2009-06-11
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Mr Neville Perkins OAM, former member for Macdonnell and Deputy Labor Leader in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1977 to 1981. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received from His Honour the Administrator Message No 10 notifying assent to bills passed in the April/May sittings of the Assembly.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I report on the Barunga Sports and Cultural Festival held over the weekend. It was my privilege to open the annual festival, which is now in its 24th year. The Minister for Regional Development and local member, Karl Hampton, was with me at the event, as well as the Minister for Children Families, Malarndirri McCarthy.
This government has supported the festival for many years. This year, we provided some $60 000 in grants and assistance, including an Indigenous Business Development Program grant to the Jawoyn Association to assist with marketing, promotion and staff training. The training is designed to help the Jawoyn Association in their goal to get local people skilled in website development and other electronic media activities.
This government will continue to support Barunga. We recognise the festival is one of the most important Indigenous festivals on the calendar. It is well-known for its sporting competitions, art and cultural displays, and music. Dozens of men’s and women’s sporting teams from many parts of the Territory participate in the sports events which include football, basketball and softball. The sports were quite a spectacle, played on lush green fields and, in the case of basketball, a covered court which produced a great atmosphere.
The cultural activities included an art competition, didgeridoo making, bush medicine walks, dreamtime story telling and traditional dancing. The particular musical highlight this year was the appearance by our own Jessica Mauboy.
This year’s festival theme was Smart Kids, Proud Culture. As Education minister, Chief Minister, and a parent, this message had a particular resonance for me. All of our kids have a right to an education so they can make choices later in life. We are determined to close the gap on indigenous education to improve the standards of reading, writing, and maths achieved by Indigenous children. We are providing better facilities in remote communities, more teachers, and better support for schools. A key part of this strategy is getting kids to attend school in the bush. The aim is to lift attendance rates from approximately 60% to 90%.
I applaud the festival and the Jawoyn Association for their theme Smart Kids, Proud Culture. I also mention Anita Camfoo the Indigenous Principal at Barunga school. She delivered a stirring speech at the opening of the festival about the importance of getting Indigenous kids to school and teaching English, maths, and other skills to them. Anita also stressed the importance of getting more Indigenous teachers into our classrooms. I agree - and not only teachers but principals like Anita as well. As I said at the time, we need hundreds more Anitas. It really was a very powerful speech from a very powerful and strong woman.
Another theme at the festival this year centred on road safety. Local Indigenous bands performed songs they had written about road safety as part of the festival’s Road Safety Song Competition. The competition promotes awareness about responsible driving, passenger and pedestrian behaviour, drink-driving, seat belts, speeding, and overcrowding in vehicles. We need to continue to get this message across to not only Indigenous communities but the wider community, and reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roads. The Territory government supports this part of the festival through the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
On behalf of the government, I thank the Jawoyn Association and the Barunga township for their organisation and support of the festival. It is a great event which attracts visitors from around Australia to the Top End of the Territory. It gives people an insight into Indigenous culture and the attractions of the Top End. As such, it is an important regional development instrument for the Barunga and Katherine region. It also attracts visitors who go on to visit other parts of the Territory.
The festival is an alcohol- and drug-free event enjoyed by thousands of Territorians and visitors each year. The fact that it has been going so strongly over many years is a tribute to its original inspiration from the late Bangardi Lee. It is also a tribute to the local community and the Jawoyn Association as the representative of traditional owners. I thank all the other supporters and sponsors and, particularly, recognise the contribution of the participants - many who travelled hundreds of kilometres - and visitors who make the event such a success every year.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for his ministerial report this morning on the Barunga Festival.
I was fortunate to get to Barunga again this year. It is the only years since I actually left the Katherine region that I was not able to get to the festival. I have been to quite a few of them, starting in the heady days of the late 1980s. I recall Barunga as it was back then. It was a fairly rough place. I take my hat off to the people of Barunga and the Jawoyn Association for advancing their community so significantly over the 20 or more years that I have been associated with the people of that area.
I was fortunate, as I mentioned in this House before, to have worked as a police officer there. I was accepted into family there and share a skin name with a man who is regarded as, probably, the driving force behind what the Jawoyn Association is today; that is, Bangardi Lee. He was an inspiration to the people of Barunga and the Jawoyn people as a whole. His legacy lives on through the Barunga Festival and the many positive aspects that now pervade the Jawoyn people, including their Nitmiluk Tours, which is a business enterprise that is proving itself to be at the cutting edge of Indigenous business and enterprise in the Northern Territory.
The Barunga Festival was an excellent event, well supported by the songs of Jessica Mauboy, whom I met after the show. Madam Speaker, I wish the Jawoyn Association of Barunga every success in future shows they will have.
Mr HAMPTON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, I report on another iconic event, the Arafura Games. Since its inception in 1991, the Arafura Games has become a real Territory success story.
In 1991, seven countries took part and, in 2009, we had 47 countries vying for gold. This year, there were 27 sports, including eight Paralympic sports. We also had the introduction of Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand, and around 1200 spectators came along to watch it. I visited most sports and enjoyed watching the Paralympics in swimming, and Territory athletes in basketball, volleyball, tenpin bowling, squash, and many other sports. Over 30 sporting venues were used around Darwin, Palmerston and beyond. Our new wave pool was definitely a hit with the surf lifesaving events being held there, while the convention centre was used for Sepak Takraw and badminton.
The Arafura Games is an enormous event, and it takes a team of more than 1000 people to make it a success. Most of these people were volunteers, with some as young as 10, and the oldest being 88 years of age. I have thanked them all before and I am very happy to thank them again for all their hard work.
I also acknowledge the 30 corporate sponsors who provided approximately $750 000 in financial assistance. Some of these sponsors, such as Casuarina Square, Darwin City Council, Coca-Cola, Foster’s, Darwin International Airport, and Parmalat have supported the games since its inception in 1991. The games provide an economic boost to the local economy, estimated at around $6m. Our restaurants, retailers, and tourism operators enjoyed the stimulus to our local economy, with more than 5000 people, including 2900 athletes, out and about enjoying the Territory’s unique lifestyle.
Another highlight of the week was the International Sports Conference, which I had the pleasure of opening. This conference has become part of the landscape of the Arafura Games. It gives sporting administrators and officials the chance to share knowledge and exchange information in the ever-changing world of sports development and science. The importance of sharing this knowledge, right from the elite level to the grassroots levels of sport, should not be underestimated.
The International Paralympic Committee Women in Sports Summit was an exciting new initiative at this year’s sports conference. Ms Louise Sauvage OAM was a keynote speaker for the event. Ms Sauvage has reached the pinnacle of her chosen sport and she generously passed on valuable experiences and knowledge to the audience. Other topics included sports science, and sports and development, and I am confident that participants gained valuable knowledge to share when they return home to their countries. The impression I got was that everyone enjoyed the two-day conference and are looking forward to the next one in 2011.
The Major Events company should also be congratulated. This is the first time that Major Events has organised the Arafura Games. I congratulate Paul Cattermole, Tiffany Manzie and the rest of the team for their efforts. An event this size is a huge undertaking, and preparations are already under way for 2011. The Arafura Games is now firmly entrenched on our neighbours’ calendars and, with the international coverage the event has received in the media, the national and international newspapers, radio stations and TV channels covering the games, the interest and attendance for the games will just keep on growing.
Madam Speaker, It was a fantastic week. I look forward to the Arafura Games in 2011, which I know will be even bigger and better as the Territory government continues to support this iconic event.
Mr BOHLIN (Drysdale): Madam Speaker, I thank the Sports minister for his comments. He is right in saying that the Arafura Games is a fantastic event. I had much pleasure going to some of the sports events, and had the honour of presenting three medal presentations: basketball, lawn bowls, and shooting. Being ex-military and ex-police, I was able to understand the ethos behind the shooting competition, and very much enjoyed my time with those people at Mickett Creek, which is a fantastic venue. Whilst presenting medals to many people who deserved to win, I had a man kiss me during a presentation - very concerning - but it was all in fun and everyone had a great time. This shows the type of games we have and the fun that can be had whilst being serious.
At the basketball, it was great for me to be able to present to a female team from the Northern Territory which won gold. They did a great job, as did many other athletes. The lawn bowls was fantastic; unfortunately, another man kissed me at lawn bowls during the presentation! Why, I am not sure, but everyone had fun.
A lovely lady from overseas, from the island nations, presented me with a gift when presenting her with a gift. These games were full of beautiful people who care about the Territory, who love coming here, and who love their sport. It was a great experience for me. I know everyone who came participated in the games with great spirit.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I enjoyed the sports events I attended at the Arafura Games. I also went to Mickett Creek to present some medals for the shooting. I did not get kissed, member for Drysdale. It was a great event.
I did notice in some sports, they were down on the number of countries attending. That happened at some of the shooting events. Perhaps, because of the economic crisis, some of the countries wanted to stay for the games at Kuala Lumpur this year. I do not know how you can get around that. However, that was feedback that I received.
I also went to the shooting at the TEPSL site past Acacia. There were many people involved in that as well. I went to the medal presentation night and, because they combined some of their own championships with the Arafura Games, I shook hands with winners for about three hours that night. I got to know more about shooting over the course of the Arafura Games.
It is a great event and, more importantly, you get to meet people from other nations, especially nations close by. We had Irish competitors in the boxing, and I enjoyed that. There is a bit of Irish blood in me - it was very good. It is important to encourage more of our near neighbour nations to come to the Territory. It is good for Territorians to meet those people, but it is also good for them to see how a democratic place like the Northern Territory operates. For those countries that do not have the freedoms that we have, it is a good chance for them to see what opportunities we have in the Northern Territory, and how grateful we should be for the democratic society we live in.
Mr HAMPTON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his support and the member for Drysdale for sharing his experiences. I am aware of the issues the member for Nelson has raised, through the Heads of Delegation meetings that we had during the week, and also when I went to Macau, China, this year for the Heads of Delegation Meetings. These issues are very close to their heart as well. We are looking at a different format to host these Heads of Delegation meetings. The Henderson government is committed to working closely with our neighbours throughout Asia, East Asia and the Pacific.
I acknowledge Papua New Guinea, particularly, which was the country with the most athletes at these games. I also acknowledge Indonesia and Macau, China. We are committed to developing strong relationships with our Asian neighbours, and sport is a very important vehicle to do that.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Speaker, I report on my recent trip to China, leading a delegation as part of the government’s China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy.
I led the delegation to China, accompanied by five departmental and 10 industry representatives from Toro Energy, Central Petroleum, Austwide Mining, CSA Global, SRA Corporation, and Clayton Utz. Between 10 and 16 May 2009, we visited Nanjing and Shanghai. After the Chinese leg of the visit, a delegation led by my ministerial colleague, Dr Chris Burns, with five departmental advisors and eight industry representatives, travelled to Tokyo between 18 and 20 May.
The Northern Territory government’s China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy is the envy of other Australian jurisdictions and is delivering real results and jobs for Territorians. The visit has made it clear that the Northern Territory maintains its competitive advantage in the Chinese market over other Australian jurisdictions, as we are the only jurisdiction that actively collates and promotes local exploration projects for investors. This initiative enabled the team to match a number of Chinese companies to specific commodity interests.
Last November, when the team visited China, a special book was developed that provided one- to two-page outlines of over 20 projects. For this visit to China and Japan, over 30 exploration projects were collated.
We travelled by train from Shanghai to Nanjing, which is a trip of 300 km. The view from the train was of one big construction site. China has been affected by the global downturn, but it still has economic growth of around 6%. In Nanjing I met with Li Xiaomin, the Vice Governor of the Jiangsu provincial government. Jiangsu Province has around 74 million people and is one of the riches provinces in China. Its capital, Nanjing, is home to some of China’s biggest private and public investment companies.
In Nanjing, I also met with the East China Exploration and Development Bureau which recently signed a joint venture agreement with Arafura Resources to invest $24m to obtain 25% shareholding. The city of Nanjing in China and the community of Ti Tree in Central Australia could not be more different, but now they have a connection. Investment from the East China Exploration and Development Bureau will create real jobs in Ti Tree.
In Shanghai, the delegation presented to a large group of investors. The Territory ran the first-ever Northern Territory investment seminar in Shanghai, attracting over 40 people. The seminars were hosted by Shanghai, Jiangxi Chamber of Commerce and the Shanghai Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce. The Territory currently has a cooperation agreement with the China Chamber of Commerce Metals and Minerals and China Mining Association, and a memorandum of understanding with the China Development Bank. The new relationship established with the Shanghai, Jiangxi and Wenzhou Chambers of Commerce expands our presence into east China and increases the Territory’s network significantly.
The trips to both China and Japan were very successful. Several agreements between Territory mining operations and Chinese investors are on the brink of being formalised, and there will be delegations from both countries in the Territory in the near future to follow up on contracts made during this visit. I can positively say that there will be new explorers and mining operations in the Territory as a direct result of this visit, something that in these difficult financial times will be very good for the Territory.
Last week, we had the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Mr Zhang Junsai, in town. I met with him five times at various events, meetings and functions. He reiterated the great potential for China and the Territory to cooperate on resources. We talked about investments made to date, and also the enormous opportunities.
Under the Henderson government, the Territory is open for business and our relationship with China is stronger than ever.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for Resources for his report, and welcome the comments he made in relation to the Northern Territory pursuing markets in China for the mineral wealth of the Northern Territory. If the people of the Northern Territory should ever call upon the Country Liberals to govern them at some time in the future, I provide, at this point, my assurances that we are also supportive of efforts to bring China on board, as are we supportive of efforts to bring other countries, besides China, on board as far as investing in the Northern Territory.
The assertions made from across the Chamber that we are not supportive of large projects - particularly mining and energy projects - are untrue. I have heard in the past the Chief Minister banging on about the Country Liberals not supporting INPEX. That is not true. I hope the government continues to walk the talk, rather than just talk the talk. I say this because the evidence I see that this government is willing to walk the talk does not stand up to scrutiny, given how they handled the appalling matter of McArthur River Mine, and the very little they did to further the issues arising from the problems with the original approval for the mine, as they arose.
I can assure people I will be keeping a close eye on developments across the mining sector, particularly in relation to investment from overseas markets in China. I welcome the minister’s comments.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his comments. I appreciate his support for our China mining strategy. I am very pleased the CLP has, all of a sudden, discovered China because, until now, they only knew about Taipei and Taiwan.
China is hungry for resources; we have resources, and we are very close to China. I would rather they take their resources from here than Western Australia because, as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said: ‘You cannot trust Western Australians’.
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: I can say that because I am an ex-Western Australian; probably the Leader of the Opposition feels the same.
We have been working hard in China. You only have to open the newspaper today; there are eight stories about mining in the Territory, and many of these stories have come as a direct result of our China strategy.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
Mr GILES (Braitling)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I present a petition, not conforming to standing orders, from 443 petitioners relating to traditional owners’ control of country without the Central Land Council. Madam Speaker, I move that the petition be read.
Motion agreed to; petition read.
Mr CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members the response to petition No 8 has been received and circulated to honourable members. A text of the response will be placed on the Legislative Assembly website. A copy of the response will be provided to the member who tabled the petition for distribution to petitioners:
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have given my leave for the member for Braitling to make a personal explanation. I remind you that a personal explanation is usually listened to in silence. It is not a debate.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I make a personal explanation against comments that were directed against me on 7 May 2009 by the member for Macdonnell in the debate on the Appropriation Bill. She was referring to my proposal to build boarding schools in large remote locations. During this debate, the member for Macdonnell made the assertion that, by my approach to providing increased school facilities in the bush, I would be taking the children away. She said: ‘I reiterate that he has said he will remove children’. This is completely untrue, and an abhorrent statement to make. I reject it absolutely.
The approach of the Country Liberals is to increase and improve educational facilities and outcomes in the bush. If government has a different policy approach, that is fine to debate but, to make such a disgraceful statement – it is the lowest statement I have heard in my life. I was ashamed to hear this comment and personally embarrassed that such a claim was made in a parliament of Australia. It further reflects my views of this parliament in both its low standards of professionalism and its arrogance of due process to serve the people of the Northern Territory.
The proposal to build boarding facilities in large remote centres is motivated by a desire to save children by providing better access to education. I place on the public record that in no way am I trying to remove children, and that I am only trying to improve educational outcomes for the future.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to restrict and disrupt the activities of persons and organisations engaged in serious criminal activity, whether it be inside or outside the Territory. The objective of this is to protect members of the public from violence associated with these persons and organisations. To achieve this objective, the bill provides for the making of declarations about organisations, control orders, public safety orders, and fortification removal orders. These actions are designed to disrupt and restrict the activities of organised criminals engaged in serious crime.
The bill clearly sets out that it is not intended for the powers provided in the legislation to be used in a manner that would diminish the freedom of people in the Northern Territory to participate in advocacy, protest, dissent, or industrial action. The bill does not impinge upon this basic freedom and right of society. Rather, the bill is intended to restrict and disrupt the activities of persons and organisations who are engaged in serious criminal activity. Such activity, ultimately, harms members of the public. This bill protects members of the public from this activity.
Police are aware that organisations in the Territory are involved in drug trafficking. Organisations have also interfered with witnesses and juries, thereby diminishing our criminal justice system. The Northern Territory is home to a small number of motorcycle gang members who, generally, belong to chapters of large interstate groups. Nevertheless, Northern Territory Police have expressed the view that their membership is significant and has effects beyond what their numbers might suggest.
Police intelligence in other jurisdictions indicates that some outlaw motorcycle gang members are involved in criminal activities including: murder; drug manufacture; drug importation and distribution; fraud; blackmail; intimidation of witnesses; serious assaults; organised theft and re-identification of motor vehicles and motorcycles; public disorder offences; firearm offences; and money laundering. These gangs operate criminal organisations which vary in expertise, sophistication and influence.
Recently, in other jurisdictions we have seen significant risk to public safety due to violent incidents, where it is suspected that motorcycle gang members and their associates have been involved. There is a concern that these outlaw gangs have the potential to increasingly infiltrate society and use legitimate industries to camouflage criminal activity from law enforcement.
This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed now. Indeed, the issue of serious criminal organisations was included as an item on the agendas for recent meetings of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, the Ministerial Council on Corporations, and the Council of Australian Governments.
Whilst outlaw gangs are targeted by this legislation, the measures contained in the bill also extend to other criminals who engage in serious criminal activity, but are not necessarily members of the outlaw gangs.
The bill complements existing Northern Territory laws and anti-gang policing, further enhancing the capacity for law enforcement to do their job. The Criminal Property Forfeiture Act already operates in the Northern Territory, and has been commended nationally for its ability to hit organised criminals where it hurts. That act provides for forfeiture of property to the Northern Territory when it has been acquired as a result of criminal activity, used for criminal activity, or is unexplained wealth. Since the commencement on 1 June 2003, through to June 2008, over $11m has been restrained. Much of this was restrained as a result of motorcycle gang-related activity.
Similar legislation to this bill was enacted in both South Australia and New South Wales, following a rapid increase in the number of organised criminal motorcycle gangs operating, and the severity of gang-related crime and violence. The legislation aims to force these gangs apart. If interstate gangs relocate to the Northern Territory as a result of the tough stance taken in South Australia and New South Wales, it could be expected that illegal operations and violence would increase here. We are taking steps to ensure that the Northern Territory is not faced with similar problems.
The bill aims to make the Northern Territory less attractive to these organisations by making it much harder for them to do business here. Adopting some elements of the South Australian and New South Wales reforms not already in place in the Northern Territory may also assist to prevent interstate gangs relocating to the Territory.
I will now set out key features of this bill. The bill will enable any consenting Supreme Court judge to be declared an ‘eligible judge’ by the Attorney-General. The bill authorises an eligible judge to declare an organisation to be a ‘declared organisation’ under the act if the eligible judge is satisfied the organisation meets specific criteria. This includes that the members of the organisation associate for the purposes of organising, planning, facilitating, supporting, or engaging in serious criminal activity, and that the organisation represents a risk to public safety and order. Decisions by eligible judges in making declarations are not decisions of the Supreme Court. The structure of the legislation is designed to avoid potential constitutional problems arising through application of the High Court’s decision in Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions, (NSW [1966] HCA 24.
The eligible judge may make a declaration based on the material provided by the Commissioner of Police. The eligible judge can also refuse to make the application based only on the material provided by police. However, the eligible judge may also ensure that there is a hearing of the application, and that the organisation and persons affected by the application are given a right to be heard. If a declaration is made, the organisation and persons potentially affected by such a declaration, may seek a revocation of the application. For most situations, the eligible judge who dealt with the original application would also deal with an application for revocation.
The Commissioner of Police is also entitled to seek revocation. A declaration of an organisation has no immediate consequences; that is, the organisation continues in existence with its operations being unaffected until such time as its members become a subject of a control order made by the Supreme Court.
The bill enables the Commissioner of Police to apply to the Supreme Court for ‘control orders’ against members of declared organisations, and also for other persons who have, or have had, various kinds of associations with a declared organisation. A control order will operate to prohibit the control person from doing, or possessing certain things, and associating with other controlled members. Such association will constitute an offence punishable by a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
A control order automatically suspends any authorisation, licence, registration, certification or approval to carry on a prescribed activity that is held by a controlled member. These prescribed activities include, among other things:
operating a casino, or being a licensed employee;
carrying on the business of a credit provider, pawnbroker, or second-hand dealer;
possessing or using a firearm within the meaning of the Firearms Act, or carrying on business as a firearms dealer;
carrying out the activities required to be registered or licensed under the Racing and Betting Act; or
any other activity prescribed by the regulations.
The court may make control orders in relation to a person who is, or has been, a member of a particular declared organisation who engages, or has engaged in, serious criminal activity and regularly associates with members of a particular declared organisation.
Control orders can also be made in respect of other persons who engage, or have been engaged, in serious criminal activity. A control order takes effect immediately when the control order is made in court, provided that the person to whom it relates is present in court. If a person is not in the court, the control order takes effect when the person is served a copy of the order. It will then remain in force until it is revoked in accordance with clause 34 of the bill.
The terms of a control order can also be varied by the court. A right of appeal against the making of a control order on a question of law or fact is available to the parties.
It will also be an offence for a controlled member of a declared organisation to recruit new members to the organisation. This offence will attract a five-year imprisonment penalty.
The bill sets out various broad grounds on which a control order can be made. One of these is that a person has been a member of a declared organisation. This power is designed to ensure that a person cannot escape the control order provisions by simply ceasing his or her membership. However, the court is entitled to only make a control order if the circumstances are appropriate for the making of the control order. Thus, for example, if a ‘past member’ can show that this status is not artificial, the court may find that it is not appropriate for the person to be made subject to a control order. Another example is that of a vulnerable person. It may be preferable that they be permitted to associate with people who will look after them.
The bill will also authorise senior police officers to issue time-limited ‘public safety orders’ against persons, prohibiting them from attending a public event or place, or being within a specified area on grounds of public safety.
Public safety orders may be made if the senior police officer is satisfied that the person being present at premises poses a serious risk to public safety or security, and the making of the order is appropriate in the circumstances.
Police will be required to consider several factors in determining whether a public safety order is necessary and warranted. Some of these include:
whether the person has previously behaved in a way that posed a serious risk to public safety or security;
whether the person is, or has been, or associates, or has associated with, a member of a declared organisation or a controlled member.
The bill includes provisions which will allow for ‘fortification removal orders’ to be obtained against premises that are owned, occupied or habitually used by members of a declared organisation. A fortification removal order may be made in relation to premises if the premises are fortified and there are reasonable grounds to believe the premises are, have been, or are likely to, be used for or in connection with the commission of a serious criminal offence; or to conceal evidence or keep proceeds in connection to a serious criminal offence. There is an offence of hindering the removal or modification of fortifications which will attract a maximum penalty of 500 penalty units or three years imprisonment.
The bill also provides for matters relating to procedure for service of documents, including an order which may be obtained for substituted service. These provisions address difficulties experienced by police when attempting to serve documents on members of criminal organisations. The bill ensures that certain persons carrying out functions or exercising powers contained in the bill will not be held civilly or criminally liable provided that the powers exercised in good faith.
The bill also makes clear that any decision, determination, declaration or order made under the bill, or an act or omission relating to an exercise of functions under the bill, are protected from proceedings for judicial review, or for a declaration, injunction, writ, order or other remedy. The bill does not affect the operation of the Police Administration Act concerning claims which may be made against the police.
The bill expands on existing offences in the Criminal Code to include serious penalties for the making of threats or reprisals to persons involved in criminal investigations or judicial proceedings, or to public officers in the performance of his or her official duties or functions. These new offences will attract a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
The bill also amends the Bail Act to provide for a presumption against bail for a person charged with contravening a control order, associating with another controlled person, recruiting a person to become a member of a declared organisation, applying for an authority in contravention of a control order, or contravening a public safety order.
Finally, the bill will amend the Information Act to ensure that information classified as criminal intelligence by the Commissioner of Police under the bill is exempt from disclosure under section 44 of that act. The bill will require an annual review by a retired judicial officer of the powers exercised under the bill to ensure that these powers are exercised in an appropriate manner, having regard to the objects of the bill. The operation and effectiveness of the legislation will be reviewed after it has been in operation for four years. A report based on the review is required to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Madam Speaker, this government is tough on crime. Criminal organisations and their members and associates are serious concerns. This bill contains robust measures to disrupt and restrict the activities of those criminal organisations. The bill conveys new powers and responsibilities to the Commissioner of Police, other senior police officers, and the members of the Supreme Court to perform the role of eligible judges and the courts. We are making sure that these officers have the capacity to deal with organised crime, including the seeds of organised crime in a comprehensive manner.
However, this bill also contains checks and balances to ensure these powers are used appropriately and responsibly in targeting these serious outlaw gangs and criminals.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and I table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 updates and replaces the Cancer (Registration) Act 1988 which permits the establishment and maintenance of the Northern Territory Cancer Registry. The Northern Territory Cancer Registry collects information on all cancer cases diagnosed in the Northern Territory. Similar registries exist under legislation in all other Australian states and territories.
Cancer registry data is used to monitor and report cancer incidence and mortality, to inform policy and planning of cancer services, and to increase public awareness about cancer. Within Australia, the Northern Territory registry has special importance as it is the longest established and most reliable source of information on cancer in the Indigenous population. For all these reasons, it is essential the quality and completeness of the Northern Territory cancer data remains as accurate as possible.
Changes in national legislation and in the classification and management of cancer have meant that the Northern Territory Cancer Registry has experienced difficulties in carrying out some of its legitimate functions under the current act. The purpose of this revised Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 is to address these issues, with the overall aim of promoting and maintaining the high quality and completeness of population cancer data in the Northern Territory.
A central requirement for the Northern Territory Cancer Registry is that the cancer register includes all cancers occurring in the Northern Territory, and that the information on these cases is complete and accurate. The current act mandates the notification of cancers diagnosed by pathology laboratories and cancer deaths by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to the Northern Territory Cancer Register. This means that cancers diagnosed by health care providers without the pathological test may not be included on the register. In addition, the Australian government Privacy Amendments (Private Sector) Act 2000 makes it inappropriate for private health providers to disclose identifiable information to the Northern Territory Cancer Registry, which has limited the ability of the Cancer Registrar to correct or complete data from individual case notifications.
The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 mandates that hospitals notify cancer diagnoses to the registrar, which is consistent with legislation in other Australian states and territories. This will improve the ability of the registrar to detect and record all cancers. The bill also requires private health care providers to respond to requests from the Cancer Registrar for prescribed details of the cancer. This is in line with legislation in all states and territories except for South Australia, and will improve the quality of completeness of data held by the register.
The second major issue relates to the appropriate use of information held by the register. The current act prohibits the provision of Northern Territory cancer data for purposes that can be considered proper use, but were not foreseen at the time the act was written. This negatively impacts on the Northern Territory’s ability to contribute to and influence national policy-making around cancer service development and delivery; for example, the 2002 Australian government’s radiation oncology Inquiry. The existing limitation also restricts the use of the Northern Territory Cancer Registry data when undertaking quality assurance audits for cancer-related services.
The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 expands the use of the data by providing the Chief Health Officer with the authority to approved uses that meet current research guidelines, as well as for quality assurance or other reporting purposes. A similar power exists in the legislation of the ACT, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
To ensure the data collected by the Northern Territory has national and international relevance, we must be responsive to changes in the definition of cancer and conditions included as cancer. For example, the Australasian Association of Cancer Registries has recently expanded its list of notifiable cancers in accordance with changes in the World Health Organisation’s cancer classifications. These changes have implications for health service provision and should be reflected in the Northern Territory Cancer Registry data. The current act does not allow the register to collect information on these new cancers. The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 allows the minister to include a new cancer by Gazette notice without the resource intensive process of legislative amendment.
Finally, the Cancer Registrar and members of the medical community have previously expressed concerns regarding their legal protection providing this information. The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 addresses this by clarifying indemnity for these individuals when performing in good faith under the act.
In summary, this bill aims to promote and maintain the high quality of population cancer data in the Northern Territory, and its usefulness in influencing service provision and policy decision while respecting important privacy issues. This will bring the Northern Territory Registry into line with contemporary legislation in other Australian states and territories. Both government and non-government stakeholders support the bill.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members and table the explanatory statement accompanying the bill.
Debate adjourned.
Continued from 10 June 2009.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank all honourable members for their contribution to the budget debate. Delivering the 2009-10 Budget, my second as Treasurer, was a great privilege, as well as a great challenge in the midst of the toughest economic times facing Australia and the world for three-quarters of a century. As I noted when I delivered the budget, the very foundations of the world economy have shifted, a swift global collapse has decimated the nation’s growth rate and caused a sharp jump in unemployment in leading economies. I note that, on the latest GDP figures, Australia alone among developed economies has avoided a recession. This is very welcome news but only highlights the enormous impact this downturn has had across the world economy. As the federal Treasurer noted last week, we are not out of the woods yet. I acknowledge the trust that the Territory community has put in this government to guide us through these tough times.
I firmly believe this budget will achieve our core goals: protecting Territory jobs, building our infrastructure to position ourselves for when the global economy starts to recover. Budget 2009-10 delivers these key priorities by having, at its core, an unprecedented $1.3bn infrastructure investment in the Territory’s housing, roads, schools, and community, creating over 2500 construction and related jobs.
The Henderson government also continues to deliver expanded frontline services and staff. Budget 2009-10 contains a record $1bn Health budget; $808m investment in Education; and $279m for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. As I stated last month, Budget 2009-10 is a decisive, determined and unapologetic step by the Henderson government to create and protect Territory jobs, despite a collapse in government revenue from the GST pool. It is unprecedented focus on infrastructure, and it is the best way we can keep the Territory strong and keep our workers in jobs. At the centre of Budget 2009-10’s job creating projects, programs, and policies is that $1.3bn infrastructure spend, an increase of $414m from 2008-09.
Housing construction, repairs and maintenance funding is up 92% over 2008-09. That translates to real world improvements for housing access and affordability for young people just entering the market, public housing tenants, remote communities, and seniors. As well as the $176.7m for additional housing in remote communities, we are funding: a 44-unit seniors village in Bellamack; $36.1m for public housing; and $33.1m for housing for nurses, teachers and police in the bush.
I noted the promising housing affordability figures for the Territory released by the Real Estate Institute in Question Time yesterday. However, I also acknowledge the government must continue to improve housing affordability through its comprehensive housing affordability strategy, which includes releasing more land. That is why Budget 2009-10 allocates $108.6m for land release and related community infrastructure, including $20m for the development of the new Palmerston suburbs of Johnston, Mitchell and Zuccoli. I was also pleased to sign the development agreement for Bellamack with Brierty UPL recently and visit the site to see the bulldozers start clearing the area, which will ensure the first 90 blocks will be available by the end of the year.
As part of our infrastructure investment across portfolios, Budget 2009-10: includes a record education infrastructure budget of $196.8m; a $51.9m community safety infrastructure program of police stations and Correctional centre expansions and new construction; ongoing significant investment in our $1.4bn Power and Water infrastructure replacement and upgrades program, including new and improved power stations, improved water storage, and closing the Larrakeyah outfall; a $322m roads investment in urban, regional and remote areas - notably the Tiger Brennan Drive extension and overpass, and upgrades to our main economic thoroughfares across the Territory; and lifestyle infrastructure such as the Palmerston water park and boat ramp and upgrade of the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex. This massive investment in the Territory’s vital infrastructure will keep Territorians in jobs now and serve us well for the next generation.
Territorians recognise the need for this investment and, in my travels across the Territory, they understand why government is going into a temporary deficit to achieve these goals. In the current global economic climate, people have recognised that the role of government is to step in and fill the breach when private investment contracts. That requires maintaining and increasing spending on economically important projects and job-protecting policies now, but also demonstrating a clear, achievable method to return to surplus in coming years.
I am still forecasting an estimated deficit of $17m for 2008-09. This is due, primarily, to a significant reduction in GST revenue of $162m or 6.7%. However, I note that additional unexpected Commonwealth funding may affect this final result. For 2009-10, the deficit is expected to be $201m, due largely to the effect of a collapse in GST revenue of $211m, which lowers the GST proportion of our total revenue from around 67% to 55%. $916m is predictably lost in GST revenue over the entire budget and forward estimate period.
When we go into temporary deficit, the government has been very up-front on the fact that this means debt levels will rise. The revised ratio in 2009-10 Budget is 28%, rising to 33% by 2011-12; still approximately half the debt to revenue ratio of 61% when we came to office. We have also been very up-front with the revenue amendments announced in the budget. The CLP opposition almost seemed disappointed when I confirmed that are no new taxes in this budget. We will remain the lowest taxing jurisdiction for small business in Australia.
I made particular note of the redirection of the 1.1 per litre fuel subsidy into our roads and public transport budget. As I made clear at the time, this will provide more direct and efficient support to Territory motorists than the subsidy, particularly as reviews in other jurisdictions demonstrated that a removal of similar subsidies had no effect on prices. I also note that Queensland recently announced it will remove its 8 per litre subsidy, but it does not appear that resulting savings will be specifically redirected into roads or transport funding as we have done.
I also made clear that the abolition of stamp duty on business transactions, excluding land, will now be completed on 1 July 2012, as per our IGA commitments. While not a budget measure, and recommended by an independent commissioner, I also clearly set out the Motor Accidents Compensation Act increase of 5%.
As I noted when I delivered the budget, the current economic and fiscal conditions require a new fiscal strategy. The revised strategy retains the previous components of sustainable service provision, infrastructure for economic and community development, competitive tax environment, and prudent management of liabilities. However, elements have changed to reflect the current economic and financial reality. The sustainable service provision component will limit expense growth over the budget cycle to ensure there is an operating surplus in the general government sector. Future revenue growth will outstrip expenses growth over future years, resulting in higher operating surpluses and cash surpluses. At this point, nett debt on average, will be reduced by 5% per annum to return to the 2007-08 levels.
The opposition has ignored this requirement set out in our fiscal strategy but, instead, has made much noise about debt and deficit since the release of the budget. It has been silent, however, on where it would raise revenue or cut spending to reduce the total deficit. As far as the community knows, its election policies to slash the public service still stands - 700 jobs gone from our health, education, police force and justice systems. They need to be honest with the public and let them know where these jobs will be lost, in the midst of the toughest economic times to face Australia in generations ...
Mr Elferink: This bloke was not even discounting it a few months ago.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: I understand the opposition is sensitive on this matter, Madam Speaker; they would be slashing the public service …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: Slashing the public service is what their pre-election fiscal outlook showed, and they have been dodging, weaving, ducking and hiding the real question of just what jobs will be slashed from where.
I have taken Budget 2009-10 on the road to explain the exact nature of the government’s focus and expenditure. I have spoken to Territory Construction Association and Chamber of Commerce functions in Darwin and Alice Springs. I have spoken to the Property Council and at functions in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. Everywhere I have gone, Territorians have appreciated the government’s direction: focus and honesty ...
Mr Tollner: No, they have not.
Ms LAWRIE: There has been a record attendance at most functions ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Order! Honourable members …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, Standing Order 51:
Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: There has been a record attendance at most functions. Notably absent from all the business functions and presentations in Darwin, was the member for Fong Lim - a no show. Maybe it was too early in the morning for him, but a no show - could not even make a lunch function. Maybe he was somewhere else ...
Members interjecting.
Mr Tollner: Did you want me to do a Labor function?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I will pick up on that interjection. It is interesting that the member for Fong Lim thinks the Property Council, the TCA, and the Chamber of Commerce are Labor Party functions. I will make sure they know that comment, because you are bizarre.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: There has been a record attendance at most functions, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Chris Young, of the Chamber of Commerce, has rated the budget eight out of 10. This is a strong vote of support …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, member for Greatorex, cease interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: They truly are a rabble. This is a strong vote of support from the Chamber of Commerce for a budget delivered during these global economic times. The Chamber of Commerce function audience also strongly welcomed our focus on infrastructure, land release, and dedication to maintain the Territory status as the lowest taxing jurisdiction for small business. Graham Kemp, from the Territory Construction Association, is a strong advocate for the construction and housing industry; his views on government action definitely count. He stated on radio that:
Member interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, it is hard to hear with the chuckling and chortling coming from the member for Fong Lim, when I am quoting industry.
The Property Council President, Allan Garraway, publicly congratulated the Henderson government for sticking to our promise not to introduce a land tax in the Territory, and to support development. Alongside these peak organisations, Territorians I have spoken with on the road, small business men and women, public servants, and community leaders have expressed their strong support for the government’s action now to protect communities and jobs across the regions.
Despite the fact that our key economic indicators are leading the nation, with a headline economic growth figure forecast to be 4.1% in 2008-09, and remaining positive in all forward years, this government will not be complacent. Record private investment expenditure will continue through government action to lure major projects to the Territory, and will be complemented by major government projects.
Territory employment rates also lead the nation, with 7000 jobs created over the year to March 2009. Government’s flexibility in the face of economic conditions was recently demonstrated by the announcement that we are extending the very successful Buildstart program to the end of the year. The Territory government introduced the scheme with a very focused goal: to boost housing construction and to give new home and unit buyers a hand into the investment market. To date, over 250 people have applied for the $14 000 Buildstart grant, and the extension will ensure the first stages of new developments will fall under the scheme.
The Northern Territory continues to face the immense challenges in the face of international and national economic conditions. In the face of these conditions, the Territory government has framed Budget 2009-10 with a clear goal: to protect Territory jobs and build our Territory. The budget’s focus and decisive action will serve the Territory well over the coming financial year.
I thank again the hard-working Treasury staff for their efforts in constructing Budget 2009-10. I also thank all of my colleagues in Caucus and Cabinet. It is a budget that was struck in very tough times. It was a budget that would requires enormous discipline from all of my colleagues in understanding we had a finite level of resources to deal with in a scenario of declining revenues. We had economic conditions prevailing that required a focus on infrastructure and core frontline services. Whilst I am the Treasurer - and I have driven the process forward in Budget 2009-10 - I could not have achieved such a focused and deliberate outcome in Budget 2009-10 without the discipline of my colleagues in both Cabinet and Caucus. I sincerely thank them for that discipline, because I believe that we have created key drivers for economic conditions to ensure growth across the Territory. We recognise that we are delivering growth across all our regions of the Territory, not just the major urban population centres.
The infrastructure in housing, roads, and education are critical to ensure we have a better society and a better outcome for Territorians. Those key growths and frontline services of health, education and police are critical to delivering the services right across the Territory that our community requires. It is a focused, targeted response as a budget in the toughest economic conditions that have prevailed in 75 years.
Madam Speaker, I am confident that Budget 2009-10 will deliver growth across the Territory, and we will see those results coming through. I commend the bill to the House.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, in accordance with the resolution of the Assembly passed on Wednesday, 10 June 2009, the remaining stages of the bill will be taken on 19 July 2009.
Continued from 6 May 2009.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, I am rather interested in this legislation. I read carefully the minister’s second reading speech and also the explanatory notes.
It is a bit hard to decide exactly what it is the government is trying to do, apart from copy the examples of agencies in every other state. This seems to be the sole Labor Party motive in this case. The fact is, the minister talked at length about other reasons, saying the Land Development Corporation had to expand to allow it to start to build residential developments, or sell land for residential developments. The minister said in his second reading speech:
It is great to see, I suppose in some respects, that the minister is admitting this government has failed in the area of providing appropriate accommodation.
As the member for Braitling, I believe it was - or it might have been the member for Nelson - spoke yesterday about the lack of available land, and the reduction in public housing numbers in the Territory. It all points to a complete failure by government to release land, and to construct public housing.
We have a situation in the Northern Territory where levels of public housing are reaching critically low levels, and the government’s plan is to bulldoze existing public housing units. Whilst I do not have a problem with bulldozing old and rundown dumps, I do have a problem with bulldozing those old and rundown dumps if there is nothing in the pipeline to replace those areas of accommodation. Clearly, in the case of the Northern Territory, there are no plans anywhere to alleviate the accommodation burden that Territorians are feeling.
The situation is that this bill almost seeks to lay the blame for a lack of housing in other areas. In this case: ‘We do not have an expanded Land Development Corporation which will provide available land, so let us expand the role of the LDC and, somehow, put that responsibility on to them’. The minister went on to quote the good work the LDC has done over the years since 2003 or 2004, when it was first created. The minister pointed to the Darwin Business Park, saying the total value of the development already exceeded $200m. I recall, at the time, minister, you tabled a piece of paper highlighting the developments that the LDC had done in the area of the Darwin Business Park.
A quick scan through there - I forget the numbers now, minister, I do not have that piece of paper with me at the moment. However, a quick scan through there showed me that the investments that the minister had highlighted were significantly less than $200m. The minister later explained all of the investments actually were not listed on that piece of paper; that there were others. My goodness me, there must be a lot of piddling little amounts to make up the rest of the investments. In any case, the minister has hailed the LDC a success at the Darwin Business Park.
The minister made no mention in his second reading speech, of course, of the Defence Support Hub. I read it carefully, and read the explanatory notes quite carefully, and I can see no reference anywhere to the work the LDC has done in relation to the Defence hub. I understand it is the LDC’s jobs to seek investors and development opportunities for the Defence hub. At one stage over the last few months, I was given a briefing by some people from the department who suggested there was a whole range of businesses interested in being involved in the Defence hub. Organisations such as Joint Logistics Unit (North) and Hallmark Trailers, I recall was another organisation that was considering going in there - whoever won the contract to maintain the Abrams tanks would more than likely go there.
I have to ask: where are we at with Hallmark Trailers and Joint Logistics Unit (North)? I know the through life support contract for the Abrams tanks has not yet been settled by the federal government but, surely, the Territory government, being so close to the federal government, would be dealing with the new Defence minister in Canberra - the comrade down there - and finding out who the players are in that contract, who we should be talking to, and whether we can garner any interest from those companies to the Defence hub.
It is an area that the government has been remarkably silent on since making that grand announcement a couple of years ago. My understanding was that it would be well and truly down the track of seeing the Defence hub developed. It would be good to know from the minister where exactly the LDC is up to with the tenders for the Defence hub, who is interested, and how many companies they will have going there ...
Dr Burns: You will be able to talk about that during estimates next week.
Mr TOLLNER: We will, minister. I am sure that may well be an area where excuse yourself from the Public Accounts Committee. I understand the concessions gleaned from the minister by the member for Nelson when he put the ‘wood’ on you; that you will now no longer be asking questions of yourself. We look forward to you vacating your chair, minister, on the Public Accounts Committee, and fronting up and answering some questions on these very important matters ...
Dr Burns: I can hardly wait. It is only a few sleeps now.
Mr TOLLNER: I am sure you can hardly wait. Given that you can hardly wait, I am sure you will be glad to jump up when you are closing off this debate and answer a few of these questions. We might even consider taking this bill to the committee stage, where we might be able to ask you a couple more questions. I looked at the Darwin Business Park and what is happening at the port …
Dr Burns: Have you been out there?
Mr TOLLNER: I been out there, minister – I have definitely been there and seen the progress and a lot is happening, no doubt about it. There is much private investment coming in to that part of our city. We have ConocoPhillips out there chugging away. We will soon - hopefully, cross our fingers, all things being equal - have INPEX going in. More than likely, with any luck, we will get some storage businesses going in there, maybe some petrochemical plants, other processing facilities, organisations that need to be near the port and transport hubs and the like to operate - very keen.
Since it has not been mentioned anywhere else, what are the government’s plans for a logistics hub? All of these big businesses are going to require supplies, maintenance, repairs, and access to a good port and transport facilities. It seems to me that the government has no plans - that I have read anywhere – or intends to devote specific energy to the creation of a strong logistics hub. It has even been suggested to me that logistics may base themselves out of Broome for the INPEX plant. It is only a suggestion, minister, but it has been a suggestion and, knowing the track record of this government when it comes to planning, I believe there is a very real concern that these things may well eventuate and the Northern Territory miss out on these vital opportunities.
As I was saying, this government has a poor track record when it comes to planning. However, I suppose by expanding the role of the LDC, by allowing them to get into residential areas, other areas of industrial development, and business development, it provides the government with a convenient scapegoat for everything that may go wrong in the future. The government will now be able to say: ‘Hang on, that is not us, that is the role of the Land Development Corporation in releasing land, in getting these proposals off the ground. We have done our best, we have expanded the LDC’s role, we have empowered them more, but they have failed’. This is, I believe, a cynical effort to shelve some of the government’s responsibilities and failures to another organisation – very sad to see, indeed.
There is not much highlighted in this legislation to say exactly how it is that this new government business division will operate, and its impact in the commercial arena. Quite clearly, when you have an arm of government operating as a business, they are competing with other businesses and individuals in the community who are trying to offer the same services. I suggest it now creates an unfair playing field in that market, and government should be very wary of how this expanded role of the Land Development Corporation will impact on business and competition in the marketplace.
They have also been given a role in residential and industrial development, and it has been compared to other land agencies around Australia. When the Land Development Corporation becomes a government business division, are they going to be able to access government resources that other land development companies will not be able to access? That is a very good question. Will these guys have an artificial leg up to compete with other like businesses in the community? These are questions that the Business Minister - the person who, I think, believes in an open and free market - should be quite prepared to answer.
What land out there is there for the LDC to develop? The more you look into this, the more it looks like a convenient way for government to scapegoat an organisation for their own failures. Of course, as I said, the only tangible reason they say they are doing this is because every other jurisdiction in Australia has a similar agency. I was not for the reduction in speed limits, but I know it was this government’s position that we had to have speed limits on the open highway because every other government in Australia had speed limits on theirs. Well, they are no longer open highways – they are highways. To me, that took away a sense of being a Territorian; the fact we are different up here, that we do enjoy certain freedoms, but no ….
Dr Burns: We have the highest road toll.
Mr TOLLNER: We do have the highest road toll, minister, I am glad you brought that up. We have had the highest road toll since your government introduced speed limits. So much for your road safety measures, because they are proving anything but …
Dr Burns: We shall see.
Mr TOLLNER: They are proving anything but, minister. This mad drive to be like every other jurisdiction in Australia is leading us to a point of mediocrity - mediocrity. People say: ‘Why would I live in Darwin when I can live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, western Queensland, western New South Wales, or even Western Australia, because all of those jurisdictions are exactly like the Northern Territory?’ All have the same nanny-state rules, and there is a list as long as your arm. All have been burdened, I might add, by Labor governments who are all socialist in their ideology and who believe in control by the state, which is exactly what this government does.
It seems to me, with the introduction of this bill, this government has no regard whatsoever for introducing a government agency into the commercial marketplace. Everywhere through here, this new expanded LDC will be a commercial organisation. The government makes no bones about that at all. It will be a commercial organisation. The minister said it on numerous occasions in his second reading speech. They want to put them on a commercial footing; that is, they want them out there in the marketplace competing with Territory businesses. An important question is: what sort of leg up is this mob going to get that people out there in the commercial marketplace do not get? I am sure there will be plenty because, in effect, they are an arm of government. Even though they are operating as a business, they will have access to the resources of government, the support of Cabinet, and the like.
Minister, this government has failed on land development - clearly failed on land development. I notice that every time the Treasurer is in her Planning and Lands portfolio, she is not averse to banging on about Lyons and the potential for the new suburb of Muirhead. Both of these land holdings were offered to the Territory government many years ago by the Commonwealth for a pittance of their value. Did the Territory government say at the time: ‘Yes, we will take them, we will hand them over to the Land Development Corporation and we will have them develop them’? No, not at all. The Territory government turned its back on that offer and allowed the Defence Housing Authority - an organisation which does a fantastic job but is a government business division in itself - to acquire that land, build the houses, and do all of the work involved.
Now we find the Northern Territory government is quite prepared to take credit for that, irrespective that, right from the word go, it turned its back on the original proposal. I find that shameful. I find it completely hypocritical, where a government wants nothing to do with a project in its early stages, but wants to take all of the credit for the project when it is completed. It is absolutely terrible.
The other thing that needs to be considered is the precarious state of the Territory government’s finances. We just had the dodgy Treasurer give a dodgy …
Mr VATSKALIS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member to withdraw his reference of ‘dodgy Treasurer’.
Madam SPEAKER: We have already ruled on this once before. We just …
Mr TOLLNER: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, we just heard the Treasurer outline her dodgy budget. It is a dodgy budget; there is absolutely no doubt about that. It is the old three card trick, times over - too smart by half. Most of the Darwin community knows it is a dodgy budget. The only ones crowing its praises are members on the other side.
I find it quite amazing that the Treasurer would belittle me for not turning up to the budget presentation convened by business organisations to hear her speak. Goodness me, every day we front this joint we have to listen to her ramblings and nonsense. Why would I use my free time to listen to more of it? It makes absolutely no sense at all. If she is hurt …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr TOLLNER: … that I did not use my spare time to lob to hear her ramblings, then I am afraid she needs to take a good hard look at herself in the mirror ...
Ms Lawrie: You are obsessed.
Mr TOLLNER: I am obsessed? Here we go. The slurs and smear that comes from the other side in this place are absolutely remarkable. I have no problems with that. The minute someone says a word like ‘dodgy’, there are three of them ready to jump: ‘Oh, you cannot call our Treasurer dodgy’. No, everything she does is dodgy but she is not actually dodgy.
As I was saying, we have just heard one of the most dodgy budgets the Territory has probably ever seen ...
Dr Burns: Not as dodgy as the 2000-01 budget.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, cease interjecting.
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, cease interjecting. Resume your seat, member for Fong Lim. Standing Order 51:
Member for Fong Lim, you have the call, but I ask you to direct your comments directly through the Chair and keep the matter as close as possible to the bill which is being debated.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, I have to say, I have no problems personally with the interjections that come from this side, or that side for that matter, unlike, should I say, many members on the other side who seem to be completely offended if someone even whispers whilst they are on their feet. I find that a double standard. They can go on interjecting when I am talking; I have no problems with that, I am not that sensitive. However, I find it rather hypocritical and a double standard when members on the other side jump up with the most appalled look on their faces when somebody from this side makes the most menial interjection.
As I was saying, this government has delivered a dodgy budget, probably the worst in the history of the Northern Territory. It is the worst for its lack of detail, cover up of Commonwealth spending, claiming credit for Commonwealth monies, and moving funds from previous budgets into this budget - an extraordinarily dodgy budget. For anyone who wants to take a look at it, you know how precarious our Northern Territory government is at the moment in financial matters. I have to ask the question: by expanding the role of the LDC, will the government be trying to lumber the Land Development Corporation with debt in order to give the government cash in return for developing land?
This is merely a way of revenue raising for the government. Knowing how this government operates, you have to say that that is the case. It is something they did with the Power and Water Authority - bled the Power and Water Authority for years and years of resources and funds in order to provide bread and circuses to the people of the Northern Territory. They bled our critical infrastructure of repairs and maintenance funds and capital spend funds, to the point that we now have a whole power network falling down around our ears. We are going to see massive increases in the price of electricity, with the price of water going up by 70%. It is a terrible time for the Territory.
They have decided, after they have done that to our electricity and water infrastructure, they want to start on our land resources as well - bring all of those government business divisions to their knees, suck as much funds out of them as possible in order to goodness knows what. One thing about this government is that it is very good at spending money – very good at spending money. We see billions of dollars spent every year in the Northern Territory for practically no result.
Everywhere you look, things are falling into rack and ruin. Look at our education system. We are having major debates at the moment about why we are failing children and schools. Look at our hospitals. Every day in this place it seems there is another petition or something in relation to health. Look at the state of our roads; they are in a state of complete disrepair. Everywhere you go there are potholes, the verges have not been cleaned up and, between Katherine and Tennant Creek, you have three-foot high anthills butting up to the bitumen - a terrible situation.
I mentioned our power and water resource infrastructure crumbling around our ears. Everywhere you look, every aspect of life in the Northern Territory is being burdened by a lack of maintenance and care by a government that just does not seem to care. The government is totally focused on its internal feuding. It is the only thing that is occupying the minds of the ministers at the moment: how they can possibly cling to power in this remarkable situation - a situation where we have a headless Chief Minister, running around with no direction whatsoever, with no control over his Caucus or members in his Cabinet, people leaving like rats from a sinking ship, and that whole ship of state being totally internally focused on its own problems. It is sad for the Territory.
Now we see an organisation like the Land Development Corporation being dragged into this whirlpool of mismanagement and neglect to the point where they are going to be asked to start bailing out the Territory government from its own financial hang-ups.
Look at the Land Development Corporation, and it is typical of this government. It does not believe that Territorians are adequately capable of managing such an organisation. We have a couple of Territorians on the Board of the Land Development Corporation, but the government cannot help itself; it has to bring in someone from Adelaide or Melbourne to sit on these boards to provide direction, and ensure they are doing it the same up here as they are everywhere else in the country. The government has absolutely no faith in Territorians.
It is a sign that these guys, when they collect their pensions, I suppose, will be off to live in those beautiful leafy suburbs of Melbourne and Adelaide, places where they really want to be, because they believe in their heart of hearts that they do it better down there, and we have to get a couple of those people from down there to show us how to do it better because all the good people are down there ...
Mr Knight: Who is running the opposition these days?
Dr Burns: James Lantry upstairs on the fourth floor.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: Let us get a few of them up here to sit on our board … I have to tell you, James Lantry on the fourth floor lives in Darwin. He has bought a house in Darwin …
Dr Burns: Just now? A former Democrat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
A member: Why did you not employ a local?
Mr TOLLNER: He moved here; he lives here. For all intents and purposes, he is a Territorian. What about Mr Philip Duval, does he own a house in Darwin? Does he live here for 12 months of the year? What about Mr Marek Petrovs? Does he live here, or does he live in Melbourne? He had a house in Melbourne. Do the kids go to a local school? Does Mr Petrovs have to go to Royal Darwin Hospital to be treated when he is sick? Does Mr Petrovs have to put up with blackouts constantly? Does he have to bear the burden of a 70% increase in his price of water? I do not even think Mr Petrovs even lives in the Northern Territory. I may well be wrong; maybe he does have a house here; maybe his kids do go to school here ...
Dr Burns: You are a xenophobe.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: A xenophobe, he calls me. Madam Speaker, I can handle being accused of being xenophobic. Goodness me; I would hate it if I was to mention the word xenophobia in relation to a member opposite. I am sure I would be asked to withdraw ...
Dr Burns: We do not demonstrate those traits.
Mr TOLLNER: That is fine. Madam Speaker, I do not mind these guys interjecting. To me, it demonstrates the double standard they are prepared to operate by. I do not mind if they call me xenophobic, that does not bother me; it is water off a duck’s back. However, if I - halleluiah! - dare suggest they are a fascist government, all of a sudden, individuals from the other side would be leaping to their feet, as they have done, demanding that I withdraw those comments ...
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, member for Fong Lim. Leader of Government Business, I ask you to withdraw the comment about xenophobia, please.
Dr Burns: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, if I ask a member to withdraw, it is up to the Chair, not up to you, thank you very much.
Mr TOLLNER: Quite proper too, Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Please direct your comments through the Chair, not across the Chamber.
Mr TOLLNER: Quite proper of you to point that out to me. As I said, however, it is in no way offensive to me. I am strong enough within myself to be certain that I am not a xenophobe. It does not bother me at all; they can throw whatever slur or smear they want my way. Good on them. Go your hardest, guys, over there. It is not a two-way street, as we know.
This bill the minister has put forward has hairs all over it. I am very keen to get into the committee stage to ask more questions of the minister on this. His figures seem to me to be dodgy about developments that went on in the Darwin Business Park. I am sure he can outline the whole $200m of them in the committee stage. Next week when we get to estimates, those questions may well be asked as well. He has failed to mention anything at all about the Defence hub; the provisions of a logistics hub; exactly why the government is doing this, apart from every other state is doing it; why we need to have two interstate experts sitting on the board; whether or not this is a revenue grab by government; why government seems to think it is okay for them not to accept responsibility for their failure to release land and develop appropriate housing in the Northern Territory; and how this organisation will be better at releasing land than the current arrangements with the government. Is this organisation going to be armed with all the information required to assess how much public housing and affordable housing is needed, and how much we can possibly charge at the maximum rates? Is that the responsibility of the Land Development Corporation, or is government going to retain some of these responsibilities?
To me, this bill seems to be a cop out. It is a cop out by the government in taking their own responsibility seriously. It is a cop out of the government because all they are interested in is focusing on their own internal strife - the strife of defecting members, of an ineffectual and paralysed leader, and the lack of a suitable replacement. We all talk about the member for Karama having aspirations but, seriously, can anybody in this place possibly, in their wildest imaginations, imagine the Northern Territory where we have a Chief Minister like the member for the Karama? It is certainly beyond my imagination. That will be plumbing new depths - the clich the member for Johnston likes to use so much. To see the member for Karama as the Chief Minister for the Northern Territory would be an exercise in plumbing new depths.
I actually support the member for Wanguri in maintaining the mantle because, even though he is paralysed and he lacks any capacity to influence anyone on anything, he has to be a far better pick than the member for Karama. I like to lay awake at night sometimes thinking about who would take the job …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I remind you that we are debating a bill called Land Development Corporation Amendment Bill. There has been a lot of latitude given, but if you could just come to the point, please.
Mr TOLLNER: I was just saying, Madam Speaker, that every now and then at night I lie awake thinking about the future. Who would be a suitable Chief Minister? The member for Johnston would probably do a good job. He could trot in here and roll out this sort of legislation with a smile on his face. He is probably capable of anything but, then, I think, ‘Hang on, the poor fellow he has had a gutful of this job, he is ready to go in August’. He might well hang on, but we have all been wishing him the best and we hope he has a fantastic retirement. I would be the last person in this place who wants to see government withold any sort of pension for the member for Johnston. I wish him well after a career in public life. That is about as far as I will say.
I would like to see the member for Johnston as the Chief Minister. Maybe he might be the person who would be prepared to stand up and take some responsibilities for these areas that the government is now trying to hive off to the Land Development Corporation - hive it off, spin it off, as a little business that the government owns on the side, hive off all those responsibilities such as developing our industrial areas and residential areas - give them a bit of responsibility for highlighting areas where you might be able to build a public house or two, and put a couple of tenants in.
Goodness me, you never know, the Treasurer might be able to scrape up a few pennies more, where we can actually start building some public housing. You never know, we might even be able to pick a few pennies up from the Land Development Corporation itself - run it to the wall, the same way they did with Power and Water and a range of other government business areas.
Madam Speaker, that is about as much as I will say for now. I am very tempted …
A member: Would you like another 10 minutes?
Mr TOLLNER: I am a bit concerned if I speak for another minute or two; I might have the member for Braitling jumping up and giving me another 10 minutes. That is about us much as I will say for now. I am very keen to get this bill into the committee stage and ask the minister some more questions on it. We will leave it until then.
Minister, I have to give you a little warning; there will probably be some questions on this in estimates next week, so you might want to consider who your alternate delegate will be on the PAC. Maybe word them up a bit on what you want to answer and what you do not want asked, whatever …
Dr Burns: Obviously you have not been to estimates yet. It does not work like that.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: It does not work like that. Well, I am sure it does not. However, there are some people on the PAC who seem to think it is quite okay to caucus outside meetings and the like. When you have alternate delegates you can just roll on and roll off, there probably is no doubt you will be caucusing together to ensure that you have a little pre-knowledge about what has been discussed …
Dr Burns: It does not work like that.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: … and what will be discussed. It would be rather rude to trundle somebody into the Estimates Committee and not give them a bit of a heads up about where they are at and what they are looking at. I would have thought it would be a bit rude. Maybe the minister sees his role as sitting there as a mute individual, saying nothing and talking to no one. We can only wait and see. Minister, I look forward to asking you some more questions.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, will I have enough time?
Madam SPEAKER: We can go until 12 pm and then we will continue afterwards.
Mr WOOD: I was going to ask which bill we are talking about …
Mr Tollner: Land Development Corporation.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, member for Fong Lim, I was just looking …
Mr Tollner: You should have listened more intently.
Mr WOOD: I was until I fell asleep. In between various political points the member for Fong Lim was discussing, I thought there were some very relevant points ...
Mr Tollner: Thank you, Gerry.
Mr WOOD: That is all right. I have some issues that I would like to raise concerning the bill that has been put forward today. Before I start that, I thank the minister for the briefing that I had last week. It was a very good briefing and I appreciate that.
When I looked at this bill, I actually did not think twice. I thought I would be talking to the Minister for Planning and Lands, because we are dealing with, as the bill says: ‘to expand the role of the Land Development Corporation’ ... - okay, we will just take that bit out – ‘… to undertake the development of residential land and affordable housing projects in urban areas’. I then looked up the Northern Territory government website for Planning and Lands. It has a group there called the Northern Territory Lands Group and, under that, it has the Land Release Unit. It says:
Then it says:
It goes on to talk about certain projects that it has done. It says:
The key projects of the LRU include the effective leadership, management and coordination of (but not limited to):
Expediting the Bellamack tender, development deed and associated processes as a priority.
And it goes on.
Then, we had the motion put forward today and I ask: what are we doing? Are we now taking a section of the Department of Lands and Planning and shifting it over to the Minister for Business? What is going to happen now? What happens to the Land Release Unit? Do all the people at the Land Release Unit go over to your department, minister, or do we double up? Do we have the Lands and Planning people doing something that your department is doing? That is a pertinent question, because the worst thing you want is the left hand and the right hand heading along in the same direction and just wasting taxpayers’ money. You also want to ensure the left hand and the right hand know what they are doing, because you still have a department of Planning. You still have strategic planning. What is their role going to be now? How will they fit in with this new agency, as I mentioned? Even though it is called a corporation, I think it is acting as an agency. How will those two things work?
Having been to the briefing, I believe the people who are on this particular group give me the feeling that they want to do things that people in the Territory are screaming out for; that is, they want affordable housing, and new opportunities in the design and styles of houses. They want opportunities to change what, at the moment, is a fairly bland type of subdivision in our suburbs that look very much like South Australia, Western Australia or any other part of Australia.
We have tended to bring architecture up from the south which does not really reflect the Northern Territory. In many cases, we have promoted housing with three- or four-bedrooms, en suite, study, etcetera, and we have put expectations in young people that this is what you need when you first start off. From the briefing, it was obvious there were some people in this new expanded land corporation who, along with builders, want to promote the idea that we can have smaller houses that can be built on to as the family grows. That is something we have missed out on. All the promotions you see on television are you-beaut, very expensive houses that are out of the reach of young people or, if they do get into buying one of these, they put themselves into far deeper debt than they should be, and for far longer than they need. There are some benefits in what I was told in the briefing. There are good ideas, but I wonder why some of this was not happening before. Why now, all of a sudden, have we had to expand the land corporation to be doing some of these things?
In the explanatory notes were the words ‘affordable housing projects’. The minister might answer my question in reply or in the committee stage: what does that actually mean? We have never been able to get an answer from the Minister for Planning and Lands on what the definition of ‘affordable’ is. Is it a $420 000 house? That is affordable to those who can afford it. However, we are talking about something that the average, ordinary person can afford, without going into debt for the rest of their life. We do not seem to have come up with some sort of definition of what ‘affordable’ is.
Does it mean reducing the price of land, for instance? If you reduce the price of land, you can afford a slightly more expensive house. However, if your land is worth three-quarters of whatever loan you can get, then you are going to have a little shed. In some cases, you will not be able to live in that shed, because ... I will move on, Madam Speaker. However, the point I make is that that has happened in some parts of the rural area. People have spent their money on the land, and they have no more money, except to live in a shed.
The key to affordable housing is affordable land. It raises some issues. The government now says it is expanding this land corporation, and that it is going to be involved in developing land which will be its land. It is going to be involved in affordable housing projects; is going to provide services including commercial, and recreational activities; and heritage and environmental conservation activities - which means that it is, basically, a developer.
I understand where the member for Fong Lim is coming from in saying that you will be competing with private industry. It is a good point. I am not quite in the same scene as the member for Fong Lim at this stage, because …
Members interjecting.
Mr WOOD: I probably never have been in the same scene as the member for Fong Lim. Sometimes, your Christian principles override that and you do have to speak to him.
The point is that the Crown owns the land and, under the current system, they sell that land off to a private developer. There are some very good questions to ask. Is that the perfect model? One reason that land has a high price is because the developer who bought the land from the Crown wants to recover the amount of money he paid for that land. However, if we want the government to look at affordable land and housing, I am not sure there is a problem if we take that away from the private developer - who does not really want to get involved in affordable land and housing because it is reducing his profit margin. You own the land. There is no reason why you cannot sell that land for $1. If I own a block of land I can sell it for $1; it is my right. If the government owns land, it can sell it for whatever it likes. It has an opportunity to sell to those people who genuinely require help when it comes to buying land and housing. It can do that because it controls the price of its own land.
If this land development group is interested in doing that, then I do not think it will compete with the market. If you put enough covenants on the land, as the government used to do years ago in the northern suburbs and, sometimes, in some of the early suburbs of Palmerston, that would be good.
I am interested in seeing the government get involved in streetscapes and urban design, but not from New South Wales. We have the New South Wales-type urban designs, and that is why we have little streets in Palmerston. You can hardly turn the fire truck around at the end of it, and you cannot park two cars on the bitumen and let a car go between. We have taken up the designs of developers whose only motive is to maximise the amount of land they will sell for houses, and to minimise the amount of space for roads, nature strips, and streetscapes ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, I ask you to continue your remarks after Question Time this afternoon.
Debate suspended.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Kalymnian Veterans Football Team. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I continue with my remarks in relation to the bill before the House relating to the Land Development Corporation.
I was talking about streetscapes before the luncheon adjournment. I noticed that in the second reading, the minister had said:
There are a couple of questions I would like to ask about that. I am concerned, after reading this, that it does not appear we have a decent set of standards for landscaping and street designs already in place. To some extent, I actually agree with that. When I see the small streets in some parts of Palmerston, I wonder what has come first - good planning, good streetscapes, or have we, basically, allowed developers to develop to the absolutely maximum for the maximum profit, the maximum number of lots, and forgotten that housing is simply not about that? Housing is about community, social impacts, and a whole range of things, and planning needs to take that into account.
When I see houses taking up entire blocks practically - in other words, the building envelope must be close to 90% of the block – in new developments in places such as Lyons, I wonder where you can plant the trees, because the houses are so close together. You have to ask what we have done with our streetscape and landscape design. We have not done the right thing by Territorians. It is obvious that other people agree, because the minister is now saying that LandCorp will now develop a set of standards for its landscaping and street designs.
It is not as though we are starting from ground zero. We have had suburbs in the Northern Territory for a long time. We have had planning in the Northern Territory for a long time. Most of our northern suburbs were developed based on the Canberra design. Whether you like them or not, at least they were well thought out. If you like going around corners, that is, obviously, the type of development in the northern suburbs of Darwin. In the older suburbs of Darwin, there is the square alignment of streets. However, the point is we did have streets that were wide, with room to have trees. We had blocks of land where someone could actually play a game of cricket, and you had room to plant some trees.
We do not have that today in our modern suburbs, because we have handed the bough of our planning and of our vision for suburbs in our new towns like Palmerston - and, I suppose, Weddell if we are not careful - to the developers who have driven the agenda, rather than the government saying this is the bottom line …
Ms Lawrie: Not true.
Mr WOOD: If the government says, ‘We drove the bottom line’, I say the bottom line was terrible. If the government is deciding that we will follow the New South Wales LandCom design, it is saying that what we did before was not adequate. If we are going to go down this path of taking design guidelines from New South Wales, we should put those out to the public for comment, because New South Wales is not a tropical area as far as I know. We need to take into account that we are in the tropics; that shade is important. We need to ensure that if we are looking for desired guidelines for building and streetscapes, we relate that to a tropical climate.
I follow that up, in that when you are talking about design guidelines for buildings, you see further down that in relation to VicUrban - which I presume is one of these agencies as well - they have recently undertaken a 6-star environment development. I have enough problems with worrying about the 5-star energy requirements for houses in the Northern Territory which reduce the airflow, because the basic principle of 5-star energy saving houses is to presume that they will all be airconditioned, basically make the house an esky, and minimise the amount of window space you can have in a building. I would hate to see what we are going to in a 6-star development. That may mean we have no windows, and a fully insulated house totally reliant on airconditioning.
We have to be careful we do not start taking up all the ideas from down south. That is not to say some ideas from down south do not have merit. You need to learn from other parts of the world, and other parts of Australia. However, if you do not adapt that to the tropics, Central Australia, or the places in between, then we are not doing ourselves a favour. In fact, we are setting ourselves up to fail in the future.
It concerns me that we are now developing streetscapes and building designs and guidelines, which sends out a message that what we have done before was not good enough. It also, to me, begs the question: what was the Department of Planning and Lands doing if we did not have streetscape and building guidelines before this? I presume we have some. If we do have some, will these new guidelines override those existing guidelines?
I note the member for Fong Lim mentioned the people on the board. There is no doubt that the people on the board are fine people. I am not saying otherwise in the least. However, I have concerns that a number of those people are from interstate. There is nothing wrong with advice from interstate, but I would have thought that we could have on our own board some town planners from the Northern Territory.
Graham Bailey is still in the Northern Territory; he still lives in the Northern Territory. Graham Bailey is a qualified planner; he was the planner for the Northern Territory. He is the one that produced the Darwin Regional Land Use Structure Plan. I did not agree with everything in it, but it was a vision that was put forward, and we are still using it as the basis on which Darwin is being developed. In fact, the Minister for Planning and Lands said yesterday that we will be able to go from the Duck Pond to Weddell and Palmerston via boat. Well, that came out of the Darwin Regional Land Use Structure Plan. That is the plan that Graham Bailey put together. Graham Bailey is a genuine Northern Territory government - sorry, was – planner who resides in Darwin. He would be an ideal person on the board.
We have to show some maturity sometimes and look for people within the Territory who can do these jobs. There are some smart people in the Northern Territory. Look at those homes at the top of Ross Smith Avenue, designed by people to be low energy. I am not saying they are the ideal affordable home, but there are people out there who are always thinking about development of building guidelines in the Northern Territory and how we can adapt that to the tropics.
Anyone who picks up the local magazine that is around at the moment called Resident, will see the Batchelor’s Pad. That is the house that was put together by a number of people in Batchelor township. I think the house cost about $160 000. Its design is meant for air flow through; and it is relatively cheap. It is set amongst a beautiful garden. As I have said here before, I bet you cannot build it in Palmerston because of the covenants that are restrictive. A little leeway in design would simply not allow such a house to be built there.
That is the other thing we have to look at - flexibility within our suburbs. We do not want suburbs that look like the outskirts of Adelaide. I have been to Adelaide and looked at Delfin suburbs. I have been to Western Australia and seen Delfin suburbs. I have been to dear old Melbourne and looked at Delfin suburbs. I must admit, I come to parts of Darwin and I am not sure what city I am in. We have lost, to some extent, the ability to say ‘this is a Darwin architectural design’. We did have it once. You only have to go to Myilly Point and have a look at the old houses there. They were definitely Darwin. We did have a Darwin style, and you only have to look at the Administrator’s Cottage at the stone formations that also gave Darwin the style. However, we now have a style which is painted concrete and looks the same as anywhere else. We need to start to get a little adventurous. I realise that we have limitations with cyclone requirements, but I believe we can do a lot better than we are doing at the moment.
The government talks a lot about reducing greenhouse gases. One way to reduce greenhouse gases is to turn off the electricity. Why? You should be able to do that at times, and have free flow of the natural air through your house. I went to one of my local schools recently, on a day which was about saving energy. They were singing about ‘Turn off’, and they were turning off the lights. Well, that would make some difference in school, except you might not be able to see your books. However, the real energy use in schools is airconditioning. Many years ago in Darwin, you would never have seen an airconditioner; schools like St Mary’s were all louvred.
If we were really serious about changing our habits and reducing energy, then we design public and private buildings to reduce the amount of energy that we consume. One of the goals of the land corporation, I believe, if it is looking at design, is to start to become a promoter of low-energy housing designs. Somehow, we have shied away from it. It has to be all this style. Sure, there are a few louvres around, but there were houses at Bathurst Island in the 1970s, some of the first house designs that came in from Adelaide, that were simple. The design worked and they were good houses. There are a few of them still there today, 39 years on. They are not real good now because they have been through a hard life. However, the key to the success of those houses was a breezeway, and I do not think we are looking at that anymore. We do not seem to get houses that have breezeways, to give you a flow through of air from one side of the house to the other, so you have a central area that is cool.
We need to start to get back to some basics. I am trying to think of the name of the man that designed the houses a Myilly Point …
Ms Purick: Burnett.
Mr WOOD: Burnett. There was a man before airconditioning was around, who knew how to design and build a house that was cool. When I went to the RAAF base some years ago, they had Burnett houses there. What have they done? They have blocked them up and put airconditioners in them. However, he showed that you can build a house in the Northern Territory that is cool, and uses the natural climate. The land corporation people, when looking at affordable houses - because affordability is not about how much the whole house costs at the beginning, it is also how much the house costs to run. People cannot afford to have a couple of airconditioners going 24 hours a day. The electricity bill would not only have been pretty high before, it will be much higher in the coming years. We need to be making sure that we are innovative, not only in trying to reduce the cost of land, but in the size and the design of the house.
I commend LandCorp for saying it will push this concept of promoting the idea of a small house, which can be built on to. That was something I learnt about years ago; it is an excellent idea. If we can work with the builders, and advertise that this is Stage 1 of a house which people can afford - we need to promote it. We do not want to see everything on television as the you-beaut, super garage, everything with an en suite, study, and they can even have an astronomy observatory or something. We do not want that.
We want young people to enjoy the early parts of their lives as they build a family, without this heavy burden of mortgage on them, which does not do anything for the social fabric of our society. There is an issue that sometimes we forget: we can say that people can afford a $420 000 loan from HomeNorth but, if it means that both members of the family are working full-time, what does that mean for the household? What does that mean for the kids? There are social implications, not just financial implications of how we approach affordable housing. That is really important as well.
It is also mentioned in the second reading the best residential models developed interstate and how they can be applied here. I hope that is not the best style of house. It may be the best way we arrange our suburbs. I presume that is more what we are looking at: how it relates to recreational areas, roads, the shopping centres, and other services within the area. There is no doubt you can learn from down south. I note that the minister, when he was talking about VicUrban, mentioned this design where there were:
I have to laugh a little because, when I did town planning as part of my horticultural studies, in 1967 to 1969, the Fountain Gate subdivision in outer Melbourne - the one that Kath and Kym go to for their shopping - was one of those new designs. This is not a new process. They faced the houses in back in those days.
When we are talking about town planning, we are not talking about something that dropped out of the sky yesterday. You can go back to Walter Burley Griffin in Canberra, who was a part of a particular school of planning at that time. You can see some of his houses around parts of Melbourne and Sydney today. He did not just design Canberra; he designed houses and public buildings. We need a little more of that vision.
I have a motion before the House - I am not going to debate it, but I am saying that the motion is about Weddell. One of the things that concern me about Weddell is that we have not looked at the vision. We are now talking about planning. We need a vision that we then match the planning to. It is important that, if we are going to talk about affordable housing and guidelines, we need a vision. What is this suburb going to be about? What is this going to do for the community?
If we talk only bricks and mortar and dollars, then we have missed part of the equation that we need to look at. Houses are homes, quoting from The Castle. That is what it is about. If we just think of these things as purely concrete and clay, I believe we have missed the point. They are homes for people to raise their family, which is what life is all about. It might be philosophical but, if we lose sight of that, then we are just mechanical people working on a plan. We are building a town which is made up of homes which are made up of families, and we need to do that as best we can so people can live a good life, raising their children.
In the end, as I said before, look at the issues we have today: we talk about crime and young people running away from home. A lot of those issues relate to family life and we have to take that into consideration when we are planning.
I am not necessarily against the concept of what is happening. I know the Land Development Corporation has been dealing with industrial land and, I believe, that in itself is worthy of debate. I have people come to me and say: ‘Have you seen the price of industrial land? If you think housing land is expensive, try industrial land’. I can tell you now there is a bloke advertising land on the corner of Thorngate and Glendower Roads, which is just before the barracks. It is the block of land next to where the piggery was. There are quarter-acre blocks advertised for $1m-plus. A quarter acre of industrial land for $1m-plus. How can the Territory develop if that is the bottom price for a quarter-acre industrial block?
I believe we need some good debate about this. Minister, forget your Berrimah Farm for housing, we need industrial land. What better place, if we are going to use Berrimah Farm, than Berrimah Farm for industrial land, simply because of its locality? I am not against housing estates, do not get me wrong. However, when I see the industrial plan for Darwin before 2007, it shows all the industrial land around the prison and Berrimah Farm. It is closely situated to the port, and there is definitely a need for people like the land corporation to develop more industrial land at prices which will encourage business in the Territory.
It is the same thing. You are saying we want affordable housing so young people can get a start in life – it is no different with business. Not everyone has a lot of money to buy a very expensive block; I do not know how anyone can afford a $1m quarter-acre block. They, somehow, have to get that $1m back in profit to cover the cost of the land. That is a lot of work because, if you take out a loan, it is going to be more than $1m. We need to be releasing more land for both industry and housing if we want the Northern Territory to prosper. We need to do it carefully.
The member for Fong Lim talked about the industrial hub. I have no problem with a Defence hub, but why magnetic anthills are in one-third of it, I have no idea. Do you call that good planning? Beats me! We get a reflection of the industrial hub in the Wet Season with the magnetic ant hills; someone might think that is great.
Madam Speaker, I support in principle what is here. There are a lot of questions to be asked, and I will be interested to hear what the minister has to say in summing up, or in the committee stage.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I support the Land Development Corporation Amendment Bill presented by the Minister for Business. The Northern Territory is truly growing. Our population is growing at a rate of over 2%, the third highest in the nation and above the national average. Before Labor came to government, the Territory’s interstate migration was largely negative; more people were leaving than arriving. Now, people are heading to the Territory to take advantage of the many job opportunities and the great lifestyle.
To continue to protect Territory jobs and grow our population, this government has committed a record $1.3bn in infrastructure projects in Budget 2009-10, building the Territory and delivering real results for Territorians. With more people calling the Territory home, this government is focused on housing the Territory, where all Territorians have access to safe and affordable housing which is appropriate to their needs. That is why Budget 2009-10 delivers a record $390.3m investment in housing - more land to grow, new affordable places to rent and buy, and new public housing.
The government’s Housing the Territory Framework maps a range of strategic measures to drive housing reform and growth for Territorians. Central to the framework is the government’s drive to deliver more options for Territorians to rent and buy at an affordable price. High demand for housing in the Northern Territory has seen our construction in residential properties sector traditionally skewed towards the higher price point. It is great if you own your own home, or are looking at expanding your assets with an investment property, but we know that housing affordability is placing stress on some Territory families, and we are going to act.
I support the broadening of the Land Development Corporation’s powers and functions. I look forward to seeing the corporation start to develop residential land. I want to see the company fast-track new residential land releases. I look forward to the company developing new housing stock that our private developers are yet to test.
In other jurisdictions, I have seen how land corporations are leading the way in putting innovative, affordable housing stock into the market. Our housing market is dominated by development of CBD units in the city, and by large ‘three- to four-bedroom, two-bathroom, carport’ dwellings in the suburbs. We need to be more innovative in the Territory, developing a diverse range of stock to meet the market which, I believe, is untapped.
I stress that the corporation will not take away work from the private sector. Rather, it will rely on local builders, designers, and developers to work in partnership in delivering new residential stock.
As part of housing the Territory, we announced the creation of an affordable housing rental company. We have witnessed significant increases in rental prices in the private market, which creates housing stress in our community. It is government’s intent that the affordable housing rental company will meet the gap in our rental market between the private and the public housing sectors. The company will be established to provide rental accommodation options at affordable prices for Territorians. Detailed work is under way on the structure and operating guidelines for the company, which will be established next financial year.
Its first project will be the Parap Gateway redevelopment of public housing along Parap Road - a project that, sadly, the opposition does not support. The Parap Gateway will transform Parap Road, replacing high-density public housing sites with a mixture of affordable, private and public housing. As members will be aware, good progress is being made to support tenants at the Wirrina Flats and town houses into new homes. Demolition of Wirrina, the first site to be redeveloped, is anticipated this year. I and the member for Fannie Bay look forward to seeing this work get under way.
Government’s new Homestart NT initiative commenced on 1 June to help Territorians on a low to middle income buy their own home. More than 80 Territorians registered their interest in the scheme in the month between its announcement and commencement. Since Homestart began earlier this month, more than 50 people have made inquiries, and nine applications have been submitted. This is a clear indication that the Henderson government’s initiative is meeting a need within the community. Today, I am happy to announce that the scheme had its first application approved.
Homestart NT introduces higher income limits based on household size, and higher purchase price caps, along with a low 2% deposit, shared equity loans, and fees assistance loans. It opens up about 40% of the property market to low- to middle-income Territorians, without investing more than 30% of their income in repayments.
These measures are further supported by a 20-year land release strategy outlined in Housing the Territory Framework. The Territory’s strongest population growth areas are in Palmerston. That is why government’s land release strategy for the immediate future centres on development in Palmerston East. Johnston, Mitchell, Zuccoli, and Bellamack will put 3700 blocks on to the market over the next five years.
This is where I see the new role of the Land Development Corporation first taking effect. The government’s commitment to 15% for affordable public housing within these large-scale land developments will open up opportunities for Territorians to call these new suburbs home at an affordable price. Bellamack, which is now under way, is the first subdivision where we will see our 15% commitment delivered.
For the affordable housing component of this development, prices for new homes will range from $240 000 to $420 000. This government has carefully set a variety of price points the developer of Bellamack must meet. A range of price points ensures we see a variety of stock delivered and the opportunity for low-income Territorians to buy a new home in the area. I look forward to seeing a variety of stock developed, including duplexes, triplexes and houses in Bellamack.
In recognition of the current gap in our housing market, government has taken a decision to play an active role in driving affordable housing developments by expanding the role of the Land Development Corporation. While this test is a new process for the Northern Territory, the success of such ventures in other jurisdictions highlights the value of having the corporation meet this need in our market.
I listened to the minister’s second reading speech with interest. He stated that the New South Wales’ land corporation, LandCom, is another jurisdiction that he has been looking at for guidance. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet some of the executive staff of LandCom in Sydney, and I was impressed with what they had to deliver in New South Wales ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! As interesting as I find this fellow, it is shameful that more of his colleagues are not here listening to him. I call your attention to the state of the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Ring the bells for a quorum. I believe we have a quorum. Please continue, minister.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is interesting there is only one member on the other side of the Chamber.
I had the opportunity to talk to LandCom, and Land Development Corporation members from the Northern Territory have also met them. They are doing some great work.
I welcome the minister’s statement that LandCom’s design guidelines for buildings and streetscapes will be looked at in the Northern Territory. They have spent years going through this. I take the comment from the member for Nelson. We do not just duplicate things. They have been through a lot of heartache, they have spent a lot of money, they are sharing their knowledge with us. Obviously, we do not take it on wholly and solely, but we can save ourselves a lot of time and money by learning from their experiences. This is what we look at.
The approach to build strong links with other successful land corporations is the right way forward. Our Land Development Corporation has a strong track record in delivering industrial land and, with key resources from other jurisdictions and a highly experienced board, we are well placed to create an excellent residential model for the Territory.
This bill will ensure that our Land Development Corporation can avail itself of the residential land development opportunities and best serve the Northern Territory residential land and housing requirements. With the passage of this legislation, the corporation will gain the capacity to oversee urban projects rather than just industrial land. By having role in driving residential developments, including the capacity to work in partnership with the private sector, the LDC will drive a new element in a housing market: innovative, affordable, housing projects for Territorians. I am confident that the strong legislative support, and the combination of expertise and experience of the Land Development Corporation Board, the LDC will prove highly effective in its expanded role.
This government is absolutely focused on creating new opportunities for Territorians to buy and rent at an affordable price. I commend the minister on this legislation. What has been highlighted over the last few months, for me as the Housing Minister, and getting the Housing the Territory strategy going, has been the fact that the Territory is growing up, both in the development of new housing - getting that spectrum of houses, more affordable housing but, also, more generally in the rental market with the affordable housing company and with the growth of the community housing sector. This government is driving innovation and building the rental and the new stock into the market.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister and look forward to the passage of the legislation.
Dr BURNS (Business): Madam Speaker, I thank all members who have contributed to this debate and I will try to address the issues that they have raised. The member for Fong Lim has indicated that he will bring this particular bill in the committee stage to interrogate further, and I also welcome that.
I will start at the end, and the statement made by my colleague, the Minister for Housing, where he said that we are a government focused on creating opportunities for Territorians to buy and rent. That is a focus of this government. It has been outlined in this House about land release and the activities of this government in that regard. My colleague has outlined some of the things that his department is doing in that regard. I believe that this bill before the House provides another opportunity in a much-needed sector; that is, the affordable housing end of the market. That is very important, and is the intent of the government. This bill achieves that intent.
Members have asked some very good questions, particularly the member for Nelson, who has been very thoughtful in what he has had to say. The member for Fong Lim also raised some very good points about competition and commercial competition versus a government business division which might have an unfair advantage within the marketplace. As I indicated when he was speaking about that, that is a very good question, and one which I will try to address.
I will not try to address the political side of what the member for Fong Lim had to say. He is very repetitive and he takes every opportunity for that, which is his want to tie the issues in the way that he does. However, I will try to address the substantive issues that the member for Fong Lim has raised. He asked why it was that we have to copy agencies in other states. Why can we not just do our own thing in the Territory?
We are the last jurisdiction to have this sort of body. There are models interstate, and why should we not look at what has been tried and tested interstate for a number of years, and try to pick the best points of those, find what is applicable to this jurisdiction and modify it to suit. I commend the Land Development Corporation and its board, for coming up with a model that takes the best from elsewhere and puts a Territory perspective on it. I believe that is very important. We do not want to reinvent the wheel; we want to learn from others’ mistakes, and develop a Territory appropriate product, which we will do.
He mentioned accommodation in the Territory being at a critical stage, a statement that I made in my second reading speech. I acknowledged that this is a very important issue. The member for Karama, who is the minister for Planning and Infrastructure, has outlined to this House how many blocks are coming on to the market in the Northern Territory in time. She talked about the headworks tender for Bellamack 5.7 being awarded to Wolpers Grahl in November 2008, and subdivision approval being granted by the DCA for the first stage of Bellamack, comprising 234 residential lots and three areas of parkland. Bellamack will provide 670 block with 15% reserved for affordable and social housing, with the first 90 blocks to be available at the end of this year.
She also talked about the 200 blocks in Johnston, and the subdivision application being lodged with the DCA. The headworks tender for Johnston is valued at $10m and was recently awarded to Mark Cundall Earthmoving, and this includes new roads, and power, water, and sewer main. She has also gone into much detail about Zuccoli. There is a lot of land being developed, but this is aimed at the specific end of the market - the affordable end of the market.
The member for Fong Lim raised the issue again that he raised in the last parliament about a media release of mine that talked about $200m worth of development and built infrastructure by the private sector - or predominantly the private sector - at the Darwin Business Park. What he added up in my media release added up to about $130m, I believe it was, and asked where the other $70m was. I believe I responded that there were some items which had been omitted.
The media release said ‘include the following’ so there was a number there. The latest list you will find on the land development website, member for Fong Lim, and it is a list which shows the major developments. I am also advised there are some smaller developments which are probably not part of that total. The total of the major developments, as of today that I counted myself with an Excel spreadsheet, totals about $220m - just a shade under $220m.
I point the member for Fong Lim towards the website of the Land Development Corporation. I have to also say I am genuinely disappointed by the attitude the member for Fong Lim had about interstate members on the board of the Land Development Corporation. These are people with a wealth of experience and, at a personal level, I have met them. Apart from the fact they are very nice people, they are also people with a lot of experience. I do not think we should shut the door on interstate people with a lot of experience.
Mr Duval has undertaken a number of assignments for the South Australian government’s Land Management Corporation, Department of Environment and Heritage, Adelaide Airport, and Port Adelaide Maritime Corporation. He certainly has had a lot to do with property. Also Mr Marek Petrovs has been Deputy Chair of the New South Wales Growth Centre Commission, Chairman of the former Urban and Regional Land Development Corporation of Victoria, which became Docklands, a very successful development, and he is also well-known in this area nationally.
I note what you say, but I believe people from interstate with particular expertise can add much to our boards. Of course, we have Mr Steve Margetic who is the chair of the board, and also Margie Michaels from Clayton Utz, the deputy chair, and a well-known Territorian, Dennis Bree, who represents the government and also a member of the Land …
Mr Elferink: A fine fellow.
Dr BURNS: Beg your pardon?
Mr Elferink: A fine fellow.
Dr BURNS: He is a good man. We have a wealth of experience there. The member for Nelson mentioned Graham Bailey. I agree with your assessment of Graham; he has made a fantastic contribution in planning and the history of the Northern Territory. I am advised by John Coleman, CEO of the Land Development Corporation, that Graham is there front and centre working for the Land Development Corporation on this project and, possibly, others as well.
It is a good point you made. It is always good, if we can, to have Territorians on these boards. However, we also have to look for a mix of ideas and experience from elsewhere. It is a hard haul, but I felt the member for Fong Lim was a bit too strong in his criticism, and I was genuinely disappointed with that.
The member for Fong Lim asked about the Defence hub. I am advised the tender for Stage 1 to deliver four service lots is to be advertised in mid- to late June, this month. Planning application is currently with the Litchfield Division of the Consent Authority. I am further advised, member for Fong Lim, that the Land Development Corporation is working with DDE’s Defence Support Group on this project. That Defence Support Group has been dealing directly with a number of proponents. There is interest and that project is moving along. As you say, it is incumbent on government to lobby hard for the Northern Territory within the complex body that is Defence at a federal level; at every political and departmental level and, of course, the military level - for the want of a better word - to get a good result for the Northern Territory in what is going on in securing and keeping as many Defence resources as we can, and actually building those Defence resources within the Northern Territory.
I know that we are currently contacting and writing to the new Defence minister. I am hoping that either the Chief Minister and or I will be meeting with Senator John Faulkner in the very near future.
You mentioned the logistic hub, member for Fong Lim. I have tried to interpret that. I believe what you might be talking about is the common user area at the port. I made an announcement quite recently about that. This is a common user area that will be used by people in the further development of our oil and gas industry. I am speaking specifically about INPEX. The entry roadworks are nearing completion. I am advised that the tender for the hardstand fencing and services are being considered by the Procurement Review Board today, and there is strong interest from local, national, and international businesses in this project. I did have a figure written down for the common user area, which is $5m I am advised. That is a substantial investment by government in that particular part of the infrastructure.
A very important issue that the members for Fong Lim and Nelson raised was in regard to the real risk of the Land Development Corporation, through this change in their activities, impinging or affecting other developers who are in this commercial area. The fact is that this affordable housing end of the market, is something that has not really been provided, to any great extent to date, within the industry. There is a large call by the community - and by the opposition and the Independent - for government to get involved in this particular end of the market.
The intention is that we will begin projects, and there will be announcements made within the next fortnight, both regarding the start - and it will be a start for something very large - and the location of that start within the next couple of weeks. It is a very important end of the market. We are also out to demonstrate that this end of the market can be profitable, and to stimulate this end of the market as well. If private companies get involved and start to increase their profile in this area, the government and the board will consider to what degree there is ongoing participation in this end of the market. Although, I believe what you can see from other states is that governments do stay in this end of the market for some time.
There are some interesting experiments interstate where, I am advised when I meet with the Board of the Land Development Corporation, there are now builders in some areas interstate who cottoned on that they can make a profit - and a fairly solid, constant profit - out of this end of the market, and some demand has been stimulated. That is very important to note.
The other thing to note is that this is a totally new product and delivery model, particularly in relation to the expandable housing side which the member for Nelson mentioned and which, I understand, was in existence in some areas of Palmerston, as he also pointed out, when Palmerston first started. People could buy or have built a basic unit of their home and, then, as their family grew, they could add on sections such as bedrooms etcetera. That is very important.
One of the things that I pick up - and it is a generational criticism of the younger generation. The younger generation want the three-bedroom house with the flash driveway and the pool room and the swimming pool out the back. People say: ‘When my wife and I started off, all we had was an old house that was in a certain area, and we borrowed furniture from mum and dad on both sides and from the op shop and second-hand shop. That is how we started off. As we built, we changed up to another house and got better furniture’.
That was the experience of my parents’ generation and the house that they started …
Mr Elferink: That is my experience; I am still suffering from it now.
Dr BURNS: Well, it was my experience too. Basically, I am not sure how warranted it is, but this actually provides an avenue now for, particularly younger people, to actually make a start, get into the housing market and grow their family and their investment. That is very important.
On the question the member for Fong Lim asked regarding whether, when the LDC becomes a full-blown GBD, they will have an unfair advantage in access to government funds, that will be something that will be an open and transparent process. There will be political debates about that. Much depends on the market, the players in the market, and the need for government to continue to be involved. That is all I can say in relation to that.
The member for Fong Lim has asked what land is out there for development. I have already mentioned Bellamack and some of the future developments. Government has given commitments about what percentage of that land will be available. This affordable housing company, for the want of a better word, the Land Development Corporation, will be part of all that. However, this government is squarely behind the corporation in this respect.
The member for Nelson raised another good issue. He said, within Planning and Infrastructure, there is a Land Release Unit of DPI, and asked whether this is, to some extent, duplicating or usurping their role, and how it is all going to fit together. That was a very good point, member for Nelson, and it was one of the first questions I asked as a former Planning and Infrastructure minister. As I got into discussion about it, it was pointed out to me that the Land Development Corporation will actually be in a completely different role to what DPI does at present. As you pointed out, member for Nelson, DPI currently turns off land which is sold to a developer - or there is some process by which the developer gets and pays for that land – and, then, the developer endeavours to make a profit on this land.
The process here is quite different in that the Land Development Corporation, working with DPI, will identify land - particularly Crown land if it available - that is suitable. However, from there on, the process becomes a little different. The land will be transferred from DPI into the Land Development Corporation at the cost of turning off that land - which is surveying and other aspects of turning off that land. It will not be a $1, but it will be at a minimal cost. From there, the Land Development Corporation will undertake the road works, the headworks, and all the rest of it as a developer would and, to some degree, the marketing and the building, or entering into contractual arrangements with builders to build. They will be the developer.
This will become more affordable through this particular method of development, because those margins that were previously built in through the process you have outlined will continue through DPI - this is a separate process. Turning off that land and building the house will have fairly set costs. There will be a range of set designs at set price points, which are designed for that market. The builders will be building to a specific margin and turning out the product. That is how we aim to have affordable housing, and that is how it is done elsewhere.
To answer your question, member for Nelson, it comes down to the fact that the Land Development Corporation will have a different role to what DPI has now. That is why they are separate and have a separate role. However, they will be working very closely, obviously, with DPI. As you are aware, Mr Coleman, the CEO of the Land Development Corporation, has a long history with DPI. He actually worked in DPI in a senior position, so there are very strong links. I do not think there is much risk of the left hand and the right hand not knowing what they are doing.
A number of the personnel who have come to the Land Development Corporation have come out of DPI. I visited the Land Development Corporation. They have a very high calibre of staff, very professional, with many years of experience, dedication and commitment to the Northern Territory and their particular job. It is a real coup to have someone like John heading up this corporation – he is here and probably embarrassed - and working with a quality board but, moreover, very quality people working in that corporation to achieve the ends we are all committed to.
You talked about affordable housing in terms of design, size of the house, and block size. These are very important. The commitment I have from Land Development Corporation, I believe, is along the lines of the questions you have asked. Are these going to be designs suitable for the Territory, rather than something that is transferred by a big developer elsewhere? You see them in WA, South Australia and Victoria. We are after something that fits the Territory, particularly our climatic conditions, and provides the opportunity for a person to grow their home, so to speak, as their family grows.
The other issue is safeguards we need to have around this process. We are trying to get those people who currently cannot get into the market, into the market. We do not want speculators. We do not want people moving in, pretending they need an affordable house and buying one when, in fact, they have plenty of money and, then, they speculate on it and sell it. We will be modelling our eligibility on Homestart NT. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
not currently own or part own another property in Australia, and that applies to de facto, spouse or partner;
not exceed the accessible income and asset limits;
not exceed property market value limits;
have a minimum deposit of 2% of the purchase price for 100% ownership;
if you are building a house, contract a Northern Territory licensed builder; and
live in the property after its purchase.
There are tests around that. It is important that only people who are eligible get into this market.
You asked me for a definition of affordability, member for Nelson. That definition really centres on Homestart eligibility. The broad definition is Australia-wide and one we will be trying to model on. As a general rule in Australia for affordable homes, it is less than 30% to 35% of the middle household income expended on housing costs. The test will be built on the median household income and 30% to 35% expenditure on housing costs, with the new homes enabling Territorians to buy homes with the possibility of expanding later. We are saying these houses will be affordable, there will be price points, and it is in the government’s interest for people to take up these houses who do fit the criteria of Homestart NT.
You spoke a lot about urban design which, I believe, is very important. To some extent I agree with you, and have already spoken about big housing estates interstate and being mirrored here in the Territory. One of the assurances I have, as minister from both the CEO and the board, is that in the landscape and streetscape, we are going to endeavour to have a tropical streetscape; one that is enjoyable to live in, and provides adequate space and amenities for the residents. That is why part of this act talks about how the Land Development Corporation can develop not only park lands and recreation areas, but also those community assets such as clubs, and whatever. We are really interested in the community amenity of these particular developments.
You talked about industrial land, member for Nelson. I do not have the figures in front of me - I have lost them – but the industrial land the LDC turns of works out to be fairly reasonably priced, at approximately $150 000-odd per quarter acre. The land you quoted outside was about $1m a quarter acre. The difference is that, at the Darwin Business Park you have to have strict criteria about eligibility; you have to have a business which is pertinent to the port or oil and gas.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to clarify something which was in the second reading speech. I made reference to a new section 41A which proposed:
Section 41A has not been included in the bill in response to requests from the Northern Territory Treasury. Therefore, the Treasurer will not be delegating any power, say, to the Under Treasurer or whoever. That power of decision will rest with the Treasurer, which we felt was appropriate. I need to point out that the bill which has been tabled is, indeed, the correct and final bill and the incorrect reference to section 41A was included only in my second reading speech. I clarify that. The bill, as it has been tabled and circulated, is perfectly correct. Through an oversight in my second reading speech, that error about delegation was included, and I am clarifying that the Treasurer will not be delegating any power to anyone else – mainly the Under Treasurer. All that power of decision will rest with the Treasurer.
Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution. The member for Fong Lim has further comments and questions to ask in the committee stage. I commend this bill to the House; I believe it is a very important bill. It is a positive bill which shows that government is endeavouring to get into this end of the market. I really hope, apart from reasonable questions that members have, that we can have a constructive discussion and debate within the committee stage.
Madam Speaker, I commend this bill to the House.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
Mr TOLLNER: The first question I have to ask, minister, is: what land is there for the LDC to develop? You mentioned Bellamack a minute ago. Do I take it that Bellamack will now become, in part, incorporated in the LDC?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I did mention that a certain percentage of Bellamack - 15% of the 670 blocks - has been reserved as affordable and social housing. We will probably be making a start with this model within Bellamack. The Minister for Planning and Lands has also mentioned Johnston, Zuccoli and Mitchell as prospective developments. As a government, we need to look at where we are going to place this affordable housing. However, it is very much a starting process at this stage and, as I said previously, we will be making announcements in the next couple of weeks specifically giving some more detail of that. I am not in a position today to give specific advice about the location and the number of lots.
Mr TOLLNER: Do you have any general information, minister? What parcels of land were transferred to the LDC? I am not just talking about residential; I am talking about the whole gamut of things. I notice in amendments that you put forward you talk about ‘community amenities, area or facilities’ which, basically, my understanding of it means that any land can be put into the LDC that government sees fit.
Dr BURNS: No, you are incorrect there, member for Fong Lim. What has been talked about - and I just talked about it in my wrap-up - is that this legislation gives the Land Development Corporation the capacity to provide an amenity within the developments that they will be developing. It is very important that people have recreational areas and parks. We know that people like their clubs, so it is just giving the Land Development Corporation the legislative capacity and flexibility to incorporate those elements in their developments.
I mentioned that Bellamack Area C is an area that we will be looking at regarding affordable housing. The member for Karama might want to give a little more detail about some of these aspects, and housing release generally.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, in further information to your question, member for Fong Lim, very clearly, this is enabling legislation. It is broadening the remit of the Land Development Corporation to be able to venture into the residential component that government wants to see, particularly in affordable housing. As the Minister for Business just explained, putting in the commercial and the parks is very much an opportunity to, rather than just look at the residential component, obviously, look at the planning around there and what community facilities you will provide for - whether it is a childcare facility or other such facility. Then, LDC has the ability to then joint venture and see who would be willing to participate in that.
They already have a great deal of expertise regarding industrial land. We have seen the success of the LDC in managing the Darwin Business Park near the port. It seemed a natural progression for the LDC to carry out a role that other agencies do on behalf of governments elsewhere in Australia in residential, and particularly, affordable housing. We have nowhere beyond Bellamack C for the LDC, at this stage. We firmly believe that this is a new venture for the LDC. Residential is not something they have done before. They have a proven track record in managing the turn-off of industrial land, but residential is a new remit for them. So, Area C in Bellamack is the first task that they will have at hand. As government, we will, obviously, watch how they manage that project before we make any further decisions on any other areas in which the LDC may participate.
Mr TOLLNER: In relation to these housing blocks, will the LDC have to tender for them in a competitive tender environment, or are they simply given a free run - something that is not available to the rest of the commercial sector?
Dr BURNS: The Treasurer wants to say some more about this because it is an important issue. However, I will start. What I have outlined here today and in my second reading speech is a new model of providing affordable housing which is quite different to what has been the practice, and will continue to be the practice, with large residential land releases and developments that we have seen, particularly in the Palmerston area. It is a model where various companies tender for parcels of land, then develop, turn it off, and sell it at a profit.
What this is all about is the Land Development Corporation acquiring the land and, then, developing it for affordable housing. This is a sector of the market, as I have said a number of times, which no one really has been involved in, in a significant way, within the Northern Territory. There is a big call for it so, there will be process of transfer of land into the LDC. There will be transparency around that process. This is the model that has been adopted elsewhere. The LDC then develops that land as a developer, with the sole brief of having affordable housing, which is in much demand in the market, I believe, at present.
As I said before, government is also putting some parameters around who can actually access this affordable housing. We will, to a large degree, use eligibility for Homestart NT as the criteria for the basis for determining that eligibility. I am not sure whether the Minister for Planning and Lands has anything to add to that.
Ms LAWRIE: There are a range of models that can be adopted. We are not going to constrain, at this stage through a committee debate, any of the models that will be adopted by the LDC. Suffice it to say, we recognise that there should be some competition neutrality aspects to the work that they do. This is not about undermining the existing development residential marketplace; this is about providing a different type of product that currently exists than the marketplace. In the various modelling that we will do, we will, at different times - depending on what the market is doing - adopt different models to the way in which we are turning off. That being said, there are a range of agencies which are involved in that process. Everything we do is, ultimately, on the public record and will come under significant scrutiny.
LDC works very closely with the Department of the Chief Minister, with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and Treasury, to ensure that we are not undermining the development community that currently exists in the Territory today.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, you made the point, not so long ago, that you wanted to prove that building affordable houses can be a profitable exercise. If it is such a profitable exercise, and it is proven as a profitable exercise, why would commercial developers not be doing that now? How does government expect to make a profit when other commercial helpers - I understand from your statement - cannot make a profit? What is this new model that the Treasurer just spoke about?
As I said during my concluding remarks, we will monitor the situation and, if there is a vibrant market that develops and people come to government with proposals, as time progresses, about their plans for affordable housing, we will consider that. That was the flexible approach that the Treasurer also outlined when she answered some of your questions before. We are responding to community need, using a model that has worked elsewhere – that is tried and true.
This is the appropriate step for us to be taking at this time. It comes down now, rather than a specific debate about elements of the legislation, that we have free-flowing discussions within our committee stage. It is coming down to a difference in policy between the government - that believes it has to stimulate, take the step forward, be proactive and try a tried-and-true method - rather than you, who is saying maybe the commercial sector could get involved. The question remains that they have not to date, in any significant way, and that is why government is taking the steps that it is now.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, you misread my view completely. Based on everything you have said so far, you have still not convinced me that the LDC is going to be given this land, sell it at a market rate, return a profit to the government but, somehow or other, still make land cheaper for people purchasing through that area. I thought that, if your goal was to make land cheaper, you would simply give it away or, like the member for Nelson said, you could sell blocks of land for $1. The government can do that as a seller. The government can additionally put a heap of regulations and caveats on those blocks of land, without having to go through the whole exercise of setting up another commercial entity that will take a big chunk of the market share and have access to real estate that other developers will not have.
It is very difficult to get a direct answer out of you on that one, minister. First, I have not had the opportunity to go through the budget papers and read what sort of return the LDC provided to the government last financial year. Can you give me an indication on the revenue that government received from the LDC for the last financial year? In addition to that, can you give me a budget estimate - you have the Treasurer sitting there right beside you - of what you expect to earn this financial year under the new regime of the LDC? If you cannot, I am after a broad figure or a percentage increase - some indication on what sort of money the government expects to receive from the newly constituted - for want of a better word - Land Development Corporation?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I am advised that the dividend that was paid to government from the LDC last year - and this is a very rounded figure that Mr Coleman has given me; I believe he has gone to check. He believes the dividend to government was somewhere around the $9m mark, based on its activities in the Darwin Business Park. You and I can have a little argy-bargy about the $200m and the $220m, but, by any measure, the LDC has been very active. There has been much development there and there will be further development.
I made an announcement, probably four weeks ago, about 34 blocks that were being turned off. There is the Darwin Business Park North and the Darwin Business Park South. There is a hell of a lot of activity going on out there, which is very good. However, to return to your point, a $9m return. The proposed dividend in future years would depend on the exact business plan and the extent of the developments. What we will be doing is starting at a starting level and getting the processes right and, then, looking to expand those operations with time or, as I said before, respond flexibly to what is happening in the market.
If there are major bona fide players who have major plans and they hold water, of course, government will consider those. However, at this stage, we are making a start. There is a community demand and voice for this sort of affordable housing, and that is why government is bringing this legislation through the House today. You have reasonable questions and I welcome those but, at the end of the day, I am confident this legislation will pass and we will get on with the job as quickly as we can to start turning out that affordable housing.
Mr TOLLNER: I understand we are buying a pig and a poke here. You have no idea what land might be included or handed over to the LDC. You have no idea what the dividends may be in the future because you do not know what land is going in there in the first place. Can you tell me what the profit margins of the newly constituted LDC will be?
Ms LAWRIE: As I clearly said in an earlier contribution to committee stage debate, there is a variety of modelling occurring across government agencies working with the LDC about which particular model they will adopt in residential and community associated works turn-off undertaken by LDC. That information is not yet available.
Dr BURNS: Also, Madam Chair, I would like to correct something the member for Fong Lim said. He said we have no land, and no idea where it is. I have already identified Bellamack C as the first stage. I do not think, in all honesty, you can say that. We are saying, yes, if you want to talk about profit margins and returns to government, that is fair enough. That has to be part of the process and, as we move forward, those things will become evident as the work the Treasurer talked about proceeds. However, our bottom line is affordable housing, not the return to government, or the dividends; it is making available affordable housing to Territorians. That is our first focus; profit or return comes later. Government is investing in affordable housing; we are setting up the legislation to do it, that is our focus.
Mr TOLLNER: I can only take your word on that, minister. Backtracking again, I apologise, but you did say portion C of Bellamack would be in the LDC. Can you tell me what you estimate will be the return to government from portion C of Bellamack?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, the Treasurer herself - because Treasury is involved in all this - has said there is much work and modelling going on in the process. Also, we have to determine, when this land is transferred, say, from DPI to the Land Development Corporation, exactly at what cost that will be. I have already indicated you just cannot turn-off land for $1. There are costs of surveying, and for other elements and, to a large degree, that has been settled. What I also foreshadowed government will be making announcements about this in the next few weeks. That will become evident when government is set to make those announcements.
This is the enabling legislation which enables the Land Development Corporation and the other agencies to get seriously on with the job, as soon as they can, of turning out this affordable housing.
Mr TOLLNER: Now we are getting to the nub of it. Given the fact that the modelling is not done, and we have no idea of the economics of this project as to whether it will be profitable or not - because, as you say, your goal is affordable housing, it is not necessarily return to government - why is it you think more can be achieved by this model of having a corporatised land release strategy, than by your own government doing it itself?
Ms LAWRIE: There are a couple of reasons for that. The Land Development Corporation has a proven track record in turning off industrial land in the Darwin Business Park. The second reason is we have created, under this legislation, the enablers they would need to operate, as we have seen authorities operate for government in other jurisdictions. Two provens are in that. The first proven is the Land Development Corporation’s ability to manage the turn-off of industrial land. The second proven is that we have modelled this the same way we have seen successful government owned corporations turning off residential land at good price points for the affordable marketplace in other jurisdictions. Two provens - we will back those provens.
Mr TOLLNER: I do not know whether they are proven. Obviously, looking at the books of the LDC and the fact that the minister says that you have picked up $200m worth of developments, this thing has been operating since 2003. There is a big question mark as to whether land could have been developed quicker if it was simply put out to ballot with a whole bunch of caveats put on blocks of land, and regulations put in place, as opposed to government trying to get a return on land.
The fact is that our port area is underdeveloped; there are a whole heap of things missing from the port area. It is a relevant question as to whether things could have been done better in the past as far as developing the industrial centre at the port. Apart from ‘Oh well, they do this interstate’, it seems to be that there is no answer as to whether or not you know anything about this new model. Why can you not simply allow this to go out to existing developers, with a whole heap of caveats put in place, rather than going through another party who, I understand, will not be directly employing the range of people required to develop the land? If they are, then there is even further competition with private enterprise.
Dr BURNS: As the Treasurer and I have said, we are looking at a number of flexible options in the model. The model is proven interstate. The ACT, from where we have substantially modelled this legislation and the operation of the Land Development Corporation, makes a substantial profit each year, and that is returned to government.
Let me emphasise once again, member for Fong Lim, that, although the potential profit is there, this government is not interested in the profit, per se. Our focus is on turning out affordable housing. That is the focus, and that is the path we are going down, because there is a need in the community for it. Basically, the community, I believe, has expressed to us, very clearly - people have expressed to me - that they want to get into the housing market. That is what this government is doing. We can go around in circles in parliament, but government is intent on doing that, and we will do that.
Ms LAWRIE: Just adding to that, as Planning minister, they are not mutually exclusive. You can have an environment where the Land Development Corporation is dealing with a particular niche in the marketplace, which is affordable housing. Similarly, at the same time, we have, for example, Urban Pacific and Brierty doing a subdivision that has components of affordable housing in it. We also have the new suburb of Johnston which will have components of affordable housing in it, as with Zuccoli following Johnston, and Mitchell following Zuccoli. Also, at the same time, the Defence Housing Authority will be turning off land at Muirhead with components of affordable housing in it.
We are not standing here and saying that only the Land Development Corporation operating at Bellamack Area C will be in this space. They will be one component in this space, but there is already another player in this space; that is, Urban Pacific and Brierty, with conditions attached to the development agreement at Bellamack Areas A and B. So, it is not just one; it is not just the LDC. There will be other private developers in the marketplace working on government released land in Bellamack, Johnston, Zuccoli, and on DHA land in Muirhead, all operating in this marketplace.
Mr TOLLNER: I will only ask this one more question; I will give some of my colleagues an opportunity to buy in. I am not saying you are off the hook completely.
You mentioned these similar organisations interstate, and you particularly alluded to the ACT. In the ACT, clearly, it is a revenue-raising measure. In your second reading speech, you mentioned that they raised over $390m last year. That must look pretty juicy to a government whose current LDC raised only $9m last year, and a government that is stretched to the maximum with financial requirements. To suggest that we would model our system on the ACT system, where they clearly do not have the same level of need for affordable housing that we have in the Northern Territory - the demographics are completely different in Canberra than they are here in the Northern Territory, even you would have to admit that. There, you are dealing with a small area with a reasonably large population, and a high, steady, and stable income level, which is somewhat different to the circumstances here.
Dr BURNS: I thank the member for Fong Lim for what he said. The Treasurer has made it quite clear that this government is looking at a number of models, or a number of ways, in which affordable housing can be delivered. One of these is speculation with major developers undertaking developments in various parts of Palmerston to have a certain percentage of their lots as affordable housing. Another way is through the Land Development Corporation. I have said before that our focus is not on making money for the Northern Territory government or consolidated revenue. Our focus is turning out affordable housing. I have mentioned that the community wants this.
This is the path we are going down. The situation in Canberra is probably quite different, as you have said, and it is quite different, obviously, in that their equivalent of the Land Development Corporation is really a major player. What we are saying here is that we are going to start off in a fairly modest fashion to begin with, to test the model, to test the process and, then, we will review how that Land Development Corporation might expand further into this market. We are taking a flexible approach.
We recognise that private enterprise is a major player within land release and development in the Northern Territory, but we are balancing that by saying we want to have a platform by which government can support people in the Northern Territory to get into affordable housing.
Mr GILES: I have a few questions, minister. First, is this change all about affordable housing, or does it also include residential housing?
Ms LAWRIE: The change is absolutely driven by the government’s Affordable Housing Policy, without a doubt, and affordable housing is also, by its nature, residential.
Mr GILES: So there will be no normal market housing aside from affordable housing in this model?
Ms LAWRIE: We are pitching the work of the LDC in its focus to deliver affordable housing.
Mr GILES: Will you rule out that normal residential land or housing will not be available under this new process?
Ms LAWRIE: I guess it does. The description of ‘normal’ - a unit is normal but the price point determines whether or not it is affordable. A house is normal, but the price point determines whether or not it is affordable. The work that the LDC will be doing in Bellamack Area C will be to deliver residential at affordable prices.
Mr GILES: We have just identified that Bellamack C will only be affordable housing - I am pretty sure I got that right. In any other works other than at Bellamack C in the future, will the LDC be confined to only affordable housing or to other housing that is not affordable housing, or what might be described in this example as not affordable?
Ms LAWRIE: The legislation does not define that it must only deal with affordable housing. The legislation provides for capacity to deliver residential. That being said, it is clearly the government’s stated policy intent that the reason for establishing this enabling legislation is for the Land Development Corporation to be able to deliver residential at an affordable price point.
Dr BURNS: I can add to that. Obviously, the legitimate questions asked by both the members for Nelson and Fong Lim about problems with the Land Development Corporation competing with major enterprises and business, is something that government is saying: ‘Well, we do not want to do that. What we are interested in is affordable housing’. As the Minister for Planning and Lands said, it is government policy that we are directing the Land Development Corporation and the board to focus on affordable housing. That is why we are here. That is why the legislation is here and that is the focus of government.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, this one skipped my mind. In relation to the bill, there is no mention of affordable housing in the bill, and there is no definition of what affordable housing is. Can you tell me what affordable housing is? Affordable housing will, obviously, mean different things to different people. Bill Gates might see half of the Northern Territory as affordable. Most of the Northern Territory is affordable; whereas some of the people living around my place would see large chunks of the Northern Territory as being unaffordable. Can you define what the government means when they talk about affordable accommodation?
Dr BURNS: I already outlined that the parameters around eligibility are those for Homestart NT. That is very clear; it is pitching at a particular income segment within our community. I am looking for my other notes here which I used in my wrap-up. I said the general rule in Australia for affordable homes is that less than 30% to 35% of the median household income is expended on housing costs.
There is a rule that exists elsewhere. It moves regarding income, and those are the parameters government is putting around that. Do you want me to say a particular figure? No, I am not going to say a particular figure, because it depends so much on people’s income and the parameters around Homestart NT. I am not sure whether the Treasurer has anything to add to that.
Mr WOOD: Minister, I should probably be very happy today because you picked up on a policy I have been hammering here for about the last eight years; that is, the government needs to get involved and produce housing lots that allow young people to move into a market they otherwise cannot get into.
The debate we have is centred around the best way to do that. We have had this debate before. The opposition, at one stage, in putting forward a policy regarding affordable housing, mentioned it was going to form a commission of some sort such as a housing commission, to look at this, as well. What I see here is, to some extent, the government doing the same thing, but doing it through LandCorp.
I take up a little of what the member for Fong Lim said; it is as I thought. I still believe the land could only be worth $1 if you wanted. If you sold it to a developer at that price, and that land was to be used under the guidelines that you outlined - only to be bought by those people eligible for Homestart - the developer would cover the cost of the infrastructure plus a profit. Then, whoever builds the house, which may have some guidelines imposed by the government - and we are talking about the different kinds of housing - that could also happen. In other words, you could cut out this - I suppose what the CLP had a thought of as a housing commission - a layer of infrastructure. You are having a Land Development Corporation; you could cut that out. If you sold a certain number of blocks to the market for, basically, nothing, and allowed them to develop it using your guidelines and covenants on, you could probably achieve the same thing. Do you think that is a reasonable option to what you are trying to do?
Ms LAWRIE: Obviously, by having the capacity with the LDC - in that scenario where you have cheap priced land to a developer with conditions and the price points for affordability - yes, that can be done. To an extent, we did that with Urban and Pacific Brierty in Bellamack A and B by putting conditions and a requirement of what those price points will be around the 15% affordable and social housing.
So, yes, we have done that. However, also, by picking up the LDC model – because, ultimately, the developer makes a profit - the profits made are then turned into providing further housing stock. You could do both. We will be doing both; we will be working with developers for land turn-off, and there will be conditions attached and they will make their profits. That will still happen; LDC will not be the only player in the marketplace. In fact, they are going to be a very minor player in the overall scheme of things because they will be focusing on Bellamack Area C. We will be testing them on what they do there.
However, obviously, if there is a profit, that then provides more revenue to government to then provide more housing. I believe that is the critical difference.
Mr WOOD: Minister, I see some practical difficulties in the way it is happening. I am not against what you are doing; I am very much in support of what you are trying to do. However, the reality is you are talking about 15% of Bellamack as an example of affordable housing. I do not know how you are going to work out, when this application comes forward for a large block of land, that a chunk of it will be separate from the overall development. It will be designed by the LCD and, somehow, has to fit into this bigger suburb. I do not know how you are going to do that, unless you do an entire suburb.
I do not see practical implications of trying to develop an affordable group of houses. I have seen the plans for Johnston. How are you going to cut out a piece of that suburb, under the guidelines you are talking about, without conflicting with the development?
Dr BURNS: I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Essentially, it is a planning question and I will defer to my colleague.
Ms LAWRIE: That is the importance of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure working with the LDC, and also working with those other key agencies such as Department of Chief Minister and Treasury. We are making sure we do get the seamless design principles flowing from areas A and B into area C. Our DPI planning people are making sure the planning components of the work done in C is a seamless planning design to fit with A and B. You are right, you cannot have C disconnected, in a planning sense, to A and B; so that is why it is critical the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is working with the LDC.
Mr WOOD: Will the government be selling land to a person who fits within the guidelines to allow them to build their house of choice?
Ms LAWRIE: All those options are available. Sale of land is available; owner construction and sale of construction is available. So, none are excluded as an option. It will depend on what is occurring at the time. Also, joint ventures are another option. That is the work that will be done with LDC, DCM, DPI and Treasury, and a range of options and models will come forward to government. Initially, we are probably looking at construction as well, but going to the marketplace with that construction, so we are doing the design and planning work to get a faster turn-off in the initial instance.
Dr BURNS: Sorry, member for Nelson, to emphasise and carry on from the points made by my colleague, I emphasis that we will ensure the design of the houses are a tropical, adequate and compatible design. There will be an array of designs, but not an infinite array. However, there will be choices for people. These will lay with the LDC. Regarding the layout of the suburb and how that works, will be principally with the LDC, but the LDC working very closely with Planning and Infrastructure, as you say, to integrate into larger areas that might also be developed. It is very important that there is a quality-control process, if you like, in the design and layout of these suburbs. That is another important role of the Land Development Corporation.
Mr WOOD: I must admit I have a difficulty even with the covenants put on some of the subdivisions in Palmerston. If I buy a block of land, as long as it fits within the building guidelines, I should be able to build a house of my choice - even if it is a silly house that does not comply with any of your requirements, but it is a reasonable house built according to code. To some extent, you are taking that freedom away from people. If you go to the suburbs you sometimes get row after row of exactly the same house. They might orientate them in different directions, but they are the same house.
I thought that one opportunity here may be to allow people with covenants - and I am going to ask about covenants as well because this is land for people who normally could not get into the market. I believe that they should be able to build their own house if that is possible - of a design, of course, that still has to come up to code. However, they would not be able to sell that house for so many years, so you would not have speculators. Or, if there was a divorce or a death in the family, there would be a mechanism to sell that back to the government if it was within a certain period of time. I am interested to know if there will be a series of covenants on these blocks to ensure that speculation and profit-making does not occur.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes there will, Gerry, absolutely.
Mr TOLLNER: Going back to a question that the members for Braitling and Nelson alluded to in relation to these affordable lands or housing. Under your definition, minister, they have to be eligible for the Homestart scheme; be low-income earners and the like. The understanding I have from the Planning minister - I might well be wrong; please correct me if I am - is that all of the LDC’s land will be there for affordable housing under your guidelines, but they will not be entering into - for want of a better term - non-affordable houses that do not meet that eligibility requirement. If that is the case, are we not creating subdivisions of what will, essentially, be large enclaves of low-income earners? I do not need to go into that.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, I understand your question. What I have said in relation to the question from the member for Braitling holds true. This is enabling legislation to provide for the LDC to go into the residential marketplace, not just for industrial land. That being said …
Mr Tollner: Affordable residential …
Ms LAWRIE: Residential. I said residential. Okay? I was very clear in my answer to the member for Braitling about that.
Mr TOLLNER: Sorry, is that affordable residential or just residential?
Ms LAWRIE: I will repeat it. Residential. Okay? The remit here is that they an go into the delivery of residential.
What I also said is that it is the government’s clear policy intent that the LDC embark on delivering affordable housing into the residential marketplace. We have one project that they will commence with in Bellamack Area C.
Mr GILES: Aside from Bellamack C - and I know that you have identified that as the first one - I want to have an understanding about whether any other areas have been conceptually discussed or otherwise and, in particular, outside of the Darwin and Palmerston region. I would like to know whether or not this model is being considered for Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs?
Ms LAWRIE: The model, obviously, could be applied anywhere in the Territory, without a doubt. What we are doing, though, is starting with a project in Palmerston.
Mr GILES: Has the AZRI site in Alice Springs been discussed as potentially being able to have the LDC come in there?
Ms LAWRIE: I will answer, because the AZRI is a current planning issue. There will be an opportunity in the planning done around AZRI to incorporate affordable housing into it. There will be a range of suggestions coming out of the planning committee that I have established in Alice Springs about that. I am sure that one of the considerations they will look at is whether or not there would be a component of AZRI that would be LDC delivering affordable housing in there. That is not a discussion that has commenced. Obviously, if this legislation passes and LDC is established, it is another element to the considerations around AZRI that that planning committee in Alice Springs will take into consideration.
Mr GILES: Just so I am clear. You do not see it being a problem for LDC potentially getting involved in the AZRI site? My second question is: do you see the LDC having opportunity – I am sorry about being Alice Springs focused - of getting involved in what you might understand as being south Sadadeen, or Larapinta, or Mt John?
Dr BURNS: Well, as I said before, member for Braitling, the intent of this government is to support Territorians to get into affordable housing, whether they live in Darwin, Palmerston or Alice Springs. We will try to work flexibly towards that goal. As the Treasurer said, basically, there are a number of different models and, depending on different circumstances, we will adopt those models. That is why I am so very glad we have such a competent Board of the Land Development Corporation, and also John Coleman, who heads it up. In our overall policy intent that I can talk about, that is our overall policy intent. We are making a start in Bellamack C. However, it will be our wish and desire - and I think the wish and desire of people of the Northern Territory’s - that this be expanded to other regions. Specifically about those areas of Alice Springs, I will defer to my colleague.
Ms LAWRIE: The same answer goes as the previous answer. Any opportunity in and around affordable housing in Alice Springs in a planning sense, and what role LDC could play in delivering that product, would be, in the first instance, considered by the planning committee that I have established in Alice Springs, with advice coming from both the LDC and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. That has not yet occurred because we had to, obviously, create the remit for the LDC first through this legislation going through parliament. Passage of this today then, obviously, gives opportunity for discussions at that Alice Springs level about the component. I would exclude from that picture Mt John Valley. Mt John Valley is being developed by the Lhere Artepe.
I have had very forthright discussions with Lhere Artepe around the need for affordable housing within what I know is prime real estate land. I am confident that they have picked up the strong suggestion that there has to be some affordable components to that. However, it will not be LDC.
Mr GILES: It runs on to my next question. Do you see any issues with LDC operating with native title land, as we might call it?
Ms LAWRIE: Depending on the nature of the area, because what we do with native title, in the first instance, is strike an ILUA, an Indigenous Land Use Agreement. So, if there is a component of the ILUA negotiator that says X proportion could be developed by the Land Development Corporation on behalf of the government to provide affordable housing, that could be part of an ILUA negotiation. Obviously, we have nothing to date because we have not had a LDC to date.
Mr GILES: No, I appreciate that. We have not got into the specific legislation yet, but these are contextual issues. Do you foresee that the LDC can, potentially, play a role in Indigenous communities where the 99-year lease and five-year leasing has been undertaken for the development of those towns, both in terms of the roll-out of the SIHIP program, as well as the roll-out of the infrastructure in those communities?
Ms LAWRIE: Clearly, the government’s policy intent there and our commitment is for Territory Housing to perform those functions.
Mr GILES: Do you see a role for the LDC in what might be classified loosely as the reconstruction of the town camps in Alice Springs; if Tangentyere sign off or the compulsory acquisition goes ahead?
Ms LAWRIE: We are on the public record as saying that would be work undertaken by government with Territory Housing. The other component of government involved in that would be the Department of Planning and Infrastructure in the civil work requirements, and Power and Water Corporation in the essential services. Territory Housing, DPI, Power and Water are three of the key agencies that would be involved in the town camp construction and refurbishment.
Mr GILES: Do you completely rule out LDC in town camps?
Ms LAWRIE: Yes. They will be busy getting their first affordable housing model up and out of the ground.
Mr WOOD: Minister, I am trying to work out how it operates. Bellamack is a total suburb being sold, with 15% for affordable housing that the Land Development Corporation is going to look after ...
Ms Lawrie: No.
Mr WOOD: It is not 15% of the land the developer owns, so there has been land taken out? That was what was concerning me. I did not know how you were going to get affordable housing if the present developer has already taken a chunk of the profit, or it has cost him quite a bit of money to buy that land. That is okay. How you would work that seemed to be a bit of an anomaly.
In relation to your second reading, you talked about housing projects in urban land, but there is nothing in the bill itself that says it cannot be rural land …
Ms Lawrie: That is right.
Mr WOOD: Would you announce in the next couple of weeks that LandCorp might be interested in opening up, for first homeowners, up to 500 one-hectare to two-hectare blocks on Crown land in the rural area?
Dr BURNS: I have to say this stage, member for Nelson, that is not the plan. It is important that we take our first steps and, basically, appeal to what we believe is a significant portion of the market that is not being served at present. Given the nature of the legislation, as the Treasurer foreshadowed, both location and format will change with time. The first thing is to prove what we have.
The Treasurer has mentioned that the Land Development Corporation has already proved itself in the development, turn-off and sale of industrial land. Now, government is setting it a task and giving it the legislative base to go into the affordable housing side of things. It is very much establish it first and, then, flexibly look at what we can do and what the demand is, because, really, it all comes down to the fact that a lot of Territorians want to get into the housing market. This is a mechanism by which government believes, as a first step, they can do that.
Mr WOOD: The basis of the question, even though I gave the forestry land a plug, was that you can operate in rural areas, not just in urban? The act does not stop you from operating in a rural development if needed?
Dr BURNS: I have taken what you have said on board, member for Nelson, and I give you the undertaking that the next time I meet with the Board of the LDC, I will pass on your wish. I will relay their response to you. It is something you have raised today. I have already outlined the first steps, but it could well be something that happens at a future time. I am not ruling it out, but we have to take that first step in the area that has been identified.
Mr WOOD: Thanks, minister. I can give you the names of about eight developers who will come knocking on your or John Coleman’s door. There is an opportunity for rural young people to have a chance to buy land in the region for a price and get a start.
I have covered all the questions. I make the comment that I agree in principle with what the government is doing. It is something I have been yelling out for, for ages. I believe the issue we have pf who should run it, member for Fong Lim, is correct. Should it be private industry? Should it be government? That is a reasonable debate. I am willing to say I will support this legislation. Let us have a look at it as it goes.
You say you are going to be flexible with it, if someone else coming along and says: ‘I can do that for you’ - bearing in mind the important philosophy of government, which has said it really does not want to make a profit out of it. They have to make some profit; you have to keep the board and the LCD people paid. I imagine there would be some margin, but that margin should be kept at a low rate. If someone comes in from the private market, they do so with that low rate of profit, as part of the arrangement. I believe the idea of being flexible to alternatives - that is, the private market getting involved - is good as long as the basic principle is affordable housing, and there will be a capped profit on the development.
Mr GILES: Minister, my question is probably more to the minister for Planning. If we are going to use the model of Homestart parameters for affordable housing, what would be the situation if the value of the land was actually lower than the eligibility criteria for Homestart? Does that make sense?
Ms LAWRIE: It does. A simple way of defining affordable housing is saying we have a Homestart NT scheme that does pitch to lower-income earners and ensures repayments on loans are no more than 30% of gross household weekly income. Affordable housing considers a range of things. It considers the appropriateness of the dwellings, so the dwellings should be appropriate to the needs and circumstances of the household, in the number, size and configuration of rooms, safety considerations, versatility of indoor/outdoor spaces, ease of physical access, etcetera. Then you look at a housing and social mix. You look at a range of housing types, tenures and styles to be available to meet the needs of people, but also in the life cycles in the needs of people.
Planning of affordable housing should seek to avoid any impacts on a housing market that excludes all but the relatively high-income earners. So, we need to avoid the development of neighbourhoods which do not contribute to community wellbeing, which was a point the member for Fong Lim was getting at. You have to look at tenure choice and also some consumer protections. There could be long lease contracts, shared equity arrangements, cooperative ownership structures, as well as opportunities for home purchase, but also private rental. It is not just one scenario – there is a range of scenarios.
Usually, with affordable housing you also look at the location, so that it has access to services and facilities, particularly transport because it tends to be lower-income earners there. One of the things good, affordable housing does is also look at the planning and design to ensure it is responsible to the local and environmental conditions, so the housing actually enhances and does not bring down the neighbourhood. That is what contemporary, affordable housing design principles are starting to achieve around Australia, and there are some good examples around of that. It is quality, which is what the minister for Business said as well.
You pitch it to low-income households, so it is the bottom 40% of households regarding income distribution. They should not be spending more than 30% of the gross household weekly income on either the mortgage or the rental repayments. All of those things go together to make an affordable housing model. They all interact with each other to make the affordable housing model.
As I said, we are not going to be restrictive. The remit of the Land Development Corporation could include, for example, just a turn-off of land, as the members for Fong Lim and Nelson pointed out. It could include the turn-off of units for purchase or rental, houses for purchase or rental, and a new design where you design a small house and provide the purchaser with the plans for the extension so that, as their wealth grows, they can actually build on to the house. All of those fit within the remit of what will be available to be done by the LDC.
Mr GILES: How would you set the market? How would the LDC set the market if the cost of the land, for example, was much lower than 30% of the average household income? If you could turn-off a block for $50 000 and the market was valued at $300 000, how does the LDC set the market for the stuff in this model?
Ms LAWRIE: A range of things are done in modelling. They work very closely with my Treasury department and the Department of the Chief Minister on that modelling. You look at what the marketplace around is yielding, so that what you are not doing is skewing the existing marketplace, because that would be a very bad result. What you do is look at what the modelling of the marketplace around you is doing and set your price points based on what you know the marketplace price points are. Obviously, affordable means they are lower. If, in Palmerston today, land is selling at $240 000, affordable land would be around about 75% of that price point.
Mr GILES: I remember you saying earlier that the LDC is not about making money; it is not designed to be profitable. However, based on your government’s modelling of the average cost per headworks at the AZRI Alice Springs Airport site, you have identified that that is a cost of $12 000 per block. Potentially - I am not a real estate agent anymore - that could sell for $150 000 on the open market and, 75% of that - I have not done the sums yet – is around $120 000 or thereabouts. It is costing $12 000 to get the block turned off, an affordable level could be $120 000, say. It could be more affordable is you sold it for $12 000. Potentially, if you sold it for the affordable market - the 75% range you just spoke about - you are really making $108 000 based on that equation. When the LDC is not designed to make money, how does that fit?
Ms LAWRIE: It is a hypothetical that I am not going to go into other than to say we have stated clearly the LDC currently makes a profit in the industrial land turn-off it is doing at the Darwin Business Park. We do not doubt that there will be profit opportunities for the LDC in the residential market that they are going to enter into. As I said to the member for Nelson, one of the benefits the government sees from having the LDC in this space is so that we can genuinely turn-off affordable housing which is what, as a policy initiative, we want to do. That is what is driving this initiative.
That being said, if there are profits made in that process – that is still an ‘if’; work is still being done on modelling the various options - as I said to the member for Nelson, that revenue does not go off for a private developer. That revenue goes to government and gives government the opportunity to construct more housing and to turn-off more land. Clearly, that is making a lot of sense in what we need to do, which is meet community need for more land and housing availability, and housing design and options in a range that meet the low- to middle-income earners who find it hardest to enter into the marketplace. It also is not discounting the rental opportunities that will arise out of that as well.
Mr GILES: I am supportive of the concept of affordable housing but, based on my estimation - and this is where I am not sure how it is going to work - I can find flaws in it. There is an estimated 2500 residential blocks at the AZRI Alice Springs Airport site. Headworks per lot $12 000 – this is your modelling - sewerage infrastructure $5000; water supply $22 000; power $1500; roadworks $2600, and so forth …
Ms LAWRIE: 2007 figures.
Mr GILES: Well, these are the figures you have given for the people of Alice Springs.
Ms LAWRIE: In 2007, Opus Qantec McWilliam did that.
Mr GILES: I am happy to go with those. This is not hypothetical, these are the figures you presented to the people of Alice Springs that you have been talking about.
If residential blocks went off at AZRI for $150 000, which is not unreasonable, and you sold them at 75% of that, which is $120 000, that means you are making $108 000 profit per block. Okay? Of the 2500, if 15% of those are going to be for affordable housing, let alone the ones that you are not selling for affordable housing, you would make a profit of $40.5m on those 375 blocks ...
Ms LAWRIE: I am happy to respond to that.
Mr GILES: I have not asked a question.
Ms LAWRIE: I cannot imagine a situation where the government would use the LDC to turn-off AZRI. AZRI is going to be the largest residential release in Alice Springs. The yield at AZRI is enormous. There is no way I can imagine that a Labor government - I cannot speak for others - would have the LDC as the developer for AZRI.
What I will not rule out is there is a component of the AZRI subdivision, in any stages of the subdivision - a component - that targets affordable housing that LDC could be involved in. Do not misread the situation here. AZRI is significant in its size and its yield. AZRI would clearly go to the private marketplace. There would be a range of options as to how that would happen, and the Alice Springs Planning Committee, I do not doubt, would be considering that range of options and providing advice to me.
Some of the options are a similar expression of interest process that we did for Bellamack. Another option would be to carve it up and go out into direct auction, with conditions attached. One of the options could be that we do the design and planning beforehand, and it goes to auction based on that you meet those designs and plans as a private developer, with conditions around the 15% in there. Those options are reliably far more alive for AZRI than some bizarre thought that the government would give AZRI to LDC to develop.
No, that is not government’s intention at all; I can rule that out. What I will not rule out is a component, potentially, of AZRI, a small component of it …
Mr GILES: How big?
Ms LAWRIE: Small.
A member: How big?
Ms LAWRIE: … a small component of it being used by the government to deliver affordable housing through the LDC.
Madam CHAIR: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Mr Jack Ah Kit, former member for Arnhem. I am sure you join me in extending a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Madam Chair, for the Treasurer - I could look it up but I do not have it off the top of my head - the Buildstart allowance.
Ms LAWRIE: $14 000.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: $14 000, and that cuts off when?
Ms LAWRIE: December.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: December. Are there any plans by the government to extend Buildstart?
Ms LAWRIE: We have just extended it.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Thank you. Past the end of December is what I mean.
Ms LAWRIE: No, if you are in touch with the construction industry, they would give you this advice: you do not announce a program designed to bring forward housing construction to be extended as soon as you have announced it is extended, because you will kill the opportunities to bring forward construction. If you ask builders, the TCI, the HIA, they will all give you that advice. They will say: ‘Do not say you are going to extend a program beyond X date, when that program is absolutely designed to bring forward construction’, which is what Buildstart is.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Thank you. I am not trying to have a go at you, minister, just seeking some information.
At the moment, the situation exists where potentially new - and we are talking about housing affordability here - homebuyers can be done out of the Buildstart allowance, where purchaser A - and the reason I am raising this is because a constituent has raised it as an issue with me ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Chair! All of the questions to date have been around the LDC legislation we have before us, because we were in committee stage of that. We have explained housing affordability, what that is, etcetera. The questions the member for Katherine is asking are not pertinent to the legislation. So, you are out of order.
Dr BURNS: We have had a far-ranging exchange here. I say to the member for Katherine that there will be ample opportunities within estimates next week to ask questions about other areas. It is not that we are trying to avoid the questions, but we have had wide-ranging discussion here. It has been about the LDC. I agree with the Treasurer; your questions are in a different area altogether.
Madam CHAIR: Thank you, minister. Member for Katherine, I ask you to keep your questions as close as possible to the subject of the debate which is, specifically, around the LDC.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Yes, I have been listening to a fair bit of debate at the committee stage this afternoon, and there has been a lot of latitude given to debate. It certainly was broad, and much broader ranging than just the LDC. Anyway, no problem.
Madam CHAIR: There is a lot of latitude associated with the LDC, member for Katherine, so I am conscious of that latitude.
Mr WOOD: This is part of the question in relation to the role of the LDC in developing affordable housing. Will the LDC be talking to banks in relation to their response to people looking for a loan? It has been put to me that one of the problems we might have is that sometimes banks try to ask people to take up a maximum loan. They will encourage people to take the biggest loan possible to have a loan for the biggest house. Is the government or the LDC willing to talk with the banks about what they are doing so people are not put into debt unnecessarily? In fact, are we encouraging people to take a smaller mortgage, to fit in with the LDC’s philosophy?
Dr BURNS: I have outlined - and the Treasurer has also alluded to this – that we have general definition of affordable housing. I have lost the bit of paper but, as a general rule in Australia, affordable homes is somewhere between 30% or 35% of the medium household income expended on housing cost. To some degree, that limits the parameters around this. Of course, Homestart NT further limits it.
As a government, we do not want to see people get over their head. We do not want to see people have their mortgages foreclosed. We want to see banks act responsibly. However, we are getting more into the Treasury here, and I defer to my colleague.
Ms LAWRIE: In terms of access to this stock, because it is affordable housing stock, it could be a combination of ownership and rental, for example. There will be criteria established for eligibility. That criterion will need to look at those questions in terms of gross household income, and ability to meet rental and also mortgage payments. We will be talking to the banks per se directly. The LDC will not. Do I particularly, as Treasurer, talk to banks around this issue? Yes, and I will continue to do so. Treasury does pay an important role in advice to government in this respect.
I have stated repeatedly, as Treasurer, that I do not think it is the role of government to assist people to get in way over their heads that causes disastrous consequences. Nor do I believe it is the role of government to actively interfere in the financial marketplace. What we have done, as a government, is set up Homestart NT around fair and reasonable criteria applying fair and reasonable test. We carry that burden through our relationship, through Housing and TIO. That is where we are operating in the marketplace. That is where we will continue to operate in the marketplace. We will not be looking to affect the normal financial marketplace beyond Homestart NT and TIO.
However, we have seen very few failures under the previous HomeNorth - tiny numbers compared to the thousands who have succeeded. What we have also seen with the previous HomeNorth, and now Homestart, is people enter into the loan scenario through HomeNorth, now Homestart, to improve their family wealth because their assets are improving and, then, gear out of that particular loan scenario into a more competitive loan scenario with another financial institution. That flow-through is a good thing to happen in the marketplace.
Mr WOOD: I am not asking government to interfere directly in the financial market. I am asking if LDC is talking to builders about smaller houses and looking at different ways of developing residential land so it is affordable. I hope that government also talks to financial institutions to tell them what is going on, so they can come along as partners, realising what we are trying to do is for the benefit of young people especially. I was not asking for interference, but to at least notify the banks and financial institutions to encourage them to support what you are putting forward.
Ms LAWRIE: Rest assured, they have never missed an opportunity yet.
Mr GILES: The Planning minister spoke about potential in the AZRI site for LDC to get involved in a very small portion. I want to get some gauge. Is a small portion 20%?
Ms LAWRIE: Absolute hypothetical. What I did say to the member for Braitling is that there is no current consideration before government for LDC to be involved in the AZRI site. What I have also said is that it is not being ruled out in the future as a consideration. However, we do not have the LDC established in the residential remit yet - that is what this legislation is about. We have, as a government, decided we will do one project. We will test all the work of LDC in the marketplace in one new project. Depending on how that turns out, of course, they are not confined to operating just in that one project and just in Palmerston in the future. That does not rule out Alice Springs in the future.
However, be clear: there is no proposal or suggestion before government. I have not put the suggestion before the planning committee in Alice Springs about LDC being involved in AZRI.
Mr GILES: Just to be clear, there have been no government employees in Alice Springs talking about potential role of LDC in Alice Springs?
Dr BURNS: I will take that question. Mr Coleman has been in Alice Springs talking generally with industry sectors. I understand - and I have been advised by him - there have been no specific detailed discussions about the LDS taking on any particular project. It is good that Mr Coleman is taking an interest in Alice Springs. I can only reiterate to the member for Braitling what the Treasurer said: there has been no decision by government. Our focus is on this initial step in Bellamack C and it will be, as you will see, very much a first step.
It is not developed from here down to Adelaide River; it is a modest first step. It is all about, as the Treasurer said, testing the LDC in that first step in its ability and the way in which it conducts a development for affordable housing in Bellamack C. There is a lot of work still to occur. There is a lot of work to occur between the LDC and DPI over a whole range of issues, even though the very elemental level of surveying and turning off the blocks, the headworks and, as the member for Nelson alluded to, the urban design and layout of the whole project.
Then, of course, probably the most important agency in government is Treasury, which will be looking very carefully at the economic model and moving forward on that. There are a number of parts of government, as the Treasurer said. There is the LDC itself, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure at various levels, Treasury, Chief Ministers and, of course, the Department of Business all engaged on this project. It is very much in its infancy. The government is not pretending otherwise. What we are doing here today - I hope we are doing - is providing the legislative framework to allow the LDC to make the start.
I share your enthusiasm for Alice Springs. Let us try to move forward. However, our first step is our first step. I think there is an old Chinese proverb about that, but I am sure you know it as well: the most important step in the journey is the first step.
Mr GILES: Well done. When I go to China, I will remember. That was a very long answer for such a short question. I want a really short answer. Have there been any Territory government employees in Alice Springs talking about the potential of LDC in the Alice Springs area?
Ms Lawrie: He said the answer.
Mr GILES: No, he did not answer me actually. He did talk for a while.
Ms Lawrie: No, he did, straight up. He said John Coleman has been down there.
Dr BURNS: As I have just confirmed with Mr Coleman, as I said previously, there have been some very broad discussions in relation to this, but nothing specific …
Mr GILES: That is a yes. That is all I wanted to know. A yes, and I am happy, member for Johnston.
Dr BURNS: I can only reiterate what I said before: the specific first step is in and around Bellamack Area C.
Mr GILES: Thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Just going back to Bellamack Area C. Can you tell me how many blocks of land in Bellamack Area C will the LDC be taking on?
Dr BURNS: Member for Fong Lim, that is still being determined. As I said, it is very elemental work that needs to occur, and government should be in a position in a number of weeks to make some basic announcements regarding that. The first step - you seem to be standing in the doorway a little here, member for Fong Lim – for us to get out of the doorway is to pass this legislation to allow the LDC to continue those very important discussions with DPI and other agencies to put more details to it and take those first steps.
I have not said this is a major development that is stretching from Palmerston down to Adelaide River; it is a first step within Bellamack Area C. The number of lots is yet to be identified specifically ...
Mr Tollner: Sit down.
Dr BURNS: What is that?
Mr Giles: Sit down, we have it. We will ask the next question.
Dr BURNS: I have been around a long time. I enjoy committee stage. I enjoy the inquiry of estimates, as you will find out next week. I have boundless enthusiasm and stamina, and I will be there with bells on next week, loving every minute of it.
Mr TOLLNER: I have to say, I love your banter as well. You are a great bloke to have a conversation with. At times, we can get a bit carried way in this place. Maybe my question was directed to the wrong person. Maybe I should have talked to the Planning minister.
You are not reluctant to tell us how much you forward plan if there is, in fact, a Bellamack Area A, a Bellamack Area B, and a Bellamack Area C. Surely, at this stage, the Planning minister should be able to give some indication of how many blocks of land will be available in Bellamack Area C? That is a planning issue.
Ms LAWRIE: You will be advised in due course.
Mr TOLLNER: When is the first block expected to be constructed in Bellamack, minister?
Dr BURNS: It has been delayed by about four hours this afternoon.
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Bellamack A is already under construction.
Mr TOLLNER: Yes. And no plans yet for Bellamack C?
Ms LAWRIE: No. A lot of plans for Bellamack Area C; particularly passing this legislation.
Mr TOLLNER: Can you outline the plans that are in place for Bellamack C?
Ms LAWRIE: You will be advised in due course.
Mr TOLLNER: So you have no plans for Bellamack C? Is that correct?
Ms LAWRIE: We would not be passing this legislation if we had no plans, you clown.
Madam CHAIR: Member for Fong Lim, if we can …
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Chair …
Madam CHAIR: Excuse me, member for Fong Lim, I am speaking. We have a bill before us, of which the subject is the LDC. If you could keep your questions to the specifics of that bill, that would be very helpful, thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Chair, we have just sat here all afternoon talking about the only project that we know that the LDC has any information on, which is Bellamack C. I am sure, Madam Chair - you have been in the same room. I am asking questions on Bellamack C. That is quite relevant to this debate, this discussion, that we are having.
What is more, the Treasurer just called me an unparliamentary term, which - I do not know what it is; people sitting there with cotton wool buds in one ear. And I am being asked to be relevant?
Madam CHAIR: Member for Fong Lim, I ask you to ask your question, resume your seat and then we will see if the question is answered.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Chair! I ask the member to withdraw.
Mr TOLLNER: No. We do not want anyone to withdraw.
Ms LAWRIE: No, I withdraw ‘clown’. If you are too sensitive.
Mr TOLLNER: I am not sensitive. I do not give a stuff what you call me. Call me any name under the sun you like; it does not bother me at all.
I want to know what plans have been put in place. Here we are, sitting discussing something about the Land Development Corporation. The only thing that we are told is the Land Development Corporation will be getting Bellamack C. However, now we find from the Planning minister that there are no plans available and nothing that the Planning minister is prepared to discuss about Bellamack C. What sort of charade is this?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I will take this question. I thank the member for his question. Obviously, there has been discussion within government, and plans drawn up around progressing this particular issue. I would have thought the member for Fong Lim would have realised that, in the current environment, if government was in a position to make an announcement, we would have done it yesterday.
However, as I said before, there are details to be firmed up yet; details at a very elemental level - I will repeat myself – around the surveying, the transfer of land, the headworks, the numbers of blocks - the number of blocks have been discussed by government - and the financial model. Obviously, Treasury, the Land Development Corporation, and other entities need to nail down that detail so that government can make its announcement and answer the very questions that you are asking.
To some degree, things are at a stage now where there are commercial and logistic issues; there is a whole range of issues. However, government today is simply saying to this House that this legislation enables government to move forward and empower the public servants and those in the Land Development Corporation to actually say: ‘Okay, there is legislation in place that legally enables us to move into this particular area. We are now in that position and we will come back to government with our final proposals’ - about all the things that I talked about. It is premature of you, at this stage - and it would be premature of us - to be making announcements.
There are plans, but what we need is this legislation in place to actually give the LDC the legal empowerment under statute to move forward and nail down a lot of the detail that you are asking for. I do not think the committee stage of the bill is really appropriate for you to be asking those questions. Nor is it appropriate for me or the minister for Lands to be giving that detail you are talking about.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, you talk about announcements. The announcement, I recall, was made during your second reading speech regarding Bellamack part C going into the LDC. That seems to be a fait accompli. It was mentioned over and over again that this is the little pilot project you are going to launch this whole wonderful scheme with.
You are now telling me I cannot get an idea from the Planning minister - the person who is supposed to be projecting 10, 20, 100 years into the future - about the number of blocks of land are going to be turned off. For goodness sakes, you have not even told us how big Bellamack part C is. How many acres is it? How many square metres? You cannot say: ‘We might have somewhere between 20 and 25 blocks, or we might have somewhere between 20 or 30 blocks’. Goodness me, how does this government operate? What an absolute joke!
Then, when a person starts asking some of these pertinent questions of this bill that they expected to make a decision on, I am told by the Chair to be relevant. What a joke! What are you trying to pull here? What sort of stunt is this? You come in here, unprepared, you cannot tell us anything. The member for Braitling asked about the development costs, headwork costs and all of that sort of stuff. All we hear is tripe from the Treasurer about: ‘Oh! That was two years ago, things change’.
I know things change in two years, because the cost of Tiger Brennan Drive started at $27m; two years later it was up to $70m. Now, we are up to $110m. When Bellamack does come on, goodness knows how long the piece of string is going to be. An affordable block of land might well be $2m by the time you guys get your finger out and do something. Goodness me, get off the grass, minister. Take a bit of leadership here - and you, too, Planning minister. What sort of Planning minister cannot tell you, roughly, how many blocks there might be in Bellamack part C - something she has been crowing on about for years? What a joke!
Bill agreed to without amendment.
Bill reported; report adopted.
Dr BURNS (Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, this bill started out as something not much more than a passing interest with me, I have to say. I did some quick research. A couple of questions arose in relation to the bill. How would the Land Development Corporation function? What were the government’s plans for the Land Development Corporation? What did government expect the Land Development Corporation to be able to do? What would the expected returns to government be? I only found out, just now in committee stage, that neither the Minister for Business nor the Minister for Planning and Lands could answer any of the most fundamental questions.
We were told the pilot project for the new reconstituted or reformed Land Development Corporation would be Bellamack C, a part of a subdivision or development we had been hearing about for years and years now. The situation is, of course, not one house has been turned off Bellamack. I remember playing a game of golf at some corporate golf day, probably five years ago, with a couple of developers who were saying: ‘We have applications in to do Bellamack and, hopefully, we can get cracking on that pretty quickly’. Well, that was five years ago. Here we are now; we still have not seen anything turned off Bellamack. It seems to be a never-ending dream, a never-ending fantasy of the Minister for Planning and Lands.
When I ask: ‘How many blocks of land are part of Bellamack C?’, I expect an answer for something that has been percolating around for the last five years. But – lo and behold! - no, the Planning minister has no idea; cannot discuss that; it has not been finally drafted; but there is announcement to come. What sort of government is this? What sort of pathetic, useless government is this, that takes years and years to plan for a development, then years and years to get anything happening and, then, years later, when you ask a couple of questions about it - the most mundane, ordinary questions such as how many blocks in Bellamack Part C - you cannot get an answer at all?
Going through this debate on this bill, we have asked questions and answers have been: ‘We have to wait for the modelling to be done, and we have to wait for this to be done, and we have to wait for that to be done’. You cannot get anything that even resembles in an opinion from either minister about how this will pan out.
The only thing we can see with this bill is it is there for the government to make revenue. As much as they bang on about affordable housing, there is very little satisfaction anyone can glean that the LDC is going to be making available affordable houses - certainly under this model. Neither the Planning minister nor the Business minister can give any indication at all as to what the specifics of this plan are going to be - no indication at all. You cannot give estimations of anything; you cannot suggest even remotely how much land is going to be available; how many affordable houses you can put on a particular area; what the terms of reference are going to be even for the LDC. None of that - absolutely none of that.
You hear it everywhere out in the electorate: ‘What we want is affordable houses’. What people are wanting here in the Northern Territory is affordable houses. We have seen the public housing stock take a dive in the last eight years - absolutely take a dive. I cannot think of anywhere where public housing has been built in the last eight years in the Northern Territory. It has been an absolute joke! I would love to get some accurate figures about what the level of public housing was prior to the 2001 election and what it is now.
I will tell you one thing I do know, Madam Speaker. It was not just this Labor government; the rot started a couple of years before 2001. In the Northern Territory, we have slowly been losing public housing for a period of time. While the population has grown in the Northern Territory, the number of pubic housing and units available for Territorians has decreased in real numbers. We know for a fact that, over the last 10 years, the Northern Territory government has received in excess of $1bn through the Commonwealth/state housing agreement to provide public housing - $1bn – and, yet, we have seen a slippage in the number of houses and units available.
Now we have this concocted plan that is all about affordable housing for low-income earners, yet, we have absolutely no detail on it whatsoever. We have no detail on how the plan works because, at the moment: ‘Really, it is just a bit of a trial. We have a block over here in part of Bellamack we are going to use. We cannot actually say anything about it because it is commercially sensitive, or the modelling has not been done, or this has not been done, or the minister has not made announcements’, or anything like that. Yet, they have the audacity to toddle in here and say: ‘We want you to accept this. We want the people of the Northern Territory to accept this because we think it might well be a good plan. We are basing it on a model that comes out of the ACT’.
Sure enough, in the ACT last year, the ACT government made $390m out of their form of our LDC which currently only makes $9m - or made $9m last financial year. Yet, we are being told: ‘No, this is about affordable housing. All it is about is affordable housing; we want to build affordable houses’. Well, the fact is that it is not about affordable houses, is it, minister? It is not about affordable houses at all.
It is about making money and covering up for the incompetencies of the Treasurer, the same person who cannot tell us within a bulls roar of how many blocks there may well be in Bellamack Area C. That is the level of confidence that you are dealing with - a Treasurer who puts out dodgy budgets and dodgy plans for the future. She has the audacity to refer to herself as a Minister for Planning and Lands. What a joke. What an absolute joke to sit here and have to go through this and pry every bit of information out of her. We come here with the best goodwill in the world and, at the end of it, you are called names because they run out of any defence.
You are a government with no ideas, no plans - nothing at all except to try to cover up for your own stuff-ups of years gone by. You have a budget going to the red at a rate of knots and, all of a sudden now, you are going to screw Territorians for more money through the LDC. As I said, you are going to run it the same way as you have run the Power and Water Corporation and a range of other agencies, where they just become cash cows for the government - nothing more than propping up the incompetencies of a failed Treasurer.
It is shameful – it is absolutely shameful, minister. I feel sorry for the fact that you have ended up being the poor fellow who has had to carry this thing in here and wear it because, ultimately, it should have been - as the member for Nelson said right at the outset of his presentation in the second reading debate - an area that either came under Planning and Lands, Housing or somewhere like that. How it has ended up under Business is that it has been caught up in the Darwin Business Park developments. Quite clearly, minister, you are not the person who has had carriage of this. It is something that has been driven by the Minister for Planning and Lands, and you are just embroiled in the incompetencies of your Treasurer.
Minister, this is a shameful way of conducting the parliament. You would think that the Planning minister would be far more prepared, coming in here, to the point where she could at least give an indicative expression of how many blocks there may well be. It is something she has been talking about for years and years.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, in summing up, I have said I support the legislation. I believe it is important that the government sticks to its word; that they do not intend to make this a profit-making process. I will be one who will be scrutinising the cost of any development that the LDC puts forward under the heading, Affordable Housing.
If the member for Fong Lim is right, then I do not support the concept that has been put forward today. I am saying this as if I was the government: if the government believes in producing a land and house package for those people that a Labor Party government should support - that is, the battlers, the low-income workers, the single-income families - then, I would expect government, if it was saying affordable housing, to provide exactly that.
If I find out the prices they are selling these packages to those people they say they are aiming this project at, are inflated above what I think is a small profit and are really going into Treasury to boost up the coffers, then I will be complaining loudly that the government has let down me and the people government should be looking after. Only time will tell.
I hope that when we have Estimates Committee, not this year particularly, but in the following year, figures about the cost of development versus how much these packages are sold off for will be open and transparently available so that we can make that judgment.
In summing up, Madam Speaker, yes, I support the principle of what is being done. Only time will tell whether what has been said in this parliament today will be the case. A number of us here will be watching carefully to ensure the government does keep to what it has promised.
Mr GILES Braitling): Madam Speaker, I reiterate the comments made by the members for Nelson and Fong Lim. I will not be voting against this legislation, but I do share the concerns that this, to me, seems to be more a money-making venture rather than anything like an affordable housing model.
When pushed within the committee stage about potential development in the AZRI site, with headworks estimated by the Northern Territory government to cost in the vicinity of an average of $12 000 per block that is turned off, the minister was not to be able to say that those blocks will be sold to people for $12 000 - not that they would expect that they would be. However, if they are not sold for $12 000 and sold at a level higher to make profit, it clearly shows that the government is not completely intent on affordable housing, otherwise they would be selling them for $12 000. If they were really looking at providing cheaper land packages for people, or land components of a house and land package, they would be looking at selling those cheaper.
The member for Fong Lim was right when he said that this government has come in here without plans. What they have actually done is come in here with a deceitful approach, under an arrogant Chief Minister who does not want to share with parliament exactly what this model is about. If it is about making money, well, just come out and tell us that is what it is about. If it is about affordable housing, well, explain why it is, because I do not think that that was adequately done, both through this legislation and the conversations within the committee stage.
One of the things that I would have liked to have heard - as the example of Bellamack C was explained – is exactly what the number of blocks turned off will be, and when will they start to be turned off. People require affordable housing now. We cannot afford to wait years before that land is available for the people of Palmerston.
I could not understand from the minister how the plan will be put forward so that the people from a similar socioeconomic background who are accepting affordable housing will not be housed in the same area and have appropriate tenure which is right across estates, both in Palmerston and the Northern Territory.
These are some of the things that were not explained, and I suspect they were not explained because the minister did not have the knowledge about those areas. Either that, or the government was being deceitful about one of the two. The member for Fong Lim was right; the minister carriage of this tonight. The minister for Planning answered most of the questions. She seemed to not know what it was all about. She seemed to be very wishy-washy in some of her answers.
Clearly, when you look at what is going on in Alice Springs and the potential for land development there, this is nothing more than a money-making venture. Around 15% of the blocks at the AZRI site will produce $40.5m for the Northern Territory government. That is all it is about; it is not about affordable housing at all. It is about making money for the Northern Territory government. They should have come in here and explained that. They should have also explained how the LDC will work in regional areas - the potential for it to work in Tennant Creek, the Barkly region, Katherine, Gove or communities such as Daly River where there is freehold land; or some of the other Indigenous communities where it is currently under a land trust. This is a model that can work in those areas. They could have sought to achieve economic development in the regions.
However, the minister’s answers to questions and his statements about the LDC did not provide that, unfortunately. I would have liked to have heard that. As I said at the outset, I concur with most of the comments of my colleagues, the members for Fong Lim and Nelson. I will not be voting against the legislation.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 30 April 2009.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I am not sure whether this is a very simple bill or something that is extremely complex. It is a little bamboozling. We have two acts rolled into one bill – the Radiation Protection Act and the Radiographers Act. Essentially, the Radiation Protection Act was introduced to the Legislative Assembly in February 2004 - we are looking at five years - and passed in March 2004. However, the most startling thing is that it has yet to commence.
The Radiation Protection Act was drafted to replace, from my understanding, the Radiation (Safety Control) Act and the Radiographers Act and was in response to the National Competition Council’s review of that act and the Radiographers Act. That is my understanding of this from what I have been able to read. I read the second reading speech by the minister, and was still unable to pinpoint exactly what the story is. I will be looking forward to listening to the minister’s reply.
The observation by the National Competition Council that the licensing of people to perform radiography procedures by the Radiographer’s Registration Board was uncompetitive and influenced the provision of the 2004 Radiation Protection Act to move registration responsibility from the board to the Chief Health Officer. This is a move that the former Country Liberal’s member for Port Darwin, Sue Carter, was very cautious of, particularly in regard to the implementation of the new provisions.
It appears that, since 2006, radiographers across Australia have been lobbying for the retention of professional recognition for radiographers and other medical professions that utilise radioactive material. It is my understanding this bill addresses that by repealing the provisions in the 2004 Radiation Protection Act which would have repealed clause 6 of the Radiographers Act. There are also changes made to the transitional provisions of the Radiation Protection Act to make them consistent with the continuance of the Radiographers Act.
You can see it is far less than straightforward. I am not sure if it is or not, as there is a lot of jargon and technicality in it. Maybe it is quite simple. Again, I am looking forward to hearing the minister’s response.
The main change to the Radiographers Act is the repeal of section 20, I believe, the permit for specific radiography procedures, and the removal of references in other sections of the act to the provisions of section 20. This will remove the board’s ability to grant permits to non-registered operators for specific procedures. There is no information available; I certainly do not have any information to determine how many operators are currently operating in the Northern Territory under this section. Perhaps the minister can answer that.
The main contentious part of this bill, or the concern identified by a former member for Port Darwin, Sue Carter - I will just read some of her second reading speech in 2004:
She went on to say, highlighting her concerns:
On the issue of radiographers, this was more of a concern. This area is covered in this bill and, as the previous member for Port Darwin pointed out:
That is, obviously, very important:
This was her concern:
The minister at the time was minister Toyne:
They were some of the concerns highlighted by the former shadow Health minister in 2004.
Again, the contentious part was the disbanding of the radiographers board with licensing regulation of people to undertake radiographic procedures to be coordinated by the Chief Health Officer. This appeared to be supported by the board in 2004 but, in 2006, they seemed to change their tune and lobbied for the professional licensing of radiographers to remain an industry body.
I have offered up these questions to the Health Minister, and I hope by now he has a couple of answers. The first one is: why has it taken so long to get this through? I see it completely bypassed the former Minister for Health. Nonetheless, why has it taken so long to commence since first being passed over five years ago in 2004 by the then Health minister, minister Toyne? It has now been five years. What does it mean for remote and regional areas of the Northern Territory? Will the health care of Territorians be compromised as a result because nurses and, perhaps, dental assistants and similar professionals cannot perform X-rays, particularly when you consider how diverse our population is and how few and far between our health professionals are situated? That is the concern. Who will be able to perform these X-rays and ultrasounds in some of these remote areas?
Also, why do we have two lots of legislation? We have, as I said, two acts rolled into the one bill. Why is accreditation covered in the Radiographers Act and licensing covered in the Radiographers Protection Act? Am I correct in saying - and the minister would know the question I am about to ask and I look forward to his answer - that the original act provided for the Chief Medical Officer to grant permits but, as a result of consultation, the radiographers board will be allowed to grant permits? I look forward to hearing the minister’s answer. Essentially, I am looking forward to hearing the debate and the minister expand on that. I know the member for Nelson has a bit to say on this as well.
As I said, I am not sure if it is very straightforward or it is rather complex, but I look forward to listening and learning about this, and hearing what the minister has to say. The concern is that it has taken so long to come back to parliament; that is, five years before the bill can become an act and, obviously, put into place.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, before I start, I thank the minister for allowing us to have a briefing. It was such a good briefing I went back and read the bill and I ended up back where I started - a little confused. It is not the easiest legislation to understand. Perhaps that is the reason why there is a very small second reading, which really does not tell you a lot except that we are amending this bill and amending that bill, and radiographers were a bit upset so we decided to retain the Radiographers Act.
There are a few issues I would like answered. I may have this around the wrong way as well, so I am willing to say I have it wrong. However, what appears to me is that we now have a Radiographers Act which deals with the registration of radiographers. You can be registered as a radiographer. You can have provisional registration which you can have for three months until you are actually notified that you are registered. You can get a practising certificate. However, you used to be able to get a permit - section 20. I gather that was for people who needed to use radiation equipment who were not radiographers but, under certain circumstances, if it felt you had the ability and enough training, the board would allow you to use this equipment for whatever reason, subject to the permit conditions and their approval.
That section is deleted. It appears to be covered under the Radiation Protection Act under Part 3, section 25, which is ‘Licensing, regulations and accreditation’. Under that section, you have certificates of accreditation and licence. I presume that is the way it is going. To me, what is complicated is you have two acts. One act, which had everything in it, has now had a section taken out of it and, basically, replaced in another act. What was a permit in the Radiographers Act is now a licence in the Radiation Protection Act.
For a while, I was a bit concerned that they would scrap permits altogether. In a place like the Northern Territory, I imagine there has to be some way around people being able to use this equipment when you cannot get a radiographer. That was an area that concerned me, and I would like to hear what the minister has to say when he sums up.
I gave the minister a few notes regarding, basically, why it took so long. I realise there were problems. I believe one of the people in the public service retired, and it took a long period for that person to be replaced - although you would have thought that we could have borrowed someone if it was really urgent. We could have paid for someone to come up and help sort this out. It gives the appearance that it sat on the shelf for a long time and, then, someone realised that we had better get on with this.
The other thing is, it appears to be some kind of a coincidence that, on one hand, we had the radiographers saying they did not want their act repealed - of course, the bill sat there for a long time - and then, just when we were going to look at it again, there is a move to have a national radiographers association. I do not know whether it was convenient that the bill hung in abeyance for a long time and, then, just when there was a national association being formed, it was a good reason for looking at some changes.
I am wondering if the national radiographers association, or whatever it is, comes into being - to me it makes good sense – and everybody was under the same rules so that you can move from one state to another. Will this particular act then be repealed? What is the story on that? Or do we change it again to fit in line with any national changes?
I know it is a simplistic question but, basically, why do we have two acts? I gather the Radiation Protection Act was meant to come in, and that was meant to replace the Radiographers Act. Now, we have the two acts side by side. It seems the only reason, according to the second reading, is the radiographers did not want that act to be repealed. From the point of view of efficiency, when we are dealing with licensing, regulations and accreditation, you would have thought that we could have brought all this together in one bill.
Basically, the licensing is for people who need to work with and use radioactive material, the repair and maintenance of the equipment that is used in this particular field, and the people that use the equipment for medical reasons etcetera. Or it could be for industrial reasons people operating the equipment also have to be licensed. You would have thought that it would make common sense to bring all that together in one bill and one act, and that would be a lot more efficient way to approach this. However, as it is, we have two acts. I am interested to know why the government cannot combine the two into one.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, first of all I thank the members for providing me the questions because, as the members have said, it is either very simple or complex. It is quite simple, but the questions can be very complex, especially if you are not familiar with the profession. Let me respond to the questions you asked so that will clarify it.
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Radiation Protection Act and the Radiographers Act to allow for the continuation of registration of radiographers in the Northern Territory. The Radiation Protection Act 2004 was introduced in response to the National Competition Council review in 1999 to move towards nationally consistent legislation on the possession and use of radiation sources. There is a trend to go on to national legislation, or at least national guidelines.
One question was: why did you take so long to commence the Radiation Protection Act? The National Competition Council review also recommended the deregulation of radiographers. Therefore, the Radiation Protection Act included clauses to repeal the Radiographers Act and take on the issuing of licences to use radiographic equipment only. This direction was not supported by the radiography profession. Extensive consultation with the Northern Territory and nationally was required. Other jurisdictions have progressively moved towards introducing regulations of the radiographers’ profession in accordance with contemporary health practitioners legislation.
Other issues also impacted on the commencement of the Radiation Protection Act, to some extent, such as we mentioned at the time. A comprehensive competition input analysis to retain regulation of the profession was undertaken. Extensive work to develop the Radiation Protection Regulations in line with national developments, such as the National Director of Radiation Protection, also compounded the drafting of legislation. That is why it was delayed for so long.
Why did the radiographer resist and why continue the Radiographers Act? Like most health professions, radiographers want their profession to be registered to ensure public protection. The radiographers sought to continue registration with the radiographers board, through the Northern Territory Radiographers Act. The radiographers board is important to protect public safety by ensuring: an establishment and maintenance of professional standards; that radiographers practice in an ethical manner and maintain confidence; that there is a mechanism to address complaints from the public, colleagues or employers relating to practice or behaviour of radiographers; that practitioners are properly qualified current to their practice, and they are of good standing; and that there is an avenue for investigating and management of impaired practitioners.
This new amendment bill allows the radiographers board to continue to perform these functions. The radiographers’ practice has become more diverse and they perform a greater number of invasive procedures. Radiographers specialise in the following fields and may be categorised as either a technician, a therapist or a diagnostician. With the establishment of the Darwin Radiation Oncology Unit, additional professionals will be employed in the Northern Territory, such as radiation therapists. All radiographers working in this speciality field will be registered under the Radiographers Act.
Nationally, the profession has been accepted for inclusion in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme that will become effective from 1 July 2012. We are moving to national accreditation schemes, not only for radiographers, but for other professions, and that is happening even with doctors. Maintaining the Radiographers Act will allow a direct transfer into the new national scheme. It will register radiographers under the Radiographers Act, then they will be moved from the current registration to the national scheme.
Why do we have two acts? I asked exactly the same question. The answer from the experts is: the Radiation Protection Act covers the competency of a person in the possession, use, storage, disposal, safety, and transfer of radiation sources. Up to now, permits have been issued by the radiographers board under the Radiographer Act for a number of medical professions. This is inconsistent use of the Radiographers Act. This provision will be removed and licence to use radiographic equipment will be issued under the Radiation Protection Act by the Chief Health Officer. The Radiation Protection Act licences the use of radiation by workers who are properly trained to use radiation. For example, dentists are licensed for using radiation sources for dental X-rays, and chiropractors are licensed for using radiation sources for spinal X-rays.
Other professional issues for the health practitioners eligible for a licence to carry out radiographic procedures are covered by the relevant professional boards. Using the example above, the professional matters for dentists are managed by the Dental Board.
What does this mean for remote Aboriginal areas of the Northern Territory? Will nurses, dental assistants or similar professions in remote rural areas be able to perform X-rays or ultrasounds? Under the Radiation Protection Act, nurses, dental therapists, hygienists and assistants may apply for a licence to use an X-ray apparatus. If found suitable, they will be issued a licence to conduct a limited range of radiographic procedures and authorised to perform X-rays. Location may be specified on the licence. It will be expected that they will have completed further training in radiography and able to demonstrate competency.
Ultrasounds use non-ionising radiation and are not currently included in either legislation, nor is it currently included in the National Directory for Radiation Protection. Ultrasonographers are not a regulated profession.
Is it correct to say the original act provided for the Chief Health Officer to grant permits but, as a result of consultation, the radiographers board will now be allowed to grant permits? The existing Radiographers Act has provision for granting permits through the radiographers board. With the new legislation, the radiographers board has no future role in granting permits. This provision will be removed from the Radiographers Act and all licences will be granted under the Radiation Protection Act by the Chief Health Officer. Radiographers registered under the Radiographers Act are issued a practising certificate which, effectively, deems them to be licensed under the Radiation Protection Act.
These are the issues raised by the members, and I am very pleased and thank you very much for the help received because I would not be able to answer this question myself because they are highly technical. It is legislation that we have to amend. Yes, it took too long. I acknowledge that; it was well before my time. However, there were several issues to be addressed, plus they moved to a national registration, as with other professions. These amendments will cover all these problems we faced in the past and the resistance by radiographers with regard to their registration.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 6 May 2009.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I wish to complete my remarks. I believe I have a limited amount of time left in relation to this report. As I signalled in the corridors and behind the scenes of this building to the Leader of Government Business, we will not be opposing this report.
However, my position on these particular things stand. I appreciate, on this occasion, that the Leader of Government Business understood my concerns and saw fit to allow this matter to be adjourned so proper consideration could be given to the tabled document; something he was not prepared to do in the following debate, for some mysterious reasons. They are somewhat different, I suspect, to the ones he gave in this House, but I will not dwell on that.
Suffice to say, the document being presented is in accordance with what we believe and expected, and I thank the Leader of Government Business for allowing us the latitude to take the tabled document away so we could peruse it. As I have demonstrated in relation to bills that have been passed in this House, it actually works better when you sometimes communicate behind the scenes.
In motions plus bills from yesterday, proper notice was given by this side of the House to members of government. Lo and behold, when that is done properly you actually can get to resolve an issue, as we saw in the passage of the Payroll Tax Act yesterday, when government agreed and acknowledged to a suggestion that was made from this side of the House. Channels of communication should be open constantly between both sides of the House prior to coming into this place, because it is a productive way to do things. From time to time, of course, you will become entrenched in your particular positions, but at least the efforts have been made behind the scenes.
I am grateful that the minister, by not trying to force the document through, but actually taking the time - or allowing us to take the time - to inspect the document and take it away, showed us the grace and the principle that should underlie parliament; and that entrapment is not a fundamental tool of this House. Occasionally, I accept there might be political reasons for entrapment but, as a general rule, communication should be the grease and the oil which lubricates the cogs, wheels and axels of this place.
However, having made those observations, I note with the passage of this document, the Legislative Assembly Members’ Disclosure and Interest Act 2008 will finally be brought into commencement. It will chug along, I believe, and the Assistant Clerk will have a month to disseminate the paperwork associated with this document to honourable members. Honourable members are then committed to filling out those documents in accordance with the laws of the Northern Territory. That being the case, there is nothing further to be said.
Madam Speaker, again, I thank the Leader for Government Business for his grace and honour in allowing this matter to be proceeded in such a fair and non-entrapping fashion.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for his kind words. I felt it was important that this matter be held over because, as I said on the day that this occurred, members’ interests is really a highly personal thing. Basically, it also involves - as I discussed on the day - an interaction with one’s spouse and family. It is not only about the members’ interests, but also your spouse’s interests and how your family feels about certain things, particularly a spouse in declaring their interests.
It is a very difficult issues and, as we discussed in the Standing Orders Committee and saw through some of the documents that have been included in our deliberations from the Commonwealth parliament, various members have various approaches to declaring everything that their spouses’ own or that they are aware of, to some saying: ‘Well, none that I am aware of’ - more or less saying they are maybe not game to ask, or it is none of their business. That reflects the multitude of variations of relationships that exists within Australia today. That is very important for us to realise.
I will not go over it all except to say that we do have a Register of Interests. This is a step of putting more detail there, and we are taking our lead from the Commonwealth parliament. I will say, though, that I do not want the member for Port Darwin to misconstrue what I am saying. I believe there was a breakdown in communication from committee members on your side in communicating certain elements of what was happening with this to your parliamentary wing. I could be wrong.
However, what I am trying to say is there is a time within committees for issues like this. This was circulated to individual members, but the various parties need to separately come to an agreement about some of the issues. As we know, those of us who are in political parties have duties as individual members, but we also need to canvass Caucus and discuss various things in our party wing. I understand there are issues of privileges around committees, but there is a time when committees direct certain members to go back to their party wing - their Caucus in our particular instance - and discuss certain matters, particularly regarding standing orders.
For things to operate properly, there needs to be lines of communications in that way. There are, however, times when it is completely inappropriate and against the whole idea and framework of privileges for committee members to communicate to parliamentary colleagues - or anyone else for that matter - the inner workings of a committee meeting. I accept that.
However, there is a place where committee members of a particular party or side can actually canvass issues amongst themselves that might be on the agenda. I personally have no problem with that; it is essential for the working of the committee for members to discuss and canvass certain issues. The member for Port Darwin has a contrary view to that, but that can be done without breaking privileges, because it is important for members to be able to communicate.
When I was on other committees in the Ninth Assembly - I was on a number of committees - I actually had conversations with members from the other side, ‘What do you think about this particular thing?’ trying to get a view from them about certain things. I know the member for Port Darwin does not agree. I believe there needs to be some sensible attitudes towards this, but I have outlined what my particular view is.
Madam Speaker, without any more ado, I commend the Members’ Interests Committee report to this House.
Motion agreed to.
Continued from 7 May 2009.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank the Auditor-General for his thorough auditing and analysis to assist government operate efficiently and transparently. The Auditor-General reviewed the Construction Division of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and did not find any material weaknesses in controls. This is an excellent result. The Construction Division plays a vital role within government to manage our capital works, repairs, and maintenance programs.
The Auditor-General also audited the Darwin Port Corporation and determined that certain weaknesses existed in the sales, debtors and receipts systems, as well as in the purchases, creditors and payments systems. I am advised that the Darwin Port Corporation has rectified the sales, debtors and receipts system issues, and that it has implemented a procurement process consistent with the Northern Territory government procurement process. It has also implemented a training scheme and improved monitoring processes.
I also note the financial analysis of the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Trust, the Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities Employees Superannuation Fund, and Police Supplementary Superannuation Scheme. As the Auditor-General pointed out, the lower level of financial performance was due, in large part, to the volatility of national and international financial markets. As Northern Territory Treasury comments in the report:
Within the Justice portfolio, the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission audit found no matters of significance and no material weaknesses in controls. The Auditor-General did suggest, however, that the commission review the use of the completion percentage figure for the grants-in-aid provision to better align it with actual percentages achieved in prior years and current legal expenses payment practice. I understand the Legal Aid Commission has taken this suggestion on board.
The Auditor-General found no matters of significance in his audit of the Northern Territory Treasury Corporation.
I note the Auditor-General’s qualified audit opinion on the financial statements of NT Build. NT Build fulfils a very important role under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave and Benefits Act to provide entitlements for long service leave for construction workers. The Auditor-General noted that the responsibility to notify NT Build of commencement of projects rests with the developer, and NT Build may not be able to identify all construction and maintenance projects that fall within the scope of the act. NT Build accepts this qualification, while commenting on steps it is taking to improve compliance. While it considers some level of uncertainty may always exist in this area, it is moving towards reforms to assist in its compliance process, and a high level of compliance is already being achieved.
The Power and Water Corporation also received a qualification, being a flow-on from the initial opinion issued in 2005-06, whereby that qualification has continued to affect the corporation’s financial statements in relation to assets revaluation - 2007-08 is the last year that this qualification will remain.
I, once again, thank the Auditor-General for his thorough report and his vital assistance in improving government financial processes.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report to the Legislative Assembly includes four matters related to the Business and Employment portfolios: information security policy and awareness; financial statements audit, Data Centre Services; financial statements audit, Government Printing Office; and financial statements audit, NT Fleet. I will try to go through these issues.
Regarding the information security policy and awareness, which occurs on page 21 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report, the audit identified weaknesses in staff awareness of information security policy as some staff unwittingly revealed user access details in response to bogus telephone calls or e-mails. Physical access controls were found to be satisfactory at three of the four sites tested.
The audit also revealed a number of security strengths, including a central information security policy unit; prevention of access attempts by some staff; response escalation and communication across agencies; and physical security barriers.
Key audit recommendations to improve security awareness were: mandate security awareness induction training for new staff; increased awareness campaigns to remind users of their security responsibilities; and strengthen building security at Palm Court.
Audit recommendations are being addressed through: establishing compulsory induction training for new starters in the department, including a formal security responsibility brief; modifying the security message presented to all users at computer log-in time to reinforce security requirements; establishing a security announcement website to keep all government staff better informed of current information, security issues; and addressing remaining physical security at Palm Court.
The Auditor-General is required to audit the financial statements of government business divisions or GBDs each year. This report advises unqualified audits; that is, no significant problems identified for all three department of Business and Employment government business divisions: the Data Centre Services, Government Printing Office and NT Fleet. Additionally, the Auditor-General provides summarised financial statements, analysis and commentary in his report to the Assembly.
The information in the Auditor-General’s report is a fair representation of the 2007-08 financial performance and situation of the GBDs. Further detailed financial information for each GBD is available on the Department of Corporate and Information Services’ 2007-08 Annual Report, also now published on the DBE website. The annual report information is consistent with the Auditor-General’s report.
The Information Security Policy and Awareness audit was initiated following the disruption to the government’s information services in May 2008 caused by an ex-employee of one of the government’s information technology service contractors. Full recovery of services was achieved within two days, and there was no major impact on services to the public. The Department of Business and Employment worked swiftly to involve Northern Territory Police and secure evidence leading to a quick arrest of the alleged offender who is charged with serious computer crime offences and remanded in gaol. He recently pleaded guilty and has been convicted.
Following this incident, the department conducted an initial review and initiated action to strengthen IT security. At the same time, the department commissioned an external IT security audit on IT contractor security arrangements. This has been completed and all recommendations addressed, in cooperation with IT contractors, resolving in a tightening in security procedures. The audit conducted by the Auditor-General was limited to testing physical security of some of the Department of Business and Employment’s staff to attempt them to divulge their network password.
Regarding Data Centre Services on page 52 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 report, there was an unqualified independent audit opinion. No material weaknesses in control were identified.
Desert Knowledge Australia is on page 60 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report. Once again, it was an unqualified independent audit and no matters of significance were raised.
Government Printing Office, on page 63 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report, reported unqualified independent audit opinion and did not identify any matters of significance, and no material weaknesses in controls.
Northern Territory Fleet, on page 95 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report gave an unqualified independent audit opinion, with no material weaknesses in controls identified.
Lastly, for Territory Discoveries, page 104 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report, there was, again, an unqualified independent audit opinion and was found to be generally satisfactory.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Auditor-General’s 2009 Report to the Legislative Assembly. It is always very comprehensive and I am also glad to see the departments for which I have portfolio responsibility have responded to address the issues raised by the Auditor-General.
I commend the work of our Auditor-General, Mr Frank McGuiness, and his staff to the House. He is a fiercely independent parliamentary officer, and we are very fortunate in the Northern Territory, generally, and in this Assembly, to have Mr McGuiness working so diligently auditing the public account. I look forward to working with him closely in my new role on the Public Accounts Committee. I am looking forward to his briefings to that committee. I commend his report to the House.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I agree with comments made by my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, about the Auditor-General doing an excellent job. We are human beings and we make errors, but he picks them up and gives us the opportunity to correct them.
The Auditor-General’s review of the Department of Justices’ management of the Community Benefit Fund was to verify compliance with the requirements of the Gaming Machine Act the Gaming Control Act and regulations. The audit found that the department’s management of the fund to be generally in compliance with these acts and regulations. He found the management of the Community Benefit Fund continues to be, in the main, open and accountable.
However, two areas where identified where the department had not strictly complied with the legislative requirements that govern the fund. This is related to technical, administrative and accounting issues. I am advised these issues have now been addressed and appropriate, additional financial controls are in place. The department has attached an addendum to the Community Benefit Fund Annual Report to ensure the area of reporting identified by the audit, is corrected. In addition, the department has also agreed to a number of actions such as reviews of the legislation to clarify and simplify operation.
In relation to Health, the Auditor-General undertook an assessment of the information security framework of the Department of Health and Families. The Auditor-General concluded nothing came to his attention that would indicate the processes around information and security management of the Department of Health and Families were a problem. Some issues of concern were relayed to the department with idea for improvement and, I am advised, this suggestion has now be taken on board.
Madam Speaker, I thank the Auditor-General. His comments are always welcome and valuable. His methodology is absolutely impeccable. He gives us the opportunity to have a look at what is happening in the departments, and to correct some of the processes put in place many years ago. Of course, with the technology and everything else changing, they have to be changed in order to address some of the modern issues. I thank the Auditor-General for his report. I am very pleased both my departments under investigation had a thumbs up.
Motion agreed to.
Dr BURNS (Asian Relations): Madam Speaker, the government’s Asian Relations and Trade initiatives continue to achieve real and sustainable outcomes for the Northern Territory. Comparing the year to April 2001 with the year April 2009, a period of which we have the latest data, the Northern Territory two-way merchandise trade with the Asian region has increased by 63% to $6.17bn. Comparing the year to April 2001 with the year to April 2009, total exports to Asia have increased by 40% to $3.78bn. We will continue to build productive relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners to promote investment opportunities, business, and jobs for Territorians.
The Territory has a long-standing and close relationship with its Asian neighbours. This relationship has shaped the very essence of the Territory, especially in our economic activities and social and cultural makeup. Our Asian neighbours have been visiting northern Australia for hundreds of years and, generations ago, many began to call the Territory home. We are now fortunate to have a strong association, for instance, amongst the Chinese, Timorese, Indonesian and Filipino communities that contribute to the diversity of our society.
The Territory’s close proximity to Asia allows us to act as Australia’s gateway to the region. Darwin is closer to five capital cities in Asia than it is to Australia’s own national capital, which is almost 4000 km away. There are six Asian countries in the Northern Territory’s top 10 export destinations, making links with Asia a vital part of the Territory’s economy. We are working to engage further with the region to position ourselves in key areas to bring benefits to all Territorians.
Our economy is small, particularly when compared with our key trading partners in other states in Australia. We will, therefore, continue to target countries of strategic interest to the Territory where real and tangible economic outcomes are achievable. By doing so, we will create new business opportunities, generate employment, sustain economic growth, and improve our lifestyles and our children’s lifestyles into the future.
The Territory’s economy continues to buck national trends despite the current global financial crisis. This is, in part, due to our strong profile in Asia. Since 2000-01, the Territory’s economy has enjoyed a high rate of economic growth, averaging 3.8% per annum. In 2009, growth is forecast at 4.1%, and private consumption expenditure is predicted to grow by 2.2% on average over the next five years.
Whilst the Territory is not immune to the impacts of the economic downturn on trade and investment activities, the Territory’s exports remain strong and our balance of trade continues in surplus. In the year to April 2009, the Northern Territory’s exports increased by 57.3%, and imports grew by 73.9%, increasing the Territory’s goods trade surplus by $500m to $2.1bn. This remarkable result has mainly been driven by the Territory’s dominance in mining and the energy industry sectors, which have built strong relationships with countries in our region. This momentum is expected to continue over the next decade, with many project proposals being discussed and others already in the evaluation process. Whilst these projects are predominantly in the mining and energy sectors such as the expansion of the Wickham Point LNG plant by ConocoPhillips and the proposed INPEX LNG project, they will also have a significant multiplier effect into other key sectors such as construction, retail, and tourism.
Supporting the Territory’s ongoing trade growth, the Henderson government will invest $100m at East Arm port. A further $50m has been secured from the Australian government for the first stage of the infrastructure expansion of the port, which is required to meet increases forecast in export volumes.
The Henderson government recognises that new trade and investment opportunities do not happen overnight. They are achieved through continuity of presence in the Asian region and building of relationships at the political, business, cultural, and sporting levels with our key bilateral partners.
On 9 June 2009, the Chief Minister delivered a ministerial report on the outcomes of the highly productive ministerial visit to Timor-Leste in May. The discussions with ministers and business leaders will further strengthen our relationship with Timor-Leste and open doors for Territory businesses to take up trade in the investment opportunities.
I also delivered the report outlining the very positive outcomes of my recent official travel to Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan. These, along with other strategic ministerial visits, are critical to our ongoing dialogue with near neighbours and trading partners. We continue to assure potential investors that the Territory, whilst not immune to the global financial crisis, is not unduly affected and remains open for new investment. In January this year, the Chief Minister travelled to China, Japan, and the United States. The Chief Minister met with senior executives from major stakeholders including Stone Group, Noble, Tokyo Gas, INPEX and ConocoPhillips, and was able to explain the benefits of investment in the Territory directly to these influential business people.
In February, in preparation for the Arafura Games, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Karl Hampton, travelled to Macau to chair a meeting of participating sports delegations. The games, which have now been held biannually for 20 years, symbolise our close engagement with the region.
In May, I travelled to Jakarta and met with the Indonesian Minister for State Owned Enterprises, the Chief Executive Officer of Garuda Indonesia, and the Director-General of the Department of Transport. I put forward the Northern Territory’s case for the earliest possible resumption of Garuda flights between Denpasar and Darwin, and was reassured that the suspension was temporary, pending a change in the global economic market. I add that it was because of the Territory’s very close relationship with Indonesia that such meetings were possible at short notice, and were welcomed and took place in a friendly atmosphere, despite the difficult nature of the discussions.
Minister Vatskalis visited China in May to host the first Northern Territory investment seminar in Shanghai as part of this government’s dedicated Chinese Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy. Minister Vatskalis is due to visit China again in November 2009 to continue this good work.
The government also promotes the relationship between the Territory and key Asian neighbours by leading and supporting local community, education and business delegations heading abroad and participating in select offshore conferences, expos and events. An example of this type of activity is the joint trade and study missions which have been undertaken to Vietnam over the past 18 months. The Department of the Chief Minister has been working collaboratively with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, the Northern Territory Livestock Exporter’s Association, and Charles Darwin University, as well as the Departments of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines, and Business and Employment, to support endeavours to develop this new market.
Officials from the Department of the Chief Minister also led a business delegation in February to OZMINE 09, which is an exhibition run by Austrade Indonesia in Jakarta for Australian companies to showcase their goods and services to major mine operators and their subcontractors. All six Territory-based mining supply and service companies who participated in the visit reported significant commercial outcomes.
This month, officials from the Department of the Chief Minister will be leading a delegation to the Balikpapan Expo in Indonesia following successful visits to the expo since its inauguration five years ago. Such business trips, often carried out in collaboration with the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce, provide an invaluable way for Territory businesses to break into new markets.
The government also builds links into Asia by warmly welcoming delegations visiting the Territory to explore trade and investment options first-hand. Examples of this type of activity include the Indonesian Mining Forum held at SKYCITY in Darwin in April 2008 and, most recently, the APPEA forum which has just concluded with 1600 delegates in attendance.
We also link into Asia by briefing businesses on opportunities, and showcasing the Territory to foreign diplomatic and consular corps in Australia when they visit Darwin. The government also provides support to representatives based here in Darwin, including key industry bodies such as the International Business Council, Resources Council, and Charles Darwin University. One very recent example of this type of support was to the Ambassador of China, Ambassador Zhang, who visited Darwin earlier this month and met with the Chief Minister and me to discuss the Northern Territory/China relationship. From these discussions, it was clear how much Ambassador Zhang valued Chinese investment and trade in the Territory, and how great he saw the potential for growth in areas such as mineral exploration, tourism, and education.
By undertaking strategic official travel, supporting the travel of Territorian delegations, welcoming inbound visitors, briefing foreign diplomatic and business VIPs, and strengthening cultural and sporting ties, the government has built up solid foundations with our key bilateral partners in the Asian region. The recently completed Arafura Games is a testament to the Territory’s sporting links in the region. The development of the Timor Sea Cup is another example of how this government is using sport as a vehicle to promote community and people-to-people relations in the region.
Our links into Asian countries are also underpinned by our education and training initiatives. The Northern Territory government has a formal partnership with Charles Darwin University to foster economic, social, and cultural development in the Territory. The partnership also involves joint activities offshore. For instance, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Barney Glover, and the Director of the Menzies School of Health Research, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, accompanied the Chief Minister on his recent visit to Timor-Leste and were at the forefront of meetings with the Timorese Minister for Education and the Minister for Vocational Training and Employment to discuss training opportunities.
Another example where the government is supporting links with Asia through education and training is the internship scheme for mid-level Timorese public servants, initiated after discussions with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Xanana Gusmao, in August last year. In total, 10 placements will be provided for interns in the Northern Territory public service, with the first four participants due to arrive in Darwin next month.
During the Chief Minister’s recent visit to Timor-Leste, he took the opportunity to announce the provision of two scholarships for attendance at the Northern Territory Institute of Sport football program that will commence in 2010. That should really be soccer, but I am sure everyone understands. Again, this demonstrates this government’s commitment to our new neighbours and its continued focus on improving relations.
I mention briefly the Northern Territory’s cultural links into the region which provide a strong people-to-people connection. These links culminate every August in the fantastic Darwin Festival which showcases talent from our region. Groups from Indonesia, China, and Vietnam will be performing this year to the delight of local audiences. I look forward to the full festival program which will be released on 8 July.
As I have outlined, we have strong relationships with the region built on visits by Territorians to key bilateral partners, reciprocal visits from delegations back into the Territory, and government-encouraged links into the areas of education and training, sport, and culture. These strong relations help lay the foundations for, and reinforce, the Territory’s trading links with our neighbours. The Territory’s international trade activity has undergone significant expansion in recent years to a diverse range of existing and new industries. The Territory’s strategic proximity to Asian markets and the development of the AustralAsia Trade Route have been fundamental factors in developing international trading links.
The current global economic crisis has triggered a decline in global trade activities. In the current situation, it is even more important to continue to build strong international relationships at the political, business, cultural, and sporting levels to maintain markets and to facilitate new trade and investment activities.
A new international trade strategy is currently being developed and will provide a blueprint for future trade growth over the next five years. Development of this strategy has included extensive consultation with the private sector to ensure the strategy reflects business and industry capacity and capability but, also importantly, reflects their trade priorities. I am pleased to say we are on target to release this strategy next month.
Based on the Territory’s core strengths, proximity to key markets in the Asia Pacific region, and the ongoing development of the AustralAsia Trade Route, three key international markets and five emerging markets have been identified. Japan, China and Indonesia are considered to be the Territory’s key targets. Of these countries, Japan continues to be the Territory’s largest trading and investment partner. Japan’s focus on ensuring it acquires a long-term supply of energy resources is driving much of the significant investment in oil and gas developments across our region. Japanese Utilities is the founding customer of the Darwin-based ConocoPhillips LNG facility, and there are several potential projects currently being investigated by Japanese companies, including INPEX’s $20m Icythus project.
In March this year, the Chief Minister held an investment seminar with the Japanese business community in Sydney. The seminar was organised in consultation with the Japanese Consul-General and attracted some 50 key Japanese business and government representatives from across Australia.
At the request of the Japanese government, the 32nd Australia-Japan High Level Group Meeting will be held in Darwin from 23 to 26 June 2009. This forum is being coordinated by the Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation, or JOGMEC, has recently signed two major joint venture agreements with Australian companies for the greenfield projects in the Northern Territory. In December 2008, JOGMEC entered into a joint venture with Bondi Mining to fund $3m of uranium exploration over four years. In June 2008, this same corporation agreed to fund $4.5m for a lead zinc exploration over three years in a joint venture with Mincor Resources.
China’s industrial rise has increased its demand for natural resources. Recognising this opportunity, in 2007 the government launched its China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy with the aim of positioning the Northern Territory as the preferred supplier for China’s mineral and metal demands. This strategy has been well received by the Chinese at the political and business level, who have recognised the Northern Territory is the only Australian jurisdiction with a dedicated strategy such as this. As a result, and since the launch of the strategy, there have been up to 50 visits by some 29 Chinese companies to the Northern Territory, including the first-ever visit by the China Mining Association, which is the peak body representing China’s exploration and mining companies.
In relation to China, on 23 April 2009 I was delighted to witness the signing of the Northern Territory government’s agreement with the Commonwealth government committing the Territory as a silver sponsor of the Australian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. From 1 May to 31 October 2010, Shanghai will host the biggest world expo in history. Over 230 nations and international organisations are expected to participate at the expo, and it is predicted more than seven million people will visit the Australian pavilion at the expo. Recognising the importance of the opportunity to promote the Northern Territory, and to develop further its trade and investment and people-to-people links in China, the Territory was the first jurisdiction in Australia to formally become a sponsor of this event. This expo will provide Northern Territory businesses and organisations with a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of the Territory to diverse global audiences before, during, and after the expo. More importantly, the expo provides an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations with China. The Northern Territory is already working closely with industry and community organisations to ensure we showcase the very best of the Territory on the world’s greatest stage.
The Territory has well-established trade links with Indonesia. Indonesia is the Territory’s fourth highest export destination, with up to 90% of the Territory’s live cattle exports shipped to Indonesia. Given our geographic proximity to remote Indonesian mining operations and the Territory’s expanded capacity and capability, Darwin is well positioned to service and supply these mines, and this will be an important sector for future trade growth with Indonesia. Underpinning this concept, Australia’s only Indonesian customs pre-inspection facility is located in Darwin and provides a free pre-inspection service to streamline the clearance of cargos destined for eastern Indonesia. In recognition of the importance of the Territory’s strong people-to-people and commercial relationships with Indonesia, the Chief Minister has foreshadowed an official visit to Indonesia sometime after the presidential elections in July.
Although commodities dominate the Territory’s trade with Japan and China, and live cattle exports dominate our trade with Indonesia, exports of services are also becoming increasingly important, particularly financial, professional, education and tourism services.
The growing importance of Asia as an inbound tourism market is recognised by this government and, as the Minister for Tourism, I am leading a strategic and targeted approach in developing opportunities for the Northern Territory in the region. Acknowledging the potential of Asia on the Northern Territory tourism landscape I, as well as minister Vatskalis as the previous tourism minister, have visited Asia on several occasions during the past 12 months promoting the Northern Territory as a tourism destination. Indeed, all Northern Territory ministers who visit the Asian region recognise the significance of tourism, not only as an important component in the growth of relations with Asia, but also as an economic stimulant, and are only too willing to assist in the promotion of the Territory.
Tourism NT representatives in Japan, China and Singapore provide considerable on-ground resources for the implementation of marketing campaigns to develop media opportunities and liaison with local tourism trade organisations. The Northern Territory government’s China Market Development Plan is recognition of the growing importance of China for the Northern Territory, and outlines possible strategies which will facilitate the growth of the Chinese visitor market to the Northern Territory.
Japan remains a core market for the Northern Territory, but its economy has been significantly impacted by the global economic downturn, and we will continue to monitor this market closely. The decline in Japanese tourism numbers is being felt Australia-wide and the Northern Territory is positioning itself to limit the decline in visitor numbers and to be ahead of the pack when the market does turn.
Development of the new International Trade Strategy has also identified five emerging markets of strategic interest to the Territory; namely, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Vietnam and India, in particular, are experiencing rapid economic growth as a result of a wide range of economic reforms in each country over recent years. In fact, it is predicted that the rate of economic growth will exceed China in the coming years, which highlights the tremendous potential of this market. Building strategic relationships across a range of levels in these emerging markets will be crucial for providing a platform for Territory businesses to achieve successful trade outcomes. In this context, I have asked my department to initiate arrangements for an official ministerial visit to the Philippines later this year. It is my intention to invite a local delegation to accompany me on the official visit.
Complementing the activities being undertaken in these markets, there are several niche export sectors emerging that also have the potential to generate increased export revenues and provide sustainable economic growth. Leveraging off the growing number of mining, oil and gas operations in the region, Darwin is well positioned to take advantage of its proximity and growing capability to develop a mining supply and service centre, and an oil and gas maintenance and operations base.
International appreciation and recognition of Indigenous arts and craft is growing and moving this sector onto a more professional footing. Indigenous arts and craft missions into the Territory, and international trade delegations into targeted countries, has demonstrated positive export trade outcomes. It is also important to recognise that not only does this industry sector provide important economic benefits, it also embraces community and cultural development in the Northern Territory’s remote and regional areas.
The Northern Territory education system and accredited private providers offer high-quality services from preschool through to tertiary levels of study. Since 2003, the value of international education in the Northern Territory has increased by 70% over five years to $22m. Access Economics has found that for every dollar spent on education, $1.91 is spent in the local economy on annual living expenses. International education is also recognised as an important mechanism for attracting school migration to the Territory which is vital for the ongoing development of the Territory.
The Northern Territory is poised to significantly increase its share of the lucrative business events market with Darwin’s new convention centre and the Alice Springs Convention Centre. This industry attracts high-yielding delegates. Across Australia, expenditure attributed to this industry is estimated to be $17.3bn per year. Since the opening of the Darwin Convention Centre in June 2008 up until May 2009, business events have injected an estimated $12.2m into the local economy. These figures do not include the recent APPEA Conference which attracted some 1600 delegates and was the first event to fill the centre to its full capacity. In the same period, conference delegates have injected nearly $4.7m into the Alice Springs economy. Not only did these events have a significant multiplier effect on the local economy, they also present an opportunity for Northern Territory businesses to showcase their capabilities and strategic advantages to a network of key decision-makers who otherwise may not have come to the Territory.
Whilst the new International Trade Strategy will underpin government’s trade activities over the next five years, importantly, it recognises that the Territory businesses may go beyond this government’s own strategic directions and, in fact, this is something we should encourage. Through mechanisms such as the Trade Support Scheme, the government’s primary business assistance program, businesses are encouraged to explore and pursue commercial trade opportunities.
In March 2009, I introduced a range of enhancements and new funding categories for a period of 12 months to the Trade Support Scheme, and to provide increased financial assistance to businesses to continue their international marketing and promotional activities during the economic downturn. Under a number of categories, businesses may be eligible to receive reimbursements of up to 75% on the costs for international marketing and promotional activities which is, effectively, a 50% increase to funding limits under the previous provisions of the scheme.
Two new funding categories were introduced to the scheme, comprising exhibiting at international trade shows or expos held interstate, and market exploratory visits for businesses looking to enter new international markets. I have also established a regional bonus of $500 per application in recognition of the additional costs associated with undertaking international marketing activities by businesses located in regional and remote areas.
The Territory government listens to business and understands it need. Feedback received is that the Territory is leading the national with its export assistance scheme, and was the first jurisdiction to enhance its scheme in recognition of the potential consequences of the global economic downturn. Exports are the catalyst to building a strong economy, business confidence, increased job opportunities, and improving lifestyle. Never before has the Territory been so well positioned to attract international trade and investment opportunities due to the ongoing efforts of the Henderson government to grow relationships between the Territory and key bilateral partners in the Asian region.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the presentation of a statement of this nature. It has been a long time coming. It appears the government has recognised that this is an area they have turned their attention away from, and they are now addressing that issue by bringing this statement before the House. Recent activities also confirm the renewed or reawakened interest in this very important area.
I commend the minister for his work because the activities in recent times demonstrate, quite clearly, this important area for the future of the Northern Territory has been dropped off the agenda. This is an area that the Territory - and the words ‘strategic advantage’ were mentioned a number of times - can trade off very well if we are smart, and if we put politics to the side for a second and try to work out a very well-coordinated strategy that allows us to trade on our strategic advantage, to identify the niche markets, and to develop a coordinated strategy to extract maximum benefit. That is the line I believe we should take.
Whilst we hear a lot of the buzz words through the statement, much of the activities, of themselves, have merit. I still wait to hear from this Labor government a cohesive and coherent plan that has an underlying strategy - a real purpose to all this activity. I listen for it, because this issue of engagement with Asia is one of the main reasons I came to the Northern Territory, and I remain interested in this area. I am a student of the area; I read widely and have taken time to study the language and worked also as a school principal. When I came here in 1989, I was inspired by what I heard coming from the Territory. The Northern Territory, of all the places in this continent, in this country, in this nation, was the one that seemed to help this nation recognise that it was a part of Asia.
It was the activities that I learned of living in another state that showed me that the nation was starting to reorientate itself. I believe that leadership was, in fact, shown in the Northern Territory. Many people started to recognise Australia as a part of Asia, and looked at Darwin and close it is to Indonesia in particular, and started to readjust their thinking. That started, I believe, many years ago. It did not seem that long ago the dialogue changed. I know that Prime Ministers played a part in it, but I believe the pump was primed, in many respects, by the activities in the Northern Territory.
Dare I say, without trying to have a chest-beating contest - because it was sad the way this whole statement concluded, with the hand in the air and claiming the great virtues of the Henderson regime and all the glorious things that have occurred as a result of that - this has been a long time coming. Asia has always been there. Australia happens to be in this part of the world and there has been engagement of one kind or another for hundreds of years. The Yolngu have a very interesting history of engagement with the region. It is well worth anyone to have a good look at that.
Some of the words that are spoken by the Yolngu are Indonesian words: Balanda and Hollander. Balanda is a white person. Balanda, or Hollander in Bahasa Indonesia, refers to a white person. Those two words cross over. There was trade in the region for hundreds of years. To think the glorious era of the Henderson regime has created something magical and special only means you are having a lend of yourselves. You really diminish the grand project we are involved in, and the huge challenge we face.
We move forward through history. We have a port from which trade can occur which is serviced by a railway, which can feed a port. That whole thing occurred as a result of a vision and plan, not just rhetoric. It produced something like concrete sleepers with railway lines laid on top of it. It came from an idea that something could occur because of the opportunities that were presented. It was more than grand statements; it finally manifested itself in a railway and port.
Those things are the substance of a vision; the actual working out of a plan. Those things exist and they are the result of many years of consideration to basics and adjusting the priorities in allocation of funding. They have allowed this current and glorious regime to trade off that. If we did not have that, we would just have empty rhetoric. Comments are made in this statement that have some substance because there is, in fact, already an engagement and the evidence of a vision by virtue of a railway and a port.
There is much more than can be achieved because our near neighbour is not going away; we are not going anywhere. All we have to do is to work out how to effectively engage, recognise our strengths and opportunities, identify those niche markets, develop a strategy, and start to work towards it.
Once again, I still feel underneath all this there is the establishment of an impression of activity and a listing of all the things occurring in this area. However, they still have not found that driving purpose; what this is all about. I do not hear that clear strategy, or a cohesive or coherent plan. Nonetheless, perhaps that is just by virtue of sitting on this side of the Chamber and being outside the tent. I do not get to see or hear that. I recognise that work in the way I try to work through these things.
These matters of engagement within the region have such significance that they really should exist in a place separate from partisan politics. Having said that, I will endeavour to honour that as we proceed, recognising things such as railways and ports. There has been a pre-European presence in the Top End engaging Asia. W represent a continuation of a long tradition of engagement, and endeavour to learn about our neighbours and how we can work with them. I am very proud of the links we have in the Territory. They are quite extraordinary. They should not be overstated. They should be looked at quite openly and recognised for the beauty evident in the engagement we have through the markets and so on.
Let us not get ahead of ourselves. Other places have markets and different things, but there is something extra here. It is the way we all know people of other races and nationalities, religions and cultures because our community and our suburbs are quite small. We get to know each other quite well. That is the key: getting to know each other. If we are in a larger city, you would still have the market, the food, but you would not necessarily know the people of the different languages, cultures or religions.
Here we do, and we know each other well. They are our workmates, the people we drink with, the people we live next door to; our kids may play with theirs. That is what is really quite unique here. The connections are established. That is why people often turn the phrase around and say, Trade and Relations. That immediately portrays a lack of understanding of how important the relation part is in, ultimately, producing beneficial trade. That is what we have here in the Territory: not only are we close to the region, but we have that genuine, personal relationship and understanding with one another.
Once that is understood, we can begin to develop a strategy. In order to understand our neighbour, the first thing - the relationship part of it - in my view, can occur with the knowledge of the language. That does not mean you have to be able to speak the language, but to understand the language of the other. By understanding the language of the other you begin to get insights into the culture and the mindset of the other. It disappoints me that, at the time when there was a lot of economic activity within our immediate region in Indonesia, there was money for teacher exchanges, teachers were equipped to teach Indonesian language programs in the schools, and public servants were learning Indonesia. Then, when the gold rush seemed to occur and the shift was to China, they dropped Indonesia and ran to China. Yet, Indonesia is still our neighbour. If we respect what relationships are about, we have to look at that and recognise that when there was the economic collapse in Indonesia and we dropped Indonesia and ran to China, that had an effect on the relationship. Many people in Indonesia wondered what had happened. What had they done to cause us to turn our attention from them to other places? Why were the schools no longer coming? Why were there no longer the exchanges?
You have to have a relationship within a region in order to have profitable trade in the longer term. That did have an effect. It disappoints me when I look at the figures of how many are learning Indonesian today in our primary and secondary schools compared to 20 years ago, or even 15 years ago. How many public servants are equipped to speak at least basic Bahasa Indonesia? It is good there are those who are taking up Mandarin courses; difficult language though it is.
Those things are very important, and the focus on our near neighbour. We are only a small jurisdiction and there is quite a significant opportunity if we were to pick our targets and focus. If it comes to China, of course, there has to be ethnic language and culture training, but there also needs to be identification of the specific niche markets that we could focus on. With a small jurisdiction and a small critical mass economic footprint, we should be able to identify those and work towards them, making sure that our education programs - not just in the primary or secondary schools and the university, but also the public sector - are coordinated so we are all singing off the same sheet and focusing on the same objective. That way, with our small numbers we can achieve a lot.
Those things are very important. Anyone who has spent any time - and some members on the other side have - getting to understand, particularly our Asian neighbours, know how valuable relationship is. It is easy in our context if we are thinking from the Western point of view. Our relationship is, ‘G’day mate, my name is so and so, now let us get down to business’, and we have a good relationship.
That is not how it works in the region. You can do business like that with an American or someone from Europe perhaps - certainly from the UK or Canada - but you cannot do that in our region. You can go and have a meeting and can say: ‘G’day, my name is Bruce and I am from Australia and I am here to talk turkey about this and the other and it is going to be a hoot’, and get down to business. They will be very polite and you walk away thinking you have had a very good meeting, and nothing much will come of it.
There will be the impression it has been a favourable meeting, but there will not be an outcome because that connection was, in fact, not made. The people will endure the meeting, and you will go away oblivious to the fact that you have not made a connection and advanced the relationship. Whilst we deal with the letter of the law, and contract law and so on here, and it gives us all the security we need, we do not need to invest in the relationship. In our region, they need to invest in the relationship and know who they are dealing with first - then comes the business. If you short circuit the relationship part, the second part - the trade part - becomes quite difficult.
Those are the things that we need to really work on. I would like to see that kind of element injected into these statements; a recognition of understanding how you really do engage in the region – its language and culture. What a compliment it is to the other when you know a bit about them and you can speak a little of their language. You do not have to proficient; it sends a compliment that you have actually made the effort. They certainly can tell.
We should learn a lot from our Indigenous Territorians. They understand the value of relationship. They know whether you are fair dinkum or not, the same way as our neighbours. They want to know whether you are genuine or not. They have been around for a long time and, with their culture, in many respects, they think in terms of thousands of years. They can endure a little pleasantry for the sake of waiting for someone to come along so they can actually invest in a relationship that will produce something long term. We have an opportunity here. We have a small number but we have resources that are of great value. We have to work very smart. I would like to see those elements included in these statements.
I was seriously disappointed to hear that triumphant sound that the great Henderson regime has produced these tremendous things and the ignoring of history. You do not do yourself any favours by ignoring the work of previous governments - it was just a horror story; what happened before Labor came to office. However, that is not the fact. There was good stuff that happened. To acknowledge and build on that, particularly when the statement talks about engaging our region, would add credibility.
Those who we deal with know, because I was at a number of meetings with the Ambassador for China to Australia. I had some lovely meetings with him, and he spoke very openly and fondly of the tremendous work of former Chief Minister Shane Stone - again and again. He recognised that this is a man who understood, and added value to the relationship by understanding how to work and, then, adding more to that. That was said in the company of minister Vatskalis. That is not saying one over the other; that this side is better than that side. It is understanding what the business is about.
I have to say regarding the work of previous administrations - though it may suit the political agenda of the other side to accuse the Country Liberal Party of all the sins in the world that has ever visited the Territory - none of these members are actually members of previous governments. It is just nonsense. There was much that occurred. The foundations were laid by previous administrations. You do yourselves no favour by turning your attention away from those to score political points, particularly when you are endeavouring to mount a credible presence within the region. Our neighbours have good memories, and they will recognise those things. The message I often hear is: what happened to the Northern Territory, it was once here, now it is no longer?
Of course, good trade relations are critical to the long-term economic prosperity of the Northern Territory. There will be economic booms and downturns, but our neighbours remain with their huge population. When economic downturns occur, we should also work hard to ensure that we have that buffer built in by the establishment of good, deep, relationships within the region. There are over two hundred million people in Indonesia alone, not to mention the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei - which reminds me of BIMP-EAGA. I would like to know from the minister, what the attitude and the plan of this government are with regard to BIMP-EAGA? There is an opportunity for leadership and engagement. Let us hear plainly where you are with that. Places such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are not going away, and the opportunities remain, whether there is a resource boom or not.
Contrast a small population in the Territory and a massive population within the region, with great resource in the Northern Territory and limited resources within the region, and the opportunity for food production within this sparsely-populated region, and a huge number - millions and millions - of consumers within the region. Opportunity exists. We can only look at Ord River Stage 2 to get excited about what could be.
It all starts with a bit of clear thinking and some long-term planning, going beyond saying, ‘We have an action plan’, to actually implementing an action plan and then talking about the results rather than foreshadowing great things that may come. We have to finish the oversell and the under-deliver. We have to just get on with the business and start to create things.
I reckon the community will applaud when they start to see that kind of approach. That is going to be the approach in the future, because that is what the community is calling for. They will get what they want, because voters are not silly. They want someone who describes what needs to be done and does it – the end of the oversell and the under-deliver. Just get on with the business of delivering, and great will be that day.
The record of history is strong. It may stick in the neck of the minister who is not able to mention things such as what flowed from a vision: a railway that allowed Frances Creek and Bootu Creek mines to be opened. That is how those things occurred. It started with an idea and a plan, then action, and you actually see the result.
The East Arm port, of course, and INPEX – well, there we go, with INPEX, and it is tremendous that INPEX is here - does not happen in a vacuum. There was a lot of work that went on for decades before to lay the foundations for a gas industry. The hub was established, ConocoPhillips, and that was not an idea that started just – whacko - when 2001 appeared and, then, all this stuff magically appeared. It occurred long before then.
Therefore, it is not a matter of one side is greater than the other and let us re-write history so we all feel good about ourselves; it is just a fact of the continuum of development. Each, as they enter the stage, has a responsibility to add to what happened before, and then leave something for the future. That is what it is about. It is just a darned shame to find this whole statement drawn into that ‘how great we are’ type of mentality, which is not allowing us to create much for the future, but just something for the present to create an impression we are doing something pretty special. Well, get over it - we have business to do - and start to dig down a little deeper and tie all these activities together in some coherent plan, rather than a listing of all the things, scattered with a few key words like ‘strategy’ so it creates an impression.
I am very pleased though, in the statement there is reference to going beyond areas such as cattle and minerals. In many respects, as the former Resources minister, Chris Natt, honestly admitted, we really did not create the resources boom. I have not heard that utterance from the Labor government before, and it was just wonderful to hear it. The resources boom occurred, and it was like a big wave that, if you were a surfer, you rode it. He rode it reasonably well. However, you did not create the resources boom, nor did you create the cattle industry. It is an opportunity; there is a great marketplace. You need to recognise the great work the cattle industry has done with or without the government, Country Liberal or Labor. They have done a fantastic job. However, there is much more, and it includes service delivery. That is the stuff that government can really play an active role in.
I am pleased to see the Arafura Games was mentioned. The Arafura Games did not just magically appear in 2001, nor did it get conjured up as some sort of activity for people who have a bit of time on their hands. The Arafura Games was established as an embodiment of another aspect of Asian relations and trade through sport, allowing people within the region to get together. Why would you want people to get together? So they can all feel good about themselves? No, because they get together, they get to know each other - that is called a relationship. Around sport you can then attract others who want to start talking about things of mutual benefit, such as trade: ‘You have that; I will buy that off you and I will give you this’. Once you have people together around something enjoyable, like sport, you then start relationships that can then build to mutual benefit.
That is what it was actually about. It was not ‘Let us have a sporting carnival because that is something that would look good on a glossy brochure’; it was the evidence of a plan and a vision. Those are things which were created. You just cannot create things by committee. You have to work it out and then make a decision. Then, people will really respect it when you make a decision based on something that has a really good reason and plan behind it. That is why we have the Arafura Games. That is why there were lots of language programs within the schools and the public service, because it is part of a broader plan.
There was also, by the way, Arafura School Games that people may have forgotten. There was, not so long ago - probably before most members were here - for many years, high school kids from across the Territory participating in a competition within the eastern provinces. The Territory flag was flown in Kupang, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Ambon and Lombok. Many people came together and there was an opportunity for trade discussions and so on all around that. It brought people together and made our young people understand our neighbour and develop an interest about engaging in the future.
Sadly, it was not a result of a Territory government backing off from that; there was the issue of the economic crisis which made it difficult for Indonesia. It still could have occurred in a modified form, without a doubt. I would like to see that come back. It was really put back significantly when the East Timorese crisis occurred. Nonetheless, it still can occur with some modification. Those things are very important. Do not underestimate the power of those sporting and cultural engagements to help us build a bridge from which trade can occur.
One of Australia’s greatest export industries is education; particularly for full-fee-paying students. It is right up there with oil and gas and the agriculture sector. I am pleased to hear there has been some talk of this now. You referred to the increased numbers of students who are studying in the Territory. The percentage figure is impressive. However, you did not tell us the raw numbers because they are very small. Though very small – even with some increases – it can be extrapolated into a large percentage. The fact is, we could do a heck of a lot better with the number of overseas full-fee-paying students in the Territory. That is something I would like to see significantly increased.
We are in a fortunate position in some respects. Sadly, there has been disquiet, particularly within the Indian community. We could position ourselves as not having the bright lights of Sydney and Melbourne, which can be an attraction to students, but by being a place where families can deem to be safe and secure. That is a strong message to send out.
I understand that our immigration agents who work within the region are well regarded. This is another plank to a great industry that could be really enhanced in the Northern Territory. I am very pleased to have had a number of meetings with Professor Barney Glover on this matter, because he is very keen on developing these links. I am keen to work with the university to help develop these ideas to see a significant increase in the number of international students.
If the minister is keen on developing these things, as I suspect he is, he will have my full support. It is not going to be a competition. I want to offer my support, if there is anything I can do in that front. If I happen to go overseas, it will not be in competition with you, it will be to help. It is not political point scoring on the domestic scene, it is actually to help solve the problem, which brings me to Garuda. I believe that when we talk about tourism, we have to recognise that …
Mr BOHLIN: Madam Speaker, I move an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, member for Drysdale; Madam Deputy Speaker. I will reduce my comments to fit into a reasonable amount of time.
When it comes to Garuda, albeit the meetings were pleasant, there are some aspects to this that do need to be talked about quite openly. One is that we can talk all we like about how great tourism is and how close we are to the region but, if we have no competition, if we only have Jetstar, no matter how geographically close we are to the region, the gap is now much wider.
There are number of people who may want to visit here for conferences and, if they have no choice and they have limited access to Darwin, it will drop off the map, no matter how close you are. If you draw a line on a map between Darwin and Jakarta, that will be a very wide gap in practical terms if we do not have a range of options to connect Singapore, Jakarta, and other places to the Territory. You may have your maps on the wall and say, ‘Look how close we are to the region’, but places like Broome, Darwin and Cairns are now, in some respects, further from the region than they were five or 10 years ago. Planes are getting bigger and they are flying over; they do not have to land in Cairns, Broome or Darwin anymore, and we become increasingly isolated.
As strange as it seems, even Perth is finding itself increasingly isolated. They may complain, but when I explained in Western Australia the situation in Darwin, they were shocked to find we only have one international connection. How did this occur? Well, we did not have pleasant conversations with the nice people in Jakarta. The fact is, they may not tell you openly, because it is the nature of our near neighbours not to speak about such unpleasant matters off their own bat. For 30 years, Garuda of being here, subsidies were being provided from one carrier to a next. In recent times Jetstar received what I add up to be $8m worth of subsidies to assist them in establishing here. It happened just before the election, so you could have an announcement.
The effect of that was to spite a carrier from a near neighbour which had never received any special assistance. You lose competition. You lose a full service carrier who has had a 30-year connection to Darwin, supported community events and, now, we have zero competition. The competition was given $8m, thank you very much ...
Mr Elferink: And now they are charging just as much as Garuda ever did.
Mr MILLS: Well, more. So zero competition. You are not going to have the Indonesians, unless they come from particular provinces, be forthright and tell you straight up and down what has happened here. They will be very polite: ‘Thank you very much for coming, and we will do the very best we can’. They will assume that it is their responsibility and the fault is theirs. But make no mistake, there is something we did here with Virgin Blue and with Jetstar. By providing incentives to others, we have turned away a carrier from our near neighbour - that is the practical effect of it - and we have no competition.
That has to be addressed. There are some practical solutions that need to be discussed, and it will take real leadership to run an argument to try to turn this around. We have to show ourselves deadly serious about this because it is very important. Garuda has a big game to play. They have some new planes arriving, but they still have to work out whether it is in their interest, as a corporation, to link up to Darwin if the Northern Territory does not have much of an interest in Indonesia.
You have to demonstrate that we are actually engaged and interested within the region. You demonstrate that by the number of kids who are learning Indonesian in schools, the number of public servants engaging with the region, the number of delegations you are taking into the region, and the concerted strategies that you are running. You have to demonstrate you are actually interested in the region.
Garuda made a pretty big investment in the region over 30 years. I believe they were treated quite badly in the decisions that were made to interfere in the free market, which resulted in a loss of competition. It may have achieved something in the short term, but lost something very significant. It is not going to be a very easy decision for them to come back. They will say nice things, but they are going to be just weighing it up to see whether it is worth their while. There is a lot more work that needs to occur on that front to turn this one around because, once a route drops off - and the minister did not travel back with Garuda. If you open up the little book that is in the back of the seat, you would have seen …
Dr Burns: Travelled into Indonesia in Garuda and then through Indonesia with Garuda.
Mr MILLS: Sorry, I am not trying to be smart, but I recall you did go from Jakarta to …
Dr Burns: You were on the same plane as me!
Mr MILLS: I know, it is all right, I am not trying to have a go. I am just saying that if you pulled out the booklet …
Dr Burns: I asked you whether you were following me.
Mr MILLS: If you pulled out the booklet in the back of the seat, you would have noticed they have removed the link from Denpasar to Darwin. That has gone – it vanished in a flash. When they took it to the printer, it was not the case of ‘Quick, we have just dropped off Darwin’, that happened a long time before. When they made that decision to drop that leg out, that is an indication that an organisation had made a decision about Darwin, despite what they will say.
I very much look forward to hearing the report that comes from the minister’s representative in Jakarta regarding those meetings, because there are layers to this and it is not going to be any easy matter. I look forward to hearing that report.
There is much that can be gained. Our neighbour is not going away, as I said before. Our engagement in the region goes back hundreds of years - hundreds of years. The part that we play is just a small part. There are many aspects to the potentials here in engagement, and it is a matter that should transcend party politics. It is a time for cool heads to get together and work out how we got to this position. There are some strengths to our current position, and some immense opportunities within the region, but we have to recognise what is possible and, then, focus our strategies there and drive hard. We can really make some gains.
We have an extraordinarily diverse community. It is not just to get the Asian community in our midst. As I said before, the Indigenous community, particularly in the Top End, has had those connections going back hundreds of years. If we learn how to engage with Indigenous people, that would give us many clues of how to engage with our neighbours. We are Westerners, and it is not until you do one of these courses you start to recognise your own culture and the effect that your culture has on the way you think, the way you speak, the way you deal with others. That will even help you with our neighbour and help us deal with Indigenous Territorians.
So, the relationship part of Asian Relations and Trade is absolutely critical. I do not see enough of that element through this statement, notwithstanding I welcome the statement because it is a welcome return to the agenda of this government of an engagement with the region. Bearing in mind the economic crisis which has affected the US - of course, it has slowed down things in China – it is our immediate region that is a buffer in many respects. It is not affecting Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and places like that as much as the European and the US economies. We have a tremendous opportunity now to keep those foundations true. Build on it, because there is more to come and we really could do tremendous things by trading smartly with our neighbour, recognising the importance of a relationship, which will then result in long-term trade. Thank you for the statement.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank my colleague, the Minister for Asian Relations and Trade for a very comprehensive statement.
I will pick up first, before I go to my prepared comments, on the contribution from the Leader of the Opposition. He talked about the lack of a strategy in all of this. Well, he is wrong again. We have worked over the last four or five years with a comprehensive engagement and trade strategy. It was released in this House. It was up on the government’s website, and the strategy is being redefined by my colleague, given new circumstances that we face.
I point out that, when we came to government in 2001, I was the first Asian Relations and Trade Minister in the new Labor government and had my incoming briefings from my new CEOs. The Department of Asian Relations and Trade was a department back in those days with a very healthy budget. The first thing I asked the CEO at the briefing was: where was the trade strategy? She looked at me as though I had asked when the next rocket to Mars was going to take off. There had never been a strategy. There had never been a documented trade strategy under the CLP. The Department of Asian Relations and Trade, as it was back then, was nothing more than a glorified travel bureau for ministers who wanted to travel ...
A member: Prime minister Eric was one of them.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, prime minister Eric was one of them. There is a story we might tell one day around the dinner table about prime minister Eric. Certainly, there was no trade strategy, and I was absolutely dumfounded that none did or had existed.
I also pick up on a couple of other things. International students are a very important part of not only the Territory’s economy and for the university, but also those people building relationships in Darwin and, then, going back to home countries and establishing ongoing relationships. It is very important. The new Vice Chancellor, Dr Barney Glover, is certainly going to reinvigorate engagement in the region and will prove to be a very fine Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University.
The Leader of the Opposition talked about Garuda. I will let my colleague wrap up the comments, but this government, apart from Virgin Blue right in the very beginning trying to get some competition with Qantas in the Northern Territory after Ansett collapsed, has never provided any subsidies to airlines. We have cooperative marketing arrangements with airlines. All airlines are treated equally. When I was the Minister for Tourism, we tried, on a number of occasions, to enter into joint marketing arrangements with Garuda that were not successful for one reason or another - but it was not for the want of trying.
In regard to Jetstar, is the Leader of the Opposition really saying that the government should not have gone after Jetstar to establish a hub in Darwin? If he is saying that then, again, he demonstrates a lack of leadership. The government’s commitment with Jetstar was to base up to six planes - actually base those planes in Darwin - to provide for pilots and cabin crew to be based in Darwin. It was not for deep level maintenance, but for routine maintenance to be based in Darwin, providing opportunities for Territory business. Already, we have three of those planes based in Darwin.
We have nearly 50 Jetstar pilots based in Darwin – not living in Adelaide, Sydney or Melbourne. Training is done in Darwin. I am not sure how many, but a significant number of cabin crew are now based in Darwin and trained here. All servicing and supplies of those aircraft is done here. I do not have the multiplier figures here at hand, but there are significant multipliers in our economy. Any Chief Minister worth their salt would go after those opportunities and not turn around and say: ‘Oh no, if we are going to do that we do not want those jobs, those investments, or those planes based here in Darwin …
A member: Or the routes.
Mr HENDERSON: … or the new routes to be serviced. We now have a direct service to Vietnam and other links will be coming. We are not going to do any of that in case we scare off some of the competition’.
It was sad that Garuda decided to pull their flights, but it had absolutely nothing to do with our support for Jetstar here in Darwin. They made their own commercial decisions. Not only would the Leader of the Opposition not have delivered the waterfront, the convention centre, and 30 000 people coming to Darwin that would not have come to Darwin, he would not have chased INPEX because he wanted to park them on a piece of land that would not have been ready. We would not have had the INPEX development …
Members interjecting
Mr HENDERSON: We will not have the airlines hub here. This place would still be the sleepy, forgotten backwater we inherited when we came to government in 2001. The lack of leadership would have be shown by the Leader of the Opposition in going after the prize; actually taking the plunge, showing some leadership, driving investment, providing jobs for Territorians, providing growth for the economy. ‘No, we would not do that because we might upset someone’. As long as I am Chief Minister, I will go after the prize. However, I digress.
Since 2001, two-way trade in merchandise increased by 63% to $6.17bn. In the same period, total exports to Asia have increased by 40% to $3.78bn. Since we have come to government, we have seen significant increase in two-way trade. That is the result of a lot of hard work. I am not saying it is all done by government, by a long stretch; it has been done by good entrepreneurial people here in the Northern Territory, as well as good companies.
Our success to date reflects the strategic approach to engagement with our near neighbours and trading partners. The government’s approach to advancing the Territory’s external interests, and managing and developing our relationships with regional neighbours is focused, pragmatic and flexible. We will continue to build on these foundations. The government’s strategy targets interests and markets where real outcomes are achievable; trading with nations who want the goods, services and commodities we produce and have the money to pay for them. That is where our targets are.
The Minister for Trade and Asian Relations outlined the four key activities where we currently deploy government’s energy and resources to engage the region: targeted ministerial and official travel; support for community education and business engagement; fostering inbound government and business missions - very important to bring people here to the Territory to see what we have to offer; and active promotions of the Territory to foreign diplomatic and business representative based in Australia.
Since 2001, I have personally been involved on a regular basis in a wide range of engagement activities to advance Territory trade and investment. In the last fortnight alone, my activities have included a number of initiatives. I have led a very successful mission to Timor-Leste. On return, I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss Territory interests with the Prime Minister here in Darwin. That was a trip that was comprehensively bagged by the Leader of the Opposition who called it junket, and offended the 60 people who travelled on that delegation.
I welcomed and met with many of the 1600 delegates to the APPEA Conference here in Darwin. The APPEA Conference is Australia’s leading oil and gas conference. All of the top players in Australia, and many from around the world, were featured. If we did not have the convention centre and the new hotels, we would not have had the conference. That is something that would not have occurred under a CLP government.
I spent some time with the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, whom I had invited to Darwin, making clear that the Territory is open for business and Chinese investment is very welcome. This is unlike the Liberal Party which has been running a scare campaign about Chinese investment. Under the Henderson Labor government, Chinese investment is very welcome in the Northern Territory.
Last Wednesday, I launched the Chief Minister’s Northern Territory Export and Industry Awards at Crocosaurus Cove.
In September, the Territory will once again host the South-East Asian Offshore Oil and Gas Conference. This will bring business people to Darwin, including investors from around the region, to discuss more oil and gas developments and opportunities.
The Territory has a strong, long-standing relationship with Indonesia. It is based on the true friendship of neighbours who have interacted for generations on matters of common interest. My government supports this friendship through several means, including support for sporting links such as the Timor Sea Cup, which is a football competition organised by my department between the Northern Territory, Timor-Leste and West Timor. There are also cultural links supported by the governments including the recent training courses provided by Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory to curators in Yogyakarta.
Charles Darwin University also has a long-standing relationship with Indonesia, particularly with eastern Indonesia in both the provision of education and research. These links provide the foundation for business between the Territory and Indonesia. Indonesia is the Territory’s fourth most important destination for exported goods including goods in oil and mining sectors.
Our links will be fostered again next week when a 27-strong delegation led by my department heads for Balikpapan for a mining and oil expo. This group is represented by a broad range of industry sectors including automotive engineering, emergency service vehicles, medical services, and tools and equipment.
The government is also funding two Indonesian Customs officials to operate the Indonesian Customs pre-inspection facility in Darwin, the only such facility based in Australia. The facility allows companies exporting to eastern Indonesia a complete pre-inspection of cargo prior to shipment. Cargo is normally fast-tracked through the Customs’ green channel on arrival.
The government will continue its ongoing campaign of engagement with major mine operators and mining subcontractors across the region to position Darwin as an export port of choice for goods destined for the Indonesian mining sector. Darwin companies which have already used the pre-inspection services for their export shipments include Deeds Engineering, We’reabout Engineering, Linetec Engineering, Blackwoods and St John Ambulance NT.
The Indonesian customs officers also recently pre-inspected 150 000 commercial vessels for export to West Timor, as well as animal hides bound for Denpasar. The officers will pre-inspect the entire fleet of some 130 yachts entered in this July’s Darwin to Saumlaki Yacht Race as part of Sail Indonesia. In recognition of the importance the government places on our relationship with Indonesia, I hope to visit Jakarta to develop relationships with the new administration sometime after the presidential elections in July.
In January this year, I travelled to China, Japan and the United States - and I did not take any of my family. I met with senior executives from major stakeholders including the Stone Group, Noble, Tokyo Gas, INPEX, and ConocoPhillips to discuss aspects of specific project proposals; planning for which is already in its advanced stage. Given the global financial crisis, this was a strategic time to strengthen international business confidence in the Territory with influential business leaders. I shared the outcome of this mission with the local business community immediately after my return at a well-attended presentation I gave at the Darwin Convention Centre.
In March, I was the keynote speaker at an NC investment seminar with the Japanese business community in Sydney. The seminar was organised by my department in consultation with the Japanese Consul-General, and attracted some 50 influential Japanese business and government representatives from across Australia. My ministers and I are fortunate to enjoy close working relationships with the leadership of INPEX and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation.
At the opening of the INPEX office in Darwin on 9 April, the President of INPEX, Mr Naoki Kuroda, congratulated my government and the people of Darwin for the welcome that INPEX had received, and on the efforts which have been made to provide certainty to INPEX Ichthys LNG project. The government has also been working closely with the Japanese government organisation JOGMEC, which is designed to set up joint ventures with overseas companies to conduct exploration and secure mineral resources from Japan.
My colleague, the Asian Relations and Trade minister, obviously has just met with JOGMEC in Japan to further develop that relationship. JOGMEC recently signed two major joint venture agreements with Australian companies for greenfield projects in the Territory; a joint venture with Bondi Mining to fund $3m worth of uranium exploration over four years, and a joint venture with Mincor Resources to fund $4.5m worth of lead zinc exploration over three years.
In relation to China, in April the government committed the Territory to participation as a silver sponsor in the Australian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. We were the first state or territory to partner with the Australian government in this way. From 1 May to 31 October 2010, Shanghai will host the biggest world expo in history. Over 230 nations and international organisations are expected to participate at the expo, and it is predicted that more than seven million people will visit the Australian Pavilion at the expo. That is quite extraordinary - isn’t it? - seven million people.
The Shanghai Expo will provide the Territory government business and community with a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of the Territory to China, along with a diverse international audience. The Territory will take the opportunity to develop further its trade and investment links, and people-to-people links in China in a variety of ways over the 12 to 18 months before, during, and after expo. Of equal importance, the expo provides an occasion to strengthen our overall bilateral relations with China.
The Leader of the Opposition has criticised the government for having too much of a focus on China. I do not share his views. China is going to be very important. It is going to be vitally important to the Australian economy over decades to come, and the Territory stands to greatly benefit from that relationship.
Territory tourism is highly influenced by international events and developments. Since the world-changing events of 2001, the local industry has experienced a shift in the balance between interstate and international visitors, with interstate holiday visitors now outnumbering international visitors. To mitigate the impacts of the current global financial crisis, Tourism NT has allocated $2.2m over the next two years for contingency marketing in select markets. Whilst the domestic market is the primary focus, resources have also been allocated for campaigns in Asia.
In order to underpin aviation linkages, Tourism NT’s Asia Gateway initiative is currently being developed to give focus on key markets in close proximity such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Positioning the Territory as a tourism destination in Asia is also an integral component of the Tourism NT’s online strategy. This includes websites in Japanese, Chinese and Korean that enables the consumer to download information in their language about the various destinations and tourism experiences available in the Territory. Our new international trade strategy currently under development has identified Japan, China and Indonesia as the Territory’s key markets. Emerging markets of interest are Vietnam, India, Malaysia and the Philippines. Education is one of the strategy’s key focal points.
The Territory education system and accredited private providers offer high-quality services from preschool through to tertiary levels of study. Since 2003, the value of international education in the Territory has increased by 70% to $22m. Access Economics has found that, for every dollar spent on education, $1.91 is spent in the local economy on annual living expenses. International education is also recognised as an important mechanism for attracting skilled migrants to the Territory, which is vital for our ongoing development.
Charles Darwin University has 351 students on International Student Visas from a diverse mix of countries including India, China, the Philippines, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia and Vietnam. There are also 100 additional international students undertaking short courses at Charles Darwin University, and about half of these students come from Asia. In addition, there are 80 full-fee-paying students studying at private and public schools in the Territory, with a further 15 applications currently being processed by the Department of Education and Training.
Another focus of our approach in the region is to support the study of Asian languages. This allows students to develop a deeper cultural understanding of the region whilst also providing them with the basis on which to engage with our neighbours in their own language. Northern Territory schools have 1460 students learning Indonesian, 1000 students studying Japanese, and 715 students learning Mandarin. Many of our secondary schools support their language and culture programs by undertaking school excursions to our Asian neighbours. Students from Palmerston High School and Dripstone Middle School travelled to Japan recently. Students from Darwin High School will soon venture to China and Malaysia, and students from Taminmin High School are bound for Vietnam.
The government has a formal partnership agreement with Charles Darwin University to foster economic, social, and cultural developments in the Territory. It includes the schedule of activity under the heading of Australian and Global Connections. The aim of the strategy is to favourably position the Northern Territory government and Charles Darwin University in the region. The major focus will be on countries of mutual interest to enhance trade and investment, including student recruitment and marketing of research and training services. An important initiative under the partnership is a major symposium with the theme of Charles Darwin, ‘Shaping our Science, Society and Future’ to be held in Darwin in September …
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I move and extension for the Chief Minister to conclude his remarks, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: I thank the member for Port Darwin for his generosity. Speakers will include Professor Tim Berra and Noble Laureate Professor Peter Doherty and other experts from the around the world.
My government and CDU are also working closely together with the Australian government in Timor-Leste to create greater use of Darwin-based resources for the education and training of Timorese youth. The government also supports the significant work that CDU has undertaken in integrated catchment management in eastern Indonesia. There have also been joint marketing missions to the region to encourage study in and migration to the Territory.
I note that the Vice Chancellor of the CDU, Professor Barney Glover, and the Director of Menzies School of Health Research, Profession Jonathan Carapetis accompanied me on my recent visit to Timor-Leste. They participated in the Bilateral Ministerial Forum, and separate meetings with the Timorese Minister for Education and the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, promoting their respective institutions and training and research capabilities. They jointly announced the offer of two fully-funded PHD scholarships in the health field through Menzies School of Health Research and CDU. I congratulate Menzies School of Health Research and CDU for a very generous offer.
Another example where the government is supporting links with Asia through education and training is the internship scheme for mid-level Timorese public servants, which I initiated after discussions with Prime Minister of Timor, Xanana Gusmao, in August last year. In April, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Territory’s Office of Commissioner for Public Employment and the Timor-Leste Civil Service Commission. In total, 10 placements will be provided for interns in the Northern Territory Public Service, with the first four participants due in Darwin next month.
The 2009 Arafura Games saw teams competing from Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste, as well as from the Pacific Islands and further afield. A total of 47 countries competed. Sporting engagement is an important way of fostering people-to-people relations, and I am pleased that sporting bodies such as the Football Federation of the Northern Territory are working closely with Football Australia to develop their links with Asia. Football Federation NT has worked with the NT government on initiatives such as the Timor Sea Cup, and football scholarships for Timorese are commendable.
The government has continued to invest in port and transport infrastructure to support trade. Our initiatives include: $100m investment at East Arm port on an overland conveyor from the bulk mineral stockpile site to the ship loader; land reclamation works to expand the container and another freight lay down area; and a further 6 ha of storage for goods such as light vehicles. A further $50m is available from the Australian government to help build a railway loop and rail dump to enable greater throughput of exports at the wharf. Prior to this, the Territory government invested $24m in a bulk mineral loading facility to enable new mines to develop in the Territory, and allow the bulk minerals export trade to commence.
The government is investing a further $18m in the Darwin Business Park to open up 20 new lot subdivisions. This park is demonstrating its value as part of the AustralAsia Trade Route, which is strategically located in the East Arm precinct which provides for the efficient consolidation and distribution of cargos between Australia and Asia.
The global financial crisis has put a stress on some of the international shipping services operating to Darwin. Recently, Hai Win announced that they were reducing their services from Shanghai to Darwin ...
Mr Giles: You have a port not functioning, that is the problem.
Mr HENDERSON: Dear, oh dear. We are talking about a port, Madam Deputy Speaker. Empty vessels make the most sound ...
Mr Giles: Damien Hale turned his back; you have a port that is not working.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr HENDERSON: Whilst initially proposing a full withdrawal, the Darwin Port Corporation advises that the company is still operating direct services into Darwin, but less frequently. My government is actively working with the shipping proponents about establishing further direct links between north Asia and Darwin, and I am hopeful of a favourable announcement about this in the near future.
Aviation links are also critical to relations with Asia. Tourism NT has recently appointed a dedicated Aviation Director to build relationships with airlines. This involves highlighting opportunities and looking for incremental growth and competition. We are fortunate to have good aviation links to Asia, as well as twice daily flights to Singapore; daily flights to Bali and Dili; and three flights a week to Ho Chi Min City. There are also good connections to places like Bangkok and Manila through Singapore. Because of our strategic and close proximity to Asia, Jetstar is establishing an aviation hub that will see Darwin connected to more points of the map over the coming years - and certainly with my strong support.
These are some of the broad range of policies, strategies, and initiatives I have outlined as part of the government’s coordinated strategy to develop and maintain lasting and productive relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners. The government will continue to facilitate private sector involvement in commercial relationships with our trading partners. We will also maintain our strong commitment to expand opportunities for export and investment attraction.
I thank all of the hard-working staff in the Department of Chief Ministers in the Asian Relation Trade Division. They do an enormous job in working with our private sector here in the Northern Territory, and engaging with government officers and officials in countries in the region. It is not only public servants from my Department of Chief Ministers but, also, through Tourism NT there is an extensive network of Territory public servants and people on contracts to the Territory overseas. The Department of Minerals and Energy, as well, has developed excellent links, particularly with counterparts in China and Japan. Also, my colleague, the minister for Sport’s agency has excellent links in many countries in the region.
This is a multilayered strategy. It is a strategy we have further consolidated. When you look at the outcomes - which the Leader of the Opposition likes to talk a lot about - two-way trade increased by 63% since 2001, and exports to Asia increased by 40% since 2001. It is a very significant outcome. When INPEX make that final investment decision in 2010 - fingers crossed; I believe we are about 90% of the way there - and first exports start leaving Port of Darwin in 2014, this Territory has a very bright future. That very bright future is very much built on our relationships and partners in our region.
Madam Deputy Speaker, we have the vision, the drive, the determination, and we have the runs on the board. I commend the minister on his statement. I am absolutely confident he will do a magnificent job in the new portfolio role he now carries.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Deputy Speaker, I was not going to speak too much about this, but the opening comments by the Chief Minister put in my mind the stark contrast between the former CLP government - which rendered this place destitute and bereft of any growth according to these guys - and the present government. It was curious to hear the Chief Minister, say: ‘The first thing I did was speak to my senior public servant and ask what the strategy was’. Of course, that senior public servant was utterly astonished at that comment. Why would that public servant not be utterly astonished? Because that public servant, whoever that was, would certainly not have been used to having a political leader in the Northern Territory sitting opposite them saying, ‘What do I do? What is my strategy to deal with South-East Asia?’
I have heard, as an insult, that the CLP used to disappear into South-East Asia for weeks at a time. Hallelujah they were doing that! I remember when the former Chief Minister, Clare Martin, as the Opposition Leader, used to get stuck into Daryl Manzie: ‘You are not going there often enough. You are not travelling. You have only been there three times this year’. Similarly, when Mick Palmer was over there promoting cattle, in particular, in the Philippines and Vietnam. Also, when Shane Stone used to have walk-in access to Suharto. He would pick up the phone and he would say: ‘I am coming’. He would be welcome in the President of Indonesia’s office. That was the strategy because the way this system is supposed to work is that our political leaders are supposed to provide just that: leadership.
I can well imagine the mystified look on that senior public servant’s face when the first thing the Chief Minister said to the senior public servant was: ‘What do I do? What is the strategy?’ The strategy was being well played out. The penetration into South-East Asia by the Northern Territory government prior to the change in government, including the consultants and the people we had there, was probably better in many respects that the penetration that the Australian government had into South-East Asia.
Working with Premier Court at the time, Shane Lesley Stone - the short, fat, Napoleonic sort of guy so many people think he is - had the audacity, the brass, the kahunas, to actually go into South-East Asia and get into places like the Premier’s office in China, and start developing markets in those places. That is the challenge. The guy had the electoral support of an alderman of Beijing if he was lucky, but he was kicking in the door, along with the assistance of Premier Court, I believe it was at the time, to get into see people like the Premier of China. That was the strategy; the strategy was leading from the front. Public servants would have been very surprised to be confronted by someone like Shane Stone saying: ‘What do I do next? How do I do my job?’
That is the fundamental difference: the members opposite always need a strategy. They always need it to be provided in some fashion. ‘How do I do what I am supposed to do next? How will I make it look good?’ That brings me to my next point, because everything we see coming out of this government is about how it looks: ‘What does the strategy look like? What does the media release look like? How does the glossy brochure look? What is the substance of what I am talking about?’ It is all dressage, dressage, dressage. It needs to be driven from within. This is not a job, this is a vocation. That is what we should be talking about. It should be coming from within - the heart and the soul. They have had a wonderful opportunity in the last few years to use some of those extra billions of dollars they have received as a result of the new taxation arrangements in this country, to drive that even harder and further.
I am absolutely delighted to see the Chief Minister gets into aeroplanes and goes into South-East Asia. In my opinion he does not do it often enough, nor do the other ministers. It is about dressage; how it looks.
I draw honourable members to the statement on page 4 of the document circulated last night:
That is impressive – really impressive. However, I draw member’s attention to page 71 of their own budget documents where it says:
We are talking about the trade balance, essentially:
Let us go back and investigate the $2.1bn improvement. Oh hang on, if it is an improvement than why is it $200m less than it was in the financial year 2007-08? That raises a few eyebrows, and causes me to go and visit some of the yardsticks the government uses to sell how good a job they are doing.
The first interesting thing: in the year to April 2009. What financial reporting methodology uses the financial year April one year to April the next year? Is it a quarterly report? No, you get a March quarter; you do not get an April quarter. Is it a half-yearly report? No, we get those in about October. Is it an end of year financial statement? No, we get those in about September. Is it an end of year statement? No, we get those at the end of the year. There is no financial vehicle or measure I am aware of, that uses the year April to April as a measure of imports. But what this government is actually interested in is how it looks. The government wants to be able to say ‘an increase by $500m to $2.1bn’.
In actual fact, if you look at the budget papers - you have to draw some lines on the graph that is provided on page 71 of the budget paper, the Northern Territory Economy – you will suddenly realise they choose the most remarkable financial period as a period where they can demonstrate maximise growth. The forecasts from that unusual period to the next financial year show that that surplus will be in the area of just over $1bn. It is much more important to dress this up than it is to demonstrate what is actually happening. Why? ‘Because I need a strategy, and part of my strategy is how do I make it look to the domestic environment?’ When I say domestic environment, I mean the voter. ‘As long as I can keep producing glossy pamphlets and have somebody giving me a strategy and making it look all right, then I will be able to convince people I am doing a great job’.
However, the fact is that between 2007-08 and the rather remarkable April 2009 figure, trade balance has actually fallen by $200m. We are going backwards despite what the minister says. Interestingly, the minister talked about the Territory’s exports increasing by 53%. By what measure? Volume? Amounts of widgets? By what measure do you measure an increase of 57.3%? Well, the answer to that is on page 71 of the referred budget paper. The vehicle by which you measured is dollars. Here we come back to the dressage that we are getting used to from this government.
One would be inclined to think that, during this period, we have this wonderful growth and we are exporting 57% more product overseas. No, that is not what has happened. What is actually happening is that the product we export from the Northern Territory to the international marketplace is bought and sold on that international marketplace in American dollars. When you do a projection in one financial year and that projection shows you that the Australian dollar and the American dollar is almost at parity, then you get a lower result on the Australian dollar scale. If the Australian dollar in a global financial crisis, should one occur, falls to about half parity, all of a sudden you get this whopping great increase in the value of your sales when you measure it in Australian dollars. That is the growth. Yes, there has been a slight growth in the amount of gas being sold. Why? Because ConocoPhillips, the gas supplier at Wickham Point, was offline for a short time last year, which lowered the amount of gas being sold.
However, to come in here and say the Territory’s export increased by 57.3% during that period is smoke and mirrors. I point out to the minister, as well as the Chief Minister, high commodity prices and favourable exchange rates for the Australian dollar during 2007-08 were a large slice of the increase. It does not mean we are producing more. It does not mean we are necessarily selling more. It is just a favourable exchange rate.
As much as this government would like to have Territorians think that they are wonderful economic managers, I suspect that those people who sit on Wall Street determining the value of the American dollar - or more to the point those people investing globally in American dollars, thus forcing it into a better position - are not waiting for Delia Greenspan to be making pronouncements before they make their decisions. The government claims to be an economic manager when, in actual fact, what they are is a fiscal manager. They have a budget which they manage on an annual basis and, using that budget, they have to ride the ebbs and flows, the tides and waves, of the international marketplace. They are as vulnerable to that as any other state jurisdiction, and even more so by virtue of the fact we are a small jurisdiction.
I can tell you, Premier Wu of China is not lying in bed at 3 am looking at the ceiling thinking to himself: ‘My God, what is the Northern Territory doing in terms of its exports and imports over the next 12 months?’ He has bigger fish to fry. He sits in command of a quarter of the world’s population, and our 220 000 people, I suspect, do not really occupy a great deal of his mind. I do not suspect that the Northern Territory occupies a great deal of his mind. What does occupy his mind, however, is sourcing energy and resources from wherever he can get them. For that, you need Asian Relations and Trade.
You do not necessarily need some written strategy provided by a public servant dressed up in a flash ministerial statement that paints a glossy picture. You need passion. You need drive. You need to get out of bed in the morning and say: ‘This is what we are doing’. Not walking into a public servant’s office and asking: ‘What is our strategy for the week? What are we doing?’ Drive it - drive it from the front.
This is the stuff that I was getting passionate about the last time we were in this place, saying leadership belongs to you. You are appointed by the people of the Northern Territory to lead. Lead! Get out there and go for it. You will see me championing you every time you climb into an aeroplane and go over there. By all means, tell us what you are spending - that is what we are asking - but go and spend it. I am not criticising anyone for spending money trying to create wealth and jobs in South-East Asia.
The INPEX result, as I have said in this place in the past, is good. I like what has happened with INPEX. I do not particularly like where it has gone into the harbour necessarily but, if it is a choice of having INPEX and not having INPEX, bring it on.
What are we doing with Greater Sunrise? They have already indicated that they are not going to Timor, I imagine for all sorts of reasons ...
Dr Burns: No, they have not.
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, they have. They have said they are not going to Timor. Surely, you know that? Surely, the minister is aware that the developers of Sunrise field has absolutely discounted Timor? Surely, you are aware of that, are you not?
Dr Burns: Have they?
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, they have. Oh, my goodness gracious me. Madam Deputy Speaker, how frustrating is this to watch this occur every day. This is incredible ...
Dr Burns: I advise the member for Port Darwin to be very careful what he says in this place. That is all. I am cautioning you, member for Port Darwin.
Mr ELFERINK: They have said it. They have said they are not going. That is what they have said. That leaves them with two choices. One is the option of building an offshore plant or two, and with the option of coming to Darwin. What are we doing to court them? I have not heard any comments from the Chief Minister publicly recently, or for a long time. What are we doing to court that particular gas coming to Darwin? Are we out there? We have lost one of our great drivers in this in Paul Tyrrell. He has gone. I can say he utterly deserves the gong he got - big gold star on the middle of his forehead, that is what I reckon. However, we have lost that driver. Is there anyone else out there driving this stuff?
Madam Deputy Speaker, that is what I am looking for in leadership, not some mere Chief Minister who says: ‘Well, I am the Chief Minister now, what do I do next? Somebody give me a strategy?’ That is the fundamental difference between the government that once was and this one. Yes, it was forceful. It gained a reputation even for being arrogant in pursuit of these things and, ultimately, it cost them enormously. However, to have a Chief Minister be surprised that a public servant was aghast, agog and astonished when the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, essentially, said to that public servant: ‘What do we do now? What is the strategy?’, just shows the vast difference between that which once was and that which is now.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is always entertaining to listen to the member for Port Darwin. It was a great performance, I have to admit. He speaks well, performs really well. I agree with some of the things he said, and some others I disagree - and disagree strongly. Leadership was mentioned many times, and I think he is coming to strong leadership. (inaudible) that the previous governments tried and it did not. He mentioned Shane Stone saw the Premier of China. Yes he did, to sell Western Australian gas. He did it to sell gas from Western Australia not from the Northern Territory ...
Mr Elferink: What? And we have ended up as the poor cousin as a result?
Mr VATSKALIS: You cannot trust Western Australians? It is on record. Politically, Shane Stone and I have our differences and we do not agree on politics. However, on one thing we agree to about the Territory is ‘Go north, young man; go to Asia’. That is exactly what we have done.
That is exactly what I have done in the past few years, as I said, as the minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, and Mines and Energy. The member for Goyder knows very well because, in her previous capacity as CEO of the Minerals Council, we worked very closely in developing this strategy. I would not have visited China six times in 18 months if I did not believe that China is our market – can be our market not only for our minerals but also for our cattle. I would not be travelling as far as Denver or Toronto in minus-10C if I did not believe that the place to sell the Territory is the place where the big players are who buy minerals.
We have seen the results. I will come to that. However, first, I repeat: Asia is our market. I take great pride when I go south and I show slides and say: ‘Look where Darwin is. Look how close we are to five capital cities in South-East Asia, and look how far away we are from Canberra. To our south, there are about 25 million potential clients if you include the New Zealanders. To our north, about two billion. So where do you want to be?’ We are exactly in the right spot, on the right continent, to focus on Asia. We have done it, and we have done it successfully.
I acknowledge the previous governments’ efforts to open its markets to Asia; not very successfully but they did break into the Indonesian market and started shipping cattle there. A few days ago in the newspaper, I read that 10 years ago 130 000 cattle were exported to Indonesia from the Northern Territory. Today, the number of cattle exported to Indonesia is 280 000 cattle. Not only that, we have gone to Vietnam and established a strong relationship there. The first shipment of cattle for Vietnam will leave in September.
We have gone to Sarawak, Sabah, Malaysia and Brunei, not only to sell products but also to establish relationships. This is especially true of Malaysia where we have not only sold cattle but have helped them establish their abattoirs. We have trained them in how to kill the animals, how to handle them humanely, and how to process the meat with the western cuts the tourists who now go to Sabah want to have on their plates...
Mr Elferink: Did you make this decision or did the public servant write the strategy? Hopefully, you made the decision, that is my point.
Mr VATSKALIS: We will come to that. The policy is decided by the government. The strategies are discussed with the government and the public service before a final decision is made ...
Mr Elferink: That is not what he said. And that is the problem.
Mr VATSKALIS: Again, you spoke about leadership. We have shown leadership. My colleague, the Minister for Asian Relations, went to Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan. He did not have to go. He could easily have said: ‘Well, public servants can go and do the job’. The way of conducting business in Asia is different from how you do business in other places. You have to be seen there with your public servants. You have to be seen there with your own people, driving the public service, being the public face of the government, meeting the government officials, meeting the ministers and deputy ministers to establish the name of the Territory.
When I first went to China, the Territory was an unknown territory. When you mentioned the Territory, the people did not know what you were talking about. If you said: ‘I am from Darwin’, they said: ‘How close to Sydney is that?’ You virtually had to get the map of Australia and put it on the table and show them where the Territory was. When they saw the Territory, their eyes opened like lights. Suddenly, the Territory was there in front of them and very close to their country, especially in China. And it got better.
When I started talking to them about the potential of the Territory, the deep harbour, the railway line, the minerals of the Territory, people wanted to know about it. They wanted to know more and more. Every time I went to China, we attracted more people. This strategy for China was not an outcome of a think tank in the public service. It was decided up there on the fifth floor in my office. I was the first minister who said we should go out and tell people about the Territory. The response from public servants was: ‘Minister, that has never been done before. We do not have to go. People will come and ask for it’. I said: ‘No, we have to go out because the legacy left behind in the mining industry, in particular, by the CLP was a stack of applications sitting on a table for years because they wanted to use this as an excuse to fight the Land Rights Act and Indigenous Territorians, and a declining number of mines from the heyday of the 1990s. The number of mines were closing down and we were only left with five mines at that time, I believe.
I remember when the Chief Minister was the minister for Mines. I remember he came into Cabinet and said he found 400 applications sitting on his desk not processed intentionally to create this division between Indigenous interests and the mineral mining companies.
Now, we have exceeded 1000 mining applications. We have mines opening. Mines close in Western Australia because they cannot negotiate a price for their iron ore; the iron ore mine in the Northern Territory at Frances Creek has negotiated three contracts. When there have been companies actually reducing the output of their mines and laying off workers, we have seen mines in the Northern Territory hiring new workers - more workers. We know we are not a big financial superpower. We depend very much on what is happening in Australia and around the world.
Quite rightly, the member for Port Darwin mentioned you can make a lot of money on the difference of the currency. However, that works both ways. When the currency goes up you make money; when the currency goes down you lose money. You cannot have it both ways. The reality is, yes, we export resources; we export significant goods and resources - and we continue to promote the Territory as the place to find these resources. We have seen the results.
I refer specifically to the mining industry, because the mining industry is the biggest employer and generator of wealth in the Territory. Also, the mining has significant impact on the economy of the Territory. I was worried when the economic downturn came and I saw the Chinese pulling out of markets in Western Australia. I was worried about our situation and what would happen if China, for example, stopped buying manganese, iron ore, or zinc. However, it did not eventuate. The Chinese still bought the iron ore, the manganese, the zinc, and continue to do so.
They not only continue to do so, but the Chinese now have turned their attention to us. They have turned their attention to the Territory because they believe the Territory is a safe place to invest. It is a safe place to actually do the joint ventures and the acquisitions. We have seen that more recently. Arafura Resources – the agreement has been signed, sealed and delivered and the mining has been entrusted to them. The East China Exploration Company acquired 25% of their shares, and they are partners in one of the biggest mines for rare earths in the world.
We have Chinese companies now with their headquarters here in the Territory, in Cullen Bay. We have Chinese companies applying for exploration in their own right. I have in my office a map that was given to me by one of these Chinese investors - a map of Australia and of the Territory with all the mines marked in Chinese language. Their industry has turned; their interest is focused in the Territory.
The last trip I took to China, I was very impressed because we had to tell people they could not meet with the investors from the Territory because we did not have time. We had five investors with us. We had prearranged meetings but, when they found out through their connections and links through the Chamber of Commerce, they were ringing and asking for a meeting. Some people had to delay their departure in order to accommodate some of these people who wanted to meet them.
We have a strategy we developed here on the fifth floor and, yes, it was finalised and refined by the public service, and that is good cooperation between public servants and political leaders. On a different level, we have to provide the leadership, but we have to work together to deliver. I am very pleased to say that we have done that very well. We developed a booklet which is renewed every six months, which has information about all the mining projects in the Territory, what they are, what minerals they source, and what stage of development they are in. We take that with us when we go to China, and the interest in China is enormous.
I believe from what my colleague told me, in Japan it is exactly the same interest. An example is ITOCHU which is now partner in one of the biggest iron ore projects in the Northern Territory. If you look in the newspaper today in the double feature about businesses, the story that comes out is the area may be equal to the Pilbara in Western Australia.
The Chinese are also interested in that area because it contains enormous quantities of magnetite. I was in China when I read a newspaper article saying in one of the provinces they were very excited because they discovered iron ore that was 800 m below ground and the content was 38% magnetite. In the Roper River area, the content of magnetite is up to 60%, and that generates enormous interest in China because it is near the surface and very easy to excavate, easily transported to the port, and quickly transport to China. A boat from Adelaide would take about 14 to 15 days to go to the Jinzhou port in China. From Darwin, it would take nine days - six days less. Now you understand why they are interested.
Of course, the other significant interest was the uranium. China is hungry for energy, and they have said that they are going to build a significant number of nuclear reactors in the next five to 10 years. They need uranium. The first shipment of uranium was recently shipped out of the Territory by the ERA company and was delivered to China. China also needs gas. The moment we advised Chinese interests how much gas there is in the Territory, how much of it they can buy, and where they are going to buy it from, they got really excited.
This time, our trip to China was not only significant because we sold the mineral resources of the Territory - and we do not sell it. We bring investors with us and the investors do the selling. They promote their projects and then agree to selling arrangements they made. We are there to provide backing to our investors; that the government has a strong interest in the mining industry, supports the mining industry, and supports these investors. We are there to show our support, and they appreciate it very much. Then, they get this feeling that the government in the Northern Territory is certain about what it is going to do, the way it wants to achieve it, and they provide a good backing for the mineral industry.
However, this time when we visited Shanghai, one of the seminars was at the Shanghai Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce. Significant interest was shown for the Territory’s ability to provide live cattle and agricultural products. The investors were asking questions about acquiring property in the Territory. When we explained to them properties there are the size of a small European country, they got excited because weather conditions in China and the Territory in certain areas are very similar. With the vast areas of the Territory and the clean air - we do not have pollution - they can actually grow the similar types of vegetables and fruit that they grow in China. One of the things that China demands is milk - and they are acquiring dairy cattle from Victoria and Western Australia - and meat. The living standards in China have increased in the past 10 to 15 years significantly and the people have disposable income. When they have disposable income they turn to largest quantities of meat on their plate and always request better source of protein. That translates into beef. It is the same in Indonesia and in all developing countries.
However, it is not only about going there to sell the Territory; it is going to Asia to build relationships. When the tough times come, what will make a difference is the relationships we have established and built with people in those countries. They do not do business by fax and letter; they do business face-to-face. Some of them say the real business takes place not at the meeting at the office, but at the dinner at the end of the day. Again, it is not only about selling and building relationships; it is the fact that we can actually utilise our position to build good relationships with other countries. I recall very well, when the relationship of Australia with Indonesia was at the lowest ever point, the Territory still maintained good relationships with Indonesia.
I recall when we had the incident with the illegal Indonesian fishermen. I was in Jakarta and turned on the television, and there was one of the state television stations showing, in Darwin, the burning of boats of the Indonesian fishermen who were caught fishing illegally. Still, the relationship between the Territory and the Indonesian authorities was cordial, and I was welcomed very cordially at the office of the minister for Fisheries and at the office of the minister for Resources and Mining.
Because of our relationship and what we have done in the past, that pays dividends. The Territory was the place where thousands of Timorese refugees found refuge, and this relationship is still there. When we go to East Timor, people I cannot remember still remember that I was at the Kalymnian Hall when they came from Timor with nothing, and we helped them to seek refuge from the Indonesian authorities in Dili. Being a Minister for Asian Relations and Trade is not just about going there talking to people to try to sell them things. It is more important than that; it is going to Asia and building relationships. However, in the past and for previous governments, Asia was a very selective number of countries - mainly Indonesia and possibly Philippines, nothing else. However, in our sight now we have more than Indonesia. We now focus on Vietnam, again on the Philippines, on India, on China, and on Japan.
We believe that China is one of the superpowers that actually will require a lot our resources. The next upcoming superpower is India. This is the time we should start seriously focusing on India, because India is a very rich country, it has very well educated people who speak English, and they do not have many resources. Or, the resources they have are in places where they still cannot access them, or they do not have the facilities or the technology to access them.
As the Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources, I am always out there, I am always on the plane. I do not care if the opposition criticises about ministerial travel, the reality is, unless you spend money, you cannot make money. Every dollar we spend travelling is many dollars in the pockets of the average Territorian who works directly in the pastoral industry, the mining industry, or indirectly in businesses that provide services to those businesses.
I speak today to support my colleague, the Minister for Asian Relation and Trade. I have to say that he is doing a fantastic job. It is a difficult job, being in three countries in five days, travelling by aeroplane everywhere, being away from your family, with a job that starts at 8 am and finishes at 11.30 pm, or up to 1 am at night, day after day after day. It is a hard job. We are prepared to do it. We have to do it, because it is not holidays, not enjoyment, but we know very well, at the end of the trip, we can come back and say, yes, we did our bit; yes, we tried to bring things to the Territory, to have things happen in the Territory, and we are pretty sure that now things will start to happen in the Territory. As a matter of fact, nothing just stops happening in the Territory; the economy is still ticking very well. I think the last mining industry news we had, it is better and better.
Looking at my colleague, the member for Barkly, I can mention Arafura Resources and Ti Tree which is going ahead, the mine with phosphate is going ahead; the Bootu Creek is already there, and the Roper Valley. In a small region like Barkly, we have potential for enormous mining scope in the next two or three years, with potential opportunity for jobs, not only for people to fly in and fly out, but also for Indigenous people who live there, and see mines and the pastoral industry as a unique opportunity to get a job they have only dreamed off, so they can have the salary, the money to buy a car or a house.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I congratulate my colleague, the Minister for Asian Relations, and Trade. Keep doing what you are doing; you are doing a great job.
Mr STYLES (Sanderson): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is very interesting. I came to the Northern Territory 30 years ago as a lad, and had two visits here before I decided it was a great place to live and I was going to move here. It is interesting because there seems to be quite a difference in versions of history. On many occasions since I arrived in this place, those people in government appear to be trying to rewrite history. I listened with great interest earlier as the Chief Minister described Darwin and the Northern Territory, when his government came into power, as a sleepy backwater. The Chief Minister seems to suggest that when he arrived on the scene of government there was nothing here; we would have been living in tents and there were just no services or anything.
It is very interesting because, in those days, we had a reliable power supply, some reasonably good health services - albeit that it was not perfect. There were a number of things that were actually better than they are currently. I even recall the number of police vehicles on the road. There is the same number on the road, at the stations, as when I first came here 28 years ago and joined the Northern Territory Police Force.
Moving on to the actual statement the minister has made, I will refer to various parts of it and make comment on it. On page 1, paragraph 3, it says:
It was a former minister in the government, Chris Natt, who acknowledged that his government was not responsible for the minerals boom. No one can claim credit for it. It was one of those great things that occurred and Australia and the Northern Territory have been the recipients of the benefits from that boom.
However, I am not quite sure where we get the reporting times; that is, April to April. These are referred to in this document under International Trade, Chapter 8 of the Northern Territory Budget Paper Northern Territory Economy. There are some figures that appear to leave us $200m short of what the government quotes as the actual figures.
The next issue is on page 3. It is the first paragraph, which says
Great and admirable words. However, when the government makes these statements and says it will improve our lifestyle and our children’s lifestyle, it rings alarm bells for me. I am sure some of the things that they do will increase business opportunities. However, if you want to attract people from overseas to come and investment in the Territory, and if you want them to headquarter their operations in the Northern Territory, there are some things you have to get right; that is, health, education, and law and order. If you want them to bring their families here, you have to be able to provide reliable health services.
I note that my colleague, the member for Greatorex, today pointed out some of the failings of our health system where our figures for getting response times are not as good as they should be. There is the problem of getting bashed, which is five times more likely in the Northern Territory than anywhere else. When you try to attract quality people to come and run these organisations and businesses, who will bring wealth to the Northern Territory, These figures mean they are not going to come here. If you cannot drive your car into town in the morning without getting cleaned up by people sailing through the red lights; they are the facts that go back to foreign countries and prevent people from sending their investments, families and executives here. Of course, executives bring their families and may stay here and contribute to the Northern Territory.
There is a problem with basic services. For instance, power. It goes all over Australia and the world that our power system just stops during the day. In my own electorate, the power went off the other day ...
A member: Silent Knight.
Mr STYLES: Silent Knight. If we do not get some of those things right, people are not going to invest in the Territory. We may ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I draw your attention to the state of the House.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: A quorum is lacking. Ring the bells.
Thank you, we have a quorum. You have the call, member for Sanderson,
Mr STYLES: Madam Deputy Speaker …
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson, given that is now 9 pm, you have some 15 minutes to complete your statement. Either you can have 10 minutes now, or you may conclude your remarks at a later date.
Mr STYLES: I have a lot to say, so I will conclude at a later date.
Debate adjourned.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Honourable members, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, Assembly will now adjourn.
Mr HENDERSON (Wanguri): Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to a passionate Territorian, Mary Joyce, who passed away recently aged 91. Mary was passionate about her town and was actively involved in the arts community and Fannie Bay history and heritage.
Mary arrived in Darwin with her husband, Brian, in 1978 after serving in the Women’s Voluntary Service in Burma and Japan. Mary studied for and attained a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts upon her arrival, and was known throughout the arts sector as a talented and avid artist. Up until her short illness, she was still active, attending arts events with her friend, Betty Graham, and attending meetings of Fannie Bay history and heritage with her husband, Brian. It was through Brian that I met Mary.
Brian is representative of what is great about the Labor Party: passionate and hard-working people committed to getting the best for Territorians. I know the member for Fannie Bay had Brian in his office every Saturday morning helping out. There are not many people who, at the age of 89, continue to volunteer their time. I understand that Brian will leave the Territory to be with his family shortly, and I wish Brian the very best for the future. Both Brian and Mary will be sadly missed, and I thank them both for their contribution to making Darwin the wonderful place it is.
I went to St Andrew’s Lutheran School recently in my electorate to say hello to their new Principal, Damon Prenzler. Damon has been at the school for a little while now and he has really found his feet. Damon showed me the plans for the school upgrades which will include new classroom space and a complete revamp of the existing library, turning it into a multipurpose library and IT teaching space, courtesy of the $850 000 from Kevin Rudd in the stimulus funding.
I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the annual Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea held by the Social Committee at Leanyer Seniors Village. It was a beautiful Dry Season morning, and there was a good turnout. The morning tea raised $360 for the Cancer Council, which was the biggest amount raised so far by the Leanyer seniors. A big thank you to John and Nali Smith and all the committee for organising such a wonderful day.
Last Friday, I headed to Leanyer Primary School to help the Principal, Mr Henry Gray, acknowledge more than 80 students who achieved perfect attendance in Term 1 of the school year. At Leanyer, perfect attendance means you are never away and never late for class. It is great to see that 80-plus kids were able to achieve that in Term 1. Madam Speaker, I ask that the list of names to be incorporated in the Hansard.
Leave granted.
Module 3:
Module 4:
Demountables:
Mr HENDERSON: A big well done to Mr Ennis’ Year 1 class for their superb performance during the Assembly. Mr Ennis and his kids put on a wonderful show with their version of The Little Mermaid. It was very funny and the kids were absolutely fantastic.
Every year, the Wanguri Preschool puts on a lawn sale to raise money for the school. The 2009 lawn sale was held recently and the event was wonderful. Everyone pitched in, making the day a huge success. Mrs Grant, one of the preschool teachers, reports the day raised over $2200, which is a fantastic effort. Congratulations to all the staff and families at Wanguri Preschool.
Early in the semester, I went to Darwin High School. Principal, Marion Guppy, took the opportunity to show me their virtual language classroom. Japanese language classes are being delivered to regional high schools with a Japanese teacher from Darwin High School online. This is the way of the future. Students in our regional and remote schools are able to access a wide range of classes which would not be available otherwise.
I also visited Darwin High School to make the announcement about the bands to play at BassintheGrass this year. After seeing the great band there on the day, decided next year there will be a playoff of school bands, with the best band chosen to play at BassintheGrass in 2010. The music students in all our schools are really looking forward to that one. What was the name of the mob from Tennant Creek, Gerry?
Mr McCarthy: Unbroken Expanse.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, they were absolutely fantastic, and a great bunch of kids.
Taminmin High School is now one of our largest secondary schools with over 1100 students. At Taminmin High School, the range of programs and courses on offer is outstanding. I acknowledge the quality and excellent job that Tony Considine, the principal, is doing there, leading this school community. Tony and his Assistant Principal, Jane Arnott, demonstrated the online curriculum resource the school has developed and is also being used by their feeder primary schools. This online curriculum resource provides teachers with quality teaching and learning programs for use with their students.
Taminmin High School is a registered training organisation and is providing VET courses to some of our secondary students in our remote schools. Taminmin High School is delivering nationally accredited courses, has top quality facilities, and is really doing an outstanding job catering for their students, not only at Taminmin High School, but wherever they are delivering VET training. I reckon Taminmin High School is probably leading the country in some of the work they are doing. Tony Considine and all his staff are an absolute inspiration. Congratulations to everyone at Taminmin High School.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, I continue my comments from last night in regard to the severe power outages for Humpty Doo people; in particular those who live in the vicinity of Thomas Road. One family has had 60 outages ranging from fluctuations, power off and immediate return, to general outages sometimes lasting hours. This is only in a seven-month period and it is really not acceptable.
They have kept a comprehensive list of the dates and times of the outages and have had discussions with Power and Water. They disagree with their summary, but the facts stand and I believe what they are saying. They have lost electrical equipment because of these outages and fluctuations, which cannot be replaced on insurance. They are extremely concerned because it is disrupting not only their household, but the small businesses in the area, particularly those that rely upon electrical appliances and electricity to run their businesses. It is not acceptable.
The government really needs to do a complete audit of the services into the rural area. There are many cases, not only in the Humpty Doo area, but elsewhere across my electorate and in the adjoining electorate of Nelson.
On behalf of this family and other families, we will be taking the matter up with the minister to see if we can get some redress and to some explanation as to why these power outages are as extensive as they are for the periods of time which ranges from anything from five minutes up to six hours, which is completely unacceptable.
I place on the record that the people of Humpty Doo are not happy with the power service they are getting from Power and Water services. It seems a mockery that they have to pay the prices they do and will be subject to further increases, when they are not getting the service that other people in the Darwin urban areas get.
Mr McCARTHY (Barkly): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, in 2009, Tennant Creek sits as the centre of the Barkly Australian Rules football heartland. This is a great thing, delivering important social, cultural, economic, and healthy lifestyle outcomes. However, Tennant Creek boasts a dynamic sporting history that features many sports teams, including Rugby League. Tennant Creek, as the last gold rush town in Australia, has experienced its fair share of boom and bust phenomena over the years, and the associated movement of population according to the fluctuating economic times and, therefore, the everyday challenges of sustaining sporting infrastructure and sports development activities.
It was a 10-year-old Tennant Creek burns survivor who wanted to play Rugby League in 2001 who was told: ‘It is a team game, son, so go back to the drawing board and find a team’. Incidentally, this kid went on to organise a team in Tennant Creek which, that year, supported by a group of Alice Springs kids who formed the Desert Rats and travelled to Katherine to compete in their first game of Rugby League, were defeated 68-0. Ironically, this same Tennant Creek kid went on to play for the Northern Territory and the Australian affiliated states in both Rugby League and Rugby Union in 2007 and 2008. The legacy of this classic Tennant Creek spirit sees a continuing courageous effort by Tennant Creek kids to play Rugby League at an NT level, albeit in the annual NT School Sport Exchange, and one social game in Alice Springs each year supported by the Central Australian Junior Rugby League.
I am proud to put on the public record that a Tennant Creek Under 13 Rugby League team competing as part of the Desert Storm Cluster, is again on the paddock in Darwin for the 2009 NT School Sport Exchange. Congratulations must go to the Tennant Creek management staff, teachers Mr Trevor Joy as coach, Mr Martin Power as manager, and school nurse, Mel Hopwood, who has orchestrated the eighth Tennant Creek combined primary and high school team to compete in the 2009 NT School Sport Rugby League exchange. I commend all volunteers for their involvement in junior sport development in the Territory.
However, I must highlight the incredible lengths that our school staff, in partnership with parents, have to go to in launching such major sports excursions at our regional and remote areas. I also acknowledge the sheer guts and determination of our Tennant Creek kids who dig deep and train hard over many weeks to put a team together, from a very small player base, in the absence of any weekly junior Rugby League competition, and travel great distances to compete in an elite NT carnival taking on the best in the Territory. The majority of these kids have never played Rugby League before their debut on a Territory field, running on to play their first game of Rugby League underpowered, undersized and under-skilled against our Northern Territory elite.
I am honoured to announce that, in 2009, the Tennant Creek team comprises three girls in the final selection, and reports in from yesterday’s games testify to that pure Tennant Creek gold with Gella Alley scoring a try against Rivers, Natasha May scoring a try against Desert Storm, Alice Springs, and Jean Alley making some strategic line breaks in all her games.
While overseeing the 2009 team preparations in Tennant Creek, and witnessing the usual commencement of female enthusiasts, I made mention to the coaching staff that preparing additional logistics for taking females away on our traditional football trip should not be necessary as, in the past, the girls generally liked the training and skills development but shy off the rough stuff when it comes to the male-dominated Territory carnival. It is with great pride that I witnessed three Tennant Creek girls who cemented their positions in the 2009 team through training, fitness, skill development and good behaviour at school, and are now participating at an NT level in Junior Rugby League as the only girls in the NT Schools Sport Exchange this year. Go, girls.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, as I eagerly await the results of today’s game, my congratulations and best wishes go out to the Tennant Creek Under 13 Rugby League team and management staff for the excellent outcomes, representing their dedication, preparation and participation. I look forward to being part of their final two days in Darwin on Friday, 12 June 2009. I must be reserved for fear of audio overload on our wonderful Hansard reporters, so I will take a step back and say: Tennant Creek, go, you good thing!
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I have been concerned at the absence of an issue from the parliament this week. Everyone in the Northern Territory, I am sure, is aware that there has been much public commentary, in the last three to four weeks in particular, about what was an unintended consequence of changes to the Care and Protection of Children Act effected in this parliament, probably 18 months or so ago. The unintended consequence was, as we have seen in recent times, requiring doctors and others to report the sexual activity of young people; namely, to report to the authorities - in this case FACS - when children under the age of 16 are having sex with one another.
It was an unintended consequence of the act and it should be fixed. There are important issues affecting the privacy and health of young people which make it essential to remedy this unintended consequence. For my part, let me make it very clear that I do not think children under the age of 16 should be having sex. It is unhealthy for them and there are certain joys of childhood that should be clung on to at all costs. However, I am not so nave as to think that kids under 16 in the Territory - or for that matter anywhere else in this country - or some of them at least, are not having sex. I accept that children under 16, whether I like it or not, and whether others like it or not, are having sex with each other.
Nevertheless, we should ensure that those children who are having sex have the right to consult their doctor, and the right to privacy that each and every one of us has, and that it does not create a situation where young people do not go and seek health or other advice. Having seen more than my fair share of doctors over the last six weeks, I can assure you that all of them are talking about it, and they are concerned that this unintended consequence of the Care and Protection of Children Act creates difficulties for them but, more importantly, it creates enormous difficulties for young people who are seeing them seeking advice on sexual health and other issues.
I, presumably, am like most other members of parliament. I have received letters from medical organisations in recent times. I have written back to those organisations advising them of a letter I wrote on 29 May to the Minister for Children and Families. I make this point abundantly clear: I am stunned - utterly stunned - that this issue has not been brought before the parliament during these sittings in any way, shape, or form. This is an error, an unintended consequence of legislation passed probably 18 months or so ago. I would have thought any government worth its salt would ensure that that legislation is remedied, particularly when it is causing difficulties for young people, as well as those in the medical profession.
On the 29 May, I wrote to the Minister for Children and Families. I will quote parts of it, although, of course, I am happy to table the letter:
I went on to give two possible solutions as to how this could be remedied:
I then went on to say that the …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker! I noticed when the member started that the clock started with three minutes instead of five. Therefore, by my calculations, the member actually has another one-and-a-half minutes left by the clock on the wall.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Johnston.
Ms CARNEY: I will be finished before then, I think, but thank you. The second alternative was to:
I went on to say to the minister:
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I am aghast that this issue has not seen the light of day in a week of parliamentary sittings, when not only is this a very important topical issue but, potentially, the health of young people is at risk. I very much welcome a formal or informal indication from someone on the government side as to what, if anything, they propose to do about this. It clearly needs to be remedied.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight I acknowledge some of the primary school students in my electorate who have either received honours or rewards over recent months, or have stepped forward in a leadership role in their school community. Each school term I donate a number of book vouchers to schools in my electorate so that teachers can nominate students for my Quiet Achiever Award.
The winners of these awards are chosen after very careful consideration by the teachers and recognise their students’ diligence, good behaviour and punctuality. I instituted my Quiet Achiever Awards some years ago with a very specific purpose in mind: to give our teachers the opportunity to recognise those students who made an effort to work hard, to get along with their peers, and to show respect for each other and school property.
At the end of Term 1, Raphael Kanzai from upper primary and Madison Lodge from early childhood were nominated as Quiet Achievers at Jingili Primary School. At Wagaman Primary School, Saul Buck from Year 5 was the winner of Term 1 Quiet Achiever Award, and Jamiee Agapito won the Year 1 award. At Millner Primary School, Melijina Waianga and Richard Wesley were the Term 1 winners. At Moil Primary School, there were four winners of the Award in Term 1: Rachel Skultety, Natan Mwanza, Keyarna Lai and Richard Sudjana.
I congratulate all award winners most heartedly and sincerely hope that this recognition, in some small way, helps to foster a lifelong appreciation of the value of education.
I also congratulate the teachers who had to make what am sure would have been a very difficult choice. There is no doubt there were many other students deserving recognition. The outstanding dedication and hard work of our teachers, school administrators, and staff cannot go unmentioned. Their vital role in educating our children is fundamental to our future as a society and we are all truly thankful of their efforts.
There are many students who have made a significant contribution to their school. Principal Terry Quong of Millner Primary School informed me a couple of weeks ago of the names of the young leaders who were elected to his school Student Representative Council: Freya Stephenson, Zac Bates, Kelly Johnson, Alexia Spurr, Aiden Maki-Neste, Lee Shearer, Sean Hopkins, Annelise Kowcun, Tirzah Dravitski, Natasha Atkinson, Madison Sloane, Shehanna Kelly and Kevin Neave.
At Casuarina Secondary College, Principal, Sue Healy, advised me that Noni Harold, Shlok Sharma, Leone Yeh, Eloise Fawcett, Rachel Fox, Claire Rankin, Kelsey Noonan and Christi Hamon were elected to the Student Representative Council Executive. Additional council members are Neville Baluyot, Spencer Stirrat, Olivia Cleanthos, Honeylyn Lisson, David Creeper and Caleb Leslie.
Principal, Pam Erfurt, at Moil Primary School notified me that Tyson Wallent, Tahnee Maxwell, Xavier Cubillo, Kelly Maryklos, Kaitlyn Cotton, Adam Tran, Carmela Reyes and Juno Soeriaatmadja were all elected as members of their school’s Student Representative Council.
Jingil Primary School’s Principal, Jodie Green, let me know that Rachel Harpur (honorary position), Mathew Goodall, India McKaige, Krista Walker, Isabela Charles, Shayayla Carne, Leonie Higgins, Sarah Harpur, Livvie Suttie, Brooke Shields, Sam Schofield-Flynn, Drew Holloway, Bella Davis, Mary Fryar, Katya Bacon, Jane Laughton and Damien Sanders were elected to the council.
Michele Cody, Principal of Wagaman Primary School, advised me that April Camposo, Kaiba Tapera, Sabrina Ciubal, Ekala Buck, Darren Brown, Cecilia Bernardino, Samantha Martin, Liam Slann, Paige Parker, Jake Cole-Jackson, Tasha-Jade Cole, Connor Gilmore, Ben Jackson and Rachel Motter were all elected to represent their peers.
I congratulate each and every successful student who stood for election. For those who were successful, I know it will be a great lifelong experience for them to serve on a school council. I am sure that they will do a great job and represent the student body very well, and they are very valued for the roles they play within our schools.
Once again, it is a pleasure to represent the good people Johnston, see the great things that are going on in their schools, and I look forward to some very positive announcements within our schools within the next little while.
Mr CHANDLER (Brennan): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, first, I will speak tonight on the wonderful staff we have at Royal Darwin Hospital.
As most in the House know, my wife recently gave birth, and I want to pay tribute to the staff who helped through a very long, long, long night. I held up well, actually. It was a very difficult birth and, at one stage, I recall as many as eight medical people in the room because of the complications, and my poor, darling wife having to go through trying to get an epidural needle into her back eight times. Unfortunately, the anaesthetist was unable to get there. To his credit, he is a very experienced anaesthetist. He is a senior gentleman and he had read about it, he had seen it but, in his entire lifetime, it had never, ever happened to him. So, he was quite traumatised by it and came back many times throughout the night and into the morning to check on my wife. So, all thanks to the midwives there and to all the medical people who were involved. Today, I am the proud dad of little Harrison.
Conversely, I am going to read quickly from a letter from a gentleman who come into my office a couple of weeks ago. He wrote to me and said that he had been a volunteer for 16 years in sea search and rescue on the west coast before moving back to Darwin in 2006. Needing something to do, he joined the local SES a month or so after that. He wrote to me because he was so disappointed in the NTES. They are running ads in the paper all the time looking for new recruits to join as emergency volunteers. As he says, the only thing is, he has been there for nearly two years now and they still have not been able to fit him with a set of overalls.
You really question the resources that government is providing. Probably more often that not, what happens at the coalface is certainly not reflected in what members of this House are aware of. I know what it is like to work in government departments where often, things get polished every level they go up the line and, perhaps, at the top end you often do not know what is happening at the coalface.
At a briefing we had this week on school dental services, I was really amazed that the information I was getting during the briefing did not seem to add up to the information I am getting on the street. This is not just information that people are telling me, but it is personal information because it involved my own children. I know what services they have been provided. The interesting thing in the briefing was, when I pointed out what a service level agreement was and what the government’s website was saying was being delivered, the comment was made: ‘Oh, we will have to look at the words on the website’ - not looking at the service delivery but ‘let us look at the words on the website to ensure that you know we are not saying we are doing more than we really are’.
It goes even further. In fact, I wrote to the Minister for Children and Families in April and, to her credit, she did send it on to the correct minister. It was in regard to a child with special needs who needs transport. I have to be honest; this is probably one of the nicest letters I have ever had. To Gerry who is not sitting here at the moment, what a lovely letter. However, it firstly said: ‘I wish to reassure that this matter will be resolved quickly’. The end of the letter said:
The person involved:
… his parents and carer.
From that, I am absolutely positive that the minister thinks that the problem has been resolved. However, only this week again, that person came into the office and said nothing has been done. That worries me. As I said, it was a very good letter. When I read it I thought: ‘Well done, fantastic’. It was probably a complex case, but the minister agreed that it was going to be sorted out, and alluded to the fact that it would be done quickly. In fact, even this week, it still has not been done. It worries me that often what happens at the coalface is not actually what we are aware of at this level. I am hoping that we can improve that level of communication.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the following students at the Nhulunbuy Primary School who recently received Principal’s Award from Principal Cindy McGarry: Transition students - Caitlin Kelly, Tahlia Bara, Paris Hooper, and Lily Lobenwein; Year 1 students - Jaime Moyle, Juan Darr Bourne, and Diego Olivares; Year 2 students - Adela Yunupingu, Jason Liu and Nikklas Matha; Year 3 students - Joshua Leahy, Micayla McDonnell, and Tylah Sherry; Year 4 students - Jayden Mason, Monique Hemmings, and William Briggs; Year 5 students - Sarah Pickett, Emily Oliveira, and Lillian Nash; and Year 6 students – Liyadari Alahakon, Danielle Even and Jack Jennings.
Fundraising is part and parcel of life at Nhulunbuy Primary School which, last month, held a book fair raising more than $1900 for the school, but also saw very generous families from Nhulunbuy purchase books which will now be donated to Marysville school in Victoria which is, of course, one of the schools affected by the dreadful bushfires.
For Nhulunbuy Primary School’s Year 6 students and their families, it has been a year-long effort of fundraising that has just about come to an end, to support students who are participating in the 2009 Canberra excursion. I do not know the final figure raised. It is generally in the vicinity of anything between $40 000 and $50 000, and that is considerable. For those who participate in fundraising activities, it significantly reduces the cost associated with the 10-day visit. I participated in the trip myself in 2007 when I accompanied my son, Harry. To be honest, I was a little trepidatious at the prospect of being one of the six adult accompanying 58 kids for a period of 10 days. Having been a camp mother, not only to my own but to seven other boys, was terrifying. I have to say it was actually a wonderful and very memorable experience. I certainly wish the Year 6 students and their accompanying teachers and parents a very safe and enjoyable excursion to Canberra in August.
Yirrkala Childcare Centre had a highly successful fundraiser when they staged an Island Night on Saturday, 30 May. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, as I was travelling back from Sydney that evening. By all accounts, it was a hugely successful night, raising $13 000 for the centre. Congratulations must go to the centre’s director, Lisita Taulani - who I know was well supported by many people in the community - and her staff who worked extremely hard to pull this event off. I have known Lisita for many years, going back to when she worked at Nhulunbuy Community Childcare Centre and looked after my own children. What an amazing job she does.
On Saturday evening, I look forward to attending with my husband Lawrence, Gove Arts Theatre’s Black and White Night of Roy, a Roy Orbison tribute night with audience participation, live music with local legends, the Diegos - which includes talented local musos, Paul Dewhurst and Stew Kellaway; a Roy quiz; and prizes for the best Roy look alike, for the most Pretty Woman, for the best back-up singers, and for best picnic hamper. The audience must wear black and white, and complimentary Roy glasses are available at the door. Audience members have also been advised that they need to know the words to the song Crying.
I have to say that, earlier, I had sitting on my desk the flyer from the production this weekend. One of the people from the Table Office, Annette, walked past and saw it and asked: ‘Where do I get tickets for this?’ I said: ‘Well, it is sold out, you have to come to Gove if you want to go, and the only way you will get tickets now is on eBay, I would say’. They are doing just the two shows. It promises to be a great success. While I know that the members of GAT are working really hard towards this weekend’s production, I acknowledge the efforts of Gove Arts Theatre President, Beverley Hulme, who has devised the concept. I am sure it will be a fantastic night. Who knows? They might even take it on tour to Darwin and Katherine.
Gove Peninsula Tennis Club is one of many fantastic sporting clubs in my region, with three courts and a great clubhouse located on the premises of the Arnhem Club. Current membership numbers are 395, which is incredible, and the coaching program sees 46 classes every week between Monday to Saturday, providing training to 164 athletes ranging in age from three to 16 years. This is all credited to Nicky Mayer from the club.
Gove Peninsula Tennis Club held the 2009 BP Gove Classic over the last weekend in May, which was sponsored by Leo Roach from our local BP service station for the sixth year in a row. Though numbers were down a bit in that event, by and large, I understand it was an excellent event. I seek leave, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, to have the results of winners and runners-up incorporated into the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
8&U Doubles
Ms WALKER: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, this Sunday, nine tennis players from Nhulunbuy will be competing in Alice Springs at the NT School Sport Tennis Exchange, and I wish them every success.
Mr STYLES (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I knowledge some students from two classes in Wagaman Primary School who made a visit to Parliament House on 5 May 2009. That was Mrs Chadbourne’s Year 2/3 class. They had a fabulous tour of Parliament House. I remind the House of some of the great things that these young people see. The following day, on 6 May 2009, Mrs Kimm’s Year 2/3 also had a parliamentary tour. Later, in the following week, I was very fortunate where I spent some time in their classrooms as a visitor, and as a member of parliament, to participate and observe the running of an education program called Parliament of the Birds.
Some of the things that they enjoyed and, I hope remember, from their visit to Parliament House was the actual tour itself. First, they start at the foyer where they look at the historic background of the building itself; the beautiful desert rose mosaic; some history about Harry Chan; history on the Northern Territory flag; and the crest over the front steps. From there, they move into the main hall, which is a grand structure to impress Territorians and visitors, both from Australia and overseas. They look at features and functions of the hall and the building that surrounds it: the entrance to the Chamber, of course; the Northern Territory Library; the Legislative Council; and the appointment of the fully-elected Assembly. They get to understand issues about that.
They look at the historic post office wall, which commemorates the people who died in the Bombing of Darwin in February 1942. They look at all sorts of great things about the historic aspects: the Charles Eaton display, the portrait of Group Captain Wilf Arthur, and the Ellen Kettle medal and background. Then, they move to the main reception hall where the plaque for the post office site and the memorials to those who lost their lives is, and another Australian flag.
From there, these students were able to move to the Speaker’s Green outside the front of the building, and view the magnificent harbour and the fountain with a plaque to the men who died during the construction of the building. They looked at Government House, Liberty Square and the fantastic view of the Esplanade and back over the harbour to enjoy what is one of Australia’s - in fact, the world’s - most pristine harbours. From there, they spent a bit of time looking around the Chamber. They were informed about the Hansard system, the Speaker’s desk and Chair, all the different aspects of how the Chamber works: the Despatch Boxes, the Mace, both lobbies, the parliamentary traditions, and the conventions of the Table. I hope one day they will read of their visit in the Parliamentary Record so they may recall it with great interest. You never know, we might even have some future politicians in those classes.
The journey they go through in the classroom where they are taught about the basics of the Westminster system - how it is one of the greatest democratic processes the world has at this point - is a great one. The education unit from Parliament House has a fantastic bunch of people who do a fine job of teaching young people about the different points of view of the world and how you can always fix your differences by sitting down and talking about them.
One Sunday, they lost some and they learnt that everyone does not get their own way all the time. They learn some of those values of the democratic system and the processes that occur within our democracy. I sincerely hope they enjoyed their day and the Parliament of the Birds, and they take some of those values they learnt throughout their life. Hopefully, it will make them better citizens and, perhaps, even some great politicians in the years to come.
Mr Acting DEPUTY SPEAKER: There being no other speakers, this Assembly stands adjourned until 19 June 2009 at 4.30 pm or such other time as notified by the Speaker with one hour’s notice being given to government and opposition Whips and members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to sessional order.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
Mr Neville Perkins OAM
Mr Neville Perkins OAM
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Mr Neville Perkins OAM, former member for Macdonnell and Deputy Labor Leader in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1977 to 1981. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR
Message No 10
Message No 10
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received from His Honour the Administrator Message No 10 notifying assent to bills passed in the April/May sittings of the Assembly.
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Barunga Sports and Cultural Festival
Barunga Sports and Cultural Festival
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I report on the Barunga Sports and Cultural Festival held over the weekend. It was my privilege to open the annual festival, which is now in its 24th year. The Minister for Regional Development and local member, Karl Hampton, was with me at the event, as well as the Minister for Children Families, Malarndirri McCarthy.
This government has supported the festival for many years. This year, we provided some $60 000 in grants and assistance, including an Indigenous Business Development Program grant to the Jawoyn Association to assist with marketing, promotion and staff training. The training is designed to help the Jawoyn Association in their goal to get local people skilled in website development and other electronic media activities.
This government will continue to support Barunga. We recognise the festival is one of the most important Indigenous festivals on the calendar. It is well-known for its sporting competitions, art and cultural displays, and music. Dozens of men’s and women’s sporting teams from many parts of the Territory participate in the sports events which include football, basketball and softball. The sports were quite a spectacle, played on lush green fields and, in the case of basketball, a covered court which produced a great atmosphere.
The cultural activities included an art competition, didgeridoo making, bush medicine walks, dreamtime story telling and traditional dancing. The particular musical highlight this year was the appearance by our own Jessica Mauboy.
This year’s festival theme was Smart Kids, Proud Culture. As Education minister, Chief Minister, and a parent, this message had a particular resonance for me. All of our kids have a right to an education so they can make choices later in life. We are determined to close the gap on indigenous education to improve the standards of reading, writing, and maths achieved by Indigenous children. We are providing better facilities in remote communities, more teachers, and better support for schools. A key part of this strategy is getting kids to attend school in the bush. The aim is to lift attendance rates from approximately 60% to 90%.
I applaud the festival and the Jawoyn Association for their theme Smart Kids, Proud Culture. I also mention Anita Camfoo the Indigenous Principal at Barunga school. She delivered a stirring speech at the opening of the festival about the importance of getting Indigenous kids to school and teaching English, maths, and other skills to them. Anita also stressed the importance of getting more Indigenous teachers into our classrooms. I agree - and not only teachers but principals like Anita as well. As I said at the time, we need hundreds more Anitas. It really was a very powerful speech from a very powerful and strong woman.
Another theme at the festival this year centred on road safety. Local Indigenous bands performed songs they had written about road safety as part of the festival’s Road Safety Song Competition. The competition promotes awareness about responsible driving, passenger and pedestrian behaviour, drink-driving, seat belts, speeding, and overcrowding in vehicles. We need to continue to get this message across to not only Indigenous communities but the wider community, and reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roads. The Territory government supports this part of the festival through the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
On behalf of the government, I thank the Jawoyn Association and the Barunga township for their organisation and support of the festival. It is a great event which attracts visitors from around Australia to the Top End of the Territory. It gives people an insight into Indigenous culture and the attractions of the Top End. As such, it is an important regional development instrument for the Barunga and Katherine region. It also attracts visitors who go on to visit other parts of the Territory.
The festival is an alcohol- and drug-free event enjoyed by thousands of Territorians and visitors each year. The fact that it has been going so strongly over many years is a tribute to its original inspiration from the late Bangardi Lee. It is also a tribute to the local community and the Jawoyn Association as the representative of traditional owners. I thank all the other supporters and sponsors and, particularly, recognise the contribution of the participants - many who travelled hundreds of kilometres - and visitors who make the event such a success every year.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for his ministerial report this morning on the Barunga Festival.
I was fortunate to get to Barunga again this year. It is the only years since I actually left the Katherine region that I was not able to get to the festival. I have been to quite a few of them, starting in the heady days of the late 1980s. I recall Barunga as it was back then. It was a fairly rough place. I take my hat off to the people of Barunga and the Jawoyn Association for advancing their community so significantly over the 20 or more years that I have been associated with the people of that area.
I was fortunate, as I mentioned in this House before, to have worked as a police officer there. I was accepted into family there and share a skin name with a man who is regarded as, probably, the driving force behind what the Jawoyn Association is today; that is, Bangardi Lee. He was an inspiration to the people of Barunga and the Jawoyn people as a whole. His legacy lives on through the Barunga Festival and the many positive aspects that now pervade the Jawoyn people, including their Nitmiluk Tours, which is a business enterprise that is proving itself to be at the cutting edge of Indigenous business and enterprise in the Northern Territory.
The Barunga Festival was an excellent event, well supported by the songs of Jessica Mauboy, whom I met after the show. Madam Speaker, I wish the Jawoyn Association of Barunga every success in future shows they will have.
Arafura Games
Mr HAMPTON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, I report on another iconic event, the Arafura Games. Since its inception in 1991, the Arafura Games has become a real Territory success story.
In 1991, seven countries took part and, in 2009, we had 47 countries vying for gold. This year, there were 27 sports, including eight Paralympic sports. We also had the introduction of Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand, and around 1200 spectators came along to watch it. I visited most sports and enjoyed watching the Paralympics in swimming, and Territory athletes in basketball, volleyball, tenpin bowling, squash, and many other sports. Over 30 sporting venues were used around Darwin, Palmerston and beyond. Our new wave pool was definitely a hit with the surf lifesaving events being held there, while the convention centre was used for Sepak Takraw and badminton.
The Arafura Games is an enormous event, and it takes a team of more than 1000 people to make it a success. Most of these people were volunteers, with some as young as 10, and the oldest being 88 years of age. I have thanked them all before and I am very happy to thank them again for all their hard work.
I also acknowledge the 30 corporate sponsors who provided approximately $750 000 in financial assistance. Some of these sponsors, such as Casuarina Square, Darwin City Council, Coca-Cola, Foster’s, Darwin International Airport, and Parmalat have supported the games since its inception in 1991. The games provide an economic boost to the local economy, estimated at around $6m. Our restaurants, retailers, and tourism operators enjoyed the stimulus to our local economy, with more than 5000 people, including 2900 athletes, out and about enjoying the Territory’s unique lifestyle.
Another highlight of the week was the International Sports Conference, which I had the pleasure of opening. This conference has become part of the landscape of the Arafura Games. It gives sporting administrators and officials the chance to share knowledge and exchange information in the ever-changing world of sports development and science. The importance of sharing this knowledge, right from the elite level to the grassroots levels of sport, should not be underestimated.
The International Paralympic Committee Women in Sports Summit was an exciting new initiative at this year’s sports conference. Ms Louise Sauvage OAM was a keynote speaker for the event. Ms Sauvage has reached the pinnacle of her chosen sport and she generously passed on valuable experiences and knowledge to the audience. Other topics included sports science, and sports and development, and I am confident that participants gained valuable knowledge to share when they return home to their countries. The impression I got was that everyone enjoyed the two-day conference and are looking forward to the next one in 2011.
The Major Events company should also be congratulated. This is the first time that Major Events has organised the Arafura Games. I congratulate Paul Cattermole, Tiffany Manzie and the rest of the team for their efforts. An event this size is a huge undertaking, and preparations are already under way for 2011. The Arafura Games is now firmly entrenched on our neighbours’ calendars and, with the international coverage the event has received in the media, the national and international newspapers, radio stations and TV channels covering the games, the interest and attendance for the games will just keep on growing.
Madam Speaker, It was a fantastic week. I look forward to the Arafura Games in 2011, which I know will be even bigger and better as the Territory government continues to support this iconic event.
Mr BOHLIN (Drysdale): Madam Speaker, I thank the Sports minister for his comments. He is right in saying that the Arafura Games is a fantastic event. I had much pleasure going to some of the sports events, and had the honour of presenting three medal presentations: basketball, lawn bowls, and shooting. Being ex-military and ex-police, I was able to understand the ethos behind the shooting competition, and very much enjoyed my time with those people at Mickett Creek, which is a fantastic venue. Whilst presenting medals to many people who deserved to win, I had a man kiss me during a presentation - very concerning - but it was all in fun and everyone had a great time. This shows the type of games we have and the fun that can be had whilst being serious.
At the basketball, it was great for me to be able to present to a female team from the Northern Territory which won gold. They did a great job, as did many other athletes. The lawn bowls was fantastic; unfortunately, another man kissed me at lawn bowls during the presentation! Why, I am not sure, but everyone had fun.
A lovely lady from overseas, from the island nations, presented me with a gift when presenting her with a gift. These games were full of beautiful people who care about the Territory, who love coming here, and who love their sport. It was a great experience for me. I know everyone who came participated in the games with great spirit.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I enjoyed the sports events I attended at the Arafura Games. I also went to Mickett Creek to present some medals for the shooting. I did not get kissed, member for Drysdale. It was a great event.
I did notice in some sports, they were down on the number of countries attending. That happened at some of the shooting events. Perhaps, because of the economic crisis, some of the countries wanted to stay for the games at Kuala Lumpur this year. I do not know how you can get around that. However, that was feedback that I received.
I also went to the shooting at the TEPSL site past Acacia. There were many people involved in that as well. I went to the medal presentation night and, because they combined some of their own championships with the Arafura Games, I shook hands with winners for about three hours that night. I got to know more about shooting over the course of the Arafura Games.
It is a great event and, more importantly, you get to meet people from other nations, especially nations close by. We had Irish competitors in the boxing, and I enjoyed that. There is a bit of Irish blood in me - it was very good. It is important to encourage more of our near neighbour nations to come to the Territory. It is good for Territorians to meet those people, but it is also good for them to see how a democratic place like the Northern Territory operates. For those countries that do not have the freedoms that we have, it is a good chance for them to see what opportunities we have in the Northern Territory, and how grateful we should be for the democratic society we live in.
Mr HAMPTON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his support and the member for Drysdale for sharing his experiences. I am aware of the issues the member for Nelson has raised, through the Heads of Delegation meetings that we had during the week, and also when I went to Macau, China, this year for the Heads of Delegation Meetings. These issues are very close to their heart as well. We are looking at a different format to host these Heads of Delegation meetings. The Henderson government is committed to working closely with our neighbours throughout Asia, East Asia and the Pacific.
I acknowledge Papua New Guinea, particularly, which was the country with the most athletes at these games. I also acknowledge Indonesia and Macau, China. We are committed to developing strong relationships with our Asian neighbours, and sport is a very important vehicle to do that.
China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Speaker, I report on my recent trip to China, leading a delegation as part of the government’s China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy.
I led the delegation to China, accompanied by five departmental and 10 industry representatives from Toro Energy, Central Petroleum, Austwide Mining, CSA Global, SRA Corporation, and Clayton Utz. Between 10 and 16 May 2009, we visited Nanjing and Shanghai. After the Chinese leg of the visit, a delegation led by my ministerial colleague, Dr Chris Burns, with five departmental advisors and eight industry representatives, travelled to Tokyo between 18 and 20 May.
The Northern Territory government’s China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy is the envy of other Australian jurisdictions and is delivering real results and jobs for Territorians. The visit has made it clear that the Northern Territory maintains its competitive advantage in the Chinese market over other Australian jurisdictions, as we are the only jurisdiction that actively collates and promotes local exploration projects for investors. This initiative enabled the team to match a number of Chinese companies to specific commodity interests.
Last November, when the team visited China, a special book was developed that provided one- to two-page outlines of over 20 projects. For this visit to China and Japan, over 30 exploration projects were collated.
We travelled by train from Shanghai to Nanjing, which is a trip of 300 km. The view from the train was of one big construction site. China has been affected by the global downturn, but it still has economic growth of around 6%. In Nanjing I met with Li Xiaomin, the Vice Governor of the Jiangsu provincial government. Jiangsu Province has around 74 million people and is one of the riches provinces in China. Its capital, Nanjing, is home to some of China’s biggest private and public investment companies.
In Nanjing, I also met with the East China Exploration and Development Bureau which recently signed a joint venture agreement with Arafura Resources to invest $24m to obtain 25% shareholding. The city of Nanjing in China and the community of Ti Tree in Central Australia could not be more different, but now they have a connection. Investment from the East China Exploration and Development Bureau will create real jobs in Ti Tree.
In Shanghai, the delegation presented to a large group of investors. The Territory ran the first-ever Northern Territory investment seminar in Shanghai, attracting over 40 people. The seminars were hosted by Shanghai, Jiangxi Chamber of Commerce and the Shanghai Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce. The Territory currently has a cooperation agreement with the China Chamber of Commerce Metals and Minerals and China Mining Association, and a memorandum of understanding with the China Development Bank. The new relationship established with the Shanghai, Jiangxi and Wenzhou Chambers of Commerce expands our presence into east China and increases the Territory’s network significantly.
The trips to both China and Japan were very successful. Several agreements between Territory mining operations and Chinese investors are on the brink of being formalised, and there will be delegations from both countries in the Territory in the near future to follow up on contracts made during this visit. I can positively say that there will be new explorers and mining operations in the Territory as a direct result of this visit, something that in these difficult financial times will be very good for the Territory.
Last week, we had the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Mr Zhang Junsai, in town. I met with him five times at various events, meetings and functions. He reiterated the great potential for China and the Territory to cooperate on resources. We talked about investments made to date, and also the enormous opportunities.
Under the Henderson government, the Territory is open for business and our relationship with China is stronger than ever.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for Resources for his report, and welcome the comments he made in relation to the Northern Territory pursuing markets in China for the mineral wealth of the Northern Territory. If the people of the Northern Territory should ever call upon the Country Liberals to govern them at some time in the future, I provide, at this point, my assurances that we are also supportive of efforts to bring China on board, as are we supportive of efforts to bring other countries, besides China, on board as far as investing in the Northern Territory.
The assertions made from across the Chamber that we are not supportive of large projects - particularly mining and energy projects - are untrue. I have heard in the past the Chief Minister banging on about the Country Liberals not supporting INPEX. That is not true. I hope the government continues to walk the talk, rather than just talk the talk. I say this because the evidence I see that this government is willing to walk the talk does not stand up to scrutiny, given how they handled the appalling matter of McArthur River Mine, and the very little they did to further the issues arising from the problems with the original approval for the mine, as they arose.
I can assure people I will be keeping a close eye on developments across the mining sector, particularly in relation to investment from overseas markets in China. I welcome the minister’s comments.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his comments. I appreciate his support for our China mining strategy. I am very pleased the CLP has, all of a sudden, discovered China because, until now, they only knew about Taipei and Taiwan.
China is hungry for resources; we have resources, and we are very close to China. I would rather they take their resources from here than Western Australia because, as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said: ‘You cannot trust Western Australians’.
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: I can say that because I am an ex-Western Australian; probably the Leader of the Opposition feels the same.
We have been working hard in China. You only have to open the newspaper today; there are eight stories about mining in the Territory, and many of these stories have come as a direct result of our China strategy.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
PETITION
Traditional Owners’ Control of Country without the Central Land Council
Traditional Owners’ Control of Country without the Central Land Council
Mr GILES (Braitling)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I present a petition, not conforming to standing orders, from 443 petitioners relating to traditional owners’ control of country without the Central Land Council. Madam Speaker, I move that the petition be read.
Motion agreed to; petition read.
- Ngananala ngura waltja Tjuta kuwari njinanja tjamuku mamaku kuntiliku nguraku iriti tjamuku mamaku njinanta kuwari nganambalta njinanji ngananalta palyalkitja CLC (Central Land Council) wiya.
- We are the traditional landowners who have taken over from our great grandfathers and fathers who had a very long history with this country. Today this country is ours and we wish to control it ourselves without the Central Land Council.
RESPONSE TO PETITION
Mr CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members the response to petition No 8 has been received and circulated to honourable members. A text of the response will be placed on the Legislative Assembly website. A copy of the response will be provided to the member who tabled the petition for distribution to petitioners:
- Petition No 8
Royal Darwin Hospital Review
Date Presented: 12 February 2009
Presented by: Mr Styles
Referred to: Minister for Health
Date response due: 10 June 2009
Date response received: 10 June 2009
Date response presented: 11 June 2009
Response:
I note the concerns raised by those who have petitioned for an independent review to assess the adequacy of the resources, policies, procedures and systems at the Royal Darwin Hospital and Acute Care Services.
The Henderson government considers patient safety and the quality of health services as a key priority and we have taken assertive action to ensure Royal Darwin Hospital provides the best care possible for all Territorians.
Since 2001, this Labor government has increased resources to the Department of Health and Families by 117%, to a record budget of $1.05bn in 2009-10. Nearly one-quarter of these funds are dedicated to Royal Darwin Hospital.
We have provided growth funding to Royal Darwin Hospital every year since 2001, to a record $245m budget in 2009-10, an increase of 118%. These resources have increased the RDH workforce to a record high of 1800, with more frontline staff than every before, including an additional 247 nurses and 113 extra doctors.
Royal Darwin Hospital has faced many challenges over the years. It is a busy hospital and provides expert care for an increasing number of people each year with high health needs. We are committed to ensuring that the care provided is safe and of high quality.
In response to the Coroner’s recommendations regarding to the death of Mrs Margaret Winter, this government commenced a process of thorough, serious and independent review of Royal Darwin Hospital.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Member for Braitling
Member for Braitling
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have given my leave for the member for Braitling to make a personal explanation. I remind you that a personal explanation is usually listened to in silence. It is not a debate.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I make a personal explanation against comments that were directed against me on 7 May 2009 by the member for Macdonnell in the debate on the Appropriation Bill. She was referring to my proposal to build boarding schools in large remote locations. During this debate, the member for Macdonnell made the assertion that, by my approach to providing increased school facilities in the bush, I would be taking the children away. She said: ‘I reiterate that he has said he will remove children’. This is completely untrue, and an abhorrent statement to make. I reject it absolutely.
The approach of the Country Liberals is to increase and improve educational facilities and outcomes in the bush. If government has a different policy approach, that is fine to debate but, to make such a disgraceful statement – it is the lowest statement I have heard in my life. I was ashamed to hear this comment and personally embarrassed that such a claim was made in a parliament of Australia. It further reflects my views of this parliament in both its low standards of professionalism and its arrogance of due process to serve the people of the Northern Territory.
The proposal to build boarding facilities in large remote centres is motivated by a desire to save children by providing better access to education. I place on the public record that in no way am I trying to remove children, and that I am only trying to improve educational outcomes for the future.
SERIOUS CRIME CONTROL BILL
(Serial 48)
(Serial 48)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to restrict and disrupt the activities of persons and organisations engaged in serious criminal activity, whether it be inside or outside the Territory. The objective of this is to protect members of the public from violence associated with these persons and organisations. To achieve this objective, the bill provides for the making of declarations about organisations, control orders, public safety orders, and fortification removal orders. These actions are designed to disrupt and restrict the activities of organised criminals engaged in serious crime.
The bill clearly sets out that it is not intended for the powers provided in the legislation to be used in a manner that would diminish the freedom of people in the Northern Territory to participate in advocacy, protest, dissent, or industrial action. The bill does not impinge upon this basic freedom and right of society. Rather, the bill is intended to restrict and disrupt the activities of persons and organisations who are engaged in serious criminal activity. Such activity, ultimately, harms members of the public. This bill protects members of the public from this activity.
Police are aware that organisations in the Territory are involved in drug trafficking. Organisations have also interfered with witnesses and juries, thereby diminishing our criminal justice system. The Northern Territory is home to a small number of motorcycle gang members who, generally, belong to chapters of large interstate groups. Nevertheless, Northern Territory Police have expressed the view that their membership is significant and has effects beyond what their numbers might suggest.
Police intelligence in other jurisdictions indicates that some outlaw motorcycle gang members are involved in criminal activities including: murder; drug manufacture; drug importation and distribution; fraud; blackmail; intimidation of witnesses; serious assaults; organised theft and re-identification of motor vehicles and motorcycles; public disorder offences; firearm offences; and money laundering. These gangs operate criminal organisations which vary in expertise, sophistication and influence.
Recently, in other jurisdictions we have seen significant risk to public safety due to violent incidents, where it is suspected that motorcycle gang members and their associates have been involved. There is a concern that these outlaw gangs have the potential to increasingly infiltrate society and use legitimate industries to camouflage criminal activity from law enforcement.
This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed now. Indeed, the issue of serious criminal organisations was included as an item on the agendas for recent meetings of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, the Ministerial Council on Corporations, and the Council of Australian Governments.
Whilst outlaw gangs are targeted by this legislation, the measures contained in the bill also extend to other criminals who engage in serious criminal activity, but are not necessarily members of the outlaw gangs.
The bill complements existing Northern Territory laws and anti-gang policing, further enhancing the capacity for law enforcement to do their job. The Criminal Property Forfeiture Act already operates in the Northern Territory, and has been commended nationally for its ability to hit organised criminals where it hurts. That act provides for forfeiture of property to the Northern Territory when it has been acquired as a result of criminal activity, used for criminal activity, or is unexplained wealth. Since the commencement on 1 June 2003, through to June 2008, over $11m has been restrained. Much of this was restrained as a result of motorcycle gang-related activity.
Similar legislation to this bill was enacted in both South Australia and New South Wales, following a rapid increase in the number of organised criminal motorcycle gangs operating, and the severity of gang-related crime and violence. The legislation aims to force these gangs apart. If interstate gangs relocate to the Northern Territory as a result of the tough stance taken in South Australia and New South Wales, it could be expected that illegal operations and violence would increase here. We are taking steps to ensure that the Northern Territory is not faced with similar problems.
The bill aims to make the Northern Territory less attractive to these organisations by making it much harder for them to do business here. Adopting some elements of the South Australian and New South Wales reforms not already in place in the Northern Territory may also assist to prevent interstate gangs relocating to the Territory.
I will now set out key features of this bill. The bill will enable any consenting Supreme Court judge to be declared an ‘eligible judge’ by the Attorney-General. The bill authorises an eligible judge to declare an organisation to be a ‘declared organisation’ under the act if the eligible judge is satisfied the organisation meets specific criteria. This includes that the members of the organisation associate for the purposes of organising, planning, facilitating, supporting, or engaging in serious criminal activity, and that the organisation represents a risk to public safety and order. Decisions by eligible judges in making declarations are not decisions of the Supreme Court. The structure of the legislation is designed to avoid potential constitutional problems arising through application of the High Court’s decision in Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions, (NSW [1966] HCA 24.
The eligible judge may make a declaration based on the material provided by the Commissioner of Police. The eligible judge can also refuse to make the application based only on the material provided by police. However, the eligible judge may also ensure that there is a hearing of the application, and that the organisation and persons affected by the application are given a right to be heard. If a declaration is made, the organisation and persons potentially affected by such a declaration, may seek a revocation of the application. For most situations, the eligible judge who dealt with the original application would also deal with an application for revocation.
The Commissioner of Police is also entitled to seek revocation. A declaration of an organisation has no immediate consequences; that is, the organisation continues in existence with its operations being unaffected until such time as its members become a subject of a control order made by the Supreme Court.
The bill enables the Commissioner of Police to apply to the Supreme Court for ‘control orders’ against members of declared organisations, and also for other persons who have, or have had, various kinds of associations with a declared organisation. A control order will operate to prohibit the control person from doing, or possessing certain things, and associating with other controlled members. Such association will constitute an offence punishable by a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
A control order automatically suspends any authorisation, licence, registration, certification or approval to carry on a prescribed activity that is held by a controlled member. These prescribed activities include, among other things:
operating a casino, or being a licensed employee;
carrying on the business of a credit provider, pawnbroker, or second-hand dealer;
possessing or using a firearm within the meaning of the Firearms Act, or carrying on business as a firearms dealer;
carrying out the activities required to be registered or licensed under the Racing and Betting Act; or
any other activity prescribed by the regulations.
The court may make control orders in relation to a person who is, or has been, a member of a particular declared organisation who engages, or has engaged in, serious criminal activity and regularly associates with members of a particular declared organisation.
Control orders can also be made in respect of other persons who engage, or have been engaged, in serious criminal activity. A control order takes effect immediately when the control order is made in court, provided that the person to whom it relates is present in court. If a person is not in the court, the control order takes effect when the person is served a copy of the order. It will then remain in force until it is revoked in accordance with clause 34 of the bill.
The terms of a control order can also be varied by the court. A right of appeal against the making of a control order on a question of law or fact is available to the parties.
It will also be an offence for a controlled member of a declared organisation to recruit new members to the organisation. This offence will attract a five-year imprisonment penalty.
The bill sets out various broad grounds on which a control order can be made. One of these is that a person has been a member of a declared organisation. This power is designed to ensure that a person cannot escape the control order provisions by simply ceasing his or her membership. However, the court is entitled to only make a control order if the circumstances are appropriate for the making of the control order. Thus, for example, if a ‘past member’ can show that this status is not artificial, the court may find that it is not appropriate for the person to be made subject to a control order. Another example is that of a vulnerable person. It may be preferable that they be permitted to associate with people who will look after them.
The bill will also authorise senior police officers to issue time-limited ‘public safety orders’ against persons, prohibiting them from attending a public event or place, or being within a specified area on grounds of public safety.
Public safety orders may be made if the senior police officer is satisfied that the person being present at premises poses a serious risk to public safety or security, and the making of the order is appropriate in the circumstances.
Police will be required to consider several factors in determining whether a public safety order is necessary and warranted. Some of these include:
whether the person has previously behaved in a way that posed a serious risk to public safety or security;
whether the person is, or has been, or associates, or has associated with, a member of a declared organisation or a controlled member.
The bill includes provisions which will allow for ‘fortification removal orders’ to be obtained against premises that are owned, occupied or habitually used by members of a declared organisation. A fortification removal order may be made in relation to premises if the premises are fortified and there are reasonable grounds to believe the premises are, have been, or are likely to, be used for or in connection with the commission of a serious criminal offence; or to conceal evidence or keep proceeds in connection to a serious criminal offence. There is an offence of hindering the removal or modification of fortifications which will attract a maximum penalty of 500 penalty units or three years imprisonment.
The bill also provides for matters relating to procedure for service of documents, including an order which may be obtained for substituted service. These provisions address difficulties experienced by police when attempting to serve documents on members of criminal organisations. The bill ensures that certain persons carrying out functions or exercising powers contained in the bill will not be held civilly or criminally liable provided that the powers exercised in good faith.
The bill also makes clear that any decision, determination, declaration or order made under the bill, or an act or omission relating to an exercise of functions under the bill, are protected from proceedings for judicial review, or for a declaration, injunction, writ, order or other remedy. The bill does not affect the operation of the Police Administration Act concerning claims which may be made against the police.
The bill expands on existing offences in the Criminal Code to include serious penalties for the making of threats or reprisals to persons involved in criminal investigations or judicial proceedings, or to public officers in the performance of his or her official duties or functions. These new offences will attract a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
The bill also amends the Bail Act to provide for a presumption against bail for a person charged with contravening a control order, associating with another controlled person, recruiting a person to become a member of a declared organisation, applying for an authority in contravention of a control order, or contravening a public safety order.
Finally, the bill will amend the Information Act to ensure that information classified as criminal intelligence by the Commissioner of Police under the bill is exempt from disclosure under section 44 of that act. The bill will require an annual review by a retired judicial officer of the powers exercised under the bill to ensure that these powers are exercised in an appropriate manner, having regard to the objects of the bill. The operation and effectiveness of the legislation will be reviewed after it has been in operation for four years. A report based on the review is required to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Madam Speaker, this government is tough on crime. Criminal organisations and their members and associates are serious concerns. This bill contains robust measures to disrupt and restrict the activities of those criminal organisations. The bill conveys new powers and responsibilities to the Commissioner of Police, other senior police officers, and the members of the Supreme Court to perform the role of eligible judges and the courts. We are making sure that these officers have the capacity to deal with organised crime, including the seeds of organised crime in a comprehensive manner.
However, this bill also contains checks and balances to ensure these powers are used appropriately and responsibly in targeting these serious outlaw gangs and criminals.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and I table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
CANCER (REGISTRATION) BILL
(Serial 46)
(Serial 46)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 updates and replaces the Cancer (Registration) Act 1988 which permits the establishment and maintenance of the Northern Territory Cancer Registry. The Northern Territory Cancer Registry collects information on all cancer cases diagnosed in the Northern Territory. Similar registries exist under legislation in all other Australian states and territories.
Cancer registry data is used to monitor and report cancer incidence and mortality, to inform policy and planning of cancer services, and to increase public awareness about cancer. Within Australia, the Northern Territory registry has special importance as it is the longest established and most reliable source of information on cancer in the Indigenous population. For all these reasons, it is essential the quality and completeness of the Northern Territory cancer data remains as accurate as possible.
Changes in national legislation and in the classification and management of cancer have meant that the Northern Territory Cancer Registry has experienced difficulties in carrying out some of its legitimate functions under the current act. The purpose of this revised Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 is to address these issues, with the overall aim of promoting and maintaining the high quality and completeness of population cancer data in the Northern Territory.
A central requirement for the Northern Territory Cancer Registry is that the cancer register includes all cancers occurring in the Northern Territory, and that the information on these cases is complete and accurate. The current act mandates the notification of cancers diagnosed by pathology laboratories and cancer deaths by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to the Northern Territory Cancer Register. This means that cancers diagnosed by health care providers without the pathological test may not be included on the register. In addition, the Australian government Privacy Amendments (Private Sector) Act 2000 makes it inappropriate for private health providers to disclose identifiable information to the Northern Territory Cancer Registry, which has limited the ability of the Cancer Registrar to correct or complete data from individual case notifications.
The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 mandates that hospitals notify cancer diagnoses to the registrar, which is consistent with legislation in other Australian states and territories. This will improve the ability of the registrar to detect and record all cancers. The bill also requires private health care providers to respond to requests from the Cancer Registrar for prescribed details of the cancer. This is in line with legislation in all states and territories except for South Australia, and will improve the quality of completeness of data held by the register.
The second major issue relates to the appropriate use of information held by the register. The current act prohibits the provision of Northern Territory cancer data for purposes that can be considered proper use, but were not foreseen at the time the act was written. This negatively impacts on the Northern Territory’s ability to contribute to and influence national policy-making around cancer service development and delivery; for example, the 2002 Australian government’s radiation oncology Inquiry. The existing limitation also restricts the use of the Northern Territory Cancer Registry data when undertaking quality assurance audits for cancer-related services.
The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 expands the use of the data by providing the Chief Health Officer with the authority to approved uses that meet current research guidelines, as well as for quality assurance or other reporting purposes. A similar power exists in the legislation of the ACT, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
To ensure the data collected by the Northern Territory has national and international relevance, we must be responsive to changes in the definition of cancer and conditions included as cancer. For example, the Australasian Association of Cancer Registries has recently expanded its list of notifiable cancers in accordance with changes in the World Health Organisation’s cancer classifications. These changes have implications for health service provision and should be reflected in the Northern Territory Cancer Registry data. The current act does not allow the register to collect information on these new cancers. The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 allows the minister to include a new cancer by Gazette notice without the resource intensive process of legislative amendment.
Finally, the Cancer Registrar and members of the medical community have previously expressed concerns regarding their legal protection providing this information. The Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 addresses this by clarifying indemnity for these individuals when performing in good faith under the act.
In summary, this bill aims to promote and maintain the high quality of population cancer data in the Northern Territory, and its usefulness in influencing service provision and policy decision while respecting important privacy issues. This will bring the Northern Territory Registry into line with contemporary legislation in other Australian states and territories. Both government and non-government stakeholders support the bill.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members and table the explanatory statement accompanying the bill.
Debate adjourned.
APPROPRIATION (2009-2010) BILL
(Serial 41)
APPROPRIATION (ADDITIONAL FOR 2008-2009) BILL
(Serial 40)
(Serial 41)
APPROPRIATION (ADDITIONAL FOR 2008-2009) BILL
(Serial 40)
Continued from 10 June 2009.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank all honourable members for their contribution to the budget debate. Delivering the 2009-10 Budget, my second as Treasurer, was a great privilege, as well as a great challenge in the midst of the toughest economic times facing Australia and the world for three-quarters of a century. As I noted when I delivered the budget, the very foundations of the world economy have shifted, a swift global collapse has decimated the nation’s growth rate and caused a sharp jump in unemployment in leading economies. I note that, on the latest GDP figures, Australia alone among developed economies has avoided a recession. This is very welcome news but only highlights the enormous impact this downturn has had across the world economy. As the federal Treasurer noted last week, we are not out of the woods yet. I acknowledge the trust that the Territory community has put in this government to guide us through these tough times.
I firmly believe this budget will achieve our core goals: protecting Territory jobs, building our infrastructure to position ourselves for when the global economy starts to recover. Budget 2009-10 delivers these key priorities by having, at its core, an unprecedented $1.3bn infrastructure investment in the Territory’s housing, roads, schools, and community, creating over 2500 construction and related jobs.
The Henderson government also continues to deliver expanded frontline services and staff. Budget 2009-10 contains a record $1bn Health budget; $808m investment in Education; and $279m for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. As I stated last month, Budget 2009-10 is a decisive, determined and unapologetic step by the Henderson government to create and protect Territory jobs, despite a collapse in government revenue from the GST pool. It is unprecedented focus on infrastructure, and it is the best way we can keep the Territory strong and keep our workers in jobs. At the centre of Budget 2009-10’s job creating projects, programs, and policies is that $1.3bn infrastructure spend, an increase of $414m from 2008-09.
Housing construction, repairs and maintenance funding is up 92% over 2008-09. That translates to real world improvements for housing access and affordability for young people just entering the market, public housing tenants, remote communities, and seniors. As well as the $176.7m for additional housing in remote communities, we are funding: a 44-unit seniors village in Bellamack; $36.1m for public housing; and $33.1m for housing for nurses, teachers and police in the bush.
I noted the promising housing affordability figures for the Territory released by the Real Estate Institute in Question Time yesterday. However, I also acknowledge the government must continue to improve housing affordability through its comprehensive housing affordability strategy, which includes releasing more land. That is why Budget 2009-10 allocates $108.6m for land release and related community infrastructure, including $20m for the development of the new Palmerston suburbs of Johnston, Mitchell and Zuccoli. I was also pleased to sign the development agreement for Bellamack with Brierty UPL recently and visit the site to see the bulldozers start clearing the area, which will ensure the first 90 blocks will be available by the end of the year.
As part of our infrastructure investment across portfolios, Budget 2009-10: includes a record education infrastructure budget of $196.8m; a $51.9m community safety infrastructure program of police stations and Correctional centre expansions and new construction; ongoing significant investment in our $1.4bn Power and Water infrastructure replacement and upgrades program, including new and improved power stations, improved water storage, and closing the Larrakeyah outfall; a $322m roads investment in urban, regional and remote areas - notably the Tiger Brennan Drive extension and overpass, and upgrades to our main economic thoroughfares across the Territory; and lifestyle infrastructure such as the Palmerston water park and boat ramp and upgrade of the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex. This massive investment in the Territory’s vital infrastructure will keep Territorians in jobs now and serve us well for the next generation.
Territorians recognise the need for this investment and, in my travels across the Territory, they understand why government is going into a temporary deficit to achieve these goals. In the current global economic climate, people have recognised that the role of government is to step in and fill the breach when private investment contracts. That requires maintaining and increasing spending on economically important projects and job-protecting policies now, but also demonstrating a clear, achievable method to return to surplus in coming years.
I am still forecasting an estimated deficit of $17m for 2008-09. This is due, primarily, to a significant reduction in GST revenue of $162m or 6.7%. However, I note that additional unexpected Commonwealth funding may affect this final result. For 2009-10, the deficit is expected to be $201m, due largely to the effect of a collapse in GST revenue of $211m, which lowers the GST proportion of our total revenue from around 67% to 55%. $916m is predictably lost in GST revenue over the entire budget and forward estimate period.
When we go into temporary deficit, the government has been very up-front on the fact that this means debt levels will rise. The revised ratio in 2009-10 Budget is 28%, rising to 33% by 2011-12; still approximately half the debt to revenue ratio of 61% when we came to office. We have also been very up-front with the revenue amendments announced in the budget. The CLP opposition almost seemed disappointed when I confirmed that are no new taxes in this budget. We will remain the lowest taxing jurisdiction for small business in Australia.
I made particular note of the redirection of the 1.1 per litre fuel subsidy into our roads and public transport budget. As I made clear at the time, this will provide more direct and efficient support to Territory motorists than the subsidy, particularly as reviews in other jurisdictions demonstrated that a removal of similar subsidies had no effect on prices. I also note that Queensland recently announced it will remove its 8 per litre subsidy, but it does not appear that resulting savings will be specifically redirected into roads or transport funding as we have done.
I also made clear that the abolition of stamp duty on business transactions, excluding land, will now be completed on 1 July 2012, as per our IGA commitments. While not a budget measure, and recommended by an independent commissioner, I also clearly set out the Motor Accidents Compensation Act increase of 5%.
As I noted when I delivered the budget, the current economic and fiscal conditions require a new fiscal strategy. The revised strategy retains the previous components of sustainable service provision, infrastructure for economic and community development, competitive tax environment, and prudent management of liabilities. However, elements have changed to reflect the current economic and financial reality. The sustainable service provision component will limit expense growth over the budget cycle to ensure there is an operating surplus in the general government sector. Future revenue growth will outstrip expenses growth over future years, resulting in higher operating surpluses and cash surpluses. At this point, nett debt on average, will be reduced by 5% per annum to return to the 2007-08 levels.
The opposition has ignored this requirement set out in our fiscal strategy but, instead, has made much noise about debt and deficit since the release of the budget. It has been silent, however, on where it would raise revenue or cut spending to reduce the total deficit. As far as the community knows, its election policies to slash the public service still stands - 700 jobs gone from our health, education, police force and justice systems. They need to be honest with the public and let them know where these jobs will be lost, in the midst of the toughest economic times to face Australia in generations ...
Mr Elferink: This bloke was not even discounting it a few months ago.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: I understand the opposition is sensitive on this matter, Madam Speaker; they would be slashing the public service …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: Slashing the public service is what their pre-election fiscal outlook showed, and they have been dodging, weaving, ducking and hiding the real question of just what jobs will be slashed from where.
I have taken Budget 2009-10 on the road to explain the exact nature of the government’s focus and expenditure. I have spoken to Territory Construction Association and Chamber of Commerce functions in Darwin and Alice Springs. I have spoken to the Property Council and at functions in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. Everywhere I have gone, Territorians have appreciated the government’s direction: focus and honesty ...
Mr Tollner: No, they have not.
Ms LAWRIE: There has been a record attendance at most functions ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Order! Honourable members …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of the interrupting a Member speaking.
Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: There has been a record attendance at most functions. Notably absent from all the business functions and presentations in Darwin, was the member for Fong Lim - a no show. Maybe it was too early in the morning for him, but a no show - could not even make a lunch function. Maybe he was somewhere else ...
Members interjecting.
Mr Tollner: Did you want me to do a Labor function?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I will pick up on that interjection. It is interesting that the member for Fong Lim thinks the Property Council, the TCA, and the Chamber of Commerce are Labor Party functions. I will make sure they know that comment, because you are bizarre.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: There has been a record attendance at most functions, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Chris Young, of the Chamber of Commerce, has rated the budget eight out of 10. This is a strong vote of support …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, member for Greatorex, cease interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: They truly are a rabble. This is a strong vote of support from the Chamber of Commerce for a budget delivered during these global economic times. The Chamber of Commerce function audience also strongly welcomed our focus on infrastructure, land release, and dedication to maintain the Territory status as the lowest taxing jurisdiction for small business. Graham Kemp, from the Territory Construction Association, is a strong advocate for the construction and housing industry; his views on government action definitely count. He stated on radio that:
- It is a great budget, a courageous budget that we needed to have, and it will keep the construction industry employed and moving forward.
Member interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, it is hard to hear with the chuckling and chortling coming from the member for Fong Lim, when I am quoting industry.
The Property Council President, Allan Garraway, publicly congratulated the Henderson government for sticking to our promise not to introduce a land tax in the Territory, and to support development. Alongside these peak organisations, Territorians I have spoken with on the road, small business men and women, public servants, and community leaders have expressed their strong support for the government’s action now to protect communities and jobs across the regions.
Despite the fact that our key economic indicators are leading the nation, with a headline economic growth figure forecast to be 4.1% in 2008-09, and remaining positive in all forward years, this government will not be complacent. Record private investment expenditure will continue through government action to lure major projects to the Territory, and will be complemented by major government projects.
Territory employment rates also lead the nation, with 7000 jobs created over the year to March 2009. Government’s flexibility in the face of economic conditions was recently demonstrated by the announcement that we are extending the very successful Buildstart program to the end of the year. The Territory government introduced the scheme with a very focused goal: to boost housing construction and to give new home and unit buyers a hand into the investment market. To date, over 250 people have applied for the $14 000 Buildstart grant, and the extension will ensure the first stages of new developments will fall under the scheme.
The Northern Territory continues to face the immense challenges in the face of international and national economic conditions. In the face of these conditions, the Territory government has framed Budget 2009-10 with a clear goal: to protect Territory jobs and build our Territory. The budget’s focus and decisive action will serve the Territory well over the coming financial year.
I thank again the hard-working Treasury staff for their efforts in constructing Budget 2009-10. I also thank all of my colleagues in Caucus and Cabinet. It is a budget that was struck in very tough times. It was a budget that would requires enormous discipline from all of my colleagues in understanding we had a finite level of resources to deal with in a scenario of declining revenues. We had economic conditions prevailing that required a focus on infrastructure and core frontline services. Whilst I am the Treasurer - and I have driven the process forward in Budget 2009-10 - I could not have achieved such a focused and deliberate outcome in Budget 2009-10 without the discipline of my colleagues in both Cabinet and Caucus. I sincerely thank them for that discipline, because I believe that we have created key drivers for economic conditions to ensure growth across the Territory. We recognise that we are delivering growth across all our regions of the Territory, not just the major urban population centres.
The infrastructure in housing, roads, and education are critical to ensure we have a better society and a better outcome for Territorians. Those key growths and frontline services of health, education and police are critical to delivering the services right across the Territory that our community requires. It is a focused, targeted response as a budget in the toughest economic conditions that have prevailed in 75 years.
Madam Speaker, I am confident that Budget 2009-10 will deliver growth across the Territory, and we will see those results coming through. I commend the bill to the House.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, in accordance with the resolution of the Assembly passed on Wednesday, 10 June 2009, the remaining stages of the bill will be taken on 19 July 2009.
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 29)
(Serial 29)
Continued from 6 May 2009.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, I am rather interested in this legislation. I read carefully the minister’s second reading speech and also the explanatory notes.
It is a bit hard to decide exactly what it is the government is trying to do, apart from copy the examples of agencies in every other state. This seems to be the sole Labor Party motive in this case. The fact is, the minister talked at length about other reasons, saying the Land Development Corporation had to expand to allow it to start to build residential developments, or sell land for residential developments. The minister said in his second reading speech:
- It is no secret that the accommodation situation in Darwin, like other cities in Australia, has reached a critical stage where business and government workers are having difficulty in finding appropriate affordable accommodation.
It is great to see, I suppose in some respects, that the minister is admitting this government has failed in the area of providing appropriate accommodation.
As the member for Braitling, I believe it was - or it might have been the member for Nelson - spoke yesterday about the lack of available land, and the reduction in public housing numbers in the Territory. It all points to a complete failure by government to release land, and to construct public housing.
We have a situation in the Northern Territory where levels of public housing are reaching critically low levels, and the government’s plan is to bulldoze existing public housing units. Whilst I do not have a problem with bulldozing old and rundown dumps, I do have a problem with bulldozing those old and rundown dumps if there is nothing in the pipeline to replace those areas of accommodation. Clearly, in the case of the Northern Territory, there are no plans anywhere to alleviate the accommodation burden that Territorians are feeling.
The situation is that this bill almost seeks to lay the blame for a lack of housing in other areas. In this case: ‘We do not have an expanded Land Development Corporation which will provide available land, so let us expand the role of the LDC and, somehow, put that responsibility on to them’. The minister went on to quote the good work the LDC has done over the years since 2003 or 2004, when it was first created. The minister pointed to the Darwin Business Park, saying the total value of the development already exceeded $200m. I recall, at the time, minister, you tabled a piece of paper highlighting the developments that the LDC had done in the area of the Darwin Business Park.
A quick scan through there - I forget the numbers now, minister, I do not have that piece of paper with me at the moment. However, a quick scan through there showed me that the investments that the minister had highlighted were significantly less than $200m. The minister later explained all of the investments actually were not listed on that piece of paper; that there were others. My goodness me, there must be a lot of piddling little amounts to make up the rest of the investments. In any case, the minister has hailed the LDC a success at the Darwin Business Park.
The minister made no mention in his second reading speech, of course, of the Defence Support Hub. I read it carefully, and read the explanatory notes quite carefully, and I can see no reference anywhere to the work the LDC has done in relation to the Defence hub. I understand it is the LDC’s jobs to seek investors and development opportunities for the Defence hub. At one stage over the last few months, I was given a briefing by some people from the department who suggested there was a whole range of businesses interested in being involved in the Defence hub. Organisations such as Joint Logistics Unit (North) and Hallmark Trailers, I recall was another organisation that was considering going in there - whoever won the contract to maintain the Abrams tanks would more than likely go there.
I have to ask: where are we at with Hallmark Trailers and Joint Logistics Unit (North)? I know the through life support contract for the Abrams tanks has not yet been settled by the federal government but, surely, the Territory government, being so close to the federal government, would be dealing with the new Defence minister in Canberra - the comrade down there - and finding out who the players are in that contract, who we should be talking to, and whether we can garner any interest from those companies to the Defence hub.
It is an area that the government has been remarkably silent on since making that grand announcement a couple of years ago. My understanding was that it would be well and truly down the track of seeing the Defence hub developed. It would be good to know from the minister where exactly the LDC is up to with the tenders for the Defence hub, who is interested, and how many companies they will have going there ...
Dr Burns: You will be able to talk about that during estimates next week.
Mr TOLLNER: We will, minister. I am sure that may well be an area where excuse yourself from the Public Accounts Committee. I understand the concessions gleaned from the minister by the member for Nelson when he put the ‘wood’ on you; that you will now no longer be asking questions of yourself. We look forward to you vacating your chair, minister, on the Public Accounts Committee, and fronting up and answering some questions on these very important matters ...
Dr Burns: I can hardly wait. It is only a few sleeps now.
Mr TOLLNER: I am sure you can hardly wait. Given that you can hardly wait, I am sure you will be glad to jump up when you are closing off this debate and answer a few of these questions. We might even consider taking this bill to the committee stage, where we might be able to ask you a couple more questions. I looked at the Darwin Business Park and what is happening at the port …
Dr Burns: Have you been out there?
Mr TOLLNER: I been out there, minister – I have definitely been there and seen the progress and a lot is happening, no doubt about it. There is much private investment coming in to that part of our city. We have ConocoPhillips out there chugging away. We will soon - hopefully, cross our fingers, all things being equal - have INPEX going in. More than likely, with any luck, we will get some storage businesses going in there, maybe some petrochemical plants, other processing facilities, organisations that need to be near the port and transport hubs and the like to operate - very keen.
Since it has not been mentioned anywhere else, what are the government’s plans for a logistics hub? All of these big businesses are going to require supplies, maintenance, repairs, and access to a good port and transport facilities. It seems to me that the government has no plans - that I have read anywhere – or intends to devote specific energy to the creation of a strong logistics hub. It has even been suggested to me that logistics may base themselves out of Broome for the INPEX plant. It is only a suggestion, minister, but it has been a suggestion and, knowing the track record of this government when it comes to planning, I believe there is a very real concern that these things may well eventuate and the Northern Territory miss out on these vital opportunities.
As I was saying, this government has a poor track record when it comes to planning. However, I suppose by expanding the role of the LDC, by allowing them to get into residential areas, other areas of industrial development, and business development, it provides the government with a convenient scapegoat for everything that may go wrong in the future. The government will now be able to say: ‘Hang on, that is not us, that is the role of the Land Development Corporation in releasing land, in getting these proposals off the ground. We have done our best, we have expanded the LDC’s role, we have empowered them more, but they have failed’. This is, I believe, a cynical effort to shelve some of the government’s responsibilities and failures to another organisation – very sad to see, indeed.
There is not much highlighted in this legislation to say exactly how it is that this new government business division will operate, and its impact in the commercial arena. Quite clearly, when you have an arm of government operating as a business, they are competing with other businesses and individuals in the community who are trying to offer the same services. I suggest it now creates an unfair playing field in that market, and government should be very wary of how this expanded role of the Land Development Corporation will impact on business and competition in the marketplace.
They have also been given a role in residential and industrial development, and it has been compared to other land agencies around Australia. When the Land Development Corporation becomes a government business division, are they going to be able to access government resources that other land development companies will not be able to access? That is a very good question. Will these guys have an artificial leg up to compete with other like businesses in the community? These are questions that the Business Minister - the person who, I think, believes in an open and free market - should be quite prepared to answer.
What land out there is there for the LDC to develop? The more you look into this, the more it looks like a convenient way for government to scapegoat an organisation for their own failures. Of course, as I said, the only tangible reason they say they are doing this is because every other jurisdiction in Australia has a similar agency. I was not for the reduction in speed limits, but I know it was this government’s position that we had to have speed limits on the open highway because every other government in Australia had speed limits on theirs. Well, they are no longer open highways – they are highways. To me, that took away a sense of being a Territorian; the fact we are different up here, that we do enjoy certain freedoms, but no ….
Dr Burns: We have the highest road toll.
Mr TOLLNER: We do have the highest road toll, minister, I am glad you brought that up. We have had the highest road toll since your government introduced speed limits. So much for your road safety measures, because they are proving anything but …
Dr Burns: We shall see.
Mr TOLLNER: They are proving anything but, minister. This mad drive to be like every other jurisdiction in Australia is leading us to a point of mediocrity - mediocrity. People say: ‘Why would I live in Darwin when I can live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, western Queensland, western New South Wales, or even Western Australia, because all of those jurisdictions are exactly like the Northern Territory?’ All have the same nanny-state rules, and there is a list as long as your arm. All have been burdened, I might add, by Labor governments who are all socialist in their ideology and who believe in control by the state, which is exactly what this government does.
It seems to me, with the introduction of this bill, this government has no regard whatsoever for introducing a government agency into the commercial marketplace. Everywhere through here, this new expanded LDC will be a commercial organisation. The government makes no bones about that at all. It will be a commercial organisation. The minister said it on numerous occasions in his second reading speech. They want to put them on a commercial footing; that is, they want them out there in the marketplace competing with Territory businesses. An important question is: what sort of leg up is this mob going to get that people out there in the commercial marketplace do not get? I am sure there will be plenty because, in effect, they are an arm of government. Even though they are operating as a business, they will have access to the resources of government, the support of Cabinet, and the like.
Minister, this government has failed on land development - clearly failed on land development. I notice that every time the Treasurer is in her Planning and Lands portfolio, she is not averse to banging on about Lyons and the potential for the new suburb of Muirhead. Both of these land holdings were offered to the Territory government many years ago by the Commonwealth for a pittance of their value. Did the Territory government say at the time: ‘Yes, we will take them, we will hand them over to the Land Development Corporation and we will have them develop them’? No, not at all. The Territory government turned its back on that offer and allowed the Defence Housing Authority - an organisation which does a fantastic job but is a government business division in itself - to acquire that land, build the houses, and do all of the work involved.
Now we find the Northern Territory government is quite prepared to take credit for that, irrespective that, right from the word go, it turned its back on the original proposal. I find that shameful. I find it completely hypocritical, where a government wants nothing to do with a project in its early stages, but wants to take all of the credit for the project when it is completed. It is absolutely terrible.
The other thing that needs to be considered is the precarious state of the Territory government’s finances. We just had the dodgy Treasurer give a dodgy …
Mr VATSKALIS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member to withdraw his reference of ‘dodgy Treasurer’.
Madam SPEAKER: We have already ruled on this once before. We just …
Mr TOLLNER: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, we just heard the Treasurer outline her dodgy budget. It is a dodgy budget; there is absolutely no doubt about that. It is the old three card trick, times over - too smart by half. Most of the Darwin community knows it is a dodgy budget. The only ones crowing its praises are members on the other side.
I find it quite amazing that the Treasurer would belittle me for not turning up to the budget presentation convened by business organisations to hear her speak. Goodness me, every day we front this joint we have to listen to her ramblings and nonsense. Why would I use my free time to listen to more of it? It makes absolutely no sense at all. If she is hurt …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr TOLLNER: … that I did not use my spare time to lob to hear her ramblings, then I am afraid she needs to take a good hard look at herself in the mirror ...
Ms Lawrie: You are obsessed.
Mr TOLLNER: I am obsessed? Here we go. The slurs and smear that comes from the other side in this place are absolutely remarkable. I have no problems with that. The minute someone says a word like ‘dodgy’, there are three of them ready to jump: ‘Oh, you cannot call our Treasurer dodgy’. No, everything she does is dodgy but she is not actually dodgy.
As I was saying, we have just heard one of the most dodgy budgets the Territory has probably ever seen ...
Dr Burns: Not as dodgy as the 2000-01 budget.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, cease interjecting.
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, cease interjecting. Resume your seat, member for Fong Lim. Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Member for Fong Lim, you have the call, but I ask you to direct your comments directly through the Chair and keep the matter as close as possible to the bill which is being debated.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, I have to say, I have no problems personally with the interjections that come from this side, or that side for that matter, unlike, should I say, many members on the other side who seem to be completely offended if someone even whispers whilst they are on their feet. I find that a double standard. They can go on interjecting when I am talking; I have no problems with that, I am not that sensitive. However, I find it rather hypocritical and a double standard when members on the other side jump up with the most appalled look on their faces when somebody from this side makes the most menial interjection.
As I was saying, this government has delivered a dodgy budget, probably the worst in the history of the Northern Territory. It is the worst for its lack of detail, cover up of Commonwealth spending, claiming credit for Commonwealth monies, and moving funds from previous budgets into this budget - an extraordinarily dodgy budget. For anyone who wants to take a look at it, you know how precarious our Northern Territory government is at the moment in financial matters. I have to ask the question: by expanding the role of the LDC, will the government be trying to lumber the Land Development Corporation with debt in order to give the government cash in return for developing land?
This is merely a way of revenue raising for the government. Knowing how this government operates, you have to say that that is the case. It is something they did with the Power and Water Authority - bled the Power and Water Authority for years and years of resources and funds in order to provide bread and circuses to the people of the Northern Territory. They bled our critical infrastructure of repairs and maintenance funds and capital spend funds, to the point that we now have a whole power network falling down around our ears. We are going to see massive increases in the price of electricity, with the price of water going up by 70%. It is a terrible time for the Territory.
They have decided, after they have done that to our electricity and water infrastructure, they want to start on our land resources as well - bring all of those government business divisions to their knees, suck as much funds out of them as possible in order to goodness knows what. One thing about this government is that it is very good at spending money – very good at spending money. We see billions of dollars spent every year in the Northern Territory for practically no result.
Everywhere you look, things are falling into rack and ruin. Look at our education system. We are having major debates at the moment about why we are failing children and schools. Look at our hospitals. Every day in this place it seems there is another petition or something in relation to health. Look at the state of our roads; they are in a state of complete disrepair. Everywhere you go there are potholes, the verges have not been cleaned up and, between Katherine and Tennant Creek, you have three-foot high anthills butting up to the bitumen - a terrible situation.
I mentioned our power and water resource infrastructure crumbling around our ears. Everywhere you look, every aspect of life in the Northern Territory is being burdened by a lack of maintenance and care by a government that just does not seem to care. The government is totally focused on its internal feuding. It is the only thing that is occupying the minds of the ministers at the moment: how they can possibly cling to power in this remarkable situation - a situation where we have a headless Chief Minister, running around with no direction whatsoever, with no control over his Caucus or members in his Cabinet, people leaving like rats from a sinking ship, and that whole ship of state being totally internally focused on its own problems. It is sad for the Territory.
Now we see an organisation like the Land Development Corporation being dragged into this whirlpool of mismanagement and neglect to the point where they are going to be asked to start bailing out the Territory government from its own financial hang-ups.
Look at the Land Development Corporation, and it is typical of this government. It does not believe that Territorians are adequately capable of managing such an organisation. We have a couple of Territorians on the Board of the Land Development Corporation, but the government cannot help itself; it has to bring in someone from Adelaide or Melbourne to sit on these boards to provide direction, and ensure they are doing it the same up here as they are everywhere else in the country. The government has absolutely no faith in Territorians.
It is a sign that these guys, when they collect their pensions, I suppose, will be off to live in those beautiful leafy suburbs of Melbourne and Adelaide, places where they really want to be, because they believe in their heart of hearts that they do it better down there, and we have to get a couple of those people from down there to show us how to do it better because all the good people are down there ...
Mr Knight: Who is running the opposition these days?
Dr Burns: James Lantry upstairs on the fourth floor.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: Let us get a few of them up here to sit on our board … I have to tell you, James Lantry on the fourth floor lives in Darwin. He has bought a house in Darwin …
Dr Burns: Just now? A former Democrat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
A member: Why did you not employ a local?
Mr TOLLNER: He moved here; he lives here. For all intents and purposes, he is a Territorian. What about Mr Philip Duval, does he own a house in Darwin? Does he live here for 12 months of the year? What about Mr Marek Petrovs? Does he live here, or does he live in Melbourne? He had a house in Melbourne. Do the kids go to a local school? Does Mr Petrovs have to go to Royal Darwin Hospital to be treated when he is sick? Does Mr Petrovs have to put up with blackouts constantly? Does he have to bear the burden of a 70% increase in his price of water? I do not even think Mr Petrovs even lives in the Northern Territory. I may well be wrong; maybe he does have a house here; maybe his kids do go to school here ...
Dr Burns: You are a xenophobe.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: A xenophobe, he calls me. Madam Speaker, I can handle being accused of being xenophobic. Goodness me; I would hate it if I was to mention the word xenophobia in relation to a member opposite. I am sure I would be asked to withdraw ...
Dr Burns: We do not demonstrate those traits.
Mr TOLLNER: That is fine. Madam Speaker, I do not mind these guys interjecting. To me, it demonstrates the double standard they are prepared to operate by. I do not mind if they call me xenophobic, that does not bother me; it is water off a duck’s back. However, if I - halleluiah! - dare suggest they are a fascist government, all of a sudden, individuals from the other side would be leaping to their feet, as they have done, demanding that I withdraw those comments ...
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, member for Fong Lim. Leader of Government Business, I ask you to withdraw the comment about xenophobia, please.
Dr Burns: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, if I ask a member to withdraw, it is up to the Chair, not up to you, thank you very much.
Mr TOLLNER: Quite proper too, Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Please direct your comments through the Chair, not across the Chamber.
Mr TOLLNER: Quite proper of you to point that out to me. As I said, however, it is in no way offensive to me. I am strong enough within myself to be certain that I am not a xenophobe. It does not bother me at all; they can throw whatever slur or smear they want my way. Good on them. Go your hardest, guys, over there. It is not a two-way street, as we know.
This bill the minister has put forward has hairs all over it. I am very keen to get into the committee stage to ask more questions of the minister on this. His figures seem to me to be dodgy about developments that went on in the Darwin Business Park. I am sure he can outline the whole $200m of them in the committee stage. Next week when we get to estimates, those questions may well be asked as well. He has failed to mention anything at all about the Defence hub; the provisions of a logistics hub; exactly why the government is doing this, apart from every other state is doing it; why we need to have two interstate experts sitting on the board; whether or not this is a revenue grab by government; why government seems to think it is okay for them not to accept responsibility for their failure to release land and develop appropriate housing in the Northern Territory; and how this organisation will be better at releasing land than the current arrangements with the government. Is this organisation going to be armed with all the information required to assess how much public housing and affordable housing is needed, and how much we can possibly charge at the maximum rates? Is that the responsibility of the Land Development Corporation, or is government going to retain some of these responsibilities?
To me, this bill seems to be a cop out. It is a cop out by the government in taking their own responsibility seriously. It is a cop out of the government because all they are interested in is focusing on their own internal strife - the strife of defecting members, of an ineffectual and paralysed leader, and the lack of a suitable replacement. We all talk about the member for Karama having aspirations but, seriously, can anybody in this place possibly, in their wildest imaginations, imagine the Northern Territory where we have a Chief Minister like the member for the Karama? It is certainly beyond my imagination. That will be plumbing new depths - the clich the member for Johnston likes to use so much. To see the member for Karama as the Chief Minister for the Northern Territory would be an exercise in plumbing new depths.
I actually support the member for Wanguri in maintaining the mantle because, even though he is paralysed and he lacks any capacity to influence anyone on anything, he has to be a far better pick than the member for Karama. I like to lay awake at night sometimes thinking about who would take the job …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I remind you that we are debating a bill called Land Development Corporation Amendment Bill. There has been a lot of latitude given, but if you could just come to the point, please.
Mr TOLLNER: I was just saying, Madam Speaker, that every now and then at night I lie awake thinking about the future. Who would be a suitable Chief Minister? The member for Johnston would probably do a good job. He could trot in here and roll out this sort of legislation with a smile on his face. He is probably capable of anything but, then, I think, ‘Hang on, the poor fellow he has had a gutful of this job, he is ready to go in August’. He might well hang on, but we have all been wishing him the best and we hope he has a fantastic retirement. I would be the last person in this place who wants to see government withold any sort of pension for the member for Johnston. I wish him well after a career in public life. That is about as far as I will say.
I would like to see the member for Johnston as the Chief Minister. Maybe he might be the person who would be prepared to stand up and take some responsibilities for these areas that the government is now trying to hive off to the Land Development Corporation - hive it off, spin it off, as a little business that the government owns on the side, hive off all those responsibilities such as developing our industrial areas and residential areas - give them a bit of responsibility for highlighting areas where you might be able to build a public house or two, and put a couple of tenants in.
Goodness me, you never know, the Treasurer might be able to scrape up a few pennies more, where we can actually start building some public housing. You never know, we might even be able to pick a few pennies up from the Land Development Corporation itself - run it to the wall, the same way they did with Power and Water and a range of other government business areas.
Madam Speaker, that is about as much as I will say for now. I am very tempted …
A member: Would you like another 10 minutes?
Mr TOLLNER: I am a bit concerned if I speak for another minute or two; I might have the member for Braitling jumping up and giving me another 10 minutes. That is about us much as I will say for now. I am very keen to get this bill into the committee stage and ask the minister some more questions on it. We will leave it until then.
Minister, I have to give you a little warning; there will probably be some questions on this in estimates next week, so you might want to consider who your alternate delegate will be on the PAC. Maybe word them up a bit on what you want to answer and what you do not want asked, whatever …
Dr Burns: Obviously you have not been to estimates yet. It does not work like that.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: It does not work like that. Well, I am sure it does not. However, there are some people on the PAC who seem to think it is quite okay to caucus outside meetings and the like. When you have alternate delegates you can just roll on and roll off, there probably is no doubt you will be caucusing together to ensure that you have a little pre-knowledge about what has been discussed …
Dr Burns: It does not work like that.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: … and what will be discussed. It would be rather rude to trundle somebody into the Estimates Committee and not give them a bit of a heads up about where they are at and what they are looking at. I would have thought it would be a bit rude. Maybe the minister sees his role as sitting there as a mute individual, saying nothing and talking to no one. We can only wait and see. Minister, I look forward to asking you some more questions.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, will I have enough time?
Madam SPEAKER: We can go until 12 pm and then we will continue afterwards.
Mr WOOD: I was going to ask which bill we are talking about …
Mr Tollner: Land Development Corporation.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, member for Fong Lim, I was just looking …
Mr Tollner: You should have listened more intently.
Mr WOOD: I was until I fell asleep. In between various political points the member for Fong Lim was discussing, I thought there were some very relevant points ...
Mr Tollner: Thank you, Gerry.
Mr WOOD: That is all right. I have some issues that I would like to raise concerning the bill that has been put forward today. Before I start that, I thank the minister for the briefing that I had last week. It was a very good briefing and I appreciate that.
When I looked at this bill, I actually did not think twice. I thought I would be talking to the Minister for Planning and Lands, because we are dealing with, as the bill says: ‘to expand the role of the Land Development Corporation’ ... - okay, we will just take that bit out – ‘… to undertake the development of residential land and affordable housing projects in urban areas’. I then looked up the Northern Territory government website for Planning and Lands. It has a group there called the Northern Territory Lands Group and, under that, it has the Land Release Unit. It says:
- The Land Release Unit develops strategies for accelerated release of land for residential development across the Territory in the short to medium term, also providing for more affordable housing.
Then it says:
- The Land Release Unit draws on expertise from across DPI and works closely and collaboratively with other key government agencies and stakeholders.
- A particular focus for the Land Release Unit is working closely with the Territory Growth Planning Unit (TGPU) and Territory Housing in providing land for affordable housing through current land releases.
It goes on to talk about certain projects that it has done. It says:
The key projects of the LRU include the effective leadership, management and coordination of (but not limited to):
Expediting the Bellamack tender, development deed and associated processes as a priority.
And it goes on.
Then, we had the motion put forward today and I ask: what are we doing? Are we now taking a section of the Department of Lands and Planning and shifting it over to the Minister for Business? What is going to happen now? What happens to the Land Release Unit? Do all the people at the Land Release Unit go over to your department, minister, or do we double up? Do we have the Lands and Planning people doing something that your department is doing? That is a pertinent question, because the worst thing you want is the left hand and the right hand heading along in the same direction and just wasting taxpayers’ money. You also want to ensure the left hand and the right hand know what they are doing, because you still have a department of Planning. You still have strategic planning. What is their role going to be now? How will they fit in with this new agency, as I mentioned? Even though it is called a corporation, I think it is acting as an agency. How will those two things work?
Having been to the briefing, I believe the people who are on this particular group give me the feeling that they want to do things that people in the Territory are screaming out for; that is, they want affordable housing, and new opportunities in the design and styles of houses. They want opportunities to change what, at the moment, is a fairly bland type of subdivision in our suburbs that look very much like South Australia, Western Australia or any other part of Australia.
We have tended to bring architecture up from the south which does not really reflect the Northern Territory. In many cases, we have promoted housing with three- or four-bedrooms, en suite, study, etcetera, and we have put expectations in young people that this is what you need when you first start off. From the briefing, it was obvious there were some people in this new expanded land corporation who, along with builders, want to promote the idea that we can have smaller houses that can be built on to as the family grows. That is something we have missed out on. All the promotions you see on television are you-beaut, very expensive houses that are out of the reach of young people or, if they do get into buying one of these, they put themselves into far deeper debt than they should be, and for far longer than they need. There are some benefits in what I was told in the briefing. There are good ideas, but I wonder why some of this was not happening before. Why now, all of a sudden, have we had to expand the land corporation to be doing some of these things?
In the explanatory notes were the words ‘affordable housing projects’. The minister might answer my question in reply or in the committee stage: what does that actually mean? We have never been able to get an answer from the Minister for Planning and Lands on what the definition of ‘affordable’ is. Is it a $420 000 house? That is affordable to those who can afford it. However, we are talking about something that the average, ordinary person can afford, without going into debt for the rest of their life. We do not seem to have come up with some sort of definition of what ‘affordable’ is.
Does it mean reducing the price of land, for instance? If you reduce the price of land, you can afford a slightly more expensive house. However, if your land is worth three-quarters of whatever loan you can get, then you are going to have a little shed. In some cases, you will not be able to live in that shed, because ... I will move on, Madam Speaker. However, the point I make is that that has happened in some parts of the rural area. People have spent their money on the land, and they have no more money, except to live in a shed.
The key to affordable housing is affordable land. It raises some issues. The government now says it is expanding this land corporation, and that it is going to be involved in developing land which will be its land. It is going to be involved in affordable housing projects; is going to provide services including commercial, and recreational activities; and heritage and environmental conservation activities - which means that it is, basically, a developer.
I understand where the member for Fong Lim is coming from in saying that you will be competing with private industry. It is a good point. I am not quite in the same scene as the member for Fong Lim at this stage, because …
Members interjecting.
Mr WOOD: I probably never have been in the same scene as the member for Fong Lim. Sometimes, your Christian principles override that and you do have to speak to him.
The point is that the Crown owns the land and, under the current system, they sell that land off to a private developer. There are some very good questions to ask. Is that the perfect model? One reason that land has a high price is because the developer who bought the land from the Crown wants to recover the amount of money he paid for that land. However, if we want the government to look at affordable land and housing, I am not sure there is a problem if we take that away from the private developer - who does not really want to get involved in affordable land and housing because it is reducing his profit margin. You own the land. There is no reason why you cannot sell that land for $1. If I own a block of land I can sell it for $1; it is my right. If the government owns land, it can sell it for whatever it likes. It has an opportunity to sell to those people who genuinely require help when it comes to buying land and housing. It can do that because it controls the price of its own land.
If this land development group is interested in doing that, then I do not think it will compete with the market. If you put enough covenants on the land, as the government used to do years ago in the northern suburbs and, sometimes, in some of the early suburbs of Palmerston, that would be good.
I am interested in seeing the government get involved in streetscapes and urban design, but not from New South Wales. We have the New South Wales-type urban designs, and that is why we have little streets in Palmerston. You can hardly turn the fire truck around at the end of it, and you cannot park two cars on the bitumen and let a car go between. We have taken up the designs of developers whose only motive is to maximise the amount of land they will sell for houses, and to minimise the amount of space for roads, nature strips, and streetscapes ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, I ask you to continue your remarks after Question Time this afternoon.
Debate suspended.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Kalymnian Veterans Football Team. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 29)
(Serial 29)
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I continue with my remarks in relation to the bill before the House relating to the Land Development Corporation.
I was talking about streetscapes before the luncheon adjournment. I noticed that in the second reading, the minister had said:
- The New South Wales LandCom’s design guidelines for buildings and streetscapes is currently being reviewed by the Northern Territory Land Development Corporation to develop a set of standards for its landscaping and street design.
There are a couple of questions I would like to ask about that. I am concerned, after reading this, that it does not appear we have a decent set of standards for landscaping and street designs already in place. To some extent, I actually agree with that. When I see the small streets in some parts of Palmerston, I wonder what has come first - good planning, good streetscapes, or have we, basically, allowed developers to develop to the absolutely maximum for the maximum profit, the maximum number of lots, and forgotten that housing is simply not about that? Housing is about community, social impacts, and a whole range of things, and planning needs to take that into account.
When I see houses taking up entire blocks practically - in other words, the building envelope must be close to 90% of the block – in new developments in places such as Lyons, I wonder where you can plant the trees, because the houses are so close together. You have to ask what we have done with our streetscape and landscape design. We have not done the right thing by Territorians. It is obvious that other people agree, because the minister is now saying that LandCorp will now develop a set of standards for its landscaping and street designs.
It is not as though we are starting from ground zero. We have had suburbs in the Northern Territory for a long time. We have had planning in the Northern Territory for a long time. Most of our northern suburbs were developed based on the Canberra design. Whether you like them or not, at least they were well thought out. If you like going around corners, that is, obviously, the type of development in the northern suburbs of Darwin. In the older suburbs of Darwin, there is the square alignment of streets. However, the point is we did have streets that were wide, with room to have trees. We had blocks of land where someone could actually play a game of cricket, and you had room to plant some trees.
We do not have that today in our modern suburbs, because we have handed the bough of our planning and of our vision for suburbs in our new towns like Palmerston - and, I suppose, Weddell if we are not careful - to the developers who have driven the agenda, rather than the government saying this is the bottom line …
Ms Lawrie: Not true.
Mr WOOD: If the government says, ‘We drove the bottom line’, I say the bottom line was terrible. If the government is deciding that we will follow the New South Wales LandCom design, it is saying that what we did before was not adequate. If we are going to go down this path of taking design guidelines from New South Wales, we should put those out to the public for comment, because New South Wales is not a tropical area as far as I know. We need to take into account that we are in the tropics; that shade is important. We need to ensure that if we are looking for desired guidelines for building and streetscapes, we relate that to a tropical climate.
I follow that up, in that when you are talking about design guidelines for buildings, you see further down that in relation to VicUrban - which I presume is one of these agencies as well - they have recently undertaken a 6-star environment development. I have enough problems with worrying about the 5-star energy requirements for houses in the Northern Territory which reduce the airflow, because the basic principle of 5-star energy saving houses is to presume that they will all be airconditioned, basically make the house an esky, and minimise the amount of window space you can have in a building. I would hate to see what we are going to in a 6-star development. That may mean we have no windows, and a fully insulated house totally reliant on airconditioning.
We have to be careful we do not start taking up all the ideas from down south. That is not to say some ideas from down south do not have merit. You need to learn from other parts of the world, and other parts of Australia. However, if you do not adapt that to the tropics, Central Australia, or the places in between, then we are not doing ourselves a favour. In fact, we are setting ourselves up to fail in the future.
It concerns me that we are now developing streetscapes and building designs and guidelines, which sends out a message that what we have done before was not good enough. It also, to me, begs the question: what was the Department of Planning and Lands doing if we did not have streetscape and building guidelines before this? I presume we have some. If we do have some, will these new guidelines override those existing guidelines?
I note the member for Fong Lim mentioned the people on the board. There is no doubt that the people on the board are fine people. I am not saying otherwise in the least. However, I have concerns that a number of those people are from interstate. There is nothing wrong with advice from interstate, but I would have thought that we could have on our own board some town planners from the Northern Territory.
Graham Bailey is still in the Northern Territory; he still lives in the Northern Territory. Graham Bailey is a qualified planner; he was the planner for the Northern Territory. He is the one that produced the Darwin Regional Land Use Structure Plan. I did not agree with everything in it, but it was a vision that was put forward, and we are still using it as the basis on which Darwin is being developed. In fact, the Minister for Planning and Lands said yesterday that we will be able to go from the Duck Pond to Weddell and Palmerston via boat. Well, that came out of the Darwin Regional Land Use Structure Plan. That is the plan that Graham Bailey put together. Graham Bailey is a genuine Northern Territory government - sorry, was – planner who resides in Darwin. He would be an ideal person on the board.
We have to show some maturity sometimes and look for people within the Territory who can do these jobs. There are some smart people in the Northern Territory. Look at those homes at the top of Ross Smith Avenue, designed by people to be low energy. I am not saying they are the ideal affordable home, but there are people out there who are always thinking about development of building guidelines in the Northern Territory and how we can adapt that to the tropics.
Anyone who picks up the local magazine that is around at the moment called Resident, will see the Batchelor’s Pad. That is the house that was put together by a number of people in Batchelor township. I think the house cost about $160 000. Its design is meant for air flow through; and it is relatively cheap. It is set amongst a beautiful garden. As I have said here before, I bet you cannot build it in Palmerston because of the covenants that are restrictive. A little leeway in design would simply not allow such a house to be built there.
That is the other thing we have to look at - flexibility within our suburbs. We do not want suburbs that look like the outskirts of Adelaide. I have been to Adelaide and looked at Delfin suburbs. I have been to Western Australia and seen Delfin suburbs. I have been to dear old Melbourne and looked at Delfin suburbs. I must admit, I come to parts of Darwin and I am not sure what city I am in. We have lost, to some extent, the ability to say ‘this is a Darwin architectural design’. We did have it once. You only have to go to Myilly Point and have a look at the old houses there. They were definitely Darwin. We did have a Darwin style, and you only have to look at the Administrator’s Cottage at the stone formations that also gave Darwin the style. However, we now have a style which is painted concrete and looks the same as anywhere else. We need to start to get a little adventurous. I realise that we have limitations with cyclone requirements, but I believe we can do a lot better than we are doing at the moment.
The government talks a lot about reducing greenhouse gases. One way to reduce greenhouse gases is to turn off the electricity. Why? You should be able to do that at times, and have free flow of the natural air through your house. I went to one of my local schools recently, on a day which was about saving energy. They were singing about ‘Turn off’, and they were turning off the lights. Well, that would make some difference in school, except you might not be able to see your books. However, the real energy use in schools is airconditioning. Many years ago in Darwin, you would never have seen an airconditioner; schools like St Mary’s were all louvred.
If we were really serious about changing our habits and reducing energy, then we design public and private buildings to reduce the amount of energy that we consume. One of the goals of the land corporation, I believe, if it is looking at design, is to start to become a promoter of low-energy housing designs. Somehow, we have shied away from it. It has to be all this style. Sure, there are a few louvres around, but there were houses at Bathurst Island in the 1970s, some of the first house designs that came in from Adelaide, that were simple. The design worked and they were good houses. There are a few of them still there today, 39 years on. They are not real good now because they have been through a hard life. However, the key to the success of those houses was a breezeway, and I do not think we are looking at that anymore. We do not seem to get houses that have breezeways, to give you a flow through of air from one side of the house to the other, so you have a central area that is cool.
We need to start to get back to some basics. I am trying to think of the name of the man that designed the houses a Myilly Point …
Ms Purick: Burnett.
Mr WOOD: Burnett. There was a man before airconditioning was around, who knew how to design and build a house that was cool. When I went to the RAAF base some years ago, they had Burnett houses there. What have they done? They have blocked them up and put airconditioners in them. However, he showed that you can build a house in the Northern Territory that is cool, and uses the natural climate. The land corporation people, when looking at affordable houses - because affordability is not about how much the whole house costs at the beginning, it is also how much the house costs to run. People cannot afford to have a couple of airconditioners going 24 hours a day. The electricity bill would not only have been pretty high before, it will be much higher in the coming years. We need to be making sure that we are innovative, not only in trying to reduce the cost of land, but in the size and the design of the house.
I commend LandCorp for saying it will push this concept of promoting the idea of a small house, which can be built on to. That was something I learnt about years ago; it is an excellent idea. If we can work with the builders, and advertise that this is Stage 1 of a house which people can afford - we need to promote it. We do not want to see everything on television as the you-beaut, super garage, everything with an en suite, study, and they can even have an astronomy observatory or something. We do not want that.
We want young people to enjoy the early parts of their lives as they build a family, without this heavy burden of mortgage on them, which does not do anything for the social fabric of our society. There is an issue that sometimes we forget: we can say that people can afford a $420 000 loan from HomeNorth but, if it means that both members of the family are working full-time, what does that mean for the household? What does that mean for the kids? There are social implications, not just financial implications of how we approach affordable housing. That is really important as well.
It is also mentioned in the second reading the best residential models developed interstate and how they can be applied here. I hope that is not the best style of house. It may be the best way we arrange our suburbs. I presume that is more what we are looking at: how it relates to recreational areas, roads, the shopping centres, and other services within the area. There is no doubt you can learn from down south. I note that the minister, when he was talking about VicUrban, mentioned this design where there were:
- … rear loading housing lots providing aesthetic streetscapes and pedestrian safe areas for families.
I have to laugh a little because, when I did town planning as part of my horticultural studies, in 1967 to 1969, the Fountain Gate subdivision in outer Melbourne - the one that Kath and Kym go to for their shopping - was one of those new designs. This is not a new process. They faced the houses in back in those days.
When we are talking about town planning, we are not talking about something that dropped out of the sky yesterday. You can go back to Walter Burley Griffin in Canberra, who was a part of a particular school of planning at that time. You can see some of his houses around parts of Melbourne and Sydney today. He did not just design Canberra; he designed houses and public buildings. We need a little more of that vision.
I have a motion before the House - I am not going to debate it, but I am saying that the motion is about Weddell. One of the things that concern me about Weddell is that we have not looked at the vision. We are now talking about planning. We need a vision that we then match the planning to. It is important that, if we are going to talk about affordable housing and guidelines, we need a vision. What is this suburb going to be about? What is this going to do for the community?
If we talk only bricks and mortar and dollars, then we have missed part of the equation that we need to look at. Houses are homes, quoting from The Castle. That is what it is about. If we just think of these things as purely concrete and clay, I believe we have missed the point. They are homes for people to raise their family, which is what life is all about. It might be philosophical but, if we lose sight of that, then we are just mechanical people working on a plan. We are building a town which is made up of homes which are made up of families, and we need to do that as best we can so people can live a good life, raising their children.
In the end, as I said before, look at the issues we have today: we talk about crime and young people running away from home. A lot of those issues relate to family life and we have to take that into consideration when we are planning.
I am not necessarily against the concept of what is happening. I know the Land Development Corporation has been dealing with industrial land and, I believe, that in itself is worthy of debate. I have people come to me and say: ‘Have you seen the price of industrial land? If you think housing land is expensive, try industrial land’. I can tell you now there is a bloke advertising land on the corner of Thorngate and Glendower Roads, which is just before the barracks. It is the block of land next to where the piggery was. There are quarter-acre blocks advertised for $1m-plus. A quarter acre of industrial land for $1m-plus. How can the Territory develop if that is the bottom price for a quarter-acre industrial block?
I believe we need some good debate about this. Minister, forget your Berrimah Farm for housing, we need industrial land. What better place, if we are going to use Berrimah Farm, than Berrimah Farm for industrial land, simply because of its locality? I am not against housing estates, do not get me wrong. However, when I see the industrial plan for Darwin before 2007, it shows all the industrial land around the prison and Berrimah Farm. It is closely situated to the port, and there is definitely a need for people like the land corporation to develop more industrial land at prices which will encourage business in the Territory.
It is the same thing. You are saying we want affordable housing so young people can get a start in life – it is no different with business. Not everyone has a lot of money to buy a very expensive block; I do not know how anyone can afford a $1m quarter-acre block. They, somehow, have to get that $1m back in profit to cover the cost of the land. That is a lot of work because, if you take out a loan, it is going to be more than $1m. We need to be releasing more land for both industry and housing if we want the Northern Territory to prosper. We need to do it carefully.
The member for Fong Lim talked about the industrial hub. I have no problem with a Defence hub, but why magnetic anthills are in one-third of it, I have no idea. Do you call that good planning? Beats me! We get a reflection of the industrial hub in the Wet Season with the magnetic ant hills; someone might think that is great.
Madam Speaker, I support in principle what is here. There are a lot of questions to be asked, and I will be interested to hear what the minister has to say in summing up, or in the committee stage.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I support the Land Development Corporation Amendment Bill presented by the Minister for Business. The Northern Territory is truly growing. Our population is growing at a rate of over 2%, the third highest in the nation and above the national average. Before Labor came to government, the Territory’s interstate migration was largely negative; more people were leaving than arriving. Now, people are heading to the Territory to take advantage of the many job opportunities and the great lifestyle.
To continue to protect Territory jobs and grow our population, this government has committed a record $1.3bn in infrastructure projects in Budget 2009-10, building the Territory and delivering real results for Territorians. With more people calling the Territory home, this government is focused on housing the Territory, where all Territorians have access to safe and affordable housing which is appropriate to their needs. That is why Budget 2009-10 delivers a record $390.3m investment in housing - more land to grow, new affordable places to rent and buy, and new public housing.
The government’s Housing the Territory Framework maps a range of strategic measures to drive housing reform and growth for Territorians. Central to the framework is the government’s drive to deliver more options for Territorians to rent and buy at an affordable price. High demand for housing in the Northern Territory has seen our construction in residential properties sector traditionally skewed towards the higher price point. It is great if you own your own home, or are looking at expanding your assets with an investment property, but we know that housing affordability is placing stress on some Territory families, and we are going to act.
I support the broadening of the Land Development Corporation’s powers and functions. I look forward to seeing the corporation start to develop residential land. I want to see the company fast-track new residential land releases. I look forward to the company developing new housing stock that our private developers are yet to test.
In other jurisdictions, I have seen how land corporations are leading the way in putting innovative, affordable housing stock into the market. Our housing market is dominated by development of CBD units in the city, and by large ‘three- to four-bedroom, two-bathroom, carport’ dwellings in the suburbs. We need to be more innovative in the Territory, developing a diverse range of stock to meet the market which, I believe, is untapped.
I stress that the corporation will not take away work from the private sector. Rather, it will rely on local builders, designers, and developers to work in partnership in delivering new residential stock.
As part of housing the Territory, we announced the creation of an affordable housing rental company. We have witnessed significant increases in rental prices in the private market, which creates housing stress in our community. It is government’s intent that the affordable housing rental company will meet the gap in our rental market between the private and the public housing sectors. The company will be established to provide rental accommodation options at affordable prices for Territorians. Detailed work is under way on the structure and operating guidelines for the company, which will be established next financial year.
Its first project will be the Parap Gateway redevelopment of public housing along Parap Road - a project that, sadly, the opposition does not support. The Parap Gateway will transform Parap Road, replacing high-density public housing sites with a mixture of affordable, private and public housing. As members will be aware, good progress is being made to support tenants at the Wirrina Flats and town houses into new homes. Demolition of Wirrina, the first site to be redeveloped, is anticipated this year. I and the member for Fannie Bay look forward to seeing this work get under way.
Government’s new Homestart NT initiative commenced on 1 June to help Territorians on a low to middle income buy their own home. More than 80 Territorians registered their interest in the scheme in the month between its announcement and commencement. Since Homestart began earlier this month, more than 50 people have made inquiries, and nine applications have been submitted. This is a clear indication that the Henderson government’s initiative is meeting a need within the community. Today, I am happy to announce that the scheme had its first application approved.
Homestart NT introduces higher income limits based on household size, and higher purchase price caps, along with a low 2% deposit, shared equity loans, and fees assistance loans. It opens up about 40% of the property market to low- to middle-income Territorians, without investing more than 30% of their income in repayments.
These measures are further supported by a 20-year land release strategy outlined in Housing the Territory Framework. The Territory’s strongest population growth areas are in Palmerston. That is why government’s land release strategy for the immediate future centres on development in Palmerston East. Johnston, Mitchell, Zuccoli, and Bellamack will put 3700 blocks on to the market over the next five years.
This is where I see the new role of the Land Development Corporation first taking effect. The government’s commitment to 15% for affordable public housing within these large-scale land developments will open up opportunities for Territorians to call these new suburbs home at an affordable price. Bellamack, which is now under way, is the first subdivision where we will see our 15% commitment delivered.
For the affordable housing component of this development, prices for new homes will range from $240 000 to $420 000. This government has carefully set a variety of price points the developer of Bellamack must meet. A range of price points ensures we see a variety of stock delivered and the opportunity for low-income Territorians to buy a new home in the area. I look forward to seeing a variety of stock developed, including duplexes, triplexes and houses in Bellamack.
In recognition of the current gap in our housing market, government has taken a decision to play an active role in driving affordable housing developments by expanding the role of the Land Development Corporation. While this test is a new process for the Northern Territory, the success of such ventures in other jurisdictions highlights the value of having the corporation meet this need in our market.
I listened to the minister’s second reading speech with interest. He stated that the New South Wales’ land corporation, LandCom, is another jurisdiction that he has been looking at for guidance. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet some of the executive staff of LandCom in Sydney, and I was impressed with what they had to deliver in New South Wales ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! As interesting as I find this fellow, it is shameful that more of his colleagues are not here listening to him. I call your attention to the state of the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Ring the bells for a quorum. I believe we have a quorum. Please continue, minister.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is interesting there is only one member on the other side of the Chamber.
I had the opportunity to talk to LandCom, and Land Development Corporation members from the Northern Territory have also met them. They are doing some great work.
I welcome the minister’s statement that LandCom’s design guidelines for buildings and streetscapes will be looked at in the Northern Territory. They have spent years going through this. I take the comment from the member for Nelson. We do not just duplicate things. They have been through a lot of heartache, they have spent a lot of money, they are sharing their knowledge with us. Obviously, we do not take it on wholly and solely, but we can save ourselves a lot of time and money by learning from their experiences. This is what we look at.
The approach to build strong links with other successful land corporations is the right way forward. Our Land Development Corporation has a strong track record in delivering industrial land and, with key resources from other jurisdictions and a highly experienced board, we are well placed to create an excellent residential model for the Territory.
This bill will ensure that our Land Development Corporation can avail itself of the residential land development opportunities and best serve the Northern Territory residential land and housing requirements. With the passage of this legislation, the corporation will gain the capacity to oversee urban projects rather than just industrial land. By having role in driving residential developments, including the capacity to work in partnership with the private sector, the LDC will drive a new element in a housing market: innovative, affordable, housing projects for Territorians. I am confident that the strong legislative support, and the combination of expertise and experience of the Land Development Corporation Board, the LDC will prove highly effective in its expanded role.
This government is absolutely focused on creating new opportunities for Territorians to buy and rent at an affordable price. I commend the minister on this legislation. What has been highlighted over the last few months, for me as the Housing Minister, and getting the Housing the Territory strategy going, has been the fact that the Territory is growing up, both in the development of new housing - getting that spectrum of houses, more affordable housing but, also, more generally in the rental market with the affordable housing company and with the growth of the community housing sector. This government is driving innovation and building the rental and the new stock into the market.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister and look forward to the passage of the legislation.
Dr BURNS (Business): Madam Speaker, I thank all members who have contributed to this debate and I will try to address the issues that they have raised. The member for Fong Lim has indicated that he will bring this particular bill in the committee stage to interrogate further, and I also welcome that.
I will start at the end, and the statement made by my colleague, the Minister for Housing, where he said that we are a government focused on creating opportunities for Territorians to buy and rent. That is a focus of this government. It has been outlined in this House about land release and the activities of this government in that regard. My colleague has outlined some of the things that his department is doing in that regard. I believe that this bill before the House provides another opportunity in a much-needed sector; that is, the affordable housing end of the market. That is very important, and is the intent of the government. This bill achieves that intent.
Members have asked some very good questions, particularly the member for Nelson, who has been very thoughtful in what he has had to say. The member for Fong Lim also raised some very good points about competition and commercial competition versus a government business division which might have an unfair advantage within the marketplace. As I indicated when he was speaking about that, that is a very good question, and one which I will try to address.
I will not try to address the political side of what the member for Fong Lim had to say. He is very repetitive and he takes every opportunity for that, which is his want to tie the issues in the way that he does. However, I will try to address the substantive issues that the member for Fong Lim has raised. He asked why it was that we have to copy agencies in other states. Why can we not just do our own thing in the Territory?
We are the last jurisdiction to have this sort of body. There are models interstate, and why should we not look at what has been tried and tested interstate for a number of years, and try to pick the best points of those, find what is applicable to this jurisdiction and modify it to suit. I commend the Land Development Corporation and its board, for coming up with a model that takes the best from elsewhere and puts a Territory perspective on it. I believe that is very important. We do not want to reinvent the wheel; we want to learn from others’ mistakes, and develop a Territory appropriate product, which we will do.
He mentioned accommodation in the Territory being at a critical stage, a statement that I made in my second reading speech. I acknowledged that this is a very important issue. The member for Karama, who is the minister for Planning and Infrastructure, has outlined to this House how many blocks are coming on to the market in the Northern Territory in time. She talked about the headworks tender for Bellamack 5.7 being awarded to Wolpers Grahl in November 2008, and subdivision approval being granted by the DCA for the first stage of Bellamack, comprising 234 residential lots and three areas of parkland. Bellamack will provide 670 block with 15% reserved for affordable and social housing, with the first 90 blocks to be available at the end of this year.
She also talked about the 200 blocks in Johnston, and the subdivision application being lodged with the DCA. The headworks tender for Johnston is valued at $10m and was recently awarded to Mark Cundall Earthmoving, and this includes new roads, and power, water, and sewer main. She has also gone into much detail about Zuccoli. There is a lot of land being developed, but this is aimed at the specific end of the market - the affordable end of the market.
The member for Fong Lim raised the issue again that he raised in the last parliament about a media release of mine that talked about $200m worth of development and built infrastructure by the private sector - or predominantly the private sector - at the Darwin Business Park. What he added up in my media release added up to about $130m, I believe it was, and asked where the other $70m was. I believe I responded that there were some items which had been omitted.
The media release said ‘include the following’ so there was a number there. The latest list you will find on the land development website, member for Fong Lim, and it is a list which shows the major developments. I am also advised there are some smaller developments which are probably not part of that total. The total of the major developments, as of today that I counted myself with an Excel spreadsheet, totals about $220m - just a shade under $220m.
I point the member for Fong Lim towards the website of the Land Development Corporation. I have to also say I am genuinely disappointed by the attitude the member for Fong Lim had about interstate members on the board of the Land Development Corporation. These are people with a wealth of experience and, at a personal level, I have met them. Apart from the fact they are very nice people, they are also people with a lot of experience. I do not think we should shut the door on interstate people with a lot of experience.
Mr Duval has undertaken a number of assignments for the South Australian government’s Land Management Corporation, Department of Environment and Heritage, Adelaide Airport, and Port Adelaide Maritime Corporation. He certainly has had a lot to do with property. Also Mr Marek Petrovs has been Deputy Chair of the New South Wales Growth Centre Commission, Chairman of the former Urban and Regional Land Development Corporation of Victoria, which became Docklands, a very successful development, and he is also well-known in this area nationally.
I note what you say, but I believe people from interstate with particular expertise can add much to our boards. Of course, we have Mr Steve Margetic who is the chair of the board, and also Margie Michaels from Clayton Utz, the deputy chair, and a well-known Territorian, Dennis Bree, who represents the government and also a member of the Land …
Mr Elferink: A fine fellow.
Dr BURNS: Beg your pardon?
Mr Elferink: A fine fellow.
Dr BURNS: He is a good man. We have a wealth of experience there. The member for Nelson mentioned Graham Bailey. I agree with your assessment of Graham; he has made a fantastic contribution in planning and the history of the Northern Territory. I am advised by John Coleman, CEO of the Land Development Corporation, that Graham is there front and centre working for the Land Development Corporation on this project and, possibly, others as well.
It is a good point you made. It is always good, if we can, to have Territorians on these boards. However, we also have to look for a mix of ideas and experience from elsewhere. It is a hard haul, but I felt the member for Fong Lim was a bit too strong in his criticism, and I was genuinely disappointed with that.
The member for Fong Lim asked about the Defence hub. I am advised the tender for Stage 1 to deliver four service lots is to be advertised in mid- to late June, this month. Planning application is currently with the Litchfield Division of the Consent Authority. I am further advised, member for Fong Lim, that the Land Development Corporation is working with DDE’s Defence Support Group on this project. That Defence Support Group has been dealing directly with a number of proponents. There is interest and that project is moving along. As you say, it is incumbent on government to lobby hard for the Northern Territory within the complex body that is Defence at a federal level; at every political and departmental level and, of course, the military level - for the want of a better word - to get a good result for the Northern Territory in what is going on in securing and keeping as many Defence resources as we can, and actually building those Defence resources within the Northern Territory.
I know that we are currently contacting and writing to the new Defence minister. I am hoping that either the Chief Minister and or I will be meeting with Senator John Faulkner in the very near future.
You mentioned the logistic hub, member for Fong Lim. I have tried to interpret that. I believe what you might be talking about is the common user area at the port. I made an announcement quite recently about that. This is a common user area that will be used by people in the further development of our oil and gas industry. I am speaking specifically about INPEX. The entry roadworks are nearing completion. I am advised that the tender for the hardstand fencing and services are being considered by the Procurement Review Board today, and there is strong interest from local, national, and international businesses in this project. I did have a figure written down for the common user area, which is $5m I am advised. That is a substantial investment by government in that particular part of the infrastructure.
A very important issue that the members for Fong Lim and Nelson raised was in regard to the real risk of the Land Development Corporation, through this change in their activities, impinging or affecting other developers who are in this commercial area. The fact is that this affordable housing end of the market, is something that has not really been provided, to any great extent to date, within the industry. There is a large call by the community - and by the opposition and the Independent - for government to get involved in this particular end of the market.
The intention is that we will begin projects, and there will be announcements made within the next fortnight, both regarding the start - and it will be a start for something very large - and the location of that start within the next couple of weeks. It is a very important end of the market. We are also out to demonstrate that this end of the market can be profitable, and to stimulate this end of the market as well. If private companies get involved and start to increase their profile in this area, the government and the board will consider to what degree there is ongoing participation in this end of the market. Although, I believe what you can see from other states is that governments do stay in this end of the market for some time.
There are some interesting experiments interstate where, I am advised when I meet with the Board of the Land Development Corporation, there are now builders in some areas interstate who cottoned on that they can make a profit - and a fairly solid, constant profit - out of this end of the market, and some demand has been stimulated. That is very important to note.
The other thing to note is that this is a totally new product and delivery model, particularly in relation to the expandable housing side which the member for Nelson mentioned and which, I understand, was in existence in some areas of Palmerston, as he also pointed out, when Palmerston first started. People could buy or have built a basic unit of their home and, then, as their family grew, they could add on sections such as bedrooms etcetera. That is very important.
One of the things that I pick up - and it is a generational criticism of the younger generation. The younger generation want the three-bedroom house with the flash driveway and the pool room and the swimming pool out the back. People say: ‘When my wife and I started off, all we had was an old house that was in a certain area, and we borrowed furniture from mum and dad on both sides and from the op shop and second-hand shop. That is how we started off. As we built, we changed up to another house and got better furniture’.
That was the experience of my parents’ generation and the house that they started …
Mr Elferink: That is my experience; I am still suffering from it now.
Dr BURNS: Well, it was my experience too. Basically, I am not sure how warranted it is, but this actually provides an avenue now for, particularly younger people, to actually make a start, get into the housing market and grow their family and their investment. That is very important.
On the question the member for Fong Lim asked regarding whether, when the LDC becomes a full-blown GBD, they will have an unfair advantage in access to government funds, that will be something that will be an open and transparent process. There will be political debates about that. Much depends on the market, the players in the market, and the need for government to continue to be involved. That is all I can say in relation to that.
The member for Fong Lim has asked what land is out there for development. I have already mentioned Bellamack and some of the future developments. Government has given commitments about what percentage of that land will be available. This affordable housing company, for the want of a better word, the Land Development Corporation, will be part of all that. However, this government is squarely behind the corporation in this respect.
The member for Nelson raised another good issue. He said, within Planning and Infrastructure, there is a Land Release Unit of DPI, and asked whether this is, to some extent, duplicating or usurping their role, and how it is all going to fit together. That was a very good point, member for Nelson, and it was one of the first questions I asked as a former Planning and Infrastructure minister. As I got into discussion about it, it was pointed out to me that the Land Development Corporation will actually be in a completely different role to what DPI does at present. As you pointed out, member for Nelson, DPI currently turns off land which is sold to a developer - or there is some process by which the developer gets and pays for that land – and, then, the developer endeavours to make a profit on this land.
The process here is quite different in that the Land Development Corporation, working with DPI, will identify land - particularly Crown land if it available - that is suitable. However, from there on, the process becomes a little different. The land will be transferred from DPI into the Land Development Corporation at the cost of turning off that land - which is surveying and other aspects of turning off that land. It will not be a $1, but it will be at a minimal cost. From there, the Land Development Corporation will undertake the road works, the headworks, and all the rest of it as a developer would and, to some degree, the marketing and the building, or entering into contractual arrangements with builders to build. They will be the developer.
This will become more affordable through this particular method of development, because those margins that were previously built in through the process you have outlined will continue through DPI - this is a separate process. Turning off that land and building the house will have fairly set costs. There will be a range of set designs at set price points, which are designed for that market. The builders will be building to a specific margin and turning out the product. That is how we aim to have affordable housing, and that is how it is done elsewhere.
To answer your question, member for Nelson, it comes down to the fact that the Land Development Corporation will have a different role to what DPI has now. That is why they are separate and have a separate role. However, they will be working very closely, obviously, with DPI. As you are aware, Mr Coleman, the CEO of the Land Development Corporation, has a long history with DPI. He actually worked in DPI in a senior position, so there are very strong links. I do not think there is much risk of the left hand and the right hand not knowing what they are doing.
A number of the personnel who have come to the Land Development Corporation have come out of DPI. I visited the Land Development Corporation. They have a very high calibre of staff, very professional, with many years of experience, dedication and commitment to the Northern Territory and their particular job. It is a real coup to have someone like John heading up this corporation – he is here and probably embarrassed - and working with a quality board but, moreover, very quality people working in that corporation to achieve the ends we are all committed to.
You talked about affordable housing in terms of design, size of the house, and block size. These are very important. The commitment I have from Land Development Corporation, I believe, is along the lines of the questions you have asked. Are these going to be designs suitable for the Territory, rather than something that is transferred by a big developer elsewhere? You see them in WA, South Australia and Victoria. We are after something that fits the Territory, particularly our climatic conditions, and provides the opportunity for a person to grow their home, so to speak, as their family grows.
The other issue is safeguards we need to have around this process. We are trying to get those people who currently cannot get into the market, into the market. We do not want speculators. We do not want people moving in, pretending they need an affordable house and buying one when, in fact, they have plenty of money and, then, they speculate on it and sell it. We will be modelling our eligibility on Homestart NT. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
not currently own or part own another property in Australia, and that applies to de facto, spouse or partner;
not exceed the accessible income and asset limits;
not exceed property market value limits;
have a minimum deposit of 2% of the purchase price for 100% ownership;
if you are building a house, contract a Northern Territory licensed builder; and
live in the property after its purchase.
There are tests around that. It is important that only people who are eligible get into this market.
You asked me for a definition of affordability, member for Nelson. That definition really centres on Homestart eligibility. The broad definition is Australia-wide and one we will be trying to model on. As a general rule in Australia for affordable homes, it is less than 30% to 35% of the middle household income expended on housing costs. The test will be built on the median household income and 30% to 35% expenditure on housing costs, with the new homes enabling Territorians to buy homes with the possibility of expanding later. We are saying these houses will be affordable, there will be price points, and it is in the government’s interest for people to take up these houses who do fit the criteria of Homestart NT.
You spoke a lot about urban design which, I believe, is very important. To some extent I agree with you, and have already spoken about big housing estates interstate and being mirrored here in the Territory. One of the assurances I have, as minister from both the CEO and the board, is that in the landscape and streetscape, we are going to endeavour to have a tropical streetscape; one that is enjoyable to live in, and provides adequate space and amenities for the residents. That is why part of this act talks about how the Land Development Corporation can develop not only park lands and recreation areas, but also those community assets such as clubs, and whatever. We are really interested in the community amenity of these particular developments.
You talked about industrial land, member for Nelson. I do not have the figures in front of me - I have lost them – but the industrial land the LDC turns of works out to be fairly reasonably priced, at approximately $150 000-odd per quarter acre. The land you quoted outside was about $1m a quarter acre. The difference is that, at the Darwin Business Park you have to have strict criteria about eligibility; you have to have a business which is pertinent to the port or oil and gas.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to clarify something which was in the second reading speech. I made reference to a new section 41A which proposed:
- … specifying that the Treasurer may delegate his or her powers under section 7(3) in relation to approving loans or borrowings by the Land Development Corporation.
Section 41A has not been included in the bill in response to requests from the Northern Territory Treasury. Therefore, the Treasurer will not be delegating any power, say, to the Under Treasurer or whoever. That power of decision will rest with the Treasurer, which we felt was appropriate. I need to point out that the bill which has been tabled is, indeed, the correct and final bill and the incorrect reference to section 41A was included only in my second reading speech. I clarify that. The bill, as it has been tabled and circulated, is perfectly correct. Through an oversight in my second reading speech, that error about delegation was included, and I am clarifying that the Treasurer will not be delegating any power to anyone else – mainly the Under Treasurer. All that power of decision will rest with the Treasurer.
Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution. The member for Fong Lim has further comments and questions to ask in the committee stage. I commend this bill to the House; I believe it is a very important bill. It is a positive bill which shows that government is endeavouring to get into this end of the market. I really hope, apart from reasonable questions that members have, that we can have a constructive discussion and debate within the committee stage.
Madam Speaker, I commend this bill to the House.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
Mr TOLLNER: The first question I have to ask, minister, is: what land is there for the LDC to develop? You mentioned Bellamack a minute ago. Do I take it that Bellamack will now become, in part, incorporated in the LDC?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I did mention that a certain percentage of Bellamack - 15% of the 670 blocks - has been reserved as affordable and social housing. We will probably be making a start with this model within Bellamack. The Minister for Planning and Lands has also mentioned Johnston, Zuccoli and Mitchell as prospective developments. As a government, we need to look at where we are going to place this affordable housing. However, it is very much a starting process at this stage and, as I said previously, we will be making announcements in the next couple of weeks specifically giving some more detail of that. I am not in a position today to give specific advice about the location and the number of lots.
Mr TOLLNER: Do you have any general information, minister? What parcels of land were transferred to the LDC? I am not just talking about residential; I am talking about the whole gamut of things. I notice in amendments that you put forward you talk about ‘community amenities, area or facilities’ which, basically, my understanding of it means that any land can be put into the LDC that government sees fit.
Dr BURNS: No, you are incorrect there, member for Fong Lim. What has been talked about - and I just talked about it in my wrap-up - is that this legislation gives the Land Development Corporation the capacity to provide an amenity within the developments that they will be developing. It is very important that people have recreational areas and parks. We know that people like their clubs, so it is just giving the Land Development Corporation the legislative capacity and flexibility to incorporate those elements in their developments.
I mentioned that Bellamack Area C is an area that we will be looking at regarding affordable housing. The member for Karama might want to give a little more detail about some of these aspects, and housing release generally.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, in further information to your question, member for Fong Lim, very clearly, this is enabling legislation. It is broadening the remit of the Land Development Corporation to be able to venture into the residential component that government wants to see, particularly in affordable housing. As the Minister for Business just explained, putting in the commercial and the parks is very much an opportunity to, rather than just look at the residential component, obviously, look at the planning around there and what community facilities you will provide for - whether it is a childcare facility or other such facility. Then, LDC has the ability to then joint venture and see who would be willing to participate in that.
They already have a great deal of expertise regarding industrial land. We have seen the success of the LDC in managing the Darwin Business Park near the port. It seemed a natural progression for the LDC to carry out a role that other agencies do on behalf of governments elsewhere in Australia in residential, and particularly, affordable housing. We have nowhere beyond Bellamack C for the LDC, at this stage. We firmly believe that this is a new venture for the LDC. Residential is not something they have done before. They have a proven track record in managing the turn-off of industrial land, but residential is a new remit for them. So, Area C in Bellamack is the first task that they will have at hand. As government, we will, obviously, watch how they manage that project before we make any further decisions on any other areas in which the LDC may participate.
Mr TOLLNER: In relation to these housing blocks, will the LDC have to tender for them in a competitive tender environment, or are they simply given a free run - something that is not available to the rest of the commercial sector?
Dr BURNS: The Treasurer wants to say some more about this because it is an important issue. However, I will start. What I have outlined here today and in my second reading speech is a new model of providing affordable housing which is quite different to what has been the practice, and will continue to be the practice, with large residential land releases and developments that we have seen, particularly in the Palmerston area. It is a model where various companies tender for parcels of land, then develop, turn it off, and sell it at a profit.
What this is all about is the Land Development Corporation acquiring the land and, then, developing it for affordable housing. This is a sector of the market, as I have said a number of times, which no one really has been involved in, in a significant way, within the Northern Territory. There is a big call for it so, there will be process of transfer of land into the LDC. There will be transparency around that process. This is the model that has been adopted elsewhere. The LDC then develops that land as a developer, with the sole brief of having affordable housing, which is in much demand in the market, I believe, at present.
As I said before, government is also putting some parameters around who can actually access this affordable housing. We will, to a large degree, use eligibility for Homestart NT as the criteria for the basis for determining that eligibility. I am not sure whether the Minister for Planning and Lands has anything to add to that.
Ms LAWRIE: There are a range of models that can be adopted. We are not going to constrain, at this stage through a committee debate, any of the models that will be adopted by the LDC. Suffice it to say, we recognise that there should be some competition neutrality aspects to the work that they do. This is not about undermining the existing development residential marketplace; this is about providing a different type of product that currently exists than the marketplace. In the various modelling that we will do, we will, at different times - depending on what the market is doing - adopt different models to the way in which we are turning off. That being said, there are a range of agencies which are involved in that process. Everything we do is, ultimately, on the public record and will come under significant scrutiny.
LDC works very closely with the Department of the Chief Minister, with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and Treasury, to ensure that we are not undermining the development community that currently exists in the Territory today.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, you made the point, not so long ago, that you wanted to prove that building affordable houses can be a profitable exercise. If it is such a profitable exercise, and it is proven as a profitable exercise, why would commercial developers not be doing that now? How does government expect to make a profit when other commercial helpers - I understand from your statement - cannot make a profit? What is this new model that the Treasurer just spoke about?
As I said during my concluding remarks, we will monitor the situation and, if there is a vibrant market that develops and people come to government with proposals, as time progresses, about their plans for affordable housing, we will consider that. That was the flexible approach that the Treasurer also outlined when she answered some of your questions before. We are responding to community need, using a model that has worked elsewhere – that is tried and true.
This is the appropriate step for us to be taking at this time. It comes down now, rather than a specific debate about elements of the legislation, that we have free-flowing discussions within our committee stage. It is coming down to a difference in policy between the government - that believes it has to stimulate, take the step forward, be proactive and try a tried-and-true method - rather than you, who is saying maybe the commercial sector could get involved. The question remains that they have not to date, in any significant way, and that is why government is taking the steps that it is now.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, you misread my view completely. Based on everything you have said so far, you have still not convinced me that the LDC is going to be given this land, sell it at a market rate, return a profit to the government but, somehow or other, still make land cheaper for people purchasing through that area. I thought that, if your goal was to make land cheaper, you would simply give it away or, like the member for Nelson said, you could sell blocks of land for $1. The government can do that as a seller. The government can additionally put a heap of regulations and caveats on those blocks of land, without having to go through the whole exercise of setting up another commercial entity that will take a big chunk of the market share and have access to real estate that other developers will not have.
It is very difficult to get a direct answer out of you on that one, minister. First, I have not had the opportunity to go through the budget papers and read what sort of return the LDC provided to the government last financial year. Can you give me an indication on the revenue that government received from the LDC for the last financial year? In addition to that, can you give me a budget estimate - you have the Treasurer sitting there right beside you - of what you expect to earn this financial year under the new regime of the LDC? If you cannot, I am after a broad figure or a percentage increase - some indication on what sort of money the government expects to receive from the newly constituted - for want of a better word - Land Development Corporation?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I am advised that the dividend that was paid to government from the LDC last year - and this is a very rounded figure that Mr Coleman has given me; I believe he has gone to check. He believes the dividend to government was somewhere around the $9m mark, based on its activities in the Darwin Business Park. You and I can have a little argy-bargy about the $200m and the $220m, but, by any measure, the LDC has been very active. There has been much development there and there will be further development.
I made an announcement, probably four weeks ago, about 34 blocks that were being turned off. There is the Darwin Business Park North and the Darwin Business Park South. There is a hell of a lot of activity going on out there, which is very good. However, to return to your point, a $9m return. The proposed dividend in future years would depend on the exact business plan and the extent of the developments. What we will be doing is starting at a starting level and getting the processes right and, then, looking to expand those operations with time or, as I said before, respond flexibly to what is happening in the market.
If there are major bona fide players who have major plans and they hold water, of course, government will consider those. However, at this stage, we are making a start. There is a community demand and voice for this sort of affordable housing, and that is why government is bringing this legislation through the House today. You have reasonable questions and I welcome those but, at the end of the day, I am confident this legislation will pass and we will get on with the job as quickly as we can to start turning out that affordable housing.
Mr TOLLNER: I understand we are buying a pig and a poke here. You have no idea what land might be included or handed over to the LDC. You have no idea what the dividends may be in the future because you do not know what land is going in there in the first place. Can you tell me what the profit margins of the newly constituted LDC will be?
Ms LAWRIE: As I clearly said in an earlier contribution to committee stage debate, there is a variety of modelling occurring across government agencies working with the LDC about which particular model they will adopt in residential and community associated works turn-off undertaken by LDC. That information is not yet available.
Dr BURNS: Also, Madam Chair, I would like to correct something the member for Fong Lim said. He said we have no land, and no idea where it is. I have already identified Bellamack C as the first stage. I do not think, in all honesty, you can say that. We are saying, yes, if you want to talk about profit margins and returns to government, that is fair enough. That has to be part of the process and, as we move forward, those things will become evident as the work the Treasurer talked about proceeds. However, our bottom line is affordable housing, not the return to government, or the dividends; it is making available affordable housing to Territorians. That is our first focus; profit or return comes later. Government is investing in affordable housing; we are setting up the legislation to do it, that is our focus.
Mr TOLLNER: I can only take your word on that, minister. Backtracking again, I apologise, but you did say portion C of Bellamack would be in the LDC. Can you tell me what you estimate will be the return to government from portion C of Bellamack?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, the Treasurer herself - because Treasury is involved in all this - has said there is much work and modelling going on in the process. Also, we have to determine, when this land is transferred, say, from DPI to the Land Development Corporation, exactly at what cost that will be. I have already indicated you just cannot turn-off land for $1. There are costs of surveying, and for other elements and, to a large degree, that has been settled. What I also foreshadowed government will be making announcements about this in the next few weeks. That will become evident when government is set to make those announcements.
This is the enabling legislation which enables the Land Development Corporation and the other agencies to get seriously on with the job, as soon as they can, of turning out this affordable housing.
Mr TOLLNER: Now we are getting to the nub of it. Given the fact that the modelling is not done, and we have no idea of the economics of this project as to whether it will be profitable or not - because, as you say, your goal is affordable housing, it is not necessarily return to government - why is it you think more can be achieved by this model of having a corporatised land release strategy, than by your own government doing it itself?
Ms LAWRIE: There are a couple of reasons for that. The Land Development Corporation has a proven track record in turning off industrial land in the Darwin Business Park. The second reason is we have created, under this legislation, the enablers they would need to operate, as we have seen authorities operate for government in other jurisdictions. Two provens are in that. The first proven is the Land Development Corporation’s ability to manage the turn-off of industrial land. The second proven is that we have modelled this the same way we have seen successful government owned corporations turning off residential land at good price points for the affordable marketplace in other jurisdictions. Two provens - we will back those provens.
Mr TOLLNER: I do not know whether they are proven. Obviously, looking at the books of the LDC and the fact that the minister says that you have picked up $200m worth of developments, this thing has been operating since 2003. There is a big question mark as to whether land could have been developed quicker if it was simply put out to ballot with a whole bunch of caveats put on blocks of land, and regulations put in place, as opposed to government trying to get a return on land.
The fact is that our port area is underdeveloped; there are a whole heap of things missing from the port area. It is a relevant question as to whether things could have been done better in the past as far as developing the industrial centre at the port. Apart from ‘Oh well, they do this interstate’, it seems to be that there is no answer as to whether or not you know anything about this new model. Why can you not simply allow this to go out to existing developers, with a whole heap of caveats put in place, rather than going through another party who, I understand, will not be directly employing the range of people required to develop the land? If they are, then there is even further competition with private enterprise.
Dr BURNS: As the Treasurer and I have said, we are looking at a number of flexible options in the model. The model is proven interstate. The ACT, from where we have substantially modelled this legislation and the operation of the Land Development Corporation, makes a substantial profit each year, and that is returned to government.
Let me emphasise once again, member for Fong Lim, that, although the potential profit is there, this government is not interested in the profit, per se. Our focus is on turning out affordable housing. That is the focus, and that is the path we are going down, because there is a need in the community for it. Basically, the community, I believe, has expressed to us, very clearly - people have expressed to me - that they want to get into the housing market. That is what this government is doing. We can go around in circles in parliament, but government is intent on doing that, and we will do that.
Ms LAWRIE: Just adding to that, as Planning minister, they are not mutually exclusive. You can have an environment where the Land Development Corporation is dealing with a particular niche in the marketplace, which is affordable housing. Similarly, at the same time, we have, for example, Urban Pacific and Brierty doing a subdivision that has components of affordable housing in it. We also have the new suburb of Johnston which will have components of affordable housing in it, as with Zuccoli following Johnston, and Mitchell following Zuccoli. Also, at the same time, the Defence Housing Authority will be turning off land at Muirhead with components of affordable housing in it.
We are not standing here and saying that only the Land Development Corporation operating at Bellamack Area C will be in this space. They will be one component in this space, but there is already another player in this space; that is, Urban Pacific and Brierty, with conditions attached to the development agreement at Bellamack Areas A and B. So, it is not just one; it is not just the LDC. There will be other private developers in the marketplace working on government released land in Bellamack, Johnston, Zuccoli, and on DHA land in Muirhead, all operating in this marketplace.
Mr TOLLNER: I will only ask this one more question; I will give some of my colleagues an opportunity to buy in. I am not saying you are off the hook completely.
You mentioned these similar organisations interstate, and you particularly alluded to the ACT. In the ACT, clearly, it is a revenue-raising measure. In your second reading speech, you mentioned that they raised over $390m last year. That must look pretty juicy to a government whose current LDC raised only $9m last year, and a government that is stretched to the maximum with financial requirements. To suggest that we would model our system on the ACT system, where they clearly do not have the same level of need for affordable housing that we have in the Northern Territory - the demographics are completely different in Canberra than they are here in the Northern Territory, even you would have to admit that. There, you are dealing with a small area with a reasonably large population, and a high, steady, and stable income level, which is somewhat different to the circumstances here.
Dr BURNS: I thank the member for Fong Lim for what he said. The Treasurer has made it quite clear that this government is looking at a number of models, or a number of ways, in which affordable housing can be delivered. One of these is speculation with major developers undertaking developments in various parts of Palmerston to have a certain percentage of their lots as affordable housing. Another way is through the Land Development Corporation. I have said before that our focus is not on making money for the Northern Territory government or consolidated revenue. Our focus is turning out affordable housing. I have mentioned that the community wants this.
This is the path we are going down. The situation in Canberra is probably quite different, as you have said, and it is quite different, obviously, in that their equivalent of the Land Development Corporation is really a major player. What we are saying here is that we are going to start off in a fairly modest fashion to begin with, to test the model, to test the process and, then, we will review how that Land Development Corporation might expand further into this market. We are taking a flexible approach.
We recognise that private enterprise is a major player within land release and development in the Northern Territory, but we are balancing that by saying we want to have a platform by which government can support people in the Northern Territory to get into affordable housing.
Mr GILES: I have a few questions, minister. First, is this change all about affordable housing, or does it also include residential housing?
Ms LAWRIE: The change is absolutely driven by the government’s Affordable Housing Policy, without a doubt, and affordable housing is also, by its nature, residential.
Mr GILES: So there will be no normal market housing aside from affordable housing in this model?
Ms LAWRIE: We are pitching the work of the LDC in its focus to deliver affordable housing.
Mr GILES: Will you rule out that normal residential land or housing will not be available under this new process?
Ms LAWRIE: I guess it does. The description of ‘normal’ - a unit is normal but the price point determines whether or not it is affordable. A house is normal, but the price point determines whether or not it is affordable. The work that the LDC will be doing in Bellamack Area C will be to deliver residential at affordable prices.
Mr GILES: We have just identified that Bellamack C will only be affordable housing - I am pretty sure I got that right. In any other works other than at Bellamack C in the future, will the LDC be confined to only affordable housing or to other housing that is not affordable housing, or what might be described in this example as not affordable?
Ms LAWRIE: The legislation does not define that it must only deal with affordable housing. The legislation provides for capacity to deliver residential. That being said, it is clearly the government’s stated policy intent that the reason for establishing this enabling legislation is for the Land Development Corporation to be able to deliver residential at an affordable price point.
Dr BURNS: I can add to that. Obviously, the legitimate questions asked by both the members for Nelson and Fong Lim about problems with the Land Development Corporation competing with major enterprises and business, is something that government is saying: ‘Well, we do not want to do that. What we are interested in is affordable housing’. As the Minister for Planning and Lands said, it is government policy that we are directing the Land Development Corporation and the board to focus on affordable housing. That is why we are here. That is why the legislation is here and that is the focus of government.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, this one skipped my mind. In relation to the bill, there is no mention of affordable housing in the bill, and there is no definition of what affordable housing is. Can you tell me what affordable housing is? Affordable housing will, obviously, mean different things to different people. Bill Gates might see half of the Northern Territory as affordable. Most of the Northern Territory is affordable; whereas some of the people living around my place would see large chunks of the Northern Territory as being unaffordable. Can you define what the government means when they talk about affordable accommodation?
Dr BURNS: I already outlined that the parameters around eligibility are those for Homestart NT. That is very clear; it is pitching at a particular income segment within our community. I am looking for my other notes here which I used in my wrap-up. I said the general rule in Australia for affordable homes is that less than 30% to 35% of the median household income is expended on housing costs.
There is a rule that exists elsewhere. It moves regarding income, and those are the parameters government is putting around that. Do you want me to say a particular figure? No, I am not going to say a particular figure, because it depends so much on people’s income and the parameters around Homestart NT. I am not sure whether the Treasurer has anything to add to that.
Mr WOOD: Minister, I should probably be very happy today because you picked up on a policy I have been hammering here for about the last eight years; that is, the government needs to get involved and produce housing lots that allow young people to move into a market they otherwise cannot get into.
The debate we have is centred around the best way to do that. We have had this debate before. The opposition, at one stage, in putting forward a policy regarding affordable housing, mentioned it was going to form a commission of some sort such as a housing commission, to look at this, as well. What I see here is, to some extent, the government doing the same thing, but doing it through LandCorp.
I take up a little of what the member for Fong Lim said; it is as I thought. I still believe the land could only be worth $1 if you wanted. If you sold it to a developer at that price, and that land was to be used under the guidelines that you outlined - only to be bought by those people eligible for Homestart - the developer would cover the cost of the infrastructure plus a profit. Then, whoever builds the house, which may have some guidelines imposed by the government - and we are talking about the different kinds of housing - that could also happen. In other words, you could cut out this - I suppose what the CLP had a thought of as a housing commission - a layer of infrastructure. You are having a Land Development Corporation; you could cut that out. If you sold a certain number of blocks to the market for, basically, nothing, and allowed them to develop it using your guidelines and covenants on, you could probably achieve the same thing. Do you think that is a reasonable option to what you are trying to do?
Ms LAWRIE: Obviously, by having the capacity with the LDC - in that scenario where you have cheap priced land to a developer with conditions and the price points for affordability - yes, that can be done. To an extent, we did that with Urban and Pacific Brierty in Bellamack A and B by putting conditions and a requirement of what those price points will be around the 15% affordable and social housing.
So, yes, we have done that. However, also, by picking up the LDC model – because, ultimately, the developer makes a profit - the profits made are then turned into providing further housing stock. You could do both. We will be doing both; we will be working with developers for land turn-off, and there will be conditions attached and they will make their profits. That will still happen; LDC will not be the only player in the marketplace. In fact, they are going to be a very minor player in the overall scheme of things because they will be focusing on Bellamack Area C. We will be testing them on what they do there.
However, obviously, if there is a profit, that then provides more revenue to government to then provide more housing. I believe that is the critical difference.
Mr WOOD: Minister, I see some practical difficulties in the way it is happening. I am not against what you are doing; I am very much in support of what you are trying to do. However, the reality is you are talking about 15% of Bellamack as an example of affordable housing. I do not know how you are going to work out, when this application comes forward for a large block of land, that a chunk of it will be separate from the overall development. It will be designed by the LCD and, somehow, has to fit into this bigger suburb. I do not know how you are going to do that, unless you do an entire suburb.
I do not see practical implications of trying to develop an affordable group of houses. I have seen the plans for Johnston. How are you going to cut out a piece of that suburb, under the guidelines you are talking about, without conflicting with the development?
Dr BURNS: I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Essentially, it is a planning question and I will defer to my colleague.
Ms LAWRIE: That is the importance of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure working with the LDC, and also working with those other key agencies such as Department of Chief Minister and Treasury. We are making sure we do get the seamless design principles flowing from areas A and B into area C. Our DPI planning people are making sure the planning components of the work done in C is a seamless planning design to fit with A and B. You are right, you cannot have C disconnected, in a planning sense, to A and B; so that is why it is critical the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is working with the LDC.
Mr WOOD: Will the government be selling land to a person who fits within the guidelines to allow them to build their house of choice?
Ms LAWRIE: All those options are available. Sale of land is available; owner construction and sale of construction is available. So, none are excluded as an option. It will depend on what is occurring at the time. Also, joint ventures are another option. That is the work that will be done with LDC, DCM, DPI and Treasury, and a range of options and models will come forward to government. Initially, we are probably looking at construction as well, but going to the marketplace with that construction, so we are doing the design and planning work to get a faster turn-off in the initial instance.
Dr BURNS: Sorry, member for Nelson, to emphasise and carry on from the points made by my colleague, I emphasis that we will ensure the design of the houses are a tropical, adequate and compatible design. There will be an array of designs, but not an infinite array. However, there will be choices for people. These will lay with the LDC. Regarding the layout of the suburb and how that works, will be principally with the LDC, but the LDC working very closely with Planning and Infrastructure, as you say, to integrate into larger areas that might also be developed. It is very important that there is a quality-control process, if you like, in the design and layout of these suburbs. That is another important role of the Land Development Corporation.
Mr WOOD: I must admit I have a difficulty even with the covenants put on some of the subdivisions in Palmerston. If I buy a block of land, as long as it fits within the building guidelines, I should be able to build a house of my choice - even if it is a silly house that does not comply with any of your requirements, but it is a reasonable house built according to code. To some extent, you are taking that freedom away from people. If you go to the suburbs you sometimes get row after row of exactly the same house. They might orientate them in different directions, but they are the same house.
I thought that one opportunity here may be to allow people with covenants - and I am going to ask about covenants as well because this is land for people who normally could not get into the market. I believe that they should be able to build their own house if that is possible - of a design, of course, that still has to come up to code. However, they would not be able to sell that house for so many years, so you would not have speculators. Or, if there was a divorce or a death in the family, there would be a mechanism to sell that back to the government if it was within a certain period of time. I am interested to know if there will be a series of covenants on these blocks to ensure that speculation and profit-making does not occur.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes there will, Gerry, absolutely.
Mr TOLLNER: Going back to a question that the members for Braitling and Nelson alluded to in relation to these affordable lands or housing. Under your definition, minister, they have to be eligible for the Homestart scheme; be low-income earners and the like. The understanding I have from the Planning minister - I might well be wrong; please correct me if I am - is that all of the LDC’s land will be there for affordable housing under your guidelines, but they will not be entering into - for want of a better term - non-affordable houses that do not meet that eligibility requirement. If that is the case, are we not creating subdivisions of what will, essentially, be large enclaves of low-income earners? I do not need to go into that.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, I understand your question. What I have said in relation to the question from the member for Braitling holds true. This is enabling legislation to provide for the LDC to go into the residential marketplace, not just for industrial land. That being said …
Mr Tollner: Affordable residential …
Ms LAWRIE: Residential. I said residential. Okay? I was very clear in my answer to the member for Braitling about that.
Mr TOLLNER: Sorry, is that affordable residential or just residential?
Ms LAWRIE: I will repeat it. Residential. Okay? The remit here is that they an go into the delivery of residential.
What I also said is that it is the government’s clear policy intent that the LDC embark on delivering affordable housing into the residential marketplace. We have one project that they will commence with in Bellamack Area C.
Mr GILES: Aside from Bellamack C - and I know that you have identified that as the first one - I want to have an understanding about whether any other areas have been conceptually discussed or otherwise and, in particular, outside of the Darwin and Palmerston region. I would like to know whether or not this model is being considered for Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs?
Ms LAWRIE: The model, obviously, could be applied anywhere in the Territory, without a doubt. What we are doing, though, is starting with a project in Palmerston.
Mr GILES: Has the AZRI site in Alice Springs been discussed as potentially being able to have the LDC come in there?
Ms LAWRIE: I will answer, because the AZRI is a current planning issue. There will be an opportunity in the planning done around AZRI to incorporate affordable housing into it. There will be a range of suggestions coming out of the planning committee that I have established in Alice Springs about that. I am sure that one of the considerations they will look at is whether or not there would be a component of AZRI that would be LDC delivering affordable housing in there. That is not a discussion that has commenced. Obviously, if this legislation passes and LDC is established, it is another element to the considerations around AZRI that that planning committee in Alice Springs will take into consideration.
Mr GILES: Just so I am clear. You do not see it being a problem for LDC potentially getting involved in the AZRI site? My second question is: do you see the LDC having opportunity – I am sorry about being Alice Springs focused - of getting involved in what you might understand as being south Sadadeen, or Larapinta, or Mt John?
Dr BURNS: Well, as I said before, member for Braitling, the intent of this government is to support Territorians to get into affordable housing, whether they live in Darwin, Palmerston or Alice Springs. We will try to work flexibly towards that goal. As the Treasurer said, basically, there are a number of different models and, depending on different circumstances, we will adopt those models. That is why I am so very glad we have such a competent Board of the Land Development Corporation, and also John Coleman, who heads it up. In our overall policy intent that I can talk about, that is our overall policy intent. We are making a start in Bellamack C. However, it will be our wish and desire - and I think the wish and desire of people of the Northern Territory’s - that this be expanded to other regions. Specifically about those areas of Alice Springs, I will defer to my colleague.
Ms LAWRIE: The same answer goes as the previous answer. Any opportunity in and around affordable housing in Alice Springs in a planning sense, and what role LDC could play in delivering that product, would be, in the first instance, considered by the planning committee that I have established in Alice Springs, with advice coming from both the LDC and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. That has not yet occurred because we had to, obviously, create the remit for the LDC first through this legislation going through parliament. Passage of this today then, obviously, gives opportunity for discussions at that Alice Springs level about the component. I would exclude from that picture Mt John Valley. Mt John Valley is being developed by the Lhere Artepe.
I have had very forthright discussions with Lhere Artepe around the need for affordable housing within what I know is prime real estate land. I am confident that they have picked up the strong suggestion that there has to be some affordable components to that. However, it will not be LDC.
Mr GILES: It runs on to my next question. Do you see any issues with LDC operating with native title land, as we might call it?
Ms LAWRIE: Depending on the nature of the area, because what we do with native title, in the first instance, is strike an ILUA, an Indigenous Land Use Agreement. So, if there is a component of the ILUA negotiator that says X proportion could be developed by the Land Development Corporation on behalf of the government to provide affordable housing, that could be part of an ILUA negotiation. Obviously, we have nothing to date because we have not had a LDC to date.
Mr GILES: No, I appreciate that. We have not got into the specific legislation yet, but these are contextual issues. Do you foresee that the LDC can, potentially, play a role in Indigenous communities where the 99-year lease and five-year leasing has been undertaken for the development of those towns, both in terms of the roll-out of the SIHIP program, as well as the roll-out of the infrastructure in those communities?
Ms LAWRIE: Clearly, the government’s policy intent there and our commitment is for Territory Housing to perform those functions.
Mr GILES: Do you see a role for the LDC in what might be classified loosely as the reconstruction of the town camps in Alice Springs; if Tangentyere sign off or the compulsory acquisition goes ahead?
Ms LAWRIE: We are on the public record as saying that would be work undertaken by government with Territory Housing. The other component of government involved in that would be the Department of Planning and Infrastructure in the civil work requirements, and Power and Water Corporation in the essential services. Territory Housing, DPI, Power and Water are three of the key agencies that would be involved in the town camp construction and refurbishment.
Mr GILES: Do you completely rule out LDC in town camps?
Ms LAWRIE: Yes. They will be busy getting their first affordable housing model up and out of the ground.
Mr WOOD: Minister, I am trying to work out how it operates. Bellamack is a total suburb being sold, with 15% for affordable housing that the Land Development Corporation is going to look after ...
Ms Lawrie: No.
Mr WOOD: It is not 15% of the land the developer owns, so there has been land taken out? That was what was concerning me. I did not know how you were going to get affordable housing if the present developer has already taken a chunk of the profit, or it has cost him quite a bit of money to buy that land. That is okay. How you would work that seemed to be a bit of an anomaly.
In relation to your second reading, you talked about housing projects in urban land, but there is nothing in the bill itself that says it cannot be rural land …
Ms Lawrie: That is right.
Mr WOOD: Would you announce in the next couple of weeks that LandCorp might be interested in opening up, for first homeowners, up to 500 one-hectare to two-hectare blocks on Crown land in the rural area?
Dr BURNS: I have to say this stage, member for Nelson, that is not the plan. It is important that we take our first steps and, basically, appeal to what we believe is a significant portion of the market that is not being served at present. Given the nature of the legislation, as the Treasurer foreshadowed, both location and format will change with time. The first thing is to prove what we have.
The Treasurer has mentioned that the Land Development Corporation has already proved itself in the development, turn-off and sale of industrial land. Now, government is setting it a task and giving it the legislative base to go into the affordable housing side of things. It is very much establish it first and, then, flexibly look at what we can do and what the demand is, because, really, it all comes down to the fact that a lot of Territorians want to get into the housing market. This is a mechanism by which government believes, as a first step, they can do that.
Mr WOOD: The basis of the question, even though I gave the forestry land a plug, was that you can operate in rural areas, not just in urban? The act does not stop you from operating in a rural development if needed?
Dr BURNS: I have taken what you have said on board, member for Nelson, and I give you the undertaking that the next time I meet with the Board of the LDC, I will pass on your wish. I will relay their response to you. It is something you have raised today. I have already outlined the first steps, but it could well be something that happens at a future time. I am not ruling it out, but we have to take that first step in the area that has been identified.
Mr WOOD: Thanks, minister. I can give you the names of about eight developers who will come knocking on your or John Coleman’s door. There is an opportunity for rural young people to have a chance to buy land in the region for a price and get a start.
I have covered all the questions. I make the comment that I agree in principle with what the government is doing. It is something I have been yelling out for, for ages. I believe the issue we have pf who should run it, member for Fong Lim, is correct. Should it be private industry? Should it be government? That is a reasonable debate. I am willing to say I will support this legislation. Let us have a look at it as it goes.
You say you are going to be flexible with it, if someone else coming along and says: ‘I can do that for you’ - bearing in mind the important philosophy of government, which has said it really does not want to make a profit out of it. They have to make some profit; you have to keep the board and the LCD people paid. I imagine there would be some margin, but that margin should be kept at a low rate. If someone comes in from the private market, they do so with that low rate of profit, as part of the arrangement. I believe the idea of being flexible to alternatives - that is, the private market getting involved - is good as long as the basic principle is affordable housing, and there will be a capped profit on the development.
Mr GILES: Minister, my question is probably more to the minister for Planning. If we are going to use the model of Homestart parameters for affordable housing, what would be the situation if the value of the land was actually lower than the eligibility criteria for Homestart? Does that make sense?
Ms LAWRIE: It does. A simple way of defining affordable housing is saying we have a Homestart NT scheme that does pitch to lower-income earners and ensures repayments on loans are no more than 30% of gross household weekly income. Affordable housing considers a range of things. It considers the appropriateness of the dwellings, so the dwellings should be appropriate to the needs and circumstances of the household, in the number, size and configuration of rooms, safety considerations, versatility of indoor/outdoor spaces, ease of physical access, etcetera. Then you look at a housing and social mix. You look at a range of housing types, tenures and styles to be available to meet the needs of people, but also in the life cycles in the needs of people.
Planning of affordable housing should seek to avoid any impacts on a housing market that excludes all but the relatively high-income earners. So, we need to avoid the development of neighbourhoods which do not contribute to community wellbeing, which was a point the member for Fong Lim was getting at. You have to look at tenure choice and also some consumer protections. There could be long lease contracts, shared equity arrangements, cooperative ownership structures, as well as opportunities for home purchase, but also private rental. It is not just one scenario – there is a range of scenarios.
Usually, with affordable housing you also look at the location, so that it has access to services and facilities, particularly transport because it tends to be lower-income earners there. One of the things good, affordable housing does is also look at the planning and design to ensure it is responsible to the local and environmental conditions, so the housing actually enhances and does not bring down the neighbourhood. That is what contemporary, affordable housing design principles are starting to achieve around Australia, and there are some good examples around of that. It is quality, which is what the minister for Business said as well.
You pitch it to low-income households, so it is the bottom 40% of households regarding income distribution. They should not be spending more than 30% of the gross household weekly income on either the mortgage or the rental repayments. All of those things go together to make an affordable housing model. They all interact with each other to make the affordable housing model.
As I said, we are not going to be restrictive. The remit of the Land Development Corporation could include, for example, just a turn-off of land, as the members for Fong Lim and Nelson pointed out. It could include the turn-off of units for purchase or rental, houses for purchase or rental, and a new design where you design a small house and provide the purchaser with the plans for the extension so that, as their wealth grows, they can actually build on to the house. All of those fit within the remit of what will be available to be done by the LDC.
Mr GILES: How would you set the market? How would the LDC set the market if the cost of the land, for example, was much lower than 30% of the average household income? If you could turn-off a block for $50 000 and the market was valued at $300 000, how does the LDC set the market for the stuff in this model?
Ms LAWRIE: A range of things are done in modelling. They work very closely with my Treasury department and the Department of the Chief Minister on that modelling. You look at what the marketplace around is yielding, so that what you are not doing is skewing the existing marketplace, because that would be a very bad result. What you do is look at what the modelling of the marketplace around you is doing and set your price points based on what you know the marketplace price points are. Obviously, affordable means they are lower. If, in Palmerston today, land is selling at $240 000, affordable land would be around about 75% of that price point.
Mr GILES: I remember you saying earlier that the LDC is not about making money; it is not designed to be profitable. However, based on your government’s modelling of the average cost per headworks at the AZRI Alice Springs Airport site, you have identified that that is a cost of $12 000 per block. Potentially - I am not a real estate agent anymore - that could sell for $150 000 on the open market and, 75% of that - I have not done the sums yet – is around $120 000 or thereabouts. It is costing $12 000 to get the block turned off, an affordable level could be $120 000, say. It could be more affordable is you sold it for $12 000. Potentially, if you sold it for the affordable market - the 75% range you just spoke about - you are really making $108 000 based on that equation. When the LDC is not designed to make money, how does that fit?
Ms LAWRIE: It is a hypothetical that I am not going to go into other than to say we have stated clearly the LDC currently makes a profit in the industrial land turn-off it is doing at the Darwin Business Park. We do not doubt that there will be profit opportunities for the LDC in the residential market that they are going to enter into. As I said to the member for Nelson, one of the benefits the government sees from having the LDC in this space is so that we can genuinely turn-off affordable housing which is what, as a policy initiative, we want to do. That is what is driving this initiative.
That being said, if there are profits made in that process – that is still an ‘if’; work is still being done on modelling the various options - as I said to the member for Nelson, that revenue does not go off for a private developer. That revenue goes to government and gives government the opportunity to construct more housing and to turn-off more land. Clearly, that is making a lot of sense in what we need to do, which is meet community need for more land and housing availability, and housing design and options in a range that meet the low- to middle-income earners who find it hardest to enter into the marketplace. It also is not discounting the rental opportunities that will arise out of that as well.
Mr GILES: I am supportive of the concept of affordable housing but, based on my estimation - and this is where I am not sure how it is going to work - I can find flaws in it. There is an estimated 2500 residential blocks at the AZRI Alice Springs Airport site. Headworks per lot $12 000 – this is your modelling - sewerage infrastructure $5000; water supply $22 000; power $1500; roadworks $2600, and so forth …
Ms LAWRIE: 2007 figures.
Mr GILES: Well, these are the figures you have given for the people of Alice Springs.
Ms LAWRIE: In 2007, Opus Qantec McWilliam did that.
Mr GILES: I am happy to go with those. This is not hypothetical, these are the figures you presented to the people of Alice Springs that you have been talking about.
If residential blocks went off at AZRI for $150 000, which is not unreasonable, and you sold them at 75% of that, which is $120 000, that means you are making $108 000 profit per block. Okay? Of the 2500, if 15% of those are going to be for affordable housing, let alone the ones that you are not selling for affordable housing, you would make a profit of $40.5m on those 375 blocks ...
Ms LAWRIE: I am happy to respond to that.
Mr GILES: I have not asked a question.
Ms LAWRIE: I cannot imagine a situation where the government would use the LDC to turn-off AZRI. AZRI is going to be the largest residential release in Alice Springs. The yield at AZRI is enormous. There is no way I can imagine that a Labor government - I cannot speak for others - would have the LDC as the developer for AZRI.
What I will not rule out is there is a component of the AZRI subdivision, in any stages of the subdivision - a component - that targets affordable housing that LDC could be involved in. Do not misread the situation here. AZRI is significant in its size and its yield. AZRI would clearly go to the private marketplace. There would be a range of options as to how that would happen, and the Alice Springs Planning Committee, I do not doubt, would be considering that range of options and providing advice to me.
Some of the options are a similar expression of interest process that we did for Bellamack. Another option would be to carve it up and go out into direct auction, with conditions attached. One of the options could be that we do the design and planning beforehand, and it goes to auction based on that you meet those designs and plans as a private developer, with conditions around the 15% in there. Those options are reliably far more alive for AZRI than some bizarre thought that the government would give AZRI to LDC to develop.
No, that is not government’s intention at all; I can rule that out. What I will not rule out is a component, potentially, of AZRI, a small component of it …
Mr GILES: How big?
Ms LAWRIE: Small.
A member: How big?
Ms LAWRIE: … a small component of it being used by the government to deliver affordable housing through the LDC.
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Distinguished Visitor
Madam CHAIR: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Mr Jack Ah Kit, former member for Arnhem. I am sure you join me in extending a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Madam Chair, for the Treasurer - I could look it up but I do not have it off the top of my head - the Buildstart allowance.
Ms LAWRIE: $14 000.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: $14 000, and that cuts off when?
Ms LAWRIE: December.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: December. Are there any plans by the government to extend Buildstart?
Ms LAWRIE: We have just extended it.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Thank you. Past the end of December is what I mean.
Ms LAWRIE: No, if you are in touch with the construction industry, they would give you this advice: you do not announce a program designed to bring forward housing construction to be extended as soon as you have announced it is extended, because you will kill the opportunities to bring forward construction. If you ask builders, the TCI, the HIA, they will all give you that advice. They will say: ‘Do not say you are going to extend a program beyond X date, when that program is absolutely designed to bring forward construction’, which is what Buildstart is.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Thank you. I am not trying to have a go at you, minister, just seeking some information.
At the moment, the situation exists where potentially new - and we are talking about housing affordability here - homebuyers can be done out of the Buildstart allowance, where purchaser A - and the reason I am raising this is because a constituent has raised it as an issue with me ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Chair! All of the questions to date have been around the LDC legislation we have before us, because we were in committee stage of that. We have explained housing affordability, what that is, etcetera. The questions the member for Katherine is asking are not pertinent to the legislation. So, you are out of order.
Dr BURNS: We have had a far-ranging exchange here. I say to the member for Katherine that there will be ample opportunities within estimates next week to ask questions about other areas. It is not that we are trying to avoid the questions, but we have had wide-ranging discussion here. It has been about the LDC. I agree with the Treasurer; your questions are in a different area altogether.
Madam CHAIR: Thank you, minister. Member for Katherine, I ask you to keep your questions as close as possible to the subject of the debate which is, specifically, around the LDC.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Yes, I have been listening to a fair bit of debate at the committee stage this afternoon, and there has been a lot of latitude given to debate. It certainly was broad, and much broader ranging than just the LDC. Anyway, no problem.
Madam CHAIR: There is a lot of latitude associated with the LDC, member for Katherine, so I am conscious of that latitude.
Mr WOOD: This is part of the question in relation to the role of the LDC in developing affordable housing. Will the LDC be talking to banks in relation to their response to people looking for a loan? It has been put to me that one of the problems we might have is that sometimes banks try to ask people to take up a maximum loan. They will encourage people to take the biggest loan possible to have a loan for the biggest house. Is the government or the LDC willing to talk with the banks about what they are doing so people are not put into debt unnecessarily? In fact, are we encouraging people to take a smaller mortgage, to fit in with the LDC’s philosophy?
Dr BURNS: I have outlined - and the Treasurer has also alluded to this – that we have general definition of affordable housing. I have lost the bit of paper but, as a general rule in Australia, affordable homes is somewhere between 30% or 35% of the medium household income expended on housing cost. To some degree, that limits the parameters around this. Of course, Homestart NT further limits it.
As a government, we do not want to see people get over their head. We do not want to see people have their mortgages foreclosed. We want to see banks act responsibly. However, we are getting more into the Treasury here, and I defer to my colleague.
Ms LAWRIE: In terms of access to this stock, because it is affordable housing stock, it could be a combination of ownership and rental, for example. There will be criteria established for eligibility. That criterion will need to look at those questions in terms of gross household income, and ability to meet rental and also mortgage payments. We will be talking to the banks per se directly. The LDC will not. Do I particularly, as Treasurer, talk to banks around this issue? Yes, and I will continue to do so. Treasury does pay an important role in advice to government in this respect.
I have stated repeatedly, as Treasurer, that I do not think it is the role of government to assist people to get in way over their heads that causes disastrous consequences. Nor do I believe it is the role of government to actively interfere in the financial marketplace. What we have done, as a government, is set up Homestart NT around fair and reasonable criteria applying fair and reasonable test. We carry that burden through our relationship, through Housing and TIO. That is where we are operating in the marketplace. That is where we will continue to operate in the marketplace. We will not be looking to affect the normal financial marketplace beyond Homestart NT and TIO.
However, we have seen very few failures under the previous HomeNorth - tiny numbers compared to the thousands who have succeeded. What we have also seen with the previous HomeNorth, and now Homestart, is people enter into the loan scenario through HomeNorth, now Homestart, to improve their family wealth because their assets are improving and, then, gear out of that particular loan scenario into a more competitive loan scenario with another financial institution. That flow-through is a good thing to happen in the marketplace.
Mr WOOD: I am not asking government to interfere directly in the financial market. I am asking if LDC is talking to builders about smaller houses and looking at different ways of developing residential land so it is affordable. I hope that government also talks to financial institutions to tell them what is going on, so they can come along as partners, realising what we are trying to do is for the benefit of young people especially. I was not asking for interference, but to at least notify the banks and financial institutions to encourage them to support what you are putting forward.
Ms LAWRIE: Rest assured, they have never missed an opportunity yet.
Mr GILES: The Planning minister spoke about potential in the AZRI site for LDC to get involved in a very small portion. I want to get some gauge. Is a small portion 20%?
Ms LAWRIE: Absolute hypothetical. What I did say to the member for Braitling is that there is no current consideration before government for LDC to be involved in the AZRI site. What I have also said is that it is not being ruled out in the future as a consideration. However, we do not have the LDC established in the residential remit yet - that is what this legislation is about. We have, as a government, decided we will do one project. We will test all the work of LDC in the marketplace in one new project. Depending on how that turns out, of course, they are not confined to operating just in that one project and just in Palmerston in the future. That does not rule out Alice Springs in the future.
However, be clear: there is no proposal or suggestion before government. I have not put the suggestion before the planning committee in Alice Springs about LDC being involved in AZRI.
Mr GILES: Just to be clear, there have been no government employees in Alice Springs talking about potential role of LDC in Alice Springs?
Dr BURNS: I will take that question. Mr Coleman has been in Alice Springs talking generally with industry sectors. I understand - and I have been advised by him - there have been no specific detailed discussions about the LDS taking on any particular project. It is good that Mr Coleman is taking an interest in Alice Springs. I can only reiterate to the member for Braitling what the Treasurer said: there has been no decision by government. Our focus is on this initial step in Bellamack C and it will be, as you will see, very much a first step.
It is not developed from here down to Adelaide River; it is a modest first step. It is all about, as the Treasurer said, testing the LDC in that first step in its ability and the way in which it conducts a development for affordable housing in Bellamack C. There is a lot of work still to occur. There is a lot of work to occur between the LDC and DPI over a whole range of issues, even though the very elemental level of surveying and turning off the blocks, the headworks and, as the member for Nelson alluded to, the urban design and layout of the whole project.
Then, of course, probably the most important agency in government is Treasury, which will be looking very carefully at the economic model and moving forward on that. There are a number of parts of government, as the Treasurer said. There is the LDC itself, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure at various levels, Treasury, Chief Ministers and, of course, the Department of Business all engaged on this project. It is very much in its infancy. The government is not pretending otherwise. What we are doing here today - I hope we are doing - is providing the legislative framework to allow the LDC to make the start.
I share your enthusiasm for Alice Springs. Let us try to move forward. However, our first step is our first step. I think there is an old Chinese proverb about that, but I am sure you know it as well: the most important step in the journey is the first step.
Mr GILES: Well done. When I go to China, I will remember. That was a very long answer for such a short question. I want a really short answer. Have there been any Territory government employees in Alice Springs talking about the potential of LDC in the Alice Springs area?
Ms Lawrie: He said the answer.
Mr GILES: No, he did not answer me actually. He did talk for a while.
Ms Lawrie: No, he did, straight up. He said John Coleman has been down there.
Dr BURNS: As I have just confirmed with Mr Coleman, as I said previously, there have been some very broad discussions in relation to this, but nothing specific …
Mr GILES: That is a yes. That is all I wanted to know. A yes, and I am happy, member for Johnston.
Dr BURNS: I can only reiterate what I said before: the specific first step is in and around Bellamack Area C.
Mr GILES: Thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Just going back to Bellamack Area C. Can you tell me how many blocks of land in Bellamack Area C will the LDC be taking on?
Dr BURNS: Member for Fong Lim, that is still being determined. As I said, it is very elemental work that needs to occur, and government should be in a position in a number of weeks to make some basic announcements regarding that. The first step - you seem to be standing in the doorway a little here, member for Fong Lim – for us to get out of the doorway is to pass this legislation to allow the LDC to continue those very important discussions with DPI and other agencies to put more details to it and take those first steps.
I have not said this is a major development that is stretching from Palmerston down to Adelaide River; it is a first step within Bellamack Area C. The number of lots is yet to be identified specifically ...
Mr Tollner: Sit down.
Dr BURNS: What is that?
Mr Giles: Sit down, we have it. We will ask the next question.
Dr BURNS: I have been around a long time. I enjoy committee stage. I enjoy the inquiry of estimates, as you will find out next week. I have boundless enthusiasm and stamina, and I will be there with bells on next week, loving every minute of it.
Mr TOLLNER: I have to say, I love your banter as well. You are a great bloke to have a conversation with. At times, we can get a bit carried way in this place. Maybe my question was directed to the wrong person. Maybe I should have talked to the Planning minister.
You are not reluctant to tell us how much you forward plan if there is, in fact, a Bellamack Area A, a Bellamack Area B, and a Bellamack Area C. Surely, at this stage, the Planning minister should be able to give some indication of how many blocks of land will be available in Bellamack Area C? That is a planning issue.
Ms LAWRIE: You will be advised in due course.
Mr TOLLNER: When is the first block expected to be constructed in Bellamack, minister?
Dr BURNS: It has been delayed by about four hours this afternoon.
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Bellamack A is already under construction.
Mr TOLLNER: Yes. And no plans yet for Bellamack C?
Ms LAWRIE: No. A lot of plans for Bellamack Area C; particularly passing this legislation.
Mr TOLLNER: Can you outline the plans that are in place for Bellamack C?
Ms LAWRIE: You will be advised in due course.
Mr TOLLNER: So you have no plans for Bellamack C? Is that correct?
Ms LAWRIE: We would not be passing this legislation if we had no plans, you clown.
Madam CHAIR: Member for Fong Lim, if we can …
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Chair …
Madam CHAIR: Excuse me, member for Fong Lim, I am speaking. We have a bill before us, of which the subject is the LDC. If you could keep your questions to the specifics of that bill, that would be very helpful, thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Chair, we have just sat here all afternoon talking about the only project that we know that the LDC has any information on, which is Bellamack C. I am sure, Madam Chair - you have been in the same room. I am asking questions on Bellamack C. That is quite relevant to this debate, this discussion, that we are having.
What is more, the Treasurer just called me an unparliamentary term, which - I do not know what it is; people sitting there with cotton wool buds in one ear. And I am being asked to be relevant?
Madam CHAIR: Member for Fong Lim, I ask you to ask your question, resume your seat and then we will see if the question is answered.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Chair! I ask the member to withdraw.
Mr TOLLNER: No. We do not want anyone to withdraw.
Ms LAWRIE: No, I withdraw ‘clown’. If you are too sensitive.
Mr TOLLNER: I am not sensitive. I do not give a stuff what you call me. Call me any name under the sun you like; it does not bother me at all.
I want to know what plans have been put in place. Here we are, sitting discussing something about the Land Development Corporation. The only thing that we are told is the Land Development Corporation will be getting Bellamack C. However, now we find from the Planning minister that there are no plans available and nothing that the Planning minister is prepared to discuss about Bellamack C. What sort of charade is this?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I will take this question. I thank the member for his question. Obviously, there has been discussion within government, and plans drawn up around progressing this particular issue. I would have thought the member for Fong Lim would have realised that, in the current environment, if government was in a position to make an announcement, we would have done it yesterday.
However, as I said before, there are details to be firmed up yet; details at a very elemental level - I will repeat myself – around the surveying, the transfer of land, the headworks, the numbers of blocks - the number of blocks have been discussed by government - and the financial model. Obviously, Treasury, the Land Development Corporation, and other entities need to nail down that detail so that government can make its announcement and answer the very questions that you are asking.
To some degree, things are at a stage now where there are commercial and logistic issues; there is a whole range of issues. However, government today is simply saying to this House that this legislation enables government to move forward and empower the public servants and those in the Land Development Corporation to actually say: ‘Okay, there is legislation in place that legally enables us to move into this particular area. We are now in that position and we will come back to government with our final proposals’ - about all the things that I talked about. It is premature of you, at this stage - and it would be premature of us - to be making announcements.
There are plans, but what we need is this legislation in place to actually give the LDC the legal empowerment under statute to move forward and nail down a lot of the detail that you are asking for. I do not think the committee stage of the bill is really appropriate for you to be asking those questions. Nor is it appropriate for me or the minister for Lands to be giving that detail you are talking about.
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, you talk about announcements. The announcement, I recall, was made during your second reading speech regarding Bellamack part C going into the LDC. That seems to be a fait accompli. It was mentioned over and over again that this is the little pilot project you are going to launch this whole wonderful scheme with.
You are now telling me I cannot get an idea from the Planning minister - the person who is supposed to be projecting 10, 20, 100 years into the future - about the number of blocks of land are going to be turned off. For goodness sakes, you have not even told us how big Bellamack part C is. How many acres is it? How many square metres? You cannot say: ‘We might have somewhere between 20 and 25 blocks, or we might have somewhere between 20 or 30 blocks’. Goodness me, how does this government operate? What an absolute joke!
Then, when a person starts asking some of these pertinent questions of this bill that they expected to make a decision on, I am told by the Chair to be relevant. What a joke! What are you trying to pull here? What sort of stunt is this? You come in here, unprepared, you cannot tell us anything. The member for Braitling asked about the development costs, headwork costs and all of that sort of stuff. All we hear is tripe from the Treasurer about: ‘Oh! That was two years ago, things change’.
I know things change in two years, because the cost of Tiger Brennan Drive started at $27m; two years later it was up to $70m. Now, we are up to $110m. When Bellamack does come on, goodness knows how long the piece of string is going to be. An affordable block of land might well be $2m by the time you guys get your finger out and do something. Goodness me, get off the grass, minister. Take a bit of leadership here - and you, too, Planning minister. What sort of Planning minister cannot tell you, roughly, how many blocks there might be in Bellamack part C - something she has been crowing on about for years? What a joke!
Bill agreed to without amendment.
Bill reported; report adopted.
Dr BURNS (Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, this bill started out as something not much more than a passing interest with me, I have to say. I did some quick research. A couple of questions arose in relation to the bill. How would the Land Development Corporation function? What were the government’s plans for the Land Development Corporation? What did government expect the Land Development Corporation to be able to do? What would the expected returns to government be? I only found out, just now in committee stage, that neither the Minister for Business nor the Minister for Planning and Lands could answer any of the most fundamental questions.
We were told the pilot project for the new reconstituted or reformed Land Development Corporation would be Bellamack C, a part of a subdivision or development we had been hearing about for years and years now. The situation is, of course, not one house has been turned off Bellamack. I remember playing a game of golf at some corporate golf day, probably five years ago, with a couple of developers who were saying: ‘We have applications in to do Bellamack and, hopefully, we can get cracking on that pretty quickly’. Well, that was five years ago. Here we are now; we still have not seen anything turned off Bellamack. It seems to be a never-ending dream, a never-ending fantasy of the Minister for Planning and Lands.
When I ask: ‘How many blocks of land are part of Bellamack C?’, I expect an answer for something that has been percolating around for the last five years. But – lo and behold! - no, the Planning minister has no idea; cannot discuss that; it has not been finally drafted; but there is announcement to come. What sort of government is this? What sort of pathetic, useless government is this, that takes years and years to plan for a development, then years and years to get anything happening and, then, years later, when you ask a couple of questions about it - the most mundane, ordinary questions such as how many blocks in Bellamack Part C - you cannot get an answer at all?
Going through this debate on this bill, we have asked questions and answers have been: ‘We have to wait for the modelling to be done, and we have to wait for this to be done, and we have to wait for that to be done’. You cannot get anything that even resembles in an opinion from either minister about how this will pan out.
The only thing we can see with this bill is it is there for the government to make revenue. As much as they bang on about affordable housing, there is very little satisfaction anyone can glean that the LDC is going to be making available affordable houses - certainly under this model. Neither the Planning minister nor the Business minister can give any indication at all as to what the specifics of this plan are going to be - no indication at all. You cannot give estimations of anything; you cannot suggest even remotely how much land is going to be available; how many affordable houses you can put on a particular area; what the terms of reference are going to be even for the LDC. None of that - absolutely none of that.
You hear it everywhere out in the electorate: ‘What we want is affordable houses’. What people are wanting here in the Northern Territory is affordable houses. We have seen the public housing stock take a dive in the last eight years - absolutely take a dive. I cannot think of anywhere where public housing has been built in the last eight years in the Northern Territory. It has been an absolute joke! I would love to get some accurate figures about what the level of public housing was prior to the 2001 election and what it is now.
I will tell you one thing I do know, Madam Speaker. It was not just this Labor government; the rot started a couple of years before 2001. In the Northern Territory, we have slowly been losing public housing for a period of time. While the population has grown in the Northern Territory, the number of pubic housing and units available for Territorians has decreased in real numbers. We know for a fact that, over the last 10 years, the Northern Territory government has received in excess of $1bn through the Commonwealth/state housing agreement to provide public housing - $1bn – and, yet, we have seen a slippage in the number of houses and units available.
Now we have this concocted plan that is all about affordable housing for low-income earners, yet, we have absolutely no detail on it whatsoever. We have no detail on how the plan works because, at the moment: ‘Really, it is just a bit of a trial. We have a block over here in part of Bellamack we are going to use. We cannot actually say anything about it because it is commercially sensitive, or the modelling has not been done, or this has not been done, or the minister has not made announcements’, or anything like that. Yet, they have the audacity to toddle in here and say: ‘We want you to accept this. We want the people of the Northern Territory to accept this because we think it might well be a good plan. We are basing it on a model that comes out of the ACT’.
Sure enough, in the ACT last year, the ACT government made $390m out of their form of our LDC which currently only makes $9m - or made $9m last financial year. Yet, we are being told: ‘No, this is about affordable housing. All it is about is affordable housing; we want to build affordable houses’. Well, the fact is that it is not about affordable houses, is it, minister? It is not about affordable houses at all.
It is about making money and covering up for the incompetencies of the Treasurer, the same person who cannot tell us within a bulls roar of how many blocks there may well be in Bellamack Area C. That is the level of confidence that you are dealing with - a Treasurer who puts out dodgy budgets and dodgy plans for the future. She has the audacity to refer to herself as a Minister for Planning and Lands. What a joke. What an absolute joke to sit here and have to go through this and pry every bit of information out of her. We come here with the best goodwill in the world and, at the end of it, you are called names because they run out of any defence.
You are a government with no ideas, no plans - nothing at all except to try to cover up for your own stuff-ups of years gone by. You have a budget going to the red at a rate of knots and, all of a sudden now, you are going to screw Territorians for more money through the LDC. As I said, you are going to run it the same way as you have run the Power and Water Corporation and a range of other agencies, where they just become cash cows for the government - nothing more than propping up the incompetencies of a failed Treasurer.
It is shameful – it is absolutely shameful, minister. I feel sorry for the fact that you have ended up being the poor fellow who has had to carry this thing in here and wear it because, ultimately, it should have been - as the member for Nelson said right at the outset of his presentation in the second reading debate - an area that either came under Planning and Lands, Housing or somewhere like that. How it has ended up under Business is that it has been caught up in the Darwin Business Park developments. Quite clearly, minister, you are not the person who has had carriage of this. It is something that has been driven by the Minister for Planning and Lands, and you are just embroiled in the incompetencies of your Treasurer.
Minister, this is a shameful way of conducting the parliament. You would think that the Planning minister would be far more prepared, coming in here, to the point where she could at least give an indicative expression of how many blocks there may well be. It is something she has been talking about for years and years.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, in summing up, I have said I support the legislation. I believe it is important that the government sticks to its word; that they do not intend to make this a profit-making process. I will be one who will be scrutinising the cost of any development that the LDC puts forward under the heading, Affordable Housing.
If the member for Fong Lim is right, then I do not support the concept that has been put forward today. I am saying this as if I was the government: if the government believes in producing a land and house package for those people that a Labor Party government should support - that is, the battlers, the low-income workers, the single-income families - then, I would expect government, if it was saying affordable housing, to provide exactly that.
If I find out the prices they are selling these packages to those people they say they are aiming this project at, are inflated above what I think is a small profit and are really going into Treasury to boost up the coffers, then I will be complaining loudly that the government has let down me and the people government should be looking after. Only time will tell.
I hope that when we have Estimates Committee, not this year particularly, but in the following year, figures about the cost of development versus how much these packages are sold off for will be open and transparently available so that we can make that judgment.
In summing up, Madam Speaker, yes, I support the principle of what is being done. Only time will tell whether what has been said in this parliament today will be the case. A number of us here will be watching carefully to ensure the government does keep to what it has promised.
Mr GILES Braitling): Madam Speaker, I reiterate the comments made by the members for Nelson and Fong Lim. I will not be voting against this legislation, but I do share the concerns that this, to me, seems to be more a money-making venture rather than anything like an affordable housing model.
When pushed within the committee stage about potential development in the AZRI site, with headworks estimated by the Northern Territory government to cost in the vicinity of an average of $12 000 per block that is turned off, the minister was not to be able to say that those blocks will be sold to people for $12 000 - not that they would expect that they would be. However, if they are not sold for $12 000 and sold at a level higher to make profit, it clearly shows that the government is not completely intent on affordable housing, otherwise they would be selling them for $12 000. If they were really looking at providing cheaper land packages for people, or land components of a house and land package, they would be looking at selling those cheaper.
The member for Fong Lim was right when he said that this government has come in here without plans. What they have actually done is come in here with a deceitful approach, under an arrogant Chief Minister who does not want to share with parliament exactly what this model is about. If it is about making money, well, just come out and tell us that is what it is about. If it is about affordable housing, well, explain why it is, because I do not think that that was adequately done, both through this legislation and the conversations within the committee stage.
One of the things that I would have liked to have heard - as the example of Bellamack C was explained – is exactly what the number of blocks turned off will be, and when will they start to be turned off. People require affordable housing now. We cannot afford to wait years before that land is available for the people of Palmerston.
I could not understand from the minister how the plan will be put forward so that the people from a similar socioeconomic background who are accepting affordable housing will not be housed in the same area and have appropriate tenure which is right across estates, both in Palmerston and the Northern Territory.
These are some of the things that were not explained, and I suspect they were not explained because the minister did not have the knowledge about those areas. Either that, or the government was being deceitful about one of the two. The member for Fong Lim was right; the minister carriage of this tonight. The minister for Planning answered most of the questions. She seemed to not know what it was all about. She seemed to be very wishy-washy in some of her answers.
Clearly, when you look at what is going on in Alice Springs and the potential for land development there, this is nothing more than a money-making venture. Around 15% of the blocks at the AZRI site will produce $40.5m for the Northern Territory government. That is all it is about; it is not about affordable housing at all. It is about making money for the Northern Territory government. They should have come in here and explained that. They should have also explained how the LDC will work in regional areas - the potential for it to work in Tennant Creek, the Barkly region, Katherine, Gove or communities such as Daly River where there is freehold land; or some of the other Indigenous communities where it is currently under a land trust. This is a model that can work in those areas. They could have sought to achieve economic development in the regions.
However, the minister’s answers to questions and his statements about the LDC did not provide that, unfortunately. I would have liked to have heard that. As I said at the outset, I concur with most of the comments of my colleagues, the members for Fong Lim and Nelson. I will not be voting against the legislation.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
RADIATION PROTECTION AND RADIOGRAPHERS AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 36)
(Serial 36)
Continued from 30 April 2009.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I am not sure whether this is a very simple bill or something that is extremely complex. It is a little bamboozling. We have two acts rolled into one bill – the Radiation Protection Act and the Radiographers Act. Essentially, the Radiation Protection Act was introduced to the Legislative Assembly in February 2004 - we are looking at five years - and passed in March 2004. However, the most startling thing is that it has yet to commence.
The Radiation Protection Act was drafted to replace, from my understanding, the Radiation (Safety Control) Act and the Radiographers Act and was in response to the National Competition Council’s review of that act and the Radiographers Act. That is my understanding of this from what I have been able to read. I read the second reading speech by the minister, and was still unable to pinpoint exactly what the story is. I will be looking forward to listening to the minister’s reply.
The observation by the National Competition Council that the licensing of people to perform radiography procedures by the Radiographer’s Registration Board was uncompetitive and influenced the provision of the 2004 Radiation Protection Act to move registration responsibility from the board to the Chief Health Officer. This is a move that the former Country Liberal’s member for Port Darwin, Sue Carter, was very cautious of, particularly in regard to the implementation of the new provisions.
It appears that, since 2006, radiographers across Australia have been lobbying for the retention of professional recognition for radiographers and other medical professions that utilise radioactive material. It is my understanding this bill addresses that by repealing the provisions in the 2004 Radiation Protection Act which would have repealed clause 6 of the Radiographers Act. There are also changes made to the transitional provisions of the Radiation Protection Act to make them consistent with the continuance of the Radiographers Act.
You can see it is far less than straightforward. I am not sure if it is or not, as there is a lot of jargon and technicality in it. Maybe it is quite simple. Again, I am looking forward to hearing the minister’s response.
The main change to the Radiographers Act is the repeal of section 20, I believe, the permit for specific radiography procedures, and the removal of references in other sections of the act to the provisions of section 20. This will remove the board’s ability to grant permits to non-registered operators for specific procedures. There is no information available; I certainly do not have any information to determine how many operators are currently operating in the Northern Territory under this section. Perhaps the minister can answer that.
The main contentious part of this bill, or the concern identified by a former member for Port Darwin, Sue Carter - I will just read some of her second reading speech in 2004:
- The bill aims to do two things. It aims to improve safety with regards to radiation … is a result of the National Competition Policy …
- The aim is to remove unnecessary barriers which prevent more people gaining qualifications, skills and permissions to take X-rays.
… improving safety for people and the environment, the new legislation covers both ionising and non-ionising radiation, whereas existing legislation only covers ionising radiation.
She went on to say, highlighting her concerns:
- Non-ionising radiation sources include things which require an external power sources, such as X-ray machines, laser lights, welding equipment and solariums.
On the issue of radiographers, this was more of a concern. This area is covered in this bill and, as the previous member for Port Darwin pointed out:
- I understand and support the need to reduce barriers which prevent skilled people from providing this service.
That is, obviously, very important:
- However, this bill will be getting rid of the Radiographers Registration Board in the Northern Territory.
This was her concern:
- … radiography services are provided in the Northern Territory during the time to come … there will be no deterioration in care to patients and services to the public and health professionals because, what this legislation will do when it is assented to is transfer the current powers of the Radiographers Board to the Chief Health Officer. The Chief Health Officer will now have to decide who will be given a licence to take X-rays. He or she will set the standards. He or she will decide on matters pertaining to discipline and sanctions. The minister recommends …
The minister at the time was minister Toyne:
- The minister recommends the establishment of a learned committee to advise the Chief Health Officer, but this is not mandated by legislation; it is an option. We do not know yet who will be on this advisory committee but, in the end, the buck will stop with the Chief Health Officer and, dare I say it, the minister.
They were some of the concerns highlighted by the former shadow Health minister in 2004.
Again, the contentious part was the disbanding of the radiographers board with licensing regulation of people to undertake radiographic procedures to be coordinated by the Chief Health Officer. This appeared to be supported by the board in 2004 but, in 2006, they seemed to change their tune and lobbied for the professional licensing of radiographers to remain an industry body.
I have offered up these questions to the Health Minister, and I hope by now he has a couple of answers. The first one is: why has it taken so long to get this through? I see it completely bypassed the former Minister for Health. Nonetheless, why has it taken so long to commence since first being passed over five years ago in 2004 by the then Health minister, minister Toyne? It has now been five years. What does it mean for remote and regional areas of the Northern Territory? Will the health care of Territorians be compromised as a result because nurses and, perhaps, dental assistants and similar professionals cannot perform X-rays, particularly when you consider how diverse our population is and how few and far between our health professionals are situated? That is the concern. Who will be able to perform these X-rays and ultrasounds in some of these remote areas?
Also, why do we have two lots of legislation? We have, as I said, two acts rolled into the one bill. Why is accreditation covered in the Radiographers Act and licensing covered in the Radiographers Protection Act? Am I correct in saying - and the minister would know the question I am about to ask and I look forward to his answer - that the original act provided for the Chief Medical Officer to grant permits but, as a result of consultation, the radiographers board will be allowed to grant permits? I look forward to hearing the minister’s answer. Essentially, I am looking forward to hearing the debate and the minister expand on that. I know the member for Nelson has a bit to say on this as well.
As I said, I am not sure if it is very straightforward or it is rather complex, but I look forward to listening and learning about this, and hearing what the minister has to say. The concern is that it has taken so long to come back to parliament; that is, five years before the bill can become an act and, obviously, put into place.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, before I start, I thank the minister for allowing us to have a briefing. It was such a good briefing I went back and read the bill and I ended up back where I started - a little confused. It is not the easiest legislation to understand. Perhaps that is the reason why there is a very small second reading, which really does not tell you a lot except that we are amending this bill and amending that bill, and radiographers were a bit upset so we decided to retain the Radiographers Act.
There are a few issues I would like answered. I may have this around the wrong way as well, so I am willing to say I have it wrong. However, what appears to me is that we now have a Radiographers Act which deals with the registration of radiographers. You can be registered as a radiographer. You can have provisional registration which you can have for three months until you are actually notified that you are registered. You can get a practising certificate. However, you used to be able to get a permit - section 20. I gather that was for people who needed to use radiation equipment who were not radiographers but, under certain circumstances, if it felt you had the ability and enough training, the board would allow you to use this equipment for whatever reason, subject to the permit conditions and their approval.
That section is deleted. It appears to be covered under the Radiation Protection Act under Part 3, section 25, which is ‘Licensing, regulations and accreditation’. Under that section, you have certificates of accreditation and licence. I presume that is the way it is going. To me, what is complicated is you have two acts. One act, which had everything in it, has now had a section taken out of it and, basically, replaced in another act. What was a permit in the Radiographers Act is now a licence in the Radiation Protection Act.
For a while, I was a bit concerned that they would scrap permits altogether. In a place like the Northern Territory, I imagine there has to be some way around people being able to use this equipment when you cannot get a radiographer. That was an area that concerned me, and I would like to hear what the minister has to say when he sums up.
I gave the minister a few notes regarding, basically, why it took so long. I realise there were problems. I believe one of the people in the public service retired, and it took a long period for that person to be replaced - although you would have thought that we could have borrowed someone if it was really urgent. We could have paid for someone to come up and help sort this out. It gives the appearance that it sat on the shelf for a long time and, then, someone realised that we had better get on with this.
The other thing is, it appears to be some kind of a coincidence that, on one hand, we had the radiographers saying they did not want their act repealed - of course, the bill sat there for a long time - and then, just when we were going to look at it again, there is a move to have a national radiographers association. I do not know whether it was convenient that the bill hung in abeyance for a long time and, then, just when there was a national association being formed, it was a good reason for looking at some changes.
I am wondering if the national radiographers association, or whatever it is, comes into being - to me it makes good sense – and everybody was under the same rules so that you can move from one state to another. Will this particular act then be repealed? What is the story on that? Or do we change it again to fit in line with any national changes?
I know it is a simplistic question but, basically, why do we have two acts? I gather the Radiation Protection Act was meant to come in, and that was meant to replace the Radiographers Act. Now, we have the two acts side by side. It seems the only reason, according to the second reading, is the radiographers did not want that act to be repealed. From the point of view of efficiency, when we are dealing with licensing, regulations and accreditation, you would have thought that we could have brought all this together in one bill.
Basically, the licensing is for people who need to work with and use radioactive material, the repair and maintenance of the equipment that is used in this particular field, and the people that use the equipment for medical reasons etcetera. Or it could be for industrial reasons people operating the equipment also have to be licensed. You would have thought that it would make common sense to bring all that together in one bill and one act, and that would be a lot more efficient way to approach this. However, as it is, we have two acts. I am interested to know why the government cannot combine the two into one.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, first of all I thank the members for providing me the questions because, as the members have said, it is either very simple or complex. It is quite simple, but the questions can be very complex, especially if you are not familiar with the profession. Let me respond to the questions you asked so that will clarify it.
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Radiation Protection Act and the Radiographers Act to allow for the continuation of registration of radiographers in the Northern Territory. The Radiation Protection Act 2004 was introduced in response to the National Competition Council review in 1999 to move towards nationally consistent legislation on the possession and use of radiation sources. There is a trend to go on to national legislation, or at least national guidelines.
One question was: why did you take so long to commence the Radiation Protection Act? The National Competition Council review also recommended the deregulation of radiographers. Therefore, the Radiation Protection Act included clauses to repeal the Radiographers Act and take on the issuing of licences to use radiographic equipment only. This direction was not supported by the radiography profession. Extensive consultation with the Northern Territory and nationally was required. Other jurisdictions have progressively moved towards introducing regulations of the radiographers’ profession in accordance with contemporary health practitioners legislation.
Other issues also impacted on the commencement of the Radiation Protection Act, to some extent, such as we mentioned at the time. A comprehensive competition input analysis to retain regulation of the profession was undertaken. Extensive work to develop the Radiation Protection Regulations in line with national developments, such as the National Director of Radiation Protection, also compounded the drafting of legislation. That is why it was delayed for so long.
Why did the radiographer resist and why continue the Radiographers Act? Like most health professions, radiographers want their profession to be registered to ensure public protection. The radiographers sought to continue registration with the radiographers board, through the Northern Territory Radiographers Act. The radiographers board is important to protect public safety by ensuring: an establishment and maintenance of professional standards; that radiographers practice in an ethical manner and maintain confidence; that there is a mechanism to address complaints from the public, colleagues or employers relating to practice or behaviour of radiographers; that practitioners are properly qualified current to their practice, and they are of good standing; and that there is an avenue for investigating and management of impaired practitioners.
This new amendment bill allows the radiographers board to continue to perform these functions. The radiographers’ practice has become more diverse and they perform a greater number of invasive procedures. Radiographers specialise in the following fields and may be categorised as either a technician, a therapist or a diagnostician. With the establishment of the Darwin Radiation Oncology Unit, additional professionals will be employed in the Northern Territory, such as radiation therapists. All radiographers working in this speciality field will be registered under the Radiographers Act.
Nationally, the profession has been accepted for inclusion in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme that will become effective from 1 July 2012. We are moving to national accreditation schemes, not only for radiographers, but for other professions, and that is happening even with doctors. Maintaining the Radiographers Act will allow a direct transfer into the new national scheme. It will register radiographers under the Radiographers Act, then they will be moved from the current registration to the national scheme.
Why do we have two acts? I asked exactly the same question. The answer from the experts is: the Radiation Protection Act covers the competency of a person in the possession, use, storage, disposal, safety, and transfer of radiation sources. Up to now, permits have been issued by the radiographers board under the Radiographer Act for a number of medical professions. This is inconsistent use of the Radiographers Act. This provision will be removed and licence to use radiographic equipment will be issued under the Radiation Protection Act by the Chief Health Officer. The Radiation Protection Act licences the use of radiation by workers who are properly trained to use radiation. For example, dentists are licensed for using radiation sources for dental X-rays, and chiropractors are licensed for using radiation sources for spinal X-rays.
Other professional issues for the health practitioners eligible for a licence to carry out radiographic procedures are covered by the relevant professional boards. Using the example above, the professional matters for dentists are managed by the Dental Board.
What does this mean for remote Aboriginal areas of the Northern Territory? Will nurses, dental assistants or similar professions in remote rural areas be able to perform X-rays or ultrasounds? Under the Radiation Protection Act, nurses, dental therapists, hygienists and assistants may apply for a licence to use an X-ray apparatus. If found suitable, they will be issued a licence to conduct a limited range of radiographic procedures and authorised to perform X-rays. Location may be specified on the licence. It will be expected that they will have completed further training in radiography and able to demonstrate competency.
Ultrasounds use non-ionising radiation and are not currently included in either legislation, nor is it currently included in the National Directory for Radiation Protection. Ultrasonographers are not a regulated profession.
Is it correct to say the original act provided for the Chief Health Officer to grant permits but, as a result of consultation, the radiographers board will now be allowed to grant permits? The existing Radiographers Act has provision for granting permits through the radiographers board. With the new legislation, the radiographers board has no future role in granting permits. This provision will be removed from the Radiographers Act and all licences will be granted under the Radiation Protection Act by the Chief Health Officer. Radiographers registered under the Radiographers Act are issued a practising certificate which, effectively, deems them to be licensed under the Radiation Protection Act.
These are the issues raised by the members, and I am very pleased and thank you very much for the help received because I would not be able to answer this question myself because they are highly technical. It is legislation that we have to amend. Yes, it took too long. I acknowledge that; it was well before my time. However, there were several issues to be addressed, plus they moved to a national registration, as with other professions. These amendments will cover all these problems we faced in the past and the resistance by radiographers with regard to their registration.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MOTION
Note Paper and Adopt Recommendations – Members’ Interests Committee - First Report to the Eleventh Assembly
Note Paper and Adopt Recommendations – Members’ Interests Committee - First Report to the Eleventh Assembly
Continued from 6 May 2009.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I wish to complete my remarks. I believe I have a limited amount of time left in relation to this report. As I signalled in the corridors and behind the scenes of this building to the Leader of Government Business, we will not be opposing this report.
However, my position on these particular things stand. I appreciate, on this occasion, that the Leader of Government Business understood my concerns and saw fit to allow this matter to be adjourned so proper consideration could be given to the tabled document; something he was not prepared to do in the following debate, for some mysterious reasons. They are somewhat different, I suspect, to the ones he gave in this House, but I will not dwell on that.
Suffice to say, the document being presented is in accordance with what we believe and expected, and I thank the Leader of Government Business for allowing us the latitude to take the tabled document away so we could peruse it. As I have demonstrated in relation to bills that have been passed in this House, it actually works better when you sometimes communicate behind the scenes.
In motions plus bills from yesterday, proper notice was given by this side of the House to members of government. Lo and behold, when that is done properly you actually can get to resolve an issue, as we saw in the passage of the Payroll Tax Act yesterday, when government agreed and acknowledged to a suggestion that was made from this side of the House. Channels of communication should be open constantly between both sides of the House prior to coming into this place, because it is a productive way to do things. From time to time, of course, you will become entrenched in your particular positions, but at least the efforts have been made behind the scenes.
I am grateful that the minister, by not trying to force the document through, but actually taking the time - or allowing us to take the time - to inspect the document and take it away, showed us the grace and the principle that should underlie parliament; and that entrapment is not a fundamental tool of this House. Occasionally, I accept there might be political reasons for entrapment but, as a general rule, communication should be the grease and the oil which lubricates the cogs, wheels and axels of this place.
However, having made those observations, I note with the passage of this document, the Legislative Assembly Members’ Disclosure and Interest Act 2008 will finally be brought into commencement. It will chug along, I believe, and the Assistant Clerk will have a month to disseminate the paperwork associated with this document to honourable members. Honourable members are then committed to filling out those documents in accordance with the laws of the Northern Territory. That being the case, there is nothing further to be said.
Madam Speaker, again, I thank the Leader for Government Business for his grace and honour in allowing this matter to be proceeded in such a fair and non-entrapping fashion.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for his kind words. I felt it was important that this matter be held over because, as I said on the day that this occurred, members’ interests is really a highly personal thing. Basically, it also involves - as I discussed on the day - an interaction with one’s spouse and family. It is not only about the members’ interests, but also your spouse’s interests and how your family feels about certain things, particularly a spouse in declaring their interests.
It is a very difficult issues and, as we discussed in the Standing Orders Committee and saw through some of the documents that have been included in our deliberations from the Commonwealth parliament, various members have various approaches to declaring everything that their spouses’ own or that they are aware of, to some saying: ‘Well, none that I am aware of’ - more or less saying they are maybe not game to ask, or it is none of their business. That reflects the multitude of variations of relationships that exists within Australia today. That is very important for us to realise.
I will not go over it all except to say that we do have a Register of Interests. This is a step of putting more detail there, and we are taking our lead from the Commonwealth parliament. I will say, though, that I do not want the member for Port Darwin to misconstrue what I am saying. I believe there was a breakdown in communication from committee members on your side in communicating certain elements of what was happening with this to your parliamentary wing. I could be wrong.
However, what I am trying to say is there is a time within committees for issues like this. This was circulated to individual members, but the various parties need to separately come to an agreement about some of the issues. As we know, those of us who are in political parties have duties as individual members, but we also need to canvass Caucus and discuss various things in our party wing. I understand there are issues of privileges around committees, but there is a time when committees direct certain members to go back to their party wing - their Caucus in our particular instance - and discuss certain matters, particularly regarding standing orders.
For things to operate properly, there needs to be lines of communications in that way. There are, however, times when it is completely inappropriate and against the whole idea and framework of privileges for committee members to communicate to parliamentary colleagues - or anyone else for that matter - the inner workings of a committee meeting. I accept that.
However, there is a place where committee members of a particular party or side can actually canvass issues amongst themselves that might be on the agenda. I personally have no problem with that; it is essential for the working of the committee for members to discuss and canvass certain issues. The member for Port Darwin has a contrary view to that, but that can be done without breaking privileges, because it is important for members to be able to communicate.
When I was on other committees in the Ninth Assembly - I was on a number of committees - I actually had conversations with members from the other side, ‘What do you think about this particular thing?’ trying to get a view from them about certain things. I know the member for Port Darwin does not agree. I believe there needs to be some sensible attitudes towards this, but I have outlined what my particular view is.
Madam Speaker, without any more ado, I commend the Members’ Interests Committee report to this House.
Motion agreed to.
MOTION
Note Paper - Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report to the Legislative Assembly
Note Paper - Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report to the Legislative Assembly
Continued from 7 May 2009.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank the Auditor-General for his thorough auditing and analysis to assist government operate efficiently and transparently. The Auditor-General reviewed the Construction Division of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and did not find any material weaknesses in controls. This is an excellent result. The Construction Division plays a vital role within government to manage our capital works, repairs, and maintenance programs.
The Auditor-General also audited the Darwin Port Corporation and determined that certain weaknesses existed in the sales, debtors and receipts systems, as well as in the purchases, creditors and payments systems. I am advised that the Darwin Port Corporation has rectified the sales, debtors and receipts system issues, and that it has implemented a procurement process consistent with the Northern Territory government procurement process. It has also implemented a training scheme and improved monitoring processes.
I also note the financial analysis of the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Trust, the Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities Employees Superannuation Fund, and Police Supplementary Superannuation Scheme. As the Auditor-General pointed out, the lower level of financial performance was due, in large part, to the volatility of national and international financial markets. As Northern Territory Treasury comments in the report:
- This volatility is continuing and all three schemes continue to experience negative investment returns, however it is important to note that their performance is in line with other similar schemes in Australia.
Within the Justice portfolio, the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission audit found no matters of significance and no material weaknesses in controls. The Auditor-General did suggest, however, that the commission review the use of the completion percentage figure for the grants-in-aid provision to better align it with actual percentages achieved in prior years and current legal expenses payment practice. I understand the Legal Aid Commission has taken this suggestion on board.
The Auditor-General found no matters of significance in his audit of the Northern Territory Treasury Corporation.
I note the Auditor-General’s qualified audit opinion on the financial statements of NT Build. NT Build fulfils a very important role under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave and Benefits Act to provide entitlements for long service leave for construction workers. The Auditor-General noted that the responsibility to notify NT Build of commencement of projects rests with the developer, and NT Build may not be able to identify all construction and maintenance projects that fall within the scope of the act. NT Build accepts this qualification, while commenting on steps it is taking to improve compliance. While it considers some level of uncertainty may always exist in this area, it is moving towards reforms to assist in its compliance process, and a high level of compliance is already being achieved.
The Power and Water Corporation also received a qualification, being a flow-on from the initial opinion issued in 2005-06, whereby that qualification has continued to affect the corporation’s financial statements in relation to assets revaluation - 2007-08 is the last year that this qualification will remain.
I, once again, thank the Auditor-General for his thorough report and his vital assistance in improving government financial processes.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report to the Legislative Assembly includes four matters related to the Business and Employment portfolios: information security policy and awareness; financial statements audit, Data Centre Services; financial statements audit, Government Printing Office; and financial statements audit, NT Fleet. I will try to go through these issues.
Regarding the information security policy and awareness, which occurs on page 21 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report, the audit identified weaknesses in staff awareness of information security policy as some staff unwittingly revealed user access details in response to bogus telephone calls or e-mails. Physical access controls were found to be satisfactory at three of the four sites tested.
The audit also revealed a number of security strengths, including a central information security policy unit; prevention of access attempts by some staff; response escalation and communication across agencies; and physical security barriers.
Key audit recommendations to improve security awareness were: mandate security awareness induction training for new staff; increased awareness campaigns to remind users of their security responsibilities; and strengthen building security at Palm Court.
Audit recommendations are being addressed through: establishing compulsory induction training for new starters in the department, including a formal security responsibility brief; modifying the security message presented to all users at computer log-in time to reinforce security requirements; establishing a security announcement website to keep all government staff better informed of current information, security issues; and addressing remaining physical security at Palm Court.
The Auditor-General is required to audit the financial statements of government business divisions or GBDs each year. This report advises unqualified audits; that is, no significant problems identified for all three department of Business and Employment government business divisions: the Data Centre Services, Government Printing Office and NT Fleet. Additionally, the Auditor-General provides summarised financial statements, analysis and commentary in his report to the Assembly.
The information in the Auditor-General’s report is a fair representation of the 2007-08 financial performance and situation of the GBDs. Further detailed financial information for each GBD is available on the Department of Corporate and Information Services’ 2007-08 Annual Report, also now published on the DBE website. The annual report information is consistent with the Auditor-General’s report.
The Information Security Policy and Awareness audit was initiated following the disruption to the government’s information services in May 2008 caused by an ex-employee of one of the government’s information technology service contractors. Full recovery of services was achieved within two days, and there was no major impact on services to the public. The Department of Business and Employment worked swiftly to involve Northern Territory Police and secure evidence leading to a quick arrest of the alleged offender who is charged with serious computer crime offences and remanded in gaol. He recently pleaded guilty and has been convicted.
Following this incident, the department conducted an initial review and initiated action to strengthen IT security. At the same time, the department commissioned an external IT security audit on IT contractor security arrangements. This has been completed and all recommendations addressed, in cooperation with IT contractors, resolving in a tightening in security procedures. The audit conducted by the Auditor-General was limited to testing physical security of some of the Department of Business and Employment’s staff to attempt them to divulge their network password.
Regarding Data Centre Services on page 52 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 report, there was an unqualified independent audit opinion. No material weaknesses in control were identified.
Desert Knowledge Australia is on page 60 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report. Once again, it was an unqualified independent audit and no matters of significance were raised.
Government Printing Office, on page 63 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report, reported unqualified independent audit opinion and did not identify any matters of significance, and no material weaknesses in controls.
Northern Territory Fleet, on page 95 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report gave an unqualified independent audit opinion, with no material weaknesses in controls identified.
Lastly, for Territory Discoveries, page 104 of the Auditor-General’s February 2009 Report, there was, again, an unqualified independent audit opinion and was found to be generally satisfactory.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Auditor-General’s 2009 Report to the Legislative Assembly. It is always very comprehensive and I am also glad to see the departments for which I have portfolio responsibility have responded to address the issues raised by the Auditor-General.
I commend the work of our Auditor-General, Mr Frank McGuiness, and his staff to the House. He is a fiercely independent parliamentary officer, and we are very fortunate in the Northern Territory, generally, and in this Assembly, to have Mr McGuiness working so diligently auditing the public account. I look forward to working with him closely in my new role on the Public Accounts Committee. I am looking forward to his briefings to that committee. I commend his report to the House.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I agree with comments made by my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, about the Auditor-General doing an excellent job. We are human beings and we make errors, but he picks them up and gives us the opportunity to correct them.
The Auditor-General’s review of the Department of Justices’ management of the Community Benefit Fund was to verify compliance with the requirements of the Gaming Machine Act the Gaming Control Act and regulations. The audit found that the department’s management of the fund to be generally in compliance with these acts and regulations. He found the management of the Community Benefit Fund continues to be, in the main, open and accountable.
However, two areas where identified where the department had not strictly complied with the legislative requirements that govern the fund. This is related to technical, administrative and accounting issues. I am advised these issues have now been addressed and appropriate, additional financial controls are in place. The department has attached an addendum to the Community Benefit Fund Annual Report to ensure the area of reporting identified by the audit, is corrected. In addition, the department has also agreed to a number of actions such as reviews of the legislation to clarify and simplify operation.
In relation to Health, the Auditor-General undertook an assessment of the information security framework of the Department of Health and Families. The Auditor-General concluded nothing came to his attention that would indicate the processes around information and security management of the Department of Health and Families were a problem. Some issues of concern were relayed to the department with idea for improvement and, I am advised, this suggestion has now be taken on board.
Madam Speaker, I thank the Auditor-General. His comments are always welcome and valuable. His methodology is absolutely impeccable. He gives us the opportunity to have a look at what is happening in the departments, and to correct some of the processes put in place many years ago. Of course, with the technology and everything else changing, they have to be changed in order to address some of the modern issues. I thank the Auditor-General for his report. I am very pleased both my departments under investigation had a thumbs up.
Motion agreed to.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Asian Relations and Trade
Asian Relations and Trade
Dr BURNS (Asian Relations): Madam Speaker, the government’s Asian Relations and Trade initiatives continue to achieve real and sustainable outcomes for the Northern Territory. Comparing the year to April 2001 with the year April 2009, a period of which we have the latest data, the Northern Territory two-way merchandise trade with the Asian region has increased by 63% to $6.17bn. Comparing the year to April 2001 with the year to April 2009, total exports to Asia have increased by 40% to $3.78bn. We will continue to build productive relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners to promote investment opportunities, business, and jobs for Territorians.
The Territory has a long-standing and close relationship with its Asian neighbours. This relationship has shaped the very essence of the Territory, especially in our economic activities and social and cultural makeup. Our Asian neighbours have been visiting northern Australia for hundreds of years and, generations ago, many began to call the Territory home. We are now fortunate to have a strong association, for instance, amongst the Chinese, Timorese, Indonesian and Filipino communities that contribute to the diversity of our society.
The Territory’s close proximity to Asia allows us to act as Australia’s gateway to the region. Darwin is closer to five capital cities in Asia than it is to Australia’s own national capital, which is almost 4000 km away. There are six Asian countries in the Northern Territory’s top 10 export destinations, making links with Asia a vital part of the Territory’s economy. We are working to engage further with the region to position ourselves in key areas to bring benefits to all Territorians.
Our economy is small, particularly when compared with our key trading partners in other states in Australia. We will, therefore, continue to target countries of strategic interest to the Territory where real and tangible economic outcomes are achievable. By doing so, we will create new business opportunities, generate employment, sustain economic growth, and improve our lifestyles and our children’s lifestyles into the future.
The Territory’s economy continues to buck national trends despite the current global financial crisis. This is, in part, due to our strong profile in Asia. Since 2000-01, the Territory’s economy has enjoyed a high rate of economic growth, averaging 3.8% per annum. In 2009, growth is forecast at 4.1%, and private consumption expenditure is predicted to grow by 2.2% on average over the next five years.
Whilst the Territory is not immune to the impacts of the economic downturn on trade and investment activities, the Territory’s exports remain strong and our balance of trade continues in surplus. In the year to April 2009, the Northern Territory’s exports increased by 57.3%, and imports grew by 73.9%, increasing the Territory’s goods trade surplus by $500m to $2.1bn. This remarkable result has mainly been driven by the Territory’s dominance in mining and the energy industry sectors, which have built strong relationships with countries in our region. This momentum is expected to continue over the next decade, with many project proposals being discussed and others already in the evaluation process. Whilst these projects are predominantly in the mining and energy sectors such as the expansion of the Wickham Point LNG plant by ConocoPhillips and the proposed INPEX LNG project, they will also have a significant multiplier effect into other key sectors such as construction, retail, and tourism.
Supporting the Territory’s ongoing trade growth, the Henderson government will invest $100m at East Arm port. A further $50m has been secured from the Australian government for the first stage of the infrastructure expansion of the port, which is required to meet increases forecast in export volumes.
The Henderson government recognises that new trade and investment opportunities do not happen overnight. They are achieved through continuity of presence in the Asian region and building of relationships at the political, business, cultural, and sporting levels with our key bilateral partners.
On 9 June 2009, the Chief Minister delivered a ministerial report on the outcomes of the highly productive ministerial visit to Timor-Leste in May. The discussions with ministers and business leaders will further strengthen our relationship with Timor-Leste and open doors for Territory businesses to take up trade in the investment opportunities.
I also delivered the report outlining the very positive outcomes of my recent official travel to Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan. These, along with other strategic ministerial visits, are critical to our ongoing dialogue with near neighbours and trading partners. We continue to assure potential investors that the Territory, whilst not immune to the global financial crisis, is not unduly affected and remains open for new investment. In January this year, the Chief Minister travelled to China, Japan, and the United States. The Chief Minister met with senior executives from major stakeholders including Stone Group, Noble, Tokyo Gas, INPEX and ConocoPhillips, and was able to explain the benefits of investment in the Territory directly to these influential business people.
In February, in preparation for the Arafura Games, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Karl Hampton, travelled to Macau to chair a meeting of participating sports delegations. The games, which have now been held biannually for 20 years, symbolise our close engagement with the region.
In May, I travelled to Jakarta and met with the Indonesian Minister for State Owned Enterprises, the Chief Executive Officer of Garuda Indonesia, and the Director-General of the Department of Transport. I put forward the Northern Territory’s case for the earliest possible resumption of Garuda flights between Denpasar and Darwin, and was reassured that the suspension was temporary, pending a change in the global economic market. I add that it was because of the Territory’s very close relationship with Indonesia that such meetings were possible at short notice, and were welcomed and took place in a friendly atmosphere, despite the difficult nature of the discussions.
Minister Vatskalis visited China in May to host the first Northern Territory investment seminar in Shanghai as part of this government’s dedicated Chinese Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy. Minister Vatskalis is due to visit China again in November 2009 to continue this good work.
The government also promotes the relationship between the Territory and key Asian neighbours by leading and supporting local community, education and business delegations heading abroad and participating in select offshore conferences, expos and events. An example of this type of activity is the joint trade and study missions which have been undertaken to Vietnam over the past 18 months. The Department of the Chief Minister has been working collaboratively with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, the Northern Territory Livestock Exporter’s Association, and Charles Darwin University, as well as the Departments of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines, and Business and Employment, to support endeavours to develop this new market.
Officials from the Department of the Chief Minister also led a business delegation in February to OZMINE 09, which is an exhibition run by Austrade Indonesia in Jakarta for Australian companies to showcase their goods and services to major mine operators and their subcontractors. All six Territory-based mining supply and service companies who participated in the visit reported significant commercial outcomes.
This month, officials from the Department of the Chief Minister will be leading a delegation to the Balikpapan Expo in Indonesia following successful visits to the expo since its inauguration five years ago. Such business trips, often carried out in collaboration with the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce, provide an invaluable way for Territory businesses to break into new markets.
The government also builds links into Asia by warmly welcoming delegations visiting the Territory to explore trade and investment options first-hand. Examples of this type of activity include the Indonesian Mining Forum held at SKYCITY in Darwin in April 2008 and, most recently, the APPEA forum which has just concluded with 1600 delegates in attendance.
We also link into Asia by briefing businesses on opportunities, and showcasing the Territory to foreign diplomatic and consular corps in Australia when they visit Darwin. The government also provides support to representatives based here in Darwin, including key industry bodies such as the International Business Council, Resources Council, and Charles Darwin University. One very recent example of this type of support was to the Ambassador of China, Ambassador Zhang, who visited Darwin earlier this month and met with the Chief Minister and me to discuss the Northern Territory/China relationship. From these discussions, it was clear how much Ambassador Zhang valued Chinese investment and trade in the Territory, and how great he saw the potential for growth in areas such as mineral exploration, tourism, and education.
By undertaking strategic official travel, supporting the travel of Territorian delegations, welcoming inbound visitors, briefing foreign diplomatic and business VIPs, and strengthening cultural and sporting ties, the government has built up solid foundations with our key bilateral partners in the Asian region. The recently completed Arafura Games is a testament to the Territory’s sporting links in the region. The development of the Timor Sea Cup is another example of how this government is using sport as a vehicle to promote community and people-to-people relations in the region.
Our links into Asian countries are also underpinned by our education and training initiatives. The Northern Territory government has a formal partnership with Charles Darwin University to foster economic, social, and cultural development in the Territory. The partnership also involves joint activities offshore. For instance, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Barney Glover, and the Director of the Menzies School of Health Research, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, accompanied the Chief Minister on his recent visit to Timor-Leste and were at the forefront of meetings with the Timorese Minister for Education and the Minister for Vocational Training and Employment to discuss training opportunities.
Another example where the government is supporting links with Asia through education and training is the internship scheme for mid-level Timorese public servants, initiated after discussions with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Xanana Gusmao, in August last year. In total, 10 placements will be provided for interns in the Northern Territory public service, with the first four participants due to arrive in Darwin next month.
During the Chief Minister’s recent visit to Timor-Leste, he took the opportunity to announce the provision of two scholarships for attendance at the Northern Territory Institute of Sport football program that will commence in 2010. That should really be soccer, but I am sure everyone understands. Again, this demonstrates this government’s commitment to our new neighbours and its continued focus on improving relations.
I mention briefly the Northern Territory’s cultural links into the region which provide a strong people-to-people connection. These links culminate every August in the fantastic Darwin Festival which showcases talent from our region. Groups from Indonesia, China, and Vietnam will be performing this year to the delight of local audiences. I look forward to the full festival program which will be released on 8 July.
As I have outlined, we have strong relationships with the region built on visits by Territorians to key bilateral partners, reciprocal visits from delegations back into the Territory, and government-encouraged links into the areas of education and training, sport, and culture. These strong relations help lay the foundations for, and reinforce, the Territory’s trading links with our neighbours. The Territory’s international trade activity has undergone significant expansion in recent years to a diverse range of existing and new industries. The Territory’s strategic proximity to Asian markets and the development of the AustralAsia Trade Route have been fundamental factors in developing international trading links.
The current global economic crisis has triggered a decline in global trade activities. In the current situation, it is even more important to continue to build strong international relationships at the political, business, cultural, and sporting levels to maintain markets and to facilitate new trade and investment activities.
A new international trade strategy is currently being developed and will provide a blueprint for future trade growth over the next five years. Development of this strategy has included extensive consultation with the private sector to ensure the strategy reflects business and industry capacity and capability but, also importantly, reflects their trade priorities. I am pleased to say we are on target to release this strategy next month.
Based on the Territory’s core strengths, proximity to key markets in the Asia Pacific region, and the ongoing development of the AustralAsia Trade Route, three key international markets and five emerging markets have been identified. Japan, China and Indonesia are considered to be the Territory’s key targets. Of these countries, Japan continues to be the Territory’s largest trading and investment partner. Japan’s focus on ensuring it acquires a long-term supply of energy resources is driving much of the significant investment in oil and gas developments across our region. Japanese Utilities is the founding customer of the Darwin-based ConocoPhillips LNG facility, and there are several potential projects currently being investigated by Japanese companies, including INPEX’s $20m Icythus project.
In March this year, the Chief Minister held an investment seminar with the Japanese business community in Sydney. The seminar was organised in consultation with the Japanese Consul-General and attracted some 50 key Japanese business and government representatives from across Australia.
At the request of the Japanese government, the 32nd Australia-Japan High Level Group Meeting will be held in Darwin from 23 to 26 June 2009. This forum is being coordinated by the Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation, or JOGMEC, has recently signed two major joint venture agreements with Australian companies for the greenfield projects in the Northern Territory. In December 2008, JOGMEC entered into a joint venture with Bondi Mining to fund $3m of uranium exploration over four years. In June 2008, this same corporation agreed to fund $4.5m for a lead zinc exploration over three years in a joint venture with Mincor Resources.
China’s industrial rise has increased its demand for natural resources. Recognising this opportunity, in 2007 the government launched its China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy with the aim of positioning the Northern Territory as the preferred supplier for China’s mineral and metal demands. This strategy has been well received by the Chinese at the political and business level, who have recognised the Northern Territory is the only Australian jurisdiction with a dedicated strategy such as this. As a result, and since the launch of the strategy, there have been up to 50 visits by some 29 Chinese companies to the Northern Territory, including the first-ever visit by the China Mining Association, which is the peak body representing China’s exploration and mining companies.
In relation to China, on 23 April 2009 I was delighted to witness the signing of the Northern Territory government’s agreement with the Commonwealth government committing the Territory as a silver sponsor of the Australian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. From 1 May to 31 October 2010, Shanghai will host the biggest world expo in history. Over 230 nations and international organisations are expected to participate at the expo, and it is predicted more than seven million people will visit the Australian pavilion at the expo. Recognising the importance of the opportunity to promote the Northern Territory, and to develop further its trade and investment and people-to-people links in China, the Territory was the first jurisdiction in Australia to formally become a sponsor of this event. This expo will provide Northern Territory businesses and organisations with a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of the Territory to diverse global audiences before, during, and after the expo. More importantly, the expo provides an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations with China. The Northern Territory is already working closely with industry and community organisations to ensure we showcase the very best of the Territory on the world’s greatest stage.
The Territory has well-established trade links with Indonesia. Indonesia is the Territory’s fourth highest export destination, with up to 90% of the Territory’s live cattle exports shipped to Indonesia. Given our geographic proximity to remote Indonesian mining operations and the Territory’s expanded capacity and capability, Darwin is well positioned to service and supply these mines, and this will be an important sector for future trade growth with Indonesia. Underpinning this concept, Australia’s only Indonesian customs pre-inspection facility is located in Darwin and provides a free pre-inspection service to streamline the clearance of cargos destined for eastern Indonesia. In recognition of the importance of the Territory’s strong people-to-people and commercial relationships with Indonesia, the Chief Minister has foreshadowed an official visit to Indonesia sometime after the presidential elections in July.
Although commodities dominate the Territory’s trade with Japan and China, and live cattle exports dominate our trade with Indonesia, exports of services are also becoming increasingly important, particularly financial, professional, education and tourism services.
The growing importance of Asia as an inbound tourism market is recognised by this government and, as the Minister for Tourism, I am leading a strategic and targeted approach in developing opportunities for the Northern Territory in the region. Acknowledging the potential of Asia on the Northern Territory tourism landscape I, as well as minister Vatskalis as the previous tourism minister, have visited Asia on several occasions during the past 12 months promoting the Northern Territory as a tourism destination. Indeed, all Northern Territory ministers who visit the Asian region recognise the significance of tourism, not only as an important component in the growth of relations with Asia, but also as an economic stimulant, and are only too willing to assist in the promotion of the Territory.
Tourism NT representatives in Japan, China and Singapore provide considerable on-ground resources for the implementation of marketing campaigns to develop media opportunities and liaison with local tourism trade organisations. The Northern Territory government’s China Market Development Plan is recognition of the growing importance of China for the Northern Territory, and outlines possible strategies which will facilitate the growth of the Chinese visitor market to the Northern Territory.
Japan remains a core market for the Northern Territory, but its economy has been significantly impacted by the global economic downturn, and we will continue to monitor this market closely. The decline in Japanese tourism numbers is being felt Australia-wide and the Northern Territory is positioning itself to limit the decline in visitor numbers and to be ahead of the pack when the market does turn.
Development of the new International Trade Strategy has also identified five emerging markets of strategic interest to the Territory; namely, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Vietnam and India, in particular, are experiencing rapid economic growth as a result of a wide range of economic reforms in each country over recent years. In fact, it is predicted that the rate of economic growth will exceed China in the coming years, which highlights the tremendous potential of this market. Building strategic relationships across a range of levels in these emerging markets will be crucial for providing a platform for Territory businesses to achieve successful trade outcomes. In this context, I have asked my department to initiate arrangements for an official ministerial visit to the Philippines later this year. It is my intention to invite a local delegation to accompany me on the official visit.
Complementing the activities being undertaken in these markets, there are several niche export sectors emerging that also have the potential to generate increased export revenues and provide sustainable economic growth. Leveraging off the growing number of mining, oil and gas operations in the region, Darwin is well positioned to take advantage of its proximity and growing capability to develop a mining supply and service centre, and an oil and gas maintenance and operations base.
International appreciation and recognition of Indigenous arts and craft is growing and moving this sector onto a more professional footing. Indigenous arts and craft missions into the Territory, and international trade delegations into targeted countries, has demonstrated positive export trade outcomes. It is also important to recognise that not only does this industry sector provide important economic benefits, it also embraces community and cultural development in the Northern Territory’s remote and regional areas.
The Northern Territory education system and accredited private providers offer high-quality services from preschool through to tertiary levels of study. Since 2003, the value of international education in the Northern Territory has increased by 70% over five years to $22m. Access Economics has found that for every dollar spent on education, $1.91 is spent in the local economy on annual living expenses. International education is also recognised as an important mechanism for attracting school migration to the Territory which is vital for the ongoing development of the Territory.
The Northern Territory is poised to significantly increase its share of the lucrative business events market with Darwin’s new convention centre and the Alice Springs Convention Centre. This industry attracts high-yielding delegates. Across Australia, expenditure attributed to this industry is estimated to be $17.3bn per year. Since the opening of the Darwin Convention Centre in June 2008 up until May 2009, business events have injected an estimated $12.2m into the local economy. These figures do not include the recent APPEA Conference which attracted some 1600 delegates and was the first event to fill the centre to its full capacity. In the same period, conference delegates have injected nearly $4.7m into the Alice Springs economy. Not only did these events have a significant multiplier effect on the local economy, they also present an opportunity for Northern Territory businesses to showcase their capabilities and strategic advantages to a network of key decision-makers who otherwise may not have come to the Territory.
Whilst the new International Trade Strategy will underpin government’s trade activities over the next five years, importantly, it recognises that the Territory businesses may go beyond this government’s own strategic directions and, in fact, this is something we should encourage. Through mechanisms such as the Trade Support Scheme, the government’s primary business assistance program, businesses are encouraged to explore and pursue commercial trade opportunities.
In March 2009, I introduced a range of enhancements and new funding categories for a period of 12 months to the Trade Support Scheme, and to provide increased financial assistance to businesses to continue their international marketing and promotional activities during the economic downturn. Under a number of categories, businesses may be eligible to receive reimbursements of up to 75% on the costs for international marketing and promotional activities which is, effectively, a 50% increase to funding limits under the previous provisions of the scheme.
Two new funding categories were introduced to the scheme, comprising exhibiting at international trade shows or expos held interstate, and market exploratory visits for businesses looking to enter new international markets. I have also established a regional bonus of $500 per application in recognition of the additional costs associated with undertaking international marketing activities by businesses located in regional and remote areas.
The Territory government listens to business and understands it need. Feedback received is that the Territory is leading the national with its export assistance scheme, and was the first jurisdiction to enhance its scheme in recognition of the potential consequences of the global economic downturn. Exports are the catalyst to building a strong economy, business confidence, increased job opportunities, and improving lifestyle. Never before has the Territory been so well positioned to attract international trade and investment opportunities due to the ongoing efforts of the Henderson government to grow relationships between the Territory and key bilateral partners in the Asian region.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the presentation of a statement of this nature. It has been a long time coming. It appears the government has recognised that this is an area they have turned their attention away from, and they are now addressing that issue by bringing this statement before the House. Recent activities also confirm the renewed or reawakened interest in this very important area.
I commend the minister for his work because the activities in recent times demonstrate, quite clearly, this important area for the future of the Northern Territory has been dropped off the agenda. This is an area that the Territory - and the words ‘strategic advantage’ were mentioned a number of times - can trade off very well if we are smart, and if we put politics to the side for a second and try to work out a very well-coordinated strategy that allows us to trade on our strategic advantage, to identify the niche markets, and to develop a coordinated strategy to extract maximum benefit. That is the line I believe we should take.
Whilst we hear a lot of the buzz words through the statement, much of the activities, of themselves, have merit. I still wait to hear from this Labor government a cohesive and coherent plan that has an underlying strategy - a real purpose to all this activity. I listen for it, because this issue of engagement with Asia is one of the main reasons I came to the Northern Territory, and I remain interested in this area. I am a student of the area; I read widely and have taken time to study the language and worked also as a school principal. When I came here in 1989, I was inspired by what I heard coming from the Territory. The Northern Territory, of all the places in this continent, in this country, in this nation, was the one that seemed to help this nation recognise that it was a part of Asia.
It was the activities that I learned of living in another state that showed me that the nation was starting to reorientate itself. I believe that leadership was, in fact, shown in the Northern Territory. Many people started to recognise Australia as a part of Asia, and looked at Darwin and close it is to Indonesia in particular, and started to readjust their thinking. That started, I believe, many years ago. It did not seem that long ago the dialogue changed. I know that Prime Ministers played a part in it, but I believe the pump was primed, in many respects, by the activities in the Northern Territory.
Dare I say, without trying to have a chest-beating contest - because it was sad the way this whole statement concluded, with the hand in the air and claiming the great virtues of the Henderson regime and all the glorious things that have occurred as a result of that - this has been a long time coming. Asia has always been there. Australia happens to be in this part of the world and there has been engagement of one kind or another for hundreds of years. The Yolngu have a very interesting history of engagement with the region. It is well worth anyone to have a good look at that.
Some of the words that are spoken by the Yolngu are Indonesian words: Balanda and Hollander. Balanda is a white person. Balanda, or Hollander in Bahasa Indonesia, refers to a white person. Those two words cross over. There was trade in the region for hundreds of years. To think the glorious era of the Henderson regime has created something magical and special only means you are having a lend of yourselves. You really diminish the grand project we are involved in, and the huge challenge we face.
We move forward through history. We have a port from which trade can occur which is serviced by a railway, which can feed a port. That whole thing occurred as a result of a vision and plan, not just rhetoric. It produced something like concrete sleepers with railway lines laid on top of it. It came from an idea that something could occur because of the opportunities that were presented. It was more than grand statements; it finally manifested itself in a railway and port.
Those things are the substance of a vision; the actual working out of a plan. Those things exist and they are the result of many years of consideration to basics and adjusting the priorities in allocation of funding. They have allowed this current and glorious regime to trade off that. If we did not have that, we would just have empty rhetoric. Comments are made in this statement that have some substance because there is, in fact, already an engagement and the evidence of a vision by virtue of a railway and a port.
There is much more than can be achieved because our near neighbour is not going away; we are not going anywhere. All we have to do is to work out how to effectively engage, recognise our strengths and opportunities, identify those niche markets, develop a strategy, and start to work towards it.
Once again, I still feel underneath all this there is the establishment of an impression of activity and a listing of all the things occurring in this area. However, they still have not found that driving purpose; what this is all about. I do not hear that clear strategy, or a cohesive or coherent plan. Nonetheless, perhaps that is just by virtue of sitting on this side of the Chamber and being outside the tent. I do not get to see or hear that. I recognise that work in the way I try to work through these things.
These matters of engagement within the region have such significance that they really should exist in a place separate from partisan politics. Having said that, I will endeavour to honour that as we proceed, recognising things such as railways and ports. There has been a pre-European presence in the Top End engaging Asia. W represent a continuation of a long tradition of engagement, and endeavour to learn about our neighbours and how we can work with them. I am very proud of the links we have in the Territory. They are quite extraordinary. They should not be overstated. They should be looked at quite openly and recognised for the beauty evident in the engagement we have through the markets and so on.
Let us not get ahead of ourselves. Other places have markets and different things, but there is something extra here. It is the way we all know people of other races and nationalities, religions and cultures because our community and our suburbs are quite small. We get to know each other quite well. That is the key: getting to know each other. If we are in a larger city, you would still have the market, the food, but you would not necessarily know the people of the different languages, cultures or religions.
Here we do, and we know each other well. They are our workmates, the people we drink with, the people we live next door to; our kids may play with theirs. That is what is really quite unique here. The connections are established. That is why people often turn the phrase around and say, Trade and Relations. That immediately portrays a lack of understanding of how important the relation part is in, ultimately, producing beneficial trade. That is what we have here in the Territory: not only are we close to the region, but we have that genuine, personal relationship and understanding with one another.
Once that is understood, we can begin to develop a strategy. In order to understand our neighbour, the first thing - the relationship part of it - in my view, can occur with the knowledge of the language. That does not mean you have to be able to speak the language, but to understand the language of the other. By understanding the language of the other you begin to get insights into the culture and the mindset of the other. It disappoints me that, at the time when there was a lot of economic activity within our immediate region in Indonesia, there was money for teacher exchanges, teachers were equipped to teach Indonesian language programs in the schools, and public servants were learning Indonesia. Then, when the gold rush seemed to occur and the shift was to China, they dropped Indonesia and ran to China. Yet, Indonesia is still our neighbour. If we respect what relationships are about, we have to look at that and recognise that when there was the economic collapse in Indonesia and we dropped Indonesia and ran to China, that had an effect on the relationship. Many people in Indonesia wondered what had happened. What had they done to cause us to turn our attention from them to other places? Why were the schools no longer coming? Why were there no longer the exchanges?
You have to have a relationship within a region in order to have profitable trade in the longer term. That did have an effect. It disappoints me when I look at the figures of how many are learning Indonesian today in our primary and secondary schools compared to 20 years ago, or even 15 years ago. How many public servants are equipped to speak at least basic Bahasa Indonesia? It is good there are those who are taking up Mandarin courses; difficult language though it is.
Those things are very important, and the focus on our near neighbour. We are only a small jurisdiction and there is quite a significant opportunity if we were to pick our targets and focus. If it comes to China, of course, there has to be ethnic language and culture training, but there also needs to be identification of the specific niche markets that we could focus on. With a small jurisdiction and a small critical mass economic footprint, we should be able to identify those and work towards them, making sure that our education programs - not just in the primary or secondary schools and the university, but also the public sector - are coordinated so we are all singing off the same sheet and focusing on the same objective. That way, with our small numbers we can achieve a lot.
Those things are very important. Anyone who has spent any time - and some members on the other side have - getting to understand, particularly our Asian neighbours, know how valuable relationship is. It is easy in our context if we are thinking from the Western point of view. Our relationship is, ‘G’day mate, my name is so and so, now let us get down to business’, and we have a good relationship.
That is not how it works in the region. You can do business like that with an American or someone from Europe perhaps - certainly from the UK or Canada - but you cannot do that in our region. You can go and have a meeting and can say: ‘G’day, my name is Bruce and I am from Australia and I am here to talk turkey about this and the other and it is going to be a hoot’, and get down to business. They will be very polite and you walk away thinking you have had a very good meeting, and nothing much will come of it.
There will be the impression it has been a favourable meeting, but there will not be an outcome because that connection was, in fact, not made. The people will endure the meeting, and you will go away oblivious to the fact that you have not made a connection and advanced the relationship. Whilst we deal with the letter of the law, and contract law and so on here, and it gives us all the security we need, we do not need to invest in the relationship. In our region, they need to invest in the relationship and know who they are dealing with first - then comes the business. If you short circuit the relationship part, the second part - the trade part - becomes quite difficult.
Those are the things that we need to really work on. I would like to see that kind of element injected into these statements; a recognition of understanding how you really do engage in the region – its language and culture. What a compliment it is to the other when you know a bit about them and you can speak a little of their language. You do not have to proficient; it sends a compliment that you have actually made the effort. They certainly can tell.
We should learn a lot from our Indigenous Territorians. They understand the value of relationship. They know whether you are fair dinkum or not, the same way as our neighbours. They want to know whether you are genuine or not. They have been around for a long time and, with their culture, in many respects, they think in terms of thousands of years. They can endure a little pleasantry for the sake of waiting for someone to come along so they can actually invest in a relationship that will produce something long term. We have an opportunity here. We have a small number but we have resources that are of great value. We have to work very smart. I would like to see those elements included in these statements.
I was seriously disappointed to hear that triumphant sound that the great Henderson regime has produced these tremendous things and the ignoring of history. You do not do yourself any favours by ignoring the work of previous governments - it was just a horror story; what happened before Labor came to office. However, that is not the fact. There was good stuff that happened. To acknowledge and build on that, particularly when the statement talks about engaging our region, would add credibility.
Those who we deal with know, because I was at a number of meetings with the Ambassador for China to Australia. I had some lovely meetings with him, and he spoke very openly and fondly of the tremendous work of former Chief Minister Shane Stone - again and again. He recognised that this is a man who understood, and added value to the relationship by understanding how to work and, then, adding more to that. That was said in the company of minister Vatskalis. That is not saying one over the other; that this side is better than that side. It is understanding what the business is about.
I have to say regarding the work of previous administrations - though it may suit the political agenda of the other side to accuse the Country Liberal Party of all the sins in the world that has ever visited the Territory - none of these members are actually members of previous governments. It is just nonsense. There was much that occurred. The foundations were laid by previous administrations. You do yourselves no favour by turning your attention away from those to score political points, particularly when you are endeavouring to mount a credible presence within the region. Our neighbours have good memories, and they will recognise those things. The message I often hear is: what happened to the Northern Territory, it was once here, now it is no longer?
Of course, good trade relations are critical to the long-term economic prosperity of the Northern Territory. There will be economic booms and downturns, but our neighbours remain with their huge population. When economic downturns occur, we should also work hard to ensure that we have that buffer built in by the establishment of good, deep, relationships within the region. There are over two hundred million people in Indonesia alone, not to mention the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei - which reminds me of BIMP-EAGA. I would like to know from the minister, what the attitude and the plan of this government are with regard to BIMP-EAGA? There is an opportunity for leadership and engagement. Let us hear plainly where you are with that. Places such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are not going away, and the opportunities remain, whether there is a resource boom or not.
Contrast a small population in the Territory and a massive population within the region, with great resource in the Northern Territory and limited resources within the region, and the opportunity for food production within this sparsely-populated region, and a huge number - millions and millions - of consumers within the region. Opportunity exists. We can only look at Ord River Stage 2 to get excited about what could be.
It all starts with a bit of clear thinking and some long-term planning, going beyond saying, ‘We have an action plan’, to actually implementing an action plan and then talking about the results rather than foreshadowing great things that may come. We have to finish the oversell and the under-deliver. We have to just get on with the business and start to create things.
I reckon the community will applaud when they start to see that kind of approach. That is going to be the approach in the future, because that is what the community is calling for. They will get what they want, because voters are not silly. They want someone who describes what needs to be done and does it – the end of the oversell and the under-deliver. Just get on with the business of delivering, and great will be that day.
The record of history is strong. It may stick in the neck of the minister who is not able to mention things such as what flowed from a vision: a railway that allowed Frances Creek and Bootu Creek mines to be opened. That is how those things occurred. It started with an idea and a plan, then action, and you actually see the result.
The East Arm port, of course, and INPEX – well, there we go, with INPEX, and it is tremendous that INPEX is here - does not happen in a vacuum. There was a lot of work that went on for decades before to lay the foundations for a gas industry. The hub was established, ConocoPhillips, and that was not an idea that started just – whacko - when 2001 appeared and, then, all this stuff magically appeared. It occurred long before then.
Therefore, it is not a matter of one side is greater than the other and let us re-write history so we all feel good about ourselves; it is just a fact of the continuum of development. Each, as they enter the stage, has a responsibility to add to what happened before, and then leave something for the future. That is what it is about. It is just a darned shame to find this whole statement drawn into that ‘how great we are’ type of mentality, which is not allowing us to create much for the future, but just something for the present to create an impression we are doing something pretty special. Well, get over it - we have business to do - and start to dig down a little deeper and tie all these activities together in some coherent plan, rather than a listing of all the things, scattered with a few key words like ‘strategy’ so it creates an impression.
I am very pleased though, in the statement there is reference to going beyond areas such as cattle and minerals. In many respects, as the former Resources minister, Chris Natt, honestly admitted, we really did not create the resources boom. I have not heard that utterance from the Labor government before, and it was just wonderful to hear it. The resources boom occurred, and it was like a big wave that, if you were a surfer, you rode it. He rode it reasonably well. However, you did not create the resources boom, nor did you create the cattle industry. It is an opportunity; there is a great marketplace. You need to recognise the great work the cattle industry has done with or without the government, Country Liberal or Labor. They have done a fantastic job. However, there is much more, and it includes service delivery. That is the stuff that government can really play an active role in.
I am pleased to see the Arafura Games was mentioned. The Arafura Games did not just magically appear in 2001, nor did it get conjured up as some sort of activity for people who have a bit of time on their hands. The Arafura Games was established as an embodiment of another aspect of Asian relations and trade through sport, allowing people within the region to get together. Why would you want people to get together? So they can all feel good about themselves? No, because they get together, they get to know each other - that is called a relationship. Around sport you can then attract others who want to start talking about things of mutual benefit, such as trade: ‘You have that; I will buy that off you and I will give you this’. Once you have people together around something enjoyable, like sport, you then start relationships that can then build to mutual benefit.
That is what it was actually about. It was not ‘Let us have a sporting carnival because that is something that would look good on a glossy brochure’; it was the evidence of a plan and a vision. Those are things which were created. You just cannot create things by committee. You have to work it out and then make a decision. Then, people will really respect it when you make a decision based on something that has a really good reason and plan behind it. That is why we have the Arafura Games. That is why there were lots of language programs within the schools and the public service, because it is part of a broader plan.
There was also, by the way, Arafura School Games that people may have forgotten. There was, not so long ago - probably before most members were here - for many years, high school kids from across the Territory participating in a competition within the eastern provinces. The Territory flag was flown in Kupang, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Ambon and Lombok. Many people came together and there was an opportunity for trade discussions and so on all around that. It brought people together and made our young people understand our neighbour and develop an interest about engaging in the future.
Sadly, it was not a result of a Territory government backing off from that; there was the issue of the economic crisis which made it difficult for Indonesia. It still could have occurred in a modified form, without a doubt. I would like to see that come back. It was really put back significantly when the East Timorese crisis occurred. Nonetheless, it still can occur with some modification. Those things are very important. Do not underestimate the power of those sporting and cultural engagements to help us build a bridge from which trade can occur.
One of Australia’s greatest export industries is education; particularly for full-fee-paying students. It is right up there with oil and gas and the agriculture sector. I am pleased to hear there has been some talk of this now. You referred to the increased numbers of students who are studying in the Territory. The percentage figure is impressive. However, you did not tell us the raw numbers because they are very small. Though very small – even with some increases – it can be extrapolated into a large percentage. The fact is, we could do a heck of a lot better with the number of overseas full-fee-paying students in the Territory. That is something I would like to see significantly increased.
We are in a fortunate position in some respects. Sadly, there has been disquiet, particularly within the Indian community. We could position ourselves as not having the bright lights of Sydney and Melbourne, which can be an attraction to students, but by being a place where families can deem to be safe and secure. That is a strong message to send out.
I understand that our immigration agents who work within the region are well regarded. This is another plank to a great industry that could be really enhanced in the Northern Territory. I am very pleased to have had a number of meetings with Professor Barney Glover on this matter, because he is very keen on developing these links. I am keen to work with the university to help develop these ideas to see a significant increase in the number of international students.
If the minister is keen on developing these things, as I suspect he is, he will have my full support. It is not going to be a competition. I want to offer my support, if there is anything I can do in that front. If I happen to go overseas, it will not be in competition with you, it will be to help. It is not political point scoring on the domestic scene, it is actually to help solve the problem, which brings me to Garuda. I believe that when we talk about tourism, we have to recognise that …
Mr BOHLIN: Madam Speaker, I move an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, member for Drysdale; Madam Deputy Speaker. I will reduce my comments to fit into a reasonable amount of time.
When it comes to Garuda, albeit the meetings were pleasant, there are some aspects to this that do need to be talked about quite openly. One is that we can talk all we like about how great tourism is and how close we are to the region but, if we have no competition, if we only have Jetstar, no matter how geographically close we are to the region, the gap is now much wider.
There are number of people who may want to visit here for conferences and, if they have no choice and they have limited access to Darwin, it will drop off the map, no matter how close you are. If you draw a line on a map between Darwin and Jakarta, that will be a very wide gap in practical terms if we do not have a range of options to connect Singapore, Jakarta, and other places to the Territory. You may have your maps on the wall and say, ‘Look how close we are to the region’, but places like Broome, Darwin and Cairns are now, in some respects, further from the region than they were five or 10 years ago. Planes are getting bigger and they are flying over; they do not have to land in Cairns, Broome or Darwin anymore, and we become increasingly isolated.
As strange as it seems, even Perth is finding itself increasingly isolated. They may complain, but when I explained in Western Australia the situation in Darwin, they were shocked to find we only have one international connection. How did this occur? Well, we did not have pleasant conversations with the nice people in Jakarta. The fact is, they may not tell you openly, because it is the nature of our near neighbours not to speak about such unpleasant matters off their own bat. For 30 years, Garuda of being here, subsidies were being provided from one carrier to a next. In recent times Jetstar received what I add up to be $8m worth of subsidies to assist them in establishing here. It happened just before the election, so you could have an announcement.
The effect of that was to spite a carrier from a near neighbour which had never received any special assistance. You lose competition. You lose a full service carrier who has had a 30-year connection to Darwin, supported community events and, now, we have zero competition. The competition was given $8m, thank you very much ...
Mr Elferink: And now they are charging just as much as Garuda ever did.
Mr MILLS: Well, more. So zero competition. You are not going to have the Indonesians, unless they come from particular provinces, be forthright and tell you straight up and down what has happened here. They will be very polite: ‘Thank you very much for coming, and we will do the very best we can’. They will assume that it is their responsibility and the fault is theirs. But make no mistake, there is something we did here with Virgin Blue and with Jetstar. By providing incentives to others, we have turned away a carrier from our near neighbour - that is the practical effect of it - and we have no competition.
That has to be addressed. There are some practical solutions that need to be discussed, and it will take real leadership to run an argument to try to turn this around. We have to show ourselves deadly serious about this because it is very important. Garuda has a big game to play. They have some new planes arriving, but they still have to work out whether it is in their interest, as a corporation, to link up to Darwin if the Northern Territory does not have much of an interest in Indonesia.
You have to demonstrate that we are actually engaged and interested within the region. You demonstrate that by the number of kids who are learning Indonesian in schools, the number of public servants engaging with the region, the number of delegations you are taking into the region, and the concerted strategies that you are running. You have to demonstrate you are actually interested in the region.
Garuda made a pretty big investment in the region over 30 years. I believe they were treated quite badly in the decisions that were made to interfere in the free market, which resulted in a loss of competition. It may have achieved something in the short term, but lost something very significant. It is not going to be a very easy decision for them to come back. They will say nice things, but they are going to be just weighing it up to see whether it is worth their while. There is a lot more work that needs to occur on that front to turn this one around because, once a route drops off - and the minister did not travel back with Garuda. If you open up the little book that is in the back of the seat, you would have seen …
Dr Burns: Travelled into Indonesia in Garuda and then through Indonesia with Garuda.
Mr MILLS: Sorry, I am not trying to be smart, but I recall you did go from Jakarta to …
Dr Burns: You were on the same plane as me!
Mr MILLS: I know, it is all right, I am not trying to have a go. I am just saying that if you pulled out the booklet …
Dr Burns: I asked you whether you were following me.
Mr MILLS: If you pulled out the booklet in the back of the seat, you would have noticed they have removed the link from Denpasar to Darwin. That has gone – it vanished in a flash. When they took it to the printer, it was not the case of ‘Quick, we have just dropped off Darwin’, that happened a long time before. When they made that decision to drop that leg out, that is an indication that an organisation had made a decision about Darwin, despite what they will say.
I very much look forward to hearing the report that comes from the minister’s representative in Jakarta regarding those meetings, because there are layers to this and it is not going to be any easy matter. I look forward to hearing that report.
There is much that can be gained. Our neighbour is not going away, as I said before. Our engagement in the region goes back hundreds of years - hundreds of years. The part that we play is just a small part. There are many aspects to the potentials here in engagement, and it is a matter that should transcend party politics. It is a time for cool heads to get together and work out how we got to this position. There are some strengths to our current position, and some immense opportunities within the region, but we have to recognise what is possible and, then, focus our strategies there and drive hard. We can really make some gains.
We have an extraordinarily diverse community. It is not just to get the Asian community in our midst. As I said before, the Indigenous community, particularly in the Top End, has had those connections going back hundreds of years. If we learn how to engage with Indigenous people, that would give us many clues of how to engage with our neighbours. We are Westerners, and it is not until you do one of these courses you start to recognise your own culture and the effect that your culture has on the way you think, the way you speak, the way you deal with others. That will even help you with our neighbour and help us deal with Indigenous Territorians.
So, the relationship part of Asian Relations and Trade is absolutely critical. I do not see enough of that element through this statement, notwithstanding I welcome the statement because it is a welcome return to the agenda of this government of an engagement with the region. Bearing in mind the economic crisis which has affected the US - of course, it has slowed down things in China – it is our immediate region that is a buffer in many respects. It is not affecting Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and places like that as much as the European and the US economies. We have a tremendous opportunity now to keep those foundations true. Build on it, because there is more to come and we really could do tremendous things by trading smartly with our neighbour, recognising the importance of a relationship, which will then result in long-term trade. Thank you for the statement.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank my colleague, the Minister for Asian Relations and Trade for a very comprehensive statement.
I will pick up first, before I go to my prepared comments, on the contribution from the Leader of the Opposition. He talked about the lack of a strategy in all of this. Well, he is wrong again. We have worked over the last four or five years with a comprehensive engagement and trade strategy. It was released in this House. It was up on the government’s website, and the strategy is being redefined by my colleague, given new circumstances that we face.
I point out that, when we came to government in 2001, I was the first Asian Relations and Trade Minister in the new Labor government and had my incoming briefings from my new CEOs. The Department of Asian Relations and Trade was a department back in those days with a very healthy budget. The first thing I asked the CEO at the briefing was: where was the trade strategy? She looked at me as though I had asked when the next rocket to Mars was going to take off. There had never been a strategy. There had never been a documented trade strategy under the CLP. The Department of Asian Relations and Trade, as it was back then, was nothing more than a glorified travel bureau for ministers who wanted to travel ...
A member: Prime minister Eric was one of them.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, prime minister Eric was one of them. There is a story we might tell one day around the dinner table about prime minister Eric. Certainly, there was no trade strategy, and I was absolutely dumfounded that none did or had existed.
I also pick up on a couple of other things. International students are a very important part of not only the Territory’s economy and for the university, but also those people building relationships in Darwin and, then, going back to home countries and establishing ongoing relationships. It is very important. The new Vice Chancellor, Dr Barney Glover, is certainly going to reinvigorate engagement in the region and will prove to be a very fine Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University.
The Leader of the Opposition talked about Garuda. I will let my colleague wrap up the comments, but this government, apart from Virgin Blue right in the very beginning trying to get some competition with Qantas in the Northern Territory after Ansett collapsed, has never provided any subsidies to airlines. We have cooperative marketing arrangements with airlines. All airlines are treated equally. When I was the Minister for Tourism, we tried, on a number of occasions, to enter into joint marketing arrangements with Garuda that were not successful for one reason or another - but it was not for the want of trying.
In regard to Jetstar, is the Leader of the Opposition really saying that the government should not have gone after Jetstar to establish a hub in Darwin? If he is saying that then, again, he demonstrates a lack of leadership. The government’s commitment with Jetstar was to base up to six planes - actually base those planes in Darwin - to provide for pilots and cabin crew to be based in Darwin. It was not for deep level maintenance, but for routine maintenance to be based in Darwin, providing opportunities for Territory business. Already, we have three of those planes based in Darwin.
We have nearly 50 Jetstar pilots based in Darwin – not living in Adelaide, Sydney or Melbourne. Training is done in Darwin. I am not sure how many, but a significant number of cabin crew are now based in Darwin and trained here. All servicing and supplies of those aircraft is done here. I do not have the multiplier figures here at hand, but there are significant multipliers in our economy. Any Chief Minister worth their salt would go after those opportunities and not turn around and say: ‘Oh no, if we are going to do that we do not want those jobs, those investments, or those planes based here in Darwin …
A member: Or the routes.
Mr HENDERSON: … or the new routes to be serviced. We now have a direct service to Vietnam and other links will be coming. We are not going to do any of that in case we scare off some of the competition’.
It was sad that Garuda decided to pull their flights, but it had absolutely nothing to do with our support for Jetstar here in Darwin. They made their own commercial decisions. Not only would the Leader of the Opposition not have delivered the waterfront, the convention centre, and 30 000 people coming to Darwin that would not have come to Darwin, he would not have chased INPEX because he wanted to park them on a piece of land that would not have been ready. We would not have had the INPEX development …
Members interjecting
Mr HENDERSON: We will not have the airlines hub here. This place would still be the sleepy, forgotten backwater we inherited when we came to government in 2001. The lack of leadership would have be shown by the Leader of the Opposition in going after the prize; actually taking the plunge, showing some leadership, driving investment, providing jobs for Territorians, providing growth for the economy. ‘No, we would not do that because we might upset someone’. As long as I am Chief Minister, I will go after the prize. However, I digress.
Since 2001, two-way trade in merchandise increased by 63% to $6.17bn. In the same period, total exports to Asia have increased by 40% to $3.78bn. Since we have come to government, we have seen significant increase in two-way trade. That is the result of a lot of hard work. I am not saying it is all done by government, by a long stretch; it has been done by good entrepreneurial people here in the Northern Territory, as well as good companies.
Our success to date reflects the strategic approach to engagement with our near neighbours and trading partners. The government’s approach to advancing the Territory’s external interests, and managing and developing our relationships with regional neighbours is focused, pragmatic and flexible. We will continue to build on these foundations. The government’s strategy targets interests and markets where real outcomes are achievable; trading with nations who want the goods, services and commodities we produce and have the money to pay for them. That is where our targets are.
The Minister for Trade and Asian Relations outlined the four key activities where we currently deploy government’s energy and resources to engage the region: targeted ministerial and official travel; support for community education and business engagement; fostering inbound government and business missions - very important to bring people here to the Territory to see what we have to offer; and active promotions of the Territory to foreign diplomatic and business representative based in Australia.
Since 2001, I have personally been involved on a regular basis in a wide range of engagement activities to advance Territory trade and investment. In the last fortnight alone, my activities have included a number of initiatives. I have led a very successful mission to Timor-Leste. On return, I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss Territory interests with the Prime Minister here in Darwin. That was a trip that was comprehensively bagged by the Leader of the Opposition who called it junket, and offended the 60 people who travelled on that delegation.
I welcomed and met with many of the 1600 delegates to the APPEA Conference here in Darwin. The APPEA Conference is Australia’s leading oil and gas conference. All of the top players in Australia, and many from around the world, were featured. If we did not have the convention centre and the new hotels, we would not have had the conference. That is something that would not have occurred under a CLP government.
I spent some time with the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, whom I had invited to Darwin, making clear that the Territory is open for business and Chinese investment is very welcome. This is unlike the Liberal Party which has been running a scare campaign about Chinese investment. Under the Henderson Labor government, Chinese investment is very welcome in the Northern Territory.
Last Wednesday, I launched the Chief Minister’s Northern Territory Export and Industry Awards at Crocosaurus Cove.
In September, the Territory will once again host the South-East Asian Offshore Oil and Gas Conference. This will bring business people to Darwin, including investors from around the region, to discuss more oil and gas developments and opportunities.
The Territory has a strong, long-standing relationship with Indonesia. It is based on the true friendship of neighbours who have interacted for generations on matters of common interest. My government supports this friendship through several means, including support for sporting links such as the Timor Sea Cup, which is a football competition organised by my department between the Northern Territory, Timor-Leste and West Timor. There are also cultural links supported by the governments including the recent training courses provided by Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory to curators in Yogyakarta.
Charles Darwin University also has a long-standing relationship with Indonesia, particularly with eastern Indonesia in both the provision of education and research. These links provide the foundation for business between the Territory and Indonesia. Indonesia is the Territory’s fourth most important destination for exported goods including goods in oil and mining sectors.
Our links will be fostered again next week when a 27-strong delegation led by my department heads for Balikpapan for a mining and oil expo. This group is represented by a broad range of industry sectors including automotive engineering, emergency service vehicles, medical services, and tools and equipment.
The government is also funding two Indonesian Customs officials to operate the Indonesian Customs pre-inspection facility in Darwin, the only such facility based in Australia. The facility allows companies exporting to eastern Indonesia a complete pre-inspection of cargo prior to shipment. Cargo is normally fast-tracked through the Customs’ green channel on arrival.
The government will continue its ongoing campaign of engagement with major mine operators and mining subcontractors across the region to position Darwin as an export port of choice for goods destined for the Indonesian mining sector. Darwin companies which have already used the pre-inspection services for their export shipments include Deeds Engineering, We’reabout Engineering, Linetec Engineering, Blackwoods and St John Ambulance NT.
The Indonesian customs officers also recently pre-inspected 150 000 commercial vessels for export to West Timor, as well as animal hides bound for Denpasar. The officers will pre-inspect the entire fleet of some 130 yachts entered in this July’s Darwin to Saumlaki Yacht Race as part of Sail Indonesia. In recognition of the importance the government places on our relationship with Indonesia, I hope to visit Jakarta to develop relationships with the new administration sometime after the presidential elections in July.
In January this year, I travelled to China, Japan and the United States - and I did not take any of my family. I met with senior executives from major stakeholders including the Stone Group, Noble, Tokyo Gas, INPEX, and ConocoPhillips to discuss aspects of specific project proposals; planning for which is already in its advanced stage. Given the global financial crisis, this was a strategic time to strengthen international business confidence in the Territory with influential business leaders. I shared the outcome of this mission with the local business community immediately after my return at a well-attended presentation I gave at the Darwin Convention Centre.
In March, I was the keynote speaker at an NC investment seminar with the Japanese business community in Sydney. The seminar was organised by my department in consultation with the Japanese Consul-General, and attracted some 50 influential Japanese business and government representatives from across Australia. My ministers and I are fortunate to enjoy close working relationships with the leadership of INPEX and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation.
At the opening of the INPEX office in Darwin on 9 April, the President of INPEX, Mr Naoki Kuroda, congratulated my government and the people of Darwin for the welcome that INPEX had received, and on the efforts which have been made to provide certainty to INPEX Ichthys LNG project. The government has also been working closely with the Japanese government organisation JOGMEC, which is designed to set up joint ventures with overseas companies to conduct exploration and secure mineral resources from Japan.
My colleague, the Asian Relations and Trade minister, obviously has just met with JOGMEC in Japan to further develop that relationship. JOGMEC recently signed two major joint venture agreements with Australian companies for greenfield projects in the Territory; a joint venture with Bondi Mining to fund $3m worth of uranium exploration over four years, and a joint venture with Mincor Resources to fund $4.5m worth of lead zinc exploration over three years.
In relation to China, in April the government committed the Territory to participation as a silver sponsor in the Australian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. We were the first state or territory to partner with the Australian government in this way. From 1 May to 31 October 2010, Shanghai will host the biggest world expo in history. Over 230 nations and international organisations are expected to participate at the expo, and it is predicted that more than seven million people will visit the Australian Pavilion at the expo. That is quite extraordinary - isn’t it? - seven million people.
The Shanghai Expo will provide the Territory government business and community with a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of the Territory to China, along with a diverse international audience. The Territory will take the opportunity to develop further its trade and investment links, and people-to-people links in China in a variety of ways over the 12 to 18 months before, during, and after expo. Of equal importance, the expo provides an occasion to strengthen our overall bilateral relations with China.
The Leader of the Opposition has criticised the government for having too much of a focus on China. I do not share his views. China is going to be very important. It is going to be vitally important to the Australian economy over decades to come, and the Territory stands to greatly benefit from that relationship.
Territory tourism is highly influenced by international events and developments. Since the world-changing events of 2001, the local industry has experienced a shift in the balance between interstate and international visitors, with interstate holiday visitors now outnumbering international visitors. To mitigate the impacts of the current global financial crisis, Tourism NT has allocated $2.2m over the next two years for contingency marketing in select markets. Whilst the domestic market is the primary focus, resources have also been allocated for campaigns in Asia.
In order to underpin aviation linkages, Tourism NT’s Asia Gateway initiative is currently being developed to give focus on key markets in close proximity such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Positioning the Territory as a tourism destination in Asia is also an integral component of the Tourism NT’s online strategy. This includes websites in Japanese, Chinese and Korean that enables the consumer to download information in their language about the various destinations and tourism experiences available in the Territory. Our new international trade strategy currently under development has identified Japan, China and Indonesia as the Territory’s key markets. Emerging markets of interest are Vietnam, India, Malaysia and the Philippines. Education is one of the strategy’s key focal points.
The Territory education system and accredited private providers offer high-quality services from preschool through to tertiary levels of study. Since 2003, the value of international education in the Territory has increased by 70% to $22m. Access Economics has found that, for every dollar spent on education, $1.91 is spent in the local economy on annual living expenses. International education is also recognised as an important mechanism for attracting skilled migrants to the Territory, which is vital for our ongoing development.
Charles Darwin University has 351 students on International Student Visas from a diverse mix of countries including India, China, the Philippines, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia and Vietnam. There are also 100 additional international students undertaking short courses at Charles Darwin University, and about half of these students come from Asia. In addition, there are 80 full-fee-paying students studying at private and public schools in the Territory, with a further 15 applications currently being processed by the Department of Education and Training.
Another focus of our approach in the region is to support the study of Asian languages. This allows students to develop a deeper cultural understanding of the region whilst also providing them with the basis on which to engage with our neighbours in their own language. Northern Territory schools have 1460 students learning Indonesian, 1000 students studying Japanese, and 715 students learning Mandarin. Many of our secondary schools support their language and culture programs by undertaking school excursions to our Asian neighbours. Students from Palmerston High School and Dripstone Middle School travelled to Japan recently. Students from Darwin High School will soon venture to China and Malaysia, and students from Taminmin High School are bound for Vietnam.
The government has a formal partnership agreement with Charles Darwin University to foster economic, social, and cultural developments in the Territory. It includes the schedule of activity under the heading of Australian and Global Connections. The aim of the strategy is to favourably position the Northern Territory government and Charles Darwin University in the region. The major focus will be on countries of mutual interest to enhance trade and investment, including student recruitment and marketing of research and training services. An important initiative under the partnership is a major symposium with the theme of Charles Darwin, ‘Shaping our Science, Society and Future’ to be held in Darwin in September …
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I move and extension for the Chief Minister to conclude his remarks, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: I thank the member for Port Darwin for his generosity. Speakers will include Professor Tim Berra and Noble Laureate Professor Peter Doherty and other experts from the around the world.
My government and CDU are also working closely together with the Australian government in Timor-Leste to create greater use of Darwin-based resources for the education and training of Timorese youth. The government also supports the significant work that CDU has undertaken in integrated catchment management in eastern Indonesia. There have also been joint marketing missions to the region to encourage study in and migration to the Territory.
I note that the Vice Chancellor of the CDU, Professor Barney Glover, and the Director of Menzies School of Health Research, Profession Jonathan Carapetis accompanied me on my recent visit to Timor-Leste. They participated in the Bilateral Ministerial Forum, and separate meetings with the Timorese Minister for Education and the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, promoting their respective institutions and training and research capabilities. They jointly announced the offer of two fully-funded PHD scholarships in the health field through Menzies School of Health Research and CDU. I congratulate Menzies School of Health Research and CDU for a very generous offer.
Another example where the government is supporting links with Asia through education and training is the internship scheme for mid-level Timorese public servants, which I initiated after discussions with Prime Minister of Timor, Xanana Gusmao, in August last year. In April, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Territory’s Office of Commissioner for Public Employment and the Timor-Leste Civil Service Commission. In total, 10 placements will be provided for interns in the Northern Territory Public Service, with the first four participants due in Darwin next month.
The 2009 Arafura Games saw teams competing from Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste, as well as from the Pacific Islands and further afield. A total of 47 countries competed. Sporting engagement is an important way of fostering people-to-people relations, and I am pleased that sporting bodies such as the Football Federation of the Northern Territory are working closely with Football Australia to develop their links with Asia. Football Federation NT has worked with the NT government on initiatives such as the Timor Sea Cup, and football scholarships for Timorese are commendable.
The government has continued to invest in port and transport infrastructure to support trade. Our initiatives include: $100m investment at East Arm port on an overland conveyor from the bulk mineral stockpile site to the ship loader; land reclamation works to expand the container and another freight lay down area; and a further 6 ha of storage for goods such as light vehicles. A further $50m is available from the Australian government to help build a railway loop and rail dump to enable greater throughput of exports at the wharf. Prior to this, the Territory government invested $24m in a bulk mineral loading facility to enable new mines to develop in the Territory, and allow the bulk minerals export trade to commence.
The government is investing a further $18m in the Darwin Business Park to open up 20 new lot subdivisions. This park is demonstrating its value as part of the AustralAsia Trade Route, which is strategically located in the East Arm precinct which provides for the efficient consolidation and distribution of cargos between Australia and Asia.
The global financial crisis has put a stress on some of the international shipping services operating to Darwin. Recently, Hai Win announced that they were reducing their services from Shanghai to Darwin ...
Mr Giles: You have a port not functioning, that is the problem.
Mr HENDERSON: Dear, oh dear. We are talking about a port, Madam Deputy Speaker. Empty vessels make the most sound ...
Mr Giles: Damien Hale turned his back; you have a port that is not working.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr HENDERSON: Whilst initially proposing a full withdrawal, the Darwin Port Corporation advises that the company is still operating direct services into Darwin, but less frequently. My government is actively working with the shipping proponents about establishing further direct links between north Asia and Darwin, and I am hopeful of a favourable announcement about this in the near future.
Aviation links are also critical to relations with Asia. Tourism NT has recently appointed a dedicated Aviation Director to build relationships with airlines. This involves highlighting opportunities and looking for incremental growth and competition. We are fortunate to have good aviation links to Asia, as well as twice daily flights to Singapore; daily flights to Bali and Dili; and three flights a week to Ho Chi Min City. There are also good connections to places like Bangkok and Manila through Singapore. Because of our strategic and close proximity to Asia, Jetstar is establishing an aviation hub that will see Darwin connected to more points of the map over the coming years - and certainly with my strong support.
These are some of the broad range of policies, strategies, and initiatives I have outlined as part of the government’s coordinated strategy to develop and maintain lasting and productive relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners. The government will continue to facilitate private sector involvement in commercial relationships with our trading partners. We will also maintain our strong commitment to expand opportunities for export and investment attraction.
I thank all of the hard-working staff in the Department of Chief Ministers in the Asian Relation Trade Division. They do an enormous job in working with our private sector here in the Northern Territory, and engaging with government officers and officials in countries in the region. It is not only public servants from my Department of Chief Ministers but, also, through Tourism NT there is an extensive network of Territory public servants and people on contracts to the Territory overseas. The Department of Minerals and Energy, as well, has developed excellent links, particularly with counterparts in China and Japan. Also, my colleague, the minister for Sport’s agency has excellent links in many countries in the region.
This is a multilayered strategy. It is a strategy we have further consolidated. When you look at the outcomes - which the Leader of the Opposition likes to talk a lot about - two-way trade increased by 63% since 2001, and exports to Asia increased by 40% since 2001. It is a very significant outcome. When INPEX make that final investment decision in 2010 - fingers crossed; I believe we are about 90% of the way there - and first exports start leaving Port of Darwin in 2014, this Territory has a very bright future. That very bright future is very much built on our relationships and partners in our region.
Madam Deputy Speaker, we have the vision, the drive, the determination, and we have the runs on the board. I commend the minister on his statement. I am absolutely confident he will do a magnificent job in the new portfolio role he now carries.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Deputy Speaker, I was not going to speak too much about this, but the opening comments by the Chief Minister put in my mind the stark contrast between the former CLP government - which rendered this place destitute and bereft of any growth according to these guys - and the present government. It was curious to hear the Chief Minister, say: ‘The first thing I did was speak to my senior public servant and ask what the strategy was’. Of course, that senior public servant was utterly astonished at that comment. Why would that public servant not be utterly astonished? Because that public servant, whoever that was, would certainly not have been used to having a political leader in the Northern Territory sitting opposite them saying, ‘What do I do? What is my strategy to deal with South-East Asia?’
I have heard, as an insult, that the CLP used to disappear into South-East Asia for weeks at a time. Hallelujah they were doing that! I remember when the former Chief Minister, Clare Martin, as the Opposition Leader, used to get stuck into Daryl Manzie: ‘You are not going there often enough. You are not travelling. You have only been there three times this year’. Similarly, when Mick Palmer was over there promoting cattle, in particular, in the Philippines and Vietnam. Also, when Shane Stone used to have walk-in access to Suharto. He would pick up the phone and he would say: ‘I am coming’. He would be welcome in the President of Indonesia’s office. That was the strategy because the way this system is supposed to work is that our political leaders are supposed to provide just that: leadership.
I can well imagine the mystified look on that senior public servant’s face when the first thing the Chief Minister said to the senior public servant was: ‘What do I do? What is the strategy?’ The strategy was being well played out. The penetration into South-East Asia by the Northern Territory government prior to the change in government, including the consultants and the people we had there, was probably better in many respects that the penetration that the Australian government had into South-East Asia.
Working with Premier Court at the time, Shane Lesley Stone - the short, fat, Napoleonic sort of guy so many people think he is - had the audacity, the brass, the kahunas, to actually go into South-East Asia and get into places like the Premier’s office in China, and start developing markets in those places. That is the challenge. The guy had the electoral support of an alderman of Beijing if he was lucky, but he was kicking in the door, along with the assistance of Premier Court, I believe it was at the time, to get into see people like the Premier of China. That was the strategy; the strategy was leading from the front. Public servants would have been very surprised to be confronted by someone like Shane Stone saying: ‘What do I do next? How do I do my job?’
That is the fundamental difference: the members opposite always need a strategy. They always need it to be provided in some fashion. ‘How do I do what I am supposed to do next? How will I make it look good?’ That brings me to my next point, because everything we see coming out of this government is about how it looks: ‘What does the strategy look like? What does the media release look like? How does the glossy brochure look? What is the substance of what I am talking about?’ It is all dressage, dressage, dressage. It needs to be driven from within. This is not a job, this is a vocation. That is what we should be talking about. It should be coming from within - the heart and the soul. They have had a wonderful opportunity in the last few years to use some of those extra billions of dollars they have received as a result of the new taxation arrangements in this country, to drive that even harder and further.
I am absolutely delighted to see the Chief Minister gets into aeroplanes and goes into South-East Asia. In my opinion he does not do it often enough, nor do the other ministers. It is about dressage; how it looks.
I draw honourable members to the statement on page 4 of the document circulated last night:
- In the year to April 2009, the Territory’s exports increased by 57.3%, and imports grew by 73.9%, increasing the Territory’s goods trades surplus by $500m to $2.1bn.
That is impressive – really impressive. However, I draw member’s attention to page 71 of their own budget documents where it says:
- In 2007-08, the international trade surplus …
We are talking about the trade balance, essentially:
- … increased to $2.3bn. The positive trade balance is primarily due to strong demand for mineral and energy resources, high commodity prices and favourable exchange rates for the Australian dollar during 2007-08.
Let us go back and investigate the $2.1bn improvement. Oh hang on, if it is an improvement than why is it $200m less than it was in the financial year 2007-08? That raises a few eyebrows, and causes me to go and visit some of the yardsticks the government uses to sell how good a job they are doing.
The first interesting thing: in the year to April 2009. What financial reporting methodology uses the financial year April one year to April the next year? Is it a quarterly report? No, you get a March quarter; you do not get an April quarter. Is it a half-yearly report? No, we get those in about October. Is it an end of year financial statement? No, we get those in about September. Is it an end of year statement? No, we get those at the end of the year. There is no financial vehicle or measure I am aware of, that uses the year April to April as a measure of imports. But what this government is actually interested in is how it looks. The government wants to be able to say ‘an increase by $500m to $2.1bn’.
In actual fact, if you look at the budget papers - you have to draw some lines on the graph that is provided on page 71 of the budget paper, the Northern Territory Economy – you will suddenly realise they choose the most remarkable financial period as a period where they can demonstrate maximise growth. The forecasts from that unusual period to the next financial year show that that surplus will be in the area of just over $1bn. It is much more important to dress this up than it is to demonstrate what is actually happening. Why? ‘Because I need a strategy, and part of my strategy is how do I make it look to the domestic environment?’ When I say domestic environment, I mean the voter. ‘As long as I can keep producing glossy pamphlets and have somebody giving me a strategy and making it look all right, then I will be able to convince people I am doing a great job’.
However, the fact is that between 2007-08 and the rather remarkable April 2009 figure, trade balance has actually fallen by $200m. We are going backwards despite what the minister says. Interestingly, the minister talked about the Territory’s exports increasing by 53%. By what measure? Volume? Amounts of widgets? By what measure do you measure an increase of 57.3%? Well, the answer to that is on page 71 of the referred budget paper. The vehicle by which you measured is dollars. Here we come back to the dressage that we are getting used to from this government.
One would be inclined to think that, during this period, we have this wonderful growth and we are exporting 57% more product overseas. No, that is not what has happened. What is actually happening is that the product we export from the Northern Territory to the international marketplace is bought and sold on that international marketplace in American dollars. When you do a projection in one financial year and that projection shows you that the Australian dollar and the American dollar is almost at parity, then you get a lower result on the Australian dollar scale. If the Australian dollar in a global financial crisis, should one occur, falls to about half parity, all of a sudden you get this whopping great increase in the value of your sales when you measure it in Australian dollars. That is the growth. Yes, there has been a slight growth in the amount of gas being sold. Why? Because ConocoPhillips, the gas supplier at Wickham Point, was offline for a short time last year, which lowered the amount of gas being sold.
However, to come in here and say the Territory’s export increased by 57.3% during that period is smoke and mirrors. I point out to the minister, as well as the Chief Minister, high commodity prices and favourable exchange rates for the Australian dollar during 2007-08 were a large slice of the increase. It does not mean we are producing more. It does not mean we are necessarily selling more. It is just a favourable exchange rate.
As much as this government would like to have Territorians think that they are wonderful economic managers, I suspect that those people who sit on Wall Street determining the value of the American dollar - or more to the point those people investing globally in American dollars, thus forcing it into a better position - are not waiting for Delia Greenspan to be making pronouncements before they make their decisions. The government claims to be an economic manager when, in actual fact, what they are is a fiscal manager. They have a budget which they manage on an annual basis and, using that budget, they have to ride the ebbs and flows, the tides and waves, of the international marketplace. They are as vulnerable to that as any other state jurisdiction, and even more so by virtue of the fact we are a small jurisdiction.
I can tell you, Premier Wu of China is not lying in bed at 3 am looking at the ceiling thinking to himself: ‘My God, what is the Northern Territory doing in terms of its exports and imports over the next 12 months?’ He has bigger fish to fry. He sits in command of a quarter of the world’s population, and our 220 000 people, I suspect, do not really occupy a great deal of his mind. I do not suspect that the Northern Territory occupies a great deal of his mind. What does occupy his mind, however, is sourcing energy and resources from wherever he can get them. For that, you need Asian Relations and Trade.
You do not necessarily need some written strategy provided by a public servant dressed up in a flash ministerial statement that paints a glossy picture. You need passion. You need drive. You need to get out of bed in the morning and say: ‘This is what we are doing’. Not walking into a public servant’s office and asking: ‘What is our strategy for the week? What are we doing?’ Drive it - drive it from the front.
This is the stuff that I was getting passionate about the last time we were in this place, saying leadership belongs to you. You are appointed by the people of the Northern Territory to lead. Lead! Get out there and go for it. You will see me championing you every time you climb into an aeroplane and go over there. By all means, tell us what you are spending - that is what we are asking - but go and spend it. I am not criticising anyone for spending money trying to create wealth and jobs in South-East Asia.
The INPEX result, as I have said in this place in the past, is good. I like what has happened with INPEX. I do not particularly like where it has gone into the harbour necessarily but, if it is a choice of having INPEX and not having INPEX, bring it on.
What are we doing with Greater Sunrise? They have already indicated that they are not going to Timor, I imagine for all sorts of reasons ...
Dr Burns: No, they have not.
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, they have. They have said they are not going to Timor. Surely, you know that? Surely, the minister is aware that the developers of Sunrise field has absolutely discounted Timor? Surely, you are aware of that, are you not?
Dr Burns: Have they?
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, they have. Oh, my goodness gracious me. Madam Deputy Speaker, how frustrating is this to watch this occur every day. This is incredible ...
Dr Burns: I advise the member for Port Darwin to be very careful what he says in this place. That is all. I am cautioning you, member for Port Darwin.
Mr ELFERINK: They have said it. They have said they are not going. That is what they have said. That leaves them with two choices. One is the option of building an offshore plant or two, and with the option of coming to Darwin. What are we doing to court them? I have not heard any comments from the Chief Minister publicly recently, or for a long time. What are we doing to court that particular gas coming to Darwin? Are we out there? We have lost one of our great drivers in this in Paul Tyrrell. He has gone. I can say he utterly deserves the gong he got - big gold star on the middle of his forehead, that is what I reckon. However, we have lost that driver. Is there anyone else out there driving this stuff?
Madam Deputy Speaker, that is what I am looking for in leadership, not some mere Chief Minister who says: ‘Well, I am the Chief Minister now, what do I do next? Somebody give me a strategy?’ That is the fundamental difference between the government that once was and this one. Yes, it was forceful. It gained a reputation even for being arrogant in pursuit of these things and, ultimately, it cost them enormously. However, to have a Chief Minister be surprised that a public servant was aghast, agog and astonished when the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, essentially, said to that public servant: ‘What do we do now? What is the strategy?’, just shows the vast difference between that which once was and that which is now.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is always entertaining to listen to the member for Port Darwin. It was a great performance, I have to admit. He speaks well, performs really well. I agree with some of the things he said, and some others I disagree - and disagree strongly. Leadership was mentioned many times, and I think he is coming to strong leadership. (inaudible) that the previous governments tried and it did not. He mentioned Shane Stone saw the Premier of China. Yes he did, to sell Western Australian gas. He did it to sell gas from Western Australia not from the Northern Territory ...
Mr Elferink: What? And we have ended up as the poor cousin as a result?
Mr VATSKALIS: You cannot trust Western Australians? It is on record. Politically, Shane Stone and I have our differences and we do not agree on politics. However, on one thing we agree to about the Territory is ‘Go north, young man; go to Asia’. That is exactly what we have done.
That is exactly what I have done in the past few years, as I said, as the minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, and Mines and Energy. The member for Goyder knows very well because, in her previous capacity as CEO of the Minerals Council, we worked very closely in developing this strategy. I would not have visited China six times in 18 months if I did not believe that China is our market – can be our market not only for our minerals but also for our cattle. I would not be travelling as far as Denver or Toronto in minus-10C if I did not believe that the place to sell the Territory is the place where the big players are who buy minerals.
We have seen the results. I will come to that. However, first, I repeat: Asia is our market. I take great pride when I go south and I show slides and say: ‘Look where Darwin is. Look how close we are to five capital cities in South-East Asia, and look how far away we are from Canberra. To our south, there are about 25 million potential clients if you include the New Zealanders. To our north, about two billion. So where do you want to be?’ We are exactly in the right spot, on the right continent, to focus on Asia. We have done it, and we have done it successfully.
I acknowledge the previous governments’ efforts to open its markets to Asia; not very successfully but they did break into the Indonesian market and started shipping cattle there. A few days ago in the newspaper, I read that 10 years ago 130 000 cattle were exported to Indonesia from the Northern Territory. Today, the number of cattle exported to Indonesia is 280 000 cattle. Not only that, we have gone to Vietnam and established a strong relationship there. The first shipment of cattle for Vietnam will leave in September.
We have gone to Sarawak, Sabah, Malaysia and Brunei, not only to sell products but also to establish relationships. This is especially true of Malaysia where we have not only sold cattle but have helped them establish their abattoirs. We have trained them in how to kill the animals, how to handle them humanely, and how to process the meat with the western cuts the tourists who now go to Sabah want to have on their plates...
Mr Elferink: Did you make this decision or did the public servant write the strategy? Hopefully, you made the decision, that is my point.
Mr VATSKALIS: We will come to that. The policy is decided by the government. The strategies are discussed with the government and the public service before a final decision is made ...
Mr Elferink: That is not what he said. And that is the problem.
Mr VATSKALIS: Again, you spoke about leadership. We have shown leadership. My colleague, the Minister for Asian Relations, went to Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan. He did not have to go. He could easily have said: ‘Well, public servants can go and do the job’. The way of conducting business in Asia is different from how you do business in other places. You have to be seen there with your public servants. You have to be seen there with your own people, driving the public service, being the public face of the government, meeting the government officials, meeting the ministers and deputy ministers to establish the name of the Territory.
When I first went to China, the Territory was an unknown territory. When you mentioned the Territory, the people did not know what you were talking about. If you said: ‘I am from Darwin’, they said: ‘How close to Sydney is that?’ You virtually had to get the map of Australia and put it on the table and show them where the Territory was. When they saw the Territory, their eyes opened like lights. Suddenly, the Territory was there in front of them and very close to their country, especially in China. And it got better.
When I started talking to them about the potential of the Territory, the deep harbour, the railway line, the minerals of the Territory, people wanted to know about it. They wanted to know more and more. Every time I went to China, we attracted more people. This strategy for China was not an outcome of a think tank in the public service. It was decided up there on the fifth floor in my office. I was the first minister who said we should go out and tell people about the Territory. The response from public servants was: ‘Minister, that has never been done before. We do not have to go. People will come and ask for it’. I said: ‘No, we have to go out because the legacy left behind in the mining industry, in particular, by the CLP was a stack of applications sitting on a table for years because they wanted to use this as an excuse to fight the Land Rights Act and Indigenous Territorians, and a declining number of mines from the heyday of the 1990s. The number of mines were closing down and we were only left with five mines at that time, I believe.
I remember when the Chief Minister was the minister for Mines. I remember he came into Cabinet and said he found 400 applications sitting on his desk not processed intentionally to create this division between Indigenous interests and the mineral mining companies.
Now, we have exceeded 1000 mining applications. We have mines opening. Mines close in Western Australia because they cannot negotiate a price for their iron ore; the iron ore mine in the Northern Territory at Frances Creek has negotiated three contracts. When there have been companies actually reducing the output of their mines and laying off workers, we have seen mines in the Northern Territory hiring new workers - more workers. We know we are not a big financial superpower. We depend very much on what is happening in Australia and around the world.
Quite rightly, the member for Port Darwin mentioned you can make a lot of money on the difference of the currency. However, that works both ways. When the currency goes up you make money; when the currency goes down you lose money. You cannot have it both ways. The reality is, yes, we export resources; we export significant goods and resources - and we continue to promote the Territory as the place to find these resources. We have seen the results.
I refer specifically to the mining industry, because the mining industry is the biggest employer and generator of wealth in the Territory. Also, the mining has significant impact on the economy of the Territory. I was worried when the economic downturn came and I saw the Chinese pulling out of markets in Western Australia. I was worried about our situation and what would happen if China, for example, stopped buying manganese, iron ore, or zinc. However, it did not eventuate. The Chinese still bought the iron ore, the manganese, the zinc, and continue to do so.
They not only continue to do so, but the Chinese now have turned their attention to us. They have turned their attention to the Territory because they believe the Territory is a safe place to invest. It is a safe place to actually do the joint ventures and the acquisitions. We have seen that more recently. Arafura Resources – the agreement has been signed, sealed and delivered and the mining has been entrusted to them. The East China Exploration Company acquired 25% of their shares, and they are partners in one of the biggest mines for rare earths in the world.
We have Chinese companies now with their headquarters here in the Territory, in Cullen Bay. We have Chinese companies applying for exploration in their own right. I have in my office a map that was given to me by one of these Chinese investors - a map of Australia and of the Territory with all the mines marked in Chinese language. Their industry has turned; their interest is focused in the Territory.
The last trip I took to China, I was very impressed because we had to tell people they could not meet with the investors from the Territory because we did not have time. We had five investors with us. We had prearranged meetings but, when they found out through their connections and links through the Chamber of Commerce, they were ringing and asking for a meeting. Some people had to delay their departure in order to accommodate some of these people who wanted to meet them.
We have a strategy we developed here on the fifth floor and, yes, it was finalised and refined by the public service, and that is good cooperation between public servants and political leaders. On a different level, we have to provide the leadership, but we have to work together to deliver. I am very pleased to say that we have done that very well. We developed a booklet which is renewed every six months, which has information about all the mining projects in the Territory, what they are, what minerals they source, and what stage of development they are in. We take that with us when we go to China, and the interest in China is enormous.
I believe from what my colleague told me, in Japan it is exactly the same interest. An example is ITOCHU which is now partner in one of the biggest iron ore projects in the Northern Territory. If you look in the newspaper today in the double feature about businesses, the story that comes out is the area may be equal to the Pilbara in Western Australia.
The Chinese are also interested in that area because it contains enormous quantities of magnetite. I was in China when I read a newspaper article saying in one of the provinces they were very excited because they discovered iron ore that was 800 m below ground and the content was 38% magnetite. In the Roper River area, the content of magnetite is up to 60%, and that generates enormous interest in China because it is near the surface and very easy to excavate, easily transported to the port, and quickly transport to China. A boat from Adelaide would take about 14 to 15 days to go to the Jinzhou port in China. From Darwin, it would take nine days - six days less. Now you understand why they are interested.
Of course, the other significant interest was the uranium. China is hungry for energy, and they have said that they are going to build a significant number of nuclear reactors in the next five to 10 years. They need uranium. The first shipment of uranium was recently shipped out of the Territory by the ERA company and was delivered to China. China also needs gas. The moment we advised Chinese interests how much gas there is in the Territory, how much of it they can buy, and where they are going to buy it from, they got really excited.
This time, our trip to China was not only significant because we sold the mineral resources of the Territory - and we do not sell it. We bring investors with us and the investors do the selling. They promote their projects and then agree to selling arrangements they made. We are there to provide backing to our investors; that the government has a strong interest in the mining industry, supports the mining industry, and supports these investors. We are there to show our support, and they appreciate it very much. Then, they get this feeling that the government in the Northern Territory is certain about what it is going to do, the way it wants to achieve it, and they provide a good backing for the mineral industry.
However, this time when we visited Shanghai, one of the seminars was at the Shanghai Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce. Significant interest was shown for the Territory’s ability to provide live cattle and agricultural products. The investors were asking questions about acquiring property in the Territory. When we explained to them properties there are the size of a small European country, they got excited because weather conditions in China and the Territory in certain areas are very similar. With the vast areas of the Territory and the clean air - we do not have pollution - they can actually grow the similar types of vegetables and fruit that they grow in China. One of the things that China demands is milk - and they are acquiring dairy cattle from Victoria and Western Australia - and meat. The living standards in China have increased in the past 10 to 15 years significantly and the people have disposable income. When they have disposable income they turn to largest quantities of meat on their plate and always request better source of protein. That translates into beef. It is the same in Indonesia and in all developing countries.
However, it is not only about going there to sell the Territory; it is going to Asia to build relationships. When the tough times come, what will make a difference is the relationships we have established and built with people in those countries. They do not do business by fax and letter; they do business face-to-face. Some of them say the real business takes place not at the meeting at the office, but at the dinner at the end of the day. Again, it is not only about selling and building relationships; it is the fact that we can actually utilise our position to build good relationships with other countries. I recall very well, when the relationship of Australia with Indonesia was at the lowest ever point, the Territory still maintained good relationships with Indonesia.
I recall when we had the incident with the illegal Indonesian fishermen. I was in Jakarta and turned on the television, and there was one of the state television stations showing, in Darwin, the burning of boats of the Indonesian fishermen who were caught fishing illegally. Still, the relationship between the Territory and the Indonesian authorities was cordial, and I was welcomed very cordially at the office of the minister for Fisheries and at the office of the minister for Resources and Mining.
Because of our relationship and what we have done in the past, that pays dividends. The Territory was the place where thousands of Timorese refugees found refuge, and this relationship is still there. When we go to East Timor, people I cannot remember still remember that I was at the Kalymnian Hall when they came from Timor with nothing, and we helped them to seek refuge from the Indonesian authorities in Dili. Being a Minister for Asian Relations and Trade is not just about going there talking to people to try to sell them things. It is more important than that; it is going to Asia and building relationships. However, in the past and for previous governments, Asia was a very selective number of countries - mainly Indonesia and possibly Philippines, nothing else. However, in our sight now we have more than Indonesia. We now focus on Vietnam, again on the Philippines, on India, on China, and on Japan.
We believe that China is one of the superpowers that actually will require a lot our resources. The next upcoming superpower is India. This is the time we should start seriously focusing on India, because India is a very rich country, it has very well educated people who speak English, and they do not have many resources. Or, the resources they have are in places where they still cannot access them, or they do not have the facilities or the technology to access them.
As the Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources, I am always out there, I am always on the plane. I do not care if the opposition criticises about ministerial travel, the reality is, unless you spend money, you cannot make money. Every dollar we spend travelling is many dollars in the pockets of the average Territorian who works directly in the pastoral industry, the mining industry, or indirectly in businesses that provide services to those businesses.
I speak today to support my colleague, the Minister for Asian Relation and Trade. I have to say that he is doing a fantastic job. It is a difficult job, being in three countries in five days, travelling by aeroplane everywhere, being away from your family, with a job that starts at 8 am and finishes at 11.30 pm, or up to 1 am at night, day after day after day. It is a hard job. We are prepared to do it. We have to do it, because it is not holidays, not enjoyment, but we know very well, at the end of the trip, we can come back and say, yes, we did our bit; yes, we tried to bring things to the Territory, to have things happen in the Territory, and we are pretty sure that now things will start to happen in the Territory. As a matter of fact, nothing just stops happening in the Territory; the economy is still ticking very well. I think the last mining industry news we had, it is better and better.
Looking at my colleague, the member for Barkly, I can mention Arafura Resources and Ti Tree which is going ahead, the mine with phosphate is going ahead; the Bootu Creek is already there, and the Roper Valley. In a small region like Barkly, we have potential for enormous mining scope in the next two or three years, with potential opportunity for jobs, not only for people to fly in and fly out, but also for Indigenous people who live there, and see mines and the pastoral industry as a unique opportunity to get a job they have only dreamed off, so they can have the salary, the money to buy a car or a house.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I congratulate my colleague, the Minister for Asian Relations, and Trade. Keep doing what you are doing; you are doing a great job.
Mr STYLES (Sanderson): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is very interesting. I came to the Northern Territory 30 years ago as a lad, and had two visits here before I decided it was a great place to live and I was going to move here. It is interesting because there seems to be quite a difference in versions of history. On many occasions since I arrived in this place, those people in government appear to be trying to rewrite history. I listened with great interest earlier as the Chief Minister described Darwin and the Northern Territory, when his government came into power, as a sleepy backwater. The Chief Minister seems to suggest that when he arrived on the scene of government there was nothing here; we would have been living in tents and there were just no services or anything.
It is very interesting because, in those days, we had a reliable power supply, some reasonably good health services - albeit that it was not perfect. There were a number of things that were actually better than they are currently. I even recall the number of police vehicles on the road. There is the same number on the road, at the stations, as when I first came here 28 years ago and joined the Northern Territory Police Force.
Moving on to the actual statement the minister has made, I will refer to various parts of it and make comment on it. On page 1, paragraph 3, it says:
- Comparing the year to April 2001 with the year April 2009, total exports to Asia have increased by 40% to $3.78bn.
It was a former minister in the government, Chris Natt, who acknowledged that his government was not responsible for the minerals boom. No one can claim credit for it. It was one of those great things that occurred and Australia and the Northern Territory have been the recipients of the benefits from that boom.
However, I am not quite sure where we get the reporting times; that is, April to April. These are referred to in this document under International Trade, Chapter 8 of the Northern Territory Budget Paper Northern Territory Economy. There are some figures that appear to leave us $200m short of what the government quotes as the actual figures.
The next issue is on page 3. It is the first paragraph, which says
- Our economy is small, especially when compared with our key trading partners and other states in Australia. We will, therefore, continue to target countries of strategic interests to the Territory where real and tangible economic outcomes are achievable. By doing so, we will create new business opportunities, generate employment, sustain economic growth, and improve our lifestyles and our children’s lifestyles into the future.
Great and admirable words. However, when the government makes these statements and says it will improve our lifestyle and our children’s lifestyle, it rings alarm bells for me. I am sure some of the things that they do will increase business opportunities. However, if you want to attract people from overseas to come and investment in the Territory, and if you want them to headquarter their operations in the Northern Territory, there are some things you have to get right; that is, health, education, and law and order. If you want them to bring their families here, you have to be able to provide reliable health services.
I note that my colleague, the member for Greatorex, today pointed out some of the failings of our health system where our figures for getting response times are not as good as they should be. There is the problem of getting bashed, which is five times more likely in the Northern Territory than anywhere else. When you try to attract quality people to come and run these organisations and businesses, who will bring wealth to the Northern Territory, These figures mean they are not going to come here. If you cannot drive your car into town in the morning without getting cleaned up by people sailing through the red lights; they are the facts that go back to foreign countries and prevent people from sending their investments, families and executives here. Of course, executives bring their families and may stay here and contribute to the Northern Territory.
There is a problem with basic services. For instance, power. It goes all over Australia and the world that our power system just stops during the day. In my own electorate, the power went off the other day ...
A member: Silent Knight.
Mr STYLES: Silent Knight. If we do not get some of those things right, people are not going to invest in the Territory. We may ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I draw your attention to the state of the House.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: A quorum is lacking. Ring the bells.
Thank you, we have a quorum. You have the call, member for Sanderson,
Mr STYLES: Madam Deputy Speaker …
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson, given that is now 9 pm, you have some 15 minutes to complete your statement. Either you can have 10 minutes now, or you may conclude your remarks at a later date.
Mr STYLES: I have a lot to say, so I will conclude at a later date.
Debate adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Honourable members, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, Assembly will now adjourn.
Mr HENDERSON (Wanguri): Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to a passionate Territorian, Mary Joyce, who passed away recently aged 91. Mary was passionate about her town and was actively involved in the arts community and Fannie Bay history and heritage.
Mary arrived in Darwin with her husband, Brian, in 1978 after serving in the Women’s Voluntary Service in Burma and Japan. Mary studied for and attained a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts upon her arrival, and was known throughout the arts sector as a talented and avid artist. Up until her short illness, she was still active, attending arts events with her friend, Betty Graham, and attending meetings of Fannie Bay history and heritage with her husband, Brian. It was through Brian that I met Mary.
Brian is representative of what is great about the Labor Party: passionate and hard-working people committed to getting the best for Territorians. I know the member for Fannie Bay had Brian in his office every Saturday morning helping out. There are not many people who, at the age of 89, continue to volunteer their time. I understand that Brian will leave the Territory to be with his family shortly, and I wish Brian the very best for the future. Both Brian and Mary will be sadly missed, and I thank them both for their contribution to making Darwin the wonderful place it is.
I went to St Andrew’s Lutheran School recently in my electorate to say hello to their new Principal, Damon Prenzler. Damon has been at the school for a little while now and he has really found his feet. Damon showed me the plans for the school upgrades which will include new classroom space and a complete revamp of the existing library, turning it into a multipurpose library and IT teaching space, courtesy of the $850 000 from Kevin Rudd in the stimulus funding.
I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the annual Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea held by the Social Committee at Leanyer Seniors Village. It was a beautiful Dry Season morning, and there was a good turnout. The morning tea raised $360 for the Cancer Council, which was the biggest amount raised so far by the Leanyer seniors. A big thank you to John and Nali Smith and all the committee for organising such a wonderful day.
Last Friday, I headed to Leanyer Primary School to help the Principal, Mr Henry Gray, acknowledge more than 80 students who achieved perfect attendance in Term 1 of the school year. At Leanyer, perfect attendance means you are never away and never late for class. It is great to see that 80-plus kids were able to achieve that in Term 1. Madam Speaker, I ask that the list of names to be incorporated in the Hansard.
Leave granted.
- Perfect Attenders for Term 1
Module 1:
Shontelle Clark, Michelle Feng, Nicholas Reissis, Charlotte Bramley, Tahlia Butler, Bella Hawes, Schian Rothlisberger, Jasmine Clarke, Athanasios Kokkinidis, Joanne The, Rebecca Woods.
Module 2:
Aliyah Kuo, Isabella Mairou, Penny Battersby, Maria Kessaris, Chandra Rogers, Kyah Thomson, Ethan Cameriao, Peter English, Kyle Ford, Morgan Giuliiani, Amy Gornall, Vivian Vong, Talisha Basset.
Module 3:
- Giane Botor, Indianna Bramley, Liam Newell, Will Maggs, Joseph Ella-Tjung, Evgenia Kokkinidis, Bayu Robins, Antonio Rodrigues, Riley Linklater, Briana Pilicic, Andrea Savvas, Nathan Galjar, Ruamano Kouka-Waihi, Jayde McCauley, Lucienne Raison, Sukveer Singh.
Module 4:
- Brandon Goodma, Chloe Karis, Hagen Wigney, Tyronne Das Neves, Nikitas Gerakios, Roslyn Lane, Kane Milne, Kirstie Park, Claudia Sarmento, Joel Jettner, Jasveen Kaur, Niki Kokkinomagoulos, Jesse Milne, Joshua Munn, Rochelle Basset, Chloe Chow, Claudia Ennis, Douglas Lee, Isabel Lobo, Donny Thomsen, Briana Watson.
Demountables:
- Tara Bishop, Amelia Jape, Ashwin Kaur, Joseph Looby, Lauren Maddock, Natalie Strawhorn, Sarah Banks, Jayson Beekman, Samuel Cooper, Denny Musgrove, Jarrod Perry, Katien Tien, Jarrod Van Sambeek, Joseph Baronio, Rhiannon Bishop, Cooper Ehmer, Thomas Ford, Nicholas Johnson, Aden Wilson.
Mr HENDERSON: A big well done to Mr Ennis’ Year 1 class for their superb performance during the Assembly. Mr Ennis and his kids put on a wonderful show with their version of The Little Mermaid. It was very funny and the kids were absolutely fantastic.
Every year, the Wanguri Preschool puts on a lawn sale to raise money for the school. The 2009 lawn sale was held recently and the event was wonderful. Everyone pitched in, making the day a huge success. Mrs Grant, one of the preschool teachers, reports the day raised over $2200, which is a fantastic effort. Congratulations to all the staff and families at Wanguri Preschool.
Early in the semester, I went to Darwin High School. Principal, Marion Guppy, took the opportunity to show me their virtual language classroom. Japanese language classes are being delivered to regional high schools with a Japanese teacher from Darwin High School online. This is the way of the future. Students in our regional and remote schools are able to access a wide range of classes which would not be available otherwise.
I also visited Darwin High School to make the announcement about the bands to play at BassintheGrass this year. After seeing the great band there on the day, decided next year there will be a playoff of school bands, with the best band chosen to play at BassintheGrass in 2010. The music students in all our schools are really looking forward to that one. What was the name of the mob from Tennant Creek, Gerry?
Mr McCarthy: Unbroken Expanse.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, they were absolutely fantastic, and a great bunch of kids.
Taminmin High School is now one of our largest secondary schools with over 1100 students. At Taminmin High School, the range of programs and courses on offer is outstanding. I acknowledge the quality and excellent job that Tony Considine, the principal, is doing there, leading this school community. Tony and his Assistant Principal, Jane Arnott, demonstrated the online curriculum resource the school has developed and is also being used by their feeder primary schools. This online curriculum resource provides teachers with quality teaching and learning programs for use with their students.
Taminmin High School is a registered training organisation and is providing VET courses to some of our secondary students in our remote schools. Taminmin High School is delivering nationally accredited courses, has top quality facilities, and is really doing an outstanding job catering for their students, not only at Taminmin High School, but wherever they are delivering VET training. I reckon Taminmin High School is probably leading the country in some of the work they are doing. Tony Considine and all his staff are an absolute inspiration. Congratulations to everyone at Taminmin High School.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, I continue my comments from last night in regard to the severe power outages for Humpty Doo people; in particular those who live in the vicinity of Thomas Road. One family has had 60 outages ranging from fluctuations, power off and immediate return, to general outages sometimes lasting hours. This is only in a seven-month period and it is really not acceptable.
They have kept a comprehensive list of the dates and times of the outages and have had discussions with Power and Water. They disagree with their summary, but the facts stand and I believe what they are saying. They have lost electrical equipment because of these outages and fluctuations, which cannot be replaced on insurance. They are extremely concerned because it is disrupting not only their household, but the small businesses in the area, particularly those that rely upon electrical appliances and electricity to run their businesses. It is not acceptable.
The government really needs to do a complete audit of the services into the rural area. There are many cases, not only in the Humpty Doo area, but elsewhere across my electorate and in the adjoining electorate of Nelson.
On behalf of this family and other families, we will be taking the matter up with the minister to see if we can get some redress and to some explanation as to why these power outages are as extensive as they are for the periods of time which ranges from anything from five minutes up to six hours, which is completely unacceptable.
I place on the record that the people of Humpty Doo are not happy with the power service they are getting from Power and Water services. It seems a mockery that they have to pay the prices they do and will be subject to further increases, when they are not getting the service that other people in the Darwin urban areas get.
Mr McCARTHY (Barkly): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, in 2009, Tennant Creek sits as the centre of the Barkly Australian Rules football heartland. This is a great thing, delivering important social, cultural, economic, and healthy lifestyle outcomes. However, Tennant Creek boasts a dynamic sporting history that features many sports teams, including Rugby League. Tennant Creek, as the last gold rush town in Australia, has experienced its fair share of boom and bust phenomena over the years, and the associated movement of population according to the fluctuating economic times and, therefore, the everyday challenges of sustaining sporting infrastructure and sports development activities.
It was a 10-year-old Tennant Creek burns survivor who wanted to play Rugby League in 2001 who was told: ‘It is a team game, son, so go back to the drawing board and find a team’. Incidentally, this kid went on to organise a team in Tennant Creek which, that year, supported by a group of Alice Springs kids who formed the Desert Rats and travelled to Katherine to compete in their first game of Rugby League, were defeated 68-0. Ironically, this same Tennant Creek kid went on to play for the Northern Territory and the Australian affiliated states in both Rugby League and Rugby Union in 2007 and 2008. The legacy of this classic Tennant Creek spirit sees a continuing courageous effort by Tennant Creek kids to play Rugby League at an NT level, albeit in the annual NT School Sport Exchange, and one social game in Alice Springs each year supported by the Central Australian Junior Rugby League.
I am proud to put on the public record that a Tennant Creek Under 13 Rugby League team competing as part of the Desert Storm Cluster, is again on the paddock in Darwin for the 2009 NT School Sport Exchange. Congratulations must go to the Tennant Creek management staff, teachers Mr Trevor Joy as coach, Mr Martin Power as manager, and school nurse, Mel Hopwood, who has orchestrated the eighth Tennant Creek combined primary and high school team to compete in the 2009 NT School Sport Rugby League exchange. I commend all volunteers for their involvement in junior sport development in the Territory.
However, I must highlight the incredible lengths that our school staff, in partnership with parents, have to go to in launching such major sports excursions at our regional and remote areas. I also acknowledge the sheer guts and determination of our Tennant Creek kids who dig deep and train hard over many weeks to put a team together, from a very small player base, in the absence of any weekly junior Rugby League competition, and travel great distances to compete in an elite NT carnival taking on the best in the Territory. The majority of these kids have never played Rugby League before their debut on a Territory field, running on to play their first game of Rugby League underpowered, undersized and under-skilled against our Northern Territory elite.
I am honoured to announce that, in 2009, the Tennant Creek team comprises three girls in the final selection, and reports in from yesterday’s games testify to that pure Tennant Creek gold with Gella Alley scoring a try against Rivers, Natasha May scoring a try against Desert Storm, Alice Springs, and Jean Alley making some strategic line breaks in all her games.
While overseeing the 2009 team preparations in Tennant Creek, and witnessing the usual commencement of female enthusiasts, I made mention to the coaching staff that preparing additional logistics for taking females away on our traditional football trip should not be necessary as, in the past, the girls generally liked the training and skills development but shy off the rough stuff when it comes to the male-dominated Territory carnival. It is with great pride that I witnessed three Tennant Creek girls who cemented their positions in the 2009 team through training, fitness, skill development and good behaviour at school, and are now participating at an NT level in Junior Rugby League as the only girls in the NT Schools Sport Exchange this year. Go, girls.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, as I eagerly await the results of today’s game, my congratulations and best wishes go out to the Tennant Creek Under 13 Rugby League team and management staff for the excellent outcomes, representing their dedication, preparation and participation. I look forward to being part of their final two days in Darwin on Friday, 12 June 2009. I must be reserved for fear of audio overload on our wonderful Hansard reporters, so I will take a step back and say: Tennant Creek, go, you good thing!
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I have been concerned at the absence of an issue from the parliament this week. Everyone in the Northern Territory, I am sure, is aware that there has been much public commentary, in the last three to four weeks in particular, about what was an unintended consequence of changes to the Care and Protection of Children Act effected in this parliament, probably 18 months or so ago. The unintended consequence was, as we have seen in recent times, requiring doctors and others to report the sexual activity of young people; namely, to report to the authorities - in this case FACS - when children under the age of 16 are having sex with one another.
It was an unintended consequence of the act and it should be fixed. There are important issues affecting the privacy and health of young people which make it essential to remedy this unintended consequence. For my part, let me make it very clear that I do not think children under the age of 16 should be having sex. It is unhealthy for them and there are certain joys of childhood that should be clung on to at all costs. However, I am not so nave as to think that kids under 16 in the Territory - or for that matter anywhere else in this country - or some of them at least, are not having sex. I accept that children under 16, whether I like it or not, and whether others like it or not, are having sex with each other.
Nevertheless, we should ensure that those children who are having sex have the right to consult their doctor, and the right to privacy that each and every one of us has, and that it does not create a situation where young people do not go and seek health or other advice. Having seen more than my fair share of doctors over the last six weeks, I can assure you that all of them are talking about it, and they are concerned that this unintended consequence of the Care and Protection of Children Act creates difficulties for them but, more importantly, it creates enormous difficulties for young people who are seeing them seeking advice on sexual health and other issues.
I, presumably, am like most other members of parliament. I have received letters from medical organisations in recent times. I have written back to those organisations advising them of a letter I wrote on 29 May to the Minister for Children and Families. I make this point abundantly clear: I am stunned - utterly stunned - that this issue has not been brought before the parliament during these sittings in any way, shape, or form. This is an error, an unintended consequence of legislation passed probably 18 months or so ago. I would have thought any government worth its salt would ensure that that legislation is remedied, particularly when it is causing difficulties for young people, as well as those in the medical profession.
On the 29 May, I wrote to the Minister for Children and Families. I will quote parts of it, although, of course, I am happy to table the letter:
- Dear Minister,
In Alice Springs this week, you asked me for my views on the current debate about mandatory reporting of under-aged sex where both participants are under 16 years of age. We agreed that we would discuss the matter at the forthcoming parliamentary sittings.
In light of recent public comments made by you and the minister for Justice, I believe I should put my views to you now as to possible solutions.
I went on to give two possible solutions as to how this could be remedied:
- 1. I understand that the current difficulty has arisen as a result of a minor change of wording from the Community Welfare Act. The change was, I am advised, from ‘sexual abuse’ to ‘sexual offence’ ... It may be worth amending section 26(1) to restore the old wording, or otherwise amend this section so that it adequately overcomes the present difficulty.
I then went on to say that the …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker! I noticed when the member started that the clock started with three minutes instead of five. Therefore, by my calculations, the member actually has another one-and-a-half minutes left by the clock on the wall.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Johnston.
Ms CARNEY: I will be finished before then, I think, but thank you. The second alternative was to:
- 2. Amend the Sexual Offences (Evidence and Procedure) Act (and possibly the Criminal Code), so that what is known as ‘Romeo and Juliet defences’ apply for young people having under-aged sex with each other, provided there is similarity of age. As a consequence, relevant amendments to the Care and Protection of Children Act would need to be made.
I went on to say to the minister:
- I repeat that I have not considered these matters at length, and these are my preliminary views. No doubt, with the assistance of your department and the Department of Justice, these and other suggestions as to overcoming the present difficulty can be considered in detail.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I am aghast that this issue has not seen the light of day in a week of parliamentary sittings, when not only is this a very important topical issue but, potentially, the health of young people is at risk. I very much welcome a formal or informal indication from someone on the government side as to what, if anything, they propose to do about this. It clearly needs to be remedied.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight I acknowledge some of the primary school students in my electorate who have either received honours or rewards over recent months, or have stepped forward in a leadership role in their school community. Each school term I donate a number of book vouchers to schools in my electorate so that teachers can nominate students for my Quiet Achiever Award.
The winners of these awards are chosen after very careful consideration by the teachers and recognise their students’ diligence, good behaviour and punctuality. I instituted my Quiet Achiever Awards some years ago with a very specific purpose in mind: to give our teachers the opportunity to recognise those students who made an effort to work hard, to get along with their peers, and to show respect for each other and school property.
At the end of Term 1, Raphael Kanzai from upper primary and Madison Lodge from early childhood were nominated as Quiet Achievers at Jingili Primary School. At Wagaman Primary School, Saul Buck from Year 5 was the winner of Term 1 Quiet Achiever Award, and Jamiee Agapito won the Year 1 award. At Millner Primary School, Melijina Waianga and Richard Wesley were the Term 1 winners. At Moil Primary School, there were four winners of the Award in Term 1: Rachel Skultety, Natan Mwanza, Keyarna Lai and Richard Sudjana.
I congratulate all award winners most heartedly and sincerely hope that this recognition, in some small way, helps to foster a lifelong appreciation of the value of education.
I also congratulate the teachers who had to make what am sure would have been a very difficult choice. There is no doubt there were many other students deserving recognition. The outstanding dedication and hard work of our teachers, school administrators, and staff cannot go unmentioned. Their vital role in educating our children is fundamental to our future as a society and we are all truly thankful of their efforts.
There are many students who have made a significant contribution to their school. Principal Terry Quong of Millner Primary School informed me a couple of weeks ago of the names of the young leaders who were elected to his school Student Representative Council: Freya Stephenson, Zac Bates, Kelly Johnson, Alexia Spurr, Aiden Maki-Neste, Lee Shearer, Sean Hopkins, Annelise Kowcun, Tirzah Dravitski, Natasha Atkinson, Madison Sloane, Shehanna Kelly and Kevin Neave.
At Casuarina Secondary College, Principal, Sue Healy, advised me that Noni Harold, Shlok Sharma, Leone Yeh, Eloise Fawcett, Rachel Fox, Claire Rankin, Kelsey Noonan and Christi Hamon were elected to the Student Representative Council Executive. Additional council members are Neville Baluyot, Spencer Stirrat, Olivia Cleanthos, Honeylyn Lisson, David Creeper and Caleb Leslie.
Principal, Pam Erfurt, at Moil Primary School notified me that Tyson Wallent, Tahnee Maxwell, Xavier Cubillo, Kelly Maryklos, Kaitlyn Cotton, Adam Tran, Carmela Reyes and Juno Soeriaatmadja were all elected as members of their school’s Student Representative Council.
Jingil Primary School’s Principal, Jodie Green, let me know that Rachel Harpur (honorary position), Mathew Goodall, India McKaige, Krista Walker, Isabela Charles, Shayayla Carne, Leonie Higgins, Sarah Harpur, Livvie Suttie, Brooke Shields, Sam Schofield-Flynn, Drew Holloway, Bella Davis, Mary Fryar, Katya Bacon, Jane Laughton and Damien Sanders were elected to the council.
Michele Cody, Principal of Wagaman Primary School, advised me that April Camposo, Kaiba Tapera, Sabrina Ciubal, Ekala Buck, Darren Brown, Cecilia Bernardino, Samantha Martin, Liam Slann, Paige Parker, Jake Cole-Jackson, Tasha-Jade Cole, Connor Gilmore, Ben Jackson and Rachel Motter were all elected to represent their peers.
I congratulate each and every successful student who stood for election. For those who were successful, I know it will be a great lifelong experience for them to serve on a school council. I am sure that they will do a great job and represent the student body very well, and they are very valued for the roles they play within our schools.
Once again, it is a pleasure to represent the good people Johnston, see the great things that are going on in their schools, and I look forward to some very positive announcements within our schools within the next little while.
Mr CHANDLER (Brennan): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, first, I will speak tonight on the wonderful staff we have at Royal Darwin Hospital.
As most in the House know, my wife recently gave birth, and I want to pay tribute to the staff who helped through a very long, long, long night. I held up well, actually. It was a very difficult birth and, at one stage, I recall as many as eight medical people in the room because of the complications, and my poor, darling wife having to go through trying to get an epidural needle into her back eight times. Unfortunately, the anaesthetist was unable to get there. To his credit, he is a very experienced anaesthetist. He is a senior gentleman and he had read about it, he had seen it but, in his entire lifetime, it had never, ever happened to him. So, he was quite traumatised by it and came back many times throughout the night and into the morning to check on my wife. So, all thanks to the midwives there and to all the medical people who were involved. Today, I am the proud dad of little Harrison.
Conversely, I am going to read quickly from a letter from a gentleman who come into my office a couple of weeks ago. He wrote to me and said that he had been a volunteer for 16 years in sea search and rescue on the west coast before moving back to Darwin in 2006. Needing something to do, he joined the local SES a month or so after that. He wrote to me because he was so disappointed in the NTES. They are running ads in the paper all the time looking for new recruits to join as emergency volunteers. As he says, the only thing is, he has been there for nearly two years now and they still have not been able to fit him with a set of overalls.
You really question the resources that government is providing. Probably more often that not, what happens at the coalface is certainly not reflected in what members of this House are aware of. I know what it is like to work in government departments where often, things get polished every level they go up the line and, perhaps, at the top end you often do not know what is happening at the coalface.
At a briefing we had this week on school dental services, I was really amazed that the information I was getting during the briefing did not seem to add up to the information I am getting on the street. This is not just information that people are telling me, but it is personal information because it involved my own children. I know what services they have been provided. The interesting thing in the briefing was, when I pointed out what a service level agreement was and what the government’s website was saying was being delivered, the comment was made: ‘Oh, we will have to look at the words on the website’ - not looking at the service delivery but ‘let us look at the words on the website to ensure that you know we are not saying we are doing more than we really are’.
It goes even further. In fact, I wrote to the Minister for Children and Families in April and, to her credit, she did send it on to the correct minister. It was in regard to a child with special needs who needs transport. I have to be honest; this is probably one of the nicest letters I have ever had. To Gerry who is not sitting here at the moment, what a lovely letter. However, it firstly said: ‘I wish to reassure that this matter will be resolved quickly’. The end of the letter said:
Although this is a complex case, I am confident that the staff involved in this matter will deliver a solution that suits the needs of …
The person involved:
… his parents and carer.
From that, I am absolutely positive that the minister thinks that the problem has been resolved. However, only this week again, that person came into the office and said nothing has been done. That worries me. As I said, it was a very good letter. When I read it I thought: ‘Well done, fantastic’. It was probably a complex case, but the minister agreed that it was going to be sorted out, and alluded to the fact that it would be done quickly. In fact, even this week, it still has not been done. It worries me that often what happens at the coalface is not actually what we are aware of at this level. I am hoping that we can improve that level of communication.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the following students at the Nhulunbuy Primary School who recently received Principal’s Award from Principal Cindy McGarry: Transition students - Caitlin Kelly, Tahlia Bara, Paris Hooper, and Lily Lobenwein; Year 1 students - Jaime Moyle, Juan Darr Bourne, and Diego Olivares; Year 2 students - Adela Yunupingu, Jason Liu and Nikklas Matha; Year 3 students - Joshua Leahy, Micayla McDonnell, and Tylah Sherry; Year 4 students - Jayden Mason, Monique Hemmings, and William Briggs; Year 5 students - Sarah Pickett, Emily Oliveira, and Lillian Nash; and Year 6 students – Liyadari Alahakon, Danielle Even and Jack Jennings.
Fundraising is part and parcel of life at Nhulunbuy Primary School which, last month, held a book fair raising more than $1900 for the school, but also saw very generous families from Nhulunbuy purchase books which will now be donated to Marysville school in Victoria which is, of course, one of the schools affected by the dreadful bushfires.
For Nhulunbuy Primary School’s Year 6 students and their families, it has been a year-long effort of fundraising that has just about come to an end, to support students who are participating in the 2009 Canberra excursion. I do not know the final figure raised. It is generally in the vicinity of anything between $40 000 and $50 000, and that is considerable. For those who participate in fundraising activities, it significantly reduces the cost associated with the 10-day visit. I participated in the trip myself in 2007 when I accompanied my son, Harry. To be honest, I was a little trepidatious at the prospect of being one of the six adult accompanying 58 kids for a period of 10 days. Having been a camp mother, not only to my own but to seven other boys, was terrifying. I have to say it was actually a wonderful and very memorable experience. I certainly wish the Year 6 students and their accompanying teachers and parents a very safe and enjoyable excursion to Canberra in August.
Yirrkala Childcare Centre had a highly successful fundraiser when they staged an Island Night on Saturday, 30 May. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, as I was travelling back from Sydney that evening. By all accounts, it was a hugely successful night, raising $13 000 for the centre. Congratulations must go to the centre’s director, Lisita Taulani - who I know was well supported by many people in the community - and her staff who worked extremely hard to pull this event off. I have known Lisita for many years, going back to when she worked at Nhulunbuy Community Childcare Centre and looked after my own children. What an amazing job she does.
On Saturday evening, I look forward to attending with my husband Lawrence, Gove Arts Theatre’s Black and White Night of Roy, a Roy Orbison tribute night with audience participation, live music with local legends, the Diegos - which includes talented local musos, Paul Dewhurst and Stew Kellaway; a Roy quiz; and prizes for the best Roy look alike, for the most Pretty Woman, for the best back-up singers, and for best picnic hamper. The audience must wear black and white, and complimentary Roy glasses are available at the door. Audience members have also been advised that they need to know the words to the song Crying.
I have to say that, earlier, I had sitting on my desk the flyer from the production this weekend. One of the people from the Table Office, Annette, walked past and saw it and asked: ‘Where do I get tickets for this?’ I said: ‘Well, it is sold out, you have to come to Gove if you want to go, and the only way you will get tickets now is on eBay, I would say’. They are doing just the two shows. It promises to be a great success. While I know that the members of GAT are working really hard towards this weekend’s production, I acknowledge the efforts of Gove Arts Theatre President, Beverley Hulme, who has devised the concept. I am sure it will be a fantastic night. Who knows? They might even take it on tour to Darwin and Katherine.
Gove Peninsula Tennis Club is one of many fantastic sporting clubs in my region, with three courts and a great clubhouse located on the premises of the Arnhem Club. Current membership numbers are 395, which is incredible, and the coaching program sees 46 classes every week between Monday to Saturday, providing training to 164 athletes ranging in age from three to 16 years. This is all credited to Nicky Mayer from the club.
Gove Peninsula Tennis Club held the 2009 BP Gove Classic over the last weekend in May, which was sponsored by Leo Roach from our local BP service station for the sixth year in a row. Though numbers were down a bit in that event, by and large, I understand it was an excellent event. I seek leave, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, to have the results of winners and runners-up incorporated into the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
- Event 8&U singles
Winner: Zachary Scott-Jones (Yirrkala).
Runner Up: Jasper Farlam.
8&U Doubles
- Winner: Sachary Scott-Jones and Milly McConnellwood
Runner Up: Abigail Petrofes and Jasper Farlam.
11&U Boys Singles
Winner: Andrew O’Sullivan.
Runner Up: Brendan O’Sullivan.
11&U Boys Doubles
Winner: Andrew O’Sullivan and Patrick McConnellwood.
Runner Up: Brendan O’Sullivan and Brayden Brown-Prandolin.
11&U Girls Singles
Winner: Eytahnyia Scott-Jones.
Runner Up: Skye Barber.
11&U Girls Doubles
Winner: Tahlia Bannks and Skye Barber.
Runner Up: Eytahnyia Scott-Jones and Elizabeth Kestel.
13&U Boys Singles
Winner: Dominique Govan.
Runner Up: Ben Hamilton.
13&U& Boys Doubles
Winner: Ben Hamilton and Joseph Mayer.
Runner Up: Dominique Govan and Corey Van Jaarsveldt.
13&U Girls Singles
Winner: Emily Liley.
Runner Up: Madeleine Larson.
13&U Girls Doubles
Winner: Madeleine Larson and Amanda Murdoch.
Runner Up: Emily Liley and Tahlia Banks.
16&U Boys Singles
Winner: Michael Mayer.
Runner Up: Taylor Dennerley.
16&U Boys Doubles
Still to be played.
16&U Girls Singles
Winner: sally Naughton.
Runner Up: Caitlyn Mitchell.
Social Men’s Singles
Winner: Hylton Hayes.
Runner Up: Garry Hinchcliffe.
Social Men’s Doubles
Winner: Gil Avila and Des O’Sullivan.
Runner Up: Garry Hinchcliffe and Michael Higgins.
Social Women’s Singles
Winner: Donna Marie Grieve.
Runner Up: Janine Werch.
Social Women’s Doubles
Winner: Donna Marie Grieve and Catherine Jones.
Runner Up: Alma Joglekar and Tracy Naughton.
Social Mixed Doubles
Winner: Alma Joglekar and Gil Avila.
Runner Up: Janine Werch and Garry Hinchcliffe.
Open Men’s Singles
Winner: Terry Mason.
Runner Up: Hylton Hayes.
Open Men’s Doubles
Winners: Taylor Dennerley and Michael Mayer.
Runner Up: Terry Mason and Steve Georgonicas.
Open Women’s Singles
Winner: Carmen Moore.
Runner Up: Sally Naughton.
Open Women’s Doubles
Winner: Carmen Moore and Sally Naughton.
Runner Up: Caitlyn Mitchell and Cara Petrofes.
Open Mixed Doubles
Winner: Sally Naughton and Terry Mason.
Runner Up: Caitlyn Mitchell and Taylor Dennerley
Ms WALKER: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, this Sunday, nine tennis players from Nhulunbuy will be competing in Alice Springs at the NT School Sport Tennis Exchange, and I wish them every success.
Mr STYLES (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I knowledge some students from two classes in Wagaman Primary School who made a visit to Parliament House on 5 May 2009. That was Mrs Chadbourne’s Year 2/3 class. They had a fabulous tour of Parliament House. I remind the House of some of the great things that these young people see. The following day, on 6 May 2009, Mrs Kimm’s Year 2/3 also had a parliamentary tour. Later, in the following week, I was very fortunate where I spent some time in their classrooms as a visitor, and as a member of parliament, to participate and observe the running of an education program called Parliament of the Birds.
Some of the things that they enjoyed and, I hope remember, from their visit to Parliament House was the actual tour itself. First, they start at the foyer where they look at the historic background of the building itself; the beautiful desert rose mosaic; some history about Harry Chan; history on the Northern Territory flag; and the crest over the front steps. From there, they move into the main hall, which is a grand structure to impress Territorians and visitors, both from Australia and overseas. They look at features and functions of the hall and the building that surrounds it: the entrance to the Chamber, of course; the Northern Territory Library; the Legislative Council; and the appointment of the fully-elected Assembly. They get to understand issues about that.
They look at the historic post office wall, which commemorates the people who died in the Bombing of Darwin in February 1942. They look at all sorts of great things about the historic aspects: the Charles Eaton display, the portrait of Group Captain Wilf Arthur, and the Ellen Kettle medal and background. Then, they move to the main reception hall where the plaque for the post office site and the memorials to those who lost their lives is, and another Australian flag.
From there, these students were able to move to the Speaker’s Green outside the front of the building, and view the magnificent harbour and the fountain with a plaque to the men who died during the construction of the building. They looked at Government House, Liberty Square and the fantastic view of the Esplanade and back over the harbour to enjoy what is one of Australia’s - in fact, the world’s - most pristine harbours. From there, they spent a bit of time looking around the Chamber. They were informed about the Hansard system, the Speaker’s desk and Chair, all the different aspects of how the Chamber works: the Despatch Boxes, the Mace, both lobbies, the parliamentary traditions, and the conventions of the Table. I hope one day they will read of their visit in the Parliamentary Record so they may recall it with great interest. You never know, we might even have some future politicians in those classes.
The journey they go through in the classroom where they are taught about the basics of the Westminster system - how it is one of the greatest democratic processes the world has at this point - is a great one. The education unit from Parliament House has a fantastic bunch of people who do a fine job of teaching young people about the different points of view of the world and how you can always fix your differences by sitting down and talking about them.
One Sunday, they lost some and they learnt that everyone does not get their own way all the time. They learn some of those values of the democratic system and the processes that occur within our democracy. I sincerely hope they enjoyed their day and the Parliament of the Birds, and they take some of those values they learnt throughout their life. Hopefully, it will make them better citizens and, perhaps, even some great politicians in the years to come.
Mr Acting DEPUTY SPEAKER: There being no other speakers, this Assembly stands adjourned until 19 June 2009 at 4.30 pm or such other time as notified by the Speaker with one hour’s notice being given to government and opposition Whips and members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to sessional order.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016