Katherine’s main regional tourist attraction is Katherine Gorge within Nitmiluk National Park. The park’s infrastructure and gorge touring were operational the same day that the road to the gorge was reopened – within four days of the flood. In fact, passengers on The Ghan were able to take boat tours through the gorge in the week following the flood. Best of all, the Katherine Country Music Muster proceeded as planned on the weekend - an extremely well deserved few days of fun activities.
In the wake of the floods, Tourism NT was quick to develop an action plan to help tourism operators recover. The main aim was to promote the fact that the Katherine region was not in crisis and the town and the majority of surrounding areas were open for business. Operational information about tour products and accommodation facilities was also made available to interstate media and potential visitors. A Katherine tourism recovery fact sheet containing accurate information was created and placed on the Tourism NT website and distributed to key trade partners, holiday centres and regional tourism associations.
Shelley Davis, the General Manager of the Katherine Region Tourist Association, and I gave interstate radio interviews reinforcing the message that Katherine was well and truly open for business. Tourism NT also advertised in travel trade magazines, delivering the ‘Katherine is open for business’ message, and worked with the association to develop and distribute a community notice encouraging Territory residents to take their Easter break in Katherine. They also implemented plans to gather market intelligence from strategic locations along main drive market routes leading to the Territory. Information about tourism products in Katherine was also handed out at these locations. I extend a special thank you to Shelley Davis who worked closely with us on a number of recovery initiatives.
As I said previously, Darwin and Nhulunbuy were very lucky to have missed the full force of Cyclone Monica last week, but other communities were not so fortunate. Monica crossed our northern coast as a Category 5 cyclone on Tuesday night, leaving a path of destruction that extended as far inland as Jabiru. Even as she weakened over land, as a cyclone she still had considerable power. Once again, the Counter Disaster Council was quick to respond and the Region 1 committee dealing with Darwin and surrounds, as well as Nhulunbuy, Jabiru and other community committees, began working on rolling out their well-prepared plans.
Commander Kate Vanderlaan, who had just taken up her new appointment in Darwin, was once again in the thick of it heading up the Region 1 committee. Kate, I believe, has now attracted the nickname of ‘Madam Doom’, having had to deal with two potentially disastrous situations within a fortnight. She still has a sense of humour!
A recovery task force was headed up by Paul Tyrrell and the heads of Health, Power and Water, and Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate government recovery efforts. Once again, a website was established to provide comprehensive and current information on progress with the recovery effort. It is regularly updated and can be accessed through the NT government’s website.
I will now provide a brief update on the main communities affected and how they are currently situated. Goulburn Island was largely unaffected but, as a precaution during the cyclone warning and because of the early position of the cyclone and the possibility of storm surge, 344 people were evacuated from Goulburn Island to Pine Creek on Monday, 24 April. They were returned to their homes between the following Thursday and Saturday.
In Maningrida, 50% of the houses suffered some damage, including four which will be demolished, and another eight with severe damage. By yesterday afternoon, all houses declared electrically safe had their power restored. Water and sewerage services were unaffected and phone communications have been restored. The school was partly damaged and that particular section of it will be repaired and opened in July, but temporary arrangements are in place for all students to return to school today.
There was a tad of grumbling in Darwin when we reopened the schools last Wednesday when we had said, initially, they would be closed because we had not been able to assess what might be the full impact of Cyclone Monica. In Maningrida on the Wednesday we had students grumbling to us that they wanted to be at school but, because of the damage to the school and the community, they could not be there. It was an interesting contrast between two communities - Darwin and Maningrida. On this score, Maningrida won.
In Oenpelli, around 40% of houses were damaged, including the school. Like Maningrida, by yesterday power to homes declared electrically safe had been restored. As of Friday, only five out of the 11 bores were working, but the water was not potable, so 5000 litres a day for drinking and personal hygiene has been shipped in. I can report, as of yesterday, the boiling of water requirements has been lifted and water at Oenpelli is now clear to drink. The Power and Water Corporation is working with the local community to ensure that water is used in the most efficient and economic way until the system is fully operational.
The school, which was partly damaged, is expected to reopen later this week after all fallen trees have been removed and the site is certified clear of any asbestos. The issue of asbestos in damaged buildings is being addressed in all our communities affected by the cyclone. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has arranged for an expert asbestos contractor to inspect the communities and to remove asbestos where necessary.
In Jabiru, the only damage has been from fallen trees. Power, water and sewerage services are operating as normal. Staff from Energy Resources Australia worked closely with Power and Water to restore power to Jabiru.
All of the communities affected have received visits from welfare staff from the Department of Health and Community Services to assess what people need in financial assistance and items such as mattresses and other bedding. We are also working with the Australian government Department of Family and Community Services to ensure that people from 52 outstations in the affected area have what they need, including food and fuel.
As you could image, getting these communities back on track has required an enormous effort from a range of people. The team work and dedication we have seen has been truly inspiring. I saw it first hand at Maningrida and Oenpelli when I visited last week with the Minister for Essential Services, Paul Henderson, and local member, Marion Scrymgour. The spirit, good humour and determination of those people was incredibly uplifting. For example, chainsaw teams made up of volunteers from Northern Territory Emergency Services have been working with locals in both communities to clear fallen trees. These volunteers have now been replaced by contractors who are continuing the task of clearing the fallen trees.
Madam Speaker, if you remember, one thing about the visit to the Maningrida and Oenpelli communities was the sight of the enormous mahoganies which had been providing shade to the communities, with amazingly large root balls, toppled across parts of schools, homes and power lines. That is the overriding impression – the large mahoganies. The minister for the Environment has now decided that we should outlaw mahoganies in communities and is going to take carriage of a replanting program of appropriate shade trees. So, over to you, minister.
People like the chainsaw teams made up of volunteers and the contractors have done a terrific job with those trees, and so have the many people from Power and Water and Planning and Infrastructure and their contractors in responding so well to the urgent needs of these communities. In fact, Risto Laine, who is Managing Director of AA Electrical in Maningrida, said he was overwhelmed with the support and assistance given by the people of the community who have worked tirelessly to get things back into shape. He singled out Vern Pech, the essential services officer at Maningrida, and said he has never experienced such commitment, willingness and effort from community people. That is a huge compliment as Risto has been involved in every natural disaster-affected community in the northern region since 1980, including the restoration of power services in Timor-Leste in 1999.
As well as the local emergency services people, I particularly commend the police for their leadership and professionalism in preparing the communities for the impending cyclone and responding to their needs immediately afterwards. I spoke to a number of police during my visit last Wednesday and was impressed with their commitment to the safety of their communities. It was reassuring that most residents, including those in Darwin, acted appropriately in response to the advice that was issued. Most Darwin region people living in homes built to the building code opted to stay home, while others proceeded to official cyclone shelters.
As I said earlier, events such as the Katherine region floods and Cyclone Monica provide us all with an opportunity to assess how well our emergency response and recovery procedures work, and to make improvements based on these experiences.
Barry Chambers, who coordinated the Katherine region flood recovery effort, will be submitting a report containing a number of recommendations to the recovery task force and to the Counter Disaster Council. The report will cover a range of issues, including issues raised at last week’s meeting in Katherine. These include the need for an improved flood warning system, which would need to be widely understood and accepted by the public; additional ways of coordinating and disseminating flood information by better use of modern communication technology, ensuring that residents have accurate, up-to-date information on which to base their decision making; the role of national media, as well as local media such as community radio; the need for an annual public education campaign on flooding in the Katherine region, similar to the annual campaign in relation to cyclones; making better use of community volunteers, many of whom are keen to help but unable to because there is no mechanism in which to tap; and the need to recognise different geographic and community interests as different information is needed at different times.
Over the next week or two we will detail a process which will allow residents of the Katherine region to have input into the changes that may be made to flood response and recovery procedures. Community Cabinet for Katherine has been rescheduled to mid-May and this will provide a further opportunity to engage with the community, including the Katherine Town Council.
In relation to Cyclone Monica, one issue which may need to be looked at is how likely we are to experience cyclones of this strength in the future. We will be seeking advice from weather and engineering experts in relation to our current building codes and whether they still meet our requirements. We will also take this opportunity to consider whether the arrangements we have in place for cyclone shelters are still appropriate. As members would be aware, building code requirements were reviewed following Cyclone Tracy and the levels finally adopted were similar to what they are now. There have been a number of reviews of the code since that time but, in essence, they have remained constant.
The Territory is divided into three regions with different building requirements. Buildings within 50 km of coasts such as the greater Darwin area, Elcho Island and Nhulunbuy are designed to withstand winds associated with a mid-range Category 4 cyclone. Buildings in areas within 50 km to 100 km of the coast, such as Jabiru and Batchelor, are designed to withstand winds associated with a mid-range Category 3 cyclone, and buildings in areas further than 100 km from the coast such as Katherine, Pine Creek and even Alice Springs are designed to withstand winds associated with the top of a Category 2 cyclone.
I am advised by engineering experts that there is no common method of construction which can guarantee 100% protection from a cyclone. What the codes provide for is cyclone resistant construction to certain levels commensurate with a reasonable assessment of risk. Our experience with Cyclones Ingrid and Monica has shown that houses and buildings built to the code can withstand severe conditions very well. All of us who enjoy living in typical, tropical elevated homes would agree we would not want to be living in windowless and very expensive concrete bunkers. Therefore, it is a matter of weighing up the likely frequency of extreme weather events against what we can reasonable do to protect ourselves and our property.
Together with the Counter Disaster Committee we will be looking closely at the issue of material on construction sites. We need to establish clear lines of responsibility when it comes to ensuring that potentially lethal objects are secured and safe.
It is not a perfect world and we will experience flooding and cyclones again. Maybe next time we will not be so lucky. However, with the right planning and attitude we will be in the best possible position to ride out these natural disasters.
I am confident we have the right planning in place and we are continuing to learn from these experiences. We also have a community attitude which cannot be defeated by these severe natural events. It is still too early to accurately measure what the two events have cost, but I would suggest it will be many millions of dollars. Our agencies are still making those assessments. My colleagues will provide more detail in their contributions to this statement.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the emergency services people on the ground, the volunteers, government workers, businesses, contractors, local government organisations and local residents, not forgetting our Defence Forces, who have done so much to help the affected communities get back on their feet. Their spirit and determination are an inspiration to all of us. I wish all those involved over the last month all the best in the weeks and months ahead.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the opposition I sincerely thank the Chief Minister for making this statement today. It was not a surprise because all of us would agree it was perfectly appropriate for the Chief Minister to do so. I thank her for her comments. Whilst we in this Chamber are in the business of politics, all of us take our responsibilities to the people of the Northern Territory seriously. We know Territorians deal with these disasters from time to time and what we, as a parliament and politicians and community leaders, need to do - and the Chief Minister touched upon it - is to ensure we learn from the lessons.
Because of the state of various reviews and so on, I propose to be brief. I am sure the Chief Minister will be disappointed about that. I know she enjoys hearing what I have to say and values my contributions so very much.
I was in Katherine last week and spoke to a number of people. The Chief Minister and other members of government, ministers in particular, will know some of their concerns. Many of them have been ventilated at the public meeting early last week. I also met the Mayor, Anne Shepherd, and she outlined some of the difficulties and problems that were experienced during the Katherine floods.
For my own part, my colleagues and I agreed that we were not going to make a political opportunity out of this. I very strongly was of the view that I was not about to travel to Katherine for the purpose of elbowing other politicians out of the way. My view was that we should, as a responsible opposition, allow the three levels of government - that is local, Territory and Commonwealth - to go in and do what they can. I had a real sense - and I am not stupid; I know always what we can and cannot do – of not treating this as a political opportunity. What a responsible opposition can do is to follow up with the process; to go to Katherine and other places several weeks hence to ask the people there: ‘You were promised all of these things by the three levels of government. How can we help? Do you need us to do some jumping up and down on your behalf?’
Having said that, in relation to the people of Katherine, I am, for the most part, satisfied with the process in place so far. I look forward to hearing more from government. I invite the Chief Minister to - and I am sure she will – present another statement in due course to update us on the ongoing stages of the reviews. There is widespread confidence shared by the opposition in Mr Barry Chambers. I am sure he will do a good job. He was also at the public meeting in Katherine; he is a bright bloke and I am sure he took up all of the recommendations. My meeting with the Katherine Mayor, Anne Shepherd, was very useful.
The sad thing in the Northern Territory is that we have these disasters. On the one hand practice makes perfect, but on the other hand you do not want to practice these things too often. You do not want to practice things like Katherine floods or Cyclone Monica. However, always lessons can be learned. It is incumbent upon government and us as opposition to get the details, watch what happens and await demonstrated commitments to identify what went wrong, and how things can be done better. If that means more protocols, more documents coming from government and the various agencies, then so be it. It is important that Territorians see in their government, their politicians and their parliament a responsible way forward. That is, after all, what we are paid for.
In relation to Cyclone Monica, I was pleased but not surprised to hear the Chief Minister in her statement talk about some of the things that were included in the media release by me dated 28 April. I suppose it would be called a suggestive media release. We made a number of suggestions and I will quote from the media release:
There have been reports of building sites not being cleared in preparation, or residential properties not being properly secured.
The question needs to be asked whether the rules, regulations and penalties we have in place are adequate …
I went on to say:
For example, the Australian Building Code sets construction standards for buildings to withstand winds of up to 279 km/h or a
Category 4 cyclone. Cyclone Monica was Category 5 with 350 km/h winds, an eye about 100 km wide and moving at just over
10 km/h. Had she struck, Darwin residents would have been subjected to this intensity for 10 hours or more.
I also said in the release:
There have been no new shelters built in Darwin for some years, yet the population has grown. One aspect to consider is the
need for additional shelters.
Also, whether the existing shelters need to be upgraded. Certainly, in some of the areas out of Darwin, I am advised that some of them do.
I am concerned to have heard some stories, that if everyone in particular areas actually did go into that shelter, then the shelter would not have coped. I am sure the minister for Emergency Services in particular is onto this issue.
Another comment made in the media release of 28 April was that government should allocate money in this year’s budget. We are a little different from government in the sense that we said:
The government should allocate money in this year’s budget for the purpose of evaluating how we can improve our readiness
for a destructive cyclone or other natural disasters and how better we can respond to these unique circumstances …
It may well be that the government’s structure that it has in place at present will be enough. I simply ask government to look beyond the agencies and the public service. It may well be an opportunity to engage others. I am sure that we have expertise in the Territory but, if we do not, I am sure there are others around Australia to provide us with some additional information. Basically, there is no stone that should not be turned in order to find a solution and to identify what improvements can be made.
The evaluation is clearly important. That was what I understood from the Chief Minister’s statement. However, I simply say that I would like the government to consider whether it should be evaluated, perhaps, as a second phase outside the confines of the agencies.
We are committed to a bipartisan approach to any assessment. Indeed, we made the invitation that assessments and evaluations include members of the opposition, as well as representatives from various departments involved in the coordination of disaster strategy. It may well be - and I suspect government will not agree with this – that, in addition to the protocols, there should be included a briefing for the opposition. I am not saying this in order to be difficult. I well understand the Police minister and minister for Emergency Services had a lot on his plate. I was fortunate to be in Alice Springs and my phone was ringing hot because people wanted information. I really was not able to give them much over and above what was in the media. The Minister for Central Australia was probably in Darwin at the same time. We might be small in numbers, but we are still Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, and I simply ask the minister to consider that. I will not lose sleep in the event that he does not take it on board, as I suspect he will not. In any event, it might just be a good governance issue if Territorians knew that all politicians were regularly advised and received briefings to the extent that it was possible. I say to the minister that I understand how busy he was.
Over and above that, the final issue I referred to in my media release of 28 April was the debate earlier last week between Lord Mayor, Peter Adamson, and the government over the Stuart Park site regarding who does and does not have responsibility for its management. I recall the Chief Minister referring to issues such as that in her statement. I have confidence that government will address that as well.
Government is very much onto these issues; they know that there are people around the Territory who have something to say. I simply invite government to ensure that the process is transparent and accountable. Please do not hide the bad bits; Territorians are tough enough to look at the entire effects and details of an evaluation, and it is Territorians who should be invited to comment on them.
One point in relation to Katherine that I omitted to mention was the issue of flood mitigation. We, as politicians, are going to have to give flood mitigation in Katherine some serious thought. I know that there are a number of views as to what, in fact, can be done. However, from the people I spoke with in my time in Katherine, they were pretty much of the view that, yes, the government should act on it.
It is a curly one for government as well as opposition. The business people of Katherine, in particular, were saying that they were concerned about the image of Katherine with southerners. They did not want - and none of us do - the image of Katherine to be: ‘Oh, it is a place that always floods’. We know that that is not the reality. We know that it has not flooded since the 1998 floods, and here we are in 2006. However, they were very concerned. The Minister for Essential Services is also minister for Business, and I am sure when he goes to Katherine for the Community Cabinet - and I commend government on the timing of that - he will hear these concerns as well. I am sure that it will concern him.
The fact is that we in the Territory depend significantly on the tourism dollar. I note the Chief Minister made some encouraging comments about tourism, which was terrific. However, we do not want to discourage tourists or, indeed, potential new residents to Katherine. We do not want one half of a partnership to contemplate the possibility of moving to Katherine, but then the other partner to say: ‘I am concerned because it floods a lot’. I simply ask the government to take that on board.
I take the opportunity to thank Senator Nigel Scullion and minister Joe Hockey for getting to Katherine reasonably quickly. I note their efforts were applauded by many people in Katherine, as well as, I understand, by the Chief Minister.
I received an e-mail today, and I can give no other details, except that it is from a bloke called Stan. I know that if government ministers are not listening their staff will be, and I would like to simply read it out. I do not know this Stan. It is dated today and I received it at, it says 9 pm, but that cannot be possible. In any case, it says:
Dear Leader of the Opposition,
Tonight I e-mailed Martin, Henderson and Knight …
I am sorry, Mr Deputy Speaker, this will sound a little unparliamentary, but please bear with me:
… to tell them they are useless. Out here at the Marrakai area, we have been isolated by three kilometres of water, one metre deep,
for a week. People are starting to run out of food, etcetera. What have they done? Nothing. They cannot even arrange a bus
from Palmerston and a flat bottomed boat to ferry the people across. Maybe the army could help. Produce is rotting and
losing hundreds of dollars a day but the government doesn’t ‘give a stuff’. This is a major highway, not some bush track, it needs fixing.
Regards, Stan.
I can assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and other members, that I did not mean for that to be unparliamentary. I do not know who Stan is. I will e-mail him back and say that I have read that e-mail out in parliament. I am sure that government may know who he is and they can help him out. At these times, government has a role to play and it is about responding well to the needs of Territorians. I thought it appropriate in the context of this statement to read out Stan’s e-mail.
The opposition extends its thanks to all involved, all of the emergency workers and others, those in agencies. I know it involved a lot of work by everyone involved, including members of government. I thank them on behalf of so many people in the Northern Territory for their efforts. No one likes it when these things come along, but come along they do, and will always come along in the Northern Territory.
My point in conclusion is that it is just as well the TIO was not sold. That was an issue which came up, particularly when I was in Katherine. What a good backflip that one was, and the people of Katherine are very happy.
With those comments, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will conclude. I thank the Chief Minister for making this statement. It is appropriate and timely. I look forward to hearing from other ministers from government as to their experiences and, in particular, hearing from them as to their commitment for the path going forward.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement today. As Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and also minister for Power and Water, I am proud to be the minister for these agencies. Within these agencies are some remarkably dedicated men and women who really do put themselves out there in the front line leading up to a disaster. They bunk down with the community when the disaster is immediately affecting those communities, and then they are the first to respond to the disaster. We have a great body of men and women across all government agencies, but certainly in my agencies of Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Power and Water. They have done a magnificent job over the month of April.
It has been quite a remarkable month, as the Chief Minister said, with two major natural disasters occurring which could have been catastrophic. We were very fortunate to get away as lightly as we did. That is not underestimating the impact of both the flood in Katherine and the surrounding regions and Cyclone Monica which hit Maningrida, Oenpelli and Jabiru.
What happened in Katherine from a Police, Fire and Emergency Services point of view was that on Wednesday, 5 April at 8 am, the Counter Disaster Flood Plan was initiated when the Katherine River Gorge height was at 6.46 m. The Counter Disaster Planning Committee held twice daily meetings throughout the situation. The Chief Minister and I attended two of those meetings, and the members for Daly and Arnhem attended one. It was very rewarding to see the level of commitment by the people of Katherine, and across government agencies, non-government organisations, RAAF Base Tindal, Telstra, and Woolies. People attending those meetings put their own individual plans into place and contributed to the decision-making process. I pay tribute to each and every one of those people on the Katherine Counter Disaster Planning Committee.
The higher level Counter Disaster Council, which the committee reports to, is chaired in Darwin by Police Commissioner Paul White. It was also convened daily through the event and received regular updates from the Katherine committee.
Later on Wednesday, the committee went to Stage 3 of the Flood Plan which is ‘extreme’. The river height at the gorge was 7.5 m and rising. A decision was made to close the schools the following day as a precaution. The river was expected to peak at around 18 m in the early hours of the morning, causing localised flooding to low-lying areas.
The committee’s Welfare Group, as well as police patrols, spent the day doorknocking and advising residents of the situation. Communities down river from Katherine, including Jilkminggan, Daly River and Beswick, went on standby. Later that night it was clear that the river was going to exceed its predicted maximum height. The revised estimate was 19 m by the next morning. The Counter Disaster Committee revised plans accordingly, and Katherine Hospital and the Rocky Ridge Nursing Home were evacuated at 10.30 pm with assistance from personnel from RAAF Base Tindal.
I had the opportunity to go to RAAF Base Tindal with the Commissioner Paul White and my colleague, the Health Minister. They did a tremendous job at very short notice taking the patients not only from the hospital, but also from the nursing home, and accommodating them at the RAAF Base. It was a fine performance and I thank everybody there for looking after our elderly and sick people. They were saying that some of the residents of the nursing home were reluctant to leave as the food at the RAAF Base was so good they wanted to stay.
Doorknocking continued in the areas of Katherine North and South, and Northbank to alert residents. Around 70 houses in Katherine North and 110 in Katherine South, as well as a range of businesses in the area and residents of Gwendoline Drive, were doorknocked or contacted by phone. Katherine High School and Casuarina Street Primary School opened as evacuation shelters at 10.50 pm, and Darwin police were despatched to Katherine to assist with evacuations and recovery as needed.
On Thursday, 6 April at 10.50 am, the flood siren activated alerting residents in Katherine North, Katherine South, and the central business district to move to higher ground. Affected people were asked to attend one of the four staging posts where local buses transferred them to Katherine High School, Casuarina Street Primary School, and MacFarlane Primary School. Residents were urged to stay calm and follow the direction of authorities. They were reminded to ensure they took required medication as well as bedding and food with them to higher ground.
Power and Water began shutting down power along Gorge Road. Later that afternoon the water at Katherine Bridge was around 18.8 m. It began entering low lying areas through the drainage system. Around 600 people at this point were received at evacuation centres. That evening, more than 200 residents of Jilkminggan were evacuated in the face of rising floodwaters; a long and difficult process using two flood boats from Mataranka Emergency Services and Parks and Wildlife. Police and Emergency Services were assisted in the evacuation by Parks and Wildlife, Mataranka community members, Jilkminggan community members, and stranded motorists.
Meanwhile, the Katherine Region Counter Disaster Committee and residents of Katherine waited for the river to peak. The prediction was at 19.2 m that night; upstream at the gorge water levels had began to fall. Water began to breach the banks at O’Shea Terrace and personnel monitored the situation to see how much of it impacted on levels in the CBD area.
Police received a call that five boys were stuck in a tree near Zimin Drive on the Victoria Highway. Members of the Tactical Response Group responded in an inflatable boat. The boys were all returned safely but one 16-year-old boy was treated by St John Ambulance Service after being bitten by a freshwater crocodile. It is one of the great stories of the flood and it is just incredible: the NT News will always get that front page story about a crocodile and they did as a result of the Katherine flood.
TRG members were also amongst the first contingent of police including marine and fisheries and general duties members who travelled to Katherine to assist in the coordinated response to the flood situation. On Friday, 7 April 2006, water at the Katherine bridge rose from 18.93 m to 18.95 m, just short of the predicted 19.2 m mark. Levels at the gorge dropped and no further rain was recorded in the catchment. The schools remained closed and evacuation shelters remained open.
It was recommended by the Counter Disaster Council to declare a state of emergency for Katherine to assist the Regional Counter Disaster Committee in managing the emergency situation. The situation in Katherine began improving slowly; the water level at the bridge was 18.77 m and falling. At the gorge, it was 7.75 m and falling.
The cleanup at Beswick was begun, disinfectant supplies were sent out and sewerage, power and water checked as community residents moved back into the area. Emergency Services responded to a range of requests from a number of communities cut off by floodwaters.
In Katherine, around 600 people remained at Katherine High and MacFarlane Primary School. As the waters began receding from Katherine the recovery process began whilst the flood watch started to focus on areas further downstream including the Daly River community. The local Counter Disaster Committee there had already held meetings and made preparations. In Katherine, the floodwaters continued to fall. Food drops took place for Ivanoff and Helena Road residents who remained cut off by floodwaters.
On Saturday, 8 April 2006, the town centre began to reopen and recovery measures commenced. That is when the Chief Minister and I first went down. The Victoria Highway and the Stuart Highway reopened and over the next few days the situation on the Daly was monitored closely with extra emergency service resources and personnel despatched to the community along the river.
On Saturday, 15 April 2006, it was clear that the floodwaters were not going to reach a point requiring evacuation of the community and Emergency Services began scaling down their efforts. The member for Daly and I visited the Daly River community on Thursday, 13 April 2006. I was very impressed with the local Counter Disaster Committee which had been meeting and all the preparations were being put in place. Like many people in remote parts of the Territory, they know their community very well. They know the patterns of the rivers which feed into the catchments and what they are doing. I was very impressed with the level of commitment by the people on that Counter Disaster Committee. It was very fortunate that we did not have to evacuate the people of the Daly River community.
There are many people to thank in regards to the Katherine floods, both with preparation and also in the response and recovery phase. The government will be receiving a report from the meeting that was held last week with an open forum chaired by the Mayor and attended by Barry Chambers. Mr Chamber’s report will be given very careful consideration in terms of the lessons to be learned.
There was an element of confusion in Katherine about the sounding of the siren. That will be taken on board. Given it was the first time the siren had been sounded since 1998, there are some issues. At the end of the day, people made decisions based on the best information they had at the time. It was a strong community effort in contributing to those decisions.
I thank Commander Kate Vanderlaan and all of the police officers who helped the community through this incident, around all of the communities and in Katherine; Mike Bowman and all of the team at Emergency Services who worked around the clock to monitor the situation and provide all manner of assistance from food drops to coordinating the evacuation site for Daly River residents which, thankfully, was not needed; the Emergency Service volunteers from a number of Emergency Services groups including Katherine, Darwin, Mataranka, Pine Creek and Daly River; NT Fire and Rescue Services; firefighters; auxiliaries; and the Bushfires Council - they did a wonderful job in the cleanup.
I went to Katherine on 11 April, the following week, with the Police Commissioner to thank people personally. The number of people who had turned out to take the cleaning kits to people’s homes and help them clean up was amazing. I do not know how many of the RAAFies at RAAF Base Tindal turned up. I met a couple of young fellows who were sitting around at home having a beer watching the football and decided they should go and help. They came down and got stuck into the cleanup effort. It was a huge community volunteer effort.
All the members on the Katherine Local Counter Disaster Committee did a great job. The Australian Defence Force in Darwin and Tindal supplied considerable support at short notice by way of bedding and blankets for the shelters. As I said before, the Power and Water staff got services back up and running as quickly as possible.
It is important to remember that many of these people were residents of these affected areas. Whilst they were working tirelessly to help others, some of them had their own homes under threat. I met some of those people: their own homes were flooded, but they were there at every single meeting assisting their communities. They, along with many other people who helped their communities out during this time, are the real heroes. They gave up their time and expertise without complaint to ensure residents were safe and well.
Some businesses in the main street were directly affected, as were businesses on the Victoria Highway, Mataranka and Douglas Daly region. My officers from DBERD have been out on the ground talking to business to assess the damage. Flood relief packages have been offered to small businesses and primary producers affected by the flooding. The package includes concessional loans and free business coaching. The business coaching is aimed at supporting operators in their negotiations with insurance companies, financial institutions, the ATO, and to review flood management business plans.
Additional Darwin-based staff from DBERD have been on the ground in the Katherine and Douglas Daly region. They have been helping the local DBERD staff to provide assistance, advice and support to flood-affected businesses and primary producers. As part of the overall review of the response and recovery efforts which is currently under way, there will be a specific focus on local businesses and issues arising for them out of the flooding.
Power and Water had a huge response. Places affected by the flood were Katherine township, Mataranka, Beswick, Jilkminggan and Binjari. In Katherine, 130 power customers had to be disconnected due to inundation, or where inundation was imminent. Once those floodwaters had receded, houses were assessed by Power and Water network staff, and customers who had not suffered water inundation had power restored. Customers who had water inundation were advised to contact an electrical contractor for an inspection, and a certificate of compliance was required before power could be restored.
Casablanca Estate had to be isolated due to floodwaters. Once floodwaters had receded, power was restored. Kalano town camp power was not isolated due to flooding of the access road. All residents were evacuated prior to the road flooding and, once the water had receded, network staff isolated the whole of Kalano. Once housing had been checked by an electrical contractor and a certificate of compliance was issued, power was restored.
Water storage tanks had been taken off-line for cleaning, and the town water supply was switched from river water to bore water. Systems were monitored and, once water had receded, testing of the water supply commenced and the town went back to its normal water supply. The sewerage system was actively monitored during the flood and there was no significant interruption to services.
Power and Water staff did a great job at Mataranka, Beswick, Jilkminggan and Binjari. I was very impressed. This was the first time, as Power and Water minister, I have had carriage of the agency when they have had to respond to a significant event. They have done a magnificent job across the Territory.
Just as the flooding crisis began to die down, Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel were barely given time for a breather when Cyclone Monica began bearing down on the Top End. I heard one weather forecaster say that Monica was as close as you could get to the perfect storm, given how that storm was constructed and the velocity and intensity of the winds that it packed.
At 5 pm on 18 April, island communities between Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy were placed on a cyclone watch. Counter Disaster Committees met at Alyangula, Bickerton Island, Nhulunbuy and Numbulwar to discuss preparation and response issues. Over the next few days, as the cyclone led a slow dance towards the Top End, the communities prepared for the worst.
The Bureau of Meteorology website has been a marvellous innovation; all of us were watching Monica, the predicted path she was to take, and just could not believe that the community of Nhulunbuy was about to be battered by a Category 5 cyclone. All our thoughts and prayers were certainly with the good residents of Nhulunbuy. I know the local member received many phone calls from friends and colleagues wanting to ensure that everything was okay.
The local Counter Disaster Council in Nhulunbuy did a magnificent job preparing the community. Tony Fuller, who is in charge, did an amazing job, and when the call came for residents to take shelter, people. Fortunately, the cyclone skirted Nhulunbuy and proceeded towards Elcho Island, Millingimbi, Croker Island and Goulburn Island where additional police officers were sent.
On 24 April, Darwin and surrounds were placed on a cyclone warning. The Counter Disaster Committee met and Darwin residents were urged to make cyclone preparations. Three hundred and forty-eight residents from Goulburn Island, directly in the path of Monica, were evacuated by light aircraft to Jabiru and bussed to Pine Creek. I have been speaking to the Police Commissioner about this. I believe that it is probably the largest single evacuation …
Dr TOYNE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that that the member be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank my colleague and the indulgence of the House. It is important that I put this on the record. I will be as brief as I can.
For the evacuation of Goulburn Island, something like 52 separate charter flights between Jabiru and Goulburn were required to get those residents off the island and then bussed to Pine Creek, probably the largest single evacuation of a community that the Territory has seen. I stand corrected, but nobody can think of a similar example.
Two police members who were on the ground on Goulburn Island coordinated the evacuation. Facilities were set up at Pine Creek by the Emergency Services and the Australian Defence Force. The Counter Disaster Council met that evening in Darwin to receive the latest update on the progress of Monica across the Top End. Council members heard that, at Millingimbi, water was lapping at some low lying houses due to the tidal surge but residents were safe and sheltering from the storm.
At Maningrida, the school had sustained damage to some parts of its roof. The people using it as the shelter had moved to other parts of the building. Most of the buildings in the community were suffering some level of leakage, and one clad home had collapsed off its stilts. It was unoccupied at the time. Some power lines in the community were down and small to medium trees were blown down. Community residents were safe, with no injuries sustained by any one sheltering from the high winds.
At Ramingining, there were no dangerous winds but there was heavy rain. On the Cobourg Peninsula, 27 people took shelter in their own buildings. In the Darwin area, emergency responders closely monitored the storm surge risk.
Early in the morning on 25 April, it became clear that Darwin would miss the worst of Monica as the system tracked further south and inland than was predicted. Jabiru experienced significant rain and wind in the early hours of the morning. Two shelters were open in the town, with around 70 people using the designated shelters.
Region 1 Counter Disaster Committee stood down at 10.30 am, cyclone shelters closed and schools opened the following day. The cleanup continued on Millingimbi and got under way at Maningrida. The Police Air Wing carried out a flyover assessment of Jabiru, Oenpelli and Maningrida, along with Department of Planning and Infrastructure personnel, and extensive damage was recorded in Oenpelli and Jabiru.
Again, the people at Power and Water were some of the first people out on the ground. They did a magnificent job trying to restore services in those communities. Maningrida and Oenpelli were the worst affected and work still continues in those communities.
Maningrida sustained significant damage to the distribution system, and the sewerage system also went down. In Oenpelli there was damage to the distribution system poles and twisted wires. The water supply was not operational and Power and Water staff have been working on these for the last week. The Chief Minister and I visited Maningrida and Oenpelli with the local member, the member for Arafura; the Commissioner and other Police staff; and Power and Water people and the CEO, Kim Wood. We were very impressed by the resilience of people in those communities who were affected by a very significant cyclone.
There will be thorough debriefs put in place in regard to not only the preparation for a significant flood or cyclone across the Top End and what we can learn of the preparation, but also what we can do better by way of response and recovery. Those recommendations will come to government and will be given every consideration.
In regard to the Leader of the Opposition’s comments about the cyclone shelters and their ability to sustain Category 5 winds, this will all be considered in the assessments. However, we have had two Category 5 cyclones in two years hitting communities; Ingrid last year, and Monica this year. All of the homes built to the current cyclone code on Crocker Island and in Maningrida held strong. That gives us much confidence in the current code.
The Leader of the Opposition also talked about an e-mail received from a fellow called Stan at Marrakai. The advice I have is that Emergency Services will be ringing Marrakai today to see if they need anything there. My advice is that at no stage have they rung Emergency Services - I do not know if this is Stan, but I assume it is - requesting assistance. I am further advised that over the past week the Corroboree Park Tavern has been organising supplies, which are coming from the Humpty Doo Tavern, including alcohol, to be air-boated across the river. Currently, supplies of bread, milk, cigarettes, washing powder and newspapers are running low, and the landlord of the Corroboree Park Tavern has arranged an air-boat to ferry these across.
To Stan, I will be following up on this. However, my advice is that there has been no direct request to Emergency Services for assistance. They will be contacting people in that area today to see if any further assistance needs to be provided.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for this statement to the House. I congratulate all of the people in my agencies who have been involved. They really have done a wonderful job.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Mr Deputy Speaker, I also wish to highlight the wonderful response to the two near disasters we suffered. Many of our health professionals played key roles in the preparation and follow-up to the Katherine floods and, together with other health professionals, were called upon again in the preparation and response for Cyclone Monica. I take this opportunity to again thank all of the people involved for their dedication and hard work during these demanding times. I had great pleasure personally thanking many of the people who worked in the Katherine situation when I was there to see how things were going.
On Wednesday, 5 April, the Katherine Counter Disaster Committee met and commenced planning for the potential flooding of Katherine, including evacuation preparations for the Katherine District Hospital patients, Rocky Ridge Aged Care Facility residents, and local residents.
On Thursday, 6 April, residents of Katherine North, Katherine South and central business district were advised to move to higher ground. All patients from Katherine Hospital were transferred, with 19 patients taken to the RAAF Base in Tindal and eight high-risk patients transferred to the Royal Darwin Hospital. By midday, public shelters were operational with about 200 people utilising them. An emergency department was set up at the Katherine High School shelter to provide an acute care medical service for the community.
Patient Assistance Travel Scheme staff commenced making arrangements for 16 renal patients to be transferred from Katherine and accommodated in Darwin for renal dialysis at Nightcliff and Palmerston renal units, and at the Royal Darwin Hospital. Rocky Ridge Hostel and Nursing Home residents were initially evacuated to the Katherine High School shelter and were then transferred to the RAAF Base Tindal, where they received ongoing care. Public Health staff were placed on standby for post-flood public health response for Katherine and for the surrounding communities affected by the flood waters.
At the Daly River community, floodwaters were predicted to continue to rise, and antenatal patients were evacuated. A site near Pine Creek was assessed for suitability as an evacuation centre for Daly River residents. At the same time, the community of Palumpa was experiencing flooding. The airstrip was closed, 10 sewerage pumps closed down, and there was a risk of contamination of the local water supply. Darwin remote Environmental Health Officers were notified and commenced preparations for response. The communities of Jabiru and Beswick were cut off by floodwaters, but no health risks were present at this time. Ongoing monitoring of this situation by Health and Community Services staff continued.
By 8 pm, Katherine public shelters were operational with about 600 people utilising these shelters. On Thursday, 7 April, a state of emergency had been declared by the Northern Territory government. Seven hundred people were now utilising public shelters. Royal Darwin Hospital sent seven nurses to Katherine to provide relief for Katherine nursing staff. Another eight nurses were placed on standby to travel to Katherine if needed. Pharmaceuticals, stores and nutritional supplements were transported to Katherine from the Royal Darwin Hospital.
On Saturday, 8 April, three environmental health officers travelled to Katherine to assist with staff relief and assessment of domestic and commercial buildings. Two environmental health officers travelled to Beswick to assess the public health risk. By Sunday, 9 April, the Katherine floodwaters were receding. All hospital patients were transferred back to the Katherine District Hospital, Rocky Ridge residents were transported to Rocky Ridge Hostel and Nursing Home, and the Royal Darwin Hospital nurses who were on standby were notified they were no longer required.
On Monday, 10 April, the state of emergency for Katherine ceased. Daly River was predicted to continue to rise over the next two to three days, and the evacuation plans for the Daly River community were put in progress. Katherine commenced recovery mode and the cleanup operation commenced. Katherine High School continued as an unofficial shelter for another 24 hours. Most dialysis patients returned to Katherine, and most Royal Darwin Hospital nurses returned to Darwin. Environmental health officers were organised to visit Jilkminggan in the next 24 hours to assess the health risk. Environmental health officers assessed commercial premises in Katherine, where access was permitted, to provide advice to business owners regarding cleaning and sanitising premises prior to reopening.
With a large amount of water lying around the community and the public health risk of mosquitoes transmitting infections, Medical Entomology staff travelled to Katherine to commence assessment of the situation and spraying for mosquitoes. Contact was made with the Sunrise Health Board, chief executive officer for Department of Health and Community Services’ Properties, and Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff members to visit Jilkminggan and Beswick communities to assess buildings for damage.
By Tuesday, 11 April, the Katherine High School shelter was officially closed. Three Darwin environmental health officers returned to Darwin and two local environmental health officers remained in Katherine. The Medical Entomology team remained in Katherine addressing issues of priority. The Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment issued employee arrangements and the local staff were offered leave for a well-earned rest, and to clean up their own houses.
While the response to the flooding at Katherine and surrounding communities was under way, a cyclone named Monica was developing and threatened the east coast of far north Queensland. By 20 April, it had crossed the Queensland coast into the Gulf of Carpentaria and was headed for the east coast of the Northern Territory. With the notification of Cyclone Monica, the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Plan was again activated. The Department of Health and Community Services placed the Top End, east Arnhem and Darwin regions, medical, public health and welfare groups on standby to prepare for the event of a cyclone. All hospitals in the region began preparations to assist Gove Hospital as the cyclone approached.
On Friday, 21 April 2006, an acute care hospital network plan was implemented which involved Royal Darwin Hospital, Katherine Hospital and the Northern Territory Aerial Medical Services to transfer patients from the Gove Hospital. Gove Hospital prepared for the potential of a direct hit by the cyclone and coordinated hospital services including trauma teams, radiography and pharmacy services, triage and first aid teams to assist at the public shelter. All hospital staff worked in a highly cooperative manner, with many staying on-site to be ready for any eventuality. Department of Health and Community Services staff provided excellent support at the public shelters and ensured that all residents, particularly those with special needs, were well supported.
The East Arnhem Public Health Group was well organised and provided constant reports on the state of Cyclone Monica. The public health response was available immediately and continued throughout the course of the cyclone to establish and maintain contact with other agencies to ascertain damage status reports of effected communities. As we know, Cyclone Monica, which had now been upgraded to a Category 5 cyclone with wind speeds estimated at 350 km/h, crossed the Arnhem Land coast near Maningrida, causing extensive damage to the communities of Maningrida, Oenpelli and Jabiru.
Remote Community Health staff from these communities are to be commended for their efforts in preparing during the approach of the cyclone, during the cyclone, and health provision after the cyclone had passed. With the damage to the infrastructure such as housing, water, electricity and communications, these staff have provided an outstanding service during very difficult times.
As the cyclone threatened to approach Darwin, the Region 1 group worked closely with the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Council and with colleagues from the welfare and rural and remote groups to ensure the highest level of preparedness to treat and accommodate not only potential casualties from east Arnhem and surrounding regions, but also Darwin and those regions which might be affected as, potentially, the cyclone passed.
Department of Health and Community Services Liaison and Coordination Officer, the Public Health Team Leader and the Welfare Team Leader were based at the Darwin emergency operation centre and provided outstanding communication, professional advice and coordination through the threat of the cyclone. The medical group, comprised of Royal Darwin Hospital and Darwin Private Hospital senior management, collaborated closely to ensure appropriate accommodation was available to house those clients requiring assistance, as well as sharing facilities and staff.
Community Health, St John Ambulance, Northern Territory Aerial Medical Services, Northern Territory Pathology, Department of Health and Community Services corporate support and Remote Health responded in a timely and professional manner, and were well supported by the Top End Division of General Practice.
Considerations ranged from staffing, clinical supplies, to the possible needs of retrieval and the ever-important issue of patient and staff welfare should the cyclone impact on Darwin. Disaster packs were provided from the Royal Darwin Hospital to various Top End shelters, and the Top End Division of General Practitioners had more than 20 general practitioners on standby to staff satellite clinics. Environmental Health Officers visited Oenpelli and Maningrida to undertake a full environmental health assessment of these cyclone-affected communities.
Public health response priorities during these natural disasters include hygiene and sanitation of all premises on affected communities; water quality; food safety in community stores and food being prepared for mass consumption; sewage ponds and outfalls; waste management at community landfills and disposal of hazardous waste; disease control and information dissemination on contamination and guarding against melioidosis; assessment of asbestos-damaged buildings; vermin control; mosquito breeding surveillance; immunisation; infectious disease surveillance; and the provision of expert medical advice on communicable diseases.
Public health information was disseminated within the affected communities, placed on the Department of Health and Community Services website, and public health media interviews were given. Precautionary advice notices for drinking water were issued for Oenpelli and Maningrida - specifically a ‘water boil’ alert for Oenpelli and disinfection of water supply for Maningrida. A precautionary advice has since been issued on 30 April 2006, advising that the Oenpelli community water supply damaged by tropical Cyclone Monica has been repaired and is now operational. Water quality sampling results from official samples collected on Friday, 28 April and Saturday, 29 April were issued by the government laboratory on 30 April and indicated that the community water supply was now safe for drinking.
The counter disaster groups will now meet to debrief and review the response that has been provided to ensure that the highest level of preparedness was achieved.
There were many people involved in the preparation, planning and management and ongoing aftercare following these recent natural disasters. Department of Health and Community Services staff from the Katherine District Hospital and Community Health; Gove District Hospital and Community and Remote Health; Royal Darwin Hospital and Community and Remote Health; senior operational area managers; Medical Services of the Northern Territory; Public Health, Environmental Health, and Medical Entomology; Public Health Laboratory; Disease Control; and Patient Travel staff are all to be commended.
I sincerely thank all Department of Health and Community Services staff and the many non-government organisations and personnel for their contributions to ensure that the community received the best possible health care prior to, during and after these recent disasters.
I personally thank everyone who was involved in the support and provision of health services during these recent times.
Although it is not possible in the time I have here today, the following list is just some of the key people involved. I thank them and, above all, all the other people who are not on this list for the work that they did for their community.
The key contributors: the team leaders - the Medical Group, Meribeth Fletcher; the Public Health Group, Jan Bullen and Tracy Ward; Welfare Group, Sheryl Follett and Rose Rhodes; Coordination Group, Jill Macandrew and Sandy Spears; and Recovery Coordinator, Barry Chambers.
In Katherine, the staff are: Lisa Alexander from the Flood and Emergency Plan; Robyn Landsdowne, Clinical Nurse Manager, who operated the Emergency Department at Katherine High School shelter; Fiona Kajewski, the hospital support at Tindal Base; Jerry Carter, pathology support at Tindal; Dr Nigel Chiklowa, Assistant Director of Medical Services at the hospital at Tindal; Dr Sathianthan from the Royal Darwin Hospital; Nestor Deleon, hospital assistant; Mark Friend and Patient Services staff at Katherine High School shelter Emergency Department; Anne Shiells at the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme; Pam Hall, Quality Manager; Sue Murray; Julie Neander; Sue Moran, the Community Health Manager assisting St John Ambulance triage and who set up the baby clinic at the Katherine High School shelter; Charlie Griffiths, the acting Maintenance Manager; Cookie Jensen at Stores; Joshua Cufley, the Environmental Health Officer along with Chris Luthy; Philippe Porigneaux, the Environmental Health Officer from Darwin; and Alexandra Mullins, Environmental Health Officer from Darwin.
In East Arnhem, the key contributors from Medical were: Bernie Whelan, Dr Nick Ognyenovits, Dr Tamsin Cockayne, and Di Brown; in Public Health: Alex Kopczynski; and Welfare, Nick Hedstrom.
The key contributors in Darwin - the team leaders: Public Health groups, Xavier Schobben; the Deputy, Barbara Klessa; Environmental Health section, Nicola Slavin; Public Health Information, Dr Christine Connors and Julie Robinson; Public Health Laboratory, Dr Gary Lum; Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause; and Coordination Group, Zelma Collins. Staff in Darwin: Ken O’Brien, Philippe Porigneaux, Alexandra Mullins and Peter Rogers, all environmental health officers.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I had the privilege of visiting the field, at least in the Katherine situation. I visited the temporary emergency centre at Katherine High School and saw the way in which people supported each other. For many people in Katherine it was a pretty eerie feeling of being revisited by the same disaster twice. Many people there had been flooded in the 1998 flood and it was a very traumatic experience to see the waters creeping into town once again.
I saw plenty of people suffering both in terms of the personal anxieties about their homes and families, and the sheer fatigue of having worked 48-hours or more on the trot. You could see the weariness in their faces, but the spirit was so good in the community.
In many ways, it does take a disaster to bring out some of the best aspects of a community to realise that everyone occupies the same place and has responsibility for each other. I saw a town without grog, and there were lessons to be learnt there, too. Katherine was a much better community without the blight of grog flowing through. At the time I visited, at least two of the grog outlets wanted to resume trading which would not have been at all helpful for a medical service which was stretched and very thin on the ground. The last thing they needed was to have inebriated people coming in to disrupt and add to the load of their work. Quite rightly, the Liquor Commissioner stepped in and made sure that that did not happen.
Beyond the lessons of the actual disaster response, there are other broader lessons to be learned about our communities especially in the way they responded to those dire circumstances. One of the key lessons we can all take away is that Territorians are very good people, very special people who do care about each other and put out for their community when these circumstances arise. From what I have heard of the East Arnhem situation, there were similar stories there. Hopefully we can learn the detail of the actual disaster response and encouragement about other issues we need to be tackling in our communities, so we can be strong all the time, not just when we get to these extreme situations.
Dr BURNS (Planning and Lands): Mr Deputy Speaker, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is the government’s lead agency responsible for putting in place and maintaining the facilities, management procedures, and other wide-ranging essential services that enhance the wellbeing of Territorians.
The department is tasked with a vital role in the event of a flood, as demonstrated in last month’s flooding centred on the Katherine region. The department’s responsibilities include the securing and shutting down of affected public buildings, roads and services; the protection, clearing and repairing of buildings and roads; coordinating all appropriate departmental resources during the activation period; and supporting the response by the Katherine Counter Disaster Committee.
During the recent flooding, DPI worked closely with the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, in monitoring the water level in the river, as well as with Police, Fire and Emergency Services in putting in place preparations for the impending flood.
Last month’s flood in Katherine was 2 m lower than the 1998 flood. The water rose to 19 m at the bridge, compared with 21 m in 1998, when virtually all of Katherine except Katherine East was inundated. Last month, only the lower areas of Katherine North and Katherine South were inundated. The department’s road projects team and vehicle compliance staff controlled the roads to ensure the safety of Katherine residents and visitors to the region. This assistance was also important to allow Emergency Services to maintain services and provide community access for evacuation and repatriation.
Advice on the status of roads was updated regularly on the department’s website – dpinet - and this was provided to the media by the department. However, it must be recognised that during flood events it is sometimes impossible to access some areas and roads to check conditions. The department’s Infrastructure Projects staff in Katherine coordinated the disconnection of power to government assets and the securing of government buildings as the flood waters rose.
In the lead-up to the flood on Wednesday, 5 April, staff from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure were engaged in the implementation of the departmental flood sub-plan. The flood sub-plan is an internal procedure which assists in the readiness of the department to deal with an impending flood and includes the preparation of equipment and vehicles to respond if and when flooding becomes a threat. Ground floor offices occupied by the department were made as flood-proof as possible. Files, computers and other equipment were moved to upper floors in an attempt to prevent flood damage to equipment. Departmental staff who reside in flood prone areas were sent home to make the necessary preparation to their own homes and properties.
Contact was made with the school bus contractor, Travel North, to ensure school buses were on notice and to advise that buses would need to be ready to take children home once flooding threatened to cut off access to their residences. Staff from the Motor Vehicle Registry, schools and Travel North coordinated the evacuation of children from the schools.
Contractors for both infrastructure and roads were contacted and requested to be on stand-by. Contractors were to ensure that plant and machinery were relocated to flood free areas so that they could carry out flood response and recovery activity immediately, or when requested. As flooding began, the road project staff and contractors were mobilised to put into effect road closures, and to monitor the impact on the road network. Once the roads were flooded, staff manned barriers to ensure that closures were not ignored and members of the community were not exposed to any further risk.
During the height of the flood on Friday, 7 April, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure Road Projects and Vehicle Compliance staff worked closely with police and emergency services to prevent people from travelling unnecessarily into flooded areas. This included setting up road blocks at Pine Creek, Mataranka and at the West Australian border. This was to prevent residents, travellers and road freight transport becoming stranded at flooded sections on the respective highways, or arriving in Katherine and exacerbating the emergency situation already being faced by emergency services and the Katherine community.
Government buildings were shut down by Infrastructure Project staff and power disconnected once the danger levels became apparent. Work required to set up schools as evacuation centres was also carried out.
The road network across the region sustained substantial damage which is still being assessed on the ground by departmental staff. Major work will be required to repair flood damage on the Stuart Highway, Victoria Highway, Carpentaria Highway, Buntine Highway, Duncan Road and Lajamanu Road. Some of the roads affected are national highways and the responsibility of the Commonwealth government. These roads are vital for tourism, especially the drive market. The Territory government will seek assistance from the federal government in the form of additional funding to repair these roads to the national standard. Most other roads in the Katherine region sustained varying levels of flood damage directly related to the weather event that caused the Katherine flood.
Katherine’s main street suffered lifting of the seal between the Lindsay Street intersection and Katherine East. Repairs to this area started on Saturday, 8 April, as soon as the floodwater receded. Most of the pavement in the main street will require rehabilitation after being inundated. Stage 3 of the main street master plan will be brought forward to ensure that the rehabilitation is incorporated into this project. This will avoid the duplication of work and minimise disruption to businesses in the main street. The amount of $500 000 will be provided from the Urban Enhancement Program managed by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The total cost of recovery work on government buildings and on some local government council infrastructure is still being assessed but could be in the vicinity of $1m. This will include $45 000 to prepare the Katherine Hospital for re-occupation; $400 000 to allow residents to return to Kalano; and $500 000 for repairs at Beswick.
The Randazzo Building is tenanted by the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts and the Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development. Some water damage has occurred within these premises and the cost of replacing office furniture and fittings is estimated to be around $20 000. Repairs to flood-damaged parks and infrastructure has been estimated at $20 000. This included the repairs and cleanup at Nitmiluk in order to have the area ready for visitors and the arrival of The Ghan on Tuesday, 11 April 2006 - just a few days after the flood.
As most members would be aware, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure - then known as Infrastructure, Planning and Environment – Mr Barry Chambers, was tasked with heading up the recovery phase and ensuring whatever was required to assist in the recovery was sourced and provided. Mr Chambers worked closely with staff from DPI, as well as with other Territory government agencies, the Katherine Town Council and Commonwealth agencies to ensure there was no delay in the implementation of recovery activity.
I can assure the House that when I visited Katherine in and around the time of the flood, there was a feeling of great relief that Barry Chambers was fulfilling that role. He engenders much confidence and support, particularly amongst people in the public service and, specifically, in the staff in DPI who have known him for many years and are very confident in Barry’s ability, not only to work through complex issues, but to support people in time of need. I commend Barry Chambers for the work that he has done. I know that particular appointment was welcomed by the people of Katherine and the staff of DPI.
The department’s Infrastructure Project staff in Katherine coordinated the reconnection of power once the government buildings were re-occupied. Most staff were able to return on Monday morning, and services provided by DPI were available from the start of business on that day. In the recovery period, the Road Projects staff instructed and mobilised contractors to repair damaged road surfaces within the town area and across the regions. Inspections were carried out to roads and government infrastructure as floodwaters receded and damage assessed and documented. Bridges in the region were inspected to ensure there was no weakening of the structures. Inspections and assessments will be ongoing over the next four to six months.
This government is committed to maintaining and developing infrastructure across all regions and sectors of the Northern Territory. The procurement of repair works has begun, and all efforts will be made to ensure there is an efficient and timely response to repairing the damage caused by flooding. The department’s Infrastructure Projects staff have focused on getting major infrastructures such as the Katherine Hospital and schools operational. Particular attention was given to the Beswick community, ensuring that the school was re-established to full operational status in time for the start of the second term. Work was also undertaken to restore government employee housing at the Beswick community.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has provided specialists to assist the various local government councils with structural and road pavement assessments. Furthermore, Infrastructure Projects staff are providing free-of-charge specialist plumbing and electrical advice to members of the public whose homes were affected by the flood. The department has also provided a building technical officer to assist the Department of Health and Community Services assess the damage to private residences where claims for Northern Territory government emergency re-establishment funding have been made.
On Saturday, 8 April 2006, I visited Katherine with the Chief Minister and other ministers and our respective chief executives to assess the situation firsthand. We attended a full meeting of the Katherine Counter Disaster Committee, and were pleased to see that the response to the emergency had been quick and effective due to a high level of cooperation and coordination. I was very impressed, as were other ministers, by the meeting. Everyone there was focused. Many people had been through the trauma of flooding in their areas and their own properties, but there was a common goal and purpose. People were operating very efficiently. Many people had been without adequate sleep for many days. Kate Vanderlaan, who was in charge of that particular group, coordinated the group well; she had the trust of the group. All the complex issues that were brought forward to that group were dealt with in a professional, timely and cooperative manner. The Katherine community has a great asset in that particular committee. There may have been problems to work through, possibly at a future date, but the whole response was very smooth. I, for one, was very impressed by the committee at their meeting.
Following the meeting, I inspected damage to roads and infrastructure maintained by the department I administer. I acknowledge the assistance provided by Mr Jim Craven and his staff at Northern Machinery. Mr Craven is a contractor to the department, and he and his staff assisted in controlling traffic during the flood.
I pay tribute to the staff at DPI. They worked incredibly long hours in the lead-up to the flooding and continued their efforts during the crisis. Their efforts contributed significantly to a quick return to business as usual.
I particularly acknowledge the efforts of Graham Newhouse, Regional Director Katherine for the Department of Planning and Infrastructure; Trevor Troy; John Klaas; Phil Harris; Jayakodi Thilakaratne; and Graeme Miers for their efforts. It was my privilege to sit in with a meeting, particularly with the Roads group, as they ascertained the situation of roads and highways throughout the region, made decisions based on the safety and wellbeing of the travelling public, and looked at the whole issue of trying to balance that with potential damage to the roads infrastructure, realising that supplies had to get through. There were many trucks waiting at Mataranka and the drivers were quite anxious to keep moving up to Darwin, which was their final destination. However, the drivers realised that there was danger on the roads and also that there was a potential for further damage to our roads.
The professional way in which those officers worked cooperatively with one another, gathered intelligence, and worked cooperatively with the police and other agencies was fantastic to see. I was proud to be their minister and to see those employees who, as I have said previously, had gone without adequate sleep for many days working for the good of the region and the good of the people within the region. I commend them and their efforts.
As I have outlined, the recovery phase is in full swing. We are ascertaining the damage to the roads. We are moving to fix that damage. Those staff members I mentioned previously will play a pivotal role in that recovery.
As with all emergency responses, those involved will participate in a debriefing to ensure that all procedures are reviewed to ensure all parties are better prepared for the next time. Let us hope the next time is a long way off, but we know we live in a monsoonal climate and there will be a next time. We can learn from what has happened before. We certainly learnt from the 1998 floods, we have learnt from the event that happened in 2003, and now this 2006 event is better equipping us to handle these emergencies. Options will be explored to improve the reporting of road conditions.
In anticipation of the Daly River community being flooded and residents having to be evacuated, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, with its period contract resources, were able to refurbish the existing Kakadu Gateway Caravan Park owned by Mr Eddie Ah Toy. Some 70 rooms, toilet blocks, kitchen including cool rooms, and office area were prepared to become a temporary health clinic, and recreation areas were cleaned, clothes lines installed, repaired lights fitted, and electrical safety checks undertaken in readiness for the residents of the Daly River community and the environs.
A tent city was established with a capacity of 200 with the running of power supplies, provision of washing machines, lights and fans. Fortunately, the tent city and camp were not needed. Road Project staff were busy monitoring road conditions and closing roads in the flood affected area. The early estimation of road flood damage and costs is still being undertaken. Repair estimates will be finalised when all water subsides. It looks like the Wet Season may be over but there is still a lot of surface water about the Top End.
Two weeks after the Katherine flood, the Territory was hit by Cyclone Monica, described by meteorologists as one of the biggest cyclones ever to strike Northern Australia. On 26 April, once Cyclone Monica’s intensity was downgraded, two aircraft were despatched with Construction Division personnel from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure aboard. Construction Division representatives comprised a structural engineer, Building and Electrical supervisors, and a Roads and Civil Works supervisor. The team visited Maningrida, Gunbalanya, Jabiru and Goulburn Island.
At Maningrida, Construction Division officers liaised with Maningrida Council Housing Manager, Mr Michael Steadman, and accessed the community to assess damage to NT government assets, Indigenous Housing Association or IHANT, and community assets, and determined as follows:
approximately 50% of the total 170 houses at Maningrida experienced some form of damage;
four community-owned dwellings need to be demolished;
six community-owned dwellings suffered major roof damage;
one government-owned dwelling was assessed to be beyond economical repair and requires demolition;
six government-owned dwellings were damaged to some extent by falling trees; and
the school building suffered damage to its roof. However, the Construction Division Structural Engineer, Mr George Curran,
has advised that the school is repairable from the existing ‘deck’/walls up, including relining of the walls, new purlins and new
roof utilising existing roof trusses.
The Maningrida council has expressed a strong desire to do as much of the recovery works as possible, particularly on their own houses. To this end, they requested assistance from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure in the provision of electricians to inspect, tag and/or make safe the electrical house connections once Power and Water restored the electrical grid. The council also requested assistance in obtaining extra heavy-duty chainsaws and a chainsaw sharpener.
The total scope of damage at Maningrida could not be readily ascertained during the initial visit. Construction Division building and electrical supervisors will make another damage inspection visit once all the fallen trees are cleared. They will take an inventory and assess the order of costs for demolition, recovery and restoration works, as well as replacement costs for those assets which are beyond economical repair.
At Gunbalanya, approximately 40% of dwellings suffered roof damage and some wall damage due to fallen trees. Trees fell on two police houses; however, there did not appear to be any structural damage. The Police Station was without power and suffered some damage to its roof. The solar hot water system was smashed and the communications tower was down. At the school the staff toilet block suffered severe roof damage caused by a fallen tree. The Resource Library was a three-module transportable building with the last module severely damaged under a large fallen tree. After the tree is removed and the beyond-economical-repair module taken away, that building can readily be restored in a two-module format.
A store shed at the school was also severely damaged resulting in asbestos sheeting scattered around. This was given priority for cleanup. The preschool suffered extensive internal water damage and I am advised we should not hold much hope for the saturated carpet within the preschool.
As in Maningrida, the Kunbarrlajnja Council requested assistance from DPI for the provision of electricians to inspect, tag and/or make safe the electrical house connections. They also asked for some heavy …
Ms LAWRIE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the minister be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Dr BURNS: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues for allowing me to continue this important wrap-up of the flood damage to our infrastructure in the Arnhem region.
The Kunbarrlajnja Council also asked for extra heavy-duty chainsaws and a chainsaw sharpener, and advised they were running out of fuel.
In Jabiru, the team made contact with the Northern Territory Police and with the local community building contractor, Mr Steve Baldwin of Kakadu Contracting. Ten houses which were struck by falling trees had been protected with tarpaulins by residents. Three government houses with tiled roofs had suffered some visible damage to the hip structures of the roofs. There was extensive damage to fences throughout the town but there was not a great deal of electrical damage due to the town being serviced by underground power reticulation. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure was not asked to provide assistance for town assets. Buildings supervisors from the Construction Division will make another damage inspection visit once trees are reasonably cleared to scope the cost of restoration works on government dwellings.
Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff visited Goulburn Island by helicopter and reported no visible or apparent damage to any infrastructure on the community.
I place on the record my appreciation to those members of the Construction Division who swung into action at short notice once the immediate danger from Cyclone Monica had passed.
In closing, I would like to stress that road conditions throughout the northern part of the Northern Territory remain affected by the immense amount of rainfall brought by Cyclone Monica. Numerous roads remain impassable as floodwaters have still not subsided. I urge anyone planning a trip to check the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website, www,roadreport.nt.gov.au for up-to-date information on the latest road conditions. As ever in the Territory, road conditions are subject to unexpected and rapid change and I would advise all motorists to exercise caution.
It looks like the Dry Season has arrived but there is still a lot of drying out to be done. It has been a very challenging time over the last month or so with these natural disasters but as ever, Territorians have risen to the occasion, shown incredible courage, and that they are willing to work together and support each other in these times of need. It is a true Territory spirit. We live in a part of the world that is subject to monsoonal events. It is the part of the world that we like to live in but that is part of it. Government agencies have shown across the board and across the regions that they are ready, willing and able to respond to these sorts of disasters. I know the people of the Northern Territory can have confidence in the responses that are mounted in the face of these natural disasters.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister’s statement to the House.
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish to contribute to the debate on the floods and Cyclone Monica from an Education infrastructure and staffing point of view.
With the Katherine River rising to dangerous levels on the Wednesday of the last week of Term 1, the Acting General Manager Schools Darwin and Katherine, Sandi McCue flew to Katherine on that afternoon as the chief coordinator and link between DEET staff and Katherine Crisis Management Team based in Darwin. All Katherine schools were closed on Thursday, 6 April, due to the imminent threat of flooding; they remained closed on the following day, the last day of Term 1.
On the night of Wednesday, 5 April, at the request of the Katherine Regional Counter Disaster Committee, school principals opened the three schools designated as evacuation centres - Katherine High School, Casuarina Street Primary School and MacFarlane Primary School. Subsequently, school staff took on the huge commitment of helping to look after evacuees in the centres. At 3.30 am the morning of Thursday, 6 April, Katherine High School Principal, Ken Barnes, Office Manager, Bianca Harris and Clyde Fenton Primary School Principal, Bryan Hughes, woke the manager of the local Woolworths Supermarket to get breakfast foods for people evacuated by the police the previous evening. Sandi McCue advised DEET staff working in evacuation shelters the same supermarket agreed to stay open for 30 minutes to enable DEET staff to do more out-of-hours shopping to cater for the evacuees. Bryan Hughes was assisted by Katherine South Principal, Pamela Hepburn, purchasing five meals for 800 people in evacuation centres, a total of 4000 meals.
Bill Daw of Employment and Training in Katherine helped to keep information flowing using his role as an announcer with Katherine Community Radio. I commend the efforts of all DEET staff in Katherine who provided logistical support, ensured the smooth running of evacuation centres, and worked on all manner of tasks including cooking and cleaning.
Other remote schools closed in the region because of flooding were Barunga CEC on 6 April; Wugularr School closed on 5 April; Nganmarriyanga School, Amanbidji School, Jilkminggan School, Douglas Daly School, Peppimenarti School, Bulla Camp School and Yarralin School were closed on Friday, 7 April.
During the week beginning Monday, 3 April, approximately 30 students from Katherine South were in Darwin on a school excursion and prevented from returning home to Katherine on Thursday, 6 April, with the Stuart Highway cut by rising floodwaters. Several Darwin businesses rallied to support the students during their time in Darwin. The students were accommodated free of charge at the Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments, and we thank them for that. They were fed by Outback Bakery and McDonalds, Ludmilla, given radio Hot 100 FM backpacks, and entertained by CMax Cinema and the Territory Wildlife Park. That is a tremendous gesture of generosity from each of those businesses. I am sure everyone in this House adds their thanks to them for seeing that these students were well looked after.
Jingili Primary School welcomed the students into their classrooms and hosted the sleepover at the school, for which Sanderson High, Anula Primary and Kormilda College provided gymnasium mattresses and bedding. The students returned home to Katherine on Saturday, 8 April. Charter flight company, Vincent Aviation, offered to fly home the students, their teachers and carers free of charge. Again, our thanks to Vincent Aviation, those schools mentioned and Kormilda College for chucking in with the gymnasium mattresses and bedding to see that the students and staff had as comfortable a sleep as could be managed.
I happened to be in Port Augusta with members of Alice Springs Town Council and members of the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek community early on in the week and was alerted to the possibility of Cyclone Monica crossing the Cape and going into the Gulf and further developing - in effect, every sign of a possible repeat of Cyclone Ingrid about a year ago. I flew back to Nhulunbuy on the Thursday evening. I have only recently been connected with Internet at home and was somewhat alarmed at the development of Monica as it inched its way across the Gulf. According to the Bureau of Meteorology website, it very clearly had Nhulunbuy right in its sights for about 48 hours. I was somewhat comforted by the US Navy site out of Monterey in the United States that predicted, relatively early, that the cyclone would swing north of Nhulunbuy, presumably taking into account all of the other information that the US Navy had. In fact, they were proven correct in the end.
However, it was not a great deal of comfort, I suppose, to look at the computer screen and see Monica’s spread of cloud pattern from the eye almost totally filling the Gulf of Carpentaria. We knew it was a pretty massive system, as well as a very intense, powerful cyclone within its core. It was still Category 5 when it approached the north-east Arnhem Land coast from the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Schools in the following areas were closed on Monday, 24 April 2006, as a result of the forecast of possible gale force winds associated with Monica: Nhulunbuy, Milingimbi, Ramingining, Maningrida and Groote Eylandt; and Warrawi and Mamaruni Schools on Goulburn and Crocker Islands were closed on the same date. School closure decisions are made with regard to the safety of students and staff. On Monday afternoon, 24 April, the Chief Minister approved closure of schools in the Darwin, Palmerston, Cox Peninsula, Jabiru, Tiwi Islands and Litchfield and rural region areas from 8 am on Wednesday, 26 April, as a result of possible gale force winds.
After skirting Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island and Milingimbi, the coastal Arnhem Land community of Maningrida was hit by the full force of one of the most powerful cyclones to hit Australia. It is understood to have been hit by winds of up to 350 km/h on Monday night, 24 April. Tuesday morning, 25 April, the cyclone crossed the coast with Gunbalanya and Jabiru affected by Category 3 winds.
Fortunately, the cyclone had deteriorated to Category 1 by the time it reached Darwin region around midday on Tuesday, 25 April. On that day, the Chief Minister, on advice from the Counter Disaster Council, advised that schools in the Darwin, Palmerston, Cox Peninsula, Jabiru and Tiwi Islands would be opened on Wednesday, 26 April, as a result of the downgrade of Cyclone Monica to a Category 1. Principals were advised of that decision around midday on Tuesday, 25 April.
However, flooding became an issue for some schools isolated from students and staff. Principals and the staff, in conjunction with the local Counter Disaster Councils, were required to spend considerable time and resources to protect their schools and communities against the potential damage from such a dangerous cyclone.
As at 11 am on Tuesday, 2 May 2006, the effects of Cyclone Monica on government schools in the Top End region are as follows. Maningrida CEC, significant damage with one building losing its roof and other school buildings with water damage; no power or communications contact except by satellite phone. Peter Clarke, the Acting General Manager Schools Arnhem and Palmerston, and other departmental staff, flew out on the morning of Wednesday, 26 April, to assess the damage and assist in having schools operational again as soon as possible. Other DEET departmental staff included Ken Lehman, Infrastructure; Donna Edmonds, People and Learning; and Greg Moo, IT Services. The school building that was de-roofed was assessed as structurally sound; it will be re-roofed as soon as possible. Peter Clarke left two spare satellite telephones in the community. The school was closed in the week beginning Monday, 24 April. Year 12 students resumed schooling in the Batchelor annex on Tuesday, 2 May. Teachers are preparing for classes for the remainder of the school to begin on Wednesday, 3 May, some programs maybe notified.
Milingimbi CEC is closed until Thursday, 27 April, to allow for a clean up. Shepherdson CEC suffered only superficial damage around the community with a few trees down. The school opened on Wednesday, 26 April.
Gunbalanya CEC closed until Tuesday, 2 May, with the secondary section opening, and the primary section expected to open on Wednesday, 3 May. Communications initially down are now open but there is a lot of cleaning up to be done. There is much timber still in the school grounds awaiting removal by the community council. A damaged building, of course, requires making safe.
At Jabiru Area School, there were trees down which were leaning against buildings. The school closed while Emergency Services arranged a cleanup. School resumed on Tuesday, 2 May.
At Berry Springs School, Berry Creek was impassable on Wednesday, 26 April; staff and buses could not get across. One teacher and a teacher’s aide were at the school with no students on Wednesday, 26 April. School resumed on Thursday, 27 April.
On Wednesday, 26 April, at Batchelor Area School there were five staff and five students at school as road access was cut. School resumed on Thursday, 27 April.
Adelaide River School was closed on the morning of Wednesday, 26 April, with water lapping Adelaide River bridge. Parents were asked to collect their children as access to the school was likely to be cut. That school was resumed on Thursday, 27 April.
Middle Point School was not officially closed but student numbers are low today due to floodwaters in the area. Road access for many students may be cut for the remainder of the school week.
Tommy’s Creek on the Daly River near Wooliana School has risen and access of students between Wooliana School and St Francis Xavier School is limited. Some classrooms at St Francis Xavier are being utilised by Wooliana on Tuesday, 2 May.
There has been a marked reduction in school numbers as a result of floodwaters in the area. Communications were cut in many areas in Arnhem Land and Telstra advise it will be some time before communication is fully restored. I understand they have now been. After schools were used as cyclone shelters, it should be noted that many have had minor disruption with cleanups and general debris littering grounds as a result of high winds. It is possible that flooding could affect other schools in remote areas but those mentioned above are the ones known to be adversely affected by the cyclone to date.
Everyone in the school community who made adequate preparation for the cyclone and cleaned up after must be thanked for their efforts which have resulted in no casualties and the earliest possible resumption of schooling. A number of DEET staff played major roles in the operation of cyclone shelters across the Top End. Casuarina Senior College - Kevin Schebella and Chris Harding; Dripstone High School - Morris Bastian and Andrew Fyles, who is not a DEET employee; Nightcliff High School – Nora Lewis and Jill Sommerville; Taminmin High School – Peter Foster; Girraween Primary School – Rene VanderHorst; and Palmerston High School – Debbie Ramsay. Many DEET office staff must also be thanked for their efforts in coordinating efforts to support schools and their communities.
In general, the media were extremely helpful to DEET, advising the community of any school closures and their resumption.
I might add that those same staff were generally the ones responsible for the cleanup after the schools had been used as evacuation shelters. They are to be thanked for a tremendous job.
I make particular mention of Senior Sergeant Tony Fuller, the Officer-in-Charge of Nhulunbuy Police Station. I spoke to Tony when I got back to Nhulunbuy and met with the Counter Disaster Committee on the Friday morning and the Friday afternoon. It is quite a large Counter Disaster Committee because there was G3, all the government agencies, Alcan, and representatives from Yirrkala, so that everyone was up-to-date with the information and what was required.
We put an enormous responsibility on these people, particularly in our rural and remote communities. Tony Fuller may be a Senior Sergeant but he is a very large person, in my view, in his strength of leadership. He is calm, controlled, and his influence on that Counter Disaster Committee cannot be underestimated. I think he is a champion. He saw that everything was carried out according to plan. In fact, when I alighted from the Airnorth plane on Thursday night and arrived home, the very first thing I found, under a weight on the coffee table on the outside veranda, was an A4 sheet signed off by Tony Fuller. This was being hand delivered to every resident in Nhulunbuy that day advising where Monica was up to, what to expect, and what they needed to do by way of preparation.
That said to me that this is one Senior Sergeant who is taking his responsibilities and that of the Counter Disaster Committee seriously. In my 16 years as local member for Nhulunbuy, we have never had the level of preparation and notification to the town that we saw on this occasion.
I salute Tony Fuller and everyone else who was associated with the Counter Disaster Committer. He turned the tap off for takeaway grog at 11.30 on Friday morning with an unknown situation with Monica still headed our way at that time. I am told that Friday night and Saturday night in Nhulunbuy were the quietest ever. Gove Hospital was the quietest it had ever been in its history for a period of 72 hours. It was not until about Monday lunchtime that grog came back on, after we had experienced the tail of Cyclone Monica late Sunday night and the early hours of Monday morning as it passed to the north. The grog came back on from 11.30 am Monday, and about 2 pm I witnessed the first victim, a woman with a head injury, being attended to by police and ambulance officers. That was all of three hours after the tap was turned back on.
I wanted to make sure that I fully recorded on the Parliamentary Record my appreciation and respect for Senior Sergeant Tony Fuller and all involved with the Counter Disaster Committee. The town was extremely well served by his leadership. Wherever he goes in the Territory after Nhulunbuy I can assure that community they will have excellent leadership from the police. If they ever face a natural disaster such as that which was looming on Nhulunbuy’s doorstep, I can recommend to any community that Tony Fuller would be a good man to have by your side and leading any Counter Disaster Committee in their region.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Mr Deputy Speaker, the Northern Territory is in many ways a tough place to live. Within a matter of weeks, the Top End has thrown us serious flooding as well as the threat of the largest cyclone recorded to hit our coastline.
The best part of living with these extremes of weather is the way our people step up and meet the challenges that face them. As I outline the impact of the Katherine region floods and Cyclone Monica on the facilities and assets of local government and government employee housing, I remind the Assembly of the extraordinary efforts made by Territorians in helping each other out over the last few weeks. Indeed, I do more than remind the Assembly of these efforts. I seek a bipartisan approach to thanking our people for the tremendous work they carried out, and also to thank them in advance for the hard work they will continue to face.
Flooding in April this year to the Katherine area, and in January to the Victoria River district, highlights the need to continuously improve the flood immunity of our remote communities. In particular, two of these are the Katherine region communities of Wugularr and Pigeon Hole. With a population of 550, Wugularr is located 120 km south-east of Katherine on the Waterhouse River. This year, Wugularr has worn the brunt of the Wet Season, being flooded in March and then again to the same high levels in April. This has disrupted community activity for five weeks, including schooling for more than 100 children. All of this has been experienced under very difficult circumstances.
The main centre of Wugularr is subject to flooding on a regular basis. Sixty-five of the community’s 78 houses are located in the main centre and most of these were affected by the floodwaters. Since the 1998 flood, a new subdivision has been built on high ground. New housing has been placed there since that time and is above the flood line. It was to this new subdivision that the people of Wugularr moved to during the height of the flood. Government employee housing was also affected by flooding and residents of two of these buildings are being housed at Barunga while repairs are being undertaken. This government is committed to accelerating the provision of houses to higher ground. There is also a commitment to relocate the school and government employee housing.
During the period that I was at Wugularr, on 8 May, I had the opportunity to meet Mr Richard Kennedy, councillor, and Mr Geoff Lohmeyer, the Community Coordinator. I must say that I was very impressed with their quiet determination in getting the community back on track because it was very obvious that the flood had done extensive damage. Debris was strewn right across the community, roads were damaged, and the shop was inundated. When walking around the community it makes you feel very humble in the sense that those people were very much isolated but, at the same time, were very committed and determined to make their community the place it was prior to the floods.
I say to the community at Wugularr, particularly to Richard Kennedy and Geoff Lohmeyer – thank you very much on behalf of my department and the government for your very fine leadership during what would have been a very stressful situation.
I also pay tribute to the Maranboy Police, and the ACPO. Unfortunately, I cannot recall their names at this time, but they played a very important role in visiting the communities and some of the homelands, and coordinating the responses to the impending flood. It is important to pay very high regard to Mr Michael Berto from Nyirranggulung. Michael accompanied Mr Peter Egan from the department and me to Wugularr. I was very impressed with Michael’s very caring and committed responses to some of the needs that were appearing in those communities. During the course of the meeting at Wugularr with Richard and Geoff he was able to provide some relief – I think it was fuel. His support was something which we should all admire.
I thank the Jawoyn Association, Mr Mick Peirce, and the council who provided assistance and support in choppering-in supplies to those affected communities I referred to, plus others. They also, at very short notice, were able to arrange a chopper for myself, Michael and Peter Egan to visit some of those communities. To Michael and the council, thank you very much.
Another community which was impacted on was Pigeon Hole, located 120 km south-west of Top Springs. They were also the subject of evacuation in January this year. Pigeon Hole is regularly affected by flooding. I am pleased to say that planning is under way to improve the airstrip and to relocate the power generation facility to higher ground. I give this assurance, as I do for Wugularr, that this government and my department will make every effort to ensure appropriate steps are taken to provide extra housing on areas that will not be inundated in the future. My department is presently assessing that and hopefully we can say something about that at a later stage.
Jilkminggan was another community directly affected by the April flood. There were 209 people evacuated on the Thursday to Mataranka. I also visited Jilkminggan. Flooding was confined mainly to five dwellings, parts of the school, and the clinic to a lesser extent. Newly-built houses at Jilkminggan were above the flood line and power remained on. The water was turned off as a precaution during the flood but, when I arrived there at lunchtime, services were all back in order.
When you choppered into a community you did not see too many people about. In fact, initially, we did not see anyone but, as we landed, there were some elderly people and some other members of the community who chose to stay. During the course of my visit, I was able to speak to Arnold Von Senden who is CEO, and to Jessie and Sheila Millar. I was absolutely surprised at the pace at which that community got itself back into order, because it was only about four or five hours after the flood had receded. The amount of work they had done was phenomenal in hosing down the roads and cleaning out buildings. It was an inspiration to all of us. I thank them for their quiet determination in getting their community back in order. I also thank the essential services people who flew in from Mataranka.
Unfortunately, I was unable to go to Mataranka. As I said previously, 210 people were evacuated to Mataranka. I thank the Mataranka Community Government Council and all people associated with Mataranka. They were under stress with potential flooding as well.
Just coming back to the Jilkminggan evacuation, I know that the people who remained worked extremely hard under very difficult situations as the water was rising. They commenced evacuating at something like 6 pm. They completed the evacuations by around about 2.10 am to 2.30 am the following day. The flood hit at 6 am, four hours later. They are people who are to be admired for their commitment.
I was also in Katherine, along with the Chief Minister, ministers Burns and Henderson, and our CEOs. I acknowledge the capacity of the community and the three levels of government to work together to get the town up and running in quite an exceptionally short time. This was ably assisted by the Planning and Infrastructure work undertaken in the 1998 flood, which enabled essential services to keep flowing to almost all of the town during the flooding, with full reconnection soon after. You have already heard from minister Burns regarding the tasks undertaken by his department. I pay tribute to those people; they did a wonderful job. I was also very impressed with the emergency services meeting with the superintendent and a whole host of other people from my department. It was very reassuring to know that we had such fine people from all sectors of the public sector, the private sector, and other organisations all working together. I thank all of those people for their contribution.
There were more than 100 houses affected by the flood, 14 of which were public housing. Territory Housing staff established a temporary office at the evacuation centres, and they worked tirelessly to identify the tenants, to have emergency remedial works completed, and to get tenants back into their houses or alternative housing in a timely manner.
The Katherine Public Library suffered around $50 000-worth of damage and staff from the Northern Territory Library in Darwin went down to assist people in Katherine with the cleanup and to treat water-damaged material.
At the time of the flooding in Katherine, my department was holding a governance workshop in Katherine. I do not know the precise numbers, but there were probably in excess of 15 to 20 people present for that workshop. Those who lived outside Katherine had the option to return to their homes. I am proud to say that all employees of Local Government who were present for that workshop chose to stay in Katherine to help out in whatever capacity they could. I want to acknowledge them, and I have written to them. I am very proud of their efforts and I thank them very much for their dedication.
I want to extend special thanks to Jenny Pengelly and to Colin Cramp for their extraordinary efforts in getting things happening for Territory Housing residents, not only post flood, but while the flood was in place. Both Colin and Jenny are based in Katherine North. They worked within the confines of restricted travel, assessing houses even before access was opened to Katherine East. I was advised that at least one of them went around on pushbike as vehicles could not be readily accessed for whatever reason. They might not have been able to access the tenants in question, but I do know that they visited the tenants on pushbikes to support and provide advice as required.
Other Territory Housing staff who more than ably assisted with getting Territory Housing tenants settled immediately post-flood were Vicki O’Connor, Sarah Polhill and Aaron Sariago. Special thanks also to Jo Jennings and Marcus Rosas of Sport and Recreation who assisted the Welfare Group with activities for children in the evacuation centre. I would like to make the point that some of these staff were affected by the floods but they went about their tasks in a very professional way and I thank them.
The Aboriginal Urban Living Area of Miali Brumby was severely affected. Unfortunately, I could not get in there because we could not cross the river and we could not get the chopper in. Looking at it from the air, there was extensive flooding, and many houses other than the elevated houses were inundated. I was advised by the chopper pilot that immediately following the peak that probably some of those houses were completely under water. As soon as the floodwater had receded, the community got together and undertook the huge task of cleaning up flood debris from the houses and the grounds. The Kalano Community Association was very instrumental in working with the community to help this happen. This was made an even greater effort when it is considered that the administrative and works facilities of the community were rendered inoperable due to flooding. Our government, in conjunction with Kalano, was able to assist with this emergency to reconnect services. This enabled people to get back to their homes as quickly as possible.
There are 46 houses at Miali Brumby. Some of those were ground level and several of those dwellings were damaged. Some of the other houses were elevated and very little damage occurred to them. In retrospect, sometimes indigenous housing gets a bit of a bashing in terms of what goes out in the bush. It is a credit to all those people involved in the past with the IHANT program who basically ensured that, due to the design of those houses in the main, they were able to escape much of the flooding.
Rockhole and Warlpiri Camp also received services from Kalano Community Association. Rockhole remained above floodwaters. While the water covered the Warlpiri area, houses in the community are located high enough to have escaped the flooding. Services remained connected to both camps throughout the period.
Binjari is located 18 km west of Katherine. With a population of 260, the community is built on two subdivisions. The original subdivision of Binjari North is more likely to be flooded than the southern side. It has 11 dwellings, mostly shelters, and the community administrative building, clinic and other community buildings. Binjari South is a new subdivision about 1 km from the other community and is located on high ground, and many of those houses were fine. I understand the police played a key role in going in to the community the night before and that Health staff were involved in getting those people who might have required medication into Katherine. I thank all those people who were able to provide support to that community.
As you have heard from other ministers, the flood had a significant impact on Katherine and its nearby communities, and it is fortunate the impact was much less than 1998. That the people of Katherine and communities are working speedily to return things to normal shows the strength of their resolve and the positive outlook they hold for the future of the region. This positive action will be reinforced as further action to mitigate the consequences of flooding is made across the region commencing with Wugularr and Pigeon Hole.
Within days of the flood threat receding in Katherine, the entire Top End was faced with Cyclone Monica. The full impact of Monica is yet to be determined. Suffice to say that I join the Chief Minister, other ministers and members of this House in giving thanks that our people survived the cyclone. As a matter of interest, something like 12 000 Territorians faced danger as a result of Cyclone Monica, even before it had deteriorated into a tropical storm by the time it hit Darwin. This gives us a real sense of how thankful we must be.
Damage from Monica in north-east Arnhem Land was minimal. It avoided Nhulunbuy and you have heard a very graphic description of what occurred there, and also in the Yirrkala region. Very little damage occurred there, although we know there are still assessments being undertaken at this stage; not only there, but across the region.
In respect to Monica, I thank all the airlines, their pilots, and the defence forces for their assistance in evacuating virtually the entire population of Goulburn Island. We should appreciate the enormity of that task.
You have heard other speakers say that Maningrida undoubtedly copped it the worst and damage there is still being assessed. The Maningrida CEO, Mr John Horgan, estimates that 50% to 60% of housing experienced damage of one kind or another. My advice is that six houses will have to be demolished, including one government employee house.
As you have heard from minister Burns …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, I move that the minister be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr McADAM: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank members for their indulgence.
As I mentioned, there are many more assessments to be done of the actual damage sustained. We have received some figures today, but they are preliminary and will go towards a strategic response in making good the damage in those communities. The Bawinanga Resource Centre and outstations were damaged and we have had people talking to them, and ongoing assessments are occurring in that area.
In Gunbalanya, there is an estimate that 40% to 50% of houses have suffered some sort of damage, but these are yet to be determined and assessed. My advice is that Jabiru ended up with approximately 10 houses damaged as a result of falling trees. At least three of those are government employee housing and industry housing stock.
I will undertake to provide a full report in the future in regards to the damage to government facilities and assets, and to public housing, indigenous housing and government employee housing.
In conclusion, I just want to make two points. I would like to thank the media throughout the Territory, particularly the NT News and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Both organisations provided timely and extensive coverage of the events of last month, in many cases from the front line of the floods and storms that have affected our people. As we can imagine, it cannot be too much fun being assigned to travel into these danger zones. I thank the ABC, in particular, for providing an invaluable service to the people of Katherine, keeping that community and all of us in touch with what was happening there.
Secondly, I thank all the many hundreds of public servants who pitched in to help. I thanked some of those from my department. I could have named many more particularly from Department of Planning and Infrastructure, police, teachers, and Health staff. They all did an absolutely amazing job. A couple of times a year, at New Year and during the Queen’s Birthday weekend, a few individuals are awarded Public Service Medals and it would be more than appropriate on this occasion if we give due consideration nominating some if not all of those people. I thank them on behalf of the government and all the communities for their wonderful and dedicated support.
Madam Speaker, on a personal note, whilst in Katherine on that day in question, I was phoned by a person from Robinson River who, unfortunately, could not get into Katherine to pick up his children and his extended family. We were faced with a dilemma: Katherine was flooded so how do we get them out? They could not come in, and the family could not move from Katherine. I thank Aboriginal Air Services who at very short notice - a matter of a number of hours - were able to get a plane into Katherine and get those children safely back to their parents in Borroloola and Robinson River.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, like many other residents of Darwin, I anxiously tracked the path of Cyclone Monica via radio broadcasts and the Bureau of Meteorology’s website. I have a family and some dearly-loved pets and I live in a house in a surge zone so, like all of us here, I had a personal stake in whatever action Monica chose to inflict on us.
I had another interest in the impacts and a greater reason for the anxiety: the effects in my electorate. I have often said that I have one of the Territory’s best electorates. The electorate of Arafura takes in the coast of the north-east and north-west Arnhem Land, the islands, Cobourg Peninsula and the whole of Kakadu National Park and surrounds – it is a stunning piece of the Territory, I am sure you would agree. It is this part of the Territory that bore the brunt of Cyclone Monica. I spend as much time as I can out in my electorate so I know it intimately and its people. Hearing the reports on Cyclone Monica, its intensity and forecast track, I was probably more anxious for them than for myself and my family. Thanks to good planning, efficient operations and good fortune, no-one was killed or injured as Monica did her worst.
Residents of Warruwi and the whole of Goulburn Island were evacuated to Pine Creek. This was quite a logistical operation, nearly 350 people to be transported by light aircraft to Pine Creek. In the end, Monica did not affect Warruwi and everyone is now safely back in their undamaged community. I visited the evacuees in their temporary home at Pine Creek. The care and attention they received was fantastic and the organisation commendable.
I put on record my thanks to Bob Freeman from Police, Fire and Emergency Services for looking after the Warruwi mob so well. It was fantastic to see the Army and those young Defence guys in action, particularly with our little kids. The camaraderie and the relationship between those young soldiers and the little kids from the community for the four days was great. In talking to the Defence guys, they were saying how much it makes their job worthwhile to be able to have contact with these little ones; to play with them, keep them occupied, and feed them. I was there when they were serving lunch, and I tell you what, I should have been there for the whole four days because the food that they were serving was good. Talking to all of the - I was going to say my mob; well, they are like my mob – people from Warruwi, everyone was commenting about how well fed they had been with three meals a day over the last couple of days.
I thank the Army and the community at Pine Creek. The Warruwi mob was saying how welcome they were made to feel. They really did not know what to expect in Pine Creek. I believe they were still in a state of shock with the predicted path of Monica going towards Warruwi. With the efficient operation in getting the evacuations happening, the community, particularly the old people, did not know what was happening or where they were going to end up. When they arrived in Pine Creek, the reception they received from that community made their stay for that short time bearable, and helped alleviate some of their homesickness. I remember when I went to see them, after the third day of them being there, they were pretty homesick and wanted to get back to their beautiful island. At Pine Creek, as you know, Madam Speaker, there is no saltwater. We are talking about saltwater people who are used to having saltwater surrounding their island. They were feeling a bit homesick about the saltwater.
I thank the Pine Creek Health Centre and all the staff from Pine Creek who tended to the many needs of the sick and the elderly, with the doset boxes. The nurses and the Aboriginal Health Workers at the Pine Creek Clinic worked around the clock and made sure that many of the elderly and the sick had their medication and their doset boxes and all their health needs taken care off. Everyone from the Police and Fire Emergency Services made the Warruwi people feel comfortable.
On the Thursday, when we transferred them from Pine Creek to Jabiru to get them back to Goulburn Island, they were sad to say goodbye to everybody. At the same time, they knew they were going home to their fantastic home, which was virtually left unscathed. There was no damage, there was not even a bit of wind. I talked to James, the senior health worker who decided to stay - there were eight residents from Goulburn who decided to stay rather than go into Pine Creek - who said that there was hardly a bit of wind. However, it was a precautionary matter that needed to be carried out, and prevention is better. If the cyclone had followed its predicted path, the ravages would have been worse than what we saw at Maningrida.
Maningrida is probably the biggest community in my electorate. Over 2600 people live in that community, and had to ride it out. They had no choice as the cyclone had not been predicted tracking over that community. However, Monica decided to change her mind and head straight for them. They suffered considerable damage. The Chief Minister and the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services have already described the damage and the response and the experience of the visit we made to my electorate on the Wednesday after Cyclone Monica had gone through.
The most striking aspect of the damage was the fact that almost all of it was caused by trees falling on buildings. Most of the trees which caused the immense damage were African mahogany, which we have talked about. I know those mahogany trees are dear to some people, and I understand the advantages of quick growth and deep shade. I know that after Cyclone Tracy they were handed out because they were quick growing and provided shade. However, they are quite dangerous, and you can see the damage in these three communities which could have been avoided if those trees had not been there. I believe we have to stop planting them because they are putting lives at risk. I was actually thinking out loud at Maningrida when I said that these trees must go.
In talking to the department and other land care groups, and particularly the council, I was surprised at the views of all the councils - the Jabiru Town Council, Maningrida Council and Gunbalanya Council - where, with this damage to the houses, all of those councils are re-thinking and looking at native vegetation and what could be done to replace the African mahoganies. That feeling is quite strong in Jabiru, particularly where, about 60% of the vegetational growth around that community was giant African mahoganies, and Cyclone Monica got rid of 40% of them. These trees have come down and smashed many houses there.
The issue has to be addressed. In talking to people from my department, the problem with many of these trees is the surface roots. If you starve them for water, the roots go down deeper and they could be a good plant. Unfortunately, many of these trees are next to people’s homes and they are getting access to quite good irrigation which means that they have surface roots. In the Top End of the Northern Territory we have heavy rainfall which also provides a lot of irrigation for these mahoganies.
I am not saying that suddenly I hate African mahoganies, but I am saying that we need to look at the issue. It is not just government; councils in my electorate are going to work quite proactively to get rid of them. Jabiru Town Council expressed to me on the Friday that they are going to systematically get rid of all the African mahoganies around Jabiru because of the damage. That town could have saved half of the infrastructure if those trees had not been planted so close. I will develop this a bit more and I will be talking to my colleague, the Minister for Local Government, and with those councils. It is not about government taking control of this; it is at that local government level. I believe that they need to take control of it.
Turning to Maningrida – for many years that community has always had a number of different factions and divisions, and it has been hard to make progress. It has been a development that has been coming for long time. However, I have noticed over the last four years the progress amongst all the different factions and groups at Maningrida, the camaraderie and the working together of the different groups.
I talked to the residents of Maningrida and saw the school, the council, and the store. Everybody was pitching in together and sharing the view that: ‘Yes, she came. She blew the trees over and wreaked havoc on our community, but we have to all work together to rebuild and get things back together’. I look forward to getting, and seeing, the repairs done to the high school. Maningrida and the school, with the external community, has worked hard over the last couple of years. The results have been seen with Year 12 and the young people who have been graduating over the last two years. This community has seen a change, and parents have been encouraging their kids for number of years now to go to school. We are seeing enrolments and attendance rates at Maningrida CEC up to nearly 600 students, and the high school has been the pivotal turning point in that over the last two years. It is imperative we get the repairs to the school done as soon as possible so we do not lose the momentum of those students.
The Chief Minister spoke earlier of Darwin, and the uncertainty in Darwin of where Monica was going to track. There had been some concerns that people thought school was not going back until Thursday, and then kids were asked to come back on Wednesday. When I was at Maningrida walking around and talking to the residents many of the kids wanted to get back to school and were asking when their school was going to be rebuilt and re-opened. It is that enthusiasm that we cannot afford to lose because that community has worked for two years to get all their kids back to school. We should do everything we can, as government, to ensure the community and the school does not lose the momentum for those little ones.
At Gunbalanya and Oenpelli, we saw the tremendous efforts of everyone: the council, community, the police, Health, and Education. Everyone pitched in to restore services to normal. Gunbalanya School had sustained damage and also some the houses, but people were upbeat and optimistic that things would get back to normal.
The community spirit and cooperation of the response effort was marvellous to see in Jabiru which was also badly affected by the unanticipated full blast of the cyclone. Everyone I spoke to was optimistic and cheerful, and getting on with the job of putting things right. I often stay at the Lakeview Van Park, which was badly beaten around with 10 of its cabins and eco-tents destroyed by a huge falling mahogany tree. This is not good news for the Lakeview Van Park which had forward bookings. Yesterday, being May Day and the start of the Dry Season, Lakeview already had those cabins forward booked for six months from the year before. They had to ring many people who had bookings to tell them that they had to cancel and refund them. Having those cabins destroyed has had a real impact on the tourist numbers, or will, in the short term. People have been diverted elsewhere; hopefully Kakadu does not lose those numbers which were booked in at the Lakeview, and they are able to put them into other facilities.
The public swimming pool is a complete mess with all play equipment destroyed and all the lovely shade trees lying horizontal. The school grounds were also a mess, and many houses had sustained damage caused by falling trees, but everywhere people were getting on with the job in a calm and organised way. I spoke with many tired people. Not just in Jabiru but in Maningrida and Oenpelli as well, everyone was starting to get tired but they all just wanted to get the towns up and running again. A consistent message I heard was that the community ‘has really pitched in and people are helping each other’, which is great to hear.
ERA has been fantastic in providing manpower and heavy machinery to help the Jabiru Town Council and residents in their cleanup efforts. I want to mention a number of people: Rocky Couzens, who works for Fire and Emergency Services there, is leading the way in the recovery. He is doing a fantastic job. Everyone I spoke to in Jabiru had nothing but praise for Rocky. He was set the task of prioritising what was going to be the most urgent jobs that needed to be fixed and he set about like an angry little ant. Any of us who know Rocky knows he would have tackled that with gusto.
The other person I want to mention is Roger Illett, the Officer-in-Charge of Jabiru Police Station. He has done a fantastic job with coordinating and getting a lot happening. They were feeling a bit down because of the two days of adrenalin and getting everyone into the shelters and making sure that nothing had happened. People often forget, when these police officers are out running around and making sure everybody else’s family is okay, that they also have families. They have to leave their families to fend for themselves.
Another person is Peter Swan and the Counter Disaster Management team. No one expected Cyclone Monica to go towards Jabiru. Even with the predictions from the forward forecasting of the Bureau of Meteorology it was not supposed to go there. Jabiru is an important town in the Top End. In recent times, there have been issues within that community which they have faced and overcome. The Jabiru Town Council is to be applauded for the way they coped with this unexpected event and tackled the effects head on.
As has been pointed out by previous speakers, the Territory has had more that its share of natural disasters in recent weeks. Like many other members in this Chamber, I have had close links with Katherine and its people. I lived there for eight years and still retain connections with friends and family there.
The Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is the agency responsible for providing flood forecasting services. I shall respond to such …
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I move that the minister be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Thank you. I could give a blow-by-blow, hour-by-hour account of the progression of events on 4 April, but I do not think that would be helpful. I will attempt to summarise the situation. I will also give members some background on the forecasting network and how it operates, and a description of the events of early April.
Forecast services for the Katherine River are provided by NRETA, and are expressed in the flood heights and the times when these heights are predicted to occur at the Old Railway Bridge. Under an agreement between NRETA and the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services the duty officer at NRETA will start to issue flood height and flood forecast advices to Police, Fire and Emergency Services when the river levels rise to the watch point levels at specific sites.
NRETA provides the information to NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services which has the primary role of issuing flood warnings. NRETA has provided PFES staff in both Katherine and Darwin with maps that show the extent of flooding in Katherine when the river reaches different floods levels at the Old Railway Bridge. These maps have been produced in 0.5 m increments for river levels between 17.5 metres and 21.5 metres. Thus it is very clear which areas of the town will be flooded when the river heights at the railway bridge reaches these different levels.
The flood forecasting network for the Katherine River Catchment consists of six gauging stations. Two of these - at Upper Reaches and Sleisbeck - are simple rain gauges equipped with satellite phones. The remaining four are gauging stations measuring river heights as well as rainfall. The station at the Katherine River downstream of Birdie Creek is equipped with a satellite phone. The station on Seventeen Mile at Waterfall View has CDMA communications, and the one on the Katherine River at Nitmiluk has CDMA, landline and radio modem. Finally, the station on the Katherine River at the Old Railway Bridge has a CDMA and radio modem.
The peak river height predicted by the model given in flood advice is subject to one condition: that there is no further rainfall in the catchment. Obviously, variable and unpredictable rainfall makes a difference to predicted river heights. Forecast rainfall can be included in the model, and actual rainfall can be used to adjust the model and give a better fit of model type. Forecasting is not an exact science. The modelling used to predict river heights at various locations requires good data and assumptions to be made. No model is perfect, and conservative or precautionary interpretations are generally adopted. All telemetric data is visually inspected daily by a hydrographer to quickly identify any inconsistencies. With the exception of the Sleisbeck rain gauge, all sites operated within specifications during the event period from 1 to 11 April. The Sleisbeck rain gauge developed a fault whereby rainfall was not recorded for the period from 1835 hours on 3 April to 1320 hours on 6 April. Due to the highly variable rainfalls in the catchment area at the time, the fault was not identified until 6 April. At this stage, staff were despatched via helicopter and repaired the station within four hours of the fault being identified.
Reliability of communications in flood events is always the weakest link in the forecast and response chain. Communications were extremely reliable during the period 1 to 18 April. They were better, in fact, than in the previous years of the previous flood events due to recent upgrading of instrumentation and improved reliability. Communications reliability is measured by a number of calls a station attempts to make in order to send its data to the data logger. From a total of 712 attempted calls from six stations, 48 failed to transmit. This failure rate of 6.7% is well below national targets for successful telemetered data transfer rates.
The station at Seventeen Mile recorded 12 failures from 90 calls, and the one at Nitmiluk recorded eight failures from 302 calls. These relatively higher rates of failing to transmit data were due to the rising river at Nitmiluk drowning Telstra’s CDMA network installation for the area. My agency has no control over the reliability of the Telstra network. CDMA coverage was unavailable in the area from 2330 hours on 5 April to approximately 12 April. A team was sent by helicopter from Darwin by 10 am on 6 April. A satellite modem was installed at Seventeen Mile and a landline modem at Nitmiluk restoring communications within 14 hours of outage to overcome Telstra’s CDMA failure. During the 14 hours of communication outage, river heights for Nitmiluk were relayed to flood forecasters by rangers at the Nitmiluk centre.
I acknowledge the efforts of my departmental staff during this event, and the teams which were sent to Katherine and based there from the 5 April when the Katherine River reached minor flood levels to the recession. All staff worked day-in day-out, including weekends and the Easter holidays in potentially dangerous and difficult conditions.
From the flood forecasting data collecting perspective, the monitoring of the Katherine floods was extremely successful. Instrumentation failures were insignificant and communication failure rates considerably lower than in the previous events. When the Katherine River peaked at 19 m at 10 pm on the night of 6 April, it reached a level that is expected to occur, on average, one in every 20 years. The response of the Police and Emergency Services team was made easier than in the 1998 major flood due to the work of the small and dedicated team of flood forecasters in the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. I extend my appreciation to all.
However, it would be remiss of me not to mention the vital efforts of other NRETA staff in the flood response. Parks and Wildlife rangers at Nitmiluk assisted in the evacuation of residents and provided support to the local community. District rangers at Mataranka ensured visitors had relocated from possible flood areas and also assisted the local community. Mataranka district rangers also assisted in the evacuation of the Jilkminggan community residents. Following the peak of the flood, rangers conducted cleanup operations to allow Nitmiluk National Park to resume as soon as possible. The park was reopened to visitors on 11 April. Areas of Elsey National Park remain closed due to inundation.
As the flood receded, Bushfire NT staff and volunteers from the bushfire brigades from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Batchelor and the Darwin rural area drove to Katherine. The bushfires team consisted of 10 staff and 15 volunteers. Fifteen vehicles were used to transport people and materials to the flood cleanup, and the team brought additional fuel to operate vehicles and pumps and, most importantly, included two cooks. The team established an independent camp to ensure their activities did not impose on Katherine’s infrastructure.
With coordination by NT Fire and Rescue, volunteers and staff worked to clean mud and debris from flooded houses, bushfire and grass fire units were used to hose deep mud from the affected houses. In the three days, the team cleaned 21 houses in Katherine, and the Alice Springs team cleaned up Mataranka Homestead on their way home.
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I commend the work of the forecasters and all the staff of NRETA and the Bureau of Meteorology in providing critical river level information required by Police and Emergency Services during the Katherine flood. I commend the work undertaken by all my rangers and the Bushfires NT staff and volunteers.
Ms LAWRIE (Family and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement. My agency of Family and Community Services has responsibility for the provision of emergency assistance and relief for people affected by natural disasters such as we have witnessed with the Katherine floods and Cyclone Monica. I thank all the staff from Family and Community Services and our non-government organisation partners for the great effort they have put in to assist the people of the Katherine region, and the communities affected by Cyclone Monica.
It really has been a case of ‘all hands on deck’ and everyone has been working tirelessly for weeks. It is important that this parliament be aware of the work undertaken by these officers in the emergency stage of the Katherine flood, but also in the recovery stage - a time that is often overlooked when the immediate drama of the emergency has passed.
This particular emergency has also been noteworthy because it has seen the creation of a partnership between the Territory and an Australian government agency, Centrelink, to ensure a prompt and efficient response in personal hardship and cleanup payments for the residents of the Katherine region in the aftermath of the flood. This agreement is the first of its kind in Australia, and this partnership was repeated again to assist the communities affected by Cyclone Monica.
In any disaster, the welfare of the people is always a priority. Many officers from Family and Community Services’ programs have worked tirelessly to ensure the welfare of residents of Katherine and the surrounding communities during this emergency. I acknowledge the groups and individuals who have discharged their duties with diligence and, importantly, with compassion in often difficult and trying circumstances.
The work undertaken by the staff who cared for, and assisted, the aged residents of the Rocky Ridge Nursing Home was phenomenal. This often involved working double shifts in what were difficult circumstances. I thank the staff of RAAF Base Tindal who assisted my officers in caring for the aged and also our people at Katherine Hospital; they did a fantastic job at RAAF Tindal.
I convey my thanks to all those staff and volunteers who set up and operated the emergency evacuation centres with our partner agencies, DEET and Police, Fire and Emergency Services. They did a wonderful job. This involved ensuring that the evacuation centres were opened, people have meals, something to sleep on, clothing, access to medical aid, security and up-to-date information on what is happening.
Whilst I would like to name everybody involved, it is not practical. However, there are some staff I feel that require special attention. The first person who deserves particular recognition and thanks is Rose Rhodes, the head of Family and Community Services. Rose Rhodes goes into a zone when these disasters occur - she simply does everything she can to help everyone affected. She coordinated an enormous effort all day and night. She does this in a professional manner. She rallies the troops and coordinates the whole operation. My thanks go to her, and I am sure all members of parliament will join me in saying that we truly appreciate the work she has done.
Cheryl Follett set up the centres and was ably helped by the staff of the Katherine Family and Children’s Services Office, FACS, who coordinated the operation of the evacuation. These include Maggie Charles, Charmaine Wharton-Wall, Felicity Creigh, Karita Walker, Susan Easom, Leslie Egan, Janet Meaney and Lewis Lampton. Several of these people had only just started work as FACS officers the week before in Katherine and found themselves suddenly responding to a flood emergency. One of the FACS workers, Esme Stanley, is a recent arrival from the United Kingdom and certainly had a unique outback experience working in the evacuation centre and in welfare recovery. All of these workers continued to provide care and support for the community of Katherine when their own lives were being affected by the flood.
I also acknowledge the work undertaken by our non-government partners, their staff and volunteers who worked in the evacuation centres in a variety of roles. My special thanks go to Anglicare, Somerville, Mission Australia, Red Cross, the Salvation Army, EAS, Centacare NT, and Ormonde House, who rostered themselves to respond to the community’s needs. I take the opportunity as the Minister for Sport and Recreation to thank the tremendous effort of both Jo Jennings and Marcus Rosas in Katherine.
I now wish to focus on the recovery part of any emergency. This is a stage the general public is often unaware of unless they are actually involved in this situation, and is often overlooked as it does not have quite the same dramatic experience as the emergency situation itself. However, the recovery stage is vital because it is at this stage that people require assistance to re-establish themselves and return as quickly as possible to their normal routine and daily life. It is a time when people require emergency financial assistance to help them get on with their lives, and also to have access to a broader range of services such as emergency accommodation and, importantly, counselling.
To assist people in their recovery, the Territory government made available disaster relief. This was a non-means tested grant of a maximum of $945, as well as access to money for emergency accommodation. Those affected by the flood and the cyclone who lost possessions, or who had structural damage to their homes, could also apply for a re-establishment grant. To date, a total of $395 000 has been provided by the Territory government in relief and accommodation support payments for flood-affected people.
The recovery stage of the Katherine flood saw the creation of a unique partnership between the Territory government and the Australian government. Territory government staff and Centrelink staff worked side-by-side as welfare recovery staff to provide disaster relief to those affected by the flood. This included working from the Katherine Centrelink office, as well as outreach services to those unaware of the assistance available. The partnership ensured people received a seamless and efficient service and were able to access the relief money immediately. This is the first time such a partnership has occurred. The third member of this partnership were the non-government organisations and their staff and volunteers who did a wonderful job responding from the Centrelink office to make available emergency food relief, accommodation and counselling for those who needed it.
My thanks go to our officers who assessed people for immediate relief, as well as those officers who travelled from Darwin and spent a week at a time in Katherine undertaking the necessary assessments for the re-establishment grants. Again, I cannot name everyone but I feel it is necessary to mention Lee-anne McInnes who provided logistics and administrative support; Di Halloran who spent two weeks in Katherine assisting people with flood relief and assessments; Barb Kelly who not only spent a week as team leader at the Centrelink office but also undertook on-call for child protection after hours services to ensure that FACS staff in Katherine had some respite over the Easter period; Natalie Paris who did evacuation centre work as well as being on-call for child protection work; and Sue Rizqallah who helped with flood relief assessments and on-call work.
Collene Bremner is the Welfare Recovery Coordinator for the NT. Colleen played a key role in the emergency evacuation centres. She went home to Darwin briefly after the closure of the evacuation centres, but returned after a couple of days to manage the ongoing welfare recovery effort and remained there despite the threat of Cyclone Monica to her own family in Darwin.
We know that it was not just Katherine which was affected by the flooding but also our bush communities. I acknowledge the work undertaken by Garry Scapin and Vicky Lindner in visiting and liaising with these communities to ensure they received access to flood relief in a timely manner. Garry is also the Region 1 Group Leader for welfare recovery in the event of a disaster and has worked tirelessly in providing leadership and support to staff responding to Cyclone Monica and those affected communities. Success of such well coordinated responses is due to two staff, Burniece Cross and Jenny Scott, who remained in Darwin but provided a roster for assessment and administrative support, and coordinated travel and accommodation for all staff involved.
Cyclone Monica caused significant destruction across our Top End communities on Anzac Day. Community Services responded by sending teams of staff into remote communities to provide social, financial, emotional and psychological support. Of specific mention is Melissa Mutton, Manager of FACS Darwin Remote who led by example. Melissa was in Jabiru the day after Cyclone Monica and has continued to lead and advise the staff in their recovery effort. Nick Hedstrom and four Health and Community Services staff worked for more than 25 hours supporting the cyclone shelter at Nhulunbuy, and now Nick is providing important support to Oenpelli.
The recovery and restoration phase are the two events that will take some time for many but I know that the path to recovery will be much smoother with the commitment of the staff and with such a supportive community. I also thank the Chief Executive Officer of Health, Robert Griew, and Chief Executive Officer of Sport and Recreation, Mike Dillon. They were both available to answer queries and provide up-to-date information and also played a strong leadership role in coordinating the response of their agencies. My heartfelt thanks go to them for their great effort.
In conclusion, let me add to the comments of my colleagues as to how proud we can be of the work undertaken by all of the government officers and also the non-government agencies which worked tirelessly to provide support to the communities of Katherine and the region, and also the communities affected by Cyclone Monica. In times of disaster is when you truly find the mettle of the people and Territorians certainly stepped up to the plate and showed that we are a great community with great people. I acknowledge the work done by everyone.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister for her statement.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, having lived over the last 10 years by two major rivers, the Victoria and Katherine Rivers, I am quite accustomed to a bit of flooding. So are the people of those areas of Katherine, the upper Victoria River District and the Daly River region. However, you never really get used to those floods especially when they get to the intensity they did in Katherine over the last month. However, everybody prepares, and I prepared when those floods came a few weeks ago in Katherine.
I was driving to Darwin on that Wednesday, at about 6 am, and passed by the Cullen, Fergusson and Edith Rivers. They were absolutely swollen. I was quite impressed to find Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff stationed at Cullen River at 7 am monitoring the river height and watching the cars go through. It had been a metre over the Cullen River bridge during the night and dropped back during that day. I will mention more about those rivers later in my speech.
Arriving in Darwin I received reports on what was happening with the Katherine River so I cancelled my appointments in the rural area and returned to Katherine. I was greeted in Katherine by the member for Arnhem who had been visiting the communities in Beswick with Senator Trish Crossin. By this time there was the potential for flooding in Katherine.
The Police, Fire and Emergency Services swung into gear. The council staff and many agency staff were already getting prepared for the flooding. The floods drew many sightseers; that was an issue during that time. Many people thought it was going to be like 2000 - it would rise fairly significantly but drop away. The floods, obviously, did not. What happened has been mentioned. I support the comments about the many people who gave their time at the evacuation centres. Many people from my communities had moved into Katherine and were trapped in Katherine during the floods. I met them at the evacuation centres and they were appreciative of the work of the teachers, agency staff, and volunteers from the Red Cross during that time. They were well looked after. There were also quite a number of tourists.
During the time before the flood, my office and I were in constant contact, ringing around the region to see how other areas were in the Douglas Daly and the Daly River area, and out towards Timber Creek. We were getting an idea of what was happening. The floods held me up in Katherine for a few days. As soon as I could get out, I moved up to the Daly River area. I took my tinny with me because I was informed by the police and other members of the community that you needed a boat to get into the community.
The community at Daly River was very well organised. Gary Higgins, the Emergency Services representative there, and Ian Kennon, the OIC of the Daly River police, did a fantastic job. Other members of the Counter Disaster Committee were Steve Botterill from NTES, Andy McTaggart, a key person in the community - and congratulations need to go to him; and Janet Fletcher, the nurse at the new health clinic who was involved in the meetings and working out what to do for the community. By the time I arrived, the police were very well organised and had some reinforcements: Peter Russell, Brian Harrison, and Glen McPhee from Marine and Fisheries; Craig Garland from the Territory Response Section, and other members Leon Schultz, Vic Dupont, Andy Rideout, Adam Van Oosten; as well as David Taylor, Norm Skinner and Mark Casey. Mark Casey is the president of the Nauiyu Nambiyu Community Government Council. He played a key role with the community and the police with the information that was being received.
That community is well aware of floods and was very well organised. They were watching the information on the Internet, and also spoke directly with NRETA staff. They were fairly comfortable with where they sat and I was reassured by that. I boated from the Five Mile, which is outside the community, into the community, through the trees to the pub where I stayed for two nights. Once I was satisfied things were well in hand there, I moved to the Douglas Daly area where, as I mentioned earlier, those rivers that feed into that area were built up with the Douglas River and affected the Douglas Daly Tourist Park.
Jim and Lindy Taylor, the new owners of the tourist park, were devastated. The Douglas River was already flooded at the time and there was significant rain in the catchment area of the Douglas River, and they copped it. The river rose from 10 o’clock to 1 o’clock and there was about 1.5 m of water through the complex which did a significant amount of damage. Jim and Lindy had a bit to say, and there are some lessons to be learnt there. They got on with business and worked very hard to get the place cleaned up by the time I arrived. I certainly hope we can do a lot for them in the future.
After Douglas Daly, I moved to Mataranka. I had not heard much from Mataranka and I went to the Mataranka cabins and spoke with Bruce Ross who is a volunteer on the Counter Disaster Committee there. His business was slightly affected when his ablution block was flooded. He is part of the FERGS team which evacuated Jilkminggan in the middle of the night. They did a fantastic job.
The most affected place there was the homestead. Steve and Deb Moore are recent owners from Western Australia. They had spent a lot of time fixing up all the rooms prior to the flood and getting ready for a very busy tourist season. They were absolutely devastated by the floods. It came very quickly through the Little Roper and they had eight feet of water through the bar at the Mataranka Homestead. It was above the 2000 flood level. The place was significantly damaged. They employed backpackers who came to have a look to clean up. They needed a lot of help with the cleanup, so as soon as I got back to Katherine, I rang staff in the minister’s office who got in touch with Barry Chambers, who got in touch with Bushfires NT and they organised some volunteers.
Adrian Creighton, whom I kept in contact with, was very helpful. Some of the volunteers who helped were Shane Brumby, Senior Fire Control Officer South; Rod Herron, Dorsey Debney, and Murray Watts from Alice Springs, and Trevor Jansen and Justin Hankinson from Tennant Creek. People came from everywhere to help those people. I know the resolve of Steve and Deb; they will clean up and they will get on with it.
At the time I visited there was still quite a bit of water in the springs. Lincoln and Andy, the two rangers there, were working very hard, in waist deep water, shovelling sand and mud from the walkways to try to get it ready for the season. They did a fantastic job. One of the other areas affected was Palumpa which had a significant amount of water through it, and also the outstations around the Daly area.
Cyclone Monica appeared just as the floods were starting to recede. At that time, the Adelaide River community was getting ready for one of the biggest events on Anzac Day, the Adelaide River War Memorial ceremony. Prudently, they cancelled the ceremony and got ready to react to the flooding. They had quite a number of volunteers who participated during that time. Lisa Wain, the CEO of the council, went down on the morning of Anzac Day and waited to see if anybody turned up who had not heard that it had been cancelled, and 50-odd people turned up, even though a cyclone was bearing down on them. They had a very small ceremony and left fairly quickly.
People who have driven over the Adelaide River Bridge know how high it is. The water actually came within a metre underneath that bridge and it scoured out the river. It encroached on Memorial Drive. The river is quite open now; many trees have been wiped out. They were quite lucky in that area. Many volunteers turned up. Alan Brown, the OIC at the Police Station, did a fantastic job. Other volunteers were Dyanne Allport, from the council and also on the Fire and Emergency Response Group; Bill Roberts, a long time volunteer with the group; Mick Loone from Hansen Concrete Group who is also heavily involved with the ARSS Club; Maureen Roebuck; Kristine Levi, who is with the clinic; Peter Antal from the Inn; Sandy McLean, President of the Adelaide River Show Society; Tony Clegg, principal at the school; Chris O’Brien, another police officer, and Alan O’Brien. I also acknowledge Doc Doherty, a well known personality from around Hayes Creek who is based at Douglas Daly now. He participated in helping people out.
Those floods came quite rapidly to that area. Other areas affected were the Batchelor community with river rises, and also the Berry Springs area.
Although Pine Creek was not affected by the flooding they accommodated evacuees from Goulburn Island. I visited the evacuation accommodation at the Kakadu Gateway which had been well set up and there was a very orderly process for meals. The Army did a fantastic job, and by all accounts and from what I saw around the town, everything went to plan. I thank the Pine Creek community for being so accommodating to those people from Goulburn Island.
As we speak, the flooding is not over. The Daly River has risen in the last couple of days and the community at Daly River is cut off again. We are still trying to look at food and fuel issues at that community. The communities in the Woodycupaldiya outstation area are having significant power generation fuel problems and we are trying to sort those out. The Barra Nationals at the Daly River were postponed and are due to happen this Friday. I hope for Wally Draper and all involved in the Barra Nationals that the river level drops over the next couple of days and they can get on with the fantastic event, and something to boost the region at Daly River.
The Timber Creek area is again cut off as we speak, and this is the second time this year it has happened. The announcement in today’s budget, in collaboration with the Commonwealth, will be welcomed by the people in the Upper VRD and Timber Creek areas, and travellers into and out of Western Australia.
The pastoral industry was also affected. There was a significant effect on the mustering, on roads and fences. Ban Ban Springs is one station significantly affected by the rise of the McKinlay River. We are trying to work with them to get relief payments to them and to see what can be done.
We need to look at lessons that have been learned from this experience. I attended the Katherine Town Council de-brief the other night. The community expressed where it felt there were inconsistencies, but what was not reported were the congratulations the whole meeting gave to the police and all the agencies. There was a standing ovation for the police. Even though they copped a bit of a touch-up early on, they were congratulated by a standing ovation, particularly Kate Vanderlaan for all her work. What came out of that meeting was talk of early warning with more river and rain gauges, and better modelling. Through this process there will be a better model. It will be another one which will better inform next time. Also there was talk of a pre-cyclone style campaign for these areas which suffer flooding. In Darwin, we have the pre-cyclone ‘clean up your back yards’. In areas which are affected by flooding we need to have something like that so we can get ready for these things. The local Town Disaster Plans need to be looked at to see how they went and perhaps give them a tweak to see if they can be better for next time.
One of the significant events I saw during the floods was right in the middle of the emergency. There had been an announcement for an emergency area in Katherine and one of the bottle shops decided to open in the middle of it. So you had people who were trapped for several days and on edge, and they tried to open a bottle shop. They sold a few cartons of beer and some casks of wine - which I thought was pretty cheeky. They were promptly shut down, and so they should have been. There have been some comments about the state of Katherine during those floods and how different it was without grog. That is something all can learn from.
What does the future hold for that area? Communities within those smaller areas Douglas Daly, Daly, Timber Creek, and Mataranka are calling for local de-briefs and I will participate in those. A week ago I issued a media release on getting Territorians to consider visiting, during the next school holidays, those areas which were flood-affected. Businesses in those areas copped a bit of a pounding and they could certainly do with the patronage.
In conclusion, I congratulate the residents of the flood-affected areas for their courage and community spirit during these trying times. I thank the many volunteers who gave of their time and labour. I thank Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Health and other agency staff who worked hard to protect the lives and property of Territorians.
Madam Speaker, we cannot stop these events but we can have the best preparation for them. We can have the best response to them but we must and will learn from these events for the inevitable next time. I commend the statement to the House.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to many people in the Wugularr/Barunga region and Jilkminggan and Mataranka in regards to the flooding in March and April. The Wugularr community is situated alongside the Waterhouse River which is known for rising to extreme levels during the Wet Season, a fact that has become more prominent since the 1998 Katherine River flood. In March this year, the Waterhouse River threatened houses in the low lying areas of Wugularr and lapped at the school steps causing great concern for teachers and students. The school had to be closed as a safety precaution and remained closed for nearly a month as the Waterhouse River rose three times in March and April. By the time the town of Katherine flooded in April, Wugularr had been inundated three times.
The Central Arnhem Road was covered in water effectively cutting any access to not only Wugularr but to the Bulman community a further couple of hundred kilometres away. Four-wheel drive vehicles could pass through on occasions but it was very rare and, instead, a boat was used to ferry people where necessary. When a boat could not be used, sometimes the local council grader was used instead, depending on the levels of the water. This required great skill and awareness by members of the Wugularr community who were confident enough to know the flooded terrain. It is not a job that many would jump at doing.
In fact, I had the Labor Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin, travelling with me on this occasion along with a member of her staff, John Prior. We all waited a little while on the eastern side of the flooded Central Arnhem Road to be transported to Wugularr. My vehicle had to be kept on one side as we jumped on a grader to travel the 5 km or 6 km across the flooded and fast-flowing Waterhouse River. It was certainly a ride, and no doubt a sight to see, but it was the only way we could get into the community to see how people were going. In fact, it was almost like a public pit-stop on the eastern side of the Central Arnhem Road because people from Wugularr who had gone into Katherine had to wait there with us. We also met up with Fred Hollows Foundation people who wanted to get to Wugularr and they had to wait for the grader to come back and pick them up. There were also Woolworths executives who had travelled from Sydney to Katherine and out to Wugularr to have a look at the shop. For some of these executives, it was their first time to Wugularr and for them to stand on the side of the Central Arnhem Road waiting for a grader was quite an extraordinary situation for them to find themselves in.
I congratulate the Wugularr Council manager, Geoff Lohmeyer and his staff, Conway Bush and Michael, for their consistent efforts in ensuring all people were safe and could move to and fro across the river. Geoff coordinated the emergency services with Maranboy Police who kept the Katherine Region Emergency Services informed of the needs in the community. Mike and Conway drove the boat or the grader, depending on what was being used to transport people. With a community of 400 to 500 people, the requests for transport were numerous and often occurred at times when I know that Mike and Conway would have preferred some time out. To their credit, they continued to care patiently and compassionately for the residents of Wugularr. To you both, I say a very big thank you. Yes, you were tired, even exhausted. Yes, there needs to be more support volunteers to assist in such times of extreme need. These are things we will discuss for the future planning of emergency procedures for the Wugularr community.
One of the first houses to go under belonged to the president of the community, Richard Kennedy. Once Richard’s house goes under, it is not too long before a number of other houses follow. They include two teacher houses and a Health house. At one of the highest stages of inundation, at least nine to 15 houses went under. School principal, Mike Puccetti, found that he was not only preparing the school building for the possibility of flooding, but he was also forced to evacuate from his house along with his young daughter. The Department of Education moved teachers from Wugularr to Katherine at a convenient time to get them out of the community.
I pay tribute to Mike Puccetti and the teaching staff at Wugularr school for ensuring the safety of students at all times, particularly during these times of stress and uncertainty as the Waterhouse River threatened the community. Thank you also for your efforts in monitoring the water levels and protecting the school equipment. I know that when you did go back into the school you saw the relocation of the staff fridge which gave an idea of how strong the water flow was when it flooded the school staff room. That was just one of the many items at the school that was moved around and found in a different place. Your dedication to the community of Wugularr is a credit to each one of you at the school.
The Northern Territory government has recognised the continued troubles of the teachers, the students and the community of Wugularr with the flooding each year, and are pleased to say that a new $2.5m school will now be built on higher ground. I especially thank the Chief Minister and the Education minister, on behalf of the community, for recognising the urgency of the need to build a new school at Wugularr. I know that the community is deeply appreciative of the urgency which has been shown in seeing that the school is going to be built this year. The community has consistently asked for a new school, and the Martin government is determined to see it built in the 2006-07 financial year.
Thank you to staff of the Barunga School who were prepared to take evacuees from Wugularr - your preparedness was appreciated. I extend a huge thank you to Phyl, the nurse at Sunrise Clinic in Wugularr. Thankfully, there were no health emergencies at Wugularr, but the general health needs of people still needed to be catered for. To you, Phyl, a very big thank you for your dedication and commitment to your job and the community. The Wugularr Store was also threatened by rising floodwaters, but was kept quite safe overall.
The community felt isolated and abandoned during the severe flooding throughout March and April. I am determined to see how the Northern Territory government can work with the community to improve on emergency procedures for the future, even so far as to explore why the region is flooding more frequently than it ever did before the 1998 major Katherine River flood. I know that our government is consistent in its decisions to want to see how we can improve the efforts that were made right across the Northern Territory, and congratulate the workers for their diligence and assistance in the state of emergency that occurred and, in particular, Commander Kate Vanderlaan.
Next week, I will meet with the Wugularr community to debrief on how the crisis was handled and where we can improve. This debriefing will include the Nyirranggulung Mardrulk Ngadberre Regional Council. A very big thank you to the CEO, Michael Berto, who kept me constantly informed of the situation at Beswick and the other communities in the region. Thank you to Michael and also president, Veronica Birrell. The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Jawoyn Association will also be involved in this debriefing. A huge thank you to Mick Peirce of the Jawoyn Association who flew out in a helicopter when he was asked to check on Wugularr, and also to provide food to Barunga and Beswick, and to those who needed it when the rivers could not allow people into Katherine.
It is quite clear that by the time the town of Katherine goes under water, you can bet that the community of Wugularr has gone under more than once. In this case, it had gone under three times before Katherine flooded. This fact has to be taken much more seriously and, with the future planning for emergency procedures for Wugularr, this government will look at how temporary shelters can be established for residents in the community during such times of crisis. As for longer-term planning, the location for building new houses will be looked at. It is an assurance that has been given by the Housing minister in his speech earlier tonight. I sincerely look forward to further dialogue with the Housing minister on the issue of housing in Wugularr.
Further down the Stuart Highway on the Roper Road is the community of Jilkminggan. This community was forced to evacuate a number of residents to the nearby town of Mataranka. The community was very prepared, thanks to the council manger, Arnold Von Senden and also to Cheryl Lardy, very independent people who work very closely with the council and, in particular, the traditional owners, Jessie and Sheila Roberts. The people were watching the river, listening to the reports on ABC radio and television, watching the Bureau of Meteorology updates, and they knew that once Wugularr was certainly under, they would have to start thinking about where they would go. As mentioned in the House this evening, the Jilkminggan mob started to evacuate the community at about 6.30 pm and that evacuation continued into the early hours of the following morning until about 2 am or 3 am. People were evacuated to Mataranka. I extend a special thank you to the town of Mataranka for looking after the people of Jilkminggan.
Two days prior to that evacuation, Senator Trish Crossin travelled with me to Jilkminggan. We travelled through heavy rain to get to the community. The rain was quite intense and you could see that in no time flooding was going to occur there. In fact, when we were at Mataranka we wanted to fly to Minyerri, or Hodgson Downs as it is sometimes known, but the airstrip at Mataranka was so wet that the plane could not take off. We could see and experience the heavy rain right across the Katherine south region. When we returned to Katherine that evening, the Katherine River rose so we found ourselves in Katherine with the rest of the residents watching and waiting to see what was going to happen with the Katherine River.
No sooner had the Arnhem region recovered from flooding, residents in the northern area of Arnhem were bracing themselves for the arrival of Cyclone Monica. The Category 5 cyclone teased many communities along the Arnhem coastline, such Numbulwar and Groote Eylandt, before coming around to Milingimbi and going on to Maningrida where it hit with force. Numbulwar and Groote Eylandt Emergency Services were well prepared. I say a big thank you to the following people for ensuring the communities were prepared: to Groote Eylandt police, in particular Steve Pfitzner and staff who were involved with alerting all residents about the movements of Cyclone Monica; at Angurugu Council, a thank you to CEO, Greg Arnott and President, Jabani Lalara, and in particular to the health clinic staff at Angurugu, Umbakumba and also at Alyangula who, no doubt, were watching with interest to see what Cyclone Monica was going to do.
At Numbulwar, a big thank you to Council CEO, Marc Gardner and President, Samuel Ngalmi; and at the Homelands Resource Centre, thank you to CEO, Andrew Hodder, and Henry Nunggumajbarr and all the staff at the Numbulwar Health Clinic. Each one of you made sure that all the residents of Numbulwar were prepared, and that all the residents of the outstations near Numbulwar came into the community to be prepared because no one quite knew what Cyclone Monica was going to do.
At Milingimbi and Ramingining, they felt the strong winds from Cyclone Monica, and contact with both communities was difficult. It took Telstra until today to get most of the phone lines back on. We did try to make contact, and I say a very big thank you to Emergency Services who covered the Maningrida, Millingimbi and Ramingining region and who are continuing to do so.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I would like to say a few words about Cyclone Monica as I was not involved in the Katherine floods, although for a number of years I was involved in the Daly River floods, which we always blamed on Katherine because they kept sending it down our way.
A big thank you to all those people who were involved in the Katherine floods and Cyclone Monica: the Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and also the volunteer workers, council workers, and all those people who gave a hand to help out when people were in need. I know all the speakers before said that and I believe it needs reiterating. It is a sign of a community effort when things are bad that people get behind one another and help out.
Cyclone Monica did not directly affect the rural area of Darwin. However, if you look at the predictions of the Bureau of Meteorology when it was a Category 5 cyclone, they were predicting it would go across the neck of Cobourg Peninsula and form up again in the Van Diemen Gulf. That certainly would have put the rural area at risk because it could come back across the Adelaide River and into the rural area of Darwin. There certainly was concern at that stage.
I went around that night to check out the two shelters in the rural area, which were the Girraween Primary School and Taminmin High School. There were only three people at Girraween Primary School. It was manned by a police officer, and the same at the Taminmin High School. I have been told that civilians were looking after the cyclone shelters in Darwin although perhaps the police came in later to give them a hand. I thought that was strange, as years ago I was a cyclone shelter manager and we do not seem to have continued the policy of having cyclone shelter managers in the rural area, and were relying on police. Much as I think it is good to have police there, especially when you have an order that there was no alcohol allowed in these areas, perhaps they should look at selecting some local people to manage these facilities and have police in the vicinity if needed. It seems a wasted resource to have a police officer who might be needed in some other more urgent capacity, staying awake all night in a cyclone shelter where there are only three people or, in the case of Taminmin High School, seven people. Perhaps it is one of those things we should go back to, and that is what used to happen in years gone by.
I thank the ABC radio people. I am not picking on the other stations, but when there is a cyclone, flood or any sort of danger in our community, most people would listen to the ABC radio. One reason is that it has reception far wider than any other station; and two, it always gives you accurate and timely information. When people are concerned about a cyclone, especially at night, it is comforting to hear someone getting out information on the radio to let you know what is happening. There is nothing worse than if you are in a building and you do not have a radio on and you can hear the wind howling, not to be told what is going on. I am one of those who sleeps very lightly when there is a cyclone around and wakes up and turns the radio on to hear the latest cyclone report; and that is exactly what I did.
I visited the cyclone shelters about 10 pm on the Monday night. I went to Batchelor because my wife had taken the grandchildren there to stay with her sister, and I stayed with them. They were very happy because they were with their cousins and played computer games for half the night. It was a very still night with very little wind.
I got up early, about 4.30 am, to listen to the latest report which said that the cyclone had crossed the coast much earlier than predicted. It was a Category 2 at that stage. I travelled back to Darwin and saw a number of people on the highway travelling south. I thought they were going to go to the Anzac Day service at Adelaide River. About 20 or so people did attend the service at Adelaide River War Cemetery and I would imagine they had done that themselves, but there was quite a bit of traffic heading south. While I travelled north there was very little wind and no rain, and I was surprised when I got back to Taminmin High School shelter to check out how many people were there that the police had made an order asking people not to travel north.
I wonder if one of the problems is whether we have enough on-ground information and enough people on the ground at times. It was at the same time as the police were saying do not travel north, that the ABC made the announcement that Adelaide River was to be evacuated. Having left not long before in a fairly peaceful atmosphere with very little wind, and knowing there was a Category 2 travelling across the land, I wondered whether we needed a couple of things to help us monitor these cyclones better.
Is it possible to have more scientific data being collected across the top of the Territory which can give us accurate wind information? Is it possible to have more people on the ground reporting to police headquarters, giving an actual description of what is happening on the ground? People were a bit confused as to why they had to move south and then they did go to Pine Creek. When they reached Pine Creek, they were told to move on to Katherine. If the information had been more accurate, perhaps a lot of this would not have had to occur. I met a lady who said it cost her $300 to take a horse down to Adelaide River only to be told to pack it up and bring it back to Darwin. I wonder whether we need some more accurate information so that evacuations are not needed. As I said, it was a Category 2 cyclone and it was still about 200 km from Adelaide River, and the record of cyclones is that once they are on land they will reduce in velocity and danger.
Another area that some people have spoken to me about is that they felt the satellite pictures that were being used on the Bureau of Meteorology site were not as accurate as those used by the US Navy. I have had a couple of people say to me that the US Navy site was a far more accurate site when it came to showing exactly where the cyclone was. I do not know whether this is true. If it is the case, then I wonder whether it is due to lack of access to certain satellites by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It would be interesting to know if people in the Northern Territory are getting the most accurate information through the website for the weather bureau.
The member for Arafura spoke about mahogany trees earlier. Having lived on Bathurst Island for a long time where mahogany trees were planted many years ago, I do not believe there is an issue about mahogany trees per se. It is where you plant them. If people plant them too close to a house that is the problem. You only have to look at the pictures of what Cyclone Monica did to the native vegetation - it flattens it. I would never recommend anyone put a Darwin Woolybutt right next to your house. One reason is that the white ants will eat it and it is likely to fall down just from that, but it also blows over quite easily. It is not the mahogany that is the problem; it is where you plant it. Do not plant it near power lines, do not plant it near the house, and only plant it in big parkland.
If you think Maningrida had a problem, I bet your bottom dollar Darwin has a problem if we get a cyclone because, in some of the suburbs, there are huge mahogany trees about 2 m wide on the nature strip. I would hate to see the damage when they come down. There has been good comment about that particular tree and maybe we have to look at cutting down some of the big trees in the Darwin suburbs, or where they are near power lines. They cause us a lot of damage. However, I would not say to get rid of mahoganies per se because they make good shade and that is a good reason to keep them.
When it looked like Daly River might have to be evacuated, there was an interview with Andy McTaggart, who has lived there for many years. I have known Andy for a long time. His concern was that there were statements being made, some by the police and some by the local newspaper, about evacuations. He was concerned that that was frightening people into believing they had to evacuate when the local information said there was no need to evacuate. I know there has been a meeting since then with the Police Commissioner to iron out some of those problems. Having worked there and been through three floods, I know they feel that there are newspaper reports published which do not really reflect exactly what is happening on the ground. They forget that the locals who have been through flood after flood after flood - because floods are just a thing you live with on the Daly River - have plans and know how to handle them. Much more trust has to go back to those people.
As I said regarding the evacuation of Adelaide River or where the cyclone is, we need more local information. Perhaps we are not taking that into account as we should be.
It has been mentioned to me that Tommy’s Creek crossing might need an upgrade. If anyone has been to the Daly River, you will know that the first thing that cuts off the community is Tommy’s Creek. The river breaks its banks and water flows around near the range of hills and comes across Tommy’s Creek crossing. Once that creek rises too high, the community is cut off. Normally, the community knows the height of the river and at what height it should move all its vehicles to Five Mile hill. However, it would make it a lot easier if the government would look at raising the level of that crossing with some culverts. That would mean the community is not isolated for such a long period.
You sometimes come across information about which you question the accuracy. I heard in the morning that the Elizabeth River Bridge was closed. There are two bridges on the Elizabeth River, and a railway bridge which, for some reason, is higher than the other bridges. The second bridge was built because the first bridge, the smaller bridge, goes under water quite often. Traffic is diverted onto that section of highway and uses the newer bridge. When I heard that the Stuart Highway was closed at the Elizabeth River, I thought that must be the mammoth flood. I am of the understanding that it was only half of the road closed. Again, you sometimes wonder whether the information coming through is as accurate as it should be.
Another issue from the police angle is when the media kept asking the commander for comments. Perhaps they should have a person who handles the public relations. Years ago, Jane Munday’s job was to deal with the media. It must be very annoying that the media is chasing you up for comment when you are in charge of a flood at Katherine and your job is to coordinate rescues or tell people to evacuate their houses. In those circumstances, the police should have someone who deals with the media only, and gives information to the media. The public would then have an accurate idea of what is happening.
In raising those few points, I thank the Police, Fire and Emergency Services and everyone involved in helping out. I hope those Arnhem Land communities which were affected, especially along the coast, can get back on their feet. The Chief Minister commented that the building code is of sufficient standard because the houses at Maningrida were shown to have withstood a big blow. I know some houses were damaged but, as the Chief Minister said, some of those were damaged by trees. The houses seemed to have stood up pretty well. That is a good indication that the building code is working. As much as it means a house costs a bit more, it certainly is well worth making sure the houses are built to a good standard. I hope all those people in those communities get back on their feet soon.
Madam Speaker, I hope the comments that I have made tonight make some sense. People at Daly River would appreciate me saying that sometimes we forget those people who have lived all or a good part of their lives there, do know a lot about what is happening. We should ensure we consider them when making decisions from way up here in the north.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank everyone for their contribution. We went through two very significant events in April, in the Katherine region and then in the Top End. Darwin waited, Nhulunbuy waited, but communities like Maningrida, Oenpelli and Jabiru actually got the force of the cyclone. It was a very significant event. It is very important that this parliament pays tribute to the resilience of our communities, to all those people who did the hard work when the emergencies were on, and to those involved in the recovery works. It is important that we thank them for what they did.
On a level of actually watching what happened, I sat twice with the Counter Disaster Council in the Katherine region and once with the major Counter Disaster Council on the night before we were expecting Cyclone Monica. The work that is done through the Counter Disaster Council is enormously impressive. To sit in Katherine, for example, on the Thursday when there was flooding, and look at the detail of how those around the table dealt with the issues that were emerging and the knowledge they had about the local community and the care they took, was enormously impressive. The Police minister was there with me and we were both very impressed at the commitment – and we were dealing with people at that stage who had been up for 48 hours. They had their sense of humour, but eyes were red-rimmed. There was great attention to detail. You can talk about the flood and how people are being affected, but the detail of dealing with an evacuation, the power, water and sewerage systems, roads, reports on what was happening in communities, how food was being distributed, all the little details that make dealing with such an emergency not pleasant but something that people could cope with was very impressive.
I pay tribute to the Katherine Counter Disaster Council and the leadership of Kate Vanderlaan. It was very impressive. I sat with them twice and saw that commitment maintained over that time. We would not cope with these emergencies without people like those I saw around the table, and without the good humour of the 600 or so people who were evacuated from their homes in the Katherine region and were at the high school and the primary school. It was not easy, but they were coping with a good spirit.
There was a Counter Disaster Council meeting on 24 April in Darwin, and the leadership from the Police Commissioner and the other key people around the table that night was also very impressive. The reports in from communities, ranging from Maningrida through to Oenpelli and Jabiru about what was happening there and the response that was being taken, as someone listening to what was happening, I was enormously impressed. I think it is the knowledge, it is being able to respond as difficult circumstances emerged, and certainly on that Monday night, the 24th, with all the best information we now have, we still did not know what the cyclone was going to do. There were a number of different paths being plotted for the cyclone, and you could see that on the Bureau of Meteorology’s Internet site and it was not possible to say where that cyclone would go. I suspect, as technology gets better and we get better reading of things like cyclones, it will still have that wild card element. You simply do not know what a cyclone is going to do. You have a Counter Disaster Council that has to put in place every best mechanism to cope with whatever path they think that cyclone might take. You have to cover not just one path but the number of paths that are tracked. For example, Warruwi is a low-lying community and the decision was made that if the cyclone did take a more direct westerly path the community would be in trouble. A decision was made to evacuate that community to Pine Creek. In the end, there was little effect on Goulburn Island. It is better to have that decision taken, that community protected, than wait until later.
In many ways, the same applies to Nauiyu. I heard what the member for Nelson said about listening to what the locals are saying on the ground. There was a lot of expert work done by hydrologists and reading the river levels in the Katherine region to ensure that the people of the Daly community were going to be safe. Those preparations were made not to say it is going to be a must that you evacuate but there was somewhere that the evacuation procedures were known, that if the river had risen to the predictions that were being made, the community would have to go to Pine Creek. So those decisions are made. You cannot predict necessarily down to the last half a metre of water, or to the last tracking point where a cyclone is going to go, but those preparations have to be made.
I pay tribute again to all those who were part of that, and also to the great sense shown by the people of the Top End. They followed directions. People in Darwin, the Palmerston area and the rural area cleaned up their yards. They made sure they were well prepared. The member for Nhulunbuy was saying that the directions were well followed in Nhulunbuy: he went to Woolies and every single can of baked beans was gone! Obviously, baked beans is a staple for a cyclone. He said the kidney beans were all there but the baked beans were gone. Maybe we have to diversify people’s eating habits during cyclones.
Mr Wood: Recipes in the NT News for baked beans!
Ms MARTIN: Yes. I believe we are very sensible about cyclones. We are sensible about floods. We can learn from what happened. As the Recovery Coordinator for the Katherine regional floods, Barry Chambers will be presenting recommendations to the Counter Disaster Council and the same will be done following Cyclone Monica.
Madam Speaker, I grew up a Catholic; I am not a practising Catholic any more. However, when Monica did not hit Darwin or Nhulunbuy, and when the flooding in Katherine and the region was not as extensive as we have seen in the past, and not one Territorian was injured, I found myself thanking God. It is a reaction that many of us had - you wanted to thank somebody for the luck we had in being spared. We have had property damage, yes, and that will take sometime to repair; hopefully, we can do it as quickly as possible. The fact that we lost no lives, that people were not injured, is something that we can all take away as maybe it is luck but maybe it is part of good preparation as well.
We will learn from these incidents. It is hard to predict when we will have the next natural disaster. Knowing the Top End we will probably have one in the next couple of years. The more we prepare, the more we know about what might happen, the better off we can be.
Madam Speaker, I thank everyone for their contributions to this debate and, while I am about it, I would like to thank God as well.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
I am delighted to inform the House of a great Territory sporting success last week: the Northern Zone Women’s Soccer Team travelled to Kupang for a soccer tournament and came back victorious. The tournament was part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Kupang Municipality. The team played in three grade games over a week of competition with crowds of up to 20 000 spectators at each game which certainly is not a bad turn out.
I congratulate the 19 players who made the trip: Philomena Chisholm, Michaeline Brown, Helmia Binti, Ahmad Alkatiri, Danielle Lede, Raylene Ellis-Chisholm, Marie Novio, Yvonne Koulakis, Lily Carpenter, Kerry White, Emma MacLeod, Amber Morrison, Kyria Gotts, Rachel Asher, Natalie Worth, Melinda Dunlop, Elizabeth and Andrea Lima, Sarah Latham and last but not least the team’s youngest player, Kristy Blewit, who is just 14 years old. I also congratulate the team Head Coach, George Cotis; Assistant Coach, Jade McNeill; Manager, Jeanny Roney; First Aid Officer, Robyn Morrison; and all the support staff.
We contributed $5000 towards the cost of travel for the team to play in the tournament and judging from the feedback it was money well spent. We have a growing relationship with Kupang and I am proud that we could support these young Territory athletes. They were great ambassadors and not only won the tournament but I would say kicked a goal for the Territory. Well done.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, as you know May Day was on Monday – yesterday. It is a very important day for the Labor Party and everyone in the Territory. The theme for May Day in Darwin was the 40th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off and recognition of the collective history of struggle of both indigenous people and unions. Obvious parallels were drawn between the circumstances of the Gurindji people and the potential damage caused by the federal government’s Work Choices legislation. The organisers of the weekend were the Unions NT May Day committee and, in particular, Didge McDonald, Jamey Robertson and Joe Gallagher. A number of Gurindji people were present including Maurie Ryan, Rob Roy, Michael Paddy and Michael George.
Corporate sponsors included the Australian Retirement Fund, Members Equity, Power and Water, Darwin City Councill and the Northern Territory government. Other functions held during the lead up to May Day included the May Day dinner on 29 April at Tracy Village where Kath Mills from the Stolen Generation addressed the event, and the May Day concert in Bicentennial Park on the Esplanade where the May Day march ends which was very well attended. The line-up for the evening included Wildflower, Black Chapel, Neo, Stretch’n’The Truth and Horsetrank. Congratulations to everyone involved in making Mayday 2006 a memorable event.
I would also like to talk about one of the most active and long lived community organisations in my electorate: the Parap Residents’ Association. I know I have talked about this group before but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the current executive before the AGM later this month. To the president, Claire George; vice president, John Pollock; secretary, David George; and treasurer, Dave Clarke, many thanks for all your efforts.
The Parap Residents’ Association has existed for over 10 years and currently boasts around 60 members, which is pretty healthy for a community group. It has a special interest in improving the built environment of the suburbs of Fannie Bay, Ludmilla and Parap and provides a forum for discussing planning and environmental issues. The association also lobbies on behalf of residents and represents the interests of the community in consultation with government and developers.
They have had remarkable success over the years. They secured a section of the old Arafura Bowls Club site as a park; they united the clubs along the Fannie Bay foreshore in support of the Vesteys Beach Coast Watch Group; they encouraged prospective developers to consult with residents at the planning stage of new developments; and have influenced the development of specific sites. Issues of interest to the association at the moment include traffic management; Development Consent Authority applications for the area; the Hastings over Mindil development; and the development of the old OTC site on Gregory Street.
I recognise the impressive efforts of the president, Claire George, during her time in the role. It is a demanding role which she juggles with work and baby, Samuel. She has done a great job especially as an active advocate for responsible development in the area. I acknowledge all members of PRA who come along to monthly meetings and have their say in the developments in the Parap, Fannie Bay and Ludmilla area.
While talking about residents’ groups I would also like to talk about another residents group in the electorate and that is the Stuart Park Residents’ Association. The association is driven by a committed group with chair, John Brears; vice chair, Liz Nicholls; Joan Brears, secretary; and Chris Millowick, treasurer. Committee members include Chris Bond, Cyril Young, my parliamentary colleague, Kerry Sacilotto, Diane Szarkowicz, John Leishman and Jill Rechner.
The association meets monthly at Stuart Park Primary School and focuses on all issues affecting residents’ lives. These include issues such as traffic management; residential parking; and antisocial behaviour. I know that an issue of particular interest to the group at the moment is the Duke Street and Stuart Highway intersection and the safety of motorists negotiating these streets. The association also has a keen interest in the history of the area. For example, at a meeting earlier this year, they had a fascinating presentation from Richard Luxton on the old Parap camp and Sidney Williams hut in Westralia Street. The Stuart Park residents do a good job on behalf of their community. I commend them on their commitment to the neighbourhood
I would also like to talk a bit about an important organisation in the Fannie Bay electorate and that is Territory Craft. It was known formerly as the Craft Council of the NT. It is a membership-based organisation that aims to advance the cause of craft and craftspeople throughout the Territory. It has been up and running since 1979 and has divisions in Katherine, Barkly, Alice Springs and Darwin, with the head office located in the museum grounds at Bullocky Point. Territory Craft offers its members support, resources and opportunities, and is committed to the development, promotion and growth of the craft industry. Their main objectives are to encourage a high level of performance and special achievement, establish craft training facilities, and bring the works and ideas of international craftspeople to the Territory.
Their work does not end there. They advise members wanting to apply for funding grants and can also administer approved grants. They also provide data on industry trends and government regulation affecting the arts. Each of their regional divisions has its own premises, including office and studio space. The Darwin division has several fully-equipped pottery, glass and jewellery studios, as well as a dark room and textile studio where workshops and classes are conducted. Some of the workshops and classes offered over recent years including silver jewellery-making, Japanese resist dyeing known as shibori, silk paper-making, mosaic workshops, sculptural welding, basket weaving, jewellery making, using natural materials, and pottery.
Territory Craft organises several craft fairs each year at the Museum and Art Gallery: Hi to the Dry, Dragonfly and Christmas. Hi to the Dry was held on Sunday, 23 April, and there were around 55 stallholders including: Aly De Groote with her beautiful basket forms; exquisite textured wraps and bags by Milena Young; functional pottery bowls, platters and other objects by Helen Menzies and Jozsef Godolley; jewellery, incorporating handmade glass beads, by Kay and Mike Foley; coloured fabrics dyed and printed by Jillian Thompson and Lil Smith; and a variety of wooden items made by the Darwin wood turners group lead by Ian MacRaild.
The fair was organised by the Darwin committee headed by Jon Firth, with assistance from Jo Schofield, Helen Menzies, Natalie Jenkins, Marilyn McNaught, Leonie McNally and, of course, the many volunteers. In recognition of their service to the organisation, a number of Territory Craft members have become life members. They include Kathleen Short, Barbara Butler, Anne Bowden, Kerryn Taylor, Bernice Casey, John Fuss and Wendy MacDonald. To everyone at Territory Craft, congratulations on your magnificent work and the very best for the future.
The Hi to the Dry fair on 23 April was lovely. It was a gorgeous day, and to be able to spend an hour or so wandering around the different stalls was something that I would do as local member, but also for personal interest. You can spend a lot of money at the Hi to the Dry Craft Fair – and it is all worth it, of course.
The powers-that-be at Stuart Park Primary School obviously knew something that the rest of us did not. They held their Anzac Day Commemorative Service on Monday, 24 April, the day before Anzac Day. It must have been one of the few ceremonies not called off due to Cyclone Monica’s expected arrival here last Tuesday.
Unfortunately, Cabinet was on and I was not able to make it to the ceremony, but my electorate officer told me that it was a very moving event and, as usual, very well organised by Stuart Park Primary staff. Australian Army Cadets Katie Rowlands and Chris Brody carried out the catafalque honour guard. The poem Lest We Forget by Michael Reynolds was recited by school leaders, Sally Harding, Bernadette O’Sullivan, Bradley Button and Sani Raqiyawa.
Lieutenant Trent Beilkin from the 5/7 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, then gave an address speaking about the service by members of the Defence Force in Iraq and the Solomon Islands. This was particularly relevant to Stuart Park Primary, as there are a number of parents presently serving in these locations. Students were next called to lay flowers, and then the school choir performed the song Lest We Forget. Ray Riseley read The Ode, and Brian Manning from the NT School of Music played The Last Post on his bugle. Following a minute’s silence, the whole assembly finished the service with the national anthem.
Ian McCutcheon represented the RSL Darwin Branch at the event, and I was pleased to hear that a number of parents took the time to attend, including Defence Force personnel who wore their uniforms to the ceremony. My congratulations go to the Stuart Park Primary staff and everyone involved in the commemoration.
I was delighted to be invited as guest speaker at the Tourism Top End Annual General Meeting which was held on Tuesday, 28 March, at SKYCITY. Tourism Top End is a regional tourism association which plays an important role in building the industry in the Top End. A big part of their work is intra-Territory marketing and providing vital information services for visitors to the Territory. The AGM was very well attended and gave me the chance to listen to the views of Tourism Top End members on how they think we are travelling, and how we can keep tourism in the Territory moving ahead.
I was genuinely touched by Sylvia Wolf’s kind words in her introduction. Sylvia is dedicated to Territory tourism, which is certainly well known. She is a big reason why our partnership with Tourism Top End is working so well. That evening, the new executive was elected and the majority of office bearers were returned. There were two new members.
The Territory Tourism Top End executive committee for 2006-07 is: president, Sylvia Wolf; Jan Young and Michael Scott are the vice presidents; Graeme Lewis is once again the treasurer; the executive committee members are Alicia Boyle, Adam Deverson, John Hart, Beth Jordan, Alan Major and Daryl Tutty; non-elected representatives are Maria Purvis from Tourism NT, Alderman Roger Dee from the Darwin City Council, and Fran Briggs, representing the Coomalie Area Tourism. I wish the executive well for the season ahead. I know they will make a valuable contribution to our tourism industry. I finish by thanking Sylvia, Tony Clementson and the team at Tourism Top End for their wonderful hospitality. It was an excellent night.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I speak tonight about Anzac Day. Quite often we forget the significance of Anzac Day to many of us and the wonderful support it seems to be gaining within the community. The Anzac Day parade in Alice Springs had a remarkable turn out of schools with young people and families and friends of ex-servicemen. It seems to me that it is growing stronger and stronger each year. The ceremony on top of Anzac Hill was very stirring and was a great credit to the RSL and the work they do in Alice Springs.
I was also impressed with the NORFORCE volunteers who marched alongside all the other services. There were Aboriginal volunteers in NORFORCE, and I believe it is a bit of a shame that we do not raise their profiles because they are an excellent role model for many of the young Aboriginal people in our community, and they do it with such pride. It was great to see.
I went to the dinner on the evening before Anzac Day, and what worried me was that there were so few local people left to attend that dinner. Time is going by and people are passing on so we do not have that group of people.
Anzac Day has always been very special in my family. My father served in World War II; he enlisted in 1943. I can always remember my grandfather taking my mother and us three little kids to live with my grandparents, where we stayed for many years, even after my father returned from the war. My father served in New Guinea and was part of the company that dropped supplies in New Guinea. Interestingly, his service was never counted as overseas service because, at that stage, New Guinea was a territory of Australia.
Probably one of the saddest stories we have in my family is of my uncle, my mother’s brother, William Munro, who enlisted with enthusiasm in 1940. He left Sydney in 1941 on a ship bound for the Middle East. In 1942, he was listed as missing in action and turned up in Java in a POW camp, and he had been wounded. Somehow, along the way, he survived the Burma Line and the infamous Changi camp. When he came home, he was like a skeleton. He had huge scars on his back. Probably the most telling scar he had was one that went down the centre of his backbone, which was obviously done with a sword. He suffered nerve damage because of that. He always said that he owed his life to ‘Weary’ Dunlop, the famed surgeon and doctor who was in Changi camp and who saved many Australians. When he was liberated in 1945, he went to the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and was in and out of that for many years.
Like many soldiers - and we heard this on Anzac Day at the dinner - he did not glorify war. He hated talking about it. He hated the American movies which suddenly became popular and tended to glorify war with all their heroes, and he would always switch them off. He kept in contact with many of the prisoners that he was with in the war and, on Anzac Day, he would always meet up with whoever he could. Because of the damage that was done to his nervous system, he was never able to walk without the aid of a stick, and he was also very fragile on his feet. In fact, as kids, we used to think he was always drunk because he used to be so unsteady - that was a bit unkind of us.
Interestingly, the Australian government put him and a number of other returned soldiers into settlement huts. They were little tin sheds that had dirt floors, no power and a water tank. I am not quite sure what the Australian government thought it was doing for the returned soldiers at that stage because it seemed to me to be such primitive conditions and little reward for the service they had given, particularly for a man who had survived so long as a prisoner of war. Of course, he did not survive for very long in those sorts of living conditions. Eventually, he went to live with my mother’s sister, and later with my mother.
We had this long association with Anzac Day and it was always accepted that on Anzac Day the men were able to go out with their mates, come home with their dozen large bottles of beer and drink and tell stories. Each Anzac Day I try to make sure I am at a service somewhere, and as time goes on you think about it more and more. Somebody asked me the other day why I do not march with the medals of my father and my uncle. It is something I have never thought about. I am going to encourage my grandchildren to do that because I think it would mean a lot more to them.
I commend the RSL in Alice Springs. Their vice president, Basil Caffery, was there. The president, Garth McPherson, was away at the time. There is such a great feeling within that club that perhaps we do tend to overlook and take them a little bit for granted. It is important we say to them: ‘Well done. Yes, you are doing a great service for Australia and you are doing a great service for the young people’. Even though we know they are not glorifying war, they are making us remember that we really do live in one of the best countries in the world. The freedom we enjoy today, and so many other people around the world would like to enjoy as we do, is due to what happened many years ago to people like my father and uncle who were prepared to put their hands up for Australia. That is great.
I was pleased to be able to organise a group of Air Force personnel to go to Braitling Primary School, which, like many schools, holds an Anzac Day ceremony. At Braitling, it is always the Student Council that runs the assembly. It is lovely to see these young people out the front and the whole school gathered in front of them. They control them so well. Each class had made a wreath to lay at the bottom of the flag pole. They were all different wreaths. Some of them were poppies; some were hands in a wreath formation; and others were very colourful flowers they had made. The Air Force officers were quite taken with the fact that these young people ran the assembly, placed the wreaths and stood to attention. They sang the anthem and did all the things in a way that perhaps you do not often see primary students do. I also know they then went on to the School of the Air in Alice Springs and gave a speech to the School of the Air children.
It is great that the service people who come to Alice Springs are willing to give of their time to visit the schools and speak to the young children.
I must make mention of the two pipers who played the bagpipes, George Brown and Ron Ross. George and Ron are not young any more. I remember them years ago when they led the pipe band. They share it together because, as they say, it is not easy to play the bagpipes at their age and if they take it in turn they can usually last the whole service. To see these two elderly gentlemen still playing the bagpipes is incredible. They must both be in their 80s from what I can remember. I thank George Brown and Ron Ross for their contribution to a very good service on Anzac Hill.
I want to say to everyone in this House that no matter where you are from - I am a fourth generation Australian even though I would say to you that I have a fairly mixed heritage, I am proud to be an Australian - I am particularly proud that we can still remember Anzac Day the way we do. We should not allow it to become the glorification of war because we all get distressed with the wars that are going on in other countries at the moment. As a country, we are extremely fortunate to live the life we live and if we can preserve this life by remembering what has happened in the past and giving thanks then it is a great thing. Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I finally want to say: ‘Lest we forget’.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, last week the Northern Territory hosted a mid-term meeting conference of ACPAC. You might well ask: what is ACPAC? By way of background …
A member: What is ACPAC?
Mr KIELY: You may ask. By way of background, the Public Accounts Committees throughout Australia once met on an annual basis to discuss issues of commonality between jurisdictions. In 1989, it was agreed that a Council should be established and should involve more than just Australian jurisdictions and so invitations were given to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji to form part of the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees, or ACPAC.
The mid-term meeting/conference in Alice Springs was held on Wednesday, 26 April, through to Friday, 28 April 2006. There were 37 participants from all Australian jurisdictions as well as New Zealand. The importance of this gathering could be seen by the fact the Western Australia sent six delegates and Queensland sent eight. The conference invited Mrs Betty Pearce, a custodian and the native title holder for the municipality of Alice Springs, to address the participants.
The principal purpose of this mid-term conference is to work in conjunction with the state or territory that is hosting the next major biennial conference to not only determine but also to thoroughly work through proposed agenda items so that all jurisdictions have the ability and time to prepare quality papers for presentation at the upcoming biennial conference.
As the Commonwealth is the host next year, the Northern Territory secretariat has work closely with their officers over the last six months to ensure maximum productivity could be gained during the deliberations of last week. The discussions throughout the conference were robust and fruitful as it is a forum where participants are prepared to stand up and speak their mind depending on how issues affect their particular state or territory, or how government policies may impact on their role as a public accounts committee.
Hosting a successful conference can only be accomplished after the detailed preparation and hard work by the committee secretariat has been completed. I thank, on behalf of our Public Accounts Committee, the staff of the secretariat, in particular, Mr Terry Hanley, Committee Secretary; Renee Remfrey, the Administration Support Officer for the committee; and Jane Gunner who took time out from her role as Executive Assistant to the Clerk to travel to Alice Springs and assist with the day-to-day running of the conference.
There are a number of other people who should also be recognised for providing assistance. In the first instance, I would like to thank Rene Schroeder, Public Relations and Promotions Officer with the Crowne Plaza in Alice Springs, for her assistance in managing the constantly changing accommodation requirements of the delegates. Craig Reed from the Red Centre Office Technology who provided fax and photocopying facilities should also be given a special mention. The Saturday following the closure of the conference was the first day of the Alice Cup weekend, and there were a number of delegates who expressed a desire to take advantage of the Alice Springs weather and hospitality to attend the Saturday race meeting. It was difficult to satisfy requests, but Peter Bailey from Colemans Printing came to the rescue and provided hospitality passes to those participants who wished to attend the race day. Malcolm Richardson from Racing and Gaming and Carley Plume from the Alice Springs Turf Club also provided individual day passes for participants.
The minister for Racing and Gaming was also very generous and extended his hospitality for the conference delegates to attend the pre-cup cocktail function which was held in conjunction with the 25th William Ingliss & Son Red Centre yearling sale.
I had the pleasure of meeting the chairman of the Alice Springs Turf Club, Mr Kevin Hickmont. He is a real crowd pleaser and his welcoming address was unforgettable. To ensure that this is indeed the case he has provided me a copy of his speech. With his permission, in the words of Henry Lawson, verbatim I shall quote him:
As chairman, on behalf of the Alice Springs Turf Club, I welcome all the visitors from other centres of the Territory, and those who
have travelled from interstate and overseas to participate in this great Alice Springs Turf Club racing carnival, in particular in the
last two days - the family fun day on Saturday and the Alice Springs Cup Day on Monday, when some 142 horses will run,
with approximately 600-plus tonne of horse flesh on the move.
I also, in particular, thank all of those people in our local community who are supporting the carnival. As in the song ‘May We Ring
Your Bell’, we have various sponsors and advertisers and we thank them for their support. May the sun smile upon you and
the sandman on the moon give you peaceful sleep.
The Alice Cup Carnival commenced on 15 April for a three-week period and we have already held the Young Guns Day and Ladies
Day which are both very successful days. In particular, this Saturday we have the $40 000 Gillen Club Pioneer Sprint. Who will be
the winner this year? We thank the Gillen Club in sponsoring the famous Pioneer Sprint again for this year, with the carnival concluding
on Monday, 1 May, with the $75 000 XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup. Noting also that this year, the last two races on family fun day will
be broadcast by TVN, along with all the races on the Monday Cup Day. Sky Channel, unfortunately wanting some $90 000 to broadcast for one day - you would think they were a trucking firm in Iraq. This year, for the first time, it is TVN televising our races.
Also, congratulations to Mr Adam Olszanski who took up the reins as our on-course broadcaster earlier after Craig Sant went to the
dogs in Darwin. Adam certainly established a cult following and is now on the picture screen, as he is the new kid on the block at
TVN. Well done, Adam.
It will be a great time at the park, as always, and party, we hope, here tonight at the Racing minister’s reception hosted by the honourable Racing minister, Syd Stirling, so that you are all ready for our 25th William Ingliss & Son Red Centre Yearling Sale to be held here tonight at 8 pm with 19 lots on offer and with the world-class auctioneer in Peter Heagney. He will communicate with us like a rafter of turkeys - if you keep the bids up. Note that since the introduction of our Red Centre Yearling Sales in 1991, yearlings sold have won 703 races and total prize money won by all produce from the yearling sales is $6 090 906. The top 20 have won $2 693 153 and won 202 races.
During the cup carnival we will pay out close to $500 000 in prize money, trophies and bonuses including stud service fees to be won
in the CentreRacing Queen of the Desert Stakes for fillies and mares to be run on cup day, a service with either Lacryma Cristi or
Saithor, courtesy of the Larneuk Stud and, in particular, Mr Neville Murdoch.
It is a happy and exciting industry that we are all part of and living here in the heart of Australia is no different. The red heart of the
horse beats for all of you. So call on the horse to make your body move. Step out to Pioneer Park and sing.
Thank you to the minister for Racing, the Honourable Syd Stirling MLA, for hosting tonight’s reception, and all the best in putting
together the next Territory budget.
Thank you to Mr Michael Lucas and his team in enabling our 25th Red Centre Yearling Sale to be held here tonight at the Alice
Springs Convention Centre.
Also before closing, I also make a special mention of our Chief Steward, Mr Ross Lennox, as this will be Mr Lennox’s last carnival
with the club after being with us for six years; Ross’s first carnival being the year Le Saint won. Thank you, Ross, and may all
go according to the Australian Rules of Racing for the balance of your term. I am sure it is not an easy task to stand on the wall
in a small community maintaining the integrity of racing. All the best to Ross and Sandra.
Also, I wish Mr Andrew O’Toole. our manager, all the best in this being the first carnival here in the Red Heart which Andrew is
bringing together at Pioneer Park in his very individual professional way. All the best, Andrew.
Thank you to everyone. May the cash register continue to ring for you during the rest of the year, the Year of the Dog, 2006.
And our patron, Mr Terry Lillis of CentreRacing, as always is ready to help you wash and feed the dog with some large Afghan Hound
dog ‘odds’ for you and, hopefully, keep you out of the dog house - or some maybe in it.
So enjoy the celebration at the park and may the force of a fast four-legged horse be with you all. Do not forget over the coming days
to say: ‘G’day to your beer, it’s as good as gold mate, XXXX the finest beer’.
Being our 25th yearling sale here tonight, and as the world remembers the 25th anniversary this year of his death, the late John
Lennon may have said: ‘It was like being in the eye of a hurricane, or was it Cyclone Monica – you’d wake up at Pioneer Park and
think, wow, how did I get here? Imagine all the people’.
In closing, I just note some horses names currently racing in the Centre: the Green Machine with the Woodgrain Emily Dash Howdy
Ken Above All Here’s Me Mate with Not Abandoned on the Sunday Punch and Grand Cognac from the Boardroom at Lasseters, Lookatmoy Our Precious Girl the Social Spark You’re On Dangerous Terrain Playing Aka Bilk in Citadels to the Celtic Diane Little
Uma and Getting Lucky by How Fraar as Crowne Pilot drives Greimota to be So Assertive in Going Public with a Wild Will in the
Dignified Woman dressed by the Tailer, She’s Hot Magic with Rusty Eyes get the Le Saint Sacred Shield Catechism Fire Joe
before Sids Eagle, Picayune goes Tan Tat and gets a One Thousand Strong XXXX Gold Can and becomes Jungle King as it’s
a Licenses Gem by the Controller a Grey Honourable Minister – it’s as good as gold, mate.
May the rays of the sun shine upon you and the Yin Yang be with you.
Thank you and God bless you.
Members, you can see why I thought that had to be placed on the Parliamentary Record for posterity. It is quite a mouthful. Full points to Mr Hickmont; I was really impressed. It is unforgettable in the sense that you have heard it once and you will never forget that it was said. I thought those words had to be recorded for posterity.
Everyone who attended the conference in Alice Springs commented on the hospitality provided by the people of Alice Springs, from the shop assistants in the shopping centres where many dollars were spent on taking back souvenirs, to the staff of Madisons at the Alice Springs Desert Park, as well as the wonderful hospitality staff of both the casino and Crowne Plaza. They all became individual ambassadors for Central Australia in their dealings with many of the participants. I heard nothing but good comments on the way the participants of the conference were treated by all those people as well as the greater community of Alice. I am sure word of their ‘ambassadorialship’ will travel far and wide.
I also acknowledge the presence at the conference of the member for Drysdale, and the local member for Greatorex, who were great participants. It was great to have them there and they did a lot of work on the conference as well.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I have a couple of issues to raise tonight that relate specifically to a topic that I have raised many times in this Chamber. It is about the breakdown of law and order in Alice Springs. This morning, during ministerial reports, we heard the minister for transport speak about provision of security guards on our public buses to ensure that bus drivers are protected from offensive and abusive passengers. The bus drivers work in an essential service providing regular and safe transport for passengers. Unfortunately, time and time again, we have passengers who get on board and do everything that they should not do on the bus.
I commend the government for placing those security guards there. It is just unfortunate that we had to go to this extent where social order has broken down and bus drivers now become innocent targets of violent abuse by passengers.
This does not only apply to adults; it also applies to school children. In Alice Springs, for instance, twice a day, the normal town bus service, run by Buslink, assists the school bus contractors, Cobb & Co, with extra passenger space to help get the children to and from school in the mornings and each afternoon as there are not enough Cobb & Co buses to go around. The drivers for the Alice Springs bus service provide services for school children, not specifically as a school bus, but as an assistance to bussing the kids to school. Essentially, the bus remains the Alice Springs Bus Service and they run as if they were a normal bus. Adult passengers who would normally use the bus would still be using the bus during the times when the Alice Springs Bus Service provides transport for the school kids.
There was an incident not so long ago where a bus driver had occasion to try to get some children to settle in the bus. One child, in particular, was being quite difficult with other school kids. The bus driver told the child to settle. He did not. Instead, the child went to the rear of the bus. The bus driver, in attempting to control the large number of school children in the bus, wanted this troublesome young child to sit up the front. As the child was in the rear of the bus, he had to go down to the rear of the bus - after he had parked it, of course - to get the child to come forward. Obviously, there was some discussion, or an argument, I am not sure, about the child moving to the front.
To cut a long story short, the bus driver tried to coax the child forward. Evidently, he put his hand around the child to bring the child forward, but the child resisted so he left the child in the back of the bus. What was said between the child and the bus driver I do not know, and it appeared from that point onwards it went to court. The bus driver was charged with assault, which was then dismissed by the court as there was no case.
Not going into the rights or wrongs of whether the bus driver assaulted the child or whatever, what is now happening is that bus drivers are exposed to large numbers of children on the town bus service. The bus driver, being on his or her own, has to deal with the school kids in the bus. It makes the job very difficult when 30 or 40 children occupy the bus and one or two or more misbehave. How does the bus driver manage all these children? He has to drive the bus in a safe manner, and provide duty of care for the school children on the bus. He has to provide duty of care to his adult passengers as well, and we have a whole bunch of school kids, some of them misbehaving while others are not doing the right thing.
Perhaps the government needs to look at providing a school monitor or a teacher to travel on the bus during those hours when the school kids are being bussed to their respective schools or to take them home. It is a problem. The bus drivers are continually faced with this and it is important the government deals with this seriously. The contractors for the school bus service do not have enough buses to physically get the kids to and from school each day. And because of the need to the use the Alice Springs Bus Service, which has to observe a different set of rules when they carry passengers, it makes it harder for the poor bus driver. This is something the bus drivers would like the government to address – the level of discipline.
The other issue is housing: people in Territory Housing who have continued to suffer with neighbours from hell. You have heard me speak about it previously when you have neighbours in Territory Housing accommodation. A more difficult problem is when you have people living in high-density accommodation such as the Kurringal Flats. Time and time again you get people complaining about their neighbours who not only do not maintain their property in the manner they are supposed to as tenants of Territory Housing, but also the antisocial behaviour that takes place within those flats at Kurringal.
I have a letter here which I am sure the Chief Minister has herself. It is a letter written by a particular person to the Northern Territory Ombudsman. He wrote to me as well and asked me to raise it in parliament. I want to read this in its entirety, and I seek leave to table it after that. It is addressed to me:
[Editor's Note: Contents of letter expunged by order of the Speaker].
He signed it with his name, his phone number and his Post Office Box number.
I seek leave to table this document.
Leave granted.
Dr LIM: Thank you, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker.
That is the problem. There are neighbours from hell like this. The neighbours have complained over and over again. Authorities commence action and then for some reason or another, the whole thing falls over. Whether this accusation is absolutely correct or not, I am not here to judge; I am putting the man’s views to this Chamber.
What I know for a fact is that there are many flats, such as the one he talks about, which have tenants who should not be there. They should be evicted aggressively so that others can live in peace in their own accommodation. Otherwise, for the sake of one resident or one small family, the lives of half a dozen to a dozen families around the premises in question get absolutely disrupted. I do not think that is acceptable at all. It is time this government acts on these neighbours from hell.
Mr NATT (Drysdale): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, appropriately on 1 April, my wife and I were invited to participate in the Palmerston Australia Day Fashion Parade. The evening was a fun evening enjoyed by about 60-odd people. It was well run and organised by Judy Joyce and Donna Quong. The Bakewell Primary School was the venue for the show in the school’s assembly and stage area. Those participating in the parade - of which my wife and I were a couple and my colleague, the member for Blain also - had to spend $5 at the Op Shop. Without painting too vivid a picture, the sights to behold were very comical and somewhat embarrassing, but it was for a good cause. Needless to say, we did not figure in the winner’s circle, but it was good fun and there was plenty of laughter coming from the audience.
The evening wear and the casual wear sections of the parade were a little more sedate and well received and well supported by Ed Harry Menswear, Target and Noni B in the Palmerston Shopping Centre. It was great to see the young Irish Dance Troupe from Palmerston perform a couple of Riverdance jigs and reels. The troupe engaged some very young boys and girls who were, no doubt, in the primary school system up to young men and women in their mid-teens. The performances were very energetic, well rehearsed and choreographed, and their authentic costumes were bright and colourful.
All in all, it was a great night which my wife and I enjoyed, along with my 10 guests for the evening. My congratulations to Judy and her devoted husband, Rod, for their tireless efforts to pull the evening together. Congratulations also to Donna for her support to Judy. I must not forget the Palmerston Australia Day Committee for their support and tireless ongoing work in the region. Many volunteers assisted on the night at the door, on the bar, and at the barbecue, and it was great to see the interaction of those assisting. It would be remiss of me also not to mention all of the people who supported the evening with their attendance and, of course, the volunteer models who strutted their stuff down the catwalk on that evening.
On Friday, 21 April, I had a great deal of pleasure attending the Kormilda College stage production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. The tale of Beauty and the Beast has been around for several centuries, and experts have traced similar stories as far back as the 2nd century AD. Kormilda’s production was a fairytale revolving around the age-old story of liberation through true love.
This production undertaken by the students and supported by the college staff was nothing short of fantastic. The students undertook every aspect of the production. They acted, they danced, they sang, they played instruments, and undertook all the scene changes and backdrop construction – a huge effort to say the least, by a very dedicated group of individuals. I understand the entourage had been rehearsing since December last year. This meant that the actors, musicians and support crew worked through their school holidays to ensure the production’s success.
I would like to acknowledge a few individuals for the roles they played in the success of this theatrical extravaganza: Jen McCulloch was the creative director of the production and needs to be commended for her diligence and attention to detail. Jen has been at the college since mid-2005 teaching performing arts and has more recently been involved in directing performances in the Northern Territory Fashion Awards, Darwin Eisteddfod and the Corrugated Iron Youth Theatre productions. She believes the performance process provides real world learning experiences which enables students to experience success - and that they did with this performance. Congratulations, Jen, on a wonderful job.
The musical director was Leanne Smales. Leanne coordinated the college’s orchestra, which consisted of 20 talented musicians who backed the stage production with confidence and expertise. Leanne comes to the Territory with a wealth of experience and a passion to teach others. Since arriving in 2005, she has been involved with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Australian Army Band in Darwin, Quintessential and the Darwin Theatre Company and Chorale and she has been a force behind the success of this production. Well done to Leanne and her band of musicians.
The performing arts teacher at Kormilda, Estacia Lynn, was the choreographer of the entire production and had to oversee several scenes and coordinate in excess of 60 or so cast members and crew. Estacia has an extensive and diverse background in dance and music, and has performed in roles and productions such as Pinocchio, The Wiz and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat. Her experience showed extensively on the night and congratulations must be extended to her for her dedication to the production.
It was particularly pleasing to see the array of extremely talented youths who undertook roles in the extravaganza. From what I can ascertain from the booklet produced for the show, approximately 22 students had speaking roles, 21 students performed in the chorus, 15 students undertook the dancing roles, and the crew consisted of 50-odd students, parents and teachers, undertaking such roles as make-up artists, costume design and construction, acting coaches, and they even had babysitters on hand to help out. What an extravaganza of huge proportions.
I particularly acknowledge Sam Cameron and Victoria Treacy who undertook the lead roles of the Beast and Belle. Their acting and singing roles were outstanding, and they maintained wonderful composure throughout the two hour performance. They are a couple of very talented youths with an extraordinary future in front of them. Well done to them both. It is a wonderful, professional and outstanding production.
I would like to name all of the main actors on the evening. However, it would extend my speaking time greatly so, with your permission, I seek leave to table the production booklet that was made available on the evening to the guests.
Leave granted.
Mr NATT: The booklet names all of those involved in the Beauty and the Beast production and provides a short resume of all the actors.
I am sure the college would also like me to support their heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the show, Paspaley Pearls, the Toga Group, who are the developers of the Darwin City Waterfront, FCL Transport, All Financial Services and Boral Formwork and Scaffolding. As everyone knows, to put on an extravagant show such as this, the school coffers would be drained very quickly. I, too, would like to thank these sponsors for their support of the college’s art programs and hope they continue to do so in the future.
It is congratulations and well done to everyone, the students, the staff, management of Kormilda College and parents. It was a great evening, enjoyed by record crowds over the four shows, and a tribute to the professionalism of the staff and students involved. I recommend to everyone in the House to attend future productions of the performing arts students at the Kormilda College. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, last night, I had the good fortune to attend an historic event, that being the last official function of the Women’s Golfing of the Northern Territory. Women’s Golfing of the Northern Territory has now been amalgamated under Golfing Northern Territory; men and women are now amalgamated into one body for the first time. I went along because I had supported the championships which were hosted at the Palmerston Club, and I was in for a real treat. When you hear the stories of people who have served women’s golfing for so long in the Northern Territory, I was impressed and moved to include some of their stories into the Parliamentary Record for posterity.
On the night, they spoke of an honour board and listed those who had made significant contributions to women’s golf in the Northern Territory. They started off in fine form by acknowledging the services of Audrey Kennon. The amalgamation that had occurred this month brings the close of an era, and that is of Audrey Kennon’s presence on a golf committee. Her last role, and that of the association delegate for the NT Senior Women’s Golfers Association, came to an end at the AGM on Friday, 28 April 2006. This ended her services to the golf committee, spanning 57 years. In receiving this honour, she was unable to accept because she had made plans to be on a cruise with her husband, Stan. They had planned to cruise to Singapore and Vietnam for Stan’s 90th birthday. They had planned that 12 months before, but Stan was not able to go. So it has taken 12 months, and now, with her husband 91 years of age and Audrey 86 years of age, they are on a cruise and she was unable to be there to see her great service acknowledged. Audrey is widely recognised as a pioneer of women’s golf in Darwin. She joined the Darwin Golf Club in 1948, and is still an active member 58 years later, playing nine holes on most Tuesdays.
Also acknowledged on the night was Marion Johnstone. Marion has been involved in the administration side of golf since soon after joining the Darwin Golf Club in the late 1960s, becoming handicapper and, subsequently, women’s captain. It was after the club moved from Fannie Bay to Marrara that Marion began Sunday classes for junior boys and girls, to which she dedicated many hours for many years teaching the etiquette and rudiments of the game of golf. Many of her protgs have gone on to successful careers in golf.
There was acknowledgement of Helen Koch. Helen has been a very valuable member of the Darwin Golf Club since she joined in 1981. Apart from a term as women’s vice captain, she was the official trophy buyer for the club for many years. This flowed on to the NT association and Helen has been involved in the buying of trophies for many NT Opens.
Val Durand has been a dedicated and tireless worker during her 26 years as a member of the Darwin Golf Club. She spent many years on various committees including assisting with the juniors and four years as women’s captain.
Val Ingram is a real stalwart of the Darwin Golf Club. She joined the club in 1983 and, within a few years, took the role of women’s handicapper. She still holds this position after nearly 20 years and has now been extended to club handicapper.
Since taking up golf 17 years ago, Tricia Clarke has been a great advocate of fairness and camaraderie, and has been a stabilising influence in women’s golf. One of the first things she did during her six years as women’s captain at Darwin Golf Club was to ensure equal playing rights for women.
Celia Otley was also recognised on the night. Celia spent five years as secretary and treasurer for the NT Women’s Golf Association. Her efficiency made everything very easy for those working with her, and she has made organising the Pennant competitions and NT Opens look simple. For many years, she organised the 9 Hole Business Women’s competition at the Darwin Golf Club.
Deanne Battersby has been described as a legend of the RAAF Golf Club. In the early years of the club, Deanne took on the roles of captain and handicapper and, with her encouragement and nurturing of new members, was responsible for the growth and wellbeing of the club.
Pat McMahon was instrumental in the promotion and development of women’s golf in Alice Springs. In particular, Pat was a strong advocate in ensuring the status of women and the women’s captain role being maintained. Pat has contributed many years to golf, in which she has held the role of women’s captain and that of committee member.
Wendy Butler was a foundation member and a driving force in establishing the Humpty Doo golf course. She was ladies captain for seven years between 1987 and 1993, worked tirelessly arranging numerous working bees and planting fairways and other aspects of the course that we see today in Humpty Doo, and a great fund raiser.
Lesley Clayton is also a foundation member and a driving force in the establishment of the Humpty Doo Golf Club. Along with Wendy, she spent many years fundraising and arranging social events to make Humpty Doo what it is today. Lesley was Humpty Doo’s first club delegate for women’s golf in the Northern Territory in 1991.
Upon joining the Humpty Doo Golf Club in 1992, Ricci McLoughlin soon became very actively involved in women’s golf issues. She took on the role of delegate to the NT Association and has continued in this role for 12 years, making her the longest serving member of the association. She has been a very active and popular member of the association, resulting in her unanimous elevation to the position of vice president when the chair became vacant mid-year 2005.
Since joining the Gove Golf Club 10 years ago, Glenys Cummings’ enthusiasm and initiative has not only seen an amazing increase in the number of women playing golf in Gove, but has also seen representatives travelling to the NT Open in both Darwin and Alice Springs, and last year saw them enter the Interclub Pennant Competition for the first time.
Then there was the acknowledgement of past presidents and the patron, and I will save the patron for last - that was another treat. I will quickly list these, because as a way of marking the end of an era, not that it will be the end of women’s golf but it will be in a different form, and all this history which was mentioned at the Palmerston Golf Club last night will have another life, hopefully, well read in Hansard.
Past Presidents: Liz Palmer: 1991 to 1995, the inaugural president of Women’s’ Golf Northern Territory. She began playing golf in the late 1960s when the Darwin Golf Club was at Fannie Bay.
Jenny Cooper: 1996 to 2000. The golfing side of things were running pretty smoothly. Jenny set about improving the financial position of the association and she obtained some very lucrative sponsorship deals which included Paspaley Pearls, Ansett Airlines and Bridgestone just to name a few. She changed the fortunes of the club from $5000 in the bank to $35 000 in her time.
Val Smith: 2001 to 2002. Val was one of the better golfers and has represented the NT on numerous occasions. She is one of those good golfers and sporting folk who decided to put something back in terms of service as a president.
Pam Moir: 2003 to 2005. Pam began as Palmerston’s delegate before taking on the role of association handicapper, then on to president of the association. She lifted the bar when she organised the first NT Open to be held at Palmerston, with the presentation dinner being voted the best yet with the finishing touches of a professional and the introduction of a brilliant PowerPoint display of photos and results.
Robyn Vincent: 2005 to 2006, and in this form as the President of Women’s’ Golf Northern Territory, the last, because under the amalgamation there will be a different structure. As Robyn was the vice president when Pam resigned, she was not given a choice but immediately elevated to president. In true Robyn-style, she took up the responsibilities and since has given her all to women’s golf in the Northern Territory.
Congratulations to all those who have been mentioned. It is impressive to hear the stories of these citizens who have made a generous contribution to their sport.
A real treat was to learn of the story of the patron of Women’s Golf Northern Territory, Toini Norman, Greg Norman’s mother. Greg Norman was a great fan of all women golfers and they learned of the important role that the mum plays in Greg’s success as a golfer. She is also an accomplished golfer. Toini was invited to be the patron and she was in attendance last night. She has attended most of the NT Opens during the past nine years. She gave a lovely speech and donated one of Greg Norman’s limited edition Waterford Crystal sharks as the Patron’s Perpetual Trophy, which is awarded each year to the handicap champion. It was really cute to see the winner being presented with this precious crystal shark. You are only allowed to have it photographed; they were not allowed to take it home or take it from the table, do not drop it and all that sort of stuff, so it is a real icon.
It really topped it off beautifully, because Toini spoke in a way that was very humble. She is a genuine person. As an inspiration to me as a bloke who lives very close to a golf course but does not play, Toini turns 75 in a couple of weeks time and she still walks the course. She is currently playing off a 14 handicap, and is in such good shape. It is a true inspiration to see the quality of these sorts of people that make a difference in our community.
So my congratulations, and I am sure I have the well wishes of the members of this Chamber in recognising the work of these members of the Women’s Golf Northern Territory, the past presidents, the patron and those who have been mentioned or recorded on the board of honour.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to speak about the current status of cane toads in the rural area. I know I gave a quite dour and downtrodden sort of approach to the whole thing back in February, and that is because I really did feel that way about the whole scenario of cane toads taking over the Top End of the Northern Territory. At that time, yes, that was exactly how I felt, but I am pleased to say there have been a couple of things which have made my views change a little. I guess it comes down to the fact that I spent quite a number of nights driving home through Mandorah during the week, and monitored the cane toad situation since the start of the Wet Season.
Towards the start of the early part of the Wet Season, they were just east of the Blackmore River which is probably about 70 km-odd from Mandorah. There were quite a few of them - they seemed to be everywhere - and from then there was just nothing. I do not know whether the Blackmore River was an impediment or a barrier to them, but they had not progressed beyond there. A few more weeks went by and I did not see any. Then I saw them at the mango farm a bit further down the road.
I move forward now to about mid-February when I last spoke on the subject. The cane toads were within 40 km of Mandorah. It was a bit of a shock to see them progress that close to Mandorah, and not see them in between. I do not know why they have gaps in their presence, but their progress has certainly been quite dramatic.
I am a bit sad to report that my last sighting was on the Mandorah side of Belyuen. The people of Belyuen say they have not actually arrived at Belyuen, but I saw two of them - in fact, I ran over one. That group are now less than 10 km from Mandorah. I still cannot come to grips with how fast these things can move. How do they move that far in such a short time? I have not come to grips with that. However, they have and I accept the fact.
However, on the brighter side, there have been some things that have made me feel a little better about the whole thing. Driving home at night and to work in the morning, you see different things. One of the things I have seen most recently was a whistling kite eating a toad carcass. It was quite incredible to see that this kite had turned the toad over. I had heard of crows doing it, but this kite had turned over the cane toad and was devouring it. It is not as if they do not learn how to do it. I do not know how they learn - whether it is those that survive learn how to do it, or whether it is those that are intelligent enough to work this out. Anyway, that was quite pleasing to see.
At night time, I still see quite a number of snakes on the road, so I assume that all the dire predictions about them eating cane toads and dying is not quite true. I am still seeing the same number of snakes; I do not think there is any reduction in those along the Cox Peninsula Road. I even saw a quoll at the Blackmore River two weeks ago. I am sure the member for Daly would appreciate that because he has plenty of quolls in his area. To see them still surviving is quite enlightening.
I said in my February speech that we can make a difference and I stick by that - we certainly can. I am pleased to report that we are making a difference. Clearly, people power is working - and more precisely, rural people power. We are making a significant difference to the march of these insidious creatures.
I reported in February that we were going to have our Not In My Back Yard Rally in March, and now we have held that rally. It continued over a whole week, and there was quite a considerable turnout in the rural area. In fact, it was widely reported in the media because it was a very successful week. Every night, I attended one of the rallies and was encouraged by the people who are really keen to do something about it, and felt that they could do something. The benefit of the whole process was that people were learning that if they try to make a bit of an island ark in their own area, some of the native species such as frogs and the insects could survive. Then, when we come up with a biological solution to the cane toads, they can expand from these areas. It is quite hard, and people appreciate that and they understood the whole process.
Today, I received a media release from FrogWatch; it re-emphasises what I have just been talking about. These are the guys who are monitoring the whole situation, Graeme Sawyer and Paul Cowdy. They are saying that the rural people have been giving the cane toads a real hammering. Even despite the heavy rainfalls that we have had in the Top End this year - in fact, the heaviest rainfalls for more than 50 years - the toads advance into Palmerston and Darwin is being held back, and it is really being held back by what we are doing in the rural area. In the past three months, 789 toads have been dropped into the toad detention centre at Freds Pass. Last Sunday week, 250 toads were picked up from a bin in one day. That is quite incredible. Over that period, where they have had the bins, that relates to about 20 toads a day. From a slow start, it has shown that these toad bins are of real value. Let us hope we see more in the rural area, and in Palmerston and Darwin.
The interesting aspect of the count they did from the toad detention centre was the high percentage of females; in fact, two thirds of them were females. They put that down to the fact that the females stay in the higher country, where they seem to be caught in people’s back yards, whereas, during the Not In My Back Yard toad busting days, most of them were males. That is because males tend to congregate in the breeding areas around the dams and such. They believe that the females stay in high country until they reach breeding age, then they go down to the dams where they catch up with the males and, of course, we get more toad tadpoles than toads.
To give you some idea of what potential impact they can have, 100 females have the potential to produce six million eggs a year; that is quite astronomical when you think about it. Throughout their life span, the females can lay half a million eggs; quite a frightening aspect. However, a very small percentage survive to maturity, and I guess that is a bit of good news in the whole story. If you understand those sorts of numbers, you understand why places like Darwin can be overrun. However, we have to keep trying.
Another way the community is intervening in the life span of several hundred toads every day is through the toad trapping process and the traps the government is subsidising. Apparently that has been very good. We do not have good records on that, but we believe it must be having a significant effect, because we cannot just have people running them over and doing things like that.
It comes back to the fact that, because the rural block holders have gone out there and made a concerted effort in the whole process, they have really got stuck into it, that we are in a position where we can say we do not have the toads arriving as we expected in Darwin, although Palmerston is at the forefront now. I am pleased to say that they are meeting strong resistance in the Palmerston area by the Palmerston residents.
I am also pleased that the Treasurer announced that the government is looking at funding $280 000 in the continued fight against the insidious cane toads. However, the sad news is that the federal government has not yet taken up our call to provide significant funding for the cane toad fight. They promised about $3m, but that is about it. They could spend $85m on the fire ants in Queensland, but they cannot spend that sort of money to help eradicate the cane toad.
I will leave on that sad note. I am really heartened by what the people in the rural area and now Palmerston – the member for Drysdale will appreciate that - are doing. The people in Darwin can be very grateful for the fact the cane toads are not in their area en masse because of what the people in the rural area have done, and the people in Palmerston are doing.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR
Message No 9
Message No 9
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received from His Honour the Administrator Message No 9 recommending to the Legislative Assembly a bill for an act to authorise the issuing and expending of public monies of the Territory in respect of the year ending 30 June 2007.
MOTION
Routine of Business – Budget 2006-07
Routine of Business – Budget 2006-07
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the routine of business of the Assembly be rearranged or suspended if a question or debate is before the Chair so as to permit the Treasurer to deliver the Budget 2006-07 at 11 am this day.
Motion agreed to.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Broadcast of Proceedings of the Assembly
Broadcast of Proceedings of the Assembly
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that I have given permission to various media to broadcast live, or rebroadcast with sound and vision, the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech, and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply.
I have also given permission to 8 TOP FM radio and the Territory network to broadcast live the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech, and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply. I have given permission to the Northern Territory News to take photographs during these times. I have given permission to 8 CCC in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to rebroadcast the Treasurer’s budget speech, the Leader of the Opposition’s reply, and Question Time each day. I also further advise that the Assembly will resume after lunch at 2.30 pm today.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Member for Katherine
Member for Katherine
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that leave of absence be granted to the member for Katherine, Mrs Miller, for the May 2006 sittings due to ill health.
Motion agreed to.
RESPONSES TO PETITIONS
The CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to petitions Nos 15 and 16 have been received and circulated to honourable members.
Petition No 15
Rescinding of decision to move Year 10 to Senior Schools
Date presented: 29 March 2005
Presented by: Dr Lim
Referred to: Minister for Employment, Education and Training
Date response due: 29 August 2006
Date response received: 28 April 2006
Date response presented: 2 May 2006
Response
I write in response to your correspondence regarding Petition No. 15 which was read in the Legislative Assembly on
29 March 2006. The petition outlines the concerns of the petitioners regarding the possible movement of Year 10 into
senior secondary colleges and schools.
The Making the Most of the Middle Years two-staged community consultation commenced in September 2005 and concluded
on 24 March 2006. The consultation process was aimed at finding ways to improve educational outcomes for 11 to 14 year old
students in their critical years of schooling and to prepare them for their senior secondary pathway. Stage One of the
consultation concluded that Years 7-9 should form the middle years, and therefore, that Years 10-12 should be senior secondary.
It is essential that retention and Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) completion rates be improved in the
Northern Territory. In order to achieve this, Year 10 students need to be better prepared for the range and depth of learning in the
senior years. Teachers who have a strong understanding of the demands of senior years’ studies are best placed to give
Year 10 students the detailed and rigorous preparation required. The recent review of the South Australian Certificate of
Education (SACE), on which the NTCE is based, recommended that students should commerce their SACE in Year 10 by
participating in two units specifically designed to prepare them for their learning in the senior years.
Diverse views were expressed during the course of the community consultation, including strong support for the introduction of
a middle years approach to teaching and learning. Region-specific concerns such as infrastructure, capacity and transport
issues were raised and these will be taken into consideration during the decision-making processes about this matter.
Should any structural changes occur, I am confident that careful planning by officers from the Department of Employment,
Education and Training will ensure a smooth transition to any new arrangements. The wellbeing of students is of the utmost
importance in process.
I trust this information addresses the concerns of the petitions.
Petition No 16
Year 10 Enrolment at Casuarina Senior College
Date presented: 29 March 2005
Presented by: Mr Mills
Referred to: Minister for Employment, Education and Training
Date response due: 29 August 2006
Date response received: 28 April 2006
Date response presented: 2 May 2006
Response
I write in response to your correspondence regarding Petition No. 15 which was read in the Legislative Assembly on 29 March 2006.
The petition outlines the concerns of the petitioners regarding the possible movement of Year 10 into senior secondary colleges
and schools.
The Making the Most of the Middle Years two-staged community consultation commenced in September 2005 and concluded on
24 March 2006. The consultation process was aimed at finding ways to improve educational outcomes for 11 to 14 year old students
in their critical years of schooling and to prepare them for their senior secondary pathway. Stage One of the consultation concluded
that Years 7-9 should form the middle years, and therefore, that Years 10-12 should be senior secondary.
It is essential that retention and Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) completion rates be improved in the
Northern Territory. In order to achieve this, Year 10 students need to be better prepared for the range and depth of learning in the
senior years. Teachers who have a strong understanding of the demands of senior years studies are best placed to give Year
10 students the detailed and rigorous preparation required. The recent review of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE),
on which the NTCE is based, recommended that students should commerce their SACE in Year 10 by participating in two units specifically designed to prepare them for their learning in the senior years.
Diverse views were expressed during the course of the community consultation, including strong support for the introduction of a
middle years approach to teaching and learning. Region-specific concerns such as infrastructure, capacity and transport issues
were raised and these will be taken into consideration during the decision-making processes about this matter.
Should any structural changes occur, I am confident that careful planning by officers from the Department of Employment, Education
and Training will ensure a smooth transition to any new arrangements. The wellbeing of students is of the utmost importance in process.
I trust this information addresses the concerns of the petitions.
Ministerial Reports
Territory Trade and Tourism Visit to
China and Singapore
Territory Trade and Tourism Visit to
China and Singapore
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on my trip to Shanghai and Singapore last month to promote Territory trade and tourism. The highlight of my time in China, from a trade perspective, was the second China Summit Freight Conference - a major freight conference attended by senior representatives from international shipping and global logistic firms.
The summit gave me the opportunity to promote the AustralAsia Trade Route as an alternative trading connection between China and Australia. It also gave me the chance to talk directly with a number of leading Chinese freight and shipping industry identities including senior executives from Yantian International Container Terminals, Orient Overseas Container Line, Kerry Logistics, APL Logistics, and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
I was joined at the summit by Chris Dunphy, Managing Director of Hai Win Shipping, to promote the Hai Win service between Shanghai and Darwin. He confirmed that the Hai Win service is operating profitably, and we discussed prospects for the possible expansion of the current monthly service, both in terms of frequency and destinations.
A key trade opportunity for Darwin is as a major distribution point for the supply of mining chemicals within Australia and for the offshore mining industry located in Indonesia. Many of these chemicals are manufactured in Shanghai and delivered to mines in northern Australia via the ports of Townsville and Fremantle. My department is working closely with Hai Win and some of the major chemical suppliers to bring this lucrative trade via Darwin which, in turn, will bring more jobs and investment to the Territory. I am hopeful that I will be able to provide more detail to the House on these plans in the near future.
It is also worth noting that the most recent Hai Win service arrived in Darwin on 27 April, and that bookings for the May service are very strong indeed. As a direct result of the summit, Chris Dunphy and John Parkes from FreightLink - who also joined me in Shanghai - will meet with a number of key importers from Adelaide and Melbourne this week in an effort to further grow Darwin-China trade.
Tourism was also a big part of our agenda, and I took the opportunity to meet with tourism representatives and leading travel writers while in Shanghai and Singapore. In Shanghai, I officially announced the engagement of Northern Territory Tourism trade representative, Joseph Sze, a long-standing tourism identity in Shanghai. While we have had a public relations representative in China since April last year, Joseph is the Territory’s first tourism trade representative in China. Although he will be based in Shanghai, he will also service Beijing and southern China, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Haikou. He will also work closely with our trade partners including Tourism Australia, the Aussie Specialists, Qantas, Royal Brunei, Tiger Airways, and the other state tourism bodies, to promote the Territory in this exciting emerging market. I believe his will be a significant appointment.
Currently, something like 300 000 Chinese tourists visit Australia each year, with only 1000 of those coming to the Territory. Given the obvious potential of Chinese tourism, it is vital we address the challenge of developing a greater awareness of the Territory in China. Research indicates that there is an emerging consumer group in China seeking nature-based experiences which the Territory is in a position to offer. The introduction of Tiger Airways services to Darwin in December last year, coupled with the commencements of flights into Shenzhen, Haikou and Guangzhou last month, provides affordable travel opportunities between the Territory and China. I am hopeful, now that we have a tourism trade representative based in China, it will allow us to make more of this major emerging market.
In addition to the promotional efforts of Joseph, we are also expecting 15 travel writers from southern China and Singapore to visit the Territory over the next six months. They will be hosted by Tourism NT on escorted familiarisation tours to various parts of the Territory.
In Singapore, I had one-on-one meetings with senior representatives of Tiger Airways and Qantas. Both airlines are focusing on improving services to Darwin, and we will work with them to ensure the best possible outcomes. Tiger Airways started its budget service last December, and Qantas has just announced it will increase its service to five flights a week between Darwin and Singapore. We will continue to further develop services between Darwin and Singapore, and continue our work in raising awareness about the Territory in the markets to our north.
In summary, Madam Speaker, I am very confident that last month’s visit to both Shanghai and Singapore will help in achieving real trade and tourism growth in the region over the coming years.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition welcomes the report. There is nothing more important for the Northern Territory than to exploit our strategic advantage within the region. We certainly welcome such reports and news of trips to China.
I noted the comments made over the weekend by the federal Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, softening his position on uranium. I am wondering whether there had been inquiries made of the Chief Minister from interests in China on the matter of uranium, and if that could be contained within her reply. There is, obviously, a great interest in using the resources we have here to build the wealth of the Northern Territory by exploiting our resources in a sensible way.
I understand from the report that the comments were largely focused on imports into Australia through our gateway. I believe for longer-term growth sustainability of our strategic advantage, we need to be talking more about exports - what leaves our nation to the region, in this case China, by way of primary industries, horticulture, fisheries and resource development products.
I recall on your first trip, Chief Minister, when you took a large contingent of media to show lovely shots of you in Red Square and the like, which was lovely, that a part of that …
Ms Martin: I did not go to Beijing.
Mr MILLS: … was a report that there was going to be …
Ms Martin: I did not go to Beijing. I went to Shanghai.
Mr MILLS: This was a couple of years ago. Listen carefully, please, Chief Minister. There was a report about a full fee paying students initiative coming to the Territory, a village being established in Palmerston. I am wondering if there is anything further to report on that. It received some headlines last time you visited China. I have heard nothing more since.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, there is much interest in the Territory. People like Professor Fei, a Chinese business person of some standing, have been expressing interest in educational accommodation and bringing students to the Northern Territory. We are still waiting for Professor Fei to give us an outline of what he is going to do. We have tried now for two years. Despite the activity of the Palmerston City Council and our activities to say: ‘What, in fact, is your presentation?’, we are still struggling to get that. Whilst we are showing interest in Professor Fei and those working with him, we are struggling to get an actual outline of what he wants to do. I say to Professor Fei: the door is open; you have to present your proposal in appropriate detail to the Territory government and the Palmerston City Council.
I thank the opposition for their support. It was a very important trip as trade and tourism is of the highest agenda for this government.
Bus Security
Dr BURNS (Infrastructure and Transport): Madam Speaker, members would be aware that over the past 12 months there have been a number of serious assaults against bus drivers on our transport system. This is why we gave a commitment to form a Bus Security Working Group to comprehensively examine safety and security on the Darwinbus Network. The working group first met last September and included representatives from bus drivers; the Transport Workers Union; bus contractors, Buslink and Darwin Bus Service; NT Police; NT WorkSafe; and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
Over the following months, the working group worked diligently to compile a report which identified a comprehensive list of factors impacting on safety and security on the network. There was strong support within the group for a physical security presence on the buses. All participants of the working group agreed that having additional personnel available to provide a physical deterrent and assist the bus driver would go a long way in reducing the frequency and severity of assaults against bus drivers and passengers.
In response to the report of the Bus Security Working Group, the government has developed a package of measures aimed at increasing driver and passenger security on the Darwinbus Network.
The central element of the government’s package is the creation of positions for four dedicated security officers at a cost of $330 000 per annum. These security officers will be appointed as inspectors under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act and will have statutory powers to demand the removal of troublesome passengers from buses or prohibit them from boarding, as well as to issue infringement notices. The main objective of the bus security officers will be to target known ‘hot spots’ where security is a concern. This includes on buses and at interchanges. Although acting in an educative and deterrent role, these officers will also have the capacity to issue infringement notices when necessary.
Protocols with police will be established so that priority attention will be given to these officers if a police presence is required. The security officers will be in visible uniform, similar to transport inspectors, and will also act as ambassadors for the Darwinbus Network by providing assistance and general advice to passengers. They will also be equipped with vehicles to provide a rapid response to security incidents on the network. The advantage of having these officers mobile and response-ready will be that they can cover a large component of the network by driving from hot spot to hot spot, maximising their physical presence. This issue is a major concern for bus drivers who have often had to rely on delayed response from private security officers when in immediate danger.
Another element of the government’s package will be the inclusion of bus drivers with emergency workers and good Samaritans in legislation which aims to protect people from assault while they are providing assistance to the public. This means assaults against bus drivers will now be viewed as aggravated assaults, meaning the maximum period of imprisonment following conviction will increase from one year to five years.
This sends a clear message to would-be offenders that the community will not tolerate any level of physical or verbal abuse of our bus drivers. Uniformed police from the Crime Reduction Units in Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston will also travel on the bus network on a targeted basis, and a number of measures to enhance communication and ongoing liaison between the Darwinbus Network and police will also be implemented.
The government will also ensure that all drivers are provided with adequate training in conflict resolution to equip them with the tools to defuse situations before they arise and to safeguard their own and their passengers’ physical security.
The Bus Security Working Group has done an outstanding job in identifying the issues that need to be dealt with to improve security on our network. I thank and congratulate them on their work. I believe the working group has an ongoing role in providing advice to government, and also working to implement the above measures in an effective way.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work closely with the working group to ensure the safest possible environment for drivers and the travelling public.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I welcome the minister’s initiatives to provide funding for placement of security officers on our buses. It is high time that some level of protection is provided to the bus drivers who are desperately trying to do their job to the best of their ability without being accosted and assaulted by their passengers.
However, it is a sad day when we recognise we have to go to this extent to protect people who are doing their normal jobs. It is a sad day when we recognise that the law and order initiatives in this Territory under this government have failed, and that there is a level of violence and antisocial behaviour against people in essential jobs such as nurses, doctors, bus drivers, and taxi drivers. They are all being attacked. It is a breakdown in law and order in our community which has caused this. While we are now protecting those people who are providing essential services, this government has to think about what it has done that has caused the failure of law and order in our community.
We have spoken at length about the issues of itinerants in the community. We talk about people who break into houses and shops. We talk about people who attack others in our streets. There is a breakdown in law and order and this government must address this. Using bandaids when there is an injury is fine, but there is obviously a significant problem from the front end. Why are people now disobeying social order? This is where this government has failed Territorians. It is time government stopped being in denial and addressed these issues seriously. Without them consciously looking at what is causing the problems, this will continue to happen and more and more bandaids will have to be put in place at greater expense to government and to Territorians.
Dr BURNS (Infrastructure and Transport): Madam Speaker, this is a government that faces reality. This is a government that has invested $75m in putting 200 extra police on the beat. This is a government that has worked actively to reduce crime in our community. This is also a government which will address significant issues of alcohol abuse, itinerancy and antisocial behaviour in our community. We are a government that faces up to our responsibilities. We are a government that works with the community and, in this case, we have worked with the unions to solve the problem. We will continue to do that.
The Sound of the Sky – Art Exhibition
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums): Madam Speaker, last month I had the honour of opening the most significant exhibition of non-indigenous art to be held in the 25 years of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, The Sound of the Sky. Over 160 people attended the opening at which Betty Churcher, former Director of the National Gallery of Australia, was guest speaker. The Charles Darwin University Chamber Ensemble performed at the opening, as did the Territory’s answer to Sister Wendy, better known as Tessa Pauling, who was joined by Tom Pauling, Annie Gastin and Ken Conway, in delivery of a theatrical approach to the works on display.
The Sound of the Sky features about 150 works that look at the Northern Territory through the eyes of non-indigenous artists. Many of them have never been seen in the Northern Territory before. A significant number have, in fact, never been exhibited in Australia. The Museums and Art Galleries’ exhibition program is perhaps better known for its indigenous arts display particularly that of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, but it is not the whole story.
The Sound of the Sky is, if you like, the other side of the coin of artistic vision. It is the work created through the eyes of European artists who came to the Northern Territory over the last 200 years. Some had a fleeting contact with the place, some stayed longer, some are still here, some came willingly, and others, such as the artist who depicted Darwin’s World War II, would probably far rather have been somewhere else. But what marks the work of all the artists represented in this exhibition is the struggle to represent the Northern Territory from a diversity of cultural perspectives across 200 years of changing styles and techniques on one hand, and changing attitudes on the other.
In essence, what we are looking at here is a series of changing views, of changing cultural landscapes through which we can all look at the Northern Territory. From my point of view, this exhibition is a revelation. Of course, there are some images, such as those of Thomas Baines, which are familiar. Many I have never seen before. I am astonished at the beauty of some of the paintings. Some, especially those which deal with Aboriginal subjects, are disturbing. Some are culturally familiar to me, such as the number of images that deal with the Pukamani poles. Others, of course, are not.
Among the 150 artworks on display, a number have been gifted by the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory Foundation Ltd. A number have been loaned to the museum by interstate and international art galleries and private collectors.
More importantly, the exhibition is proving extremely popular with the public. Over 1000 people have attended in the first week, and we expect many more to attend between now and its closure in July. I urge all members of the Assembly to visit the exhibition and to encourage their constituents to also visit. As members well know, the Museum and Art Gallery is an important tourist destination in Darwin and we expect many tourists to also enjoy this great exhibition.
In closing, I offer my congratulations to Daena Murray who curated The Sound of the Sky as part of a major research project she has undertaken over the last three years. It is a credit to her scholarship that Territorians and visitors can enjoy this great exhibition. It is also a great credit to the many other staffers at the museum who have put in major efforts to make The Sound of the Sky such a success.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition supports the statement. It is well recognised that the museum is one of the treasures of the Top End and I always direct any visitors who have come my way to the museum. I visit museums all around the place and I am very proud to endorse our museum. It is a place we should continue to consider how we can develop and strengthen.
Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I was unable to attend the official opening, but will make the effort to get there before the exhibition closes.
In the minister’s comment there is no reference to what the precise contribution of the Territory government is to this exhibition. I am interested to know. It is just telling us a story about a nice exhibition that happened in town. I would not mind knowing exactly the contribution of the Northern Territory government to that exhibition. It is fantastic that it is supported. The arts are a critical element to the attraction of the Territory. What is the contribution of the Northern Territory government to this?
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums): Madam Speaker, just very briefly, we fund it. Surely, the member for Blain would understand this. The staff, the infrastructure, everything associated with the museum is funded by the Northern Territory government.
International Market Strategy –
Mining and Exploration
Mining and Exploration
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, I report on the results of the Building the Territory Resource Base International Road Show in North America and the United Kingdom. The international market is important to the Northern Territory as many decision-makers from the exploration and mining sector are based outside Australia, particularly North America and Europe.
The resource boom is global and we have implemented an international marketing strategy to ensure the Territory maximises its share of the boom. The strategy was twofold: to raise the profile of the Territory in the international market by attending pre-eminent conferences; and to build on existing relationships and develop new business for the Territory by meeting clients, government officials and prospective clients.
Two key events were identified to help us penetrate the international market. They were the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention, also known as PDAC, one of the world’s largest mining conventions taking place in Toronto, Canada; and the Mining Journal’s 20:20 Investor Series, an investment attraction event in London with a focus on the European financial community.
The Northern Territory team travelled with Team Australia, which included Geoscience Australia, the State Geological Surveys and a selection of Australia’s best industry players. The Northern Territory was the only jurisdiction to have a minister present. I was, therefore, able to lead the delegation representing Australia, and effectively maximise the profile of the Territory. The Northern Territory delegation included my chief executive officers, Mr John Carroll, Mr Richard Brescianini and Mr Ian Scrimgeour as experts from the Northern Territory Geological Survey; the project organiser, Ms Lisa Mutch; and Northern Territory explorers, Arafura Resources and Compass Resources.
PDAC ran over three days and recorded its largest attendance ever with 14 500 mining, exploration and investment executives. The Australian team had a large pavilion within the PDAC trade fair, and also hosted the Exploration Down Under Seminar, which was attended by more than a 150 executives. As the representative for Australia, I provided the official opening and was followed by eight industry presentations, including Arafura Resources and Compass Resources.
From PDAC, we went to London for the one-day 20:20 Investor Series. There were 140 participants including stockbrokers, investors and analysts from the European financial community. Again, I gave the official Australia welcome, and was followed by the Northern Territory sessions which included Mr Brescianini, Arafura Resources and Compass Resources. I must note that these companies were a great support to the Northern Territory and undertook their presentations and travel at their own cost.
For the second part of our strategy, I attended 13 meetings scheduled over 10 days in Denver, Toronto and London. Key client meetings included Newmont, Vista Gold, Alcan, Sweetpea Petroleum, GBS Gold and Rio Tinto. As a follow-up, my chief executive and I have written to these clients to ensure that the contacts and the relationships continue to be developed and strengthened.
My meeting with prospective clients included Laramide Resources, Aldershot Resources and Summit Resources. These meetings highlighted the Territory government’s commitment to mining and exploration in the Northern Territory, and enabled us to provide information about the Territory’s prospectivity and infrastructure.
Finally, government meetings in support of our promotion of the Territory were arranged with the Australian Consuls-General in London and Toronto, Austrade in Toronto, and the Minister of Mines for Ontario, Canada.
My team was highly successful in maximising the Northern Territory profile at PDAC and at 20:20 Investor Series by heavy ministerial presence and securing the opening presentation of both events; gaining industry support from Arafura Resources and Compass Resources to provide credible back-up to the Territory’s message; developing state-of-the-art presentations which included Mr Brescianini’s presentation at 20:20, where an impressive Google Earth movie was used to encourage Territory investment; and the networking efforts of the Northern Territory Geological Survey team identifying numerous strong business leads for the Territory.
Madam Speaker, the Northern Territory’s business relationships with key clients has been strengthened and a pipeline for potential new business has been created through the many meetings attended during the trip.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the minister’s report was interesting. It would have been much more interesting, however, for him to provide the House and Territorians with an update on the negotiations with Xstrata regarding the McArthur River Mine. We know that there has been what the minister would regard as some headway, but the significant substantial issue has not been resolved. I would have thought, given the worth of the McArthur River Mine to the Territory in jobs and gross state product, that it would have been incumbent upon the minister to provide us with a report. However, this is a minister who runs from the serious issues. I understand why it is that he would not want to report to us, notwithstanding the importance for him to do so.
After the McArthur River phase one debacle earlier this year, the minister took off for a conference. It would be very interesting to see at what date the registration for the conference was and whether a late fee was payable, because the disaster was such a mess that the minister could not get out of town quick enough. He did not even have the courtesy to take his sidekick, the minister for the Environment with him - not very gentlemanly, Madam Speaker. He left the minister for the Environment here to take the blows that came. Everyone was going - the Chief Minister was out of town, and the mining minister was out of town when the Xstrata boss came here. No wonder people in the mining industry were less than happy. They remain less than happy because what they want from this government is fairly simple.
This sums up the moral and political dilemma the Northern Territory Branch of the Australian Labor Party faces, further illustrated this morning by the Chief Minister’s refusal to answer a simple question asked by my colleague, the member for Blain: when you were in China, did anyone ask you about uranium? She refused to answer it. Has the minister ever stated his position in relation to uranium and the economic benefits that may come from it? You are cowards. You hide, you run, and this minister has form. You do it all the time, you chicken.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, your time has expired.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, following on from the Leader of the Opposition, I believe it is important that the government comes out and says whether it supports the export of uranium to other countries and the expansion of that. I know we already export uranium. Do you support the expansion of that export industry?
Canada has a nuclear power program and also mines uranium. If you were in Canada, minister, I would have expected that you would have been talking to mining companies which would have been interested in developing the uranium industry in the Northern Territory or in Australia. I would have liked to have heard whether you had contact with companies which deal with uranium, and what was your point of view about exporting it if they had an interest in coming to Australia to develop it. It is an important issue at the moment.
The Chief Minister has been to China and would not say whether she raised the issue with China. This is an extremely important issue for the development of not only the Northern Territory but Australia. It has been discussed as a matter of priority in regards to whether we have a nuclear power program in Australia, and whether nuclear energy is a way of solving the greenhouse issues that we have in the world. Yet, when it comes to discussing whether we can be part of that, there is dead silence from the Labor Party. I do not care whether you agree with that, but at least come out and say what you think about exporting uranium.
People of the Northern Territory expect you as a party to say something, not to wait for a resolution from a national Labor Party conference in wherever it is going to be. We would like to hear what the Northern Territory government thinks of exporting uranium, and developing that industry for the benefit of Northern Territorians.
Mr VATSKALIS (Mines and Energy): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their comments. I would like to advise the Leader of the Opposition that when the CEO of Xstrata came to the Northern Territory he actually did meet with me. But, did he meet with you? The information I have, despite what you stated in parliament at the time, is that they did not meet with you. Second, Xstrata made …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He is telling an untruth. To the extent that I understood him, he was suggesting that I did not meet with the CEO of Xstrata when, indeed, I did.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, if you feel that there has been a misleading statement you can see me about making a personal explanation.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I would like to advise the Leader of the Opposition that Xstrata has now put in a submission addressing the nine issues identified by me, and has agreed to provide additional and upgraded information in order to proceed through the environmental assessment process for the expansion to be assessed. When it has been assessed by my colleague and the advice is provided to me, then I will make a decision.
On this side of parliament, we make decisions carefully. We do not want to create another Mt Todd. We would like to leave an inheritance of wealth and development to Territorians, not a debt of multimillion dollar disasters created by the CLP.
Reports noted.
TERRORISM (EMERGENCY POWERS) AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 46)
(Serial 46)
Continued from 29 March 2006.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, to the disappointment of the Chief Minister, I will be brief. This bill is supported.
I believe that there is something in all of us that has a natural knee-jerk reaction when we see legislation of the kind that has been described by others as draconian introduced in any parliament in this country. I recall, when the Commonwealth and other states and territories agreed to this legislation, that you were all at one. Then, of course, the very complex Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, did a bit of positioning - some might say shafting - of his Labor colleagues and the federal government, because it appears as though either he or his staff thought that perhaps he should not have agreed to what everyone agreed to in the first instance. However, it seems as though Jon Stanhope has recovered, although I note with interest the article in the Weekend Australian about Jon Stanhope’s government which is ‘erratic’. That is a reasonably polite way of describing his government.
In any event, as a lawyer, I have some concerns with some of the far reaching provisions found in this bill. However, as a politician and community representative, I understand well why it is this legislation comes before us today.
Minister, this could potentially be difficult legislation to track. We are hopeful, of course, that you will never have to call upon it, as will members of the police force. If it is called upon, I would lay a bet there would be all sorts of High Court challenges and you, minister, as a politician, would expect that to be the case.
I note law societies around the country, with only one or two exceptions, have had very little to say about this sort of legislation, which is interesting. I do not know why they have been silent, as so much of not only this legislation but other types of legislation in other jurisdictions would, I believe, present various difficulties to members of the legal profession.
However, that is the way of the world and it is with some understandable reluctance but with a philosophical view of the world today that the opposition lends its support to the bill. We wish you well. I am sure you will join with us and all Territorians and hope like hell that you never have to use it.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I speak in support of the bill. I understand we live in times which are different from several years ago when the idea of terrorism affecting the shores of Australia would probably have been very remote and something we would not have believed could happen. However, as has been seen, just because you have some sea between you and another country, it does not necessarily mean it will not happen. The London bombing certainly showed there is that possibility.
As you read through the bill, there are many safeguards to make sure these emergency powers are not abused, although I do have queries about a couple of issues which I would like to raise.
With regard to preventative detention orders, it is good that immediately someone is taken into custody that person has to be told they have the right of review by the court. However, there is a section in here which talks about detention in prison. My concern is that a person has not actually been charged; they have been brought into detention. If they are to be taken to prison under this bill, I have two concerns. One is that the remand centre in Darwin prison is totally inadequate and we need to look at the facilities we have there. Two, because there is no separation of the type of prisoners in the remand centre and you have just detained a terrorist – at least you think that person could be capable of doing a terrorist act – where would you put them in prison? Would you put them in the main part of the prison although they have not been charged with an offence? Would you put them in the remand area? Is that a suitable area if you have doubts about whether they are a terrorist? Remand people are there waiting to go to court.
I am interested to know where you would put people if they were to be put in prison. Perhaps you would just keep them in the lock-up at police headquarters? I am not sure. There is a clause in there enabling the person who is to be detained to be put in prison.
I had a quick look at the Hansard of 29 April 2003 when the Terrorism (Northern Territory) Request Bill continued its second reading. I made a note at that time regarding whether there were any safeguards, for instance, as to what was considered to be a possible terrorist act. I wondered at that time - and I am not sure whether I ever got an answer for it - whether it could be that these powers could be used against industrial action? There are times when industrial action is political. Could a strike or some low level civil disobedience possibly be seen as a terrorist act? In other words, could someone do something using civil disobedience which the police might see as having the potential under this bill to be regarded as a terrorist act? If so, what safeguards are in the bill to make sure that could not occur. I raised this at that time, and I ask the minister if that possibility is still within the framework of this new bill.
The other area was the declaration of the special area. I notice when you have a preventative detention order you can get a review by the Supreme Court. If the commissioner decides to declare a railway station, an airport or a bus depot a special area, the only person he has to get approval from is the minister. I do not know if there was any thought given to whether the courts would be involved in the declaration of a special area. It seems to me to be a far-reaching part of the legislation. I am not saying it is not needed. However, when I look at the preventative detention order section of the bill there does not seem to be the same checks and balances that the commissioner has if he issues a declaration of a special area. That could have widespread repercussions for something that may not have been intended. For instance, if the people who are at the special event feel they are being unduly ‘picked on’, where do they go for an appeal against their special event being declared a special area declaration? Those are my concerns.
I understand why we have a prohibitive contact order, which is reasonable, and why you need covert search warrants. Overall, minister, I am supportive of the bill but there are a couple areas there that need some explanation. I am interested to hear what you have to say in response.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition and the member for Nelson for their support for this legislation. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition: I hope this legislation is never used in the Northern Territory but it is in response to changing global environments. The first responsibility of any government is the protection of its citizens and that is the outcome of the COAG Agreement. It gives me no great pleasure as minister to have to introduce this type of legislation into the parliament.
I would just like to go to some history and background before addressing the specific points raised by the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Nelson as to the environment in which this legislation is being introduced and why it needs to be introduced.
Terrorism in many forms has been a global activity for many years. In essence, this particular legislation is borne from the London bombings on 7 July 2005 where 52 lives were lost. All of us could probably remember when we started to hear and see that footage as it came through. It was an attack that was extraordinarily cowardly in the discriminatory way in which those 52 innocent people lost their lives. COAG announced this package of measures on 27 September 2005. Just four months later, the Prime Minister, Premiers, and Chief Ministers moved very swiftly.
You can do all sorts of research on the Internet these days; it is a fabulous research tool. Preparing for my concluding comments in regard to this legislation, I came across a BBC News page dated Thursday, 28 July 2005, which shows, if people remember, there was a car with a number of explosive devices in it that was detained in a town called Luton and did not actually get to their intended targets. There is a photo of a bomb packed with nails which was intended to be detonated on the public transport system in London. It sends shivers down your spine to think that there are people out there with the motive not only to kill, but to maim as many people as possible in a totally indiscriminate manner.
That is the type of people you are dealing with; people who are, to my mind, totally irrational in regards to what they are trying to achieve and how they are trying to achieve it. That is a very graphic picture which shows why we need to introduce such legislation to give the police, when they do receive intelligence that this type of activity may be being planned and proposed as opposed as to after the event when the act has occurred, the powers to detain people and launch a very thorough investigation. The outcome of not acting quickly on intelligence is, unfortunately and tragically, many hundreds and thousands of people around the world being indiscriminately killed by those types of devices. That is the environment in which this legislation is framed.
Subsequent to the bombings on 7 July, there was a follow-up attempt in London on 21 July. Five people were charged with conspiring to attack the London transport network. Again, you can get details of those charges. The tragedy of all of this in the United Kingdom is that most people who have been charged with these offences are people who were born in the United Kingdom - people who are born citizens of that country taking up terrorist actions against innocent people.
Of course, in the Northern Territory, we have our own direct experience as a result of the Bali bombings in October 2002. Tragically, 202 innocent people lost their lives; 88 of those Australian citizens. We will all remember where we were when we heard that news coming through. I had the opportunity, as Asian Relations and Trade Minister, fairly soon after those bombings, to visit the site and lay a wreath there on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory. It was a pretty traumatic experience to be taken around that site by the commanding officer of the Australian Federal Police who was leading the investigation with the Indonesian authorities, to have a very chilling recitation of exactly what happened at Kuta that night, and how the bombs were arranged to cause maximum death and injury to the maximum number of people - a very cold, calculated and brutal attack that saw 202 innocent people losing their lives.
The way people in Darwin, in particular, responded is certainly evidence that we were directly affected by a significant terrorism event not too far from our shores in Darwin. We all know of and pay tribute to the heroic work of many people at Royal Darwin Hospital, our emergency services personnel and volunteers who assisted in the response to that atrocity in October 2002.
That was then followed up, almost exactly three years to the day, on 2 October 2005, when there were further bombings in Bali, which saw 23 people killed, four of those Australians - innocent Australians abroad killed by terrorist offences. There were 92 Australians - the 88 who were slain in 2002 and the four in 2005 - who have lost their lives to terrorism offences, and many hundreds and thousands of people across Australia directly affected by the loss of loved ones. This is the global environment that we are in.
There are many reports available for members, particularly those commissioned by security services and the Commonwealth government. There is no doubt that mainland Australia, potentially, is a terrorist target. This is a public document; there is no information here that is confidential. However, if members want to go to the latest ASIO Annual Report dated 2003-04, there is quite a detailed reference to potential terrorism activity on Australian soil.
In fact, we have had one Australian, a fellow by the name of Jack Roche, who was arrested on 18 November 2002 by the AFP on charges of conspiracy to commit offences under the Crimes (Internationally Protected Persons) Act that began in Perth on 17 May 2004. The prosecution presented evidence alleging that, in 2000, Roche had undertaken reconnaissance of the Israeli Embassy in Canberra and Consulate in Sydney at the direction of al-Qaeda for a proposed terrorist attack. On the 10th day of the trial, Roche pleaded guilty to the charges, and on 1 June 2004 was sentenced to nine years in prison with a four-year non-parole period, a very real example of the type of activity that Australia is exposed to.
There are a number of people mentioned, some of them more high profile, such as Willy Brigitte. On 22 September 2003, the French Security Service advised that French national, Willy Brigitte, had participated in military training in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan, and they believed he travelled to Australia in May 2003. It is clear that Brigitte travelled to Australia intending to do harm. As a result of the investigations, two other individuals were arrested by the AFP and charged under anti-terrorism legislation. It also goes on to say that, since 11 September 2001, a total of 20, including six in 2003-04, Australian people have been assessed or suspected of receiving or facilitating terrorism training overseas, and have had their Australian passports cancelled or denied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
We have seen a number of arrests in the not-too-distant past in Sydney and Melbourne. There is no doubt, tragically, that Australia does face a threat. This legislation is being implemented across Australia, as I have said, to give the police the powers that, on receipt of intelligence, they can take people in and question them, and try to head off any potential plan to effect a terrorism attack on mainland Australia.
I am comfortable, as Police minister and a minister of the government - and this has been discussed in Cabinet in the usual ways - that there are the appropriate checks and balances throughout this legislation.
I will now turn to the comments from the Leader of the Opposition. She stated she had some concerns, and hypothesised why the law societies across Australia have remained silent on this legislation that is being implemented. They have remained silent - and I defer to knowledge of the technical aspects of the law to the Leader of the Opposition - because the checks and balances are in this legislation. There is a requirement to report to this parliament on an annual basis as to whether the legislation has been used in the Northern Territory, and there is to be a comprehensive review as to the requirements and the need to have this legislation in place across Australia within five years.
In regard to the preventative detention orders which allow police to question people for up to 14 days without charge, they can only be granted once police have satisfied an eligible judge. To correct the member for Nelson, if the eligible judge does grant the preventative detention order, there is a requirement that that order has to be confirmed by the Supreme Court at the earliest opportunity. It is not giving powers to police directly to take people off the streets for up to 14 days without confirmation through the court system.
The Leader of the Opposition said – and I was a bit surprised – that the legislation was knee-jerk and draconian. It is not knee-jerk and draconian. It is very responsible legislation which has been put in place in extraordinary circumstances with checks and balances throughout the legislation. It is certainly not knee-jerk and draconian to my mind.
Member for Nelson, the issue about someone being apprehended and taken to the prison – we are talking about people who are being investigated, or suspected, or are contributing to, or planning a potential terrorist attack. They would be held in isolation in a high-security setting through our corrections systems. If there were a number of people detained as a result of a police investigation and we did not have the capacity, then some of those people would be transferred and held interstate. That would be an issue which would be worked out with corrections as the need arose.
The member for Nelson commented on whether this legislation could be used against striking workers. I say from the Labor government, no, it will not. There is no capacity for it to be used against Australians who are exercising their legal right to take industrial action. In fact, section 3(3) of the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002, precludes that. It says that advocacy falls within this subsection if it is advocacy protest, dissent or industrial action; it is not intended to cause serious harm, that is, physical harm to a person; cause a person’s death; endanger a person’s life other than the life of the person taking action; or to create a serious risk to public health or public safety.
Specifically, the legislation precludes it being used in order to quell advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action. That is covered, and there is no way we would introduce such legislation.
The member also asked about the capacity to declare special areas for police to be able to close off, and why that was my power as Police minister as opposed to through the courts. This issue has been worked through. It gives the police powers on application to me, that in a public place - and in the Territory context that is airports, the train station, and major sporting venues - where large numbers of people are going to be gathered for a particular event and police have intelligence immediately to hand that they suspect an act may occur, then there really is no time to go through a court or a legal process. There is a requirement for a review and because a special place has been declared as an area there is no direct impact on the liberties of an individual. Therefore, it really does give the police the powers, under extraordinary and exceptional circumstances, to secure an area from the public where they believe, as a result of intelligence received, an event may be being planned.
Like the Leader of the Opposition and every member of this House I hope that our Territory police force never has to use such legislation. However, we do live in times where such legislation is appropriate and is certainly not knee-jerk and draconian.
Before I conclude, I note that yesterday an Indonesian anti-terror unit found a backpack filled with explosives which were similar to those used in last year’s Bali bombings which killed 20 people. They found a bomb like those used in the Bali blast. They believe from intelligence - and I know that federal police and security services work very closely with Indonesian authorities - that some of the people apprehended are certainly linked to groups responsible for the previous Bali attacks. So there is evidence just yesterday that in Indonesia there are people plotting and planning similar events to that which occurred in Bali in 2002 and 2005. We will be vigilant.
I have every confidence in our police force to use these powers appropriately. I can reassure Territorians that the checks and balances are there. We live in pretty extraordinary times in regard to the threat of terrorism. I have to provide a report to parliament on an annual basis as to the use of these powers and a comprehensive review within five years. I commend the bill to the House.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Under Treasurer, Mrs Jennifer Prince, together with senior staff from Treasury. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the former Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, Mr Terry McCarthy. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
There are also members in the gallery of the University of the Third Age who have come to listen to the Treasurer’s budget speech, and other visitors. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
APPROPRIATION BILL 2006-07
(Serial 50)
(Serial 50)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. I table the 2006-07 Appropriation Bill and related budget papers.
Budget 2006-07 builds the Territory’s future. It delivers jobs, growth and a stronger Territory. It builds on the successful policies of the Martin government over the last five years to:
reduce taxes;
provide high levels of infrastructure spending;
invest in strategic economic drivers; and
implement a strong, social development program.
Budget 2006-07 delivers on the government’s priorities of supporting and growing business, improving educational outcomes, building a healthier Territory, providing a safer community for all Territorians, and enhancing our great lifestyle. It does so within sound and sustainable fiscal parameters. This budget grows the Territory’s economy. It creates jobs for Territorians through strategic investment in key areas. Most significantly, Budget 2006-07 makes a strong commitment to the future development of the tourism industry.
In 2003, the government responded to the then tourism crisis with a three-year tourism marketing package. Those funds helped turn around the tourism industry. I am pleased to announce that the government will now commit these funds on an ongoing basis. In 2006-07, tourism marketing will total $27.6m and the tourism budget will reach $38.3m. Tourism supports a wide range of small business. It accounts for 7500 jobs directly and thousands more indirectly.
The government will also support business, grow the Territory economy and create more jobs by continued high levels of expenditure on infrastructure. This year, $482m will be spent. Additionally, $100m will be spent by the Darwin Cove Consortium at the Darwin waterfront development as a result of the government’s commitment to the project. Since 2001, this Labor government has invested over $2.7bn in cash in infrastructure-related works and construction jobs - an unprecedented commitment.
In Budget 2006-07, the Martin government is also backing business and stimulating growth in jobs by continuing the most extensive tax reform program undertaken by any Territory government. This year, the government will further reduce payroll tax by lifting the threshold from $1m to $1.25m from 1 July 2006. One hundred and eighty-seven businesses will no longer pay payroll tax as a result of the threshold changes since 2004. This will make our payroll tax arrangements the most competitive in Australia for businesses with up to 100 staff.
The government will also cut two more business taxes in Budget 2006-07: stamp duty on unquoted marketable securities, and the grant or renewal of leases and franchises will be removed from 1 July 2006. Tax reforms in Budget 2006 will return $5.6m to the pockets of business this year. It brings the government’s total tax reform reductions to $74m. A further $134m reduction has been committed over the course of the announced reforms.
The Martin government’s tax reforms make the Territory the lowest taxing jurisdiction in Australia for a small business with up to 100 staff. We are proud of that achievement, but there is more to do. We will continue to ensure that business is supported with the most competitive taxation arrangements that we can provide.
The Territory has experienced an unusual number of natural disasters during 2005-06, including flooding in parts of Central Australia; the recent floods in Katherine, the Daly and their regions; and Cyclone Monica. The government has incurred immediate disaster-related costs and will, over the next year, undertake additional repairs and restoration and, in some cases, build new facilities.
Budget 2006-07 also builds the Territory’s future by supporting the government’s commitments to improved educational outcomes, a healthier Territory, and a safer community. Territorians can be in no doubt that improving education results is at the heart of the government’s second term agenda. It is critical that we provide the best possible opportunity for young Territorians now and into the future. This year, Employment, Education and Training will receive a record budget of $630.7m, an increase of 33% since 2001.
Building a healthier Territory is also essential for the future of our community. Investment in effective health programs will, over the longer term, return significant social and economic benefits to the Territory. Budget 2006-07 provides a significant boost to Health and Community Services. This year, the budget has been expanded to $788.6m, an increase of 64% since 2001.
Since coming to office in 2001, the Martin government has provided for a safer community. We have made significant legislative changes, toughening penalties, tackling antisocial behaviour, and addressing substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse. Unprecedented financial commitment backs this effort. Budget 2006-07 provides a record Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget of $212.4m, a 55% increase since 2001.
The government will provide $55.6m in community service obligations to the Power and Water Corporation. This payment subsidises the cost of providing power and water across the Territory. It keeps downward pressure on power, water and sewerage prices. There is a significant and growing difference between the cost of producing power and water, and the tariffs charged. Following a five-year freeze on power costs, those cost pressures are so great that a CPI-based increase of 2.6% will apply to the price of power, water and sewerage to take effect from 1 July 2006.
Before providing the detail of budget initiatives, I turn to the broader Territory economic outlook. During 2005-06, the Territory economy has continued to go from strength to strength. The estimated growth in gross state product in 2005-06 will be 6.7%. Investment expenditure has increased by an estimated 12%, largely due to construction work on the Alcan G3 refinery expansion at Gove, and completion of construction work on the LNG plant at Wickham Point. Consumption expenditure increased by a solid 4.2%.
Our population grew by 1.7% in 2005, well above national growth rates of 1.2%. 2005 saw positive nett interstate migration: more people moving to the Territory than leaving for the first time since the major Defence build-up in the mid-1990s. The Territory labour market continued to strengthen; an estimated 2000 new local jobs were created in this financial year, with ABS reporting resident employment up by an estimated 2.1%.
Over the last two years, house prices in the Northern Territory have increased by 33%, the strongest growth since the mid-1990s. Unit prices are up 36% over the same period. Residential building approvals, a lead indicator for future residential construction work, have increased by 36% over the last two years.
In 2006-07, the government expects that the strength of the economy and economic activity will remain at a high level with growth set to moderate only slightly. Gross state product growth is forecast to be 5.8% in 2006-07.
A full year of LNG production and export will be a major contributor to growth in 2006-07. Growth will also be supported by increased alumina production and a full year of manganese production from the new Bootu Creek mine. This will offset a decline in engineering construction as a result of the completion of the Alcan and LNG ‘mega projects’. Engineering work for the Darwin waterfront development, and new projects such as the development of the Blacktip gas field and the condensate processing facility, will ensure that engineering activity remains well above historic levels.
Continued growth will also be supported by the positive employment and population outlook. Local employment will be boosted by high levels of residential construction as the Territory property market continues to strengthen. It will also be supported by the continuing rebound of international visitor numbers and increased domestic airline capacity into the Territory. Accommodation capacity is set to increase, with a number of significant projects under way and planned. Airline capacity is also increasing, with new international and national carriers entering the Territory market.
Resident employment is forecast to increase by 2.3% in 2006-07. A forecast population growth of 1.5% in 2006, well above the national figure, will be supported by continuing positive nett migration inflows as more people are attracted to new opportunities in the Northern Territory. The latest Sensis consumer reports support a positive outlook, with Territory consumers the most confident in the nation. A nett 72% of Territory consumers reported feeling confident about their financial prospects for the year ahead compared to 56% nationally.
Growth in new motor vehicle sales is also strong at 6%, and well above the national growth of 2%. The outlook for the mining and energy sector is positive, with continued strong commodity demand and high prices, at least in the short term. Retail turnover in the Territory is forecast to increase by 4.5% next financial year.
In its March report, Access Economics said that the Territory is surfing two waves at once: a commodity boom, and a housing boom. The Territory economy is in the best shape it has been for over a decade, resulting in significant benefits for all Territorians.
I now turn to the fiscal projections in the budget. As members will recall, the government revised its fiscal strategy in 2004-05 to provide a greater stimulus to the economy and to increase service capacity, particularly in health, education, and law and order. In the 2005-06 budget, the cash targets were adjusted for three years to include the government’s contribution to the Darwin waterfront development. The timing of the community infrastructure has been revised to align with the completion of the convention centre. The cash targets for these three years have been reset accordingly, although the Territory’s contribution remains unchanged.
Also unchanged is the target to return to a balanced budget in 2008-09. The estimated outcome for 2005-06 is a deficit of $47m, a $21m improvement due to the change in waterfront timing. During 2005-06, there have been significant increases in both receipts and payments, with more than half of these due to finalisation of specific purpose payments from the Australian government.
Receipts have increased by $220m. GST revenue remains unchanged, however, specific purpose payments increased by $114m. $36m relates to the transfer of responsibility for indigenous housing from IHANT to the Territory government as part of the overarching agreement signed by the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister. In addition, a number of specific purpose payments have been finalised: $27m for education and training programs; $21m for the establishment of a National Trauma Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital; $19m for other health programs; and $11m for other agency programs.
The Territory’s own source revenue has increased by $106m, with $50m of this related to large one-off stamp duty transactions. Of the remaining $56m, $28m is increased tax revenue due to further growth in the local economy, with $14m from payroll tax, $8m in stamp duty, and $6m from gambling taxes. Mining royalties are expected to be $4m higher than projected last year. Of the remaining $24m, $7m is due to the improved performance of the government’s trading entities, and $17m largely from Health-related cross-border charges.
Payments have increased by $201m with $105m of this due to the increased specific purpose payments from the Australian government. The carryover from 2004-05 contributed $39m to the increase, whilst one-off legal costs accounted for $17m. Other approved increases were made to improve services and to help attract and retain teachers, nurses and police. These were Health, $25m; Education, $13m; and police, $10m. These increases were offset by reduced capital spending as a result of timing differences on the Darwin waterfront development project.
Turning to 2006-07, receipts are expected to be $3.05bn. While GST revenue is expected to be $138m higher than 2005-06 due to increased relativities, population and GST national collections, other revenue will be lower. Taxes receipts are expected to be $52m less due to the large one-off transactions in 2005-06 along with further reductions in the payroll tax resulting from the threshold lifting from $1m to $1.25m, and removal of two more business taxes. Other differences include the cessation of $8m in national competition policy payments; $5m in lower taxes and dividends from trading enterprises; and the effect of higher SPPs in 2005-06 in Education, Health and police, $17m. It is likely SPP revenues will increase during the year as future agreements are finalised. When the effect of one-off payments in 2005-06 is removed, payments are projected to increase by $53m with growth in the budgets of Health, Police and Education.
Spending on the waterfront in 2006-07 is expected to be $42m higher than that in 2005-06 as the development gathers pace.
The accrual result has worsened due to the revised actuarial assessment of the Territory’s unfunded superannuation liability. However, the forward estimates still show an improvement with a small accrual surplus projected for 2009-10, as well as the cash balance in 2008-09. The increase in the superannuation liability has resulted in higher nett debt plus employee liabilities; however, the real measure of budgetary health - the ratio of debt to revenue - continues to improve with 111% projected for 2009-10 compared with the 2001-02 ratio of 134%.
I turn now to the detail of the budget initiatives. Budget 2006-07 builds the Territory’s future. It delivers jobs, growth and a stronger Territory, and it delivers on the government’s commitments.
Support for business: Budget 2006-07 supports business through significant investment in key industries, infrastructure investment, continued programs supporting the skilling of Territorians, and taxation reform. Significant investment in tourism will help drive growth in our economy and support business. The Darwin waterfront development is another strategic investment. Investment in the Territory’s roads supports business and provides a significant boost to industry development. This year, an estimated $134.9m will be programmed for roads throughout the Territory, including national highways. Key new and continuing roadworks include:
$13.9m for the Mereenie Loop Road in Central Australia,
$4.5m for Litchfield loop road,
$1.3m for the Maryvale Road upgrade; and
a further $500 000 toward upgrading the Sandover Highway.
Upgrades will also occur to the Central Arnhem Road, the Point Stuart Road, and the Lasseter Highway. $29m will continue improvement of the Victoria Highway, especially the floodplain areas and bridges. $6.1m will be spent on the Local Roads to Recovery Program, and a further $6.1m to upgrade sections of the national highways that have failed to meet current standards. $2m will be spent on the Outback Highway program for improvements to the Plenty Highway.
Significant strategic investment will also be made across the Territory, strengthening power and water and essential services. Power and Water Corporation will invest $87.1m in capital works, and $39.8m in repairs and maintenance. Important projects include:
$25m for an additional power generation unit at Channel Island power station;
$7.5m for additional generation capacity in Alice Springs; and
$5m for a new Archer zone substation at Palmerston.
The government has agreed to bring forward $6m of its contribution to the undergrounding of power project to 2005-06 from 2006-07 and 2007-08 to allow more rapid progress. A further $2.1m is provided over two years having regard to the higher cost associated with the Dundee power project.
Indigenous essential services will also see important infrastructure investment across the Territory, with $1.35m to replace the power station at Canteen Creek; $610 000 upgrading the sewer rising main and pump station at Milingimbi; $410 000 for drilling new bores at Ngukurr; and $350 000 for a replacement water tank at Yuelamu.
To provide further support for business, the Martin government will allocate $3.8m for Building the Territory’s Resource Base for mining exploration; $500 000 to continue to assist with regional economic development throughout the Territory; $470 000 to continue delivery of business information and licensing services through the network of Territory Business Centres; a new system for licensing, including the management of business names will be introduced at a cost of $250 000 to be funded by fees on business names. The fee will be $60 for a new three-year registration, and $50 for a three-year renewal. The rate is about half that applying in the states and will also assist in the improved management of business names by providing a disincentive to retain unused business names.
The government will provide $650 000 to continue the highly successful and supported Business Management and Capability programs, including up-skills workshops, business coaching services, the Business Growth program, and practical events during October Business Month.
Throughout the course of 2006-07, the Martin government will fund $1.15m to peak Territory industry associations for specific development services. The government continues to support business by placing a strong emphasis on skilling Territorians. In Budget 2006-07, we will spend $84m on employment and training within the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Last year, the Martin government committed to commence training for 10 000 Territorians over four years; one year on, more than 2600 people have commenced. We will continue our announced Jobs Plan program throughout 2006-07.
This year, we will spend $1.1m on a Workwear/Workgear Bonus providing up to $1000 cash; $4.4m on school-to-work transition programs, an important program strongly supported by business; and $500 000 on the Build Skills NT program which lifts existing workers to new skill levels. The government will also provide around $37m to Charles Darwin University and $8.9m for the Batchelor Institute.
The Martin government’s reform of Territory taxes has provided strong support for business. It has delivered an unprecedented reduction of $74m in taxation to Territorians since 2001, and will deliver a further $134m in reductions over the life of our announced reform package.
This year, the government’s reduction in payroll tax will mean the tax-free threshold will have more than doubled from $600 000 to $1.25m in just three budgets. Fifty-eight businesses will no longer pay payroll tax, bringing to 187 the total number of businesses out of the payroll tax net. The savings to Territory businesses still paying this tax will increase to a total $66 182 since 2004. Combined with this government’s rate reduction from 6.5% to 6.2%, this reform means that a business supporting $2m in wages in 2000 would have paid $92 400 in payroll tax each year. Now, they will pay just $46 500. That is a substantial commitment to business by this government.
Since coming to office, the government has removed or reduced six stamp duties that affect small businesses. This year, we will remove two more. Over the next three years to 2009-10, the government will remove stamp duty on hiring arrangements and on the non-land components of business conveyances. These will both provide substantial return to business.
Budget 2006-07 gives Territory businesses a competitive edge. In New South Wales, a business with 50 staff will pay $85 128 more in recurrent taxes than its Territory counterpart. In Western Australia, they will pay $24 891 more. Businesses of 100 staff in New South Wales will pay $91 043 more than in the Territory and, in Western Australia, they will pay $13 328 more. This comparison clearly demonstrates the government’s substantial commitment to Territory business.
Other revenue changes include a range of equity and efficiency measures and the adoption of revenue units for fees and charges. The previous government introduced a framework for a unit-based system for fees and charges, but it has not been activated. We will move to adopt that system over the next six months, significantly improving administrative efficiency. Minor fee and charge increases will result as they are aligned with revenue units.
I turn now to our commitment to achieve better education outcomes. Specific programs and support includes continuation of the $42m Building Better Schools program, including the provision of an additional school counsellor to each secondary school across the Territory; $8.1m for continued funding of 100 additional teachers above formula; and $850 000 for implementation of the community engagement of 15 indigenous school communities.
The government will continue its commitment to specialised literacy programs. In Budget 2006-07, we will spend $4.4m jointly with the Australian government to continue the expansion of the national Accelerated Literacy program. In 2005, this program was run across 27 schools including 14 in remote locations, teaching 3300 students; 150 classes were provided, and 220 teachers received professional development and training. We will also spend $300 000 on bilingual education, an important literacy tool.
The Martin government allocated almost $2m in calendar year 2006 for the implementation of our back to school payment, a key commitment made in the 2005 election. This payment has been welcomed by Territory families and it helps with the cost of living. Budget 2006-07 supports a further almost $2m for the payment to be made at the start of the 2007 school year. Funds for middle years have not been identified in this budget, with the exception of an allocation for possible infrastructure needs. This is because the Cabinet is yet to make its final decision on this matter. When those decisions are made, the costs will be announced.
This year, around $67.5m is programmed for new and ongoing capital works, minor new works, and repairs and maintenance, including $8.6m for the Desert People’s Centre in Alice Springs; $2.5m to rebuild the Wugularr School on high ground; and $800 000 for a new special education annexe at the Humpty Doo Primary School. Budget 2006-07 will also fund repairs associated with Cyclone Monica to Maningrida school.
Health and Community Services: Building a Healthier Community will be advanced through a record Health and Community Services budget. This budget supports $196m for Royal Darwin Hospital, 75% more than allocated in 2000-01; $97m for Alice Springs Hospital, a growth of 79% over that same period; $23m for Katherine Hospital, up 66% since 2000-01; $17m for Gove District Hospital, an increase of 54%; and $10m for Tennant Creek Hospital, a 57% increase over the same period.
Budget 2006-07 also provides for key initiatives in Health and Community Services. A further $1.7m will be provided in 2006-07 to meet the care and support needs of children and young people entering into care in the Northern Territory. Funding of $500 000 will be provided to establish a new Central Australian Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service. $2.2m will be provided to support people with volatile substance misuse problems, including rehabilitation and treatment services.
Funding this year also provides significant support for families across the Territory. $8.2m will be spent on pensioner concessions. The government will implement its election commitment to introduce the Northern Territory carer’s card at a cost of over $1m. Recipients of the Australian government carer’s allowance will receive concessions for rates, power and water.
A new family service will be established in the Barkly region with funding of $200 000.
The Martin government has a strong record in support of childcare. In Budget 2006-07, the government will spend $3.6m on childcare subsidies. The government will also provide a one-off $500 000 grant this year to provide playground equipment to community-based childcare services fulfilling their 2005 election commitment.
Turning to initiatives aimed at fulfilling the government’s priority of building the Territory’s future by providing a safer community, since coming to office, the Martin government has been committed to expansion of the Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. This year, the government will provide a record budget of $212m, an increase of 55% since 2001. This year, total funding of $32m is provided to complete the O’Sullivan review recommendations. This will mean an additional 34 police and a total increase to 1130 in police strength. These funds will also be provided to establish dedicated traffic branches in Darwin and Alice Springs; provide increased capacity to develop, implement and promote educational road safety programs; and purchase a coastal vessel for the east Arnhem Land region. $440 000 will continue Stage 2 of the Aboriginal Community Police Officer program, an initiative to ensure that these officers are provided with a police vehicle to carry out their duties.
The Martin government is cracking down on antisocial behaviour and violence through this record growth in police numbers and in the police budget. $630 000 is provided for the Community Patrol Service in Darwin to combat antisocial behaviour. $560 000 will support the development and delivery of new treatment places for people who are subject to an Alcohol Intervention Order or a Prohibition Order from the alcohol court. $200 000 has been allocated to establish the alcohol court, implementing our 2005 election commitment. The government will provide $1.1m to the Office of Alcohol Policy to continue to tackle the underlying causes of alcohol abuse in the community, including $275 000 for the development of local area management plans for alcohol, particularly in Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs.
Additional funding is being provided for increased costs associated with higher prisoner numbers, including the opening of the low security facility. Court fees will be increased to state levels resulting in an additional $385 000 to meet higher operating costs of courts.
Territorians enjoy a great lifestyle. Budget 2006-07 supports recreational fishing with an emphasis on research and protection of that resource. More than $1m will be provided for a three-year program of buying back fishing licences; $500 000 will be provided towards fishing infrastructure; and $161 000 for continuation and enhancement of the world leading Genetag project featured on ABC television’s The Inventors program.
Protecting our environment is an important part of building the Territory’s future. This year, Budget 2006-07 delivers numerous election commitments. In Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, up to $50 will be provided as a subsidy for the purchase of water saving devices. In Darwin, the planned development of the Rapid Creek environment hub will begin. Budget 2006-07 also supports $3.1m for the continued development of an Environment Protection Agency in the Territory; $1m for the Daly River protection as part of the Living Rivers initiative; $566 000 for environment grants to community-based groups across the Territory; $500 000 for Mary River wetlands desalination works; $280 000 to protect the environment from cane toads; and the government will continue to provide the $30 subsidy for each trap purchased this year.
The Territory government supports 90 parks across the Territory. We are committed to protecting and enhancing these world-class assets. This year the government will provide $27.5m for these parks. This will support 145 rangers and 37 support staff. The government will also implement its election commitment to provide $90 000 for indigenous rangers in the Ntaria area.
Budget 2006-07 continues the Territory government’s push to bring world-class major events to the Territory. In 2006-07, the government will support international cricket at Marrara in July 2006; high quality AFL matches, including an August 2006 fixture between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide; an Aboriginal All Stars match early in 2007; around $2.3m for the Arafura Games in May 2007; $1.1m for V8 Supercars in July; $550 000 for the Alice Springs Masters Games in October 2006; and a National Basketball League match in 2007.
Budget 2006-07 provides almost $6.8m for the thoroughbred racing industry to support racing in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and rural areas, and $335 000 for the Darwin Greyhound Association.
The Territory’s cultural diversity is supported by $740 000 for the Multicultural Affairs Sponsorship Grant, and $400 000 for the Multicultural Facilities Development Program.
The arts enliven our community. The Territory has a proud creative tradition and a dynamic creative future. Budget 2006-07 supports that through $5.1m arts sponsorship which includes Arts NT grants, NT Film Office grants and public arts grants; $8.7m for the Museum and Art Gallery at Bullocky Point; $3.5m for the Araluen and Alice Springs arts precinct; and $3.8m for 27 public libraries across the Territory.
Budget 2006-07 builds the Territory’s future. It delivers growth, jobs and a stronger Territory. It backs business through strategic investment, industry support, tax cuts and a high infrastructure spend. The budget delivers better education outcomes, a healthier Territory, and a safer community. It strengthens our great Territory lifestyle. Most importantly, it grows the economic base of the Territory and provides thousands of jobs for Territorians. It achieves all of that within sound fiscal perimeters. It is a responsible budget.
In my budget speech last year I said the Territory government had achieved a lot, but there was more to do. Budget 2006-07 makes great strides in delivering the Martin government’s second term agenda. Madam Speaker, I commend this budget to the House, and to all Territorians.
Debate adjourned.
VISITOR
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of the father of the member for Arnhem, Mr John McCarthy. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
MOTOR VEHICLES AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 43)
(Serial 43)
Continued from 29 March 2006.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, at the outset, it is the intent of the opposition to support this bill, with some reservations. We understand the need for this mechanism to properly assess the costs and risks going forward in maintaining the MACA scheme. Gee whiz, that is actually something that started under another government, and I am sure the minister agrees that it is not a bad thing. During the TIO debate there was an admission from the government - the Chief Minister and the Treasurer principally - that there was a lack of understanding of how TIO operated. I see this bill being born from that lack of understanding and a need to increase the capacity to properly assess risk, and the maintenance of adequate levels of support for the MACA scheme.
It is good to see there has been that follow through. First, the acknowledgement that it is a complex area and there is a need to put in additional resources so there can be a better and more responsible assessing of issues related to the maintenance of schemes such as MACA. I feel, however, that this will be a further layer in a system which will permit a government not known for its capacity to lead from the front, to stand behind this commissioner and say: ‘We have no option. The independent commissioner has decreed this is the increase.’
The words of this bill and the second reading speech indicate that, ultimately, it will be the minister who will decide. However, I feel it will be the sort of system whereby the commissioner will say: ‘According to my judgment, this will be the new level of contribution that Territory motorists will need to pay’, and the government will wring its hands and say: ‘I cannot do much about that. Unfortunately, it is the commissioner who has made this judgment, and who am I to argue?’, thereby avoiding a politically damaging situation for government.
Remember it was this Labor government that topped up the MACA scheme at one stage to avoid a politically embarrassing situation. They were faced with either passing the cost on to Territory motorists, or finding it in their haphazard collection of bits and pieces of money lying around. There would be many CLP Treasurers who would love to be in the position this current Treasurer is in. I am sure in his quiet moments the Treasurer reflects that he is in a very fortunate position and, therefore, bears a great responsibility to ensure there is adequate and responsible management of the rivers of revenue that flow through. With those rivers they are able to say: ‘Rather than pass on a politically damaging decision, that being to increase the cost to Territory motorists, we will find a bit of money around the back and prop up TIO and the MACA scheme, and on we cruise.’ Of course, TIO had to pay that back.
That sort of dynamic will now be removed through a buffer so that the government will have the opportunity to make less courageous decisions because they do not have any capacity to argue, as it is an independent commissioner making these decisions. I fear that is what is going to happen. I see that, from the way bureaucracies and governance seems to work these days, people are elected to make courageous and gutsy decisions, and set up systems to protect themselves from making risky and politically gutsy decisions, and to provide protection. That is sad. I would expect greater robustness and integrity in the systems we put in place. However, it appears to be the way modern governments are working, particularly Labor governments which like to increase the mechanisms to provide self-protection.
In principle, I understand what is being done here, but it could be achieved without having an independent person do it. You simply need good quality advice and to have the courage of your convictions and make the decision.
Nonetheless, it is the will of government and no matter what I have to say, or how strong my comments are, the government’s will, will be done. These comments are legitimate and they will stand in the Parliamentary Record. One day I trust I will go back and look at them and say: ‘Hey, I told you so’, because I have a sense this is the way governments are going.
We will not clog up the process by manning the barricades on this one. We are raising those concerns, underlining them, and we will come back to look at them in time to come. The opposition provides qualified support.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I notice the member for Blain said: ‘Thy will be done’. I do not know whether that is something we necessarily do on this side all the time, but I have accepted the religious context. In regards to what the government wants, I do not necessarily always agree. I must admit that I do have concerns very similar to the member for Blain. In fact, the more I look at it, the more I do not support it. The Treasurer has given a list of reasons why this should occur. One would have to ask: if it has not already occurred, why does it not happen today?
Under the present system, the Treasurer has said:
‘these changes will promote greater stability’. I am not sure what is unstable about the system at the present time;
‘there will be accountability’. The MACA scheme, I presume, is accountable at the present time; when there is a change to it, it will be published in the Gazette or announced in parliament;
‘there will be transparency’. One of the foundations of the government is to be open and transparent so I have no doubt that this is already occurring under the existing system; and
‘it will be independent’. I am not sure what the sense of independence means here. If these decisions are being made about the MACA scheme surely that is based on good advice from TIO which the Treasurer or Treasury will look at and make a decision.
The Treasurer has also said that: ‘People will see timely motor accident compensation for as long as required’. What difference does it make if it is a CCC - the Compensation Contributions Commissioner; I do not know who thought of that name but it is a classic. I cannot see how having this extra person makes any difference to the price of fish. The minister, in his second reading speech, has said these are the reasons. You have to ask: are they sufficient reasons to add another level of bureaucracy? We would have to pay a commissioner and there would have to be some administration costs. I do not know why we would want to do this unless it was to remove political responsibility from the decision-making process. That is what I think is happening. I have never known - even with the previous government - anyone to be pleased from a political point of view to make a statement that the MACA scheme is going to increase. There are howls of protest from the public but, surely, there are plenty of decisions made in parliament that not everybody particularly likes. The price of electricity is going up; we do not stop the minister from making a statement that the price of electricity will be raised.
These are the things that you are elected for and the reasons given are not sufficient enough to change the existing system. The only other reason I can see mentioned is that it was done in maybe Victoria and South Australia. So what? You hear many times in this parliament that we do not follow what the rest of Australia does, we do what we think is best for the Territory. I believe that in such a small jurisdiction as the Northern Territory we do not want to be adding extra layers to our bureaucracy. Surely something could be done within the realms of government, as we know it at present, through Treasury and then through the minister.
I have to be convinced that having a new commissioner would provide greater stability, accountability, transparency, independence, and that people will get a better deal through this process. Perhaps people would have to pay higher premiums to pay for the cost of having a commissioner. I am willing to listen to what the Treasurer says. He might have some other reasons that were not enunciated in the second reading. I do not think it is necessary and we could live as we are today quite happily.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank the members for their contribution and their support - well, the support in one case and less than full support from the member for Nelson.
I pick up on what the member for Nelson was saying in relation to transparency. We would agree. Of course, it ought to be open and transparent. It is the costs of the scheme that are, invariably, going to determine the level of premium applied to motorists so that the scheme itself has a level of solvency that would give the TIO, government and, indeed, all motorists insured by TIO, a certainty that it could meet its outgoing liabilities in any period.
Let me assure the member for Nelson that this was not always the case. Prior to this government coming to office and to management changes at TIO, God only knows what went on in that organisation by way of cross-subsidisation and taking money from one arm of the business that was doing okay and sliding it under another to disguise poor performance.
We have knocked out those rorts and untidy accounting habits and practices that were so much a part of the former TIO regime. We have straightened up the organisation and separated its various arms of business. This is, indeed, another chapter in that book. Whilst we have worked hard to build transparency into that organisation - and the independent commissioner will add to that transparency around MACA - let me assure him that that was not always the case.
The commissioner is charged with certain functions - I will just go to the second reading so the member for Nelson is sure of this:
… required to determine contribution amounts in accordance with the prescribed prudential standards aimed at
maintaining an appropriate solvency position for the Motor Accident Compensation Scheme.
You could say that TIO should be able to do that. Well, in the past they did not. In the past, prior to the new management that is in place now, they did not:
Determinations would also be measured against an affordability standard which would be expressed as a proportion of
average weekly earnings.
In a sense, the government or the minister did that. I think the member for Blain referred to an example a few years ago where the advice coming from MACA was that in order to maintain solvency over the immediate financial year ahead required an increase to MACA of some 35%. Government took the view that that was an unsustainable level of increase on motorists.
It is okay to say we have the cheapest registration in the whole of Australia - and we have - but we have the dearest MACA rates in the whole of Australia which drives our overall costs of putting a car on the road towards the top. If MACA costs were not so high, we would be well placed toward the bottom. That is why we have asked the commissioner to determine whatever increase is required against an affordability standard. In order to avoid that 35% increase that was required at that time to keep MACA solvent, government injected $10m into MACA, and the increase was then a more manageable 8%, I think, at the time.
This is where the transparency comes from; this is what the commissioner has to measure everything against in working toward a final determination. You will see that the commissioner is required to consider the recommendations of the TIO and to consult with the responsible minister.
That is the important line for the member for Blain. The member for Blain was saying: ‘The government is going to hide behind the independent commissioner, and the independent commissioner is going to say that MACA has to go up 43%, and the government will say it has nothing to do with us, it is all the commissioner. It is the commissioner’s recommendation based on all of his findings’. That is not true. He has to consult with the Treasurer and the government. If the Treasurer and the minister responsible think that this does not sit very well against an affordability standard, then it is incumbent on government to do what it did a few years ago: it still has to take account of the solvency required to assure sustainability for the MACA scheme. If we were faced with that, and the commissioner came forward and said: ‘This is the increase you are looking at’, then government would probably have to dig deep and say: ‘What does X cash injection do to that level of premium increase that you are putting forward?’
That then can be worked out between the commissioner and the minister. The minister takes the recommendation to Cabinet, or gets a government view. That is relayed to the commissioner and the commissioner can then make the final determination. There is no hiding behind the commissioner here. There is no government blaming the commissioner for putting up MACA. At the end of the day, the political reality always is that because TIO is government owned and run and s a government scheme, it is always government’s fault when MACA contributions have to go up. It does not matter whether you have an independent commissioner or if the independent commissioner did not even have to meet with the minister, there would be no getting away from the fact that, at the end of the day, government is holding the responsibility for this, as it should be - it is a government scheme.
There is no hiding behind the commissioner. We do believe it will build in transparency. Regarding it being an extra layer of bureaucracy, it is a part-time position, something in the order of $50 000 to $60 000 per year to run the independent commissioner - not a great lot in costs to the scheme overall. However, it is another step along the way to independence, transparency, stability, if you like, for the organisation overall and there will be more reforms coming forward through the MACA scheme which I will bring into the House in the near future.
Madam Speaker, with those comments I thank members opposite. I move that the bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Katherine Floods and Cyclone Monica - Emergency Response and Recovery
Katherine Floods and Cyclone Monica - Emergency Response and Recovery
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, over the past month, the forces of nature have severely affected a number of communities across the Territory’s Top End. The floods in the Katherine region and the damage left by Cyclone Monica in communities such as Maningrida, Jabiru, Oenpelli and Milingimbi have caused much heartache and considerable material loss. However, I am pleased to say that the renowned spirit and resilience of Territorians is alive and well.
It is hard for those observing these natural disasters from the comfort of their lounge rooms to imagine what these communities are going through. We have all been inspired by their incredible grace and good humour under pressure, and their fierce determination to rebuild their lives. After all, things could have been so much worse: a slightly different course and the full force of Cyclone Monica could have hit Nhulunbuy or Darwin. It could have caused extensive damage to many homes and destroyed the livelihoods of potentially countless Territorians. Also, it could have taken lives. We were very lucky. Ultimately, the greatest legacy from our wettest and wildest April on record will be the contribution it makes to our future preparedness and our ability to stay lucky.
Our response and recovery efforts have shown we were relatively well prepared for the events and well equipped for the cleanup. However, we can improve. The past month has given us a unique opportunity to learn, but we must respond in a considered way; it is certainly not a case of rushing out and rewriting the rule books. The experience we have gained as a community and as a government will simply add to the solid work done over many years to have plans in place for emergency response and recovery. These plans continuously evolve in the light of new experiences.
The Disasters Act has been in place for over 20 years and provides the legislative basis for the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Council, which oversees and coordinates the immediate emergency response and recovery action, and allows for the declaration of a state of emergency. The Counter Disaster Council responded quickly to managing the developing situations, led by Commissioner for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Paul White.
We take events such as flooding and cyclones extremely seriously, and that is why I quickly appointed recovery coordinators to oversee both operations and liaise with the affected communities. Former NT government chief executive, Barry Chambers, who was involved in recovery following the 1998 Katherine floods, oversaw the 2006 recovery effort in Katherine. Paul Tyrrell, chief executive of my department, coordinated the Cyclone Monica recovery effort. Both Barry and Paul are highly experienced, well respected, very capable and, most importantly, are aware of the talents and skills available to them in communities.
Last month, the Katherine region was once again inundated by floodwaters. We all remember the devastating events of 1998. At the time it was considered to be a 1 in 100 year flood, but carbon dating has since revealed there were two similar events within a few years of one another 400 to 450 years ago. The communities affected this time were Katherine town, Mataranka, Beswick, Jilkminggan, Binjari and Nauiyu. Barunga, Eva Valley and Bulman were monitored by Power and Water but did not experience any flooding. Heavy rainfall and flooding led to a 48-hour state of emergency being declared on Friday, 7 April, when the Katherine River broke its banks.
I had been looking forward to speaking with residents of the region at our Community Cabinet in Katherine on the Sunday and Monday, but it was not to be. I ended up visiting Katherine earlier than planned. I arrived on the Thursday and again on the Saturday with ministers Henderson, Burns and McAdam, and the chief executives of relevant government departments. Barry Chambers was also with us. We drove around to inspect the flood-affected areas and talked to residents. I stopped at Gwendoline Drive and spoke with residents in the worst affected areas. Remarkably, by lunchtime on Saturday, people were going about their business and beginning the long process of cleaning up. At the shopping centre, I spoke with the pharmacy owner who had made an extraordinary effort to clean and restock shelves. He asked me to let everyone know that they were up and functioning. I take this opportunity to congratulate Woolworths and their local manager, Simon Kennedy; they were involved in flood response and recovery coordination from the outset.
An air of normality was becoming evident in Katherine’s main street by Saturday afternoon. By Sunday evening, most people had returned home from the evacuation centres, and it became even more apparent that the spirit of the people of the Katherine region would prevail. The hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department, which had transferred to the high school with patients transferred to RAAF Base Tindal, was back in operation at the hospital by Sunday morning. The staff worked incredibly hard to clean the floors and disinfect everything ready for business as usual.
Upgrading of infrastructure based on the lessons learned after the 1998 floods meant that Power and Water suffered minimal flood damage to its infrastructure and, indeed, these services continued to operate through the duration of the flood. This was a critical factor in the rapid recovery of the Katherine community. Power was restored to all homes certified as electrically safe in the Katherine township by Sunday, 9 April. Services at the Kalano community were largely operational the next day.
The response and recovery were largely managed by Katherine residents themselves and their local Counter Disaster Committee. Up to 30 people were involved in responding and coordinating on-the-ground action to minimise the impact of flooding, including Katherine Mayor, Anne Shepherd, her chief executive officer, and local business people. This team, ably led by Commander Kate Vanderlaan, worked together extremely well and we are indebted to them for their tireless efforts.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, would you pause. Minister for Health, your conversation is quite loud. Would you mind going elsewhere? Thank you.
Ms MARTIN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I acknowledge and congratulate the administrative and teaching staff of Katherine High School. They ran the evacuation centres established at the school and at MacFarlane Primary School. They accommodated and fed over 600 people for several days in a professional and well controlled manner, which meant both schools were able to quickly return to their normal condition and be ready for the students the following week.
Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff should also be commended, not only for ensuring the main roads were opened quickly after the flooding had receded, but for the major role they will play in the repair of the regional road network, and the extensive building repair program over the coming months.
The Katherine Town Council played a key role and worked in partnership with Territory government agencies to quickly respond to the flood and the subsequent recovery work. Their effort in reopening the waste management facility was an important factor in maintaining public health.
Relief payment arrangements were announced on Sunday, 9 April. For the first time ever these arrangements were administered jointly by the Territory government and Centrelink. In an innovative and very effective move, we shifted money across to Centrelink which then used existing procedures to administer and distribute payments by electronic funds transfer on our behalf. Financial assistance packages were available from the Katherine Centrelink office from Monday, 10 April. By the next day, we had paid out $100 000 and processed 123 financial relief claims and, by the end of last week, around $375 000 had been paid out to over 500 households in the region for immediate relief and temporary accommodation. Assessment of claims relating to essential house repairs and replacement of household items is continuing at a rapid rate. The effective management of the claims process ensured that the money went quickly to people in genuine need.
I am delighted to report that, apart from a small number of people who were severely affected, the town of Katherine is largely back to normal. I am advised that there have been no reports of any environmental health issues such as gastro or mosquito-borne diseases, thanks in part to the swift work of the Department of Health and Community Services. They conducted extensive aerial spraying in Katherine in an effort to control potential mosquito outbreaks. More than 90 ha were treated to prevent mosquito larvae from reaching adult stage and spreading disease.
One story that must be told is the magnificent effort put in by members of the Northern Territory Fire Service and the volunteers who worked with Bushfires NT on the cleanup. As reports were received that the Katherine River was rapidly rising towards flood levels, Bushfires NT senior staff carefully monitored the event and planned for the inevitable cleanup. The flood peaked on the weekend and Bushfires NT staff and volunteers from bushfire brigades from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Batchelor and the Darwin rural area drove to Katherine on the Monday. The team established an independent camp with its own fuel and facilities, including catering, to ensure no additional burden on Katherine’s infrastructure. In three days, the volunteer teams had cleaned 21 houses in Katherine, in addition to the many houses cleaned by the fire service staff. An Alice Springs team departed Katherine on the Wednesday afternoon, and cleaned Mataranka Homestead before going home. One local Katherine volunteer joined up on the Monday, just so that she could make a contribution. It was an inspiring effort all round.
A government website was quickly established to assist with communications flow and it continues to be updated with the latest recovery news. This was of great assistance to the media, as well as to local community members.
A public debrief was held last week, organised and chaired by Katherine Mayor, Anne Shepherd. All key players attended: Kate Vanderlaan, chair of the local Counter Disaster Committee, and Barry Chambers, along with representatives of the main NT governments with a role to play, including senior members of the NT Police, flood forecasters from the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, and the Bureau of Meteorology. I should stress that the government representatives were there to listen, and I congratulate Anne on doing an excellent job. She made sure that members of the community had the chance to express their views and their concerns.
The total cost of recovery work on government buildings and on some local government infrastructure is about $1m. This includes $45 000 to prepare the hospital for reoccupation, $400 000 to allow residents to return to Kalano, and $500 000 for repairs at Beswick.
On Tuesday, 11 April, the government announced that a concessional loans scheme would be available to flood-affected businesses in the region and, additionally, businesses are able to access up to five hours of free coaching, including support and advice when negotiating with insurance and financial institutions, and for the development and review of business recovery plans.
While considerable attention was focused on the recovery effort in Katherine, we should not forget that significant work was also going on in other regional communities, including people returning to their communities, cleanups, restoration of services, and building repairs. A priority was schools, and the government has already announced a $2.5m commitment to provide a new school on higher ground at Beswick.
As Minister for Tourism, I was relieved to learn that there was little impact on tourism in the region. Feedback from many tourism operators in Katherine indicates there was limited negative impact. They were prepared this time, and combined with the fact that the flood was not as devastating as the floods of 1998, has enabled a quick recovery. However, Springvale Homestead, the Low Level Caravan Park, Shady Lane Caravan Park, Douglas Daly Tourist Park and the Mataranka Homestead did receive some flood damage and remained closed for some time after the flooding. I am pleased to report that all are now open for business.
Katherine’s main regional tourist attraction is Katherine Gorge within Nitmiluk National Park. The park’s infrastructure and gorge touring were operational the same day that the road to the gorge was reopened – within four days of the flood. In fact, passengers on The Ghan were able to take boat tours through the gorge in the week following the flood. Best of all, the Katherine Country Music Muster proceeded as planned on the weekend - an extremely well deserved few days of fun activities.
In the wake of the floods, Tourism NT was quick to develop an action plan to help tourism operators recover. The main aim was to promote the fact that the Katherine region was not in crisis and the town and the majority of surrounding areas were open for business. Operational information about tour products and accommodation facilities was also made available to interstate media and potential visitors. A Katherine tourism recovery fact sheet containing accurate information was created and placed on the Tourism NT website and distributed to key trade partners, holiday centres and regional tourism associations.
Shelley Davis, the General Manager of the Katherine Region Tourist Association, and I gave interstate radio interviews reinforcing the message that Katherine was well and truly open for business. Tourism NT also advertised in travel trade magazines, delivering the ‘Katherine is open for business’ message, and worked with the association to develop and distribute a community notice encouraging Territory residents to take their Easter break in Katherine. They also implemented plans to gather market intelligence from strategic locations along main drive market routes leading to the Territory. Information about tourism products in Katherine was also handed out at these locations. I extend a special thank you to Shelley Davis who worked closely with us on a number of recovery initiatives.
As I said previously, Darwin and Nhulunbuy were very lucky to have missed the full force of Cyclone Monica last week, but other communities were not so fortunate. Monica crossed our northern coast as a Category 5 cyclone on Tuesday night, leaving a path of destruction that extended as far inland as Jabiru. Even as she weakened over land, as a cyclone she still had considerable power. Once again, the Counter Disaster Council was quick to respond and the Region 1 committee dealing with Darwin and surrounds, as well as Nhulunbuy, Jabiru and other community committees, began working on rolling out their well-prepared plans.
Commander Kate Vanderlaan, who had just taken up her new appointment in Darwin, was once again in the thick of it heading up the Region 1 committee. Kate, I believe, has now attracted the nickname of ‘Madam Doom’, having had to deal with two potentially disastrous situations within a fortnight. She still has a sense of humour!
A recovery task force was headed up by Paul Tyrrell and the heads of Health, Power and Water, and Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate government recovery efforts. Once again, a website was established to provide comprehensive and current information on progress with the recovery effort. It is regularly updated and can be accessed through the NT government’s website.
I will now provide a brief update on the main communities affected and how they are currently situated. Goulburn Island was largely unaffected but, as a precaution during the cyclone warning and because of the early position of the cyclone and the possibility of storm surge, 344 people were evacuated from Goulburn Island to Pine Creek on Monday, 24 April. They were returned to their homes between the following Thursday and Saturday.
In Maningrida, 50% of the houses suffered some damage, including four which will be demolished, and another eight with severe damage. By yesterday afternoon, all houses declared electrically safe had their power restored. Water and sewerage services were unaffected and phone communications have been restored. The school was partly damaged and that particular section of it will be repaired and opened in July, but temporary arrangements are in place for all students to return to school today.
There was a tad of grumbling in Darwin when we reopened the schools last Wednesday when we had said, initially, they would be closed because we had not been able to assess what might be the full impact of Cyclone Monica. In Maningrida on the Wednesday we had students grumbling to us that they wanted to be at school but, because of the damage to the school and the community, they could not be there. It was an interesting contrast between two communities - Darwin and Maningrida. On this score, Maningrida won.
In Oenpelli, around 40% of houses were damaged, including the school. Like Maningrida, by yesterday power to homes declared electrically safe had been restored. As of Friday, only five out of the 11 bores were working, but the water was not potable, so 5000 litres a day for drinking and personal hygiene has been shipped in. I can report, as of yesterday, the boiling of water requirements has been lifted and water at Oenpelli is now clear to drink. The Power and Water Corporation is working with the local community to ensure that water is used in the most efficient and economic way until the system is fully operational.
The school, which was partly damaged, is expected to reopen later this week after all fallen trees have been removed and the site is certified clear of any asbestos. The issue of asbestos in damaged buildings is being addressed in all our communities affected by the cyclone. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has arranged for an expert asbestos contractor to inspect the communities and to remove asbestos where necessary.
In Jabiru, the only damage has been from fallen trees. Power, water and sewerage services are operating as normal. Staff from Energy Resources Australia worked closely with Power and Water to restore power to Jabiru.
All of the communities affected have received visits from welfare staff from the Department of Health and Community Services to assess what people need in financial assistance and items such as mattresses and other bedding. We are also working with the Australian government Department of Family and Community Services to ensure that people from 52 outstations in the affected area have what they need, including food and fuel.
As you could image, getting these communities back on track has required an enormous effort from a range of people. The team work and dedication we have seen has been truly inspiring. I saw it first hand at Maningrida and Oenpelli when I visited last week with the Minister for Essential Services, Paul Henderson, and local member, Marion Scrymgour. The spirit, good humour and determination of those people was incredibly uplifting. For example, chainsaw teams made up of volunteers from Northern Territory Emergency Services have been working with locals in both communities to clear fallen trees. These volunteers have now been replaced by contractors who are continuing the task of clearing the fallen trees.
Madam Speaker, if you remember, one thing about the visit to the Maningrida and Oenpelli communities was the sight of the enormous mahoganies which had been providing shade to the communities, with amazingly large root balls, toppled across parts of schools, homes and power lines. That is the overriding impression – the large mahoganies. The minister for the Environment has now decided that we should outlaw mahoganies in communities and is going to take carriage of a replanting program of appropriate shade trees. So, over to you, minister.
People like the chainsaw teams made up of volunteers and the contractors have done a terrific job with those trees, and so have the many people from Power and Water and Planning and Infrastructure and their contractors in responding so well to the urgent needs of these communities. In fact, Risto Laine, who is Managing Director of AA Electrical in Maningrida, said he was overwhelmed with the support and assistance given by the people of the community who have worked tirelessly to get things back into shape. He singled out Vern Pech, the essential services officer at Maningrida, and said he has never experienced such commitment, willingness and effort from community people. That is a huge compliment as Risto has been involved in every natural disaster-affected community in the northern region since 1980, including the restoration of power services in Timor-Leste in 1999.
As well as the local emergency services people, I particularly commend the police for their leadership and professionalism in preparing the communities for the impending cyclone and responding to their needs immediately afterwards. I spoke to a number of police during my visit last Wednesday and was impressed with their commitment to the safety of their communities. It was reassuring that most residents, including those in Darwin, acted appropriately in response to the advice that was issued. Most Darwin region people living in homes built to the building code opted to stay home, while others proceeded to official cyclone shelters.
As I said earlier, events such as the Katherine region floods and Cyclone Monica provide us all with an opportunity to assess how well our emergency response and recovery procedures work, and to make improvements based on these experiences.
Barry Chambers, who coordinated the Katherine region flood recovery effort, will be submitting a report containing a number of recommendations to the recovery task force and to the Counter Disaster Council. The report will cover a range of issues, including issues raised at last week’s meeting in Katherine. These include the need for an improved flood warning system, which would need to be widely understood and accepted by the public; additional ways of coordinating and disseminating flood information by better use of modern communication technology, ensuring that residents have accurate, up-to-date information on which to base their decision making; the role of national media, as well as local media such as community radio; the need for an annual public education campaign on flooding in the Katherine region, similar to the annual campaign in relation to cyclones; making better use of community volunteers, many of whom are keen to help but unable to because there is no mechanism in which to tap; and the need to recognise different geographic and community interests as different information is needed at different times.
Over the next week or two we will detail a process which will allow residents of the Katherine region to have input into the changes that may be made to flood response and recovery procedures. Community Cabinet for Katherine has been rescheduled to mid-May and this will provide a further opportunity to engage with the community, including the Katherine Town Council.
In relation to Cyclone Monica, one issue which may need to be looked at is how likely we are to experience cyclones of this strength in the future. We will be seeking advice from weather and engineering experts in relation to our current building codes and whether they still meet our requirements. We will also take this opportunity to consider whether the arrangements we have in place for cyclone shelters are still appropriate. As members would be aware, building code requirements were reviewed following Cyclone Tracy and the levels finally adopted were similar to what they are now. There have been a number of reviews of the code since that time but, in essence, they have remained constant.
The Territory is divided into three regions with different building requirements. Buildings within 50 km of coasts such as the greater Darwin area, Elcho Island and Nhulunbuy are designed to withstand winds associated with a mid-range Category 4 cyclone. Buildings in areas within 50 km to 100 km of the coast, such as Jabiru and Batchelor, are designed to withstand winds associated with a mid-range Category 3 cyclone, and buildings in areas further than 100 km from the coast such as Katherine, Pine Creek and even Alice Springs are designed to withstand winds associated with the top of a Category 2 cyclone.
I am advised by engineering experts that there is no common method of construction which can guarantee 100% protection from a cyclone. What the codes provide for is cyclone resistant construction to certain levels commensurate with a reasonable assessment of risk. Our experience with Cyclones Ingrid and Monica has shown that houses and buildings built to the code can withstand severe conditions very well. All of us who enjoy living in typical, tropical elevated homes would agree we would not want to be living in windowless and very expensive concrete bunkers. Therefore, it is a matter of weighing up the likely frequency of extreme weather events against what we can reasonable do to protect ourselves and our property.
Together with the Counter Disaster Committee we will be looking closely at the issue of material on construction sites. We need to establish clear lines of responsibility when it comes to ensuring that potentially lethal objects are secured and safe.
It is not a perfect world and we will experience flooding and cyclones again. Maybe next time we will not be so lucky. However, with the right planning and attitude we will be in the best possible position to ride out these natural disasters.
I am confident we have the right planning in place and we are continuing to learn from these experiences. We also have a community attitude which cannot be defeated by these severe natural events. It is still too early to accurately measure what the two events have cost, but I would suggest it will be many millions of dollars. Our agencies are still making those assessments. My colleagues will provide more detail in their contributions to this statement.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the emergency services people on the ground, the volunteers, government workers, businesses, contractors, local government organisations and local residents, not forgetting our Defence Forces, who have done so much to help the affected communities get back on their feet. Their spirit and determination are an inspiration to all of us. I wish all those involved over the last month all the best in the weeks and months ahead.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the opposition I sincerely thank the Chief Minister for making this statement today. It was not a surprise because all of us would agree it was perfectly appropriate for the Chief Minister to do so. I thank her for her comments. Whilst we in this Chamber are in the business of politics, all of us take our responsibilities to the people of the Northern Territory seriously. We know Territorians deal with these disasters from time to time and what we, as a parliament and politicians and community leaders, need to do - and the Chief Minister touched upon it - is to ensure we learn from the lessons.
Because of the state of various reviews and so on, I propose to be brief. I am sure the Chief Minister will be disappointed about that. I know she enjoys hearing what I have to say and values my contributions so very much.
I was in Katherine last week and spoke to a number of people. The Chief Minister and other members of government, ministers in particular, will know some of their concerns. Many of them have been ventilated at the public meeting early last week. I also met the Mayor, Anne Shepherd, and she outlined some of the difficulties and problems that were experienced during the Katherine floods.
For my own part, my colleagues and I agreed that we were not going to make a political opportunity out of this. I very strongly was of the view that I was not about to travel to Katherine for the purpose of elbowing other politicians out of the way. My view was that we should, as a responsible opposition, allow the three levels of government - that is local, Territory and Commonwealth - to go in and do what they can. I had a real sense - and I am not stupid; I know always what we can and cannot do – of not treating this as a political opportunity. What a responsible opposition can do is to follow up with the process; to go to Katherine and other places several weeks hence to ask the people there: ‘You were promised all of these things by the three levels of government. How can we help? Do you need us to do some jumping up and down on your behalf?’
Having said that, in relation to the people of Katherine, I am, for the most part, satisfied with the process in place so far. I look forward to hearing more from government. I invite the Chief Minister to - and I am sure she will – present another statement in due course to update us on the ongoing stages of the reviews. There is widespread confidence shared by the opposition in Mr Barry Chambers. I am sure he will do a good job. He was also at the public meeting in Katherine; he is a bright bloke and I am sure he took up all of the recommendations. My meeting with the Katherine Mayor, Anne Shepherd, was very useful.
The sad thing in the Northern Territory is that we have these disasters. On the one hand practice makes perfect, but on the other hand you do not want to practice these things too often. You do not want to practice things like Katherine floods or Cyclone Monica. However, always lessons can be learned. It is incumbent upon government and us as opposition to get the details, watch what happens and await demonstrated commitments to identify what went wrong, and how things can be done better. If that means more protocols, more documents coming from government and the various agencies, then so be it. It is important that Territorians see in their government, their politicians and their parliament a responsible way forward. That is, after all, what we are paid for.
In relation to Cyclone Monica, I was pleased but not surprised to hear the Chief Minister in her statement talk about some of the things that were included in the media release by me dated 28 April. I suppose it would be called a suggestive media release. We made a number of suggestions and I will quote from the media release:
There have been reports of building sites not being cleared in preparation, or residential properties not being properly secured.
The question needs to be asked whether the rules, regulations and penalties we have in place are adequate …
I went on to say:
For example, the Australian Building Code sets construction standards for buildings to withstand winds of up to 279 km/h or a
Category 4 cyclone. Cyclone Monica was Category 5 with 350 km/h winds, an eye about 100 km wide and moving at just over
10 km/h. Had she struck, Darwin residents would have been subjected to this intensity for 10 hours or more.
I also said in the release:
There have been no new shelters built in Darwin for some years, yet the population has grown. One aspect to consider is the
need for additional shelters.
Also, whether the existing shelters need to be upgraded. Certainly, in some of the areas out of Darwin, I am advised that some of them do.
I am concerned to have heard some stories, that if everyone in particular areas actually did go into that shelter, then the shelter would not have coped. I am sure the minister for Emergency Services in particular is onto this issue.
Another comment made in the media release of 28 April was that government should allocate money in this year’s budget. We are a little different from government in the sense that we said:
The government should allocate money in this year’s budget for the purpose of evaluating how we can improve our readiness
for a destructive cyclone or other natural disasters and how better we can respond to these unique circumstances …
It may well be that the government’s structure that it has in place at present will be enough. I simply ask government to look beyond the agencies and the public service. It may well be an opportunity to engage others. I am sure that we have expertise in the Territory but, if we do not, I am sure there are others around Australia to provide us with some additional information. Basically, there is no stone that should not be turned in order to find a solution and to identify what improvements can be made.
The evaluation is clearly important. That was what I understood from the Chief Minister’s statement. However, I simply say that I would like the government to consider whether it should be evaluated, perhaps, as a second phase outside the confines of the agencies.
We are committed to a bipartisan approach to any assessment. Indeed, we made the invitation that assessments and evaluations include members of the opposition, as well as representatives from various departments involved in the coordination of disaster strategy. It may well be - and I suspect government will not agree with this – that, in addition to the protocols, there should be included a briefing for the opposition. I am not saying this in order to be difficult. I well understand the Police minister and minister for Emergency Services had a lot on his plate. I was fortunate to be in Alice Springs and my phone was ringing hot because people wanted information. I really was not able to give them much over and above what was in the media. The Minister for Central Australia was probably in Darwin at the same time. We might be small in numbers, but we are still Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, and I simply ask the minister to consider that. I will not lose sleep in the event that he does not take it on board, as I suspect he will not. In any event, it might just be a good governance issue if Territorians knew that all politicians were regularly advised and received briefings to the extent that it was possible. I say to the minister that I understand how busy he was.
Over and above that, the final issue I referred to in my media release of 28 April was the debate earlier last week between Lord Mayor, Peter Adamson, and the government over the Stuart Park site regarding who does and does not have responsibility for its management. I recall the Chief Minister referring to issues such as that in her statement. I have confidence that government will address that as well.
Government is very much onto these issues; they know that there are people around the Territory who have something to say. I simply invite government to ensure that the process is transparent and accountable. Please do not hide the bad bits; Territorians are tough enough to look at the entire effects and details of an evaluation, and it is Territorians who should be invited to comment on them.
One point in relation to Katherine that I omitted to mention was the issue of flood mitigation. We, as politicians, are going to have to give flood mitigation in Katherine some serious thought. I know that there are a number of views as to what, in fact, can be done. However, from the people I spoke with in my time in Katherine, they were pretty much of the view that, yes, the government should act on it.
It is a curly one for government as well as opposition. The business people of Katherine, in particular, were saying that they were concerned about the image of Katherine with southerners. They did not want - and none of us do - the image of Katherine to be: ‘Oh, it is a place that always floods’. We know that that is not the reality. We know that it has not flooded since the 1998 floods, and here we are in 2006. However, they were very concerned. The Minister for Essential Services is also minister for Business, and I am sure when he goes to Katherine for the Community Cabinet - and I commend government on the timing of that - he will hear these concerns as well. I am sure that it will concern him.
The fact is that we in the Territory depend significantly on the tourism dollar. I note the Chief Minister made some encouraging comments about tourism, which was terrific. However, we do not want to discourage tourists or, indeed, potential new residents to Katherine. We do not want one half of a partnership to contemplate the possibility of moving to Katherine, but then the other partner to say: ‘I am concerned because it floods a lot’. I simply ask the government to take that on board.
I take the opportunity to thank Senator Nigel Scullion and minister Joe Hockey for getting to Katherine reasonably quickly. I note their efforts were applauded by many people in Katherine, as well as, I understand, by the Chief Minister.
I received an e-mail today, and I can give no other details, except that it is from a bloke called Stan. I know that if government ministers are not listening their staff will be, and I would like to simply read it out. I do not know this Stan. It is dated today and I received it at, it says 9 pm, but that cannot be possible. In any case, it says:
Dear Leader of the Opposition,
Tonight I e-mailed Martin, Henderson and Knight …
I am sorry, Mr Deputy Speaker, this will sound a little unparliamentary, but please bear with me:
… to tell them they are useless. Out here at the Marrakai area, we have been isolated by three kilometres of water, one metre deep,
for a week. People are starting to run out of food, etcetera. What have they done? Nothing. They cannot even arrange a bus
from Palmerston and a flat bottomed boat to ferry the people across. Maybe the army could help. Produce is rotting and
losing hundreds of dollars a day but the government doesn’t ‘give a stuff’. This is a major highway, not some bush track, it needs fixing.
Regards, Stan.
I can assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and other members, that I did not mean for that to be unparliamentary. I do not know who Stan is. I will e-mail him back and say that I have read that e-mail out in parliament. I am sure that government may know who he is and they can help him out. At these times, government has a role to play and it is about responding well to the needs of Territorians. I thought it appropriate in the context of this statement to read out Stan’s e-mail.
The opposition extends its thanks to all involved, all of the emergency workers and others, those in agencies. I know it involved a lot of work by everyone involved, including members of government. I thank them on behalf of so many people in the Northern Territory for their efforts. No one likes it when these things come along, but come along they do, and will always come along in the Northern Territory.
My point in conclusion is that it is just as well the TIO was not sold. That was an issue which came up, particularly when I was in Katherine. What a good backflip that one was, and the people of Katherine are very happy.
With those comments, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will conclude. I thank the Chief Minister for making this statement. It is appropriate and timely. I look forward to hearing from other ministers from government as to their experiences and, in particular, hearing from them as to their commitment for the path going forward.
Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement today. As Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and also minister for Power and Water, I am proud to be the minister for these agencies. Within these agencies are some remarkably dedicated men and women who really do put themselves out there in the front line leading up to a disaster. They bunk down with the community when the disaster is immediately affecting those communities, and then they are the first to respond to the disaster. We have a great body of men and women across all government agencies, but certainly in my agencies of Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Power and Water. They have done a magnificent job over the month of April.
It has been quite a remarkable month, as the Chief Minister said, with two major natural disasters occurring which could have been catastrophic. We were very fortunate to get away as lightly as we did. That is not underestimating the impact of both the flood in Katherine and the surrounding regions and Cyclone Monica which hit Maningrida, Oenpelli and Jabiru.
What happened in Katherine from a Police, Fire and Emergency Services point of view was that on Wednesday, 5 April at 8 am, the Counter Disaster Flood Plan was initiated when the Katherine River Gorge height was at 6.46 m. The Counter Disaster Planning Committee held twice daily meetings throughout the situation. The Chief Minister and I attended two of those meetings, and the members for Daly and Arnhem attended one. It was very rewarding to see the level of commitment by the people of Katherine, and across government agencies, non-government organisations, RAAF Base Tindal, Telstra, and Woolies. People attending those meetings put their own individual plans into place and contributed to the decision-making process. I pay tribute to each and every one of those people on the Katherine Counter Disaster Planning Committee.
The higher level Counter Disaster Council, which the committee reports to, is chaired in Darwin by Police Commissioner Paul White. It was also convened daily through the event and received regular updates from the Katherine committee.
Later on Wednesday, the committee went to Stage 3 of the Flood Plan which is ‘extreme’. The river height at the gorge was 7.5 m and rising. A decision was made to close the schools the following day as a precaution. The river was expected to peak at around 18 m in the early hours of the morning, causing localised flooding to low-lying areas.
The committee’s Welfare Group, as well as police patrols, spent the day doorknocking and advising residents of the situation. Communities down river from Katherine, including Jilkminggan, Daly River and Beswick, went on standby. Later that night it was clear that the river was going to exceed its predicted maximum height. The revised estimate was 19 m by the next morning. The Counter Disaster Committee revised plans accordingly, and Katherine Hospital and the Rocky Ridge Nursing Home were evacuated at 10.30 pm with assistance from personnel from RAAF Base Tindal.
I had the opportunity to go to RAAF Base Tindal with the Commissioner Paul White and my colleague, the Health Minister. They did a tremendous job at very short notice taking the patients not only from the hospital, but also from the nursing home, and accommodating them at the RAAF Base. It was a fine performance and I thank everybody there for looking after our elderly and sick people. They were saying that some of the residents of the nursing home were reluctant to leave as the food at the RAAF Base was so good they wanted to stay.
Doorknocking continued in the areas of Katherine North and South, and Northbank to alert residents. Around 70 houses in Katherine North and 110 in Katherine South, as well as a range of businesses in the area and residents of Gwendoline Drive, were doorknocked or contacted by phone. Katherine High School and Casuarina Street Primary School opened as evacuation shelters at 10.50 pm, and Darwin police were despatched to Katherine to assist with evacuations and recovery as needed.
On Thursday, 6 April at 10.50 am, the flood siren activated alerting residents in Katherine North, Katherine South, and the central business district to move to higher ground. Affected people were asked to attend one of the four staging posts where local buses transferred them to Katherine High School, Casuarina Street Primary School, and MacFarlane Primary School. Residents were urged to stay calm and follow the direction of authorities. They were reminded to ensure they took required medication as well as bedding and food with them to higher ground.
Power and Water began shutting down power along Gorge Road. Later that afternoon the water at Katherine Bridge was around 18.8 m. It began entering low lying areas through the drainage system. Around 600 people at this point were received at evacuation centres. That evening, more than 200 residents of Jilkminggan were evacuated in the face of rising floodwaters; a long and difficult process using two flood boats from Mataranka Emergency Services and Parks and Wildlife. Police and Emergency Services were assisted in the evacuation by Parks and Wildlife, Mataranka community members, Jilkminggan community members, and stranded motorists.
Meanwhile, the Katherine Region Counter Disaster Committee and residents of Katherine waited for the river to peak. The prediction was at 19.2 m that night; upstream at the gorge water levels had began to fall. Water began to breach the banks at O’Shea Terrace and personnel monitored the situation to see how much of it impacted on levels in the CBD area.
Police received a call that five boys were stuck in a tree near Zimin Drive on the Victoria Highway. Members of the Tactical Response Group responded in an inflatable boat. The boys were all returned safely but one 16-year-old boy was treated by St John Ambulance Service after being bitten by a freshwater crocodile. It is one of the great stories of the flood and it is just incredible: the NT News will always get that front page story about a crocodile and they did as a result of the Katherine flood.
TRG members were also amongst the first contingent of police including marine and fisheries and general duties members who travelled to Katherine to assist in the coordinated response to the flood situation. On Friday, 7 April 2006, water at the Katherine bridge rose from 18.93 m to 18.95 m, just short of the predicted 19.2 m mark. Levels at the gorge dropped and no further rain was recorded in the catchment. The schools remained closed and evacuation shelters remained open.
It was recommended by the Counter Disaster Council to declare a state of emergency for Katherine to assist the Regional Counter Disaster Committee in managing the emergency situation. The situation in Katherine began improving slowly; the water level at the bridge was 18.77 m and falling. At the gorge, it was 7.75 m and falling.
The cleanup at Beswick was begun, disinfectant supplies were sent out and sewerage, power and water checked as community residents moved back into the area. Emergency Services responded to a range of requests from a number of communities cut off by floodwaters.
In Katherine, around 600 people remained at Katherine High and MacFarlane Primary School. As the waters began receding from Katherine the recovery process began whilst the flood watch started to focus on areas further downstream including the Daly River community. The local Counter Disaster Committee there had already held meetings and made preparations. In Katherine, the floodwaters continued to fall. Food drops took place for Ivanoff and Helena Road residents who remained cut off by floodwaters.
On Saturday, 8 April 2006, the town centre began to reopen and recovery measures commenced. That is when the Chief Minister and I first went down. The Victoria Highway and the Stuart Highway reopened and over the next few days the situation on the Daly was monitored closely with extra emergency service resources and personnel despatched to the community along the river.
On Saturday, 15 April 2006, it was clear that the floodwaters were not going to reach a point requiring evacuation of the community and Emergency Services began scaling down their efforts. The member for Daly and I visited the Daly River community on Thursday, 13 April 2006. I was very impressed with the local Counter Disaster Committee which had been meeting and all the preparations were being put in place. Like many people in remote parts of the Territory, they know their community very well. They know the patterns of the rivers which feed into the catchments and what they are doing. I was very impressed with the level of commitment by the people on that Counter Disaster Committee. It was very fortunate that we did not have to evacuate the people of the Daly River community.
There are many people to thank in regards to the Katherine floods, both with preparation and also in the response and recovery phase. The government will be receiving a report from the meeting that was held last week with an open forum chaired by the Mayor and attended by Barry Chambers. Mr Chamber’s report will be given very careful consideration in terms of the lessons to be learned.
There was an element of confusion in Katherine about the sounding of the siren. That will be taken on board. Given it was the first time the siren had been sounded since 1998, there are some issues. At the end of the day, people made decisions based on the best information they had at the time. It was a strong community effort in contributing to those decisions.
I thank Commander Kate Vanderlaan and all of the police officers who helped the community through this incident, around all of the communities and in Katherine; Mike Bowman and all of the team at Emergency Services who worked around the clock to monitor the situation and provide all manner of assistance from food drops to coordinating the evacuation site for Daly River residents which, thankfully, was not needed; the Emergency Service volunteers from a number of Emergency Services groups including Katherine, Darwin, Mataranka, Pine Creek and Daly River; NT Fire and Rescue Services; firefighters; auxiliaries; and the Bushfires Council - they did a wonderful job in the cleanup.
I went to Katherine on 11 April, the following week, with the Police Commissioner to thank people personally. The number of people who had turned out to take the cleaning kits to people’s homes and help them clean up was amazing. I do not know how many of the RAAFies at RAAF Base Tindal turned up. I met a couple of young fellows who were sitting around at home having a beer watching the football and decided they should go and help. They came down and got stuck into the cleanup effort. It was a huge community volunteer effort.
All the members on the Katherine Local Counter Disaster Committee did a great job. The Australian Defence Force in Darwin and Tindal supplied considerable support at short notice by way of bedding and blankets for the shelters. As I said before, the Power and Water staff got services back up and running as quickly as possible.
It is important to remember that many of these people were residents of these affected areas. Whilst they were working tirelessly to help others, some of them had their own homes under threat. I met some of those people: their own homes were flooded, but they were there at every single meeting assisting their communities. They, along with many other people who helped their communities out during this time, are the real heroes. They gave up their time and expertise without complaint to ensure residents were safe and well.
Some businesses in the main street were directly affected, as were businesses on the Victoria Highway, Mataranka and Douglas Daly region. My officers from DBERD have been out on the ground talking to business to assess the damage. Flood relief packages have been offered to small businesses and primary producers affected by the flooding. The package includes concessional loans and free business coaching. The business coaching is aimed at supporting operators in their negotiations with insurance companies, financial institutions, the ATO, and to review flood management business plans.
Additional Darwin-based staff from DBERD have been on the ground in the Katherine and Douglas Daly region. They have been helping the local DBERD staff to provide assistance, advice and support to flood-affected businesses and primary producers. As part of the overall review of the response and recovery efforts which is currently under way, there will be a specific focus on local businesses and issues arising for them out of the flooding.
Power and Water had a huge response. Places affected by the flood were Katherine township, Mataranka, Beswick, Jilkminggan and Binjari. In Katherine, 130 power customers had to be disconnected due to inundation, or where inundation was imminent. Once those floodwaters had receded, houses were assessed by Power and Water network staff, and customers who had not suffered water inundation had power restored. Customers who had water inundation were advised to contact an electrical contractor for an inspection, and a certificate of compliance was required before power could be restored.
Casablanca Estate had to be isolated due to floodwaters. Once floodwaters had receded, power was restored. Kalano town camp power was not isolated due to flooding of the access road. All residents were evacuated prior to the road flooding and, once the water had receded, network staff isolated the whole of Kalano. Once housing had been checked by an electrical contractor and a certificate of compliance was issued, power was restored.
Water storage tanks had been taken off-line for cleaning, and the town water supply was switched from river water to bore water. Systems were monitored and, once water had receded, testing of the water supply commenced and the town went back to its normal water supply. The sewerage system was actively monitored during the flood and there was no significant interruption to services.
Power and Water staff did a great job at Mataranka, Beswick, Jilkminggan and Binjari. I was very impressed. This was the first time, as Power and Water minister, I have had carriage of the agency when they have had to respond to a significant event. They have done a magnificent job across the Territory.
Just as the flooding crisis began to die down, Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel were barely given time for a breather when Cyclone Monica began bearing down on the Top End. I heard one weather forecaster say that Monica was as close as you could get to the perfect storm, given how that storm was constructed and the velocity and intensity of the winds that it packed.
At 5 pm on 18 April, island communities between Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy were placed on a cyclone watch. Counter Disaster Committees met at Alyangula, Bickerton Island, Nhulunbuy and Numbulwar to discuss preparation and response issues. Over the next few days, as the cyclone led a slow dance towards the Top End, the communities prepared for the worst.
The Bureau of Meteorology website has been a marvellous innovation; all of us were watching Monica, the predicted path she was to take, and just could not believe that the community of Nhulunbuy was about to be battered by a Category 5 cyclone. All our thoughts and prayers were certainly with the good residents of Nhulunbuy. I know the local member received many phone calls from friends and colleagues wanting to ensure that everything was okay.
The local Counter Disaster Council in Nhulunbuy did a magnificent job preparing the community. Tony Fuller, who is in charge, did an amazing job, and when the call came for residents to take shelter, people. Fortunately, the cyclone skirted Nhulunbuy and proceeded towards Elcho Island, Millingimbi, Croker Island and Goulburn Island where additional police officers were sent.
On 24 April, Darwin and surrounds were placed on a cyclone warning. The Counter Disaster Committee met and Darwin residents were urged to make cyclone preparations. Three hundred and forty-eight residents from Goulburn Island, directly in the path of Monica, were evacuated by light aircraft to Jabiru and bussed to Pine Creek. I have been speaking to the Police Commissioner about this. I believe that it is probably the largest single evacuation …
Dr TOYNE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that that the member be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank my colleague and the indulgence of the House. It is important that I put this on the record. I will be as brief as I can.
For the evacuation of Goulburn Island, something like 52 separate charter flights between Jabiru and Goulburn were required to get those residents off the island and then bussed to Pine Creek, probably the largest single evacuation of a community that the Territory has seen. I stand corrected, but nobody can think of a similar example.
Two police members who were on the ground on Goulburn Island coordinated the evacuation. Facilities were set up at Pine Creek by the Emergency Services and the Australian Defence Force. The Counter Disaster Council met that evening in Darwin to receive the latest update on the progress of Monica across the Top End. Council members heard that, at Millingimbi, water was lapping at some low lying houses due to the tidal surge but residents were safe and sheltering from the storm.
At Maningrida, the school had sustained damage to some parts of its roof. The people using it as the shelter had moved to other parts of the building. Most of the buildings in the community were suffering some level of leakage, and one clad home had collapsed off its stilts. It was unoccupied at the time. Some power lines in the community were down and small to medium trees were blown down. Community residents were safe, with no injuries sustained by any one sheltering from the high winds.
At Ramingining, there were no dangerous winds but there was heavy rain. On the Cobourg Peninsula, 27 people took shelter in their own buildings. In the Darwin area, emergency responders closely monitored the storm surge risk.
Early in the morning on 25 April, it became clear that Darwin would miss the worst of Monica as the system tracked further south and inland than was predicted. Jabiru experienced significant rain and wind in the early hours of the morning. Two shelters were open in the town, with around 70 people using the designated shelters.
Region 1 Counter Disaster Committee stood down at 10.30 am, cyclone shelters closed and schools opened the following day. The cleanup continued on Millingimbi and got under way at Maningrida. The Police Air Wing carried out a flyover assessment of Jabiru, Oenpelli and Maningrida, along with Department of Planning and Infrastructure personnel, and extensive damage was recorded in Oenpelli and Jabiru.
Again, the people at Power and Water were some of the first people out on the ground. They did a magnificent job trying to restore services in those communities. Maningrida and Oenpelli were the worst affected and work still continues in those communities.
Maningrida sustained significant damage to the distribution system, and the sewerage system also went down. In Oenpelli there was damage to the distribution system poles and twisted wires. The water supply was not operational and Power and Water staff have been working on these for the last week. The Chief Minister and I visited Maningrida and Oenpelli with the local member, the member for Arafura; the Commissioner and other Police staff; and Power and Water people and the CEO, Kim Wood. We were very impressed by the resilience of people in those communities who were affected by a very significant cyclone.
There will be thorough debriefs put in place in regard to not only the preparation for a significant flood or cyclone across the Top End and what we can learn of the preparation, but also what we can do better by way of response and recovery. Those recommendations will come to government and will be given every consideration.
In regard to the Leader of the Opposition’s comments about the cyclone shelters and their ability to sustain Category 5 winds, this will all be considered in the assessments. However, we have had two Category 5 cyclones in two years hitting communities; Ingrid last year, and Monica this year. All of the homes built to the current cyclone code on Crocker Island and in Maningrida held strong. That gives us much confidence in the current code.
The Leader of the Opposition also talked about an e-mail received from a fellow called Stan at Marrakai. The advice I have is that Emergency Services will be ringing Marrakai today to see if they need anything there. My advice is that at no stage have they rung Emergency Services - I do not know if this is Stan, but I assume it is - requesting assistance. I am further advised that over the past week the Corroboree Park Tavern has been organising supplies, which are coming from the Humpty Doo Tavern, including alcohol, to be air-boated across the river. Currently, supplies of bread, milk, cigarettes, washing powder and newspapers are running low, and the landlord of the Corroboree Park Tavern has arranged an air-boat to ferry these across.
To Stan, I will be following up on this. However, my advice is that there has been no direct request to Emergency Services for assistance. They will be contacting people in that area today to see if any further assistance needs to be provided.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for this statement to the House. I congratulate all of the people in my agencies who have been involved. They really have done a wonderful job.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Mr Deputy Speaker, I also wish to highlight the wonderful response to the two near disasters we suffered. Many of our health professionals played key roles in the preparation and follow-up to the Katherine floods and, together with other health professionals, were called upon again in the preparation and response for Cyclone Monica. I take this opportunity to again thank all of the people involved for their dedication and hard work during these demanding times. I had great pleasure personally thanking many of the people who worked in the Katherine situation when I was there to see how things were going.
On Wednesday, 5 April, the Katherine Counter Disaster Committee met and commenced planning for the potential flooding of Katherine, including evacuation preparations for the Katherine District Hospital patients, Rocky Ridge Aged Care Facility residents, and local residents.
On Thursday, 6 April, residents of Katherine North, Katherine South and central business district were advised to move to higher ground. All patients from Katherine Hospital were transferred, with 19 patients taken to the RAAF Base in Tindal and eight high-risk patients transferred to the Royal Darwin Hospital. By midday, public shelters were operational with about 200 people utilising them. An emergency department was set up at the Katherine High School shelter to provide an acute care medical service for the community.
Patient Assistance Travel Scheme staff commenced making arrangements for 16 renal patients to be transferred from Katherine and accommodated in Darwin for renal dialysis at Nightcliff and Palmerston renal units, and at the Royal Darwin Hospital. Rocky Ridge Hostel and Nursing Home residents were initially evacuated to the Katherine High School shelter and were then transferred to the RAAF Base Tindal, where they received ongoing care. Public Health staff were placed on standby for post-flood public health response for Katherine and for the surrounding communities affected by the flood waters.
At the Daly River community, floodwaters were predicted to continue to rise, and antenatal patients were evacuated. A site near Pine Creek was assessed for suitability as an evacuation centre for Daly River residents. At the same time, the community of Palumpa was experiencing flooding. The airstrip was closed, 10 sewerage pumps closed down, and there was a risk of contamination of the local water supply. Darwin remote Environmental Health Officers were notified and commenced preparations for response. The communities of Jabiru and Beswick were cut off by floodwaters, but no health risks were present at this time. Ongoing monitoring of this situation by Health and Community Services staff continued.
By 8 pm, Katherine public shelters were operational with about 600 people utilising these shelters. On Thursday, 7 April, a state of emergency had been declared by the Northern Territory government. Seven hundred people were now utilising public shelters. Royal Darwin Hospital sent seven nurses to Katherine to provide relief for Katherine nursing staff. Another eight nurses were placed on standby to travel to Katherine if needed. Pharmaceuticals, stores and nutritional supplements were transported to Katherine from the Royal Darwin Hospital.
On Saturday, 8 April, three environmental health officers travelled to Katherine to assist with staff relief and assessment of domestic and commercial buildings. Two environmental health officers travelled to Beswick to assess the public health risk. By Sunday, 9 April, the Katherine floodwaters were receding. All hospital patients were transferred back to the Katherine District Hospital, Rocky Ridge residents were transported to Rocky Ridge Hostel and Nursing Home, and the Royal Darwin Hospital nurses who were on standby were notified they were no longer required.
On Monday, 10 April, the state of emergency for Katherine ceased. Daly River was predicted to continue to rise over the next two to three days, and the evacuation plans for the Daly River community were put in progress. Katherine commenced recovery mode and the cleanup operation commenced. Katherine High School continued as an unofficial shelter for another 24 hours. Most dialysis patients returned to Katherine, and most Royal Darwin Hospital nurses returned to Darwin. Environmental health officers were organised to visit Jilkminggan in the next 24 hours to assess the health risk. Environmental health officers assessed commercial premises in Katherine, where access was permitted, to provide advice to business owners regarding cleaning and sanitising premises prior to reopening.
With a large amount of water lying around the community and the public health risk of mosquitoes transmitting infections, Medical Entomology staff travelled to Katherine to commence assessment of the situation and spraying for mosquitoes. Contact was made with the Sunrise Health Board, chief executive officer for Department of Health and Community Services’ Properties, and Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff members to visit Jilkminggan and Beswick communities to assess buildings for damage.
By Tuesday, 11 April, the Katherine High School shelter was officially closed. Three Darwin environmental health officers returned to Darwin and two local environmental health officers remained in Katherine. The Medical Entomology team remained in Katherine addressing issues of priority. The Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment issued employee arrangements and the local staff were offered leave for a well-earned rest, and to clean up their own houses.
While the response to the flooding at Katherine and surrounding communities was under way, a cyclone named Monica was developing and threatened the east coast of far north Queensland. By 20 April, it had crossed the Queensland coast into the Gulf of Carpentaria and was headed for the east coast of the Northern Territory. With the notification of Cyclone Monica, the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Plan was again activated. The Department of Health and Community Services placed the Top End, east Arnhem and Darwin regions, medical, public health and welfare groups on standby to prepare for the event of a cyclone. All hospitals in the region began preparations to assist Gove Hospital as the cyclone approached.
On Friday, 21 April 2006, an acute care hospital network plan was implemented which involved Royal Darwin Hospital, Katherine Hospital and the Northern Territory Aerial Medical Services to transfer patients from the Gove Hospital. Gove Hospital prepared for the potential of a direct hit by the cyclone and coordinated hospital services including trauma teams, radiography and pharmacy services, triage and first aid teams to assist at the public shelter. All hospital staff worked in a highly cooperative manner, with many staying on-site to be ready for any eventuality. Department of Health and Community Services staff provided excellent support at the public shelters and ensured that all residents, particularly those with special needs, were well supported.
The East Arnhem Public Health Group was well organised and provided constant reports on the state of Cyclone Monica. The public health response was available immediately and continued throughout the course of the cyclone to establish and maintain contact with other agencies to ascertain damage status reports of effected communities. As we know, Cyclone Monica, which had now been upgraded to a Category 5 cyclone with wind speeds estimated at 350 km/h, crossed the Arnhem Land coast near Maningrida, causing extensive damage to the communities of Maningrida, Oenpelli and Jabiru.
Remote Community Health staff from these communities are to be commended for their efforts in preparing during the approach of the cyclone, during the cyclone, and health provision after the cyclone had passed. With the damage to the infrastructure such as housing, water, electricity and communications, these staff have provided an outstanding service during very difficult times.
As the cyclone threatened to approach Darwin, the Region 1 group worked closely with the Northern Territory Counter Disaster Council and with colleagues from the welfare and rural and remote groups to ensure the highest level of preparedness to treat and accommodate not only potential casualties from east Arnhem and surrounding regions, but also Darwin and those regions which might be affected as, potentially, the cyclone passed.
Department of Health and Community Services Liaison and Coordination Officer, the Public Health Team Leader and the Welfare Team Leader were based at the Darwin emergency operation centre and provided outstanding communication, professional advice and coordination through the threat of the cyclone. The medical group, comprised of Royal Darwin Hospital and Darwin Private Hospital senior management, collaborated closely to ensure appropriate accommodation was available to house those clients requiring assistance, as well as sharing facilities and staff.
Community Health, St John Ambulance, Northern Territory Aerial Medical Services, Northern Territory Pathology, Department of Health and Community Services corporate support and Remote Health responded in a timely and professional manner, and were well supported by the Top End Division of General Practice.
Considerations ranged from staffing, clinical supplies, to the possible needs of retrieval and the ever-important issue of patient and staff welfare should the cyclone impact on Darwin. Disaster packs were provided from the Royal Darwin Hospital to various Top End shelters, and the Top End Division of General Practitioners had more than 20 general practitioners on standby to staff satellite clinics. Environmental Health Officers visited Oenpelli and Maningrida to undertake a full environmental health assessment of these cyclone-affected communities.
Public health response priorities during these natural disasters include hygiene and sanitation of all premises on affected communities; water quality; food safety in community stores and food being prepared for mass consumption; sewage ponds and outfalls; waste management at community landfills and disposal of hazardous waste; disease control and information dissemination on contamination and guarding against melioidosis; assessment of asbestos-damaged buildings; vermin control; mosquito breeding surveillance; immunisation; infectious disease surveillance; and the provision of expert medical advice on communicable diseases.
Public health information was disseminated within the affected communities, placed on the Department of Health and Community Services website, and public health media interviews were given. Precautionary advice notices for drinking water were issued for Oenpelli and Maningrida - specifically a ‘water boil’ alert for Oenpelli and disinfection of water supply for Maningrida. A precautionary advice has since been issued on 30 April 2006, advising that the Oenpelli community water supply damaged by tropical Cyclone Monica has been repaired and is now operational. Water quality sampling results from official samples collected on Friday, 28 April and Saturday, 29 April were issued by the government laboratory on 30 April and indicated that the community water supply was now safe for drinking.
The counter disaster groups will now meet to debrief and review the response that has been provided to ensure that the highest level of preparedness was achieved.
There were many people involved in the preparation, planning and management and ongoing aftercare following these recent natural disasters. Department of Health and Community Services staff from the Katherine District Hospital and Community Health; Gove District Hospital and Community and Remote Health; Royal Darwin Hospital and Community and Remote Health; senior operational area managers; Medical Services of the Northern Territory; Public Health, Environmental Health, and Medical Entomology; Public Health Laboratory; Disease Control; and Patient Travel staff are all to be commended.
I sincerely thank all Department of Health and Community Services staff and the many non-government organisations and personnel for their contributions to ensure that the community received the best possible health care prior to, during and after these recent disasters.
I personally thank everyone who was involved in the support and provision of health services during these recent times.
Although it is not possible in the time I have here today, the following list is just some of the key people involved. I thank them and, above all, all the other people who are not on this list for the work that they did for their community.
The key contributors: the team leaders - the Medical Group, Meribeth Fletcher; the Public Health Group, Jan Bullen and Tracy Ward; Welfare Group, Sheryl Follett and Rose Rhodes; Coordination Group, Jill Macandrew and Sandy Spears; and Recovery Coordinator, Barry Chambers.
In Katherine, the staff are: Lisa Alexander from the Flood and Emergency Plan; Robyn Landsdowne, Clinical Nurse Manager, who operated the Emergency Department at Katherine High School shelter; Fiona Kajewski, the hospital support at Tindal Base; Jerry Carter, pathology support at Tindal; Dr Nigel Chiklowa, Assistant Director of Medical Services at the hospital at Tindal; Dr Sathianthan from the Royal Darwin Hospital; Nestor Deleon, hospital assistant; Mark Friend and Patient Services staff at Katherine High School shelter Emergency Department; Anne Shiells at the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme; Pam Hall, Quality Manager; Sue Murray; Julie Neander; Sue Moran, the Community Health Manager assisting St John Ambulance triage and who set up the baby clinic at the Katherine High School shelter; Charlie Griffiths, the acting Maintenance Manager; Cookie Jensen at Stores; Joshua Cufley, the Environmental Health Officer along with Chris Luthy; Philippe Porigneaux, the Environmental Health Officer from Darwin; and Alexandra Mullins, Environmental Health Officer from Darwin.
In East Arnhem, the key contributors from Medical were: Bernie Whelan, Dr Nick Ognyenovits, Dr Tamsin Cockayne, and Di Brown; in Public Health: Alex Kopczynski; and Welfare, Nick Hedstrom.
The key contributors in Darwin - the team leaders: Public Health groups, Xavier Schobben; the Deputy, Barbara Klessa; Environmental Health section, Nicola Slavin; Public Health Information, Dr Christine Connors and Julie Robinson; Public Health Laboratory, Dr Gary Lum; Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause; and Coordination Group, Zelma Collins. Staff in Darwin: Ken O’Brien, Philippe Porigneaux, Alexandra Mullins and Peter Rogers, all environmental health officers.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I had the privilege of visiting the field, at least in the Katherine situation. I visited the temporary emergency centre at Katherine High School and saw the way in which people supported each other. For many people in Katherine it was a pretty eerie feeling of being revisited by the same disaster twice. Many people there had been flooded in the 1998 flood and it was a very traumatic experience to see the waters creeping into town once again.
I saw plenty of people suffering both in terms of the personal anxieties about their homes and families, and the sheer fatigue of having worked 48-hours or more on the trot. You could see the weariness in their faces, but the spirit was so good in the community.
In many ways, it does take a disaster to bring out some of the best aspects of a community to realise that everyone occupies the same place and has responsibility for each other. I saw a town without grog, and there were lessons to be learnt there, too. Katherine was a much better community without the blight of grog flowing through. At the time I visited, at least two of the grog outlets wanted to resume trading which would not have been at all helpful for a medical service which was stretched and very thin on the ground. The last thing they needed was to have inebriated people coming in to disrupt and add to the load of their work. Quite rightly, the Liquor Commissioner stepped in and made sure that that did not happen.
Beyond the lessons of the actual disaster response, there are other broader lessons to be learned about our communities especially in the way they responded to those dire circumstances. One of the key lessons we can all take away is that Territorians are very good people, very special people who do care about each other and put out for their community when these circumstances arise. From what I have heard of the East Arnhem situation, there were similar stories there. Hopefully we can learn the detail of the actual disaster response and encouragement about other issues we need to be tackling in our communities, so we can be strong all the time, not just when we get to these extreme situations.
Dr BURNS (Planning and Lands): Mr Deputy Speaker, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is the government’s lead agency responsible for putting in place and maintaining the facilities, management procedures, and other wide-ranging essential services that enhance the wellbeing of Territorians.
The department is tasked with a vital role in the event of a flood, as demonstrated in last month’s flooding centred on the Katherine region. The department’s responsibilities include the securing and shutting down of affected public buildings, roads and services; the protection, clearing and repairing of buildings and roads; coordinating all appropriate departmental resources during the activation period; and supporting the response by the Katherine Counter Disaster Committee.
During the recent flooding, DPI worked closely with the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, in monitoring the water level in the river, as well as with Police, Fire and Emergency Services in putting in place preparations for the impending flood.
Last month’s flood in Katherine was 2 m lower than the 1998 flood. The water rose to 19 m at the bridge, compared with 21 m in 1998, when virtually all of Katherine except Katherine East was inundated. Last month, only the lower areas of Katherine North and Katherine South were inundated. The department’s road projects team and vehicle compliance staff controlled the roads to ensure the safety of Katherine residents and visitors to the region. This assistance was also important to allow Emergency Services to maintain services and provide community access for evacuation and repatriation.
Advice on the status of roads was updated regularly on the department’s website – dpinet - and this was provided to the media by the department. However, it must be recognised that during flood events it is sometimes impossible to access some areas and roads to check conditions. The department’s Infrastructure Projects staff in Katherine coordinated the disconnection of power to government assets and the securing of government buildings as the flood waters rose.
In the lead-up to the flood on Wednesday, 5 April, staff from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure were engaged in the implementation of the departmental flood sub-plan. The flood sub-plan is an internal procedure which assists in the readiness of the department to deal with an impending flood and includes the preparation of equipment and vehicles to respond if and when flooding becomes a threat. Ground floor offices occupied by the department were made as flood-proof as possible. Files, computers and other equipment were moved to upper floors in an attempt to prevent flood damage to equipment. Departmental staff who reside in flood prone areas were sent home to make the necessary preparation to their own homes and properties.
Contact was made with the school bus contractor, Travel North, to ensure school buses were on notice and to advise that buses would need to be ready to take children home once flooding threatened to cut off access to their residences. Staff from the Motor Vehicle Registry, schools and Travel North coordinated the evacuation of children from the schools.
Contractors for both infrastructure and roads were contacted and requested to be on stand-by. Contractors were to ensure that plant and machinery were relocated to flood free areas so that they could carry out flood response and recovery activity immediately, or when requested. As flooding began, the road project staff and contractors were mobilised to put into effect road closures, and to monitor the impact on the road network. Once the roads were flooded, staff manned barriers to ensure that closures were not ignored and members of the community were not exposed to any further risk.
During the height of the flood on Friday, 7 April, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure Road Projects and Vehicle Compliance staff worked closely with police and emergency services to prevent people from travelling unnecessarily into flooded areas. This included setting up road blocks at Pine Creek, Mataranka and at the West Australian border. This was to prevent residents, travellers and road freight transport becoming stranded at flooded sections on the respective highways, or arriving in Katherine and exacerbating the emergency situation already being faced by emergency services and the Katherine community.
Government buildings were shut down by Infrastructure Project staff and power disconnected once the danger levels became apparent. Work required to set up schools as evacuation centres was also carried out.
The road network across the region sustained substantial damage which is still being assessed on the ground by departmental staff. Major work will be required to repair flood damage on the Stuart Highway, Victoria Highway, Carpentaria Highway, Buntine Highway, Duncan Road and Lajamanu Road. Some of the roads affected are national highways and the responsibility of the Commonwealth government. These roads are vital for tourism, especially the drive market. The Territory government will seek assistance from the federal government in the form of additional funding to repair these roads to the national standard. Most other roads in the Katherine region sustained varying levels of flood damage directly related to the weather event that caused the Katherine flood.
Katherine’s main street suffered lifting of the seal between the Lindsay Street intersection and Katherine East. Repairs to this area started on Saturday, 8 April, as soon as the floodwater receded. Most of the pavement in the main street will require rehabilitation after being inundated. Stage 3 of the main street master plan will be brought forward to ensure that the rehabilitation is incorporated into this project. This will avoid the duplication of work and minimise disruption to businesses in the main street. The amount of $500 000 will be provided from the Urban Enhancement Program managed by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The total cost of recovery work on government buildings and on some local government council infrastructure is still being assessed but could be in the vicinity of $1m. This will include $45 000 to prepare the Katherine Hospital for re-occupation; $400 000 to allow residents to return to Kalano; and $500 000 for repairs at Beswick.
The Randazzo Building is tenanted by the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts and the Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development. Some water damage has occurred within these premises and the cost of replacing office furniture and fittings is estimated to be around $20 000. Repairs to flood-damaged parks and infrastructure has been estimated at $20 000. This included the repairs and cleanup at Nitmiluk in order to have the area ready for visitors and the arrival of The Ghan on Tuesday, 11 April 2006 - just a few days after the flood.
As most members would be aware, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure - then known as Infrastructure, Planning and Environment – Mr Barry Chambers, was tasked with heading up the recovery phase and ensuring whatever was required to assist in the recovery was sourced and provided. Mr Chambers worked closely with staff from DPI, as well as with other Territory government agencies, the Katherine Town Council and Commonwealth agencies to ensure there was no delay in the implementation of recovery activity.
I can assure the House that when I visited Katherine in and around the time of the flood, there was a feeling of great relief that Barry Chambers was fulfilling that role. He engenders much confidence and support, particularly amongst people in the public service and, specifically, in the staff in DPI who have known him for many years and are very confident in Barry’s ability, not only to work through complex issues, but to support people in time of need. I commend Barry Chambers for the work that he has done. I know that particular appointment was welcomed by the people of Katherine and the staff of DPI.
The department’s Infrastructure Project staff in Katherine coordinated the reconnection of power once the government buildings were re-occupied. Most staff were able to return on Monday morning, and services provided by DPI were available from the start of business on that day. In the recovery period, the Road Projects staff instructed and mobilised contractors to repair damaged road surfaces within the town area and across the regions. Inspections were carried out to roads and government infrastructure as floodwaters receded and damage assessed and documented. Bridges in the region were inspected to ensure there was no weakening of the structures. Inspections and assessments will be ongoing over the next four to six months.
This government is committed to maintaining and developing infrastructure across all regions and sectors of the Northern Territory. The procurement of repair works has begun, and all efforts will be made to ensure there is an efficient and timely response to repairing the damage caused by flooding. The department’s Infrastructure Projects staff have focused on getting major infrastructures such as the Katherine Hospital and schools operational. Particular attention was given to the Beswick community, ensuring that the school was re-established to full operational status in time for the start of the second term. Work was also undertaken to restore government employee housing at the Beswick community.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has provided specialists to assist the various local government councils with structural and road pavement assessments. Furthermore, Infrastructure Projects staff are providing free-of-charge specialist plumbing and electrical advice to members of the public whose homes were affected by the flood. The department has also provided a building technical officer to assist the Department of Health and Community Services assess the damage to private residences where claims for Northern Territory government emergency re-establishment funding have been made.
On Saturday, 8 April 2006, I visited Katherine with the Chief Minister and other ministers and our respective chief executives to assess the situation firsthand. We attended a full meeting of the Katherine Counter Disaster Committee, and were pleased to see that the response to the emergency had been quick and effective due to a high level of cooperation and coordination. I was very impressed, as were other ministers, by the meeting. Everyone there was focused. Many people had been through the trauma of flooding in their areas and their own properties, but there was a common goal and purpose. People were operating very efficiently. Many people had been without adequate sleep for many days. Kate Vanderlaan, who was in charge of that particular group, coordinated the group well; she had the trust of the group. All the complex issues that were brought forward to that group were dealt with in a professional, timely and cooperative manner. The Katherine community has a great asset in that particular committee. There may have been problems to work through, possibly at a future date, but the whole response was very smooth. I, for one, was very impressed by the committee at their meeting.
Following the meeting, I inspected damage to roads and infrastructure maintained by the department I administer. I acknowledge the assistance provided by Mr Jim Craven and his staff at Northern Machinery. Mr Craven is a contractor to the department, and he and his staff assisted in controlling traffic during the flood.
I pay tribute to the staff at DPI. They worked incredibly long hours in the lead-up to the flooding and continued their efforts during the crisis. Their efforts contributed significantly to a quick return to business as usual.
I particularly acknowledge the efforts of Graham Newhouse, Regional Director Katherine for the Department of Planning and Infrastructure; Trevor Troy; John Klaas; Phil Harris; Jayakodi Thilakaratne; and Graeme Miers for their efforts. It was my privilege to sit in with a meeting, particularly with the Roads group, as they ascertained the situation of roads and highways throughout the region, made decisions based on the safety and wellbeing of the travelling public, and looked at the whole issue of trying to balance that with potential damage to the roads infrastructure, realising that supplies had to get through. There were many trucks waiting at Mataranka and the drivers were quite anxious to keep moving up to Darwin, which was their final destination. However, the drivers realised that there was danger on the roads and also that there was a potential for further damage to our roads.
The professional way in which those officers worked cooperatively with one another, gathered intelligence, and worked cooperatively with the police and other agencies was fantastic to see. I was proud to be their minister and to see those employees who, as I have said previously, had gone without adequate sleep for many days working for the good of the region and the good of the people within the region. I commend them and their efforts.
As I have outlined, the recovery phase is in full swing. We are ascertaining the damage to the roads. We are moving to fix that damage. Those staff members I mentioned previously will play a pivotal role in that recovery.
As with all emergency responses, those involved will participate in a debriefing to ensure that all procedures are reviewed to ensure all parties are better prepared for the next time. Let us hope the next time is a long way off, but we know we live in a monsoonal climate and there will be a next time. We can learn from what has happened before. We certainly learnt from the 1998 floods, we have learnt from the event that happened in 2003, and now this 2006 event is better equipping us to handle these emergencies. Options will be explored to improve the reporting of road conditions.
In anticipation of the Daly River community being flooded and residents having to be evacuated, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, with its period contract resources, were able to refurbish the existing Kakadu Gateway Caravan Park owned by Mr Eddie Ah Toy. Some 70 rooms, toilet blocks, kitchen including cool rooms, and office area were prepared to become a temporary health clinic, and recreation areas were cleaned, clothes lines installed, repaired lights fitted, and electrical safety checks undertaken in readiness for the residents of the Daly River community and the environs.
A tent city was established with a capacity of 200 with the running of power supplies, provision of washing machines, lights and fans. Fortunately, the tent city and camp were not needed. Road Project staff were busy monitoring road conditions and closing roads in the flood affected area. The early estimation of road flood damage and costs is still being undertaken. Repair estimates will be finalised when all water subsides. It looks like the Wet Season may be over but there is still a lot of surface water about the Top End.
Two weeks after the Katherine flood, the Territory was hit by Cyclone Monica, described by meteorologists as one of the biggest cyclones ever to strike Northern Australia. On 26 April, once Cyclone Monica’s intensity was downgraded, two aircraft were despatched with Construction Division personnel from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure aboard. Construction Division representatives comprised a structural engineer, Building and Electrical supervisors, and a Roads and Civil Works supervisor. The team visited Maningrida, Gunbalanya, Jabiru and Goulburn Island.
At Maningrida, Construction Division officers liaised with Maningrida Council Housing Manager, Mr Michael Steadman, and accessed the community to assess damage to NT government assets, Indigenous Housing Association or IHANT, and community assets, and determined as follows:
approximately 50% of the total 170 houses at Maningrida experienced some form of damage;
four community-owned dwellings need to be demolished;
six community-owned dwellings suffered major roof damage;
one government-owned dwelling was assessed to be beyond economical repair and requires demolition;
six government-owned dwellings were damaged to some extent by falling trees; and
the school building suffered damage to its roof. However, the Construction Division Structural Engineer, Mr George Curran,
has advised that the school is repairable from the existing ‘deck’/walls up, including relining of the walls, new purlins and new
roof utilising existing roof trusses.
The Maningrida council has expressed a strong desire to do as much of the recovery works as possible, particularly on their own houses. To this end, they requested assistance from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure in the provision of electricians to inspect, tag and/or make safe the electrical house connections once Power and Water restored the electrical grid. The council also requested assistance in obtaining extra heavy-duty chainsaws and a chainsaw sharpener.
The total scope of damage at Maningrida could not be readily ascertained during the initial visit. Construction Division building and electrical supervisors will make another damage inspection visit once all the fallen trees are cleared. They will take an inventory and assess the order of costs for demolition, recovery and restoration works, as well as replacement costs for those assets which are beyond economical repair.
At Gunbalanya, approximately 40% of dwellings suffered roof damage and some wall damage due to fallen trees. Trees fell on two police houses; however, there did not appear to be any structural damage. The Police Station was without power and suffered some damage to its roof. The solar hot water system was smashed and the communications tower was down. At the school the staff toilet block suffered severe roof damage caused by a fallen tree. The Resource Library was a three-module transportable building with the last module severely damaged under a large fallen tree. After the tree is removed and the beyond-economical-repair module taken away, that building can readily be restored in a two-module format.
A store shed at the school was also severely damaged resulting in asbestos sheeting scattered around. This was given priority for cleanup. The preschool suffered extensive internal water damage and I am advised we should not hold much hope for the saturated carpet within the preschool.
As in Maningrida, the Kunbarrlajnja Council requested assistance from DPI for the provision of electricians to inspect, tag and/or make safe the electrical house connections. They also asked for some heavy …
Ms LAWRIE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the minister be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Dr BURNS: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues for allowing me to continue this important wrap-up of the flood damage to our infrastructure in the Arnhem region.
The Kunbarrlajnja Council also asked for extra heavy-duty chainsaws and a chainsaw sharpener, and advised they were running out of fuel.
In Jabiru, the team made contact with the Northern Territory Police and with the local community building contractor, Mr Steve Baldwin of Kakadu Contracting. Ten houses which were struck by falling trees had been protected with tarpaulins by residents. Three government houses with tiled roofs had suffered some visible damage to the hip structures of the roofs. There was extensive damage to fences throughout the town but there was not a great deal of electrical damage due to the town being serviced by underground power reticulation. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure was not asked to provide assistance for town assets. Buildings supervisors from the Construction Division will make another damage inspection visit once trees are reasonably cleared to scope the cost of restoration works on government dwellings.
Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff visited Goulburn Island by helicopter and reported no visible or apparent damage to any infrastructure on the community.
I place on the record my appreciation to those members of the Construction Division who swung into action at short notice once the immediate danger from Cyclone Monica had passed.
In closing, I would like to stress that road conditions throughout the northern part of the Northern Territory remain affected by the immense amount of rainfall brought by Cyclone Monica. Numerous roads remain impassable as floodwaters have still not subsided. I urge anyone planning a trip to check the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website, www,roadreport.nt.gov.au for up-to-date information on the latest road conditions. As ever in the Territory, road conditions are subject to unexpected and rapid change and I would advise all motorists to exercise caution.
It looks like the Dry Season has arrived but there is still a lot of drying out to be done. It has been a very challenging time over the last month or so with these natural disasters but as ever, Territorians have risen to the occasion, shown incredible courage, and that they are willing to work together and support each other in these times of need. It is a true Territory spirit. We live in a part of the world that is subject to monsoonal events. It is the part of the world that we like to live in but that is part of it. Government agencies have shown across the board and across the regions that they are ready, willing and able to respond to these sorts of disasters. I know the people of the Northern Territory can have confidence in the responses that are mounted in the face of these natural disasters.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister’s statement to the House.
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish to contribute to the debate on the floods and Cyclone Monica from an Education infrastructure and staffing point of view.
With the Katherine River rising to dangerous levels on the Wednesday of the last week of Term 1, the Acting General Manager Schools Darwin and Katherine, Sandi McCue flew to Katherine on that afternoon as the chief coordinator and link between DEET staff and Katherine Crisis Management Team based in Darwin. All Katherine schools were closed on Thursday, 6 April, due to the imminent threat of flooding; they remained closed on the following day, the last day of Term 1.
On the night of Wednesday, 5 April, at the request of the Katherine Regional Counter Disaster Committee, school principals opened the three schools designated as evacuation centres - Katherine High School, Casuarina Street Primary School and MacFarlane Primary School. Subsequently, school staff took on the huge commitment of helping to look after evacuees in the centres. At 3.30 am the morning of Thursday, 6 April, Katherine High School Principal, Ken Barnes, Office Manager, Bianca Harris and Clyde Fenton Primary School Principal, Bryan Hughes, woke the manager of the local Woolworths Supermarket to get breakfast foods for people evacuated by the police the previous evening. Sandi McCue advised DEET staff working in evacuation shelters the same supermarket agreed to stay open for 30 minutes to enable DEET staff to do more out-of-hours shopping to cater for the evacuees. Bryan Hughes was assisted by Katherine South Principal, Pamela Hepburn, purchasing five meals for 800 people in evacuation centres, a total of 4000 meals.
Bill Daw of Employment and Training in Katherine helped to keep information flowing using his role as an announcer with Katherine Community Radio. I commend the efforts of all DEET staff in Katherine who provided logistical support, ensured the smooth running of evacuation centres, and worked on all manner of tasks including cooking and cleaning.
Other remote schools closed in the region because of flooding were Barunga CEC on 6 April; Wugularr School closed on 5 April; Nganmarriyanga School, Amanbidji School, Jilkminggan School, Douglas Daly School, Peppimenarti School, Bulla Camp School and Yarralin School were closed on Friday, 7 April.
During the week beginning Monday, 3 April, approximately 30 students from Katherine South were in Darwin on a school excursion and prevented from returning home to Katherine on Thursday, 6 April, with the Stuart Highway cut by rising floodwaters. Several Darwin businesses rallied to support the students during their time in Darwin. The students were accommodated free of charge at the Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments, and we thank them for that. They were fed by Outback Bakery and McDonalds, Ludmilla, given radio Hot 100 FM backpacks, and entertained by CMax Cinema and the Territory Wildlife Park. That is a tremendous gesture of generosity from each of those businesses. I am sure everyone in this House adds their thanks to them for seeing that these students were well looked after.
Jingili Primary School welcomed the students into their classrooms and hosted the sleepover at the school, for which Sanderson High, Anula Primary and Kormilda College provided gymnasium mattresses and bedding. The students returned home to Katherine on Saturday, 8 April. Charter flight company, Vincent Aviation, offered to fly home the students, their teachers and carers free of charge. Again, our thanks to Vincent Aviation, those schools mentioned and Kormilda College for chucking in with the gymnasium mattresses and bedding to see that the students and staff had as comfortable a sleep as could be managed.
I happened to be in Port Augusta with members of Alice Springs Town Council and members of the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek community early on in the week and was alerted to the possibility of Cyclone Monica crossing the Cape and going into the Gulf and further developing - in effect, every sign of a possible repeat of Cyclone Ingrid about a year ago. I flew back to Nhulunbuy on the Thursday evening. I have only recently been connected with Internet at home and was somewhat alarmed at the development of Monica as it inched its way across the Gulf. According to the Bureau of Meteorology website, it very clearly had Nhulunbuy right in its sights for about 48 hours. I was somewhat comforted by the US Navy site out of Monterey in the United States that predicted, relatively early, that the cyclone would swing north of Nhulunbuy, presumably taking into account all of the other information that the US Navy had. In fact, they were proven correct in the end.
However, it was not a great deal of comfort, I suppose, to look at the computer screen and see Monica’s spread of cloud pattern from the eye almost totally filling the Gulf of Carpentaria. We knew it was a pretty massive system, as well as a very intense, powerful cyclone within its core. It was still Category 5 when it approached the north-east Arnhem Land coast from the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Schools in the following areas were closed on Monday, 24 April 2006, as a result of the forecast of possible gale force winds associated with Monica: Nhulunbuy, Milingimbi, Ramingining, Maningrida and Groote Eylandt; and Warrawi and Mamaruni Schools on Goulburn and Crocker Islands were closed on the same date. School closure decisions are made with regard to the safety of students and staff. On Monday afternoon, 24 April, the Chief Minister approved closure of schools in the Darwin, Palmerston, Cox Peninsula, Jabiru, Tiwi Islands and Litchfield and rural region areas from 8 am on Wednesday, 26 April, as a result of possible gale force winds.
After skirting Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island and Milingimbi, the coastal Arnhem Land community of Maningrida was hit by the full force of one of the most powerful cyclones to hit Australia. It is understood to have been hit by winds of up to 350 km/h on Monday night, 24 April. Tuesday morning, 25 April, the cyclone crossed the coast with Gunbalanya and Jabiru affected by Category 3 winds.
Fortunately, the cyclone had deteriorated to Category 1 by the time it reached Darwin region around midday on Tuesday, 25 April. On that day, the Chief Minister, on advice from the Counter Disaster Council, advised that schools in the Darwin, Palmerston, Cox Peninsula, Jabiru and Tiwi Islands would be opened on Wednesday, 26 April, as a result of the downgrade of Cyclone Monica to a Category 1. Principals were advised of that decision around midday on Tuesday, 25 April.
However, flooding became an issue for some schools isolated from students and staff. Principals and the staff, in conjunction with the local Counter Disaster Councils, were required to spend considerable time and resources to protect their schools and communities against the potential damage from such a dangerous cyclone.
As at 11 am on Tuesday, 2 May 2006, the effects of Cyclone Monica on government schools in the Top End region are as follows. Maningrida CEC, significant damage with one building losing its roof and other school buildings with water damage; no power or communications contact except by satellite phone. Peter Clarke, the Acting General Manager Schools Arnhem and Palmerston, and other departmental staff, flew out on the morning of Wednesday, 26 April, to assess the damage and assist in having schools operational again as soon as possible. Other DEET departmental staff included Ken Lehman, Infrastructure; Donna Edmonds, People and Learning; and Greg Moo, IT Services. The school building that was de-roofed was assessed as structurally sound; it will be re-roofed as soon as possible. Peter Clarke left two spare satellite telephones in the community. The school was closed in the week beginning Monday, 24 April. Year 12 students resumed schooling in the Batchelor annex on Tuesday, 2 May. Teachers are preparing for classes for the remainder of the school to begin on Wednesday, 3 May, some programs maybe notified.
Milingimbi CEC is closed until Thursday, 27 April, to allow for a clean up. Shepherdson CEC suffered only superficial damage around the community with a few trees down. The school opened on Wednesday, 26 April.
Gunbalanya CEC closed until Tuesday, 2 May, with the secondary section opening, and the primary section expected to open on Wednesday, 3 May. Communications initially down are now open but there is a lot of cleaning up to be done. There is much timber still in the school grounds awaiting removal by the community council. A damaged building, of course, requires making safe.
At Jabiru Area School, there were trees down which were leaning against buildings. The school closed while Emergency Services arranged a cleanup. School resumed on Tuesday, 2 May.
At Berry Springs School, Berry Creek was impassable on Wednesday, 26 April; staff and buses could not get across. One teacher and a teacher’s aide were at the school with no students on Wednesday, 26 April. School resumed on Thursday, 27 April.
On Wednesday, 26 April, at Batchelor Area School there were five staff and five students at school as road access was cut. School resumed on Thursday, 27 April.
Adelaide River School was closed on the morning of Wednesday, 26 April, with water lapping Adelaide River bridge. Parents were asked to collect their children as access to the school was likely to be cut. That school was resumed on Thursday, 27 April.
Middle Point School was not officially closed but student numbers are low today due to floodwaters in the area. Road access for many students may be cut for the remainder of the school week.
Tommy’s Creek on the Daly River near Wooliana School has risen and access of students between Wooliana School and St Francis Xavier School is limited. Some classrooms at St Francis Xavier are being utilised by Wooliana on Tuesday, 2 May.
There has been a marked reduction in school numbers as a result of floodwaters in the area. Communications were cut in many areas in Arnhem Land and Telstra advise it will be some time before communication is fully restored. I understand they have now been. After schools were used as cyclone shelters, it should be noted that many have had minor disruption with cleanups and general debris littering grounds as a result of high winds. It is possible that flooding could affect other schools in remote areas but those mentioned above are the ones known to be adversely affected by the cyclone to date.
Everyone in the school community who made adequate preparation for the cyclone and cleaned up after must be thanked for their efforts which have resulted in no casualties and the earliest possible resumption of schooling. A number of DEET staff played major roles in the operation of cyclone shelters across the Top End. Casuarina Senior College - Kevin Schebella and Chris Harding; Dripstone High School - Morris Bastian and Andrew Fyles, who is not a DEET employee; Nightcliff High School – Nora Lewis and Jill Sommerville; Taminmin High School – Peter Foster; Girraween Primary School – Rene VanderHorst; and Palmerston High School – Debbie Ramsay. Many DEET office staff must also be thanked for their efforts in coordinating efforts to support schools and their communities.
In general, the media were extremely helpful to DEET, advising the community of any school closures and their resumption.
I might add that those same staff were generally the ones responsible for the cleanup after the schools had been used as evacuation shelters. They are to be thanked for a tremendous job.
I make particular mention of Senior Sergeant Tony Fuller, the Officer-in-Charge of Nhulunbuy Police Station. I spoke to Tony when I got back to Nhulunbuy and met with the Counter Disaster Committee on the Friday morning and the Friday afternoon. It is quite a large Counter Disaster Committee because there was G3, all the government agencies, Alcan, and representatives from Yirrkala, so that everyone was up-to-date with the information and what was required.
We put an enormous responsibility on these people, particularly in our rural and remote communities. Tony Fuller may be a Senior Sergeant but he is a very large person, in my view, in his strength of leadership. He is calm, controlled, and his influence on that Counter Disaster Committee cannot be underestimated. I think he is a champion. He saw that everything was carried out according to plan. In fact, when I alighted from the Airnorth plane on Thursday night and arrived home, the very first thing I found, under a weight on the coffee table on the outside veranda, was an A4 sheet signed off by Tony Fuller. This was being hand delivered to every resident in Nhulunbuy that day advising where Monica was up to, what to expect, and what they needed to do by way of preparation.
That said to me that this is one Senior Sergeant who is taking his responsibilities and that of the Counter Disaster Committee seriously. In my 16 years as local member for Nhulunbuy, we have never had the level of preparation and notification to the town that we saw on this occasion.
I salute Tony Fuller and everyone else who was associated with the Counter Disaster Committer. He turned the tap off for takeaway grog at 11.30 on Friday morning with an unknown situation with Monica still headed our way at that time. I am told that Friday night and Saturday night in Nhulunbuy were the quietest ever. Gove Hospital was the quietest it had ever been in its history for a period of 72 hours. It was not until about Monday lunchtime that grog came back on, after we had experienced the tail of Cyclone Monica late Sunday night and the early hours of Monday morning as it passed to the north. The grog came back on from 11.30 am Monday, and about 2 pm I witnessed the first victim, a woman with a head injury, being attended to by police and ambulance officers. That was all of three hours after the tap was turned back on.
I wanted to make sure that I fully recorded on the Parliamentary Record my appreciation and respect for Senior Sergeant Tony Fuller and all involved with the Counter Disaster Committee. The town was extremely well served by his leadership. Wherever he goes in the Territory after Nhulunbuy I can assure that community they will have excellent leadership from the police. If they ever face a natural disaster such as that which was looming on Nhulunbuy’s doorstep, I can recommend to any community that Tony Fuller would be a good man to have by your side and leading any Counter Disaster Committee in their region.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Mr Deputy Speaker, the Northern Territory is in many ways a tough place to live. Within a matter of weeks, the Top End has thrown us serious flooding as well as the threat of the largest cyclone recorded to hit our coastline.
The best part of living with these extremes of weather is the way our people step up and meet the challenges that face them. As I outline the impact of the Katherine region floods and Cyclone Monica on the facilities and assets of local government and government employee housing, I remind the Assembly of the extraordinary efforts made by Territorians in helping each other out over the last few weeks. Indeed, I do more than remind the Assembly of these efforts. I seek a bipartisan approach to thanking our people for the tremendous work they carried out, and also to thank them in advance for the hard work they will continue to face.
Flooding in April this year to the Katherine area, and in January to the Victoria River district, highlights the need to continuously improve the flood immunity of our remote communities. In particular, two of these are the Katherine region communities of Wugularr and Pigeon Hole. With a population of 550, Wugularr is located 120 km south-east of Katherine on the Waterhouse River. This year, Wugularr has worn the brunt of the Wet Season, being flooded in March and then again to the same high levels in April. This has disrupted community activity for five weeks, including schooling for more than 100 children. All of this has been experienced under very difficult circumstances.
The main centre of Wugularr is subject to flooding on a regular basis. Sixty-five of the community’s 78 houses are located in the main centre and most of these were affected by the floodwaters. Since the 1998 flood, a new subdivision has been built on high ground. New housing has been placed there since that time and is above the flood line. It was to this new subdivision that the people of Wugularr moved to during the height of the flood. Government employee housing was also affected by flooding and residents of two of these buildings are being housed at Barunga while repairs are being undertaken. This government is committed to accelerating the provision of houses to higher ground. There is also a commitment to relocate the school and government employee housing.
During the period that I was at Wugularr, on 8 May, I had the opportunity to meet Mr Richard Kennedy, councillor, and Mr Geoff Lohmeyer, the Community Coordinator. I must say that I was very impressed with their quiet determination in getting the community back on track because it was very obvious that the flood had done extensive damage. Debris was strewn right across the community, roads were damaged, and the shop was inundated. When walking around the community it makes you feel very humble in the sense that those people were very much isolated but, at the same time, were very committed and determined to make their community the place it was prior to the floods.
I say to the community at Wugularr, particularly to Richard Kennedy and Geoff Lohmeyer – thank you very much on behalf of my department and the government for your very fine leadership during what would have been a very stressful situation.
I also pay tribute to the Maranboy Police, and the ACPO. Unfortunately, I cannot recall their names at this time, but they played a very important role in visiting the communities and some of the homelands, and coordinating the responses to the impending flood. It is important to pay very high regard to Mr Michael Berto from Nyirranggulung. Michael accompanied Mr Peter Egan from the department and me to Wugularr. I was very impressed with Michael’s very caring and committed responses to some of the needs that were appearing in those communities. During the course of the meeting at Wugularr with Richard and Geoff he was able to provide some relief – I think it was fuel. His support was something which we should all admire.
I thank the Jawoyn Association, Mr Mick Peirce, and the council who provided assistance and support in choppering-in supplies to those affected communities I referred to, plus others. They also, at very short notice, were able to arrange a chopper for myself, Michael and Peter Egan to visit some of those communities. To Michael and the council, thank you very much.
Another community which was impacted on was Pigeon Hole, located 120 km south-west of Top Springs. They were also the subject of evacuation in January this year. Pigeon Hole is regularly affected by flooding. I am pleased to say that planning is under way to improve the airstrip and to relocate the power generation facility to higher ground. I give this assurance, as I do for Wugularr, that this government and my department will make every effort to ensure appropriate steps are taken to provide extra housing on areas that will not be inundated in the future. My department is presently assessing that and hopefully we can say something about that at a later stage.
Jilkminggan was another community directly affected by the April flood. There were 209 people evacuated on the Thursday to Mataranka. I also visited Jilkminggan. Flooding was confined mainly to five dwellings, parts of the school, and the clinic to a lesser extent. Newly-built houses at Jilkminggan were above the flood line and power remained on. The water was turned off as a precaution during the flood but, when I arrived there at lunchtime, services were all back in order.
When you choppered into a community you did not see too many people about. In fact, initially, we did not see anyone but, as we landed, there were some elderly people and some other members of the community who chose to stay. During the course of my visit, I was able to speak to Arnold Von Senden who is CEO, and to Jessie and Sheila Millar. I was absolutely surprised at the pace at which that community got itself back into order, because it was only about four or five hours after the flood had receded. The amount of work they had done was phenomenal in hosing down the roads and cleaning out buildings. It was an inspiration to all of us. I thank them for their quiet determination in getting their community back in order. I also thank the essential services people who flew in from Mataranka.
Unfortunately, I was unable to go to Mataranka. As I said previously, 210 people were evacuated to Mataranka. I thank the Mataranka Community Government Council and all people associated with Mataranka. They were under stress with potential flooding as well.
Just coming back to the Jilkminggan evacuation, I know that the people who remained worked extremely hard under very difficult situations as the water was rising. They commenced evacuating at something like 6 pm. They completed the evacuations by around about 2.10 am to 2.30 am the following day. The flood hit at 6 am, four hours later. They are people who are to be admired for their commitment.
I was also in Katherine, along with the Chief Minister, ministers Burns and Henderson, and our CEOs. I acknowledge the capacity of the community and the three levels of government to work together to get the town up and running in quite an exceptionally short time. This was ably assisted by the Planning and Infrastructure work undertaken in the 1998 flood, which enabled essential services to keep flowing to almost all of the town during the flooding, with full reconnection soon after. You have already heard from minister Burns regarding the tasks undertaken by his department. I pay tribute to those people; they did a wonderful job. I was also very impressed with the emergency services meeting with the superintendent and a whole host of other people from my department. It was very reassuring to know that we had such fine people from all sectors of the public sector, the private sector, and other organisations all working together. I thank all of those people for their contribution.
There were more than 100 houses affected by the flood, 14 of which were public housing. Territory Housing staff established a temporary office at the evacuation centres, and they worked tirelessly to identify the tenants, to have emergency remedial works completed, and to get tenants back into their houses or alternative housing in a timely manner.
The Katherine Public Library suffered around $50 000-worth of damage and staff from the Northern Territory Library in Darwin went down to assist people in Katherine with the cleanup and to treat water-damaged material.
At the time of the flooding in Katherine, my department was holding a governance workshop in Katherine. I do not know the precise numbers, but there were probably in excess of 15 to 20 people present for that workshop. Those who lived outside Katherine had the option to return to their homes. I am proud to say that all employees of Local Government who were present for that workshop chose to stay in Katherine to help out in whatever capacity they could. I want to acknowledge them, and I have written to them. I am very proud of their efforts and I thank them very much for their dedication.
I want to extend special thanks to Jenny Pengelly and to Colin Cramp for their extraordinary efforts in getting things happening for Territory Housing residents, not only post flood, but while the flood was in place. Both Colin and Jenny are based in Katherine North. They worked within the confines of restricted travel, assessing houses even before access was opened to Katherine East. I was advised that at least one of them went around on pushbike as vehicles could not be readily accessed for whatever reason. They might not have been able to access the tenants in question, but I do know that they visited the tenants on pushbikes to support and provide advice as required.
Other Territory Housing staff who more than ably assisted with getting Territory Housing tenants settled immediately post-flood were Vicki O’Connor, Sarah Polhill and Aaron Sariago. Special thanks also to Jo Jennings and Marcus Rosas of Sport and Recreation who assisted the Welfare Group with activities for children in the evacuation centre. I would like to make the point that some of these staff were affected by the floods but they went about their tasks in a very professional way and I thank them.
The Aboriginal Urban Living Area of Miali Brumby was severely affected. Unfortunately, I could not get in there because we could not cross the river and we could not get the chopper in. Looking at it from the air, there was extensive flooding, and many houses other than the elevated houses were inundated. I was advised by the chopper pilot that immediately following the peak that probably some of those houses were completely under water. As soon as the floodwater had receded, the community got together and undertook the huge task of cleaning up flood debris from the houses and the grounds. The Kalano Community Association was very instrumental in working with the community to help this happen. This was made an even greater effort when it is considered that the administrative and works facilities of the community were rendered inoperable due to flooding. Our government, in conjunction with Kalano, was able to assist with this emergency to reconnect services. This enabled people to get back to their homes as quickly as possible.
There are 46 houses at Miali Brumby. Some of those were ground level and several of those dwellings were damaged. Some of the other houses were elevated and very little damage occurred to them. In retrospect, sometimes indigenous housing gets a bit of a bashing in terms of what goes out in the bush. It is a credit to all those people involved in the past with the IHANT program who basically ensured that, due to the design of those houses in the main, they were able to escape much of the flooding.
Rockhole and Warlpiri Camp also received services from Kalano Community Association. Rockhole remained above floodwaters. While the water covered the Warlpiri area, houses in the community are located high enough to have escaped the flooding. Services remained connected to both camps throughout the period.
Binjari is located 18 km west of Katherine. With a population of 260, the community is built on two subdivisions. The original subdivision of Binjari North is more likely to be flooded than the southern side. It has 11 dwellings, mostly shelters, and the community administrative building, clinic and other community buildings. Binjari South is a new subdivision about 1 km from the other community and is located on high ground, and many of those houses were fine. I understand the police played a key role in going in to the community the night before and that Health staff were involved in getting those people who might have required medication into Katherine. I thank all those people who were able to provide support to that community.
As you have heard from other ministers, the flood had a significant impact on Katherine and its nearby communities, and it is fortunate the impact was much less than 1998. That the people of Katherine and communities are working speedily to return things to normal shows the strength of their resolve and the positive outlook they hold for the future of the region. This positive action will be reinforced as further action to mitigate the consequences of flooding is made across the region commencing with Wugularr and Pigeon Hole.
Within days of the flood threat receding in Katherine, the entire Top End was faced with Cyclone Monica. The full impact of Monica is yet to be determined. Suffice to say that I join the Chief Minister, other ministers and members of this House in giving thanks that our people survived the cyclone. As a matter of interest, something like 12 000 Territorians faced danger as a result of Cyclone Monica, even before it had deteriorated into a tropical storm by the time it hit Darwin. This gives us a real sense of how thankful we must be.
Damage from Monica in north-east Arnhem Land was minimal. It avoided Nhulunbuy and you have heard a very graphic description of what occurred there, and also in the Yirrkala region. Very little damage occurred there, although we know there are still assessments being undertaken at this stage; not only there, but across the region.
In respect to Monica, I thank all the airlines, their pilots, and the defence forces for their assistance in evacuating virtually the entire population of Goulburn Island. We should appreciate the enormity of that task.
You have heard other speakers say that Maningrida undoubtedly copped it the worst and damage there is still being assessed. The Maningrida CEO, Mr John Horgan, estimates that 50% to 60% of housing experienced damage of one kind or another. My advice is that six houses will have to be demolished, including one government employee house.
As you have heard from minister Burns …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, I move that the minister be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr McADAM: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank members for their indulgence.
As I mentioned, there are many more assessments to be done of the actual damage sustained. We have received some figures today, but they are preliminary and will go towards a strategic response in making good the damage in those communities. The Bawinanga Resource Centre and outstations were damaged and we have had people talking to them, and ongoing assessments are occurring in that area.
In Gunbalanya, there is an estimate that 40% to 50% of houses have suffered some sort of damage, but these are yet to be determined and assessed. My advice is that Jabiru ended up with approximately 10 houses damaged as a result of falling trees. At least three of those are government employee housing and industry housing stock.
I will undertake to provide a full report in the future in regards to the damage to government facilities and assets, and to public housing, indigenous housing and government employee housing.
In conclusion, I just want to make two points. I would like to thank the media throughout the Territory, particularly the NT News and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Both organisations provided timely and extensive coverage of the events of last month, in many cases from the front line of the floods and storms that have affected our people. As we can imagine, it cannot be too much fun being assigned to travel into these danger zones. I thank the ABC, in particular, for providing an invaluable service to the people of Katherine, keeping that community and all of us in touch with what was happening there.
Secondly, I thank all the many hundreds of public servants who pitched in to help. I thanked some of those from my department. I could have named many more particularly from Department of Planning and Infrastructure, police, teachers, and Health staff. They all did an absolutely amazing job. A couple of times a year, at New Year and during the Queen’s Birthday weekend, a few individuals are awarded Public Service Medals and it would be more than appropriate on this occasion if we give due consideration nominating some if not all of those people. I thank them on behalf of the government and all the communities for their wonderful and dedicated support.
Madam Speaker, on a personal note, whilst in Katherine on that day in question, I was phoned by a person from Robinson River who, unfortunately, could not get into Katherine to pick up his children and his extended family. We were faced with a dilemma: Katherine was flooded so how do we get them out? They could not come in, and the family could not move from Katherine. I thank Aboriginal Air Services who at very short notice - a matter of a number of hours - were able to get a plane into Katherine and get those children safely back to their parents in Borroloola and Robinson River.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, like many other residents of Darwin, I anxiously tracked the path of Cyclone Monica via radio broadcasts and the Bureau of Meteorology’s website. I have a family and some dearly-loved pets and I live in a house in a surge zone so, like all of us here, I had a personal stake in whatever action Monica chose to inflict on us.
I had another interest in the impacts and a greater reason for the anxiety: the effects in my electorate. I have often said that I have one of the Territory’s best electorates. The electorate of Arafura takes in the coast of the north-east and north-west Arnhem Land, the islands, Cobourg Peninsula and the whole of Kakadu National Park and surrounds – it is a stunning piece of the Territory, I am sure you would agree. It is this part of the Territory that bore the brunt of Cyclone Monica. I spend as much time as I can out in my electorate so I know it intimately and its people. Hearing the reports on Cyclone Monica, its intensity and forecast track, I was probably more anxious for them than for myself and my family. Thanks to good planning, efficient operations and good fortune, no-one was killed or injured as Monica did her worst.
Residents of Warruwi and the whole of Goulburn Island were evacuated to Pine Creek. This was quite a logistical operation, nearly 350 people to be transported by light aircraft to Pine Creek. In the end, Monica did not affect Warruwi and everyone is now safely back in their undamaged community. I visited the evacuees in their temporary home at Pine Creek. The care and attention they received was fantastic and the organisation commendable.
I put on record my thanks to Bob Freeman from Police, Fire and Emergency Services for looking after the Warruwi mob so well. It was fantastic to see the Army and those young Defence guys in action, particularly with our little kids. The camaraderie and the relationship between those young soldiers and the little kids from the community for the four days was great. In talking to the Defence guys, they were saying how much it makes their job worthwhile to be able to have contact with these little ones; to play with them, keep them occupied, and feed them. I was there when they were serving lunch, and I tell you what, I should have been there for the whole four days because the food that they were serving was good. Talking to all of the - I was going to say my mob; well, they are like my mob – people from Warruwi, everyone was commenting about how well fed they had been with three meals a day over the last couple of days.
I thank the Army and the community at Pine Creek. The Warruwi mob was saying how welcome they were made to feel. They really did not know what to expect in Pine Creek. I believe they were still in a state of shock with the predicted path of Monica going towards Warruwi. With the efficient operation in getting the evacuations happening, the community, particularly the old people, did not know what was happening or where they were going to end up. When they arrived in Pine Creek, the reception they received from that community made their stay for that short time bearable, and helped alleviate some of their homesickness. I remember when I went to see them, after the third day of them being there, they were pretty homesick and wanted to get back to their beautiful island. At Pine Creek, as you know, Madam Speaker, there is no saltwater. We are talking about saltwater people who are used to having saltwater surrounding their island. They were feeling a bit homesick about the saltwater.
I thank the Pine Creek Health Centre and all the staff from Pine Creek who tended to the many needs of the sick and the elderly, with the doset boxes. The nurses and the Aboriginal Health Workers at the Pine Creek Clinic worked around the clock and made sure that many of the elderly and the sick had their medication and their doset boxes and all their health needs taken care off. Everyone from the Police and Fire Emergency Services made the Warruwi people feel comfortable.
On the Thursday, when we transferred them from Pine Creek to Jabiru to get them back to Goulburn Island, they were sad to say goodbye to everybody. At the same time, they knew they were going home to their fantastic home, which was virtually left unscathed. There was no damage, there was not even a bit of wind. I talked to James, the senior health worker who decided to stay - there were eight residents from Goulburn who decided to stay rather than go into Pine Creek - who said that there was hardly a bit of wind. However, it was a precautionary matter that needed to be carried out, and prevention is better. If the cyclone had followed its predicted path, the ravages would have been worse than what we saw at Maningrida.
Maningrida is probably the biggest community in my electorate. Over 2600 people live in that community, and had to ride it out. They had no choice as the cyclone had not been predicted tracking over that community. However, Monica decided to change her mind and head straight for them. They suffered considerable damage. The Chief Minister and the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services have already described the damage and the response and the experience of the visit we made to my electorate on the Wednesday after Cyclone Monica had gone through.
The most striking aspect of the damage was the fact that almost all of it was caused by trees falling on buildings. Most of the trees which caused the immense damage were African mahogany, which we have talked about. I know those mahogany trees are dear to some people, and I understand the advantages of quick growth and deep shade. I know that after Cyclone Tracy they were handed out because they were quick growing and provided shade. However, they are quite dangerous, and you can see the damage in these three communities which could have been avoided if those trees had not been there. I believe we have to stop planting them because they are putting lives at risk. I was actually thinking out loud at Maningrida when I said that these trees must go.
In talking to the department and other land care groups, and particularly the council, I was surprised at the views of all the councils - the Jabiru Town Council, Maningrida Council and Gunbalanya Council - where, with this damage to the houses, all of those councils are re-thinking and looking at native vegetation and what could be done to replace the African mahoganies. That feeling is quite strong in Jabiru, particularly where, about 60% of the vegetational growth around that community was giant African mahoganies, and Cyclone Monica got rid of 40% of them. These trees have come down and smashed many houses there.
The issue has to be addressed. In talking to people from my department, the problem with many of these trees is the surface roots. If you starve them for water, the roots go down deeper and they could be a good plant. Unfortunately, many of these trees are next to people’s homes and they are getting access to quite good irrigation which means that they have surface roots. In the Top End of the Northern Territory we have heavy rainfall which also provides a lot of irrigation for these mahoganies.
I am not saying that suddenly I hate African mahoganies, but I am saying that we need to look at the issue. It is not just government; councils in my electorate are going to work quite proactively to get rid of them. Jabiru Town Council expressed to me on the Friday that they are going to systematically get rid of all the African mahoganies around Jabiru because of the damage. That town could have saved half of the infrastructure if those trees had not been planted so close. I will develop this a bit more and I will be talking to my colleague, the Minister for Local Government, and with those councils. It is not about government taking control of this; it is at that local government level. I believe that they need to take control of it.
Turning to Maningrida – for many years that community has always had a number of different factions and divisions, and it has been hard to make progress. It has been a development that has been coming for long time. However, I have noticed over the last four years the progress amongst all the different factions and groups at Maningrida, the camaraderie and the working together of the different groups.
I talked to the residents of Maningrida and saw the school, the council, and the store. Everybody was pitching in together and sharing the view that: ‘Yes, she came. She blew the trees over and wreaked havoc on our community, but we have to all work together to rebuild and get things back together’. I look forward to getting, and seeing, the repairs done to the high school. Maningrida and the school, with the external community, has worked hard over the last couple of years. The results have been seen with Year 12 and the young people who have been graduating over the last two years. This community has seen a change, and parents have been encouraging their kids for number of years now to go to school. We are seeing enrolments and attendance rates at Maningrida CEC up to nearly 600 students, and the high school has been the pivotal turning point in that over the last two years. It is imperative we get the repairs to the school done as soon as possible so we do not lose the momentum of those students.
The Chief Minister spoke earlier of Darwin, and the uncertainty in Darwin of where Monica was going to track. There had been some concerns that people thought school was not going back until Thursday, and then kids were asked to come back on Wednesday. When I was at Maningrida walking around and talking to the residents many of the kids wanted to get back to school and were asking when their school was going to be rebuilt and re-opened. It is that enthusiasm that we cannot afford to lose because that community has worked for two years to get all their kids back to school. We should do everything we can, as government, to ensure the community and the school does not lose the momentum for those little ones.
At Gunbalanya and Oenpelli, we saw the tremendous efforts of everyone: the council, community, the police, Health, and Education. Everyone pitched in to restore services to normal. Gunbalanya School had sustained damage and also some the houses, but people were upbeat and optimistic that things would get back to normal.
The community spirit and cooperation of the response effort was marvellous to see in Jabiru which was also badly affected by the unanticipated full blast of the cyclone. Everyone I spoke to was optimistic and cheerful, and getting on with the job of putting things right. I often stay at the Lakeview Van Park, which was badly beaten around with 10 of its cabins and eco-tents destroyed by a huge falling mahogany tree. This is not good news for the Lakeview Van Park which had forward bookings. Yesterday, being May Day and the start of the Dry Season, Lakeview already had those cabins forward booked for six months from the year before. They had to ring many people who had bookings to tell them that they had to cancel and refund them. Having those cabins destroyed has had a real impact on the tourist numbers, or will, in the short term. People have been diverted elsewhere; hopefully Kakadu does not lose those numbers which were booked in at the Lakeview, and they are able to put them into other facilities.
The public swimming pool is a complete mess with all play equipment destroyed and all the lovely shade trees lying horizontal. The school grounds were also a mess, and many houses had sustained damage caused by falling trees, but everywhere people were getting on with the job in a calm and organised way. I spoke with many tired people. Not just in Jabiru but in Maningrida and Oenpelli as well, everyone was starting to get tired but they all just wanted to get the towns up and running again. A consistent message I heard was that the community ‘has really pitched in and people are helping each other’, which is great to hear.
ERA has been fantastic in providing manpower and heavy machinery to help the Jabiru Town Council and residents in their cleanup efforts. I want to mention a number of people: Rocky Couzens, who works for Fire and Emergency Services there, is leading the way in the recovery. He is doing a fantastic job. Everyone I spoke to in Jabiru had nothing but praise for Rocky. He was set the task of prioritising what was going to be the most urgent jobs that needed to be fixed and he set about like an angry little ant. Any of us who know Rocky knows he would have tackled that with gusto.
The other person I want to mention is Roger Illett, the Officer-in-Charge of Jabiru Police Station. He has done a fantastic job with coordinating and getting a lot happening. They were feeling a bit down because of the two days of adrenalin and getting everyone into the shelters and making sure that nothing had happened. People often forget, when these police officers are out running around and making sure everybody else’s family is okay, that they also have families. They have to leave their families to fend for themselves.
Another person is Peter Swan and the Counter Disaster Management team. No one expected Cyclone Monica to go towards Jabiru. Even with the predictions from the forward forecasting of the Bureau of Meteorology it was not supposed to go there. Jabiru is an important town in the Top End. In recent times, there have been issues within that community which they have faced and overcome. The Jabiru Town Council is to be applauded for the way they coped with this unexpected event and tackled the effects head on.
As has been pointed out by previous speakers, the Territory has had more that its share of natural disasters in recent weeks. Like many other members in this Chamber, I have had close links with Katherine and its people. I lived there for eight years and still retain connections with friends and family there.
The Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is the agency responsible for providing flood forecasting services. I shall respond to such …
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I move that the minister be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Thank you. I could give a blow-by-blow, hour-by-hour account of the progression of events on 4 April, but I do not think that would be helpful. I will attempt to summarise the situation. I will also give members some background on the forecasting network and how it operates, and a description of the events of early April.
Forecast services for the Katherine River are provided by NRETA, and are expressed in the flood heights and the times when these heights are predicted to occur at the Old Railway Bridge. Under an agreement between NRETA and the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services the duty officer at NRETA will start to issue flood height and flood forecast advices to Police, Fire and Emergency Services when the river levels rise to the watch point levels at specific sites.
NRETA provides the information to NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services which has the primary role of issuing flood warnings. NRETA has provided PFES staff in both Katherine and Darwin with maps that show the extent of flooding in Katherine when the river reaches different floods levels at the Old Railway Bridge. These maps have been produced in 0.5 m increments for river levels between 17.5 metres and 21.5 metres. Thus it is very clear which areas of the town will be flooded when the river heights at the railway bridge reaches these different levels.
The flood forecasting network for the Katherine River Catchment consists of six gauging stations. Two of these - at Upper Reaches and Sleisbeck - are simple rain gauges equipped with satellite phones. The remaining four are gauging stations measuring river heights as well as rainfall. The station at the Katherine River downstream of Birdie Creek is equipped with a satellite phone. The station on Seventeen Mile at Waterfall View has CDMA communications, and the one on the Katherine River at Nitmiluk has CDMA, landline and radio modem. Finally, the station on the Katherine River at the Old Railway Bridge has a CDMA and radio modem.
The peak river height predicted by the model given in flood advice is subject to one condition: that there is no further rainfall in the catchment. Obviously, variable and unpredictable rainfall makes a difference to predicted river heights. Forecast rainfall can be included in the model, and actual rainfall can be used to adjust the model and give a better fit of model type. Forecasting is not an exact science. The modelling used to predict river heights at various locations requires good data and assumptions to be made. No model is perfect, and conservative or precautionary interpretations are generally adopted. All telemetric data is visually inspected daily by a hydrographer to quickly identify any inconsistencies. With the exception of the Sleisbeck rain gauge, all sites operated within specifications during the event period from 1 to 11 April. The Sleisbeck rain gauge developed a fault whereby rainfall was not recorded for the period from 1835 hours on 3 April to 1320 hours on 6 April. Due to the highly variable rainfalls in the catchment area at the time, the fault was not identified until 6 April. At this stage, staff were despatched via helicopter and repaired the station within four hours of the fault being identified.
Reliability of communications in flood events is always the weakest link in the forecast and response chain. Communications were extremely reliable during the period 1 to 18 April. They were better, in fact, than in the previous years of the previous flood events due to recent upgrading of instrumentation and improved reliability. Communications reliability is measured by a number of calls a station attempts to make in order to send its data to the data logger. From a total of 712 attempted calls from six stations, 48 failed to transmit. This failure rate of 6.7% is well below national targets for successful telemetered data transfer rates.
The station at Seventeen Mile recorded 12 failures from 90 calls, and the one at Nitmiluk recorded eight failures from 302 calls. These relatively higher rates of failing to transmit data were due to the rising river at Nitmiluk drowning Telstra’s CDMA network installation for the area. My agency has no control over the reliability of the Telstra network. CDMA coverage was unavailable in the area from 2330 hours on 5 April to approximately 12 April. A team was sent by helicopter from Darwin by 10 am on 6 April. A satellite modem was installed at Seventeen Mile and a landline modem at Nitmiluk restoring communications within 14 hours of outage to overcome Telstra’s CDMA failure. During the 14 hours of communication outage, river heights for Nitmiluk were relayed to flood forecasters by rangers at the Nitmiluk centre.
I acknowledge the efforts of my departmental staff during this event, and the teams which were sent to Katherine and based there from the 5 April when the Katherine River reached minor flood levels to the recession. All staff worked day-in day-out, including weekends and the Easter holidays in potentially dangerous and difficult conditions.
From the flood forecasting data collecting perspective, the monitoring of the Katherine floods was extremely successful. Instrumentation failures were insignificant and communication failure rates considerably lower than in the previous events. When the Katherine River peaked at 19 m at 10 pm on the night of 6 April, it reached a level that is expected to occur, on average, one in every 20 years. The response of the Police and Emergency Services team was made easier than in the 1998 major flood due to the work of the small and dedicated team of flood forecasters in the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. I extend my appreciation to all.
However, it would be remiss of me not to mention the vital efforts of other NRETA staff in the flood response. Parks and Wildlife rangers at Nitmiluk assisted in the evacuation of residents and provided support to the local community. District rangers at Mataranka ensured visitors had relocated from possible flood areas and also assisted the local community. Mataranka district rangers also assisted in the evacuation of the Jilkminggan community residents. Following the peak of the flood, rangers conducted cleanup operations to allow Nitmiluk National Park to resume as soon as possible. The park was reopened to visitors on 11 April. Areas of Elsey National Park remain closed due to inundation.
As the flood receded, Bushfire NT staff and volunteers from the bushfire brigades from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Batchelor and the Darwin rural area drove to Katherine. The bushfires team consisted of 10 staff and 15 volunteers. Fifteen vehicles were used to transport people and materials to the flood cleanup, and the team brought additional fuel to operate vehicles and pumps and, most importantly, included two cooks. The team established an independent camp to ensure their activities did not impose on Katherine’s infrastructure.
With coordination by NT Fire and Rescue, volunteers and staff worked to clean mud and debris from flooded houses, bushfire and grass fire units were used to hose deep mud from the affected houses. In the three days, the team cleaned 21 houses in Katherine, and the Alice Springs team cleaned up Mataranka Homestead on their way home.
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I commend the work of the forecasters and all the staff of NRETA and the Bureau of Meteorology in providing critical river level information required by Police and Emergency Services during the Katherine flood. I commend the work undertaken by all my rangers and the Bushfires NT staff and volunteers.
Ms LAWRIE (Family and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement. My agency of Family and Community Services has responsibility for the provision of emergency assistance and relief for people affected by natural disasters such as we have witnessed with the Katherine floods and Cyclone Monica. I thank all the staff from Family and Community Services and our non-government organisation partners for the great effort they have put in to assist the people of the Katherine region, and the communities affected by Cyclone Monica.
It really has been a case of ‘all hands on deck’ and everyone has been working tirelessly for weeks. It is important that this parliament be aware of the work undertaken by these officers in the emergency stage of the Katherine flood, but also in the recovery stage - a time that is often overlooked when the immediate drama of the emergency has passed.
This particular emergency has also been noteworthy because it has seen the creation of a partnership between the Territory and an Australian government agency, Centrelink, to ensure a prompt and efficient response in personal hardship and cleanup payments for the residents of the Katherine region in the aftermath of the flood. This agreement is the first of its kind in Australia, and this partnership was repeated again to assist the communities affected by Cyclone Monica.
In any disaster, the welfare of the people is always a priority. Many officers from Family and Community Services’ programs have worked tirelessly to ensure the welfare of residents of Katherine and the surrounding communities during this emergency. I acknowledge the groups and individuals who have discharged their duties with diligence and, importantly, with compassion in often difficult and trying circumstances.
The work undertaken by the staff who cared for, and assisted, the aged residents of the Rocky Ridge Nursing Home was phenomenal. This often involved working double shifts in what were difficult circumstances. I thank the staff of RAAF Base Tindal who assisted my officers in caring for the aged and also our people at Katherine Hospital; they did a fantastic job at RAAF Tindal.
I convey my thanks to all those staff and volunteers who set up and operated the emergency evacuation centres with our partner agencies, DEET and Police, Fire and Emergency Services. They did a wonderful job. This involved ensuring that the evacuation centres were opened, people have meals, something to sleep on, clothing, access to medical aid, security and up-to-date information on what is happening.
Whilst I would like to name everybody involved, it is not practical. However, there are some staff I feel that require special attention. The first person who deserves particular recognition and thanks is Rose Rhodes, the head of Family and Community Services. Rose Rhodes goes into a zone when these disasters occur - she simply does everything she can to help everyone affected. She coordinated an enormous effort all day and night. She does this in a professional manner. She rallies the troops and coordinates the whole operation. My thanks go to her, and I am sure all members of parliament will join me in saying that we truly appreciate the work she has done.
Cheryl Follett set up the centres and was ably helped by the staff of the Katherine Family and Children’s Services Office, FACS, who coordinated the operation of the evacuation. These include Maggie Charles, Charmaine Wharton-Wall, Felicity Creigh, Karita Walker, Susan Easom, Leslie Egan, Janet Meaney and Lewis Lampton. Several of these people had only just started work as FACS officers the week before in Katherine and found themselves suddenly responding to a flood emergency. One of the FACS workers, Esme Stanley, is a recent arrival from the United Kingdom and certainly had a unique outback experience working in the evacuation centre and in welfare recovery. All of these workers continued to provide care and support for the community of Katherine when their own lives were being affected by the flood.
I also acknowledge the work undertaken by our non-government partners, their staff and volunteers who worked in the evacuation centres in a variety of roles. My special thanks go to Anglicare, Somerville, Mission Australia, Red Cross, the Salvation Army, EAS, Centacare NT, and Ormonde House, who rostered themselves to respond to the community’s needs. I take the opportunity as the Minister for Sport and Recreation to thank the tremendous effort of both Jo Jennings and Marcus Rosas in Katherine.
I now wish to focus on the recovery part of any emergency. This is a stage the general public is often unaware of unless they are actually involved in this situation, and is often overlooked as it does not have quite the same dramatic experience as the emergency situation itself. However, the recovery stage is vital because it is at this stage that people require assistance to re-establish themselves and return as quickly as possible to their normal routine and daily life. It is a time when people require emergency financial assistance to help them get on with their lives, and also to have access to a broader range of services such as emergency accommodation and, importantly, counselling.
To assist people in their recovery, the Territory government made available disaster relief. This was a non-means tested grant of a maximum of $945, as well as access to money for emergency accommodation. Those affected by the flood and the cyclone who lost possessions, or who had structural damage to their homes, could also apply for a re-establishment grant. To date, a total of $395 000 has been provided by the Territory government in relief and accommodation support payments for flood-affected people.
The recovery stage of the Katherine flood saw the creation of a unique partnership between the Territory government and the Australian government. Territory government staff and Centrelink staff worked side-by-side as welfare recovery staff to provide disaster relief to those affected by the flood. This included working from the Katherine Centrelink office, as well as outreach services to those unaware of the assistance available. The partnership ensured people received a seamless and efficient service and were able to access the relief money immediately. This is the first time such a partnership has occurred. The third member of this partnership were the non-government organisations and their staff and volunteers who did a wonderful job responding from the Centrelink office to make available emergency food relief, accommodation and counselling for those who needed it.
My thanks go to our officers who assessed people for immediate relief, as well as those officers who travelled from Darwin and spent a week at a time in Katherine undertaking the necessary assessments for the re-establishment grants. Again, I cannot name everyone but I feel it is necessary to mention Lee-anne McInnes who provided logistics and administrative support; Di Halloran who spent two weeks in Katherine assisting people with flood relief and assessments; Barb Kelly who not only spent a week as team leader at the Centrelink office but also undertook on-call for child protection after hours services to ensure that FACS staff in Katherine had some respite over the Easter period; Natalie Paris who did evacuation centre work as well as being on-call for child protection work; and Sue Rizqallah who helped with flood relief assessments and on-call work.
Collene Bremner is the Welfare Recovery Coordinator for the NT. Colleen played a key role in the emergency evacuation centres. She went home to Darwin briefly after the closure of the evacuation centres, but returned after a couple of days to manage the ongoing welfare recovery effort and remained there despite the threat of Cyclone Monica to her own family in Darwin.
We know that it was not just Katherine which was affected by the flooding but also our bush communities. I acknowledge the work undertaken by Garry Scapin and Vicky Lindner in visiting and liaising with these communities to ensure they received access to flood relief in a timely manner. Garry is also the Region 1 Group Leader for welfare recovery in the event of a disaster and has worked tirelessly in providing leadership and support to staff responding to Cyclone Monica and those affected communities. Success of such well coordinated responses is due to two staff, Burniece Cross and Jenny Scott, who remained in Darwin but provided a roster for assessment and administrative support, and coordinated travel and accommodation for all staff involved.
Cyclone Monica caused significant destruction across our Top End communities on Anzac Day. Community Services responded by sending teams of staff into remote communities to provide social, financial, emotional and psychological support. Of specific mention is Melissa Mutton, Manager of FACS Darwin Remote who led by example. Melissa was in Jabiru the day after Cyclone Monica and has continued to lead and advise the staff in their recovery effort. Nick Hedstrom and four Health and Community Services staff worked for more than 25 hours supporting the cyclone shelter at Nhulunbuy, and now Nick is providing important support to Oenpelli.
The recovery and restoration phase are the two events that will take some time for many but I know that the path to recovery will be much smoother with the commitment of the staff and with such a supportive community. I also thank the Chief Executive Officer of Health, Robert Griew, and Chief Executive Officer of Sport and Recreation, Mike Dillon. They were both available to answer queries and provide up-to-date information and also played a strong leadership role in coordinating the response of their agencies. My heartfelt thanks go to them for their great effort.
In conclusion, let me add to the comments of my colleagues as to how proud we can be of the work undertaken by all of the government officers and also the non-government agencies which worked tirelessly to provide support to the communities of Katherine and the region, and also the communities affected by Cyclone Monica. In times of disaster is when you truly find the mettle of the people and Territorians certainly stepped up to the plate and showed that we are a great community with great people. I acknowledge the work done by everyone.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister for her statement.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, having lived over the last 10 years by two major rivers, the Victoria and Katherine Rivers, I am quite accustomed to a bit of flooding. So are the people of those areas of Katherine, the upper Victoria River District and the Daly River region. However, you never really get used to those floods especially when they get to the intensity they did in Katherine over the last month. However, everybody prepares, and I prepared when those floods came a few weeks ago in Katherine.
I was driving to Darwin on that Wednesday, at about 6 am, and passed by the Cullen, Fergusson and Edith Rivers. They were absolutely swollen. I was quite impressed to find Department of Planning and Infrastructure staff stationed at Cullen River at 7 am monitoring the river height and watching the cars go through. It had been a metre over the Cullen River bridge during the night and dropped back during that day. I will mention more about those rivers later in my speech.
Arriving in Darwin I received reports on what was happening with the Katherine River so I cancelled my appointments in the rural area and returned to Katherine. I was greeted in Katherine by the member for Arnhem who had been visiting the communities in Beswick with Senator Trish Crossin. By this time there was the potential for flooding in Katherine.
The Police, Fire and Emergency Services swung into gear. The council staff and many agency staff were already getting prepared for the flooding. The floods drew many sightseers; that was an issue during that time. Many people thought it was going to be like 2000 - it would rise fairly significantly but drop away. The floods, obviously, did not. What happened has been mentioned. I support the comments about the many people who gave their time at the evacuation centres. Many people from my communities had moved into Katherine and were trapped in Katherine during the floods. I met them at the evacuation centres and they were appreciative of the work of the teachers, agency staff, and volunteers from the Red Cross during that time. They were well looked after. There were also quite a number of tourists.
During the time before the flood, my office and I were in constant contact, ringing around the region to see how other areas were in the Douglas Daly and the Daly River area, and out towards Timber Creek. We were getting an idea of what was happening. The floods held me up in Katherine for a few days. As soon as I could get out, I moved up to the Daly River area. I took my tinny with me because I was informed by the police and other members of the community that you needed a boat to get into the community.
The community at Daly River was very well organised. Gary Higgins, the Emergency Services representative there, and Ian Kennon, the OIC of the Daly River police, did a fantastic job. Other members of the Counter Disaster Committee were Steve Botterill from NTES, Andy McTaggart, a key person in the community - and congratulations need to go to him; and Janet Fletcher, the nurse at the new health clinic who was involved in the meetings and working out what to do for the community. By the time I arrived, the police were very well organised and had some reinforcements: Peter Russell, Brian Harrison, and Glen McPhee from Marine and Fisheries; Craig Garland from the Territory Response Section, and other members Leon Schultz, Vic Dupont, Andy Rideout, Adam Van Oosten; as well as David Taylor, Norm Skinner and Mark Casey. Mark Casey is the president of the Nauiyu Nambiyu Community Government Council. He played a key role with the community and the police with the information that was being received.
That community is well aware of floods and was very well organised. They were watching the information on the Internet, and also spoke directly with NRETA staff. They were fairly comfortable with where they sat and I was reassured by that. I boated from the Five Mile, which is outside the community, into the community, through the trees to the pub where I stayed for two nights. Once I was satisfied things were well in hand there, I moved to the Douglas Daly area where, as I mentioned earlier, those rivers that feed into that area were built up with the Douglas River and affected the Douglas Daly Tourist Park.
Jim and Lindy Taylor, the new owners of the tourist park, were devastated. The Douglas River was already flooded at the time and there was significant rain in the catchment area of the Douglas River, and they copped it. The river rose from 10 o’clock to 1 o’clock and there was about 1.5 m of water through the complex which did a significant amount of damage. Jim and Lindy had a bit to say, and there are some lessons to be learnt there. They got on with business and worked very hard to get the place cleaned up by the time I arrived. I certainly hope we can do a lot for them in the future.
After Douglas Daly, I moved to Mataranka. I had not heard much from Mataranka and I went to the Mataranka cabins and spoke with Bruce Ross who is a volunteer on the Counter Disaster Committee there. His business was slightly affected when his ablution block was flooded. He is part of the FERGS team which evacuated Jilkminggan in the middle of the night. They did a fantastic job.
The most affected place there was the homestead. Steve and Deb Moore are recent owners from Western Australia. They had spent a lot of time fixing up all the rooms prior to the flood and getting ready for a very busy tourist season. They were absolutely devastated by the floods. It came very quickly through the Little Roper and they had eight feet of water through the bar at the Mataranka Homestead. It was above the 2000 flood level. The place was significantly damaged. They employed backpackers who came to have a look to clean up. They needed a lot of help with the cleanup, so as soon as I got back to Katherine, I rang staff in the minister’s office who got in touch with Barry Chambers, who got in touch with Bushfires NT and they organised some volunteers.
Adrian Creighton, whom I kept in contact with, was very helpful. Some of the volunteers who helped were Shane Brumby, Senior Fire Control Officer South; Rod Herron, Dorsey Debney, and Murray Watts from Alice Springs, and Trevor Jansen and Justin Hankinson from Tennant Creek. People came from everywhere to help those people. I know the resolve of Steve and Deb; they will clean up and they will get on with it.
At the time I visited there was still quite a bit of water in the springs. Lincoln and Andy, the two rangers there, were working very hard, in waist deep water, shovelling sand and mud from the walkways to try to get it ready for the season. They did a fantastic job. One of the other areas affected was Palumpa which had a significant amount of water through it, and also the outstations around the Daly area.
Cyclone Monica appeared just as the floods were starting to recede. At that time, the Adelaide River community was getting ready for one of the biggest events on Anzac Day, the Adelaide River War Memorial ceremony. Prudently, they cancelled the ceremony and got ready to react to the flooding. They had quite a number of volunteers who participated during that time. Lisa Wain, the CEO of the council, went down on the morning of Anzac Day and waited to see if anybody turned up who had not heard that it had been cancelled, and 50-odd people turned up, even though a cyclone was bearing down on them. They had a very small ceremony and left fairly quickly.
People who have driven over the Adelaide River Bridge know how high it is. The water actually came within a metre underneath that bridge and it scoured out the river. It encroached on Memorial Drive. The river is quite open now; many trees have been wiped out. They were quite lucky in that area. Many volunteers turned up. Alan Brown, the OIC at the Police Station, did a fantastic job. Other volunteers were Dyanne Allport, from the council and also on the Fire and Emergency Response Group; Bill Roberts, a long time volunteer with the group; Mick Loone from Hansen Concrete Group who is also heavily involved with the ARSS Club; Maureen Roebuck; Kristine Levi, who is with the clinic; Peter Antal from the Inn; Sandy McLean, President of the Adelaide River Show Society; Tony Clegg, principal at the school; Chris O’Brien, another police officer, and Alan O’Brien. I also acknowledge Doc Doherty, a well known personality from around Hayes Creek who is based at Douglas Daly now. He participated in helping people out.
Those floods came quite rapidly to that area. Other areas affected were the Batchelor community with river rises, and also the Berry Springs area.
Although Pine Creek was not affected by the flooding they accommodated evacuees from Goulburn Island. I visited the evacuation accommodation at the Kakadu Gateway which had been well set up and there was a very orderly process for meals. The Army did a fantastic job, and by all accounts and from what I saw around the town, everything went to plan. I thank the Pine Creek community for being so accommodating to those people from Goulburn Island.
As we speak, the flooding is not over. The Daly River has risen in the last couple of days and the community at Daly River is cut off again. We are still trying to look at food and fuel issues at that community. The communities in the Woodycupaldiya outstation area are having significant power generation fuel problems and we are trying to sort those out. The Barra Nationals at the Daly River were postponed and are due to happen this Friday. I hope for Wally Draper and all involved in the Barra Nationals that the river level drops over the next couple of days and they can get on with the fantastic event, and something to boost the region at Daly River.
The Timber Creek area is again cut off as we speak, and this is the second time this year it has happened. The announcement in today’s budget, in collaboration with the Commonwealth, will be welcomed by the people in the Upper VRD and Timber Creek areas, and travellers into and out of Western Australia.
The pastoral industry was also affected. There was a significant effect on the mustering, on roads and fences. Ban Ban Springs is one station significantly affected by the rise of the McKinlay River. We are trying to work with them to get relief payments to them and to see what can be done.
We need to look at lessons that have been learned from this experience. I attended the Katherine Town Council de-brief the other night. The community expressed where it felt there were inconsistencies, but what was not reported were the congratulations the whole meeting gave to the police and all the agencies. There was a standing ovation for the police. Even though they copped a bit of a touch-up early on, they were congratulated by a standing ovation, particularly Kate Vanderlaan for all her work. What came out of that meeting was talk of early warning with more river and rain gauges, and better modelling. Through this process there will be a better model. It will be another one which will better inform next time. Also there was talk of a pre-cyclone style campaign for these areas which suffer flooding. In Darwin, we have the pre-cyclone ‘clean up your back yards’. In areas which are affected by flooding we need to have something like that so we can get ready for these things. The local Town Disaster Plans need to be looked at to see how they went and perhaps give them a tweak to see if they can be better for next time.
One of the significant events I saw during the floods was right in the middle of the emergency. There had been an announcement for an emergency area in Katherine and one of the bottle shops decided to open in the middle of it. So you had people who were trapped for several days and on edge, and they tried to open a bottle shop. They sold a few cartons of beer and some casks of wine - which I thought was pretty cheeky. They were promptly shut down, and so they should have been. There have been some comments about the state of Katherine during those floods and how different it was without grog. That is something all can learn from.
What does the future hold for that area? Communities within those smaller areas Douglas Daly, Daly, Timber Creek, and Mataranka are calling for local de-briefs and I will participate in those. A week ago I issued a media release on getting Territorians to consider visiting, during the next school holidays, those areas which were flood-affected. Businesses in those areas copped a bit of a pounding and they could certainly do with the patronage.
In conclusion, I congratulate the residents of the flood-affected areas for their courage and community spirit during these trying times. I thank the many volunteers who gave of their time and labour. I thank Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Health and other agency staff who worked hard to protect the lives and property of Territorians.
Madam Speaker, we cannot stop these events but we can have the best preparation for them. We can have the best response to them but we must and will learn from these events for the inevitable next time. I commend the statement to the House.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to many people in the Wugularr/Barunga region and Jilkminggan and Mataranka in regards to the flooding in March and April. The Wugularr community is situated alongside the Waterhouse River which is known for rising to extreme levels during the Wet Season, a fact that has become more prominent since the 1998 Katherine River flood. In March this year, the Waterhouse River threatened houses in the low lying areas of Wugularr and lapped at the school steps causing great concern for teachers and students. The school had to be closed as a safety precaution and remained closed for nearly a month as the Waterhouse River rose three times in March and April. By the time the town of Katherine flooded in April, Wugularr had been inundated three times.
The Central Arnhem Road was covered in water effectively cutting any access to not only Wugularr but to the Bulman community a further couple of hundred kilometres away. Four-wheel drive vehicles could pass through on occasions but it was very rare and, instead, a boat was used to ferry people where necessary. When a boat could not be used, sometimes the local council grader was used instead, depending on the levels of the water. This required great skill and awareness by members of the Wugularr community who were confident enough to know the flooded terrain. It is not a job that many would jump at doing.
In fact, I had the Labor Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin, travelling with me on this occasion along with a member of her staff, John Prior. We all waited a little while on the eastern side of the flooded Central Arnhem Road to be transported to Wugularr. My vehicle had to be kept on one side as we jumped on a grader to travel the 5 km or 6 km across the flooded and fast-flowing Waterhouse River. It was certainly a ride, and no doubt a sight to see, but it was the only way we could get into the community to see how people were going. In fact, it was almost like a public pit-stop on the eastern side of the Central Arnhem Road because people from Wugularr who had gone into Katherine had to wait there with us. We also met up with Fred Hollows Foundation people who wanted to get to Wugularr and they had to wait for the grader to come back and pick them up. There were also Woolworths executives who had travelled from Sydney to Katherine and out to Wugularr to have a look at the shop. For some of these executives, it was their first time to Wugularr and for them to stand on the side of the Central Arnhem Road waiting for a grader was quite an extraordinary situation for them to find themselves in.
I congratulate the Wugularr Council manager, Geoff Lohmeyer and his staff, Conway Bush and Michael, for their consistent efforts in ensuring all people were safe and could move to and fro across the river. Geoff coordinated the emergency services with Maranboy Police who kept the Katherine Region Emergency Services informed of the needs in the community. Mike and Conway drove the boat or the grader, depending on what was being used to transport people. With a community of 400 to 500 people, the requests for transport were numerous and often occurred at times when I know that Mike and Conway would have preferred some time out. To their credit, they continued to care patiently and compassionately for the residents of Wugularr. To you both, I say a very big thank you. Yes, you were tired, even exhausted. Yes, there needs to be more support volunteers to assist in such times of extreme need. These are things we will discuss for the future planning of emergency procedures for the Wugularr community.
One of the first houses to go under belonged to the president of the community, Richard Kennedy. Once Richard’s house goes under, it is not too long before a number of other houses follow. They include two teacher houses and a Health house. At one of the highest stages of inundation, at least nine to 15 houses went under. School principal, Mike Puccetti, found that he was not only preparing the school building for the possibility of flooding, but he was also forced to evacuate from his house along with his young daughter. The Department of Education moved teachers from Wugularr to Katherine at a convenient time to get them out of the community.
I pay tribute to Mike Puccetti and the teaching staff at Wugularr school for ensuring the safety of students at all times, particularly during these times of stress and uncertainty as the Waterhouse River threatened the community. Thank you also for your efforts in monitoring the water levels and protecting the school equipment. I know that when you did go back into the school you saw the relocation of the staff fridge which gave an idea of how strong the water flow was when it flooded the school staff room. That was just one of the many items at the school that was moved around and found in a different place. Your dedication to the community of Wugularr is a credit to each one of you at the school.
The Northern Territory government has recognised the continued troubles of the teachers, the students and the community of Wugularr with the flooding each year, and are pleased to say that a new $2.5m school will now be built on higher ground. I especially thank the Chief Minister and the Education minister, on behalf of the community, for recognising the urgency of the need to build a new school at Wugularr. I know that the community is deeply appreciative of the urgency which has been shown in seeing that the school is going to be built this year. The community has consistently asked for a new school, and the Martin government is determined to see it built in the 2006-07 financial year.
Thank you to staff of the Barunga School who were prepared to take evacuees from Wugularr - your preparedness was appreciated. I extend a huge thank you to Phyl, the nurse at Sunrise Clinic in Wugularr. Thankfully, there were no health emergencies at Wugularr, but the general health needs of people still needed to be catered for. To you, Phyl, a very big thank you for your dedication and commitment to your job and the community. The Wugularr Store was also threatened by rising floodwaters, but was kept quite safe overall.
The community felt isolated and abandoned during the severe flooding throughout March and April. I am determined to see how the Northern Territory government can work with the community to improve on emergency procedures for the future, even so far as to explore why the region is flooding more frequently than it ever did before the 1998 major Katherine River flood. I know that our government is consistent in its decisions to want to see how we can improve the efforts that were made right across the Northern Territory, and congratulate the workers for their diligence and assistance in the state of emergency that occurred and, in particular, Commander Kate Vanderlaan.
Next week, I will meet with the Wugularr community to debrief on how the crisis was handled and where we can improve. This debriefing will include the Nyirranggulung Mardrulk Ngadberre Regional Council. A very big thank you to the CEO, Michael Berto, who kept me constantly informed of the situation at Beswick and the other communities in the region. Thank you to Michael and also president, Veronica Birrell. The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Jawoyn Association will also be involved in this debriefing. A huge thank you to Mick Peirce of the Jawoyn Association who flew out in a helicopter when he was asked to check on Wugularr, and also to provide food to Barunga and Beswick, and to those who needed it when the rivers could not allow people into Katherine.
It is quite clear that by the time the town of Katherine goes under water, you can bet that the community of Wugularr has gone under more than once. In this case, it had gone under three times before Katherine flooded. This fact has to be taken much more seriously and, with the future planning for emergency procedures for Wugularr, this government will look at how temporary shelters can be established for residents in the community during such times of crisis. As for longer-term planning, the location for building new houses will be looked at. It is an assurance that has been given by the Housing minister in his speech earlier tonight. I sincerely look forward to further dialogue with the Housing minister on the issue of housing in Wugularr.
Further down the Stuart Highway on the Roper Road is the community of Jilkminggan. This community was forced to evacuate a number of residents to the nearby town of Mataranka. The community was very prepared, thanks to the council manger, Arnold Von Senden and also to Cheryl Lardy, very independent people who work very closely with the council and, in particular, the traditional owners, Jessie and Sheila Roberts. The people were watching the river, listening to the reports on ABC radio and television, watching the Bureau of Meteorology updates, and they knew that once Wugularr was certainly under, they would have to start thinking about where they would go. As mentioned in the House this evening, the Jilkminggan mob started to evacuate the community at about 6.30 pm and that evacuation continued into the early hours of the following morning until about 2 am or 3 am. People were evacuated to Mataranka. I extend a special thank you to the town of Mataranka for looking after the people of Jilkminggan.
Two days prior to that evacuation, Senator Trish Crossin travelled with me to Jilkminggan. We travelled through heavy rain to get to the community. The rain was quite intense and you could see that in no time flooding was going to occur there. In fact, when we were at Mataranka we wanted to fly to Minyerri, or Hodgson Downs as it is sometimes known, but the airstrip at Mataranka was so wet that the plane could not take off. We could see and experience the heavy rain right across the Katherine south region. When we returned to Katherine that evening, the Katherine River rose so we found ourselves in Katherine with the rest of the residents watching and waiting to see what was going to happen with the Katherine River.
No sooner had the Arnhem region recovered from flooding, residents in the northern area of Arnhem were bracing themselves for the arrival of Cyclone Monica. The Category 5 cyclone teased many communities along the Arnhem coastline, such Numbulwar and Groote Eylandt, before coming around to Milingimbi and going on to Maningrida where it hit with force. Numbulwar and Groote Eylandt Emergency Services were well prepared. I say a big thank you to the following people for ensuring the communities were prepared: to Groote Eylandt police, in particular Steve Pfitzner and staff who were involved with alerting all residents about the movements of Cyclone Monica; at Angurugu Council, a thank you to CEO, Greg Arnott and President, Jabani Lalara, and in particular to the health clinic staff at Angurugu, Umbakumba and also at Alyangula who, no doubt, were watching with interest to see what Cyclone Monica was going to do.
At Numbulwar, a big thank you to Council CEO, Marc Gardner and President, Samuel Ngalmi; and at the Homelands Resource Centre, thank you to CEO, Andrew Hodder, and Henry Nunggumajbarr and all the staff at the Numbulwar Health Clinic. Each one of you made sure that all the residents of Numbulwar were prepared, and that all the residents of the outstations near Numbulwar came into the community to be prepared because no one quite knew what Cyclone Monica was going to do.
At Milingimbi and Ramingining, they felt the strong winds from Cyclone Monica, and contact with both communities was difficult. It took Telstra until today to get most of the phone lines back on. We did try to make contact, and I say a very big thank you to Emergency Services who covered the Maningrida, Millingimbi and Ramingining region and who are continuing to do so.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I would like to say a few words about Cyclone Monica as I was not involved in the Katherine floods, although for a number of years I was involved in the Daly River floods, which we always blamed on Katherine because they kept sending it down our way.
A big thank you to all those people who were involved in the Katherine floods and Cyclone Monica: the Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and also the volunteer workers, council workers, and all those people who gave a hand to help out when people were in need. I know all the speakers before said that and I believe it needs reiterating. It is a sign of a community effort when things are bad that people get behind one another and help out.
Cyclone Monica did not directly affect the rural area of Darwin. However, if you look at the predictions of the Bureau of Meteorology when it was a Category 5 cyclone, they were predicting it would go across the neck of Cobourg Peninsula and form up again in the Van Diemen Gulf. That certainly would have put the rural area at risk because it could come back across the Adelaide River and into the rural area of Darwin. There certainly was concern at that stage.
I went around that night to check out the two shelters in the rural area, which were the Girraween Primary School and Taminmin High School. There were only three people at Girraween Primary School. It was manned by a police officer, and the same at the Taminmin High School. I have been told that civilians were looking after the cyclone shelters in Darwin although perhaps the police came in later to give them a hand. I thought that was strange, as years ago I was a cyclone shelter manager and we do not seem to have continued the policy of having cyclone shelter managers in the rural area, and were relying on police. Much as I think it is good to have police there, especially when you have an order that there was no alcohol allowed in these areas, perhaps they should look at selecting some local people to manage these facilities and have police in the vicinity if needed. It seems a wasted resource to have a police officer who might be needed in some other more urgent capacity, staying awake all night in a cyclone shelter where there are only three people or, in the case of Taminmin High School, seven people. Perhaps it is one of those things we should go back to, and that is what used to happen in years gone by.
I thank the ABC radio people. I am not picking on the other stations, but when there is a cyclone, flood or any sort of danger in our community, most people would listen to the ABC radio. One reason is that it has reception far wider than any other station; and two, it always gives you accurate and timely information. When people are concerned about a cyclone, especially at night, it is comforting to hear someone getting out information on the radio to let you know what is happening. There is nothing worse than if you are in a building and you do not have a radio on and you can hear the wind howling, not to be told what is going on. I am one of those who sleeps very lightly when there is a cyclone around and wakes up and turns the radio on to hear the latest cyclone report; and that is exactly what I did.
I visited the cyclone shelters about 10 pm on the Monday night. I went to Batchelor because my wife had taken the grandchildren there to stay with her sister, and I stayed with them. They were very happy because they were with their cousins and played computer games for half the night. It was a very still night with very little wind.
I got up early, about 4.30 am, to listen to the latest report which said that the cyclone had crossed the coast much earlier than predicted. It was a Category 2 at that stage. I travelled back to Darwin and saw a number of people on the highway travelling south. I thought they were going to go to the Anzac Day service at Adelaide River. About 20 or so people did attend the service at Adelaide River War Cemetery and I would imagine they had done that themselves, but there was quite a bit of traffic heading south. While I travelled north there was very little wind and no rain, and I was surprised when I got back to Taminmin High School shelter to check out how many people were there that the police had made an order asking people not to travel north.
I wonder if one of the problems is whether we have enough on-ground information and enough people on the ground at times. It was at the same time as the police were saying do not travel north, that the ABC made the announcement that Adelaide River was to be evacuated. Having left not long before in a fairly peaceful atmosphere with very little wind, and knowing there was a Category 2 travelling across the land, I wondered whether we needed a couple of things to help us monitor these cyclones better.
Is it possible to have more scientific data being collected across the top of the Territory which can give us accurate wind information? Is it possible to have more people on the ground reporting to police headquarters, giving an actual description of what is happening on the ground? People were a bit confused as to why they had to move south and then they did go to Pine Creek. When they reached Pine Creek, they were told to move on to Katherine. If the information had been more accurate, perhaps a lot of this would not have had to occur. I met a lady who said it cost her $300 to take a horse down to Adelaide River only to be told to pack it up and bring it back to Darwin. I wonder whether we need some more accurate information so that evacuations are not needed. As I said, it was a Category 2 cyclone and it was still about 200 km from Adelaide River, and the record of cyclones is that once they are on land they will reduce in velocity and danger.
Another area that some people have spoken to me about is that they felt the satellite pictures that were being used on the Bureau of Meteorology site were not as accurate as those used by the US Navy. I have had a couple of people say to me that the US Navy site was a far more accurate site when it came to showing exactly where the cyclone was. I do not know whether this is true. If it is the case, then I wonder whether it is due to lack of access to certain satellites by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It would be interesting to know if people in the Northern Territory are getting the most accurate information through the website for the weather bureau.
The member for Arafura spoke about mahogany trees earlier. Having lived on Bathurst Island for a long time where mahogany trees were planted many years ago, I do not believe there is an issue about mahogany trees per se. It is where you plant them. If people plant them too close to a house that is the problem. You only have to look at the pictures of what Cyclone Monica did to the native vegetation - it flattens it. I would never recommend anyone put a Darwin Woolybutt right next to your house. One reason is that the white ants will eat it and it is likely to fall down just from that, but it also blows over quite easily. It is not the mahogany that is the problem; it is where you plant it. Do not plant it near power lines, do not plant it near the house, and only plant it in big parkland.
If you think Maningrida had a problem, I bet your bottom dollar Darwin has a problem if we get a cyclone because, in some of the suburbs, there are huge mahogany trees about 2 m wide on the nature strip. I would hate to see the damage when they come down. There has been good comment about that particular tree and maybe we have to look at cutting down some of the big trees in the Darwin suburbs, or where they are near power lines. They cause us a lot of damage. However, I would not say to get rid of mahoganies per se because they make good shade and that is a good reason to keep them.
When it looked like Daly River might have to be evacuated, there was an interview with Andy McTaggart, who has lived there for many years. I have known Andy for a long time. His concern was that there were statements being made, some by the police and some by the local newspaper, about evacuations. He was concerned that that was frightening people into believing they had to evacuate when the local information said there was no need to evacuate. I know there has been a meeting since then with the Police Commissioner to iron out some of those problems. Having worked there and been through three floods, I know they feel that there are newspaper reports published which do not really reflect exactly what is happening on the ground. They forget that the locals who have been through flood after flood after flood - because floods are just a thing you live with on the Daly River - have plans and know how to handle them. Much more trust has to go back to those people.
As I said regarding the evacuation of Adelaide River or where the cyclone is, we need more local information. Perhaps we are not taking that into account as we should be.
It has been mentioned to me that Tommy’s Creek crossing might need an upgrade. If anyone has been to the Daly River, you will know that the first thing that cuts off the community is Tommy’s Creek. The river breaks its banks and water flows around near the range of hills and comes across Tommy’s Creek crossing. Once that creek rises too high, the community is cut off. Normally, the community knows the height of the river and at what height it should move all its vehicles to Five Mile hill. However, it would make it a lot easier if the government would look at raising the level of that crossing with some culverts. That would mean the community is not isolated for such a long period.
You sometimes come across information about which you question the accuracy. I heard in the morning that the Elizabeth River Bridge was closed. There are two bridges on the Elizabeth River, and a railway bridge which, for some reason, is higher than the other bridges. The second bridge was built because the first bridge, the smaller bridge, goes under water quite often. Traffic is diverted onto that section of highway and uses the newer bridge. When I heard that the Stuart Highway was closed at the Elizabeth River, I thought that must be the mammoth flood. I am of the understanding that it was only half of the road closed. Again, you sometimes wonder whether the information coming through is as accurate as it should be.
Another issue from the police angle is when the media kept asking the commander for comments. Perhaps they should have a person who handles the public relations. Years ago, Jane Munday’s job was to deal with the media. It must be very annoying that the media is chasing you up for comment when you are in charge of a flood at Katherine and your job is to coordinate rescues or tell people to evacuate their houses. In those circumstances, the police should have someone who deals with the media only, and gives information to the media. The public would then have an accurate idea of what is happening.
In raising those few points, I thank the Police, Fire and Emergency Services and everyone involved in helping out. I hope those Arnhem Land communities which were affected, especially along the coast, can get back on their feet. The Chief Minister commented that the building code is of sufficient standard because the houses at Maningrida were shown to have withstood a big blow. I know some houses were damaged but, as the Chief Minister said, some of those were damaged by trees. The houses seemed to have stood up pretty well. That is a good indication that the building code is working. As much as it means a house costs a bit more, it certainly is well worth making sure the houses are built to a good standard. I hope all those people in those communities get back on their feet soon.
Madam Speaker, I hope the comments that I have made tonight make some sense. People at Daly River would appreciate me saying that sometimes we forget those people who have lived all or a good part of their lives there, do know a lot about what is happening. We should ensure we consider them when making decisions from way up here in the north.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank everyone for their contribution. We went through two very significant events in April, in the Katherine region and then in the Top End. Darwin waited, Nhulunbuy waited, but communities like Maningrida, Oenpelli and Jabiru actually got the force of the cyclone. It was a very significant event. It is very important that this parliament pays tribute to the resilience of our communities, to all those people who did the hard work when the emergencies were on, and to those involved in the recovery works. It is important that we thank them for what they did.
On a level of actually watching what happened, I sat twice with the Counter Disaster Council in the Katherine region and once with the major Counter Disaster Council on the night before we were expecting Cyclone Monica. The work that is done through the Counter Disaster Council is enormously impressive. To sit in Katherine, for example, on the Thursday when there was flooding, and look at the detail of how those around the table dealt with the issues that were emerging and the knowledge they had about the local community and the care they took, was enormously impressive. The Police minister was there with me and we were both very impressed at the commitment – and we were dealing with people at that stage who had been up for 48 hours. They had their sense of humour, but eyes were red-rimmed. There was great attention to detail. You can talk about the flood and how people are being affected, but the detail of dealing with an evacuation, the power, water and sewerage systems, roads, reports on what was happening in communities, how food was being distributed, all the little details that make dealing with such an emergency not pleasant but something that people could cope with was very impressive.
I pay tribute to the Katherine Counter Disaster Council and the leadership of Kate Vanderlaan. It was very impressive. I sat with them twice and saw that commitment maintained over that time. We would not cope with these emergencies without people like those I saw around the table, and without the good humour of the 600 or so people who were evacuated from their homes in the Katherine region and were at the high school and the primary school. It was not easy, but they were coping with a good spirit.
There was a Counter Disaster Council meeting on 24 April in Darwin, and the leadership from the Police Commissioner and the other key people around the table that night was also very impressive. The reports in from communities, ranging from Maningrida through to Oenpelli and Jabiru about what was happening there and the response that was being taken, as someone listening to what was happening, I was enormously impressed. I think it is the knowledge, it is being able to respond as difficult circumstances emerged, and certainly on that Monday night, the 24th, with all the best information we now have, we still did not know what the cyclone was going to do. There were a number of different paths being plotted for the cyclone, and you could see that on the Bureau of Meteorology’s Internet site and it was not possible to say where that cyclone would go. I suspect, as technology gets better and we get better reading of things like cyclones, it will still have that wild card element. You simply do not know what a cyclone is going to do. You have a Counter Disaster Council that has to put in place every best mechanism to cope with whatever path they think that cyclone might take. You have to cover not just one path but the number of paths that are tracked. For example, Warruwi is a low-lying community and the decision was made that if the cyclone did take a more direct westerly path the community would be in trouble. A decision was made to evacuate that community to Pine Creek. In the end, there was little effect on Goulburn Island. It is better to have that decision taken, that community protected, than wait until later.
In many ways, the same applies to Nauiyu. I heard what the member for Nelson said about listening to what the locals are saying on the ground. There was a lot of expert work done by hydrologists and reading the river levels in the Katherine region to ensure that the people of the Daly community were going to be safe. Those preparations were made not to say it is going to be a must that you evacuate but there was somewhere that the evacuation procedures were known, that if the river had risen to the predictions that were being made, the community would have to go to Pine Creek. So those decisions are made. You cannot predict necessarily down to the last half a metre of water, or to the last tracking point where a cyclone is going to go, but those preparations have to be made.
I pay tribute again to all those who were part of that, and also to the great sense shown by the people of the Top End. They followed directions. People in Darwin, the Palmerston area and the rural area cleaned up their yards. They made sure they were well prepared. The member for Nhulunbuy was saying that the directions were well followed in Nhulunbuy: he went to Woolies and every single can of baked beans was gone! Obviously, baked beans is a staple for a cyclone. He said the kidney beans were all there but the baked beans were gone. Maybe we have to diversify people’s eating habits during cyclones.
Mr Wood: Recipes in the NT News for baked beans!
Ms MARTIN: Yes. I believe we are very sensible about cyclones. We are sensible about floods. We can learn from what happened. As the Recovery Coordinator for the Katherine regional floods, Barry Chambers will be presenting recommendations to the Counter Disaster Council and the same will be done following Cyclone Monica.
Madam Speaker, I grew up a Catholic; I am not a practising Catholic any more. However, when Monica did not hit Darwin or Nhulunbuy, and when the flooding in Katherine and the region was not as extensive as we have seen in the past, and not one Territorian was injured, I found myself thanking God. It is a reaction that many of us had - you wanted to thank somebody for the luck we had in being spared. We have had property damage, yes, and that will take sometime to repair; hopefully, we can do it as quickly as possible. The fact that we lost no lives, that people were not injured, is something that we can all take away as maybe it is luck but maybe it is part of good preparation as well.
We will learn from these incidents. It is hard to predict when we will have the next natural disaster. Knowing the Top End we will probably have one in the next couple of years. The more we prepare, the more we know about what might happen, the better off we can be.
Madam Speaker, I thank everyone for their contributions to this debate and, while I am about it, I would like to thank God as well.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
I am delighted to inform the House of a great Territory sporting success last week: the Northern Zone Women’s Soccer Team travelled to Kupang for a soccer tournament and came back victorious. The tournament was part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Kupang Municipality. The team played in three grade games over a week of competition with crowds of up to 20 000 spectators at each game which certainly is not a bad turn out.
I congratulate the 19 players who made the trip: Philomena Chisholm, Michaeline Brown, Helmia Binti, Ahmad Alkatiri, Danielle Lede, Raylene Ellis-Chisholm, Marie Novio, Yvonne Koulakis, Lily Carpenter, Kerry White, Emma MacLeod, Amber Morrison, Kyria Gotts, Rachel Asher, Natalie Worth, Melinda Dunlop, Elizabeth and Andrea Lima, Sarah Latham and last but not least the team’s youngest player, Kristy Blewit, who is just 14 years old. I also congratulate the team Head Coach, George Cotis; Assistant Coach, Jade McNeill; Manager, Jeanny Roney; First Aid Officer, Robyn Morrison; and all the support staff.
We contributed $5000 towards the cost of travel for the team to play in the tournament and judging from the feedback it was money well spent. We have a growing relationship with Kupang and I am proud that we could support these young Territory athletes. They were great ambassadors and not only won the tournament but I would say kicked a goal for the Territory. Well done.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, as you know May Day was on Monday – yesterday. It is a very important day for the Labor Party and everyone in the Territory. The theme for May Day in Darwin was the 40th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off and recognition of the collective history of struggle of both indigenous people and unions. Obvious parallels were drawn between the circumstances of the Gurindji people and the potential damage caused by the federal government’s Work Choices legislation. The organisers of the weekend were the Unions NT May Day committee and, in particular, Didge McDonald, Jamey Robertson and Joe Gallagher. A number of Gurindji people were present including Maurie Ryan, Rob Roy, Michael Paddy and Michael George.
Corporate sponsors included the Australian Retirement Fund, Members Equity, Power and Water, Darwin City Councill and the Northern Territory government. Other functions held during the lead up to May Day included the May Day dinner on 29 April at Tracy Village where Kath Mills from the Stolen Generation addressed the event, and the May Day concert in Bicentennial Park on the Esplanade where the May Day march ends which was very well attended. The line-up for the evening included Wildflower, Black Chapel, Neo, Stretch’n’The Truth and Horsetrank. Congratulations to everyone involved in making Mayday 2006 a memorable event.
I would also like to talk about one of the most active and long lived community organisations in my electorate: the Parap Residents’ Association. I know I have talked about this group before but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the current executive before the AGM later this month. To the president, Claire George; vice president, John Pollock; secretary, David George; and treasurer, Dave Clarke, many thanks for all your efforts.
The Parap Residents’ Association has existed for over 10 years and currently boasts around 60 members, which is pretty healthy for a community group. It has a special interest in improving the built environment of the suburbs of Fannie Bay, Ludmilla and Parap and provides a forum for discussing planning and environmental issues. The association also lobbies on behalf of residents and represents the interests of the community in consultation with government and developers.
They have had remarkable success over the years. They secured a section of the old Arafura Bowls Club site as a park; they united the clubs along the Fannie Bay foreshore in support of the Vesteys Beach Coast Watch Group; they encouraged prospective developers to consult with residents at the planning stage of new developments; and have influenced the development of specific sites. Issues of interest to the association at the moment include traffic management; Development Consent Authority applications for the area; the Hastings over Mindil development; and the development of the old OTC site on Gregory Street.
I recognise the impressive efforts of the president, Claire George, during her time in the role. It is a demanding role which she juggles with work and baby, Samuel. She has done a great job especially as an active advocate for responsible development in the area. I acknowledge all members of PRA who come along to monthly meetings and have their say in the developments in the Parap, Fannie Bay and Ludmilla area.
While talking about residents’ groups I would also like to talk about another residents group in the electorate and that is the Stuart Park Residents’ Association. The association is driven by a committed group with chair, John Brears; vice chair, Liz Nicholls; Joan Brears, secretary; and Chris Millowick, treasurer. Committee members include Chris Bond, Cyril Young, my parliamentary colleague, Kerry Sacilotto, Diane Szarkowicz, John Leishman and Jill Rechner.
The association meets monthly at Stuart Park Primary School and focuses on all issues affecting residents’ lives. These include issues such as traffic management; residential parking; and antisocial behaviour. I know that an issue of particular interest to the group at the moment is the Duke Street and Stuart Highway intersection and the safety of motorists negotiating these streets. The association also has a keen interest in the history of the area. For example, at a meeting earlier this year, they had a fascinating presentation from Richard Luxton on the old Parap camp and Sidney Williams hut in Westralia Street. The Stuart Park residents do a good job on behalf of their community. I commend them on their commitment to the neighbourhood
I would also like to talk a bit about an important organisation in the Fannie Bay electorate and that is Territory Craft. It was known formerly as the Craft Council of the NT. It is a membership-based organisation that aims to advance the cause of craft and craftspeople throughout the Territory. It has been up and running since 1979 and has divisions in Katherine, Barkly, Alice Springs and Darwin, with the head office located in the museum grounds at Bullocky Point. Territory Craft offers its members support, resources and opportunities, and is committed to the development, promotion and growth of the craft industry. Their main objectives are to encourage a high level of performance and special achievement, establish craft training facilities, and bring the works and ideas of international craftspeople to the Territory.
Their work does not end there. They advise members wanting to apply for funding grants and can also administer approved grants. They also provide data on industry trends and government regulation affecting the arts. Each of their regional divisions has its own premises, including office and studio space. The Darwin division has several fully-equipped pottery, glass and jewellery studios, as well as a dark room and textile studio where workshops and classes are conducted. Some of the workshops and classes offered over recent years including silver jewellery-making, Japanese resist dyeing known as shibori, silk paper-making, mosaic workshops, sculptural welding, basket weaving, jewellery making, using natural materials, and pottery.
Territory Craft organises several craft fairs each year at the Museum and Art Gallery: Hi to the Dry, Dragonfly and Christmas. Hi to the Dry was held on Sunday, 23 April, and there were around 55 stallholders including: Aly De Groote with her beautiful basket forms; exquisite textured wraps and bags by Milena Young; functional pottery bowls, platters and other objects by Helen Menzies and Jozsef Godolley; jewellery, incorporating handmade glass beads, by Kay and Mike Foley; coloured fabrics dyed and printed by Jillian Thompson and Lil Smith; and a variety of wooden items made by the Darwin wood turners group lead by Ian MacRaild.
The fair was organised by the Darwin committee headed by Jon Firth, with assistance from Jo Schofield, Helen Menzies, Natalie Jenkins, Marilyn McNaught, Leonie McNally and, of course, the many volunteers. In recognition of their service to the organisation, a number of Territory Craft members have become life members. They include Kathleen Short, Barbara Butler, Anne Bowden, Kerryn Taylor, Bernice Casey, John Fuss and Wendy MacDonald. To everyone at Territory Craft, congratulations on your magnificent work and the very best for the future.
The Hi to the Dry fair on 23 April was lovely. It was a gorgeous day, and to be able to spend an hour or so wandering around the different stalls was something that I would do as local member, but also for personal interest. You can spend a lot of money at the Hi to the Dry Craft Fair – and it is all worth it, of course.
The powers-that-be at Stuart Park Primary School obviously knew something that the rest of us did not. They held their Anzac Day Commemorative Service on Monday, 24 April, the day before Anzac Day. It must have been one of the few ceremonies not called off due to Cyclone Monica’s expected arrival here last Tuesday.
Unfortunately, Cabinet was on and I was not able to make it to the ceremony, but my electorate officer told me that it was a very moving event and, as usual, very well organised by Stuart Park Primary staff. Australian Army Cadets Katie Rowlands and Chris Brody carried out the catafalque honour guard. The poem Lest We Forget by Michael Reynolds was recited by school leaders, Sally Harding, Bernadette O’Sullivan, Bradley Button and Sani Raqiyawa.
Lieutenant Trent Beilkin from the 5/7 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, then gave an address speaking about the service by members of the Defence Force in Iraq and the Solomon Islands. This was particularly relevant to Stuart Park Primary, as there are a number of parents presently serving in these locations. Students were next called to lay flowers, and then the school choir performed the song Lest We Forget. Ray Riseley read The Ode, and Brian Manning from the NT School of Music played The Last Post on his bugle. Following a minute’s silence, the whole assembly finished the service with the national anthem.
Ian McCutcheon represented the RSL Darwin Branch at the event, and I was pleased to hear that a number of parents took the time to attend, including Defence Force personnel who wore their uniforms to the ceremony. My congratulations go to the Stuart Park Primary staff and everyone involved in the commemoration.
I was delighted to be invited as guest speaker at the Tourism Top End Annual General Meeting which was held on Tuesday, 28 March, at SKYCITY. Tourism Top End is a regional tourism association which plays an important role in building the industry in the Top End. A big part of their work is intra-Territory marketing and providing vital information services for visitors to the Territory. The AGM was very well attended and gave me the chance to listen to the views of Tourism Top End members on how they think we are travelling, and how we can keep tourism in the Territory moving ahead.
I was genuinely touched by Sylvia Wolf’s kind words in her introduction. Sylvia is dedicated to Territory tourism, which is certainly well known. She is a big reason why our partnership with Tourism Top End is working so well. That evening, the new executive was elected and the majority of office bearers were returned. There were two new members.
The Territory Tourism Top End executive committee for 2006-07 is: president, Sylvia Wolf; Jan Young and Michael Scott are the vice presidents; Graeme Lewis is once again the treasurer; the executive committee members are Alicia Boyle, Adam Deverson, John Hart, Beth Jordan, Alan Major and Daryl Tutty; non-elected representatives are Maria Purvis from Tourism NT, Alderman Roger Dee from the Darwin City Council, and Fran Briggs, representing the Coomalie Area Tourism. I wish the executive well for the season ahead. I know they will make a valuable contribution to our tourism industry. I finish by thanking Sylvia, Tony Clementson and the team at Tourism Top End for their wonderful hospitality. It was an excellent night.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I speak tonight about Anzac Day. Quite often we forget the significance of Anzac Day to many of us and the wonderful support it seems to be gaining within the community. The Anzac Day parade in Alice Springs had a remarkable turn out of schools with young people and families and friends of ex-servicemen. It seems to me that it is growing stronger and stronger each year. The ceremony on top of Anzac Hill was very stirring and was a great credit to the RSL and the work they do in Alice Springs.
I was also impressed with the NORFORCE volunteers who marched alongside all the other services. There were Aboriginal volunteers in NORFORCE, and I believe it is a bit of a shame that we do not raise their profiles because they are an excellent role model for many of the young Aboriginal people in our community, and they do it with such pride. It was great to see.
I went to the dinner on the evening before Anzac Day, and what worried me was that there were so few local people left to attend that dinner. Time is going by and people are passing on so we do not have that group of people.
Anzac Day has always been very special in my family. My father served in World War II; he enlisted in 1943. I can always remember my grandfather taking my mother and us three little kids to live with my grandparents, where we stayed for many years, even after my father returned from the war. My father served in New Guinea and was part of the company that dropped supplies in New Guinea. Interestingly, his service was never counted as overseas service because, at that stage, New Guinea was a territory of Australia.
Probably one of the saddest stories we have in my family is of my uncle, my mother’s brother, William Munro, who enlisted with enthusiasm in 1940. He left Sydney in 1941 on a ship bound for the Middle East. In 1942, he was listed as missing in action and turned up in Java in a POW camp, and he had been wounded. Somehow, along the way, he survived the Burma Line and the infamous Changi camp. When he came home, he was like a skeleton. He had huge scars on his back. Probably the most telling scar he had was one that went down the centre of his backbone, which was obviously done with a sword. He suffered nerve damage because of that. He always said that he owed his life to ‘Weary’ Dunlop, the famed surgeon and doctor who was in Changi camp and who saved many Australians. When he was liberated in 1945, he went to the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and was in and out of that for many years.
Like many soldiers - and we heard this on Anzac Day at the dinner - he did not glorify war. He hated talking about it. He hated the American movies which suddenly became popular and tended to glorify war with all their heroes, and he would always switch them off. He kept in contact with many of the prisoners that he was with in the war and, on Anzac Day, he would always meet up with whoever he could. Because of the damage that was done to his nervous system, he was never able to walk without the aid of a stick, and he was also very fragile on his feet. In fact, as kids, we used to think he was always drunk because he used to be so unsteady - that was a bit unkind of us.
Interestingly, the Australian government put him and a number of other returned soldiers into settlement huts. They were little tin sheds that had dirt floors, no power and a water tank. I am not quite sure what the Australian government thought it was doing for the returned soldiers at that stage because it seemed to me to be such primitive conditions and little reward for the service they had given, particularly for a man who had survived so long as a prisoner of war. Of course, he did not survive for very long in those sorts of living conditions. Eventually, he went to live with my mother’s sister, and later with my mother.
We had this long association with Anzac Day and it was always accepted that on Anzac Day the men were able to go out with their mates, come home with their dozen large bottles of beer and drink and tell stories. Each Anzac Day I try to make sure I am at a service somewhere, and as time goes on you think about it more and more. Somebody asked me the other day why I do not march with the medals of my father and my uncle. It is something I have never thought about. I am going to encourage my grandchildren to do that because I think it would mean a lot more to them.
I commend the RSL in Alice Springs. Their vice president, Basil Caffery, was there. The president, Garth McPherson, was away at the time. There is such a great feeling within that club that perhaps we do tend to overlook and take them a little bit for granted. It is important we say to them: ‘Well done. Yes, you are doing a great service for Australia and you are doing a great service for the young people’. Even though we know they are not glorifying war, they are making us remember that we really do live in one of the best countries in the world. The freedom we enjoy today, and so many other people around the world would like to enjoy as we do, is due to what happened many years ago to people like my father and uncle who were prepared to put their hands up for Australia. That is great.
I was pleased to be able to organise a group of Air Force personnel to go to Braitling Primary School, which, like many schools, holds an Anzac Day ceremony. At Braitling, it is always the Student Council that runs the assembly. It is lovely to see these young people out the front and the whole school gathered in front of them. They control them so well. Each class had made a wreath to lay at the bottom of the flag pole. They were all different wreaths. Some of them were poppies; some were hands in a wreath formation; and others were very colourful flowers they had made. The Air Force officers were quite taken with the fact that these young people ran the assembly, placed the wreaths and stood to attention. They sang the anthem and did all the things in a way that perhaps you do not often see primary students do. I also know they then went on to the School of the Air in Alice Springs and gave a speech to the School of the Air children.
It is great that the service people who come to Alice Springs are willing to give of their time to visit the schools and speak to the young children.
I must make mention of the two pipers who played the bagpipes, George Brown and Ron Ross. George and Ron are not young any more. I remember them years ago when they led the pipe band. They share it together because, as they say, it is not easy to play the bagpipes at their age and if they take it in turn they can usually last the whole service. To see these two elderly gentlemen still playing the bagpipes is incredible. They must both be in their 80s from what I can remember. I thank George Brown and Ron Ross for their contribution to a very good service on Anzac Hill.
I want to say to everyone in this House that no matter where you are from - I am a fourth generation Australian even though I would say to you that I have a fairly mixed heritage, I am proud to be an Australian - I am particularly proud that we can still remember Anzac Day the way we do. We should not allow it to become the glorification of war because we all get distressed with the wars that are going on in other countries at the moment. As a country, we are extremely fortunate to live the life we live and if we can preserve this life by remembering what has happened in the past and giving thanks then it is a great thing. Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I finally want to say: ‘Lest we forget’.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, last week the Northern Territory hosted a mid-term meeting conference of ACPAC. You might well ask: what is ACPAC? By way of background …
A member: What is ACPAC?
Mr KIELY: You may ask. By way of background, the Public Accounts Committees throughout Australia once met on an annual basis to discuss issues of commonality between jurisdictions. In 1989, it was agreed that a Council should be established and should involve more than just Australian jurisdictions and so invitations were given to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji to form part of the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees, or ACPAC.
The mid-term meeting/conference in Alice Springs was held on Wednesday, 26 April, through to Friday, 28 April 2006. There were 37 participants from all Australian jurisdictions as well as New Zealand. The importance of this gathering could be seen by the fact the Western Australia sent six delegates and Queensland sent eight. The conference invited Mrs Betty Pearce, a custodian and the native title holder for the municipality of Alice Springs, to address the participants.
The principal purpose of this mid-term conference is to work in conjunction with the state or territory that is hosting the next major biennial conference to not only determine but also to thoroughly work through proposed agenda items so that all jurisdictions have the ability and time to prepare quality papers for presentation at the upcoming biennial conference.
As the Commonwealth is the host next year, the Northern Territory secretariat has work closely with their officers over the last six months to ensure maximum productivity could be gained during the deliberations of last week. The discussions throughout the conference were robust and fruitful as it is a forum where participants are prepared to stand up and speak their mind depending on how issues affect their particular state or territory, or how government policies may impact on their role as a public accounts committee.
Hosting a successful conference can only be accomplished after the detailed preparation and hard work by the committee secretariat has been completed. I thank, on behalf of our Public Accounts Committee, the staff of the secretariat, in particular, Mr Terry Hanley, Committee Secretary; Renee Remfrey, the Administration Support Officer for the committee; and Jane Gunner who took time out from her role as Executive Assistant to the Clerk to travel to Alice Springs and assist with the day-to-day running of the conference.
There are a number of other people who should also be recognised for providing assistance. In the first instance, I would like to thank Rene Schroeder, Public Relations and Promotions Officer with the Crowne Plaza in Alice Springs, for her assistance in managing the constantly changing accommodation requirements of the delegates. Craig Reed from the Red Centre Office Technology who provided fax and photocopying facilities should also be given a special mention. The Saturday following the closure of the conference was the first day of the Alice Cup weekend, and there were a number of delegates who expressed a desire to take advantage of the Alice Springs weather and hospitality to attend the Saturday race meeting. It was difficult to satisfy requests, but Peter Bailey from Colemans Printing came to the rescue and provided hospitality passes to those participants who wished to attend the race day. Malcolm Richardson from Racing and Gaming and Carley Plume from the Alice Springs Turf Club also provided individual day passes for participants.
The minister for Racing and Gaming was also very generous and extended his hospitality for the conference delegates to attend the pre-cup cocktail function which was held in conjunction with the 25th William Ingliss & Son Red Centre yearling sale.
I had the pleasure of meeting the chairman of the Alice Springs Turf Club, Mr Kevin Hickmont. He is a real crowd pleaser and his welcoming address was unforgettable. To ensure that this is indeed the case he has provided me a copy of his speech. With his permission, in the words of Henry Lawson, verbatim I shall quote him:
As chairman, on behalf of the Alice Springs Turf Club, I welcome all the visitors from other centres of the Territory, and those who
have travelled from interstate and overseas to participate in this great Alice Springs Turf Club racing carnival, in particular in the
last two days - the family fun day on Saturday and the Alice Springs Cup Day on Monday, when some 142 horses will run,
with approximately 600-plus tonne of horse flesh on the move.
I also, in particular, thank all of those people in our local community who are supporting the carnival. As in the song ‘May We Ring
Your Bell’, we have various sponsors and advertisers and we thank them for their support. May the sun smile upon you and
the sandman on the moon give you peaceful sleep.
The Alice Cup Carnival commenced on 15 April for a three-week period and we have already held the Young Guns Day and Ladies
Day which are both very successful days. In particular, this Saturday we have the $40 000 Gillen Club Pioneer Sprint. Who will be
the winner this year? We thank the Gillen Club in sponsoring the famous Pioneer Sprint again for this year, with the carnival concluding
on Monday, 1 May, with the $75 000 XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup. Noting also that this year, the last two races on family fun day will
be broadcast by TVN, along with all the races on the Monday Cup Day. Sky Channel, unfortunately wanting some $90 000 to broadcast for one day - you would think they were a trucking firm in Iraq. This year, for the first time, it is TVN televising our races.
Also, congratulations to Mr Adam Olszanski who took up the reins as our on-course broadcaster earlier after Craig Sant went to the
dogs in Darwin. Adam certainly established a cult following and is now on the picture screen, as he is the new kid on the block at
TVN. Well done, Adam.
It will be a great time at the park, as always, and party, we hope, here tonight at the Racing minister’s reception hosted by the honourable Racing minister, Syd Stirling, so that you are all ready for our 25th William Ingliss & Son Red Centre Yearling Sale to be held here tonight at 8 pm with 19 lots on offer and with the world-class auctioneer in Peter Heagney. He will communicate with us like a rafter of turkeys - if you keep the bids up. Note that since the introduction of our Red Centre Yearling Sales in 1991, yearlings sold have won 703 races and total prize money won by all produce from the yearling sales is $6 090 906. The top 20 have won $2 693 153 and won 202 races.
During the cup carnival we will pay out close to $500 000 in prize money, trophies and bonuses including stud service fees to be won
in the CentreRacing Queen of the Desert Stakes for fillies and mares to be run on cup day, a service with either Lacryma Cristi or
Saithor, courtesy of the Larneuk Stud and, in particular, Mr Neville Murdoch.
It is a happy and exciting industry that we are all part of and living here in the heart of Australia is no different. The red heart of the
horse beats for all of you. So call on the horse to make your body move. Step out to Pioneer Park and sing.
Thank you to the minister for Racing, the Honourable Syd Stirling MLA, for hosting tonight’s reception, and all the best in putting
together the next Territory budget.
Thank you to Mr Michael Lucas and his team in enabling our 25th Red Centre Yearling Sale to be held here tonight at the Alice
Springs Convention Centre.
Also before closing, I also make a special mention of our Chief Steward, Mr Ross Lennox, as this will be Mr Lennox’s last carnival
with the club after being with us for six years; Ross’s first carnival being the year Le Saint won. Thank you, Ross, and may all
go according to the Australian Rules of Racing for the balance of your term. I am sure it is not an easy task to stand on the wall
in a small community maintaining the integrity of racing. All the best to Ross and Sandra.
Also, I wish Mr Andrew O’Toole. our manager, all the best in this being the first carnival here in the Red Heart which Andrew is
bringing together at Pioneer Park in his very individual professional way. All the best, Andrew.
Thank you to everyone. May the cash register continue to ring for you during the rest of the year, the Year of the Dog, 2006.
And our patron, Mr Terry Lillis of CentreRacing, as always is ready to help you wash and feed the dog with some large Afghan Hound
dog ‘odds’ for you and, hopefully, keep you out of the dog house - or some maybe in it.
So enjoy the celebration at the park and may the force of a fast four-legged horse be with you all. Do not forget over the coming days
to say: ‘G’day to your beer, it’s as good as gold mate, XXXX the finest beer’.
Being our 25th yearling sale here tonight, and as the world remembers the 25th anniversary this year of his death, the late John
Lennon may have said: ‘It was like being in the eye of a hurricane, or was it Cyclone Monica – you’d wake up at Pioneer Park and
think, wow, how did I get here? Imagine all the people’.
In closing, I just note some horses names currently racing in the Centre: the Green Machine with the Woodgrain Emily Dash Howdy
Ken Above All Here’s Me Mate with Not Abandoned on the Sunday Punch and Grand Cognac from the Boardroom at Lasseters, Lookatmoy Our Precious Girl the Social Spark You’re On Dangerous Terrain Playing Aka Bilk in Citadels to the Celtic Diane Little
Uma and Getting Lucky by How Fraar as Crowne Pilot drives Greimota to be So Assertive in Going Public with a Wild Will in the
Dignified Woman dressed by the Tailer, She’s Hot Magic with Rusty Eyes get the Le Saint Sacred Shield Catechism Fire Joe
before Sids Eagle, Picayune goes Tan Tat and gets a One Thousand Strong XXXX Gold Can and becomes Jungle King as it’s
a Licenses Gem by the Controller a Grey Honourable Minister – it’s as good as gold, mate.
May the rays of the sun shine upon you and the Yin Yang be with you.
Thank you and God bless you.
Members, you can see why I thought that had to be placed on the Parliamentary Record for posterity. It is quite a mouthful. Full points to Mr Hickmont; I was really impressed. It is unforgettable in the sense that you have heard it once and you will never forget that it was said. I thought those words had to be recorded for posterity.
Everyone who attended the conference in Alice Springs commented on the hospitality provided by the people of Alice Springs, from the shop assistants in the shopping centres where many dollars were spent on taking back souvenirs, to the staff of Madisons at the Alice Springs Desert Park, as well as the wonderful hospitality staff of both the casino and Crowne Plaza. They all became individual ambassadors for Central Australia in their dealings with many of the participants. I heard nothing but good comments on the way the participants of the conference were treated by all those people as well as the greater community of Alice. I am sure word of their ‘ambassadorialship’ will travel far and wide.
I also acknowledge the presence at the conference of the member for Drysdale, and the local member for Greatorex, who were great participants. It was great to have them there and they did a lot of work on the conference as well.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I have a couple of issues to raise tonight that relate specifically to a topic that I have raised many times in this Chamber. It is about the breakdown of law and order in Alice Springs. This morning, during ministerial reports, we heard the minister for transport speak about provision of security guards on our public buses to ensure that bus drivers are protected from offensive and abusive passengers. The bus drivers work in an essential service providing regular and safe transport for passengers. Unfortunately, time and time again, we have passengers who get on board and do everything that they should not do on the bus.
I commend the government for placing those security guards there. It is just unfortunate that we had to go to this extent where social order has broken down and bus drivers now become innocent targets of violent abuse by passengers.
This does not only apply to adults; it also applies to school children. In Alice Springs, for instance, twice a day, the normal town bus service, run by Buslink, assists the school bus contractors, Cobb & Co, with extra passenger space to help get the children to and from school in the mornings and each afternoon as there are not enough Cobb & Co buses to go around. The drivers for the Alice Springs bus service provide services for school children, not specifically as a school bus, but as an assistance to bussing the kids to school. Essentially, the bus remains the Alice Springs Bus Service and they run as if they were a normal bus. Adult passengers who would normally use the bus would still be using the bus during the times when the Alice Springs Bus Service provides transport for the school kids.
There was an incident not so long ago where a bus driver had occasion to try to get some children to settle in the bus. One child, in particular, was being quite difficult with other school kids. The bus driver told the child to settle. He did not. Instead, the child went to the rear of the bus. The bus driver, in attempting to control the large number of school children in the bus, wanted this troublesome young child to sit up the front. As the child was in the rear of the bus, he had to go down to the rear of the bus - after he had parked it, of course - to get the child to come forward. Obviously, there was some discussion, or an argument, I am not sure, about the child moving to the front.
To cut a long story short, the bus driver tried to coax the child forward. Evidently, he put his hand around the child to bring the child forward, but the child resisted so he left the child in the back of the bus. What was said between the child and the bus driver I do not know, and it appeared from that point onwards it went to court. The bus driver was charged with assault, which was then dismissed by the court as there was no case.
Not going into the rights or wrongs of whether the bus driver assaulted the child or whatever, what is now happening is that bus drivers are exposed to large numbers of children on the town bus service. The bus driver, being on his or her own, has to deal with the school kids in the bus. It makes the job very difficult when 30 or 40 children occupy the bus and one or two or more misbehave. How does the bus driver manage all these children? He has to drive the bus in a safe manner, and provide duty of care for the school children on the bus. He has to provide duty of care to his adult passengers as well, and we have a whole bunch of school kids, some of them misbehaving while others are not doing the right thing.
Perhaps the government needs to look at providing a school monitor or a teacher to travel on the bus during those hours when the school kids are being bussed to their respective schools or to take them home. It is a problem. The bus drivers are continually faced with this and it is important the government deals with this seriously. The contractors for the school bus service do not have enough buses to physically get the kids to and from school each day. And because of the need to the use the Alice Springs Bus Service, which has to observe a different set of rules when they carry passengers, it makes it harder for the poor bus driver. This is something the bus drivers would like the government to address – the level of discipline.
The other issue is housing: people in Territory Housing who have continued to suffer with neighbours from hell. You have heard me speak about it previously when you have neighbours in Territory Housing accommodation. A more difficult problem is when you have people living in high-density accommodation such as the Kurringal Flats. Time and time again you get people complaining about their neighbours who not only do not maintain their property in the manner they are supposed to as tenants of Territory Housing, but also the antisocial behaviour that takes place within those flats at Kurringal.
I have a letter here which I am sure the Chief Minister has herself. It is a letter written by a particular person to the Northern Territory Ombudsman. He wrote to me as well and asked me to raise it in parliament. I want to read this in its entirety, and I seek leave to table it after that. It is addressed to me:
[Editor's Note: Contents of letter expunged by order of the Speaker].
He signed it with his name, his phone number and his Post Office Box number.
I seek leave to table this document.
Leave granted.
Dr LIM: Thank you, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker.
That is the problem. There are neighbours from hell like this. The neighbours have complained over and over again. Authorities commence action and then for some reason or another, the whole thing falls over. Whether this accusation is absolutely correct or not, I am not here to judge; I am putting the man’s views to this Chamber.
What I know for a fact is that there are many flats, such as the one he talks about, which have tenants who should not be there. They should be evicted aggressively so that others can live in peace in their own accommodation. Otherwise, for the sake of one resident or one small family, the lives of half a dozen to a dozen families around the premises in question get absolutely disrupted. I do not think that is acceptable at all. It is time this government acts on these neighbours from hell.
Mr NATT (Drysdale): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, appropriately on 1 April, my wife and I were invited to participate in the Palmerston Australia Day Fashion Parade. The evening was a fun evening enjoyed by about 60-odd people. It was well run and organised by Judy Joyce and Donna Quong. The Bakewell Primary School was the venue for the show in the school’s assembly and stage area. Those participating in the parade - of which my wife and I were a couple and my colleague, the member for Blain also - had to spend $5 at the Op Shop. Without painting too vivid a picture, the sights to behold were very comical and somewhat embarrassing, but it was for a good cause. Needless to say, we did not figure in the winner’s circle, but it was good fun and there was plenty of laughter coming from the audience.
The evening wear and the casual wear sections of the parade were a little more sedate and well received and well supported by Ed Harry Menswear, Target and Noni B in the Palmerston Shopping Centre. It was great to see the young Irish Dance Troupe from Palmerston perform a couple of Riverdance jigs and reels. The troupe engaged some very young boys and girls who were, no doubt, in the primary school system up to young men and women in their mid-teens. The performances were very energetic, well rehearsed and choreographed, and their authentic costumes were bright and colourful.
All in all, it was a great night which my wife and I enjoyed, along with my 10 guests for the evening. My congratulations to Judy and her devoted husband, Rod, for their tireless efforts to pull the evening together. Congratulations also to Donna for her support to Judy. I must not forget the Palmerston Australia Day Committee for their support and tireless ongoing work in the region. Many volunteers assisted on the night at the door, on the bar, and at the barbecue, and it was great to see the interaction of those assisting. It would be remiss of me also not to mention all of the people who supported the evening with their attendance and, of course, the volunteer models who strutted their stuff down the catwalk on that evening.
On Friday, 21 April, I had a great deal of pleasure attending the Kormilda College stage production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. The tale of Beauty and the Beast has been around for several centuries, and experts have traced similar stories as far back as the 2nd century AD. Kormilda’s production was a fairytale revolving around the age-old story of liberation through true love.
This production undertaken by the students and supported by the college staff was nothing short of fantastic. The students undertook every aspect of the production. They acted, they danced, they sang, they played instruments, and undertook all the scene changes and backdrop construction – a huge effort to say the least, by a very dedicated group of individuals. I understand the entourage had been rehearsing since December last year. This meant that the actors, musicians and support crew worked through their school holidays to ensure the production’s success.
I would like to acknowledge a few individuals for the roles they played in the success of this theatrical extravaganza: Jen McCulloch was the creative director of the production and needs to be commended for her diligence and attention to detail. Jen has been at the college since mid-2005 teaching performing arts and has more recently been involved in directing performances in the Northern Territory Fashion Awards, Darwin Eisteddfod and the Corrugated Iron Youth Theatre productions. She believes the performance process provides real world learning experiences which enables students to experience success - and that they did with this performance. Congratulations, Jen, on a wonderful job.
The musical director was Leanne Smales. Leanne coordinated the college’s orchestra, which consisted of 20 talented musicians who backed the stage production with confidence and expertise. Leanne comes to the Territory with a wealth of experience and a passion to teach others. Since arriving in 2005, she has been involved with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Australian Army Band in Darwin, Quintessential and the Darwin Theatre Company and Chorale and she has been a force behind the success of this production. Well done to Leanne and her band of musicians.
The performing arts teacher at Kormilda, Estacia Lynn, was the choreographer of the entire production and had to oversee several scenes and coordinate in excess of 60 or so cast members and crew. Estacia has an extensive and diverse background in dance and music, and has performed in roles and productions such as Pinocchio, The Wiz and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat. Her experience showed extensively on the night and congratulations must be extended to her for her dedication to the production.
It was particularly pleasing to see the array of extremely talented youths who undertook roles in the extravaganza. From what I can ascertain from the booklet produced for the show, approximately 22 students had speaking roles, 21 students performed in the chorus, 15 students undertook the dancing roles, and the crew consisted of 50-odd students, parents and teachers, undertaking such roles as make-up artists, costume design and construction, acting coaches, and they even had babysitters on hand to help out. What an extravaganza of huge proportions.
I particularly acknowledge Sam Cameron and Victoria Treacy who undertook the lead roles of the Beast and Belle. Their acting and singing roles were outstanding, and they maintained wonderful composure throughout the two hour performance. They are a couple of very talented youths with an extraordinary future in front of them. Well done to them both. It is a wonderful, professional and outstanding production.
I would like to name all of the main actors on the evening. However, it would extend my speaking time greatly so, with your permission, I seek leave to table the production booklet that was made available on the evening to the guests.
Leave granted.
Mr NATT: The booklet names all of those involved in the Beauty and the Beast production and provides a short resume of all the actors.
I am sure the college would also like me to support their heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the show, Paspaley Pearls, the Toga Group, who are the developers of the Darwin City Waterfront, FCL Transport, All Financial Services and Boral Formwork and Scaffolding. As everyone knows, to put on an extravagant show such as this, the school coffers would be drained very quickly. I, too, would like to thank these sponsors for their support of the college’s art programs and hope they continue to do so in the future.
It is congratulations and well done to everyone, the students, the staff, management of Kormilda College and parents. It was a great evening, enjoyed by record crowds over the four shows, and a tribute to the professionalism of the staff and students involved. I recommend to everyone in the House to attend future productions of the performing arts students at the Kormilda College. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, last night, I had the good fortune to attend an historic event, that being the last official function of the Women’s Golfing of the Northern Territory. Women’s Golfing of the Northern Territory has now been amalgamated under Golfing Northern Territory; men and women are now amalgamated into one body for the first time. I went along because I had supported the championships which were hosted at the Palmerston Club, and I was in for a real treat. When you hear the stories of people who have served women’s golfing for so long in the Northern Territory, I was impressed and moved to include some of their stories into the Parliamentary Record for posterity.
On the night, they spoke of an honour board and listed those who had made significant contributions to women’s golf in the Northern Territory. They started off in fine form by acknowledging the services of Audrey Kennon. The amalgamation that had occurred this month brings the close of an era, and that is of Audrey Kennon’s presence on a golf committee. Her last role, and that of the association delegate for the NT Senior Women’s Golfers Association, came to an end at the AGM on Friday, 28 April 2006. This ended her services to the golf committee, spanning 57 years. In receiving this honour, she was unable to accept because she had made plans to be on a cruise with her husband, Stan. They had planned to cruise to Singapore and Vietnam for Stan’s 90th birthday. They had planned that 12 months before, but Stan was not able to go. So it has taken 12 months, and now, with her husband 91 years of age and Audrey 86 years of age, they are on a cruise and she was unable to be there to see her great service acknowledged. Audrey is widely recognised as a pioneer of women’s golf in Darwin. She joined the Darwin Golf Club in 1948, and is still an active member 58 years later, playing nine holes on most Tuesdays.
Also acknowledged on the night was Marion Johnstone. Marion has been involved in the administration side of golf since soon after joining the Darwin Golf Club in the late 1960s, becoming handicapper and, subsequently, women’s captain. It was after the club moved from Fannie Bay to Marrara that Marion began Sunday classes for junior boys and girls, to which she dedicated many hours for many years teaching the etiquette and rudiments of the game of golf. Many of her protgs have gone on to successful careers in golf.
There was acknowledgement of Helen Koch. Helen has been a very valuable member of the Darwin Golf Club since she joined in 1981. Apart from a term as women’s vice captain, she was the official trophy buyer for the club for many years. This flowed on to the NT association and Helen has been involved in the buying of trophies for many NT Opens.
Val Durand has been a dedicated and tireless worker during her 26 years as a member of the Darwin Golf Club. She spent many years on various committees including assisting with the juniors and four years as women’s captain.
Val Ingram is a real stalwart of the Darwin Golf Club. She joined the club in 1983 and, within a few years, took the role of women’s handicapper. She still holds this position after nearly 20 years and has now been extended to club handicapper.
Since taking up golf 17 years ago, Tricia Clarke has been a great advocate of fairness and camaraderie, and has been a stabilising influence in women’s golf. One of the first things she did during her six years as women’s captain at Darwin Golf Club was to ensure equal playing rights for women.
Celia Otley was also recognised on the night. Celia spent five years as secretary and treasurer for the NT Women’s Golf Association. Her efficiency made everything very easy for those working with her, and she has made organising the Pennant competitions and NT Opens look simple. For many years, she organised the 9 Hole Business Women’s competition at the Darwin Golf Club.
Deanne Battersby has been described as a legend of the RAAF Golf Club. In the early years of the club, Deanne took on the roles of captain and handicapper and, with her encouragement and nurturing of new members, was responsible for the growth and wellbeing of the club.
Pat McMahon was instrumental in the promotion and development of women’s golf in Alice Springs. In particular, Pat was a strong advocate in ensuring the status of women and the women’s captain role being maintained. Pat has contributed many years to golf, in which she has held the role of women’s captain and that of committee member.
Wendy Butler was a foundation member and a driving force in establishing the Humpty Doo golf course. She was ladies captain for seven years between 1987 and 1993, worked tirelessly arranging numerous working bees and planting fairways and other aspects of the course that we see today in Humpty Doo, and a great fund raiser.
Lesley Clayton is also a foundation member and a driving force in the establishment of the Humpty Doo Golf Club. Along with Wendy, she spent many years fundraising and arranging social events to make Humpty Doo what it is today. Lesley was Humpty Doo’s first club delegate for women’s golf in the Northern Territory in 1991.
Upon joining the Humpty Doo Golf Club in 1992, Ricci McLoughlin soon became very actively involved in women’s golf issues. She took on the role of delegate to the NT Association and has continued in this role for 12 years, making her the longest serving member of the association. She has been a very active and popular member of the association, resulting in her unanimous elevation to the position of vice president when the chair became vacant mid-year 2005.
Since joining the Gove Golf Club 10 years ago, Glenys Cummings’ enthusiasm and initiative has not only seen an amazing increase in the number of women playing golf in Gove, but has also seen representatives travelling to the NT Open in both Darwin and Alice Springs, and last year saw them enter the Interclub Pennant Competition for the first time.
Then there was the acknowledgement of past presidents and the patron, and I will save the patron for last - that was another treat. I will quickly list these, because as a way of marking the end of an era, not that it will be the end of women’s golf but it will be in a different form, and all this history which was mentioned at the Palmerston Golf Club last night will have another life, hopefully, well read in Hansard.
Past Presidents: Liz Palmer: 1991 to 1995, the inaugural president of Women’s’ Golf Northern Territory. She began playing golf in the late 1960s when the Darwin Golf Club was at Fannie Bay.
Jenny Cooper: 1996 to 2000. The golfing side of things were running pretty smoothly. Jenny set about improving the financial position of the association and she obtained some very lucrative sponsorship deals which included Paspaley Pearls, Ansett Airlines and Bridgestone just to name a few. She changed the fortunes of the club from $5000 in the bank to $35 000 in her time.
Val Smith: 2001 to 2002. Val was one of the better golfers and has represented the NT on numerous occasions. She is one of those good golfers and sporting folk who decided to put something back in terms of service as a president.
Pam Moir: 2003 to 2005. Pam began as Palmerston’s delegate before taking on the role of association handicapper, then on to president of the association. She lifted the bar when she organised the first NT Open to be held at Palmerston, with the presentation dinner being voted the best yet with the finishing touches of a professional and the introduction of a brilliant PowerPoint display of photos and results.
Robyn Vincent: 2005 to 2006, and in this form as the President of Women’s’ Golf Northern Territory, the last, because under the amalgamation there will be a different structure. As Robyn was the vice president when Pam resigned, she was not given a choice but immediately elevated to president. In true Robyn-style, she took up the responsibilities and since has given her all to women’s golf in the Northern Territory.
Congratulations to all those who have been mentioned. It is impressive to hear the stories of these citizens who have made a generous contribution to their sport.
A real treat was to learn of the story of the patron of Women’s Golf Northern Territory, Toini Norman, Greg Norman’s mother. Greg Norman was a great fan of all women golfers and they learned of the important role that the mum plays in Greg’s success as a golfer. She is also an accomplished golfer. Toini was invited to be the patron and she was in attendance last night. She has attended most of the NT Opens during the past nine years. She gave a lovely speech and donated one of Greg Norman’s limited edition Waterford Crystal sharks as the Patron’s Perpetual Trophy, which is awarded each year to the handicap champion. It was really cute to see the winner being presented with this precious crystal shark. You are only allowed to have it photographed; they were not allowed to take it home or take it from the table, do not drop it and all that sort of stuff, so it is a real icon.
It really topped it off beautifully, because Toini spoke in a way that was very humble. She is a genuine person. As an inspiration to me as a bloke who lives very close to a golf course but does not play, Toini turns 75 in a couple of weeks time and she still walks the course. She is currently playing off a 14 handicap, and is in such good shape. It is a true inspiration to see the quality of these sorts of people that make a difference in our community.
So my congratulations, and I am sure I have the well wishes of the members of this Chamber in recognising the work of these members of the Women’s Golf Northern Territory, the past presidents, the patron and those who have been mentioned or recorded on the board of honour.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to speak about the current status of cane toads in the rural area. I know I gave a quite dour and downtrodden sort of approach to the whole thing back in February, and that is because I really did feel that way about the whole scenario of cane toads taking over the Top End of the Northern Territory. At that time, yes, that was exactly how I felt, but I am pleased to say there have been a couple of things which have made my views change a little. I guess it comes down to the fact that I spent quite a number of nights driving home through Mandorah during the week, and monitored the cane toad situation since the start of the Wet Season.
Towards the start of the early part of the Wet Season, they were just east of the Blackmore River which is probably about 70 km-odd from Mandorah. There were quite a few of them - they seemed to be everywhere - and from then there was just nothing. I do not know whether the Blackmore River was an impediment or a barrier to them, but they had not progressed beyond there. A few more weeks went by and I did not see any. Then I saw them at the mango farm a bit further down the road.
I move forward now to about mid-February when I last spoke on the subject. The cane toads were within 40 km of Mandorah. It was a bit of a shock to see them progress that close to Mandorah, and not see them in between. I do not know why they have gaps in their presence, but their progress has certainly been quite dramatic.
I am a bit sad to report that my last sighting was on the Mandorah side of Belyuen. The people of Belyuen say they have not actually arrived at Belyuen, but I saw two of them - in fact, I ran over one. That group are now less than 10 km from Mandorah. I still cannot come to grips with how fast these things can move. How do they move that far in such a short time? I have not come to grips with that. However, they have and I accept the fact.
However, on the brighter side, there have been some things that have made me feel a little better about the whole thing. Driving home at night and to work in the morning, you see different things. One of the things I have seen most recently was a whistling kite eating a toad carcass. It was quite incredible to see that this kite had turned the toad over. I had heard of crows doing it, but this kite had turned over the cane toad and was devouring it. It is not as if they do not learn how to do it. I do not know how they learn - whether it is those that survive learn how to do it, or whether it is those that are intelligent enough to work this out. Anyway, that was quite pleasing to see.
At night time, I still see quite a number of snakes on the road, so I assume that all the dire predictions about them eating cane toads and dying is not quite true. I am still seeing the same number of snakes; I do not think there is any reduction in those along the Cox Peninsula Road. I even saw a quoll at the Blackmore River two weeks ago. I am sure the member for Daly would appreciate that because he has plenty of quolls in his area. To see them still surviving is quite enlightening.
I said in my February speech that we can make a difference and I stick by that - we certainly can. I am pleased to report that we are making a difference. Clearly, people power is working - and more precisely, rural people power. We are making a significant difference to the march of these insidious creatures.
I reported in February that we were going to have our Not In My Back Yard Rally in March, and now we have held that rally. It continued over a whole week, and there was quite a considerable turnout in the rural area. In fact, it was widely reported in the media because it was a very successful week. Every night, I attended one of the rallies and was encouraged by the people who are really keen to do something about it, and felt that they could do something. The benefit of the whole process was that people were learning that if they try to make a bit of an island ark in their own area, some of the native species such as frogs and the insects could survive. Then, when we come up with a biological solution to the cane toads, they can expand from these areas. It is quite hard, and people appreciate that and they understood the whole process.
Today, I received a media release from FrogWatch; it re-emphasises what I have just been talking about. These are the guys who are monitoring the whole situation, Graeme Sawyer and Paul Cowdy. They are saying that the rural people have been giving the cane toads a real hammering. Even despite the heavy rainfalls that we have had in the Top End this year - in fact, the heaviest rainfalls for more than 50 years - the toads advance into Palmerston and Darwin is being held back, and it is really being held back by what we are doing in the rural area. In the past three months, 789 toads have been dropped into the toad detention centre at Freds Pass. Last Sunday week, 250 toads were picked up from a bin in one day. That is quite incredible. Over that period, where they have had the bins, that relates to about 20 toads a day. From a slow start, it has shown that these toad bins are of real value. Let us hope we see more in the rural area, and in Palmerston and Darwin.
The interesting aspect of the count they did from the toad detention centre was the high percentage of females; in fact, two thirds of them were females. They put that down to the fact that the females stay in the higher country, where they seem to be caught in people’s back yards, whereas, during the Not In My Back Yard toad busting days, most of them were males. That is because males tend to congregate in the breeding areas around the dams and such. They believe that the females stay in high country until they reach breeding age, then they go down to the dams where they catch up with the males and, of course, we get more toad tadpoles than toads.
To give you some idea of what potential impact they can have, 100 females have the potential to produce six million eggs a year; that is quite astronomical when you think about it. Throughout their life span, the females can lay half a million eggs; quite a frightening aspect. However, a very small percentage survive to maturity, and I guess that is a bit of good news in the whole story. If you understand those sorts of numbers, you understand why places like Darwin can be overrun. However, we have to keep trying.
Another way the community is intervening in the life span of several hundred toads every day is through the toad trapping process and the traps the government is subsidising. Apparently that has been very good. We do not have good records on that, but we believe it must be having a significant effect, because we cannot just have people running them over and doing things like that.
It comes back to the fact that, because the rural block holders have gone out there and made a concerted effort in the whole process, they have really got stuck into it, that we are in a position where we can say we do not have the toads arriving as we expected in Darwin, although Palmerston is at the forefront now. I am pleased to say that they are meeting strong resistance in the Palmerston area by the Palmerston residents.
I am also pleased that the Treasurer announced that the government is looking at funding $280 000 in the continued fight against the insidious cane toads. However, the sad news is that the federal government has not yet taken up our call to provide significant funding for the cane toad fight. They promised about $3m, but that is about it. They could spend $85m on the fire ants in Queensland, but they cannot spend that sort of money to help eradicate the cane toad.
I will leave on that sad note. I am really heartened by what the people in the rural area and now Palmerston – the member for Drysdale will appreciate that - are doing. The people in Darwin can be very grateful for the fact the cane toads are not in their area en masse because of what the people in the rural area have done, and the people in Palmerston are doing.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016