2005-11-29
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, and also the ministerial officers’ gallery, of members of the family of the late Mr Bangardi Lee, who are attending for the condolence motion. I also draw your attention to the presence of the former member for Arnhem, Mr John Ah Kit. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I also draw your attention to the presence in the galleries of Year 3 to Year 7 students from Wagaman Primary School Leadership Program and Year 10 Pathways indigenous students from Kormilda College. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
The CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to Petitions Nos 1, 4 and 5 have been received and circulated to honourable members.
Petition No 1
Protection of Daly River
Date presented: 16 August 2005
Presented by: Ms Scrymgour
Referred to: Chief Minister
Date response due: 29 November 2005
Date response received: 11 November 2005
Date response presented: 29 November 2005
Petition No 4
Presented by: Mr Knight
Referred to: Chief Minister
Date response due: 16 February 2006
Date response received: 2 November 2005
Petition No 5
Presented by: Mr Warren
Referred to: Minister for Local Government
Date response due: 29 November 2005
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move - That this Assembly express its deep regret at the death of Mr Lee, a proud Territorian who, throughout his life, represented the Jawoyn nation and fought for the rights of his people; and tender its profound sympathy to his family.
I welcome family and friends of Mr Lee to the House today for this special condolence motion.
I extend condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr Lee, former Executive Director of Katherine’s Jawoyn Association and long-time activist and proponent of economic development for his people and, indeed, for all Territorians.
Mr Lee was born in 1952 on the banks of the Beswick Creek, 80 km east of Katherine. He was adopted and brought up by a senior Jawoyn man – Don Jambalili – along with his Dalabon mother, Daisy Bordu. He grew up in the bush at Beswick cattle station, as well as at Barunga – then known as Bamyili. There were times also when he lived in makeshift humpies on the edges of Katherine. When she was three, Lee’s sister, Rita, was removed by native welfare authorities and taken to Croker Island. He was not to see her again until he was 18. He avoided the same fate as his sister - his parents camped in a banana plantation at Manyallaluk whenever native welfare turned up.
Although he did well at school, he found it difficult learning things such as English history, which he later recalled was irrelevant to his life at Bamyili. His early life was a mix of tradition, hunting and ceremony, as well as the regimentation of the government settlement of the time. It was during this period he developed ritual connections that went east as far as Groote Eylandt and south-east to Ngukurr.
Mr Lee was very proud of his working life, often pointing out that he had never received the dole. At about 14, he went into the work force as a ringer and butcher supplying Bamyili. He was then promoted to mechanical works supervisor in the community.
The life of Mr Lee and his family was to change profoundly with the introduction of self-management on communities under the Whitlam government and the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act of the Fraser government. He described that period as one of confusion for his people who were ill-prepared to take over the running of their communities. As he said: ‘Things fell to pieces, went down; the government did not train people to take over responsibility’. This experience was to influence him in his later work both as Town Clerk at Barunga, where he served for 10 years, and as Executive Director of the Jawoyn Association when he took over from the former member for Arnhem, John Ah Kit.
From the mid-1980s, Mr Lee took on greater responsibilities for the people of his community and for the Jawoyn people. He gave evidence in the Jawoyn/Katherine area land claim in 1981-82 which was, ultimately, to lead to the return of Nitmiluk to its traditional owners in 1989. In 1984, he led the Katherine Aboriginal Action Group, which was established to deal with the effects of the population boom in the town brought about by the building of the Tindal RAAF Base, and gave evidence to the federal parliamentary committee inquiring into the base. It was the first of many occasions in which he would confront the parliamentary system in his work for his people. His friends remember he was very nervous before that appearance, but that it was a strong pointer to his future on the political stage representing his people.
His experience was broadened, as well, with his appointment to the Aboriginal Development Commission in the 1980s – a precursor to today’s Indigenous Business Australia. In the last part of the 1980s, he was part of the successful Jawoyn negotiation team with the Perron government over the lease at Nitmiluk National Park. During that period, the Jawoyn people also confronted proposals to mine in sickness country, a complex of sacred sites including Guratba or Coronation Hill. It was a hard time, especially for the senior custodians of the site, and Mr Lee was at the centre, along with his brother, Ray Fordimail, in what was, ultimately, to be a successful campaign to save the area. Sadly, Mr Fordimail was to die of tuberculosis a short time afterwards, and Mr Lee became a reluctant inheritor of his brother’s responsibilities. As he said later: ‘I was dragged in by all my senior council members. They selected me because I was next in line for all those responsibilities’.
However, the Jawoyn people were not opposed to mining per se. In 1993, Mr Lee was part of the negotiating group with the Perron and Keating governments over gold mining at Mt Todd. This led to Australia’s first native title agreement over mining, and was signed over a year before federal legislation responding to the Mabo decision came into force.
Over the last 16 years, Mr Lee served his people but also worked for the broader Territory community. He was on the Nitmiluk Board of Management from its inception, and was its longest serving chairman. He also served on the Gurig National Park Board and was an advisor to the Jawoyn representatives on the Kakadu Board of Management. Mr Lee was a member of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission as well as a valued member of the Conservation Commission. Mr Lee achieved the full membership for an Aboriginal organisation on the executive of the Minerals Council of the Northern Territory. He was a member of the Northern Land Council Executive. Mr Lee was appointed last year by the federal government as an inaugural member of the National Indigenous Council. In these varied roles, he contributed to the future of all the people of the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, this morning others will be speaking in this House to this condolence motion and covering different aspects of Mr Lee’s life and his contribution to the Territory and especially to Aboriginal Territorians. I would like to conclude by saying a few words about Mr Lee’s funeral at Barunga, and it is terrific to have John Ah Kit here today as the MC of those proceedings.
It was a very profound and moving farewell to Mr Lee. There were hundreds of people attending at Barunga; many had come from all over Australia. There were his family and friends, members of his community, and people he had worked with over the years that I have just referred to. There were tales at the funeral of a young Mr Lee with lots of energy and those tales brought the life and times of Mr Lee to life to those who had not experienced them themselves.
There were also members of governments from around Australia: the federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Amanda Vanstone; our federal member, Warren Snowdon; members of the Territory parliament, including myself; and also from the local government area, the Mayor of Katherine, Anne Shepherd. There was an outpouring of respect for Mr Lee, which was represented in a formal and informal sense.
There was a profound sense of loss at the funeral for the man himself, and that was articulated by his family and friends, particularly his children and grandchildren. There was a sense of loss of a man of energy and vision and commitment, who had left us far too early. He was an extraordinary man who concentrated on, almost before his time, economic development for his people in terms of Nitmiluk and Manyallaluk, and had a passion and commitment to opportunity for Aboriginal people and more broadly for the Territory.
We know that his family and his friends who are here today will miss him greatly. The Territory mourns the loss of a man of vision and commitment for all Territorians, and especially for Aboriginal Territorians. He did leave us far too soon, and this House’s thoughts are with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his friends and his many, many colleagues.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the opposition shares its sadness at the passing of Mr Lee, and I share with the Chief Minister in welcoming friends and family. Former member for Arnhem, Jack Ah Kit, I know you and Mr Lee were very close so we are very sorry for your sadness.
Fifty three years of age is far too young to pass on from this world but, sadly, in the case of Mr Lee, that is exactly the age he was when he passed away in Katherine a few weeks ago after a long illness. Although a relatively young man on his shoulders was a wise head that had developed wisdom from the daily education provided by a hard life.
Mr Lee was born about 80 km east of Katherine near Beswick Creek in a Northern Territory that is unrecognisable to the Territory in which we live today. The Territory back then was a rugged, remote and distant place to most Australians. The growth of the war years had slowed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, especially in remote outposts like Katherine. Mr Lee was brought up by Don Jambalili, a senior Jawoyn man, along with his mother, Daisy Bordu. From these people, and other people in his family, Mr Lee learnt the stories and songs for his country, his law and his people.
The songs of his people resonated throughout the land and through him. They provided him with a law that made his culture strong. They provided him with the title of his country and the title of his family’s country and, ultimately, the title to Nitmiluk. So strong were his titles in the traditional sense that it would be later in his life that such traditional titles were converted into a form of title recognised under the general law of Australia: freehold title.
Growing up in remote parts of the tropical Northern Territory, Mr Lee hunted, fished and walked across his land. His sweat fell upon the earth and doubtlessly even his blood intermingled with the soil of his father’s and his mother’s country, so much so that in his mind there was no possibility of him separating himself from the land or the land from him. He was an extension of his country in the same way that a tree or a rock that stuck out from the soil was. His country provided for him and he provided for his country. Even when he began working as a young man his contact with his country was not diminished. Butchering and stock work, as well as working at Barunga, kept him on his country and only increased his bond with that country as he grew older and more senior among his people.
His formative years were hard and his contact with white Territorians got him used to what must have appeared to be the strange rules of white men. In his brief schooling period, I understand he was flogged by white people for speaking his native tongue. The white people were trying to bring English to the Aboriginal people in the north.
The distractions were there and they were there in abundance. Mr Lee admitted that in his 20s and 30s the bright lights and booze that was affecting so many of his people affected him as well. He spent some years hanging about in Katherine drinking, being irresponsible, and ‘just living in the long grass and enjoying life with my mates’, he is reported to have said. He also said that there were more complicated reasons for his drinking and those reasons are the same reasons that many of his people continue in the same vein today. This was something that Mr Lee later came to lament as he, later in his life, began to rise to his traditional responsibilities. He often commented on the destruction that was caused by liquor and he placed much of the blame for the rampant problem at the feet of passive welfare.
This was a man who could speak from personal experience, like so many other people. Mr Lee had been there and he had done that. Perhaps it made him a better leader, but I am certain of this, it made him a more understanding one.
In the 1980s he was thrust by circumstance, and with some reluctance, as I understand it, into the leadership of his people. Because of his lineage, his senior brother, Fordimail, passed on that he was the next in the breach. Reluctant though he may have been, backward he was not, timid he was not and weak he was not. Mr Lee became a pillar of strength to his people. Where fights had to be engaged in, he engaged, and did so with the songs of ancestors singing in his ears.
What made this man remarkable is that when he was successful in something like the land claim over Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk as it is now called, he was careful to enter negotiations with the Chief Minister of the day to find a way to manage the area for the benefit of all. Mr Lee knew that the white man was on his land and he was there to stay, but rather than resenting that he sought ways to build bridges after what was often an acrimonious title fight in the community. It was certainly divisive and he set about trying to mend bridges as quickly as he could. And Mr Lee did that in very real ways.
He opened up his country to allow for continuing visitors. But he did more than that. He knew that the times had changed for ever, and that the way of the future was not the way of the past. Custodianship had to change. The songs for the country were still vital to his identity and the identity of his people, but there was a new reality. That was the reality of commerce, education, employment and financial wealth. Mr Lee knew that he had to build bridges because it was one thing to have the land, but it was another to make it work for his people in this new reality. So there were joint ventures, there was employment, there were economic bridges and foundations built between his people and the rest of his community. Rather than being exclusive, Mr Lee became inclusive.
The dynamic of the modern world demanded relationships between black and white needed to be more than symbolic. They needed to be, amongst other things, economic. It seems paradoxical, but by submitting to the economic system that was imposed upon him, he did more for Aboriginal self-determination than so many who have tried to achieve by other means such as exclusion or welfare approaches.
This man continued to work for the Jawoyn as a loyal and dedicated leader. Like so many leaders who did not want the job when it was given to them, he still rose to the occasion while maintaining his humility. He ended up advising the Prime Minister of this country as part of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council. That is a long way from the banks of a little creek in the bush 80 km east of Katherine and the long grass of Katherine.
This self-developed giant amongst his people was struck down and taken. He has been laid to rest in the country of his family. He will become part of the land and he will resonate through that land as the songs of that land once resonated through him. I will try to pay him the best possible compliment that can be paid to a traditional owner: Mr Lee, you looked after your country well, you made the Territory a better place; thank you and may you rest in peace.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I speak to the condolence motion for Bangardi Lee, who passed away on 22 October 2005. I place on the record my own appreciation of his service to the people of the Northern Territory and to express my sympathy to his family.
Bangardi was a leader of vision; he played a pivotal role in ensuring that the cultural values of his people were integrated into the management of parks on their land. His allegiance and dedication was first to his people, the Jawoyn and, second, to the Northern Territory community as a whole. He had managed to reconcile the two.
In 1978, the Jawoyn lodged a claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act over land including Katherine Gorge National Park. The hearing of the land claim commenced in 1982, and he was instrumental in its success, which acknowledged and secured Jawoyn rights over a substantial area of traditional Jawoyn land, including Katherine Gorge, or Nitmiluk. The land was vested in the Jawoyn Aboriginal Land Trust, and Nitmiluk was leased back to the Northern Territory to be operated as a park. Bangardi forged connections with government and fostered and encouraged the participation of Aboriginal traditional owners in park management. The Nitmiluk joint management model will remain his legacy.
Bangardi was elected as a Nitmiluk board member at its first meeting on 6 September 1989, and promoted to chairman of the board at its fourth meeting on 14 February 1990, a position he held for 15 years. His firm emphasis on conservation management was naturally aligned with his cultural vision. These enabled him to plot a careful and reliable course towards an economically profitable, but environmentally and culturally sustainable, future.
He developed a close and personal relationship with Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife officers and representatives, and was considered a great friend, ally and partner. His experience, dedication and energy in the management of Nitmiluk resulted in him being appointed to positions on the Gurig board, Kakadu, and the former Parks and Wildlife Commission Board. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the younger generation of the Jawoyn nation had a good future. The Nitmiluk tours and Manyallaluk enterprises are a testament to his effort and work. On 31 December this year, the current lease expires at Nitmiluk. I am saddened that we will not be able to share this milestone, and a 20-year vision of Bangardi’s, with him. However, we will think of him with great fondness of 1 January every year as we watch indigenous participation in tourism at Nitmiluk go from strength to strength.
Not content with just looking after the Jawoyn Association and his people and participating in joint management of parks, Bangardi also represented all our Aboriginal communities on several federal committees. He was determined to improve the social and economic outcomes for all Aboriginal people. He was passionate about improving education outcomes so that his people and the future generations of Jawoyn would benefit from proper self-management in the real sense of an independent future and an ability to compete in a mainstream society.
I remember, as the former Director of the Katherine West Health Board, meeting with Bangardi and senior Jawoyn elders regarding their desire to take responsibility for improving health services. The creation and development of the Sunrise Health Service is another example of his drive, motivation, and concern for his people and other Aboriginal people, and the need to get adequate health services in the eastern side of the Katherine region.
Much of Bangardi’s life was dedicated to making a positive difference to his people. He was proud of his heritage and lived to share, educate and promote Jawoyn culture. He was a born natural leader and cut across all levels of politics, developing strong relationships, and enjoyed communicating with all he met. He always listened to all points of view, and considered thoughtfully before voicing his opinion, which made him a great ambassador for reconciliation.
It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to him – his friendship, his humour but, most of all, his intelligence, which cannot be replaced. Nimpungi Mantanga – our sympathies go to his children and all his family at this most difficult time.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I support the motion of condolence on the passing of Mr Lee. I welcome his family and his friends here today.
So often when people pass away, they leave roles behind that are difficult, if not impossible, to fill. He was a man who filled this role, not so much because of the abilities given to him by a classical education, but much more because of the education that life gave him. It is no secret that, until the time that he was about 30, Mr Lee could well have been accused of being a person who was wasting his life. He was a young man who filled his days with frivolous pursuits that so many young men tend to do. Avoiding school, he was employed in the Bamyili area as a stockman and a meatworker. He also spent time in a boxing troupe, and for those of us who remember troupes such as the Fred Brophy troupe, there were few lives that could have been harder or more damaging to young men. He even spent time living in the long grass around Katherine because, like so many others, he developed a taste for liquor.
Why do we honour this great man with a motion of condolence today? The answer is simple: our unique Northern Territory allows a person to lift themselves up by their bootstraps and judges a person for who they are or who they choose to become, rather than where they are from. Mr Lee was a man who made a decision to become responsible for himself, and for the people who thrust responsibility onto his shoulders.
He was blooded into administration by being the Council Clerk at Barunga and, being the intelligent man that he was, soon grasped the processes of proper administration. He worked in that role for the better part of 10 years.
His time spent in the long grass and around Katherine, however, was not entirely wasted. What he did learn from those times was a clear understanding that one of the most destructive forces operating in Aboriginal Australia was passive welfare. Long before the Noel Pearsons of the world were making that point, Mr Lee was stridently critical of the damage that the reliance on welfare could do to the human spirit and to the family unit. This contempt for handouts began to permeate his management attitudes that were reflected in later life when managing the property amassed by the Jawoyn Association, particularly the Jawoyn interests in Nitmiluk – or as people may know it as Katherine Gorge National Park.
There certainly is no university so good at teaching as the university of hard living. It is interesting to read a speech Mr Lee gave to the Indigenous Economic Forum in March 2003. In that speech, he described a picture of economic management that made Jawoyn, the traditional owner of Nitmiluk, active owners of the property. He was very careful to point out that Aboriginal ownership required Aboriginal management, and that needed to dovetail into the economic realities that drive the rest of the world. The brand of economic isolationism that still seems so dominant in so much thinking in Aboriginal management was deliberately and carefully rejected by Mr Lee. He said that Aboriginal people needed to participate in the general economy and that is achieved through partnership arrangements that work for the benefit of both sides of the deal.
Mr Lee was proud to add that government had little input into the process because, from his experience, government could not provide assistance in any fashion without it coming from the flavour of welfare attached to it. Clearly, Mr Lee thought that once you were attached to the government nipple, it was nearly impossible to be weaned off it. That dependency was ultimately the source of pain that he knew only too well from personal experience. He also knew that there were conflicts between the commercial realities of the world in which he lived, and the need to protect those interests, which were the cultural interests into which he had been born. These interests were often in conflict and it was through the ability of Mr Lee to negotiate his way through those competing interests that made him the wonderful leader that he had become.
Beyond that, he has been instrumental in delivering true independence for the Jawoyn by remaining true to those values. It is from this basis of independence that Mr Lee also understood that education would have a context in which education made sense. Mr Lee knew that education needed a contextual environment to make education stick. Therefore, for Mr Lee, there had to be jobs at the other end of the education system. He had been repeatedly explicit about the need for work to exist so that education can have a practical outcome for the educated.
In 1997, the launch of the five-year plan demonstrated the inclusive nature and sensitive understanding that Mr Lee had for all those who live in the Katherine area. He understood intimately the relationship between black and white and the commercial relationships between people. When launching the plan, he said: ‘We have used our lands to invest in the future, a future that will benefit all the people of this region, not just the Jawoyn’. Mr Lee was a man of inclusion.
Madam Speaker, some people are born great, others achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Mr Lee was definitely in the latter category. He certainly indicated, on many occasions, that he would have been happy never to have these responsibilities thrust upon him but, nevertheless, he was called to his duty and he did his duty. He will not be forgotten by many people for doing his duty, and it was through people like him that the relations between traditional owners and other people were as smooth as they were.
We have lost a leader in our community in Katherine, and the Northern Territory is a diminished place. The loss of people like him, Mr Djerrkura, Mr Neidjie and others, leaves a big hole behind. I hope and pray that there will be others to come behind and fill their shoes. But I can say this to any who try: they have very big shoes to fill, indeed. Mr Lee was a man who had a hard start in life, but he elevated himself from the lowest point to become a leader in Katherine. He was universally loved and respected, and even those who started out as his critics had to admire him for his decency and dedication to what he believed in, and that was the advancement and welfare of the people of Katherine – black, white, yellow, or somewhere in between.
On a more personal note, Mr Lee was a regular customer at the general store and food outlet that my husband, Mike, and I ran in Katherine called Red Gum Tourist Park for over 10 years. He was always great to talk to, he displayed no political bias and was always outspoken about the best interests and outcomes for everybody. Mr Lee’s brother, Maurice Jambalili, is particularly special to Mike and me. He has also been someone that we have seen regularly over the years at Red Gum. Maurice started affectionately calling me mum quite a few years ago when I was giving him a few lectures like mums tend to do. I was having a heart to heart with him and, I have to say, he still affectionately calls me mum today. I must say, we have raised a few eyebrows at times when people have overhead him but, quite by coincidence, I have Maurice’s photo in my recent newsletter, so I am delighted to see Maurice here today.
My thoughts and sincere sympathy go out to all of Mr Lee’s family, his wife and his children, and to the Jawoyn people. Mr Lee will be greatly missed and his contribution to the Northern Territory in advancing indigenous economic development is a magnificent legacy and an inspiration. May he rest in peace in the country he loved so well.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I join the Chief Minister, my colleagues and members opposite in extending my sincere condolences to the family and the friends of the late Mr Bangardi Lee. I welcome the family here this morning.
For those of us who have chosen to live our lives outside of mainstream Australia, Bangardi Lee was one of our champions. He proved something that we who live in the bush know to be self evident. He proved that most, not all the good ideas, that not all the great visionaries came from the cities. He proved that nights spent around a campfire yarning with family or mates beneath the canopy of the million star hotel can produce in a man, or woman, the desire to make a difference for those who want to live in the regions. Mr Bangardi Lee was such a man. He was truly a man for all regions.
Bangardi Lee was a visionary. He saw that it was a necessity to develop economic independence as a way to ensure Jawoyn security on their land long before others raised similar visions. The achievements made by this man through his culture and through the Jawoyn people are achievements that I believe we did not fully acknowledge back in those days. And I mean this as no disrespect to the tributes which have been made since his passing, because we all know he truly deserved all those tributes. But we as Australians maybe did not fully understand or appreciate what the Jawoyn were trying to do back then. The Jawoyn did, and they worked hard to make that vision become a reality. We have all prospered as a society from that vision and I thank the Jawoyn people and Bangardi Lee’s leadership for that.
To establish the Jawoyn Association at the same time that the government of the day was fighting the handover of Uluru to traditional owners some 20 years ago is no small feat. For Bangardi Lee and his brother, the late Mr Fordimail, knew the return of Nitmiluk to Jawoyn control in 1989 spelt opportunity loud and clear. They celebrated the hand back in a rather unusual way for those times – they hosted a business forum in Katherine. As Mr John Ah Kit said at the Economic Summit only last week – and I welcome you also, John, this morning – they called then for local and regional enterprises to throw away their attitudes of the past and actively join with the Jawoyn in constructing an economic future that might benefit everybody.
The focus of business in those days did not focus on indigenous enterprise but rather mainstream businesses. Yet the Jawoyn demonstrated to those businesses that their funding is not linked to poverty and welfare dependence but also linked with indigenous economic development and that there are many opportunities for partnerships. By all means, Bangardi Lee thought the Jawoyn should prosper on their traditional lands, but not for one moment did he think the Jawoyn could do it on their own. He knew a long time ago what many of us in the regions are only beginning to understand now – that prosperity for us out bush will come from our hard work and commitments, but not that alone.
Madam Speaker, you only have to visit Katherine today to see that this man’s vision proved that indigenous economic development is not just about indigenous people. It is about developing the society in which we live in partnership with all for the good of all. Above all, Bangardi Lee was a kind and generous man who was dedicated: he dedicated his life to his family and his community. At this sad time I extend my condolences and sincere best wishes to the family. Our loving thoughts are with you all. God bless.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues and extend my condolences, my personal condolences and also my family’s condolences to the family. And I say my family because my wife and the two boys came to Katherine with me a few months ago and Mr Lee invited us to tour Nitmiluk, of which he was very proud, and then to Edith Falls. He wanted us to see his country. My two boys and my wife were very impressed with Mr Lee and when they heard about his death they were very saddened.
I met Mr Lee many years ago when I was working for an Aboriginal medical service and my job took me to Katherine. I immediately realised that Mr Lee was a decent, wise, proud man; a true leader. A true leader who was always trying to improve the life of his people, to find job opportunities for them, and to improve the economic development of this community. I came to know Mr Lee better and worked very closely with him after I became the minister for mines because we both had a common interest – mining. We both knew that the mining sector and primary industries were the two industries that provided job opportunities for indigenous Territorians and certainly for Jawoyn people. We both worked very hard to make this become a reality.
Mr Lee had an enormous experience with the mining sector and he was happy to discuss and engage in all issues, even when swathed with controversy. Mr Lee’s earliest experience in the industry involved the proposal to explore and mine Coronation Hill in the late 1980s. A major federal inquiry in 1991 ruled that mining would not proceed, a decision based on culture and environmental considerations which still stands. Despite the suggestion that the Jawoyn Association was in some way undermining, the association became a signatory to the Mt Todd agreement in January 1993. The Jawoyn Association was an active joint venture partner in the mining contract and allowed the exploration project. It was a first for an indigenous organisation in Australia. Despite the failure of this large project, the hard lessons learnt were invaluable and in no way affected Mr Lee’s balanced view of the mining industry.
I worked very closely with Mr Lee to address some of the issues that this failed mining venture left behind - the Mt Todd legacy. I am pleased to say that he was able to see that our government was addressing some of the issues. I was also pleased that Mr Lee was part of the team which arranged for what had to be done, and when it had to be done, and how it had to be done for the rehabilitation and restoration of the land he loved so much which would take place very soon. Subject to the overriding concerns of cultural sensitivities and the high standards of environmental management, Mr Lee’s driving goal was to deliver and derive the best possible benefits from mining for his people in the Katherine region. It was spelt out in the release of a Jawoyn Mining Policy 1997, another first for an indigenous organisation.
The Jawoyn Association was the first indigenous member of the executive committee of the Northern Territory Minerals Council. Mr Lee was known throughout the industry as someone always prepared to talk and negotiate. He was a fellow who had an uncanny ability to listen quietly to exceedingly complex political, commercial and technical advice and then formulate a position. The fact that he could do this whilst balancing immense traditional cultural pressures marks him as someone special. And he was someone special. Mr Lee will be sadly missed, not only by his people, but by all Territorians.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, I would like to provide some comments towards the condolence motion to Bangardi Lee. I will not be talking about some of the more troubled times in Mr Lee’s life in front of his family today.
Mr Lee was someone whom I came into contact with in the last 10 to 15 years as I have been around Katherine and I saw him in different roles. Much has been talked about his working career, but one of the most important jobs he ever had was not involved with his work. The most important role he played was as husband to his wife, Nancy; father of Sebastian, Joyce, Patricia, Preston and Larissa. He was a beloved father to a young fellow who has passed away, to Helen, Annemarie, to Tammy, Natalie, Daryl, Libby, David and Annemarie. He was a grandfather to Djuan, Darrylise, Alonza, Antonia, Simeon, Charlene, Shannelle, Anthony, Scott, Gaston, David, Lynitta, Huia, Samara, Shimayne, Zilitah, Lassarina, Henry, Robert, Ernie, Robert, Deanna, Naomi, Johnathan, Tiffany, Michael, Ethan, and Latisha.
He was also a great-grandfather to Keithan, Chevonne, Rashidah, Katidjah and Marlene, and a beloved brother to Maurice, Lee, Rita and Lily. That was really, I believe, the most important role he ever played. One of the things that defines someone is their family and their friends. I acknowledge all the friends and relationships he had formed also.
Mr Lee was someone who was very adaptive. He was someone, if you were in a meeting with him, was a fearsome advocate for the cause. He would take the argument up to anybody in any forum. I believe he could do that one minute and the next he could be out with his family in the bush hunting and fishing - doing those things he loved in country.
It has been talked about how he took on responsibility reluctantly. He was given the baton of the Jawoyn people and he held that baton high and ran very hard with it. Even up until the last days of his life, he was passing that baton on and getting things in order. That baton will be picked up by the next generation, and I look forward to working with the next generation of leaders from his family, or from the Jawoyn people. That was something which was always in his mind.
I will not extend my comments too much further, but I would just like to acknowledge on the family side the deep feelings they have for their father and husband.
I would like to read, with permission of his daughter, a poem which she wrote and read out at his funeral:
I extend my sincere condolences to the family. Mr Lee will be remembered by my family and me.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Madam Speaker, the funeral for Bangardi Lee was a truly historic occasion for the Katherine region. About 1000 people gathered at Barunga to pay their respects to one of the Territory’s own sons.
Speakers on the day included the federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Amanda Vanstone; our Chief Minister, Clare Martin; Gumatj leader, Galarrwuy Yunupingu; Lisa Mumbin from the Jawoyn Association; Bill Harney from the Wardaman Association; Anne Shepherd, the Mayor of Katherine; John De Koning from Parks and Wildlife; and Ray Hemple. They joined with many family members, not only to mourn but to also celebrate the life and remarkable achievements of Bangardi Lee - a life from welfare control to self-management.
I take this time to acknowledge the Lee family and friends who are here today and the former member for Arnhem, John Ah Kit. It was Jack who coordinated the final farewell at Barunga where Bangardi Lee wanted to rest, in the country where his heart truly belonged.
To those who knew and worked with him, Bangardi Lee was a proud and determined freshwater man, always a snappy dresser, who took great pride in making sure that he turned up at the office and meetings looking his best. There was a time early on when he did not want to take on the responsibilities associated with public life. His older brother, the late Ray Fordimail, told Bangardi that he had to stop partying because the future of the Jawoyn people rested with him.
Bangardi knew it was going to be hard, he knew that the Jawoyn people were a minority in their own country, firstly due to successive waves of non-Aboriginal migration and, secondly, that Katherine is an administrative and economic hub for the region, which has brought a permanent influx of non-Jawoyn people into the town.
In the early 1980s, Katherine had a national reputation as a racist town. The controversy generated over the Jawoyn land claim became a focus for community disharmony and misunderstandings did nothing to enhance the town’s image. I tell this story so it can give people an idea of just what the climate was like, and Bangardi Lee took on the challenges of trying to create harmony in an environment that was filled with disharmony. Much has changed since then and today we acknowledge that Bangardi was one of the key people instrumental in changing attitudes.
Bangardi grew up on Jawoyn country, and he was born on the banks of Beswick Creek with his mother attended by a traditional midwife. From the Beswick Station, his family moved to the government settlement of Barunga. It was a place which brought together different language and tribal groups, and it was here that Bangardi learnt to speak six languages as well as Kriol. It was known as good cattle country. In the early days, the government ran every aspect of community life. The white superintendent was in charge, a large communal kitchen provided three meals a day, a big vegetable garden supplied fruit and vegetables, and the large chook and pig farm was supplemented by fresh meat from the station. The children attended school. Bangardi said, as a child coming into Katherine, many of his people lived in humpies and flimsy shelters on the fringes of town or down by the Katherine River.
Bangardi was a man shaped by the events of the time. He was saved from the government round-up of mixed heritage children by being hidden in a banana plantation by his family. His three-year-old sister, Rita, along with many other children from around the Territory, was taken to Croker Island. He was not to see Rita again until he was 18 years old. Bangardi spoke his mother’s tongue, Ngalkbon, and remembered being flogged at school for not speaking English. He said of those times: ’We were like people from two different worlds trying to talk to each other, trying to communicate’.
He left school early and worked, firstly, as a ringer, then a butcher. His quiet work ethics saw him take on a job as a mechanical work supervisor, but wanderlust saw him join a boxing troupe and many can testify that he enjoyed a dust-up or two. Just speak to the former member for Arnhem, I am sure he can tell a few stories. In fact, there is one story that has been shared for us to hear today, with permission of his family and friends. There was one fist fight that is entered into the Katherine folklore, when Bangardi had a disagreement with another countryman. The reason, well, who knows? People do not remember that. The sheer showmanship, Madam Speaker, the fight meandered up and down the local watering holes in Katherine, across a disco floor, out on to the back bar, and spilling back on to the main street, and witnesses swear they saw Bangardi back-flip over the bonnet of a parked car to land on his feet. With no man backing down, he called for a smoko break, then they were back into it. He was that sort of bloke, never giving in.
He went to Barunga and served as Town Clerk for a decade, learning administration and diplomacy skills which he would need when he took the reins of the Jawoyn Association. For someone who started out as a reluctant participant, Bangardi stands tall as a testament to putting aside the personal for the betterment of others, to shoulder responsibilities and to keep a very clear eye on what needs to be done. He is described as a pragmatist. He sat at the negotiating table with many competing interests from both sides and all sides of the political fence. He was a man for the times who had a very clear vision of his people’s place in the Territory’s future.
As a Jawoyn man, he was chosen by the council of elders to continue the work begun by his older brother, to remain true and strong, to advance the views and aspirations of the Jawoyn traditional owners over the management, protection, control and development of traditional Jawoyn lands. The elders chose well. He advocated tirelessly for a better deal for his people. At the recent Jawoyn AGM, a clearly ill Bangardi had this to say:
From his sick bed Bangardi called the former member for Arnhem, John Ah Kit, to help with the transition after he had gone. They talked long into the night, remembered shared stories and according to Jack they laughed until they cried.
It is at this point that I would like to share my memories of Mr Lee. The Lee family’s links with the Yanyuwa and Garrawa people of the Gulf of Carpentaria are strong, with family ties that link us. Bangardi has been an inspiration to my people of the Gulf region. He has shown what countrymen and women can do for their communities if we all work together with one aim to make life better for all people. I am grateful for Bangardi Lee, for his support in my role becoming the new member for Arnhem, a support that I will always treasure, and I will hold dear the memory of the dinners and the drinks at the Katherine Club with my predecessor, John Ah Kit. So, from my people to the Jawoyn people, to Bangardi Lee and his family, I am truly sorry for your sadness, but I am deeply grateful for what this one man has done for all indigenous people in this country, and I say thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: I thank honourable members for their contributions and tributes. On behalf of all members I extend condolences to the family and friends of Mr Lee.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: I ask all honourable members to rise in silence for one minute as a mark of respect.
Members rose and observed one minute’s silence as a mark of respect.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on the government’s second economic summit and the progress towards delivering a 10-year economic road map for the future of the Northern Territory.
There is no doubt that the Territory is in a vastly different place to where we were when the government held its first economic summit in 2001. Our economy has strengthened from virtually stagnant to having the strongest forecast economic growth in the country over the next five years. We have the lowest taxes in Australia for businesses with up to 100 staff and, most importantly, Territory small businesses are confident about their future.
The economic development strategy delivered through the first summit has had a central role in bringing about that change. In partnership with business, government has delivered on 98% of its recommendations. But we can not afford to sit back and wait for the future to come to us. Government, business, unions and the community must work together to shape a framework for the future which will continue to guide the Territory’s economic growth and improve the quality of life for Territorians no matter where you live. Mr Lee was at the first economic forum in 2001 and I know that he shared that aspiration for the future of the Territory.
That is exactly what last week’s economic summit was about: bringing Territorians together to plan for our future. From the outset, government said that the future of the Territory cannot just be about building strong economic growth in Darwin; we must engage our regional and remote areas in economic development. We held open regional forums in Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Darwin in the lead-up to last week’s summit. I was pleased to attend each of those regional forums. More than 150 Territorians attended to have their say in building a strong future.
The issues identified at these regional forums played a key part in the discussions at the summit where building our regions and engaging indigenous Territorians in economic development was an underlined theme throughout the two days. About 100 leading Territorians from business, unions and community groups gave up their valuable time to participate in the summit.
The central consideration of discussions was building a future for the Territory’s youth. We have the youngest population in Australia and the opportunities we are identifying now will be taken up by children now only in primary school. Summit participants heard from a range of speakers including David Rumbens from Access Economics; global economist, Professor Neville Norman; and former member for Arnhem, Jack Ah Kit. Sessions where chaired by Territory business people and community leaders including Steve Margetic, Greg Haigh and Fran Kilgarrif.
The summit focused on five key themes of discussion: creating an attractive business environment; promoting investment; expanding markets; developing business and industry capacity and capability; and building and retaining a skilled and productive work force.
The themes were discussed in relation to the Northern Territory as a whole, on a regional basis, and in relation to the key industry sectors of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, defence support, tourism and related industries, construction, manufacturing, mines and energy, and consumer services. The discussions on the five themes were broad ranging and the main issues and challenges identified included:
building the Territory’s skills base on a number of fronts;
identifying future skills needs; training for indigenous Territorians;
skilled migration;
retaining our skilled workforce;
maximising economic participation for indigenous Territorians;
targeting and building business opportunities including tackling the issue of source supply
and cost of energy;
identifying and growing niche markets and building our regional strengths;
promoting private sector investment and reinvestment in the Territory;
building our population through marketing and promotion of our unique lifestyle; and
development of services and planning for our future infrastructure needs.
We have a relatively small economy presenting a unique set of challenges and we have to keep looking at the best ways for business and government to deal with these challenges in a coordinated way. The summit was about looking to the future, identifying the challenges ahead, and meeting them head on.
The key issues identified both at the summit and the earlier regional forums will now become part of the 10-year 2015 Moving the Territory Ahead Economic Framework which is expected to be completed by March next year.
I thank all participants at the summit and the regional forums for giving up their time. Each was passionate about the Territory and it was with their input that we will be able to build a strong future for young Territorians.
I also thank my departmental staff; they worked really hard in pulling this summit together at a pretty short notice. Staff of my office as well put in extraordinary hours. I also thank Madam Speaker and the staff of the Legislative Assembly for all your support during the summit. It really was a key event for government and certainly will guide this government and future governments over the next 10 years as we continue to build a strong economy for the people of the Northern Territory.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, just as the minister for Education has often said, nothing happens in education unless it happens in the classroom, so too with this summit - nothing actually happens with the Territory economy or with these deliberations in a summit until it happens in the workplace with the support and encouragement of small to medium-sized enterprises in the Territory which are the driver of the Territory economy.
I commend this government for the summit. I was pleased to be a participant and was very impressed by the quality of those who take risks in private enterprise in the Northern Territory. As a member of the Territory community, I also believe in the great potential of the Northern Territory. However, just as a garden does not happen by accident but by careful planning and hard work, so we have had a time where we have planned and mapped out a future for the Northern Territory. We have an excellent plan, and we have had a previous plan from the previous summit. The judgment will come upon this government and those who continue to work with the plan and follow the guideposts that have been established as a result of the summit.
Quite interestingly, the minister acknowledged 98% of the directions of the previous summit were completed, but the cornerstone was not; that is, the delivery of gas onshore to provide some relief to the very clear prospect of increased cost of electricity to the Northern Territory economy. That is one issue which was referred to again and again in the first summit; also the cornerstone of this summit. The concerns are for the increased cost of electricity which remains unaddressed.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his comments, and also his contribution at the summit. It was good to see that he attended and participated.
There were many key themes addressed at the summit, and the issue of the cost of electricity was one of them. However, I would not say it was the cornerstone issue concerning people at the summit. The cornerstone issue concerning people at the summit was to ensure that our young people - both indigenous and non-indigenous - have the education, the skills, and the capacity to engage in the economy as it grows over the next 10 years. For me, that was the key issue that came out of the summit. The issue of gas onshore for future electricity supply for the Northern Territory is one which is currently being progressed by government on a number of fronts.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on my trip to Singapore. This trip had three purposes: to place before leading financial institutions and investors what we have to offer in government bonds; to meet with investors interested in becoming part of the Territory’s economic future; and, in my capacity as Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing, to meet with the Singapore Turf Club.
Each year, the Territory seeks to refinance a portion of our debt that is maturing. This year, that refinancing figure is higher than average at $540m. It was decided that we should test interest and investing in this beyond Australia into South-East Asia. The ANZ Bank invited me to address a number of leading business and investment representatives in Singapore on this matter and on the Territory, in general. It proved an important opportunity to sell our story to significant investors and developers.
On Thursday, 24 November, I addressed a business lunch including some of the most significant investors in Singapore, with people such as Mr Leng Beng Kwek, Executive Chairman of the Hong Leong Group, probably Singapore’s most influential developer and investor; Mr James Koh, Deputy Chairman of the Housing and Development Board; Mr Anthony Chan, Group Managing Director of the Chan Brothers International Travel Company - Singapore’s largest; Mr Peter Koh, Executive Chairman and chief executive of 3000 Investments Pty Ltd; and Mr Choon Seng Tan, CEO of WBL. Financial attendees included representatives from ANZ, the Hang Seng Asset Management, the Bank Negara, the Bank of Indonesia, Investment Corporation of the People’s Republic of China, and Mercer Consulting.
A number of questions about the Territory followed after lunch from people interested in both our physical size and what we had to offer. People were keen to know what plans were in place for growing the population, and following lunch, I met with Mr Chow Kiat Lim, Director Fixed Income Division of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. Mr Lim oversees the investment of billions of Singapore dollars on behalf of the government.
On Friday, I met with a team of people from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, headed by Ms Jacqueline Loh, Executive Director of Reserve and Monetary Management Department. Ms Loh and her staff were both informative and very generous with their time in working through issues with us.
That evening, I met both Mr Pang Fey Yu, the President and Chief Executive of the Singapore Turf Club, and Mr Tze Ming Soong, the Vice President of Racing. Mr Soong showed me the Strath Ayr Track, a Tasmanian-developed surface, the same as Moonee Valley races on, and examined the facilities of what is a truly remarkable club. I was delighted to attend dinner with committee members of the Singapore Turf Club, including Mr Koh, the Chairman of Turf Club, Mr Waung, Mr Ruyters and Mrs Ruyters, and the Tunku Seri Shahabuddin from Malaysia. I believe we did achieve our goals. There will be significant follow-up work conducted to ensure that the gains we made thus far turn into longer term results.
I am particularly grateful to Mr Bill Foo, General Manager of ANZ, who was an outstanding contributor, and Ms Ellen Collier of ANZ, who made the invitation in the first place. The ANZ does a great job in Asia, both for the Territory and Australia as a whole. I am extremely grateful to Mr John Montague from Treasury Corporation from our own Treasury for the organisation of the visit and his much appreciated professional support and advice throughout the trip.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, it takes me back to 1975; I was in Year 12. I had a flashback. The now Treasurer, in responding to that great event in 1975, rushes off to raise some cash. At the time, supply had been blocked and the Treasurer, Jim Cairns, rushes off to meet Mr Khemlani. It appears to me that, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of that event, the Treasurer scurries off to Singapore to meet, perhaps, Khemlani, I do not know, his name was not mentioned there.
Dr Lim: His name was not in there.
Mr MILLS: No. But, in leaving the Northern Territory, he left behind no assurance at all to the business community that the cost of electricity would rise. He left the Northern Territory with ‘for sale’ signs on TIO, with the costs of the trip perhaps paid for by the students of Irrekerlantye, public servants are being told that their jobs are under close scrutiny, that the Expo had been cancelled, and the Desert Knowledge Centre had been delayed. So, little wonder there was great concern raised within the Northern Territory community as to what was now motivating the minister, in the midst of the Economic Summit, to rush off to Singapore. Regards to Khemlani.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, ignoring the cheap shots from the member for Blain on a whole range of matters he placed before us, I simply make this point: the former Treasurer of the Northern Territory used to go to London to raise borrowings, and stayed at the Savoy at in excess of $600 a night - and this, a Treasurer of a government which prided itself on engagement with Asia. Why you would go to London when you are Treasurer in a government that was taking great pains to be close to our northern friends, establishing trade and financial relationships with our northern friends, but you go to London to raise your borrowings.
Well, we do not speak out of both sides of our mouth at once. When we talk about engagement with Asia, we actually do it. This Treasurer has gone to Singapore as part of that, to put the Northern Territory’s case before Singapore, a cashed-up country, with enormous reserves, and an opportunity to put the Territory’s case before their eyes, the first Treasurer of the Northern Territory to do so.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I present a ministerial report into the removal of delegated powers and functions from the Jabiru Town Council by the Jabiru Town Development Authority, and a subsequent investigation into the matter by my department.
On 9 November 2005, the authority released a public statement summarising the report on the investigation. The authority has declined to release a full copy of the report due to the personal nature of some material.
I will provide some background to the situation of governance at Jabiru, because it is a unique situation with respect to local government in the Northern Territory. The authority operates pursuant to the Jabiru Town Development Act which the authority has the function of delivery of local government to the town of Jabiru and delegates this to the Jabiru Town Council. The council is responsible to the authority, not the Minister for Local Government, as is the case for councils incorporated under the Local Government Act.
I will now turn to the issue which faced the authority with respect to the Jabiru Town Council. In mid-2004, the authority received a series of complaints and allegations about the operation of the council, the chief executive officer, and some councillors. Following a walk-out by some council members from a meeting in August 2004, a call by the chair for intervention, the authority launched an investigation using local government inspectors from my department. The action of some councillors in walking out is clearly not an example of good governance and left the council without a quorum. It had happened before.
An urgent interim report was provided to the authority indicating that while the council administration was operating effectively there were serious concerns about a number of matters which mediation would not resolve. Acting on the urgent interim report, the authority decided to withdraw the delegation of the local government function to the elected council which was within their powers to do so. I have been asked why the administration, particularly the CEO, was not suspended. This was unnecessary as the interim report found the administration of the CEO was acting appropriately. The final report ultimately concluded that accusations against staff by some councillors were unfounded and the decision by the authority to leave the CEO in place was sound. Indeed, the final report vindicates the actions of the CEO.
The authority appointed a manager of the council to act in the place of the elected members. I am advised that the administration services being provided are of a very high standard indeed. After withdrawal of the delegation to council, a public meeting was held at which the chairman and other members of the authority made themselves available. The overwhelming majority of the participants supported the actions of the authority. The discontent and friction between some elected members and the administrator had spilled over into the public domain and was causing considerable concern within the community.
The investigator’s final report concluded that some council members breached the council’s adopted code of conduct, had significant conflict of interest, and lacked an understanding of their roles and responsibilities which placed them unnecessarily in conflict with the CEO. It is clear from the report that there were other issues which escalated to the point that the authority felt bound to act as it did. Indeed, the issues became deeply personal, which caused individuals on both sides of the dispute considerable emotional distress.
Before the next election of the council in May 2006, a community engagement strategy will be put in place to inform the community of the role of the council and to consider options for the future of governance in Jabiru. There are a number of governance options for consideration for the future of Jabiru, including establishing a council under the Local Government Act. These options will be explained fully in the community engagement strategy. Following the elections, the authority will discuss with the new council future governance options. Funds will be made available to the council by the authority to facilitate appropriate assistance in this important process.
There is an issue that I should draw to the attention of the Assembly and the people of Jabiru. I make the point that it is not good governance and totally unacceptable to flag running a campaign for elections on the platform of removing an individual or council administration in general on the basis of personal vendetta. This is to be deplored and I am sure the people of Jabiru are looking at future candidates who will run on the principles of providing good leadership and policy direction. That is what good governance is about. It is now incumbent on the authority and the people of Jabiru to restore a democratic process to council that provides good governance. The community engagement strategy will help this happen.
The public meetings at Jabiru have been very well attended …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I am really disappointed with the minister for coming in here and putting a short ministerial report on what has been a very vexing issue for a long, long time.
It is unfortunate that the minister in one breath talks about democratic process yet denies the Jabiru people a democratic process. If there were serious issues involved with the Jabiru council, minister, then I suggest you release the full report, so that people can read and determine for themselves what actually happened. Do not put out a sanitised report written by god-knows-who, to try to cover up what issues there may be. It is no good saying that the council managers do not understand their role in their jobs there. If they do not understand their role, then your department has failed them in not providing instruction on what needs to be done as a council member or alderman.
It is time you released a full report so that the people of Jabiru can read the report in its entirety and let them decide for themselves what is actually happening there. Do not justify it with a sanitised report and try to brush over whatever happened there. One of the things you could do is to alter the composition of the council, so instead of having even numbers in the council where occasionally you get a tied vote and then their decisions are negatived, make it an odd numbered council, and you will never have a tied vote. That might assist in some decision-making. Minister, release the full report so that we can all see for ourselves what is in it.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I welcome the minister’s report. I also believe it needs far more discussion than just a report today. Minister, you stated in a letter that Jabiru Town Council operates under the delegated authority of the Jabiru Town Development Authority, and subsequently, they are the people who have been running this review. However, under section 4A, you have the authority to tell the Jabiru Town Development Authority what to do. You have ultimate power as to whether this council is allowed to continue, because this council has not been sacked. This council has been put into mothballs. There are a number of questions that need to be asked, and I do not know whether they will be answered in this report that you have. Some of those people are waiting to take their role as elected counsellors again.
Two of those points, which I do not know if the summary covers, was the failure of the Town Clerk to provide information to the council, and the failure and refusal of the Town Clerk to institute and provide a drop copy of all correspondence to council. Notwithstanding whether you can answer those questions now, you did say that the CEO had acted appropriately, and therefore there was no reason to stand him down as well. I would have thought you had to stand him down first to see whether he had acted appropriately. Not make a decision whether he had acted appropriately and therefore not stand him down.
You have a serious number of points here raised by the counsellors who walked out. From my experience on councils, the council is in charge, not the CEO. If the council asked for something to be done, and is not illegal, it is the job of the CEO to respond. From my understanding, the CEO refused to respond. Could you say whether this is true, and can we have that report released today, so we can have a look at it, so we can have time to consider whether it should be raised again as a matter of importance?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, your time has expired. Minister in reply.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I thank the members opposite for their contribution. May well the member for Greatorex be disappointed, however, I just want to assure him that I am not going to release a copy of the full report, and this also applies to a position put to me by you, member for Nelson. I am not going to release a copy of the full report.
What I failed to say, as I ran out of time, is that a summary of the report will be available to the people in Jabiru and will be published in the local paper. There are issues of immense concern that have occurred out there. This is not the place to go into some of those details. What I am prepared to say to both of you gentlemen across the Chamber is that if you wish to participate, to undertake a briefing, I am more than prepared to do that. We have to be very sensible in how we deal with this matter, because it must always be in the interest of the people in Jabiru.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Reports noted pursuant to Sessional Order.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw to your attention the presence in the gallery of Maningrida CEC students accompanied by Leon Syme and Monica Wilton. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend a very warm welcome to our visitors.
Members: Hear, hear!
Continued from 13 October 2005.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, the opposition does not have any serious problems with these amendments that are put forward, but when I went out to speak to the industry I received a mixture of results. I have to say that we would be cautiously supporting this bill.
I consulted with industry about the two-tiered scheme of registration. They wanted to know what the benefit was to the industry when other professionals have to pay for registration in the Northern Territory. The explanatory paper said that this secondary registration is half of the fee of the primary registration, and that it will be an incentive to attract greater numbers of interstate veterinarians to register and visit the Northern Territory. There were some vets with whom I spoke in the Northern Territory who are very cautious about that move and others who do not see it as an issue.
Therefore, we on this side of the House do have some caution towards the amendments to the bill, but we do support the bill.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, unless there are any other speakers, I would just like to make a few comments.
I read through the minister’s second reading speech closely and could still not work out why this was introduced in the first instance. He said that the main purpose is to introduce a two-tiered system of veterinarian registration. When I look at other professions – medical, nursing, lawyers, architects, engineers, you name it – just about every profession has the requirement to be fully registered in each jurisdiction prior to their practice. However, in veterinary practice, it appears that other jurisdictions have gone the same way as the Northern Territory, which is to have a two-tiered system.
As the member for Katherine advised earlier, she sought advice from industry and received mixed advice - some people have supported it and others have not. If the offer of secondary registration will be an incentive to attract registrations, yes, I can see that happening. However, I do not see any nett benefit to the Territory. Just because you are registered in the Territory does not mean that you can be practising in the Territory. You hope you will practise in the Territory, but you do not necessarily have to and, if you are physically located in the other states, you are unlikely to be practising in the Territory. On the principle of mutual recognition, if you are registered in the Territory you can also be registered interstate.
If there is a movement of vet services into the Territory, is there likely to be a movement of vet services out of the Territory as well, because our vets can now be registered interstate. Therefore, I do not see a nett benefit to the Territory. However, if somebody is fully registered and has to pay reasonable fees to be registered, it is more likely that they want to practise in the Territory. Otherwise, it is just a mere formality to get your name on the list.
The member for Katherine also mentioned that there have been concerns expressed to her that you can get vets - or any other profession for that matter - of not so high repute wanting to be registered in the Territory as well, and how they would be controlled when they are registered and allowed to work in the Territory.
I see no value in this alteration to the act. I seek the minister’s explanation, because he did not explain that clearly at all in the second reading speech, so that we can set, on the record, the rationale for allowing two-tiered vet registration when all other professions have not been accorded the same opportunities. It just does not add up at all, and I seek the minister’s explanation.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker I thank the opposition for their support. I would like to explain why we actually went to the model of primary/secondary registration. It is not something that we thought of in the Northern Territory; it was suggested by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council in 2002. They proposed a model of primary/secondary registration as a means of reducing registration requirements for vets seeking to operate interstate away from their home of primary registration. That was adopted by all jurisdictions, which now either have amended their legislation to incorporate the model of primary and secondary registration or are in the process of doing so. This is a way to recognise, across all jurisdictions, that it will not necessarily work all the time in one jurisdiction, or work 80% of the time in Victoria and 20% in the Northern Territory.
There are problems with access to vets in the Northern Territory. It is very easy for us in the urban centres to go to the vet and treat our animals, however, I am well aware that, in some of the regional centres, even Tennant Creek, they have problems. In Tennant Creek, apparently, a vet from Alice Springs visits once a week. It will be good to attract more vets to the Northern Territory, and if the secondary registration with a reduction of the fees is something that will attract them here, so be it. It is not something that this government thought of; it was proposed by the vets themselves, through their Australasian Veterinary Board and, like other jurisdictions, we were pleased to oblige.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries)(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 12 October 2005.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition appreciates the briefing that was provided, which was of great assistance in understanding the need for this legislation. The opposition will also raise comments regarding this legislation which are, in a general sense, supportive, but do raise concerns which will form the basis of a couple of questions. I would ask the minister to reassure the House of the security of the treasure trove which is unique, which I do not know enough about. I know what we have in the Territory, because of the work of Mr Strehlow, is of extraordinary value and it is to ensure that that valuable asset is duly protected.
As I said, I do not know enough about this, and I do not believe there are many people in the Territory or nationally who understand the depth and the intricacies of this collection. One reason, it is difficult to access and, second, the material that has been documented is of such a high order that it is difficult for the lay person to even understand the underlying concepts.
We recognise the incredible work that was undertaken by the likes of Mr Strehlow, who spoke German and invested his time, to learn not only the languages, but the culture and the secrets of an ancient people. He has provided us with a great service, and we are the custodians of that which he has put in place. I understand the bill is to allow the minister to have oversight of this collection in a way that was not permitted under existing legislation.
I understand, and I would like the minister to reassure me and the House, that the board still plays a significant role in the protection of the integrity of the collection. I do note, with some understanding of the enlarged facility that is provided through this legislation for the bringing in of sacred objects into the collection for the safekeeping, so it becomes a repository of sacred objects. I have been privileged to be advised on a couple of occasions of highly sacred objects that are hidden around our community, where they have been entrusted to members of the community for safekeeping. They are sometimes kept in warehouses, in bookcases and under beds. So that provision is fully supported: that we provide a repository, a place where these sacred objects can be kept and safeguarded.
The other side of it, though, is the ability that this legislation creates for the disposal of objects that are included in the collection. That raised my concern. I have not had the time to investigate this in any depth, but I raise the concern and I ask the minister to advise the House of the threshold that must be passed before an object is removed from the collection. The minister would be more aware than I am of the power of these objects and how they could be misused. I need to know as one who is here for a time to ensure that the safeguards are in place so that the deeper issues are protected, that is the maintenance of culture into the long term and used for the enhancement and strengthening of things that are falling away, and being lost from memory. If objects are removed from the collection, I hope that they would be returned to the collection ultimately, and I would hate to see objects removed from the collection and lost forever.
So, going back to the beginning, it appears to me that this legislation creates and enhances the capacity of this collection to be a repository of sacred objects so that objects could be kept there for safekeeping and borrowed at times, and taken out for appropriate use, but documented records kept, and hopefully they are returned to the collection for future generations.
It is that issue of the protection of the collection. The collection is for the safeguarding and protection of culture. If those collections are removed, perhaps for private use, maybe for divisive use - I do not want to enlarge on that but the minister would know what I am talking about - that they are used in the long term and the eternal benefit of the culture rather than the temporal benefit of those who want to advance a particular issue at a particular time, and so that the integrity of the collection if maintained.
My understanding is the collection was put in place because many ancient people, who sensed that the ancient cultures were under threat, entrusted these objects and their stories to Mr Strehlow so that the culture could be protected and that is my concern. It is the concern of opposition that the integrity of this collection is maintained as we do know the capacity for the disposal of objects. I will wait to hear what the minister says with regards to that and that the minister can ensure us of the protection of the integrity of this collection.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums): Madam Speaker, I thank the shadow spokesperson for his comments. He raised a couple of things and I will just go through them. In regard to the security, one of the first issues that he had raised in regard to the centre, there is a vault which probably houses the most culturally sensitive items. I can assure the member for Blain that any access into this area must be by admission. No one can just walk in and look at these items; you must seek admission prior to going in.
You also highlighted some concerns about the powers of the minister under that legislation and it does say in clause 7: ‘The minister has power to do all things necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Centre.’ However, the minister cannot dispose of objects from the collection without the consent of at least six or seven members of the board. With the whole issue of repatriation there have been some requests and people have been looking at some of these culturally sensitive items being repatriated back to communities
The board will be looking at some stringent guidelines for considering requests to repatriate some of these items. If you look at the membership of the board there is a broad base of expertise and knowledge in the area and current guidelines for access to the objects. There are some traditional owners who have been demonstrating a cultural right to gain access to particular objects and they will be able to apply to the board for the return of these goods. However, there will be that criteria in regard to the repatriation of objects, so it will not just be given to people. Given the cultural sensitivity and the safekeeping of those objects and the purpose of why they were there, there would be a number of guidelines stipulated as to the removal or allowance of those objects to be out.
You quickly touched on how there were people who were worried about the safekeeping of the objects. We share those concerns about safekeeping with theft and damage, and TGH Strehlow, with that same concern many years ago, was seen to be able to look after these items. Therefore the centre was established to continue to protect the culturally sensitive items when they were offered for sale after Strehlow’s death.
It is pretty straight forward as it allows the operations of the centre to come in line with the Public Sector Employment and Management Act. It still allows the board to make the decisions and oversee the cultural sensitivity of the objects.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums)(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 13 October 2005.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I raise some concerns that I have with this amendment. I read carefully the minister’s second reading speech where he expressed that the intent of this amendment was to allow the HomeNorth loan scheme to become more responsive to market movements in housing prices and the demands or the needs of Territorians who are involved in purchasing property with the assistance of HomeNorth.
I commend the motive. It is good that Territory Housing or the HomeNorth loan scheme should be structured to assist Territorians in any way so that they can achieve home ownership, and to allow the Territory to move towards a higher rate of home ownership. However, this amendment appears to remove the minister from any decision-making by delegating to the chief executive officer the minister’s responsibility in establishing the HomeNorth loan scheme and its rates in their entirety. If I am wrong, I ask the minister to tell me that I am wrong in that assumption that I am making.
I am concerned about some points that I would like to ask the minister to elaborate on for me if possible. Is it possible, without coming back to parliament or putting it into the government Gazette, for example, to increase the amounts available for home loans via a HomeNorth scheme, or decrease the interest rate at any time that the minister or the CEO sees fit? Maybe a month before an election, perhaps, that would be a very attractive measure to adopt at a critical time when government’s political fortunes are flagging. You could support it or prop it up with such a move. Normally, you go through a due process where the minister would have to explain it, and then it would be eventually gazetted and, that way, it becomes a very transparent process. What this amendment proposes to do, it appears to me - and again I keep saying that I could be wrong on this - that that open, transparent process would not be followed. Maybe it is not the intent of the government, and that is fine. However, whether it is the intent or not, I believe the legislation should not leave a loophole so large that that sort of unintended consequence could be allowed.
I would like the minister to explain clearly whether this process will still remain open and transparent; that people in the Territory can see openly in a government Gazette what is going to take place in terms of changes to the HomeNorth loan scheme.
I ask another question: would HomeNorth be able to offer, without any public disclosure, different packages to different people? Is that possible? If the chief executive officer decides, due to market pressures, he has to respond to the market pressure and offer an individual, group or organisation a house; will he be able to do it with a particular package that is geared to the particular group, person, or organisation? That, to me, may be a possibility again according to what I have read in the amendment. I ask the minister to assure me that we make sure this is all open and transparent. This appears, to me, that it can be done by one person without reference to anybody, and this is what has to be demonstrated to the public, whether to us in parliament, or by gazettal. It is not an open and transparent process.
Another question I would like the minister to answer: could the government, without reference to proper regulatory process, bail more and more people out if they have difficulties with their loans? For instance, the government is already an equity partner in the purchase of a home, which also has loaned money through the HomeNorth loan scheme to an individual. If an individual struggles to pay the mortgage, can the government suddenly come behind the contract and say: ‘Okay, we will take another 10% or 20% equity in your residence’, and that will help you reduce your mortgage payments and therefore makes it all easy. Then, the government’s debt starts to increase further and further and never, in the life of the resident or home owner, would the home loan be paid off. How is the government going to do this without making sure that we all, in the Territory, know that it is happening, with the case of a particular home that has been purchased by a Territorian who is struggling to pay? Is the government going to use this amendment to continue to prop people up, people who, under any other normal circumstances, could not afford to purchase a home, but had committed at a time when money was readily available, and suddenly now find circumstances have changed.
While the HomeNorth loan scheme’s products have been brought into line with commercial lending sector standards, we then start to hear a few bells ringing. The TIO finances our HomeNorth loan scheme. Are we now preparing the TIO HomeNorth portfolios as part of a sale when we get rid of TIO as well? Does that mean that if TIO gets sold, that this TIO housing portfolio will be transferred to HomeNorth? These are bells that are ringing very loudly for me, and while it is not mentioned at all in the minister’s second reading speech, I believe it is beholden on the minister and government to respond to these concerns.
I have two final points. The minister said that the bill repeals all remaining loan schemes that were not covered by the previous amendment. The government says it gave people who took up loans in the past access to future improvements; it could also go the other way, I suspect. We will not know until it has happened, as there is no requirement for operations to be done by regulation. That is the problem. It just allows things to happen without an open and transparent process. Those questions need to be readdressed by government when they pass this bill. I am not sure, I have not spoken with industry myself, but, in the minister’s second reading speech, it says nothing about his consultation with private enterprise or with real estate industry. I suspect that they will be unhappy about this. They are completely uninformed about this altogether. This is something that has to do with the CEO, HomeNorth loan scheme, whatever they currently are, and TIO.
It appears to me that this is a bungling of a TIO portfolio that is part of the whole TIO review which is going to end up being sold off, herein lies another problem. I seek the minister’s explanation to those points I have raised, and I hope he has some satisfactory answers.
Mr McADAM (Housing): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex. I just want to respond to a couple of issues to begin with. This matter is in no way related to your perceptions in respect to the future of TIO. You will be very much aware that this government is presently undertaking the exercise in regards to TIO and in no way can you under any circumstances relate this particular amendment to the sale of TIO.
The other matter that you raised also is in respect of the real estate industry. My understanding is that the HomeNorth Extra scheme and the HomeNorth scheme prior is a scheme that is very well accepted, and acknowledged, right across the industry, because it caters to a niche market. It caters to those people who may not have the capacity or the finance to go into a higher market; as you would be aware there are certain rules, conditions and regulations which apply to the HomeNorth Extra scheme. So, instead of trawling up these red herrings about the real estate industry, it is incumbent upon you to be responsible. If you are going to get up in this House and say things, then you should say it with a degree of certainty. So just let me say that to you to begin with.
You also raised some other issues. I understand that you have not received a briefing in regards to this exercise. In a way I wish you had because it would have been simpler and you would have seen the merits of these amendments. Effectively, the amendments I refer to relate to bringing the Housing Loans Act into a more commercially business-regulated environment which will give the capacity through the CEO to be able to do certain actions and before anything occurs, the matter must always go back to Cabinet. That is the condition. If there needs to be a change in regards to market conditions, or to any of the existing regulations, then the CEO will obviously advise me of it and I would have to go back to Cabinet to seek any changes. I hope that addresses your particular issue there.
Effectively, there are no real changes. Essentially, these new amendments bring it into line with good business practice. You also referred to, and I do not know whether you actually meant this, or whether I misinterpreted you, but you seemed to suggest in some way that there might be some capacity for the CEO to be able to go off and act under his own steam in regard to the changing of these regulations. I hope that you did not mean it that way; you would be very much aware that there are certain compliances. I just want to give you that assurance that the Territory Housing people and the CEO have both been very professional in regards to this whole exercise, and that the HomeNorth Extra scheme is applauded right across Australia.
These new amendments will capture around 60-odd people under the old scheme, so it brings them into the same rates as applied before. What that does, essentially, is allow all clients who have taken out HomeNorth loans that if there are difficulties with repayments then there is capacity for up to 40% of the market value - that is the purchase price of the house at the time - for that to occur via the CEO.
I advise that there have probably been in excess of a total of 2792 loans approved under HomeNorth Extra, and a total of some 2000 loans all up. My advice is - and I sought this information - that there is one person who is taking out a home loan who has defaulted. There are others who are experiencing some financial difficulties. However, I have been assured that through these particular amendments, we are able to assist people who are experiencing financial difficulties. As you know they can buy back our particular equity in 5% increments over time.
I am not too sure if I have addressed all your points, member for Greatorex, but I honestly believe that this amendment is good business practice; it brings into line those outstanding loans that might not have been eligible under existing amendments. It frees it up to be able to react to the marketplace in terms of market pressures. As I said, I do not know whether it addresses all those particular issues that you have raised, but I feel …
Dr Lim: This is a quick interjection. You might like to go into committee and I can ask you questions on a couple of the amendments.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, are you asking that we go into committee later? Let the minister finish his speech.
Mr McADAM: The member for Greatorex wishes to go into the committee stages. Is that correct?
Madam SPEAKER: You are asking to go into the committee stages?
Mr McADAM: No, I am not. I am just wondering what he wants to do.
Dr Lim: Let us go into committee and I will ask you a couple of questions.
Madam SPEAKER: All right, member for Greatorex. Minister, have you completed your second reading debate?
Mr McADAM: Yes, I have.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Dr Lim: May we go into committee, please?
Madam SPEAKER: We will go into committee after Question Time, member for Greatorex.
Debate suspended until after Question Time.
MOTION
Proposed Censure of Treasurer, Chief Minister and Government
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move – That the Assembly censure the Treasurer, Chief Minister and government for:
lying to the elected members of this House about the state of the Northern Territory’s
finances;
lying to the people of the Northern Territory prior to the last election about the state Northern
Territory’s finances, and
fraudulently misrepresenting to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy.
Madam Speaker, this censure motion is brought before the House to ask the House and members of it to hear the evidence of the government, and particularly this Treasurer’s deceit, when it comes to the perilous nature of the Northern Territory’s finances. The motion asserts that the Treasurer is a liar and that he has masked the true state of the Territory’s finances. The motion requires all members of this House, and I appeal to Labor members in particular, to turn their mind to the state of the Northern Territory’s finances and say to this Treasurer: ‘You are no longer fit to hold the post that you have been given and you were never fit to hold the post in the first place’. I urge all Labor members to listen carefully to the facts and ask themselves this important question: does my party loyalty mean more to me than the economic welfare of the people of the Northern Territory? A straightforward question and I implore them to search within themselves to try to answer it.
I intend to begin by pointing out the lie started when this government came to office. It is for this reason that I have included the Chief Minister as part of this censure motion because it was she who took over the reigns of Treasury when Labor won government in 2001. It was the Chief Minister who announced and indeed created the so-called black hole, and it was she who used it to justify the extra tax on motor vehicle registrations that many Territorians will never forget. Thus from the very outset, this government’s approach to taxation was a deceit and the path was set.
The hallmark of so many Labor governments has been the same – big spending and high taxing. People like Joan Kirner would have been proud of this government because they are doing business in exactly the same way she did, and Victoria paid for it for years. Let us take a trip down memory lane to that time and open the now dusty document that is Budget Paper No 2 of that financial year 2002-03. I urge members to look at them.
For the uninitiated, this budget paper is entitled Fiscal and Economic Outlook. The second chapter of the paper talks about the fiscal strategy of government into the future. This was the first full budget that this government set down, and it was its opportunity to set the policies into concrete. That budget paper, on page 25, outlines the medium-term strategy, namely, the strategy that should have taken us forward over the next few years. It promised first, and I quote:
curbing the growth in nett debt and unfunded liabilities, while continuing to provide adequate
levels of servicing to the community.
Second:
a commitment to, and continuation of, a deficit reduction strategy.
Third:
a resultant decline in nett debt and total liabilities.
The document goes on to say, at page 26:
This was going to be possible because of a further quote which appears on page 26 of the 2002-03 budget paper which said:
In short, we were going to have an underlying cash surplus and balanced budgets across government - that was the promise. What does the Treasurer say today about a cash surplus by last year? I turn the collective attention of members of the House to page 13 - unlucky for some -- of this year’s TAFS - I will hereafter refer to it as TAFS, but it is the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report - which was tabled during the last sittings. I quote:
What, we ask, has happened to a balanced budget by last year? The promises of 2002-03 where not kept - the government lied. It is worth pausing for a moment to consider the 2002 document for another reason. Balanced budgets were going to be achieved because of increased revenues to the tune of an annual income for the year 2004-05 of $2.367bn predicted back then. I draw members’ attention to the forward estimates of 2002-03 and the budget paper, and turn their attention to page 68 where that figures is very clearly stated.
The forward estimate in that year was $2.367bn. It was from that sum the government anticipated they were going to balance the budget and return cash surpluses. How much did the government actually get last year? The answer to that question is on page 25 of TAFS, the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement. For 2004-05, what did they actually get? It was $2.716bn. The Treasurer received $349m more in income last financial year than he expected to three years ago. Three years ago, he said that on a lesser income he was going to balance the budget. Three years ago, there was going to be cash surpluses. Three years ago, there was going to be sound economic management based on $340m less than he actually got for that year.
It is now well established that the government received $600m, or thereabouts, from GST revenue in their last term than they otherwise would have had. They had no idea how much they were going to get and they have become the highest taxing government in the Territory’s history - something the Chief Minister conveniently forgot to include in her answer to one of the questions during Question Time.
They have increased the income from local taxes, while raking in the GST in ways they never expected. They have governed with revenues that past Treasurers - and the Treasurer named a couple of them here today - would not have dared to dream were possible. I am going to say it again so that everyone hears this most important fact: three years ago, the Treasurer said they were going to balance the budget by now with $340m less than they actually received in a single year, or $600m over three years. The Treasurer lied or, if I am being charitable, alternatively he has grossly mismanaged the budget.
Let us go back to the fiscal strategy for 2002-03, and the first point of that strategy: nett debt will go down under Labor’s management. This is the Treasurer who retired no debt last year at all. If you look at Treasury Corporation’s Annual Report for 2004-05, it is clear that not one brass razoo of debt was retired. What is worse is that the Treasurer has been lucky because the situation could have been much worse. The improvement for the Treasurer is largely the result of the upward revision of Treasury assets, namely our housing stock is worth more concurrent with the general increase in the value of property prices. This means that the potential blow-out in nett debt was marked by the happenstance of a sharp increase in the value of land prices in Darwin and Alice Springs. Those prices rose faster than anyone, including organisations like the REINT, expected and predicted.
So, in the process of masking nett debt with asset increases, the Treasurer can tell us that all is not too bad. The question, however, is, can we trust the way the Territory’s assets are valued? If you take Power and Water, for example, whose assets are worth so much, well, we assume the assets are worth so much, but, when we continue to beaver away, we find that the Auditor-General has refused to accept the value that Power and Water has put into its annual report. I will say that again. The Auditor-General has refused to accept the value that Power and Water has put to its annual report. The Auditor-General has said:
That is contained in Power and Water’s Annual Report 2004-05.
Here we have a Treasurer, who will argue, no doubt, that our nett debt is under control based on the valuation of our assets when, in the same breath, we have an Auditor-General making critical comments, and they are critical comments, about how the valuations of government assets are done.
We have here the extraordinary situation where a government-owned corporation is, if you understand what the Auditor-General is saying, probably overstating its asset values. Why would that be, Madam Speaker? It is because the single shareholder of Power and Water is the Treasurer, and he has an interest in seeing the assets overstated, it could be asserted. Is he lying to his own Chief Minister? Who knows? Or is that why the Chief Minister has put the priorities review process in place with herself at the helm? By putting herself back in charge of the money of the Territory, the Chief Minister has stuck the training wheels firmly back on to the Treasurer’s bike. She simply does not trust him to do his job, so micromanagement Martin takes over again.
The other thing is, there is no way that the Treasurer could have known what property prices were going to be three years ago. His reassuring statements on the containment of nett debt will be entirely predicated on an assumption that it is down to his skills as a debt manager. I can see his nose growing already. He has made that claim in the past and it grows every time. Last year, not a cent of debt was retired. It is for these reasons that we know that this is not an issue of incompetence by the Treasurer, but it is an issue of deceit. The Treasurer is lying to Territorians and he lied to them prior to the last election.
I turn my attention to the second point of Labor’s financial strategy – a commitment to and continuation of a deficit reduction strategy. Small wonder, Labor did not go to Estimates prior to the last election in 2002-03, the budget was going to be balanced this year. How much did they blow their appropriations out by across agencies? Let us have a look at the figures. The answer is $96.622m. That is how much the appropriations were blown across government departments. The situation is actually worse than that because that was only the blow-out from appropriations. Overspend on a department by departmental level was worse and it is worse because departments like Health have revenue from other sources.
Dr Toyne: Oh, be kind.
Ms CARNEY: I hear the Health minister groaning. If he is suggesting that the Health department does not get, from memory, about $200m from the Commonwealth, I invite him to contribute to this censure motion and perhaps enlighten me. If it is not $200m from the Commonwealth it is something pretty darn close. He was twitchy about what I have said so I am tempted to say it again. Health receives money from areas over and above the appropriations. Overspend on the department by department level was worse, and it is worse because departments like Health have revenue from other sources as well. The actual blow out in Health was $37.617m, and I will return to that later, time permitting. We know this because the appropriations were a little over $436m and the actual spend by this department, namely Health, was a little less than $640m. Predominantly, the extra money comes from grants and subsidies provided from sources outside the appropriation, and it is, with an element of surprise, that the Health minister apparently does not know that.
I clearly remember the time when the former Treasurer, I think his name was mentioned during Question Time today - Mike Reed - was censured by this House because he was alleged to have understated the budget position of the Department of Health by $8m. This Treasurer has done exactly the same thing for the same amount in the same department. So, if the former Treasurer was to be censured for what he did then, then this House must surely censure the current minister.
Page 102 of TAFS reveals that this Treasurer has deferred the payment of $8m to South Australia and simply subtracted that from the department’s - that is the Health Department’s - bottom line. In short, the Treasurer is saying that by not paying our bills we can take the money from what we owe people. The Health minister has an interest in this because questions will be asked as to whether he knew this furphy was committed by the Treasurer, or does he not understand the budget? In any event, I digress. Surely, the Treasurer does not want to give us a reputation as a place that does not pay our bills. It could have been much simpler than that. It could have been that our Treasurer simply decided not to pay the bills so it could come off Health’s bottom line. I know which interpretation I favour.
The deficit reduction strategy is in tatters. In the appropriation of last year, the Treasurer created a little piggy bank, and put some money aside so if something goes wrong, he can empty the little piggy bank and not blow the budget. The line item for the piggy bank is $29m; it is the Treasurer’s Advance. He drained that little piggy bank before Christmas last year. The Treasurer also snooped a little cash under the mattress. He overfunded interest taxes and administration by a similar amount so that he could whip some money out if needs be and still announce a surplus. Pretty clever, Treasurer, but you have been sprung. Well, like a drug addict addicted to spending, he took a hammer to the piggy bank and then he overturned the mattress and he spent the lot. Still desperate, he then went to his wallet and found the Visa card. Drunk on power and desperate to spend, he went over his credit for $48m! $48m! Typical of a Labor government, no wonder you were in opposition for 27 years.
This parliament gave the Treasurer extra money in case of contingencies. Percy Allen - remember Percy? - in 2001 said that the amount should be $40m. This Treasurer squirrelled away more than that, partially by devious means, by lying. In other words, he has blown the lot. Where was the large part of it blown? Answer: in the period leading up to the last election, and there was dissent, as many people will recall, across the public service about wages. To shut up those voices of dissent, the Treasurer gave in and he paid them more. I believe the public servants are worth every penny, but I also know that the Treasurer lied in a dishonourable way because he knew that he could not afford to pay those extra wages, but he did it. He did it in a deceitful way because he knew he would have to make cuts in the event that Labor was returned to government. The wages bill for the total public sector for the year before last was $1.055bn, last financial year it was $1.177bn; an increase of $122m over 12 months. Now he needs to cut it back - read job losses.
Where has it all gone, Treasurer, we ask? All of the extra hundreds of millions of dollars that you got and never knew were coming. All of the extra great plans for balanced budgets and surpluses – what happened to them? We know that you have been sprung, Treasurer, and your fiscal strategy is in tatters. This Treasurer lied. He lied to public servants before the election, and rather than tell them the truth about the fact that he could not afford their demands, he lied to them in the full knowledge that after the election some of their jobs would be lost, which is an act of betrayal.
We now come to the last of the fiscal strategies of 2002-03, and I quote ‘a resultant decline in nett debt and total liabilities’. In short, a decline in nett debt and gross debt. All debt would go down under this government was the promise, and the lie. In TAFS the Treasurer tries to excuse the deficit by saying that the unfunded liability of superannuation was bigger than expected. The promise was to lower unfunded liabilities. They have gone up in the form of superannuation and will continue to go up and that effect has been amplified by the Treasurer’s decision to make long service leave an unfunded liability. Goodbye fiscal policy, hello increased debt. In 2002-03, this government promised in its projection that nett debt would be reduced. Because of GST revenues the government has been able to retire some debt but the spending habit of this spending addicted government is beginning to rear its ugly head. By this Treasurer’s own predictions nett debt will creep up to $1.786bn in two years time.
So here is the picture. In 2002-03, their income is up by $600m more than they expected and their nett debt has only been brought down by $237m, and that is as good as it is going to get. This Treasurer could have retired nett debt to as low as $1bn if he had continued to be frugal rather than go on a typical Labor spending spree. The Treasurer is $340m off course in his planning to ratchet up nett debt by another $130m by 2007-08. By the Treasurer’s own projections nett debt will increase $1.786bn in two years time. The highest level of nett debt the Territory government has ever had. All of this means that the Treasurer will be a long way away from where he intended to be in 2002-03. So much for the medium term fiscal strategy for the Territory.
One of the reasons that Territorians did not turn to Labor for so many years was because they were afraid that Labor would outspend themselves, and Territorians were right. All of their fears are about to be realised. After three or four years they are about to be presented with a bill. Enter the razor gang. The lies have already started in a major way with the first being the sale of the TIO. One lie that the Treasurer indicated only a few weeks ago was that he was not planning to sell the TIO. What would normal people read into that? Government does not want to sell the TIO. However, since then, he has refused to rule it out.
The Treasurer has emptied the piggy bank, he has overturned the mattress and taken the cash stashed there, he has maxed out the credit card and treated his addiction, and is now turning his attention to the family silver.
Mr Henderson: Who has written this for you?
Ms CARNEY: Goodbye TIO. The member for Wanguri clearly does not understand the budget. That is sad. And it is …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: ... someone must understand on the Labor side of politics, someone must understand the budget. Maybe you all do not. It is obvious the Minister for Health does not, because he probably did not know anything about the $8m.
Mr Henderson: Who wrote the speech for you?
Ms CARNEY: He also did not know about how Health gets a couple of hundred million dollars from other sources. So, member for Wanguri, bring it on and I say again, I have said it a thousand times before…
Mr Henderson: I just want to know who wrote your speech.
Ms CARNEY: I always know when I am onto something because you start to get twitchy. God, I wish I had much longer. However, this Treasurer tells us that floods, cyclones and storm surge cover will remain for Territorians. They will not, no they will not. He cannot underwrite that and he knows it. He has to lie because that is his form.
Armed with their razors, they are going into the community and things are going to be cut. They are going to cut the throats of the public servants they made so many promises to before the election. They are going to close schools, like Irrkerlantye, put projects like Desert Knowledge on hold, not build Palmerston High School, delay sealing roads like Mereenie …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: ... I could go on if only I had time, member for Wanguri. This is the highest taxing government in the Territory’s history. In the past year their taxes on Territorians have gone up from $264m to $301m. This government forgets that taxation is the removal of wealth from rightful property holders by a threat of menaces. Most people understand the need for tax because certain services need to be delivered. What people resent, and rightly so, is supporting a taxation regime that is being administered by unconscionable and irresponsible people such as the Treasurer of the Northern Territory. Cuts have already been made in the area of infrastructure spending.
Remember the nice, little tale about the money in the capital works program that we were spun by government a little over a year ago? Well, they have taken money out of that program, not just a little, about $10m, and they have spent it elsewhere.
That brings me to the next area of concern. One department alone is responsible for a $41.8m blow-out from its appropriation, and nearly $60m overall when you factor in money that it has received from places like the federal government. That is the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. The $10m shift in spending that I have just talked about is justified as a ‘reclassification of the works in the capital appropriation’. This means one of two things: that the government simply lied as to what capital works were actually cashed up leading up to the election, or they needed money from capital works to plug other holes. It was a mixture of both, I suspect.
It needs to be remembered that this is the department that has carriage of two major projects, namely, privatisation of the parks estate and the waterfront. We do not know what deals have been done, but I can tell you that we have not been able to see what has been going on, and we may never see what is going on in the details in relation to the waterfront contractual obligations. In the case of the parks estate, the laws that this government rammed through means that there is no longer any recourse to this parliament. Once the negotiations are over, that is it. Therefore, we have no idea what promises are being paid for by taxpayers under those arrangements.
Secondly, in relation to the waterfront, there is no doubt that the funding arrangements are shrouded in secrecy. The government did have a very weak, I thought, negotiating position. However, the Chief Minister, determined to take her place in history, wanted to build something. Our view is that Territorians were sold short when it comes to the financial contractual obligations surrounding the waterfront. I could go on much longer about the waterfront; however, I am running out of time.
I say though, that there are a couple of points to make. It is interesting that the estimate for the environmental clean-up was estimated to be in the order of $10m, and that just happens to be the amount that has been whipped out of the capital works budget for the rest of the Territory. I wonder if there is a link.
Moving on, we know that projects like Desert Knowledge, Mereenie Loop and schools in Palmerston and Alice Springs have slowed down or stopped. Public servants are worried about their jobs and schools are being closed. Guess what? We may not be able to see the details of the waterfront, but we can see the effect of the cuts around us, and it is beginning to indicate the size of the problem.
When times are bad, governments often open their coffers and take some of the sting out the economy. This very Parliament House stands as a testament to that concept. It took a couple of years to build, and it was built during a time of the recession we had to have. Many small businesses were saved by this single project, and that is still something remembered in many quarters. However, what about this government? Has it saved? No, it has not. Has it reduced spending? No, it has not, although all indications are that it is about to by cutting the jobs of public servants.
In so many respects, there is too much information to get in a censure, and I am looking forward to the contribution of my colleague, the member for Blain, because he will add to the litany that is the disgrace of this Labor government, and the lies of this Treasurer. We have talked about Health: massive blow-outs consistently; I think almost every year. Our recollection, or mine, is that the Chief Minister indicated that CEOs might lose their jobs if they could not live within their budget. She did not say they would lose their jobs, because that is, obviously, a bit sensitive if a government minister says that at the moment. However, we understood, and the Chief Minister is on the record as saying, that CEOs need to live within their budget. Well, blow me down with a feather because, even in the last 12 months, there has been a blow-out of about $100m.
In relation to the Department of Justice - now this is an interesting one.
Dr Toyne: Oh, here we go again!
Ms CARNEY: He is grumbling. I cannot hear what he says but, anyway, it does not really matter; I am sure it is not enlightening.’
In the Department of Justice’s annual report, they say that they spend $136m and, yet, in TAFS, it is $130m. No explanation is required; it would just appear that the Treasurer has either lied to this House, the minister for Justice has lied, or they are both liars, although one has not got their story straight. ‘How much did you spend?’ ‘$130m’. ‘How much did I really spend?’ ‘$136m’. Perhaps a conversation like that might have been a good idea. In any event, as to actual spends of one government department, namely the Department of Justice, on your own figures - not ours, on your own; not even leaked ones, ones that you have tabled - $136m compared with $130m. If it was not so serious it would be frightening.
We are concerned that the Auditor-General makes comments like: ‘In my opinion … the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement does not present fairly, in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements in Australia’. The Auditor-General says that - you guys on the other side do not even look worried, how staggering. It appears that the Treasurer does not want to use Australian Accounting Standard No 31. Each year, the Auditor-General tells him to use it but, for some reason, the Treasurer does not want to do so. How alarming it is that the Auditor-General would come up with comments like the Power and Water’s assets are not probably worth that much and that the accounts do not present fairly. I would have thought that is a pretty serious matter.
This government is asking public servants to believe their assurances when the Treasurer cannot even tell the truth to the people’s representatives, that is, the parliament of the Northern Territory. The fact is that no-one believes the Treasurer or the Chief Minister. The fact that the Chief Minister wrote a letter telling all public servants that this was normal, tells us that they are super conscious and nervous about the fact that things are anything but normal. In fact, it is abnormal and the lie lasted only a single day. On the next day after the Chief Minister’s letter, the Northern Territory News was reporting an employment freeze in the public service. This is not normal at all. The truth is that the lies started when Labor came to government and they have been pretty constant ever since.
The difficulties that the average Territorian has with making calculations in relation to the budget paper cannot be underestimated. It is our job to keep this government accountable. It is our job to tell the story which is the lie and the fraud and the level of misrepresentation that the Treasurer and his Chief Minister have exercised daily since they came to office in 2001. They actually looked at the electorate with a straight face prior to the last election, made all sorts of promises, promised everyone the world – typical Labor government – and now they have to cut. The Treasurer and Chief Minister have lied to the elected members of the House. They have lied to the people of the Northern Territory, and they do and have and clearly will continue to fraudulently misrepresent to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy. Not only should the Treasurer be censured, he should be sacked.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I survived the embarrassment of probably the most inept censure motion that has ever been prosecuted in this House. I think I was just as relieved as the Leader of the Opposition when the clock finally struck zero, Madam Speaker, so inept was that performance, written by the former member for the seat now occupied by one Mr Natt, and that is the former member for Drysdale. I could hear him delivering those jewels.
In order to prosecute, in fact, the process was not too bad. At least they asked a couple of questions and then feigned frustration with the process and decided to prosecute and launch into a censure of myself, the Chief Minister and this government. That is fine. The process is fine. You probably should try a couple more questions rather than feign frustration, actually get there, it probably makes it a bit more credible and a bit more believable than trying to put it on. You really do have to have the minister in a spot of bother before you launch into the censure. But the prosecution of the censure motion itself, once it has commenced on the floor of parliament, requires a little more substance than using the word lie, lying, deceit, liar, 57 times in the space of a 20 minute contribution. You actually have to have some substance behind it to prosecute your allegations of deceit, lying and liar, because that is, in the end, all that I heard by way of anything meaningful in the Leader of the Opposition’s view.
Just to put some things in context around the state of the economy. This is the strongest economic situation recorded by Sensis in Australia, released just this morning. Growth is up around 4% on an annual basis. Construction approvals are up 4%. Retail trade is up about 9% for the year. Motor vehicle sales continue to be up. ANZ job advertising, year to September, a massive 23.4% increase. I accept that there is some duplication in terms of ANZ job advertising as a statistic because jobs that continue to be unfilled and advertised again are part of that. Nonetheless, it is a massive growth rate on what was a good growth rate up until September last year anyway and continues to bowl along at 23.4%. No other jurisdiction gets any where near that.
Building approvals by number, year to September, up 4% coming down now off a massive base last year; that includes the starting to come down a, bit but still a healthy 4% on a big base. Housing finance for owner occupation - this has been one of the real success stories of this government through HomeNorth and our assistance to first home buyers increasing the base of home ownership in the Northern Territory which is a credit to this government and will further strengthen our economic base into the future. Housing finance for owner occupation, year to August, 25.5%; retail trade, year to September, 5.2%; new motor vehicles, year to September, 9.9% - a figure that has been growing since 2002, so that 9.9% represents a real growth on a pretty strong base growth level anyway.
The Housing Industry Association and Access Economics both put out very strong independent analysis in September around the economy. Access Economics says the Territory’s short term prospects remain rather better than those seen nationwide. Chances are that the world will be beating a path to the Territory’s door for sometime yet. The Housing Industry Association described growth in the economy as historically very healthy; they described the state final demand growth as impressive, consumption growth as a stand out result. These independent commentators have put faith in economic growth of the Territory over the next five years.
It is cute, but I know we cannot comment on the absence or presence, but if you are going to prosecute a censure and you actually believe in it you would think the prosector might stay around a little while for the response, but apparently not.
Where this censure went right off the rails in terms of accusing me, the government, and the Chief Minister of deceit by trying to tell a different story after the election rather than before the election, is this little document here that the Leader of the Opposition failed to mention. It is called the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report. The member for Blain sits amazed. I do not think he has ever heard of it. It is a requirement under the Financial Integrity and Transparency Act and if you look at page 1, we are required to release this in the lead up to any election that is called. In fact this Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report, we affectionately refer to it as the PEFOR, is a requirement of the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act, FITA, which provides for the release of updated financial estimates for the budget year plus three forward years within 10 days of the issue of a writ for an election.
So I was a bit wrong. So you call the election and then within 10 days you must release the pre-election fiscal outlook. The member for Blain has never heard of it. It was a pretty important document in the lead up to the election. It has on page 1 nonetheless, and it is a pity the Leader of the Opposition did not open this up because she would have fallen over it, she would have stumbled over it on page 1: updated financial projections have been prepared for 2004-05 to 2008-09. Chapter 2 presents the details of each change that has been made since the May 2005 budget, not all that long before, about 18 May, and we are talking about three weeks later with this PEFOR when the election was called. So, any changes that have been made since the May 2005 Budget papers and discusses material changes in the pre-election fiscal outlook estimates as compared with those included in the 2005-06 budget. This chapter also includes a statement of risks as required by the FITA.
Table 1.1 compares the key aggregates in the pre-election fiscal outlook and the 2005-06 budget. There has been a small improvement in those aggregates but, nonetheless, the cash outcome as I read here in 2004-05, the cash outcomes at the time of this pre-election fiscal outlook, was predicted to be $46m. It came in at $51m surplus, but I will come back to that. In 2005-06: a deficit of $68m, 2006-07: a deficit of $53m, 2007-08: a deficit of $21 million, and 2008-09: back to a balanced budget.
The Leader of the Opposition would have it that we have made up these figures and that we have lied to Territorians since the election. This was 10 days after the election was called, a week and a bit, a couple of weeks before the election was held. Here is the document she should have had a look at, because the story today is almost what it was here. She somehow suggests that we are in a worsening budgetary situation, we are in a crisis, and we have to sack the public servants because our spending is out of control. It is all here released before the election as required by the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act. An act that we felt compelled, as a government, to introduce and pass in November 2001 because of the deceit and the lies of the previous government. So, we wrote and passed the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act so that a future government of any persuasion is bound by the requirements of that act to provide transparency for all Territorians, is bound by the act to produce the pre-election fiscal outlook report some 10 days after any election is called. If we go it is all there, there is no deceit or lies there. Nothing has changed from the time that was produced and out in front of Territorians before the election.
In fact, I did media a couple of times on that in and around the last couple of weeks of the election. If we go back to this story of nett debt, which is growing incredibly out of control since we have came into government, in 2001-02, we inherited the situation where nett debt stood out $1753m. By the end of 2002-03, it was $1723m. $1753m as opposed to $1723m – nett debt better off by $30m. This is trending okay, notwithstanding the fact that we inherited a basket case of an economy and a deceitful budget. By 2003-04, the estimate of nett debt stood at $1638m. Again, an $85 m improvement from 2002-03 to 2003-04, and then coming up in 2004-05, $1653m, and 2005-06, $1723m. Still, $30m better than we inherited in 2001-02 at $1753m.
Nett debt plus employee liabilities are increasing and there are reasons for that. If we go back to the pre-election fiscal outlook report, which reported that the 2004-05 final outcome should be around $46m surplus, we actually achieved a $51m surplus for 2004-05, a $5m improvement from what we estimated in May 2005 budget, and of course, what was estimated at the time of the pre-election fiscal outlook report. There is a $5m improvement between 18 May and the final outcome on 30 June. That was a result of additional revenue from the Australian government arriving on the books between 18 May and 30 June of $18m, and it was offset at the same time by some increased expenditure and assets acquired under finance around the waterfront project.
The nett operating balance was a deficit of $24m compared with an original 2004-05 budget deficit of $12m, and a final estimate of a $23m surplus. That $47m variation since May 2005 is all around this question of increased superannuation costs following actuarial reassessment. These are assessed, I think, on a three-yearly basis. One person had been doing the actuarial assessment for quite a long time, I understand, and a new actuarial assessor came on the scene for this last reassessment. All actuaries have their own methodology taking into account a whole range of things including increasing salaries and likely increases to final projected superannuation costs. That is what has occurred here; we have had a fairly dramatic reassessment of the outgoings required to service super into the future. They are largely the result of increased benefits resulting in higher pensions based on benefits; salaries are increasing somewhat faster than they have been previously been forecast in the three years prior; and, to a lesser extent, some revised mortality tables. The reduction in the nett operating balance also accounts for the deficit fiscal balance outcome.
On the other hand, nett worth for the non-financial public sector of $2353m was $435m better than predicted at the time of the 2004-05 budget, and a $196m improvement on the 2003-04 outcome. That is largely the result of the upward revision of the Territory’s assets, predominantly around housing stock. Therefore, on the one hand, we still have a nett debt figure lower than we inherited in 2001-02. At the same time, we are growing the worth of the Territory at a far greater rate than that, that will add to our nett debt right up until 2008-09 - $435m better than predicted at the time of the 2004-05 budget. We do not make those figures up; that is an upward revision around our housing stock.
The thrust, I suppose, of the censure motion, apart from the fact of fraudulently misrepresenting to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy and for lying to the people prior to the last election about the state of the Northern Territory’s finances, are all contained in that pre-election fiscal outlook. However, I think the climate that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to create is that there is some form of crisis within budget management within Treasury.
An economy and a budget that just went through a $51m surplus is not a budget in crisis. That target for 2004-05 was met. We are well on track to meet the 2005-06 budget target. I have previously indicated - and I will continue to indicate - that the growth in GST revenue is slowing and budget management, as a result of that slowing down in growth, will be relatively tight for the next couple of years. However, we are committed - absolutely and totally committed - to managing within the forward estimates, and we will. Those forward estimates, as I outlined, are contained in the May 2005 budget and in the June pre-election fiscal outlook report.
When we came to office, we inherited an absolute basket case situation in a number of agencies, particularly around safety and break-ins - it was on the page every other day - a police force that was seriously run down and in a great state of neglect. We shared those community concerns about safety, and the member for Wanguri, now minister for Police, and I constantly raised these issues from opposition. We went about very quickly increasing the expenditure on police. To this stage it is up about 38%. We addressed the needs of the Health system - a system which had been absolutely starved of funds, and not helped by the deceitful treatment in the 2001-02 budget of a so-called increase to the health budget which was no increase at all, but altered in fact, by the Minister for Health and Treasurer to make it look as though there had been an increase - increasing health funding by 43%. We have boosted education spending by 22%, and we have committed $2.2bn to capital works to build Territory infrastructure.
This economy is now growing strongly, in stark contrast to that inherited in August 2001. There is no crisis in the economy or in the budget. It is when things are going relatively well that it is wise to take stock. Each of these agencies, and right across the face of government, have had considerable enhancements to their budgets in those years since 2001-02. It is now time for consolidation; to step back, take stock, reassess priorities and ensure that we have the right settings for the budget, the right settings across agencies in order for them to meet the future challenges that we know are there, and to continue to grow the Territory economy. That is what the priorities review is about and that is what is behind this little stunt by the Leader of the Opposition today, because she is taking the run up to Christmas to try to scare the pants off public servants that they will not have a job post Christmas. That is deceitful in itself. We know it is all about politics, but it does give politics a little bit of a bad name when you run this sort of scare and nonsense campaign in the lead-up to Christmas.
The priorities review is a pre-budget planning process which will help us shape the 2006-07 budget. It is not a razor gang process as has been talked about. It is not an ERC post-1994 election – the infamous trio. It is not a Planning for Growth, God help us that we ever go there again, where Treasurer Reed was going to save $15m and finished up spending $45m and gutted agencies in the process. That was the greatest result of all time, we were going to save $15m, it cost us $45m and we had agencies unable to cope with their demands. In fact, we are still putting structures back in place to redress the damage inflicted through the Planning for Growth exercise.
All jurisdictions have budget subcommittees of Cabinet. We undertake these reviews annually as part of pulling the budget development process together. So it is not about cutting a budget.
The forward estimates: again, I refer to the 2005 budget. I refer to the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report which contains the forward estimates to show real growth in the expenditure going through to 2008-09.
It is all about reassessing and consolidating, reassessing those priorities to ensure that what funds are in those budgets and in those growth targets are targeted as effectively and efficiently as they can be to benefit all Territorians. It may be that some resources are refocussed as a result of this exercise. It would be a waste of time if you did not find some elements in the process to do that. It may result in some staff being redeployed to higher priority activities. It is not designed to target numbers of public servants or individuals and it will not result in any forced redundancies.
We have a terrific, professional, hardworking public service, and they have delivered, by and large, on the government’s election commitments and priorities over the last four years. So it is not an attack on the public service and we need to be very careful of the scare campaign that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to put out here. It is an exercise in ensuring that the priorities for the next four years are clear and that government resources are properly aligned to deliver on them.
I have probably said enough in response to a censure motion that really did not stack up. I refer the Leader of the Opposition once more and finally to the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report. If she tries to allege that I, the government or the Chief Minister have misled Territorians in any way about the state of the Northern Territory’s finances, I refer her to this little document where it is all contained, released prior to the election, and the story is pretty much the same today.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, the Treasurer holds up as evidence a document that was released 10 days after the announcement of the election as proof that this censure is not warranted. The opposition holds before this parliament, and for the people of the Northern Territory, other evidence. It is contained within the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report, to be read openly and honestly. It is also contained in the evidence that is clearly seen in the proposed sale of TIO. Why? The cancellation of NT Expo - why? Desert Knowledge Centre funding held back – why? Also $10m broken promise to people, the families of Palmerston – why? Cutbacks to the public sector. No new spending. No recruitment. Why? The closure of a school; students and families that can ill afford such a decision of this minister made on Melbourne Cup Day, Irrkerlantye – why? The Mereenie Loop Road has not been completed though many promises have been made – why is that?
The document that was held up as evidence to silence this censure surely contained reference to the trans-Territory pipeline, the Blacktip plant, and all of those forward projections were calibrated on the positive impact that the trans-Territory pipeline would have for the Northern Territory economy, both in this parliamentary term and beyond. The trans-Territory pipeline was canned straight after the election.
The member for Wanguri claimed, hand on heart, he knew nothing about it. Neither did the Treasurer or the Chief Minister. They knew absolutely nothing about the proposed cancellation of a significant project upon which calibrations for the future projections of the growth of the Northern Territory economy were based. How can we believe them? ‘Hand on heart, we never knew a thing about that’. Honestly! Walk down Mitchell Street during the election, before the election, and everybody was talking about it. But you are the only ones who knew nothing about it. Yet you based your forward projections on such, and your predictions and your growth, and then after the election, well, blow me down, what a surprise, Blacktip has been cancelled. And, do not worry, we are going to get gas from Papua New Guinea. And for four years we heard about gas, gas, gas. Then we heard wave pool, wave pool, wave pool. What next? Believe you? It is hard to.
That is the evidence that we hold. That is the substance of the censure. If it were not for the opposition such matters would remain unaddressed. We are outnumbered and outgunned on every respect with $8m spent on the 5th floor to produce a corporate image and a cohesive message. That makes it very difficult for an opposition on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory, the families, the small business operators, those who have plans for the future, to actually get a clear view of what the truth is. That is why we run such censure motions.
For the Treasurer to commence his rebuttal with exactly the same script that he used whenever censures were run in the previous parliament, in the 9th Assembly, he has just changed the names of the people involved, giving some gratuitous advice on how better to run censure motions. Well, he should have a lot of experience. I have gone through the previous Hansards for when they were in opposition and the grandfather of the House has a lot of experience with censures; there are umpteen censures that have been run whilst the Treasurer was in opposition. Sure, he does have a lot of experience, but he could learn some new lines, and to run gratuitous advice really is not gratuitous at all. It is quite insincere, and if we are going to make personal comments, it is noted, Treasurer, that your performance has lacked the spark and the enthusiasm that you once held.
I have noticed in the 10th Assembly that you have not risen to the same levels of passion that you had in the 9th Assembly. I was here for only part of the 8th Assembly, and it appears to me that some of the issues that we raise as matters of great concern to the Territory community are concerns that you hold also. Now you are on your own, Treasurer, and the Labor government is on its own. The honeymoon is over, and you cannot reflect back to a previous government as easily as you did before. The community holds you completely accountable, and you are front and centre, and it is our responsibility to ask you the questions and to see what kind of answers you do produce.
To read the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report and to make the assessment and raise the issue, and if the media runs it, as they are increasingly inclined to do so, it is because there is growing concern about the management of the economy. The Treasurer can play games, clever games. I walked out the back a moment ago and it seems that half of Treasury is sitting out the back there helping, however, the Treasurer make the claims that there was a surplus. There was a surplus, however, there is also increased debt. There have also been significant blow outs. The Chief Minister, who was once Treasurer for a very short time, has called this a growth budget. I have written down growth budgets and it is called growth spending. It is a bit like Christmas time going around with a bit of growth spending, that is like extra spending, unplanned spending. The luxury of spending more and it is a wonderful feeling to be able to write cheques and to buy things.
Where does the growth come from? It is a euphemism for excessive spending, for going beyond your limits. A growth budget is a budget beyond the limit. It is the extension of the parameters. How could you do this? How can you spend more than you plan to? Running a household budget, having responsibility for your income, managing your income, not just so you survive day-to-day or term-to-term or budget-to-budget, you have to run your budget and you have to run your economy so that you can grow and leave a legacy. Leave something that others can admire, not just to win the next election, or to create a perception. It is about making the money work for the long-term good of the Northern Territory. That is where the gloss is coming off this government.
Growth budgets are an excessive budget, beyond the normal limit. Growth spending beyond what you anticipated spending. Then the Treasurer’s line - which is the Chief Minister’s line – and their explanation of this excessive spending, which is good government is writing cheques. It must be a thrill to write cheques, something that the members who ran the Territory in the 8th Assembly, which is the former CLP, were unable to do so, because the GST revenue did not flow in for the Territory economy in the 8th Assembly, it commenced in the 9th. So, they had this wonderful experience of being able to write cheques. If it looked like an agency had gone beyond its limits, well you go and see the Treasurer, the Treasurer says: ‘Not a problem, I will just zip off to the Central Holding Authority, get a Treasurer’s Advance. How much more do you need?’
How could he go back to the storehouse and get a bit extra? Because it is there. You have a look at the Central Holding Authority, honourable members; have a look at it. Try to understand the budget. It is not an easy thing to understand these Treasury documents, and we understand of course that there was a beautiful little document circulated to all ministers today: just in case the opposition asked you this question say this. Just assert that. You do not understand it. How can you go to a Central Holding Authority and find that there is a bit more there and you can just chuck it out to the agency because they have gone beyond their normal limit? There has been $600m more than was expected in the forward estimates. There will be silly arguments backwards and forwards whether it was $400m or $600m, or we can sustain the argument, probably on a white board, to explain to you that there is, in fact, from 2001-02 now $600m more than you expected at that point, more than you expected in the Territory economy. That is why the Treasurer can zip off to Central Holding Authority and say: ‘How much more did you need, Education?’
Are you actually producing the outcome, that is, improved benchmarks, improved learning results? It seems to be sadly typical of Labor governments that outcomes are the same as spending more. So, a good outcome is you have spent more, and we have all these line items all over the place. You have figures there and you have had more government and more action, and more expenditure, but the actual measurable outcome that makes the noticeable long-term difference is of lesser importance. It is not of lesser importance. You have a responsibility to discharge, for the long-term benefit of the Northern Territory, not your short-term political gain.
We hold the evidence: TIO, NT Expo. I canvassed other members and, sadly - I am not sure but it is probably the case - members who are not opposition or Independent members would not keep a list of the promises that have been made. We railed publicly against government for breaking promises, holding back commitments that have been made, or delaying plans. ‘Explain them away and they will all believe it. It is okay. We understand. It is going to turn out all right in the end. Do not worry, we will pitch it right now. We will cut back real hard now, but we will come back right when it counts, just before the next election and, blow me down, there will be the money’. That is what you hope.
However, that may not necessarily be the case because you have become so accustomed to the GST largesse flowing into the Territory economy, you think it is just going to continue - $600m more than you expected for the last four years. Well, you have just become accustomed to that and you think it is going to be probably another $600m more than last time. It is just going to go on and on and this money will increase. You will just continue writing those cheques and just cut back a bit in the first couple of years of your term, and then open her up again in the third and fourth and - whacko! - you have won the next election and you give yourself a big pat on the back and wonderful things will happen and you will give yourselves credit for the next four years.
Well, it is not necessarily going to happen like that. For those who have obviously done a lot of study and read their Treasurer’s Annual Financial Reports as is their duty as elected representatives first and foremost and, secondly, as a member of a political party so that they can be honest representatives of their community, they ask the relevant questions of the minister. If he has given waffle and spin to protect a political point, they have been able to see through that and cut to the core of the issue: GST is what has allowed this government to continue on its merry way. However, it will not necessarily continue.
You may not understand this - I presume you do – but the GST is harvested from economic activity around the nation. Two states in particular, the most populous, have had strong growth. As a result of that strong economic growth – property booms and the like – there has been a significant increase in the GST harvested from those two states. Little wonder that the two Premiers concerned want to change the formula by which the GST is divvied up. Irrespective of the major beneficiary being the Northern Territory, which has the greatest need, they still want to run their own particular argument: not in their backyard, ‘Let us have it back here, thank you very much; we want the money in ours’. They want to change the formula which means we could see a cutback. I am sure the Chief Minister has been able to prevail upon Mr Iemma and Mr Bracks and get them to see the error of their ways and to not tamper with that formula.
That is one issue, but the more significant issue is one of just economics. With the slow down in the property market in New South Wales and Victoria, there has been less economic activity. That means there will be less in the pool and less distributed around the country, which will mean there will be significantly less in the Northern Territory.
At a recent briefing with Treasury - something I am sure all members have been able to keep up to date on - the predictions, the forward estimates of GST revenue flying into the Territory are significantly less. Not of concern in one year, but what about the following year? Well, the predictions are: worst case scenario is that it would continue to decline and we will end up with the likelihood of the GST receipts from one year to the next being less than the previous year. Every year since this government started to receive GST revenue, it has been significantly more than expected. What could happen is the very reverse of that. It is very likely, if you read your papers, it will go back the other way and, from one year to the next, it will be less than the year before.
The Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report demonstrates that we are in a vulnerable position, primarily because, in a time of plenty, government has spent beyond their limits, beyond their planned limits, and have predicated all of that on continued growth, continued income, that your Treasurer will always be able to dart back to the Central Holding Authority and find there is plenty there. Not necessarily the case and I would be very surprised if that be the case, for two reasons as already stated The actions of two Labor premiers of New South Wales and Victoria. Secondly, because the pool will diminish in size because the growth is slowing nationally.
At the Economic Summit, the definition of the economy was not just economic growth, financial growth, and money flying around the place. It is the benefit that flows from a growing economy, or from the economy to people. We run this censure because what lies ahead as a result of what we allege to be mismanagement, concealed mismanagement, is the opposite of that. A well-managed economy will directly benefit people, a mismanaged economy will bring harm to community. What harm lies potentially within the proposed sale of TIO? What community harm lies there potentially? Particularly when one considers this is a government which has as a core philosophy, does not seem to mean much anymore, of preferring not to sell a public asset. Different if it was a Coalition government or a Liberal government, or a CLP or whatever from the other side of the political fence, they have an interest in those sorts of things. But this is a group that does not believe in such things, yet they are propelled to do such a thing. Why? Is this a result of mismanagement that you need to make that move? As a result of mismanagement, following your own definition, mismanaging the economy brings potential harm to the community, particularly when you do not philosophically believe in the sale of public assets.
What community harm results from the cancellation of the NT Expo, to the foundations that have already been established, and the contacts that have been made? What harm, and I am more intimately aware of this, results from the forced decision to cancel a promise to the Palmerston community? It brings about great community harm. Learning outcomes are challenged, loss of faith in government, which has made promises and then excuses, and the most tenuous argument that there is not sufficient growth in Palmerston. The member for Wanguri often encourages us to: ‘Get out there and have a look around.’ When you go out and have a look around Palmerston at all the growth and housing that the Treasurer boasts about, and skites about how good the Territory is going, well, it is all happening in Palmerston, the very place that supposedly does not need to have another school. That is where all the building is going on. You are trying to run two arguments, and I would counsel him against too much time in Palmerston until he fixes that broken promise.
Everybody knows that there are restrictions placed on the public service. They are talking, they are feeling the pain. They are spoken of as professional, and they believe in what they are doing. They are educated and committed. They are quality people, and when they see, as a result of mismanagement and an excessive …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, your time has expired.
Mr MILLS: Oh, my goodness!
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, I move that the member for Blain be granted an extension of time.
Leave granted.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, honourable members!
The censure is one of great importance. Without this censure we are not able to demonstrate the effect of mismanagement, not able to hold this government accountable, and that means you have a responsibility not just for political gain and perception created by your $8m unit upstairs but you have an obligation to be honest in assessing the state of the Northern Territory economy.
In times of plenty when you have income beyond your expected allocation you have an obligation to spend that carefully. You have not spent it carefully otherwise you would not be in the situation you are in with the Treasurer rushing up the 30 year anniversary of Dr Cairns visit to a gentleman by the name of Khemlani - I did not know that Mr Khemlani lived in Singapore. The Treasurer had gone to Singapore to rustle the can for the Northern Territory to see whether we can raise additional money. All the evidence is there that warrants this censure and it is for that reason we are obligated to censure the Treasurer and this government and, in particular, the Chief Minister for the continued concealment of the actual state of the Northern Territory economy.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I thought the member for Blain was going to take up another 10 minutes but just to show we are not arrogant we give members additional time if they need it.
Speaking in response to this censure I really have to say that the prosecution of the censure by the Leader of the Opposition was something that was less than half hearted and as my colleague, the Treasurer, said, if you could just mark the censure based on the number of times the Leader of the Opposition said lie and lying, I suppose she will score pretty high. If you had to mark the censure in terms of actually prosecuting the case then that mark would be at the other end of the scale. It certainly rang true to me, as the Treasurer said, that it seemed to be a lot of bile that had been brewing up inside a member who had lost their seat at the last election.
We have some very good contacts within the CLP and they certainly advised us that one previous member for Drysdale had been working on that particular speech for some quite time and you could certainly hear the member for Drysdale
Ms CARNEY: Point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the Leader of Government Business to withdraw or otherwise bring on a substantive motion to give evidence to his assertion that the former member for Drysdale wrote this speech. It really is laughable.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. There is no point of order. Please continue.
Mr HENDERSON: Very sensitive, Madam Speaker. The ghost of the former member for Drysdale is rattling around this Chamber.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Members, order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker, the ghost of the former member for Drysdale is rattling around this Chamber. Those who have heard him speak in this Chamber many times in the past can certainly pick up those nuances in that particular speech.
Moving on to the censure motion and the first part of the censure motion accuses the Treasurer, Chief Minister and the government of lying to the elected members of this House about the state of the NT’s finances. Let us look at the context in which that particular allegation is made because this is a very significant slur and a very significant accusation. Not to members on this side of the parliament, but to the fine officers in Treasury who are responsible for putting together the budget papers, are responsible for the presentation of the pre-election fiscal outlook under the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act, that somehow these public servants of the highest integrity are actually caught up in politics.
It is an absolutely outrageous slur and nothing that the Leader of the Opposition or the member for Blain have said in their contributions to this censure motion could prosecute the fact that the numbers that are contained in the pre-election fiscal outlook are anything other than accurate at that particular point in time. The history and the integrity of Treasury officers go back to when this government came to office after the August 2001 election. It is useful to keep revisiting this history because members on the other side of the House have a track record of directly interfering in the work of Treasury and in the work of the budget papers. That is why we had to put in place legislation to protect Treasury officers and our good public servants from having the sticky fingers of ministers all over their work and presenting Treasury’s work as being anything other than totally honest.
If we go back to a memo that was tabled in this House on 27 September 2001, which goes to show exactly how the previous government used to operate, and this was a memo from the chief executive officer of the Territory Health Services to yourself, when you were the Minister for Health, Family and Children Services. In that particular memo, which has been tabled in this House, I will not read from it verbatim, Mr Bartholomew states, in summary, ‘there was an artificial reduction of $8m in Territory Health Services 2000-01 budget in order that the 2001-02 budget figures could be presented falsely as a 2.5% increase. In reality Territory Health Services 2001-02 budget represents a reduction on the final 2000-01 budget.’
So here is a memo from the CEO of a government agency stating that there was an artificial reduction in the budget so it could be presented falsely as a 2.5% increase.
These were the types of things that were going on for years in the Northern Territory and the Leader of the Opposition has a hide to come in here and accuse this government of lying to the members of this House about the state of the Northern Territory’s finances when that is precisely the form that the former CLP government’s had, and so eloquently sprung by the former CEO of the Health department. This is exactly the reason why we, as a government, had to introduce the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act to stop governments now and into the future falsely inserting figures into the budget papers to do exactly what this government is being alleged to do, which is to falsify the budget figures. That is the history and the context of this, and now that that legislation is in place, for the Leader of the Opposition to come in here with a censure motion and accuse government members of lying to this House about the state of the Territory’s finances is a very big slur on those 269 public servants in Treasury who put those budget papers together, and who put together the pre-election fiscal outlook.
The third part of the statement goes to fraudulently misrepresenting to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy. Again, accusing, by default, public servants of lying and fraudulently misrepresenting the state of the economy, is an allegation against public servants that we find extraordinarily insulting.
Ms Carney: It must have been why they were not censured, hey?
Mr HENDERSON: If we now go to the essence of the state of the Territory’s finances and misrepresenting the state of the Territory economy - well, if you do not believe Treasury, which has to comply to integrity and transparency legislation in this House, there are other non-government agencies which have run their eyes over the state of the Territory’s economy and Territory’s finances just in the last few months: Access Economics, Sensis and the Housing Industry of Association of Australia.
If the Leader of the Opposition is trying to say that not only do Treasury officers not know what they are doing and they cannot forecast accurately, and somehow the figures are wrong, she is also saying that other independent bodies are incompetent as well and the only people with wisdom are those on the other side of the Chamber and the people who are putting together her speeches for her.
Access Economics is forecasting the strongest growth for any jurisdiction in the country for the next five years, averaging about between 4% and 4.5% a year for the next five years. If the Territory government’s financial situation was so bankrupt, so destitute, so ill-prepared for potential future reduction in GST revenues from the Commonwealth government - if we were in such a bankrupt position - it amazes me that Access Economics could project economic growth of 4.5% every year for the next five years given the huge part that the Territory government’s expenditure has in the economy.
We have had the Sensis report today. I have been Business minister since the beginning of this Labor government, and I used to not particularly enjoy the Sensis comments about the business outlook in the Territory and confidence in government. However, we have worked really hard over four years in government with the business community. We have delivered record tax cuts, record expenditure in capital works, and shown our bona fides to the business community. I should send a copy of the release today, Tuesday, 29 November, to the Leader of the Opposition, if she has not received a copy. It states that small businesses stamped their approval on the Territory government’s economic policies:
It goes on to say:
The Housing Industry Association - and I do not have a copy of that report - which produces a very detailed economic forecast for the construction industry. Their latest quarterly report was, again, a stunning endorsement of confidence for the construction industry in the future of the Territory’s economy. I was very pleased to be at their recent awards night at the casino. Getting around talking to people and listening to the speeches, the housing industry is absolutely booming at the moment. They are very confident of future growth in the Northern Territory, and that confidence is reflected in their report.
Access Economics is also predicting the highest employment growth in Australia in the next four to five years, and the second highest population growth. Those forecasts are, in a large part, based on government budget papers and forward estimates. I do not think anybody criticises Access Economics as being anything other than a much respected, very astute financial analyst and commentator.
All of these people have been hoodwinked by this Treasurer and this government, according to the Leader of the Opposition. Apart from her own bile that she poured out in the speech that was, obviously, written for her, she was not able to point to one independent third party commentator looking at the Territory’s economy and the state of the Territory’s finances, to back up her assertions. It was just bile and vitriol and a yearning for years past.
The Leader of the Opposition makes the allegation over and over again, as did the previous opposition leader that this government is the highest taxing government in the Territory’s history. In regard to overall revenues coming to government, that is based on the fact that we have a growing economy, we have growing revenues, we have a growing population base that needs to be serviced. The real indicator to look at is the level of taxation that is applied to Territory small business compared to the level of taxation applied if that business was to be operating in any other of the states, and that ultimately affects our competitive position, that ultimately determines where investment flows are going to occur in the private sector.
I am very proud to be part of a government that actually has delivered the lowest taxing regime on small businesses of 100 employees or less than any other state in the Commonwealth, and business recognises that. Business recognise that the tax monkey has been incrementally lifted from their backs. I speak to many businesses which are very pleased with the work that we have done on payroll tax, in lifting the threshold from $600 000 to $1m this financial year, and $1.25m the next financial year. I do not have the numbers in front of me, but that is many tens and dozens of Territory small to medium businesses which will no longer be paying payroll tax. Those which are going to pay payroll tax are paying less.
We have reduced and removed a whole number of other annoying taxes on business, freeing up red tape, and certainly that has been recognised in the recent Sensis Business Index. SME’s support for the Territory government has stemmed from the belief that the government was trying to help small business, more aware of the needs of small business and small business management training. Again, the Leader of the Opposition is out of kilter.
I do not believe the Leader of the Opposition has prosecuted her censure motion one iota. She cannot quote one third party commentator to back up her assertions that she so eloquently made on behalf of her speech writer in this parliament this afternoon.
I would like to pick up on some comments from the member for Blain, where, I am pretty sure that he said in his opening comments, and I had not quite tuned in, that the pre-election fiscal outlook was released after the election. It was released about 10 days before polling day, or 10 days after the writs, and I recall the Treasurer doing media on it. I am surprised the member for Blain does not recall that. Certainly, in the lead-up to the election, every single election commitment the Labor Party made was fully costed, in overall cost and in which financial year that allocation was to be made. The opposition policies were not costed, were not detailed, and when they were finally provided to Treasury for Treasury costing in the two to three days prior to polling day, guess what? Treasury found that there was a $200m hole in the CLP costings. They could not even get their costings right in the lead-up to the election, and any allegation that the public of the Northern Territory were misled certainly goes to making allegations that Treasury officers had not complied with their responsibilities under the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act, an outrageous assertion and one that was not prosecuted by the Leader of the Opposition.
The member for Blain said it is all doom and gloom, nothing is happening out there, there is no recruitment. Well, pick up the paper on Saturday. I was looking at Saturday’s paper – there were dozens of public service ads in Saturday’s paper. I challenge you: pick up the paper and have a look. You talk about there being a recruitment freeze on? All you need to do is pick up the paper, Inspector Clouseau, and you can certainly see that there is no such recruitment freeze on.
He talks about the cancellation of NT Expo. I believe he is the shadow spokesman for small business. Has he spoken to Rick Paul, the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce? NT Expo is owned by the Chamber of Commerce. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Northern Territory government.
Dr Lim: It lacked the support from government, which was the problem. You guys have never supported it well.
Mr HENDERSON: The member for Greatorex carries on, however, I suggest to the opposition that if they are talking to the business community at all, speak to the president of the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce. He will give you a full explanation as to why NT Expo has been cancelled this year.
Dr Lim: Because of your lackadaisical support for it, that is why.
Mr HENDERSON: It has nothing to do with the Northern Territory government. But we know that the opposition does not talk to business anymore. Just last week in this Chamber we had over 100 people from the business community, from every industry association, here in the Chamber talking about the Territory’s economic future over the next 10 years. And where was the Leader of the Opposition? What more pressing engagement did the Leader of the Opposition have over that day and a half? She was invited to attend …
Ms Carney: On the Friday night beforehand! On the Friday beforehand, you goose!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, what more pressing engagement was there? Everyone was saying to me: ‘Where is the Leader of the Opposition? We thought she might be interested in this?’
Ms Carney: Yes. And guess what I told them? Guess what I told them?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: She might be interested in networking. There were great networking opportunities. Might be interested in networking with every single business association, business people from around the Northern Territory, but no, the Leader of the Opposition had something more important to do. I would be very keen to hear what was more important for the Leader of the Opposition than to meet with 100 of the Territory’s business elite looking at the future of the Northern Territory. I pay tribute to the member for Blain. He found time to come and he made a contribution and good luck to him …
Ms Carney: He was representing the opposition, being a business spokesman in the way that he is.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … however, the Leader of the Opposition was absent.
The government rejects this censure motion. It has not been prosecuted at all. Not one third party independent endorsement of the sentiments.
Madam Speaker, I move that the motion be put.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: The question now is that the censure motion be agreed to.
Motion negatived.
Continued from earlier this day.
In committee:
Clauses 1 and 2, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 3:
Dr LIM: Clause 3, which is about Part X, No 50. Mr Chairman, I would like to ask the minister to clarify this for me. Under clause 50, Scheme under repealed housing loans regulations, it says:
Section 24 of the act, as I referred to it earlier today, reads that the chief executive officer can administer section 24 under the minister’s delegation. It is my understanding, from the amendment, that the chief executive officer does not require direct delegation from the minister, but in fact can act on his own behalf after this amendment goes through the House. Am I right?
Mr McADAM: The point to be made here is essentially what occurs is that the chief executive officer, under these new regulations, has more capability, more capacity to be able to manage the HomeNorth scheme, GBD, along commercial and business lines. To take that one step further: the chief executive officer is able to administer those regulations but if the chief executive officer wishes to, in any way, vary or to make any changes, he cannot do that. He has to do that via the minister and then I have to take that matter to Cabinet for approval. Any variations, any changes - for instance, the chief executive officer could not increase the cap, which I think at the moment is $1166. The chief executive officer could not increase that cap arbitrarily, nor could he, for instance, raise the loan from $260 000. He could not do that. He would have to come back via me and, of course, I would have to submit that to Cabinet for consideration.
Dr LIM: Thank you, minister. It gives me a lot of comfort to know that. Could you also say that he cannot alter the interest rates without coming through you to Cabinet?
Mr McADAM: Of course - absolutely not. The chief executive officer has no capacity at all to vary the rates. There was the suggestion on your part a little bit earlier when you effectively implied that, for instance, there could be a government at some time in the future that could vary those rates, say, prior to an election. As you know, the scheme that we are locked into is very much set to market rates. Government is in no position whatsoever to influence interest rates. The market sets those rates, and any government that wanted in any way to interfere in that would be very foolish.
Dr LIM: Again, I take comfort in your words, minister. That is what I wanted in terms of clarification and the intent of this amendment as you explained, and I am happy with it. Thank you very much for that.
Clause 3 agreed to.
Clause 4 agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment; report adopted.
Mr McADAM (Housing): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 19 October 2005.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition supports this proposed legislation, understanding that there is, from time to time, the need to assess such agencies. However, the issue remains as to why this Treasurer and government are in a position to consider preparing TIO for sale. Whilst we understand the parameters which are established and the arguments to support such a move by government, we do not understand why the government would be in this position to want to proceed down this path.
Those words have been registered not just from the opposition. Those concerns are related to the motivation behind this direction. They have been registered not just by opposition, but by the Chamber of Commerce and a number of people, particularly in the Katherine region. It is that matter which is of deeper concern; however, it does not lie directly within the scope of this debate.
The arguments which have been raised by the minister to support this passage of legislation is understood and accepted by the CLP, but the underlying issues are not, and raise issues of great concern to the opposition - which were the content of significant debate in the Chamber recently.
Madam Speaker, that said, we do not oppose this legislation. However, we register those underlying concerns.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain and the opposition for their support. We are getting to a stage where, if it rains tomorrow it is a sign we are going to sell TIO, quite frankly. Everything we do has to be seen in the context of this potential sale of TIO.
TIO and the budget are totally unrelated – let me make that clear. Whether TIO is sold, has absolutely nothing to do with our budget. It would realise a one-off, which would always be useful to a government at any time. However, you cannot put any credence on it in fiscal terms as it is a one-off and it is not there the next year - whatever you got. Presumably, no discussion has been entered into because no decision has been made about the sale of TIO. However, if it was to be sold, options and recommendations for what you might do with the proceeds of the sale would then become a focus of discussion and decision by Cabinet. My view would be that, if it was, that would be a golden, one-off opportunity to retire debt because you are only going to get it once and you can only use it once. That, to me, would seem to be the best use of it: retirement against debt in some way.
The bill itself is just a question of timing. This legislation has been a long time in the making - well and truly on the books to come through Cabinet and into parliament before ever a scoping review into the operations of the TIO was ever considered. This will simply level the playing field a little in relation to the way TIO does its business in the marketplace against other competitors. It is fair that government gets a return for its prudential regulation carried out by Treasury, and it is only right and proper that TIO be encouraged, by way of legislative reform, to move closer and closer to the regulatory requirements laid down by APRA, and those regulatory requirements have seen a considerable strengthening, and rightly so, since the collapse of HIH back in 1999-2000.
I welcome the support of the opposition for the legislation. I do not know how clear I can make it that it is totally unrelated to any proposed or potential sale of TIO. This was a proper policy and the right legislation to bring in, regardless of the future of TIO and, really, it does not make any difference in regards to potential or proposed sale, totally unrelated items. I thank the opposition for their support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 20 October 2005.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I will be brief in regards to the considerations of the Standing Orders Committee during the Tenth Assembly. Essentially, four areas have been looked at by the Standing Orders Committee and a couple more are still on foot in that committee.
The first goes to the amendments of Standing Orders 8, 9 and 10 to provide for the appointment of an Acting Speaker in the absence of the Speaker, and to address the fact that the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) Act is no longer in force. On 13 October, the Legislation Repeal Bill 2005 passed through the Assembly and that act repealed a whole range of legislation. One of those pieces of legislation was the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) Act. The Standing Orders Committee has recommended that we amend Standing Orders 8, 9 and 10 to provide for the appointment of an Acting Speaker in the absence of the Speaker, a fairly simple change and a commonsense change. Obviously, if the Speaker is overseas and there is urgent business for the Assembly, then the Acting Speaker does need to have the capacity to act as Speaker during the Speaker’s absence.
Regarding Routine of Business and Related Orders, the Standing Orders Committee recommends Sessional Orders now be adopted as Standing Orders for the rest of the term of this parliament. The new Standing Orders relate to the conduct of ministerial reports, the programming of questions, the routine of business and speech time limits.
The committee considered a request from the Independent members of this Assembly that they be able to, formally, within Standing Orders as opposed to by leave of the Assembly, have the capacity to speak to ministerial reports, so the Standing Orders Committee accepts that that is a logical recommendation and will amend Standing Orders to allow one Independent member to make comment for no more than two minutes on each ministerial report.
The last item of business is in relation to Standing Order 94, which governs support for a matter of public importance. At the moment, Standing Orders state that five members of the Chamber need to support any suspension of government business to address a matter of public importance. Given the status quo in the current Assembly where the formal opposition is made up of only four members of this House, the Standing Orders Committee thought it appropriate that, in accordance of recognition of the formal status of the opposition, that it should not be incumbent on them to be able to achieve support from one other member of this House to bring on a matter of public importance. The recommendation is that Standing Order 94 be amended to reduce the number of members, including the proposer who must support a matter of public importance, from five members to four members.
Some fairly minor but very important recommendations to amendments to standing orders is detailed in this second report. I commend these amendments to the Assembly.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I will just add a few brief words on the report. I thank the minister for bringing it on and express my appreciation of the report and the time provided for members to discuss these issues in committee and also here.
There is only one matter I want to raise and it is about matters of public importance. I thank the government members for their cooperation in reducing the number of members required to support an MPI from five to four. It makes life easier for the opposition and we appreciate the government’s recognition of the difficulties within which the opposition currently has to function. Without a doubt, MPIs are important issues that should be raised from time to time in parliament and for the formal opposition to be able to do that without having to seek support from elsewhere makes the process much simpler for us. In the event that Independent members wish to raise MPIs in this Chamber the opposition would be more than happy to assist where we can and leave our door open for them to walk through and seek our support for an MPI.
With those few words, I thank the minister for the report and support it.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, as the Independent on the Standing Orders Committee, I thank the Leader of Government Business for the support government and opposition have given to the Independents in allowing us to have a say in ministerial reports. It was a bit controversial to begin with and we are pleased that we have all agreed and that there is a fair contribution.
I also appreciate the comments made by the member for Greatorex with regards to an MPI because to get an MPI up, two Independents could not do it on their own. They would obviously need the support of either the government or the opposition and for that we are truly grateful.
In regard to Question Time, which I would like to flag even though it was not in the report, there is a feeling of frustration amongst the Independents of a lack of opportunity for us to ask questions. I realise the government has 19 members and probably many of their members feel very much the same way. Perhaps there is a need to look at the length of answers to questions. Much of the time today was taken with lengthy answers to dorothy dixers, whereas the opposition and the Independents obviously had those hard, biting questions that they want to ask and we really want to take government to task. That is part of our role: to be able to ask the hard questions. When you get denied an opportunity to do that it is extremely frustrating for us.
Perhaps it is something the Leader of Government Business might think about. There are set times in some parliaments. Perhaps it is time, with the imbalance that we have already in this parliament at the present time, to start thinking about that, to get more questions, short answers and of course shorter questions as well so that everyone gets a fair go.
The changes that were brought in to accommodate the composition of the Assembly this time around for this term are commendable.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution and their support for these changes.
In response to the member for Braitling, I am not sure how many questions we got through today but it is part of the analysis that I do as Leader of Government Business at the end of each sittings of parliament to review the number of questions and answers during the sittings. I can state with all sincerity, as much as it can be believed, that ministers do try to keep answers short. There is some competition amongst us. If a minister rambles on, he or she is picked up by their colleagues afterwards.
In the Ninth Assembly, there was some analysis done which I will bring to the next Standing Orders Committee meeting in regard to the average number of questions answered in the Ninth Assembly. I think it went to something like 16 or 17 a day. Sometimes it was a lot more than that. On one occasion, I think we had 23. If you look back over the history of this parliament, that was a very significant increase of what used to be the norm in terms of the number of questions that the opposition and Independents in this Chamber asked in previous Assemblies. We are doing much better than previous Assemblies did, and the challenge is, without adversely curtailing the answers so they become meaningless, to keep the pressure on. We will attempt to do that.
I personally do not believe in having set time limits to answer questions. Sometimes when you listen to the Senate, it really is a bit of a farce. Three minutes is hardly enough time if you have a very detailed or complex question. You hardly have time to even make a dent in the answer and the whole process becomes absolutely meaningless. So I am not personally a great fan of set time limits, but certainly there is an assurance from me as Leader of Government Business that I will try to keep my colleagues and myself honest and answer questions as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. I thank members for their support.
Motion agreed to; paper noted.
Continued from 20 October 2005.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I wanted to make a few observations in relation to the Ombudsman’s report. From memory, the Chief Minister was reasonably brief, and I do not propose to spend much time on it other than to make a few observations.
One issue is that of funding. There seems to have been a cut. There was a forward estimate of $1.818m, and then in the 2005-06 budget it was down to $1.770m. It appears as though the Ombudsman’s office has suffered some reductions. Members of the current Assembly, the last and probably every Assembly since the Ombudsman was established in the Northern Territory, have probably stood in this Chamber talking about how very important the Ombudsman is in the Northern Territory, yet this office is, on the face of it at least, experiencing some funding difficulties. That is a matter, no doubt, that Territorians generally will comment on.
I note that the Ombudsman lists that the number of approaches to the office has doubled from 2001-02. Back then it was 1638, and in the last financial year it was 3275. That is a massive increase by any measure. One would have thought that over time, even before the government’s economic difficulties began, noting the quite significant increases in the number of approaches to the office that the Ombudsman would have been better funded.
I note that the Ombudsman, according to an article in the Northern Territory News on 31 October said, and I quote:
She also made comments as to unacceptable time frames in which complaints are finalised and noted that only 54% of police complaints were finalised within the benchmark time of 180 days. The Ombudsman, Carolyn Richards, said according, to the article, and I quote:
They are pretty serious words, and I hope that government has taken them on board. Not everything is perfect in life but, as I have said, given that we, as politicians, proudly stand in this place and talk - some would say waffle - about the importance of the Ombudsman, I would have thought that the new Ombudsman, in particular, would be afforded, at the very least, something in the manner of an assurance that life for the Ombudsman’s Office will improve.
There are many matters contained in the report. I would like to talk on one, in particular. It was nice to see in parliament today the former member for Arnhem, Jack Ah Kit, albeit on a very sad occasion because he was here supporting the condolence motion of a loss of a friend. We have all lost friends and I extend my heartfelt sympathies to him. Nevertheless, in the last Assembly he was a minister of the Crown. Maybe it is apocryphal - I do not know - but there seems to be the story around that Jack Ah Kit was leant on heavily - as you would need to with Jack - to move on from politics on account of, or as a result of, the gifting of a four-wheel drive. Of course, we started with this issue late in the day in the Alice Springs sittings in February/March, I think it was, and there have been a number of reports about this matter.
It was very interesting to see that the Ombudsman looked into it. The member for Arnhem will have a place in the Territory’s history for reasons that, perhaps, he would not like. My take on it is that he will go down as the bloke who gave away the four-wheel drive. Well, I suppose we all have our place in history. However, it was very interesting to read the Ombudsman’s report on the conduct of the former member for Arnhem.
I suggest to all members - particularly new members of parliament - that the Ombudsman’s report is always a good read. If you are just talking on the point of view of a local member, we all know we have many constituents coming into our office with a range of inquiries and we, as politicians in the normal course of our work, refer many constituents to the Ombudsman. We should continue to do that.
My view is that, regardless of who the individual Ombudsman is, the role of the Ombudsman in the Territory is very serious and we, as community leaders, have a part to play in that and we must, as local members, always encourage our constituents who have had a raw deal, and many of them have, but I would like to suggest and encourage you to use the Ombudsman’s Office despite concerns about funding.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for tabling the report. I take this opportunity of wishing the relatively new Ombudsman the very best in what will be, at times, a challenging but, I am sure, very rewarding task.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank our new Ombudsman for her report. As a member of parliament, I look forward to working with her in the future. As the Leader of the Opposition said, with twin hats of minister of the Crown responding to comments that the Ombudsman has raised in regards to each of our agencies, but also as a member of parliament recognising the work that the Ombudsman’s Office does in receiving complaints from members of the public when they feel aggrieved by decisions of government departments, it is an important role and one that I am sure our new Ombudsman will take on with great professionalism.
I would like to speak first of all in regard to the Ombudsman’s comments regarding my portfolio of Police, Fire and Emergency Services. I have to say, as Police minister, that it is certainly a very professional relationship between the Police Commissioner and the Ombudsman. Under current legislation, a very professional relationship exists. However, given the nature of police work and the opportunity for people in the community with motives that are anything other than pure and decent to make vexatious and spurious allegations about individual members of the police force and their actions, there is tension from time to time, particularly between the Police Association on behalf of their members and the role of the Ombudsman’s Office. It is a delicate balance but one that is a very important point.
I make the point that our police force in the Northern Territory takes to the highest levels of accountability their responsibilities for integrity, ethical practice and professionalism. I believe that all of us in this Chamber would acknowledge that we do have a police force in the Northern Territory of very high community standing, and, I have said it in this Assembly before, one which, unlike other police forces around Australia, has not been tainted by systemic corruption, or corruption per se to any degree, and certainly the integrity and professionalism of our police force is second to none. However, police officers do make mistakes, they do make errors of judgement, and some of those are reflected in this report.
I would like to point to certain reports from the National Audit Office that look at community sentiments towards police across all of the jurisdictions, and the values and ethics snapshot 2004-05 Northern Territory versus Australia showed that 66% of NT respondents strongly agreed or agreed that police treat people fairly and equally compared to 68% nationally. Eighty per cent of Territory respondents strongly agreed or agreed that police perform their job professionally, and 74% of NT respondents strongly agreed or agreed that police are honest. Every police officer is bound by a strict, professional code of conduct, and the Professional Responsibility Command of the Northern Territory Police has a specific charter to promote the agency’s integrity and reduce the risk of corruption.
The primary responsibilities of the Professional Responsibility Command include: investigation of serious complaints against police and the management of the complaints against the police system; the investigation of internal disciplinary matters and the management of the disciplinary process; investigation of alleged corruption and other serious matters; ethics and integrity training of recruits and supervisors; training for supervisors in the investigation of complaints against police; oversighting the deaths in custody investigations; and, executive auditing of the agency’s policies, procedures and practices.
The Ombudsman provides a further avenue to the work of the Northern Territory Police PRC in investigating complaints against police and may review any complaint where the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of a PRC review. So even if the Professional Responsibility Command investigates any complaint that is actually made to them, the Ombudsman still has the capacity to also investigate any complaint where the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review.
Of the specific issues raised by the Ombudsman - the first one was the Ombudsman’s comments about a backlog of complaints against the police. The Ombudsman states that only 54% of complaints against police are being dealt with within benchmark of 180 days, but says that this is primarily due to delays in the Ombudsman’s Office. I would like to see our new Ombudsman have time to settle into the office. I believe the previous Ombudsman had, obviously, a certain management style that was his own in how he organised the affairs of his office in allocating priorities and the work made against complaints. It will be interesting to see what that percentage is like next year in comparison to this year, given that benchmark of 180 days. I hope that it does improve.
In July this year, the Northern Territory Police Responsibility Command established a stand alone version of PROMIS and is now able to provide the Ombudsman’s office with more timely electronic interim reports of matters under investigation. Again, members would be aware that one of the great deficits in the police force going back four or five years prior to the O’Sullivan Review was the total lack of ongoing funding for the maintenance and enhancement of the PROMIS IT system, an integral system for logging and recording reports of crime and the tracking of police investigations. Now the police have a section of a PROMIS dedicated to logging and managing complaints through the PRC that the Ombudsman can access. We, as the government, I think it was about three budgets ago, increased the current funding to PROMIS to the tune of $1.5m a year to ensure that that system is kept up to date. Northern Territory Police are supportive of the Ombudsman’s efforts to establish and resource a police complaints unit within the Ombudsman’s office.
The second point was that during the present period there were three matters where the statute of limitations on complaints against police had expired and where disciplinary action may have been warranted. In two of the three cases criminal charges had been initiated, and in the other case the member received counselling for work practices. The police response to that is that in two of those three cases criminal charges have been initiated and a member has received counselling. So the question would be, did police ignore and not act on those complaints; I think that very much answers that those complaints were acted upon.
The third issue the Ombudsman raised was the increase in the number of complaints against police requiring review by the Ombudsman. There was a range of categories of complaints against police. They are preliminary inquiries where matters were initiated through the Ombudsman’s office for assessment or determination as to whether a police investigation is required; minor complaints are matters that appear suitable for resolution through conciliation which includes rudeness or lack of action if those allegations are made against individual police officers; non-joint review committee complaints which are complaints unsuitable for conciliation and generally are investigated by staff in the operational commands. The JRC responds by letter to complainants and a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Ombudsman; and the fourth area is the Joint Review Committee complaints. The Ombudsman’s office is furnished with all relevant materials during the course of the investigation and the Ombudsman prepares a final response to the complainants. These matters are almost exclusively investigated by the Professional Responsibility Command and the complaint will have some degree of criminality or systemic failing within the police structure.
The Ombudsman’s annual report indicates the total inquiries and complaints against police have increased from 692 to 880 from 2003-04 to 2004-05. Likewise, the Police annual report shows the total number of complaints against police received during 2004-05 was 333; 27 more complaints than the previous year. The breakdown of those was 29 preliminary inquiries in 2004-05 compared to 44 in 2003-04; 168 minor complaints compared to 132 the previous year; and 165 Joint Review Committee and Non-Joint Review Committee complaints compared to 159. Whilst there has been an increase in minor complaints over the past year, it is also worth noting that the number of officers in the Northern Territory Police Force has also increased by 137 since June 2003.
It is not a huge percentage and, given the number of additional police officers in our force, and with the advent of the mass recruiting that is under way at the moment, we do have a high percentage of probationary constables in our police force. There is only one way to make this omelette, and that is cracking a few eggs and getting police out there.
There are issues with new police officers across the Northern Territory. There is not the level of experience that we would like to see amongst those lower ranks, but the only way to grow our police force is to recruit. Given that mix of issues, I suppose one complaint is one complaint too many, but there certainly has not been a massive increase in complaints. The increase that is there is balanced by the fact that we have 137 more officers in the force than in June 2003 and the mix of experienced to probationary constables has certainly grown.
The independent O’Sullivan Review also recommended an increase in staffing in the Professional Responsibility Command and it is anticipated that three extra staff will start work this financial year.
In regards to police, I take on board and very seriously the Ombudsman’s reports and comments in regard to police matters. Anyone who knows the history of some of the issues between the Police Association and the Ombudsman’s office – there are very high levels of professionalism, but there have been tensions there. I hope that with our new Ombudsman and a new term of office, that relationship will improve. I thank the Ombudsman for her report and comments.
As minister for DBERD, Business Economic and Regional Development, there were two complaints lodged with the Ombudsman regarding the operations of the Territory Business Centres and documented in the 2004-05 annual report. Territory Business Centres are located in the major regions and are a one-stop shop for business licensing and business issues across the Territory.
The first complaint was the application from an electrical worker that was received at the TBC in August 2003 and a complaint lodged at the Ombudsman’s office in September 2004 about the non-refundable fee. The Ombudsman’s office examined the TBC process. It was found there was no action required from the TBC and the matter was then referred to and dealt with by the Electrical Workers and Contractors Board.
The second complaint was received by the Ombudsman in July 2005 about registration of a traditional name as a business name. The case manager from the Ombudsman’s office investigated the approval process and was satisfied with the course of action taken by the Business Centre. No further action has been taken by the complainant.
Mr Deputy Speaker, with those comments, I thank the Ombudsman for her report. It is a report that is taken very seriously by this parliament and I am sure all ministers and members welcome our new Ombudsman to her role and look forward to working with her over the years ahead.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I will not be long. I would like to thank Mr Peter Boyce for all the work he has done over the years and, in the putting together of this report, Mr Vic Feldman who took his place as Acting Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman in that period up to when our new Ombudsman, Carolyn Richards, was appointed. Our thanks for all the work that the previous Ombudsman did should be on record, and we especially thank Mr Vic Feldman who filled in at that time because he really had two jobs: one for the Health area; and the general work of the Ombudsman.
The minister for DBERD just said that there was extra money put in, but when you see the percentage increase and the number of approaches that the Ombudsman has received, and you can see how it is continually going up, it is really important that the government comes back to this parliament and says we support the role of the Ombudsman by improving funding.
As is noted in the report, what has been happening to try to keep the Ombudsman’s office operating is that they have had to cut back on some of the discretionary funding for things like awareness, staff development and training. I know, from talking to the new Ombudsman, that one of her goals was to go out to more communities to tell people about the role of the Ombudsman because, in many cases, they are only servicing the major towns. Many people in the communities do not realise the role of the Ombudsman. If you have to cut that sort of funding back to keep the office going, then the government is going to have look to allow more funding for the work that it does so that it does not cut into that important area of education and staff development and training. Many issues that come before the Ombudsman today relate to policing, because there is a lot more technical work in policing, I imagine, and training of staff in the Ombudsman’s Office also has to be upgraded.
I believe the new Ombudsman is sincere when she says that the issue of the backlog of complaints against police is unacceptable. As the minister for DBERD has said, there has been some criticism of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Police Association from time to time. I believe, looking at the background of our new Ombudsman, she will be making an effort to try to change that for the better, because we should have a good relationship between not only the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, but also the Police Association which, as we know, represents the police force. It is many of those policemen who, from time to time in their work, do have complaints filed against them which end up with the Ombudsman.
I make one other note in relation to Correctional Services. I raised this in some questions today about issues in Correctional Services. I note that issues such as prisoners’ rights, from 2003 – well, I go back a little further. In 2002-03, there were 75 – I think these tables have been switched over somehow. Yes, the headings on the tables have been swapped over incorrectly here. However, in 2002-03, on page 20, there were 75 complaints relating to prisoners’ rights. In 2003-04, that nearly doubled to 133 and, in 2004-05, it did double to 288. I do not believe that the number of prisoners between 2003-04 and 2004-05 would have doubled; they would have been still fairly high.
However, with an increase in the number of prisoners complaining about their rights increase by over 100%, you would have to ask why that is occurring. It would be worthy of the minister to check why there have been that many complaints, with such a large increase in complaints by prisoners regarding their rights. Is there something brewing in our prison system? As I mentioned before, there has been a little trouble in Berrimah and in Alice Springs. Are there some issues that the government needs to be looking at here? If you look at that trend of prisoners saying they are not happy, it is a trend that is going up.
Many people would say: ‘So what? Prisoners are in gaol’. However, on the other hand, you want prisoners who are not going to cause trouble for the prison officers because of dissatisfaction with some of the conditions, for whatever reason. Some of those complaints may be unreasonable but, in other cases, they may be reasonable. It would be worth a break-up from the minister – if he knows why there has been such a vast increase in complaints over prisoners’ rights in the last three years. It may be nothing, but it may be something which actually saying to us that there are some issues in prisons. It could be anything from visiting rights, I have heard of people writing letters about having enough food, or issues about overcrowding. We know that is why the new facility has been built. All these issues, if they are not looked at and attended to, sometime could make life difficult for those people who look after those prisoners - the prison officers. Therefore, it would be interesting to know what those complaints were about and how many of them were legitimate.
All in all, I am not going to go through all the department’s reports, however I believe the new Ombudsman, Carolyn Richards, from what I have gained from speaking to her, certainly wants to bring more efficiencies to the Ombudsman’s Office, especially in relation to Police. I believe that if the government is going to support what she is trying to do, and if she is trying to take some of the workload off her staff – she talks about the welfare of the staff and sometimes that is forgotten about - you need good staff morale and job satisfaction if you want the job done properly, I hope the government would show that it supports the role of the Ombudsman, and the new Ombudsman who has recently been appointed to this job, by making sure they have adequate finance as it is an important job.
You might say the opposition in parliament has a job of scrutinising the government, the media has a job of scrutinising the government, but the Ombudsman does not have a bone to pick with anybody. It is the neutral person who checks to see whether the government and government departments have been doing their job fairly and correctly. If the government truly supports the role of the Ombudsman, then it needs to make sure there is adequate finance. I would be interested to know if the government is looking down that path so they do show their support for this important office of government.
Dr TOYNE (Justice and Attorney-General): Mr Deputy Speaker, it is opportune that I can reply to some of the member for Nelson’s assertions about what is going on in our prisons, as asking six questions in the one barrel during Question Time, it was a bit hard to cover them all.
One thing I would counsel at the moment is that the prison officers are involved in an industrial campaign. I wish them all the best in that as it is part of the collective bargaining process which we are engaged with them on, and it is to settle staff numbers to expand the Berrimah prison capacity. However, you have to be aware that they are campaigning, so many of the assertions they will put out, for tactical reasons, are not necessarily accurate and it is probably good to double check what they are saying about what is going on in the prisons. Our prisons are not crowded at the moment; they are below their maximum capacity of 800.
The incidents which you referred to this morning and again just now - there were two separate incidents in sequence – it was the same prisoner that initiated both. The prisoner caused a disturbance in Berrimah gaol. He was then transferred to Alice Springs gaol, where he duly caused another disturbance which involved six prisoners in the most recent event. It was subdued without the use of force and with a highly professional response from the prison officers, and I commend them for the work they did on that. There were some mattresses burnt, there were no injuries to anyone, either to fellow prisoners, the perpetrators, or the prison officers, and the police are now investigating the incident. If there is a basis for it, they will, no doubt, lay charges. To paint a picture that we have all this upheaval or difficulties in our gaols, I would ask that you double check from different sources. I welcome your contribution to the debate on what we should or should not be doing in our prisons, but it is a matter of checking information.
With regard to the increase in complaints, in fact, the Ombudsman’s report says that complaints rose significantly over the last year, from 645 this year in total, including the prisoner rights issues which you are talking about, up from 376. Ordinarily, if I saw those figures I would say what the hell is going on. Let’s have a look at why there is this apparent increase in the unhappiness of the prisoners with the treatment they are getting in our gaols but the actual explanation for it is that we have a new prisoner telephone service. The whole system was reinstalled with proper access codes particular to each prisoner. One of those access numbers given to every prisoner is the Ombudsman. They are encouraged to use that line if they have a grievance that cannot be resolved with the prison staff. We believe that that along with some increase in actual prisoner numbers would be the main reasons for that increase. We will always respond to a finding from the Ombudsman to make absolutely sure that that is what has happened. But we are pretty certain that that is the story.
Looking at the specific categories of complaints, while there has been an increase in the number of complaints lodged regarding the attitude of staff there has been a significant fall in the number of complaints regarding administrative acts or omissions and unreasonable use of force. Complaints regarding security measures and prisoner rights and privileges have increased and this can be attributed to an increase in security arrangements regarding illicit substances, for example, searches, mail censorship and drug testing.
Turning to drugs in prison, the regime is strict and it has been the cause of some complaint. Government policies on drug crimes are well known and with this government taking quite a tough line on drugs, whether you are inside or outside makes no difference to us. We want to counter the distribution of drugs in any context within our community. We take the issue of drugs very seriously and it is treated very seriously by the Department of Justice.
Prisoners are strip searched when they first enter prison. Their property is searched and secured. Prisoners are also strip searched each time they return from court, from hospital, or randomly searched upon return from community support work parties. A strict urine testing program is in place where a minimum of 10% of prisoners are randomly tested for illicit drugs. Prisoners can also be targeted according to the information received. Unfortunately, visitors to Correctional Services’ institutions are a source of drug trafficking. Prison visitors are randomly searched and, if necessary, are dealt with in accordance with applicable criminal laws. A public education program has been introduced with information pamphlets being provided to visitors, posters placed in visiting centre, and signs at prison entry points to warn visitors against trafficking drugs. A secure fence has been erected around the entire Darwin Correctional Centre boundary and boom gates installed at the entrance to the centre. This has allowed Correctional Services to expand its drug detection capability beyond the prime security fence line.
With regard to the case studies the Ombudsman included in the report, they were used to give a snapshot of some of the nature of the complaints that were received by the Ombudsman. This year, the Ombudsman has highlighted six case studies dealing with issues including prison misconduct charges, prisoner mail, meals, excessive lockdowns, and alleged victimisation. Prior to June 2004 there was a history of high numbers of lockdowns exacerbated by staffing pressures. The issue of lockdowns was addressed as part of the Adult Custodial Services Review. Staffing levels were addressed with the recruitment of 19 new prison officers commencing duty in Darwin Correctional Centre on 22 November 2004 bringing staffing levels to full establishment. On 2 May 2005, 20 new prison officers commenced duty in Alice Springs Correctional Centre which brought staffing levels to full establishment. A further two prison officer in training recruit courses have just been completed bringing a total of 37 extra prison officers on line.
I thank my colleagues, the members for Macdonnell and Brennan, for covering those ceremonies for me as I was otherwise engaged. It was very good that they could go along and emphasise the importance the government places on these intakes into our prison officer ranks.
As at October 2005, unscheduled lockdowns represented 4.55% of the scheduled out-of-cell time in Darwin Correctional Centre and 1.70% of scheduled out-of-cell time in Alice Springs Correctional Centre. With the additional staff available to the roster from 28 November 2005 and the commitment to fill any vacancies, lockdowns should be kept to a minimum. I am satisfied that in each of these case studies, the concerns raised by the Ombudsman were addressed by NT Correctional Services in an open and transparent manner. NT Correctional Services will continue to support a high level of access to all prisoners to avenues for the lodging of complaints, such as free access to the Ombudsman via the prisoner telephone system as it is believed this leads to improved service provision and support of prisoners’ basic rights.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I take another opportunity to express my support for prison management under Jens Tolstrup, our director. As I said earlier, there is an industrial campaign going on at the moment and there will be assertions made. Even though I absolutely encourage the prison officers to take whatever tactic they feel might benefit their cause in getting the outcomes they want from their industrial campaign, it is important to balance the record and say that Jens Tolstrup and his management staff are doing a great job in running our prisons and advancing the reforms that were set in train by the government some year or so ago. I wish them well in continuing their function.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Mr Deputy Speaker, I provide a response to matters raised in the Annual Report of the Ombudsman for 2004-05.
These matters are listed under the former Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, but now relate to my Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines. Although the report shows a total of 13 inquiries or complaints, they relate to only eight discrete matters including one inquiry which did not become a complaint. As an outcome of these inquiries, the Ombudsman referred two matters to the chief executive of the department. One query related to statutory licensing procedure and the department continues to work with the applicant in seeking to satisfy current legislative requirements.
The second inquiry was addressed through the freedom of information process. Information was supplied through existing processes and the case was subsequently closed.
One inquiry relates to a prosecution currently before the courts, and it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific issue raised. Nevertheless, the Ombudsman ruled he did not have jurisdiction over advice given to agencies by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Ombudsman investigated a complex complaint relating to an extractive operation. My department has taken a proactive approach to resolving the complaint. It provided the complainant a written apology about the information provided in responding to a concern raised directly with the agency. The department undertook to implement additional actions in addressing the concerns raised, including developing a consistent complaints handling policy under the guidance of the chief investigator and is committed to work closely with the complainant in the future. Procedures for handling concerns of this nature are to be redrafted and improved.
The Ombudsman also made an informal recommendation regarding the training of counter staff in dealing with some statutory matters. On the basis of the actions taken by the agency, the Ombudsman closed the file.
A further inquiry was received from the same complainant in relation to additional information. The Ombudsman reviewed the information and declined to investigate the matter.
One complaint was received in relation to the operation of the registration board. The Ombudsman considered a comprehensive response and has made some recommendations in relation to that matter.
Separate from this issue, my department has arranged for the registration board to be externally reviewed to ensure it meets the requirements of clients, industry and government.
A complaint was lodged about a decision about commercial access to government-owned facilities. Following a public call for expressions of interest, an independent consultant was commissioned to assess all applications received. The recommendations of the consultant were accepted. An unsuccessful party was concerned that any decisions would be weighed in favour of land management issues rather than the likely revenue received. The Ombudsman determined that he did not have jurisdiction to investigate a ministerial decision. I made a decision on the basis of advice provided by the independent consultant; that all applicants had addressed the land management issue satisfactorily and that consideration of the difference in tenders was appropriate.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I welcome the Ombudsman’s report. On the specific recommendations requiring action, I am pleased to report that my agency has accepted the findings of the Ombudsman’s office and will continue to address complaints in a proactive manner.
Dr BURNS (Planning and Lands): Mr Deputy Speaker, I would also like to place on the record my appreciation for the work of the Ombudsman. This is the first report from the new Ombudsman, and I congratulate her and her deputy on a job well done. I also echo the words of the Ombudsman in commending her staff for their hard work, dedication and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
I would like to reflect on the agencies for which I have responsibility, which have been mentioned in the Ombudsman’s report. Overall, however, there were 102 inquiries or complaints involving the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment - now largely folded into the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The Ombudsman’s annual report detailed its investigation into a complaint concerning Building Advisory Services, which is part of DPI. The Ombudsman made a number of recommendations involving practices and procedures within the Building Advisory Services. I am pleased to note that the department has accepted most of the Ombudsman’s recommendations, and these have either been adopted or are being addressed as part of the current review of the Building Act. I quote from page 47 of the Ombudsman’s report. In summary and in conclusion the Ombudsman said:
This issue is to do with ad hoc structures in the rural area, particularly comparatively isolated remote parts of the rural area. There were complaints by neighbours about various structures and potential dangers during a cyclone. I commend the Building Advisory Services Branch for the work they do. They have to cover a large area and quite a lot of issues but, once this issue was brought squarely to their attention by the Ombudsman, they did act and the Ombudsman was quite complimentary on those actions. That is in relation to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
There were 21 complaints or inquiries into the Department of Corporate and Information Services. Before I detail that, I would like to compliment both the Department of Planning and Infrastructure which has a large job to do and covers quite a lot of area, and also the Department of Corporate and Information Services. They run the machinery of government and, generally, it runs very smoothly. They look after the government accounting system and the payroll system. They are very efficient and it has been my privilege to visit a number of workplaces and see how hard the people within both DPI and DCIS work. I have been very impressed by the operation. However, whenever you have a large operation like that, you will always have problems, and there were certain problems that were bought to the Ombudsman’s attention.
There were 21 complaints or inquiries into the Department of Corporate and Information Services. The majority related to contracts and procurement services. As you would be aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, this government is carrying out a range of reforms into procurement and the whole issue of contracts. I compliment DCIS for the work that they do. It is always a difficult area; people compete very strongly for tenders, and there is sometimes a bad feeling when people miss out, and there can be arguments. In that context, given the scope and nature of the work carried out within Corporate and Information Services, 21 complaints is quite a reasonable number. Nonetheless, they have been raised with the Ombudsman and each and very one of those complaints must be investigated.
There was one issue that the Ombudsman did comment on and investigate. That was related to recruitment activities. This was resolved satisfactorily and a number of changes were made to DCIS processes. The issue revolved around the receipt of a person’s application and, in the longer term, DCIS recognised that they needed to amend their processes to recognise that, if someone had sent in an application and it had not been receipted for whatever reason, that there is a process to accommodate that.
In 2004-05, the Ombudsman also investigated one matter relating to the Procurement Review Board which was then managed by Treasury. With the relocation of the procurement policy function, including the Procurement Review Board, to DCIS there has been a structural change which addresses the concerns raised by the Ombudsman. There were also four complaints or inquiries concerning the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment and one concerning the Port Corporation.
In summary, I thank the Ombudsman for her report. As a government, we take the role of the Ombudsman and the recommendations of the Ombudsman very seriously. As evidenced by departmental responses to the Ombudsman’s Report, we are a government which is all about openness and transparency, and the job of the Ombudsman is to bring these sorts of matters to our attention. I am proud to say that our departments act on those recommendations.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I speak on the Ombudsman’s Report. There is one particular item for 2004-05 relating to the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. In particular, the item refers to reported approaches made to the Ombudsman in relation to Parks and Wildlife. In 2004-05, 10 approaches regarding Parks and Wildlife were recorded in the Ombudsman’s annual report. However, as the Office of the Ombudsman records an inquiry or complaint as a separate approach, there is the potential for double-counting the same issue if an inquiry proceeds to a complaint.
Of the five inquiries in 2004-05, four become complaints, plus one complaint was lodged directly, giving a total of five complaints and one inquiry which did not proceed to a complaint. Two of the four complaints were referred to the Parks and Wildlife Commission by the Ombudsman and required no further action by the agency. Two of the four complaints referred to Parks and Wildlife by the Ombudsman were successfully resolved between the complainant and the agency, requiring the agency to make minor amendments to process. The fifth complaint was also referred to the agency and it is continuing to work cooperatively with the complainant to resolve this issue.
None of the complaints have received further action by the Ombudsman and it is a credit to the agency that these issues have been resolved.
Ms LAWRIE (Family and Community Services): Mr Deputy Speaker, I respond to the Ombudsman’s Annual Report of 2004-05. Within my portfolio area, there were four specific mentions in the Ombudsman’s annual report. They are all in the area of Family and Children Services and, specifically, Child Protection.
Child protection is, understandably, a very emotive issue. Unfortunately, there is considered no alternative, and it sometimes does involve removing children from their parents and families. Understandably, when this happens, parents are often unhappy about this and in such an emotive area complaints are often made to the Ombudsman. It is also an area where there is a complex interplay between the roles of the department and the role of the Family Court and this can also lead to approaches to the Ombudsman.
This is the correct course of action and I would encourage all parents who feel aggrieved as a result of a child protection intervention to contact the Ombudsman. It is a system which works to provide checks and balances, and both the Ombudsman and the department agree that the department’s practices have improved as a result of working with the Ombudsman. Gladly, this has been the case this year. The annual report outlines areas where both the department and the Ombudsman agree that service improvements have been made. I will briefly run through the four specific areas:
Child Protection Reform: on page 32 of the annual report, the Ombudsman describes some systemic and practice issues found during investigation of an extremely complex complaint against FACS. The case in question occurred in late 2003 and related to a sensitive child protection investigation where a young child suffered severe physical injuries that were initially believed to be accidental but were later alleged to have been inflicted by the child’s mother. The parents were separated and the case resulted in Family Court action being taken by the non-custodial father. The investigation of the complaint took almost two years and was not finalised until early this year. FACS participated fully in the investigation and worked closely with the Ombudsman to identify issues highlighted by the case and to appropriately pose recommendations for action.
The case was a catalyst for improving relationships between the Ombudsman’s office and FACS and also led to increased confidence in the program by the Ombudsman and his staff. The Ombudsman’s final report on the case acknowledged the willingness of FACS to accept criticisms and address practice and systemic issues. Given the length of time taken with the complex investigations, the final report was able to discuss the range of actions FACS had already taken to address the issues the case had highlighted.
Secondly, the Dawn House case, the Ombudsman being an office of last resort. This case study has probably been included as it highlights the lack of appropriate complaint mechanisms for non-government community service organisations that were not within the jurisdiction of the Health Complaints Commission. Dawn House is funded through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, what we call SAAP. A complaint system was introduced for SAAP-funded agencies in 2003. However, in the case in question it was questionable whether this system was appropriate as the complainant was not a direct client of the service.
A case study of FACS not considering the facts: this case highlights the complexities of some FACS interactions. The investigation largely found FACS’ action had been appropriate. It was yet another case where there was a complex interplay between the child protection and Family Court systems and where the needs of the child are difficult to keep in focus in this environment.
Since this case was investigated, FACS has formed a family matters forum where family lawyers and FACS meet on a regular basis to discuss ways to improve the system interactions and address issues such as training and information sharing. FACS has also recently agreed to implement the Magellan protocol with the Family Court of Australia. This protocol is in place in other jurisdictions and details how the Family Court and the relevant child protection agency will work together to ensure cases have progressed as quickly and smoothly as possible in the best interest of the children.
Complaint Data: the annual report states that there were 99 complaints against FACS in 2004-05. FACS has checked this figure with the Ombudsman’s office as it did not equate to FACS’ own records. The Ombudsman has now clarified that this figure included some double counting as well as complaints that were declined and referred to FACS for direct resolution The actual number of FACS inquiries received by the Ombudsman was 59 of which 38 were referred to FACS for action.
During 2004-05, FACS and the Ombudsman developed a new approach to complaint management. This approach involves the Ombudsman asking complainants if they have already attempted to resolve their issue with FACS and if the answer is no, the Ombudsman refers the complaints to the director for action. Once FACS addresses the complaint, the director advises the Ombudsman of the outcome of the action taken. In cases where either FACS or the Ombudsman believes the complaints should be directly investigated by the Ombudsman, FACS participates fully in the preliminary investigation and if necessary in the formal investigation. The Ombudsman and FACS both believe this approach will ensure a timely and appropriate response to complaint resolution using the principle of addressing the complaint within the agency wherever possible. FACS is now developing data collection and reporting systems with the Ombudsman which will allow FACS management to produce meaningful reports about the type of issues being raised by complainants. FACS will report all complaints to these reports and produce quarterly reports for quality improvement purposes.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we would like every child protection intervention to go smoothly; unfortunately, they all do not. The role of the Ombudsman working with FACS and families to help resolve conflicts is a very important one. This government has embarked on a radical reform of the child protection system. Last financial year, we employed 61 new child protection staff. With more staff on the ground and a much greater awareness in the community that child abuse simply cannot be tolerated, the government expects that the number of interventions will increase. With more interventions it is possible there will be more approaches to the Ombudsman. This, of course, is not ideal, but it should not necessarily be seen as a bad thing as it helps the system to improve.
As I said previously, I encourage anyone involved on a child protection case who does feel aggrieved with the actions of FACS to first try to resolve the issue with the department. However, if they are not satisfied with the outcome, they should of course go to the Ombudsman.
I thank the Ombudsman for the annual report. I join my ministerial colleagues in welcoming Carolyn Richards, our new Ombudsman, to the job and wish her well.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Mr Deputy Speaker, the Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2004-05 contains two issues of particular relevance to my portfolios.
First, the report notes there has been a doubling of complaints to the Ombudsman’s office regarding Territory Housing in 2004-05 as compared with 2003-04. I am sure members are aware that Territory Housing has several thousand clients and works hard to ensure all complaints are resolved as quickly as possible. Of the 162 recorded complaints in 2004-05, over half - that is 86 - were inquiries of Territory Housing, leaving only 76 actual complaints.
I am happy to say that of that 76, there is only one outstanding complaint. It is important to note that Territory Housing has taken some very positive steps in improving service and information on decisions to clients. Specifically, a new appeals mechanism has been set up, which will encourage people to question administrative decisions directly with Territory Housing. The new mechanism places a strong emphasis on a quick turnaround in decision making, and will afford clients three levels of appeal, with matters escalated to the next level if they are not satisfied with the decision at any stage of the process. I have appointed an independent board with authority to make determinative and administrative decisions, and to make recommendations to Territory Housing to change or review existing policy. I have every confidence that this appeals mechanism will see a significant reduction in inquiries and complaints to the Ombudsman.
Second, the Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2004-05 details the gifting of a four-wheel drive vehicle with funding supplied under a Special Purpose Grant to the Belyuen Community Government Council. My department has previously accepted all the Ombudsman’s recommendations and has provided a detailed response. Most of these recommendations have been implemented, in particular the regulatory and funding issues. However, others are still in train with the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory. These relate mainly to the delivery and reinforcement of roles and responsibilities of elected members and chief executive officers, and codes of conduct.
Basically, of the 14 formal recommendations made by the Ombudsman in regards to this matter, the only outstanding implementations have to do with LGANT’s training package for the CEO and council, which, I am informed, will occur in early 2006.
Members should note that the Ombudsman’s report on this issue concludes with the following, and I quote:
Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the Ombudsman has been so forthright in commending my department for their response to this issue. I also thank Carolyn Richards and her staff for the diligence in pursuing these matters. I thank officers of the Department of Local Government and Housing for their ongoing commitment to the operations of my department.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I made a tabling statement in relation to the Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2004-05 and reserved the right to make a few further comments in these sittings, which I would like to do now.
I thank members for their contributions to this debate. The work of the Ombudsman, as each minister, members of the opposition and Independents have said, is very important. We take the Ombudsman’s report very seriously.
As members will be aware, the role of the Ombudsman is to receive and investigate complaints from members of the public who feel that they have been treated unfairly or inappropriately by government. The Ombudsman’s jurisdiction extends to Territory government agencies, statutory authorities and local government councils. In pursuit of these complaints, the Ombudsman can investigate the administrative actions, decisions, practices and procedures of the entity which is the subject of complaint. As this report indicates, there is a wide range of actions taken to the Ombudsman across all those different areas.
The Office of the Ombudsman is essential in providing an independent, just, and accessible mechanism that all members of the public can use. It is of paramount importance that such a mechanism is available, and my government remains steadfast in its commitment to the values that the Office of the Ombudsman embodies.
While many complaints are resolved quickly, others take time to investigate and can result in constructive criticisms of agencies or local government councils. Agencies and councils generally respond well to the Ombudsman in his or her role as a constructive critic, and the vast majority of the Ombudsman’s recommendations are accepted and implemented.
There are three areas of the Ombudsman’s annual report which I make specific comment on today. These are the overall increase in the number of approaches to the Office of the Ombudsman; approaches and complaints specifically about the Department of the Chief Minister; and the review of the Ombudsman (Northern Territory) Act.
My ministerial colleagues have responded to the issues raised by the Ombudsman in relation to their own portfolios. From the information presented to the Ombudsman, there appears to be little doubt that the number of people approaching the office has increased. In the period of the report, 2004-05, the Ombudsman was approached by 3275 people, an increase of 39% on the previous reporting period. Whilst some approaches can be resolved in a quick telephone call, others require more detailed and in-depth inquires. Of the 3275 approaches made, 2141, or 65%, were inquires, including 27% about bodies that are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. However, that leaves some 1134 complaints, which is more than double last year.
This increase in approaches and, in particular complaints, has placed significant demands on the resources of the Ombudsman’s Office. I note the Ombudsman’s comments in the annual report that the increased level of complaints has meant that the workload of staff managing inquiries has reached saturation point. To this end, I have sought advice from Treasury regarding the current and future allocation of resources to the Ombudsman’s Office and, in particular, to consider the statistics presented by the Office of the Ombudsman in some detail. As with all other areas of government, resources will need to be considered in the context of competing demands.
As always, one needs to look quite closely at the statistics, as they are broken down into approaches, inquiries, complaints and matters raised. Not every approach to the Ombudsman turns into a complaint. For example, the matter might be outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and needs to be referred elsewhere, such as the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner or the Information Commissioner.
Generally, the Ombudsman categorises complaints into those made against members of the police force, Correctional Services, other NT government agencies, and against local government councils. Frontline government offices which deal directly with the public, as is in the case of police, receive a high number of complaints due to their interaction with members of the public on a daily basis. I know my colleague, the minister for Police, has spoken in detail about the complaints against members of the police force and, particularly, the delays in resolving some complaints. It is, however, important to note that the police are often involved in emotionally and physically charged situations which will, on occasion, create controversy and complaints. The Ombudsman and the Professional Responsibility Command within the NT Police Force work particularly hard to resolve complaints, and are to be commended for their efforts.
The Ombudsman had a significant improvement in meeting the performance benchmark the office has set for itself on general complaints. However, as mentioned in my tabling speech, the meeting of benchmarks in resolving police complaints is only 54%. Some action has been taken to resolve the backlog of complaints, including the temporary employment by the Ombudsman of an AO7 Senior Investigations Officer between June and August this year to clear the backlog of outstanding complaints against police. Police have committed extra staff to work with the Ombudsman in following up complaints.
Complaints from prisoners in the Darwin Correction Centre jumped to 446 this year from 176 in the previous year. This continuing increase is attributed by the Ombudsman to prisoners having access to a free telephone service directly to her office. I note that there has been a significant decline in complaints relating to administrative acts, while the increase has been complaints about prisoner rights. In 153 cases, the complainants were advised to try to resolve the issue first with Correctional Services before approaching the Ombudsman. As with any complaints, the person raising the complaint is encouraged by the Ombudsman to resolve the issue with the agency or local government council in the first instance.
Power and Water also had a significant increase in complaints from 44 in 2003-04 to 122 in 2004-05, which resulted, in the main, from complaints about teething problems with the new billing system.
My government is determined to ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman remains a robust, active and credible investigator into complaints from members of the public against government agencies and local government councils. The Ombudsman is an integral part of my government’s transparency and accountability programs.
Turning now to complaints made about the Department of Chief Minister. I note that the annual report indicates that six complaints were made about the department. Following inquiries with the Ombudsman, I am advised that there were, in fact, only three complaints, one concerning an outstanding account, which was resolved very quickly. The other two necessitated some investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman which, in the end, determined that while some matters were outside its jurisdiction, other parts of the complaints could not be substantiated.
I now wish to provide members with an update on the review of the Ombudsman (Northern Territory) Act which commenced in February 2002. It has been a very thorough review, which had almost reached its final conclusions earlier this year. However, with the commencement of the new Ombudsman, it is imperative that Carolyn Richards be given time to work with the current legislation and consider the material contained in the review, then offer her opinions for future directions based on her wealth of experience. While this additional step is adding more time to the review reaching its conclusions, it is worth it in order to have a strong piece of legislation which will serve Territorians for many years to come.
In conclusion, I reiterate the high value my government places on the work of the Ombudsman and her staff. The office has continued to operate within budget, though the strain of the increased number of approaches has impacted on the allocation of staff to other activities, including access and awareness programs and staff training and development. I look forward to hearing the Ombudsman’s views on the best way to progress the work of the office. I thank the Office of the Ombudsman for their hard work and dedication over the last year and wish them all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Motion agreed to; paper noted.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I table the report of the Remuneration Tribunal and Determination No 1 of 2005 for Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of the Executive Council and Ministers of the Territory. The Remuneration Tribunal undertakes an inquiry and makes a report and determination each year by 31 October in respect of entitlements of members of the Assembly and minsters of the Territory. The tribunal has handed up its 2005 report and determination for consideration by this Assembly. As members will be aware, once the determination is tabled, the Assembly has 10 sitting days in which to consider it with a view as to whether some of the provisions of the determination should be disallowed.
I now turn to some of the key elements of the latest determination, being Determination No 1 of 2005.
Travelling allowances: travelling allowance rates have been altered where necessary for inflation and taking into account other factors where appropriate, including the rate set by the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal for executives and federal politicians. The tribunal has made it clear that if a claimant wishes to utilise the travelling allowance option rather than reimbursement of reasonable expenses, this election must be made in advance of travel. That is, there can be no deciding after the event which type of expense coverage a claimant wants. This is aimed at avoiding claimants opting for the most advantageous option after the event.
Another aspect raised in this determination is travel by opposition members. The determination proposes a new regime for opposition member travel due to the opposition now consisting only of four members, rendering the previous pooling arrangements ineffective. The tribunal has amended the determination to provide a sliding scale for the maximum number of trips and overnight stays that can be funded for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and shadow ministers depending on the number of members of the opposition. This approach will cover variations in the size of the opposition in the future without further amendment of the determination.
There was no submission to the Remuneration Tribunal requesting an increase in the remuneration for office bearers. Despite this, the Remuneration Tribunal expressed concerns at the low level of remuneration for being an office bearer in the Northern Territory, and pointed out that the Northern Territory has the lowest paid office bearers in Australia. Concerns centred on the long term ability to attract suitable people to pursue a career in politics. These allowances have been increased by the year’s 4.1% rise in the labour price index. In its covering report, the Tribunal notes as to what office holders’ entitlements should appropriately be covered by the determination and what is at the discretion of government - examples like office accommodation, office equipment, transport services. The Tribunal has indicated that it needs to take legal advice and also take further submissions on its authority to determine such entitlements.
Other changes made by the Tribunal include a 60 day limit on the period in which reimbursement for travel expenses will be made; provision for office holders or a member representing an office holder to claim child care expenses even if not accompanied by a spouse or nominee; and provision for electorate officers to be provided with a mobile telephone subject to the respective member reimbursing the government for the associated monthly costs.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the report and that leave be granted to continue my remarks at a later hour.
Motion agreed to.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I think we have all been caught a little short. I would like to talk tonight about concerns that have been expressed both to me as a local member and as a citizen of Alice Springs in relation to the problems involving the Araluen Cultural Precinct in Alice Springs. It is in the heart of my electorate in almost every sense. Being the member for Araluen does make the Araluen Cultural Precinct pretty significant for me. Having lived in Alice Springs for many years I can assure you from a personal point of view it is very special indeed.
Due to deficiencies in funding, Araluen, as it is called, will be closed on Sundays from late this year I understand, well certainly from January. It will also be closed over the Christmas period for longer than it has always been. As for the closures on Sundays, the director of Araluen advised listeners in her regular weekly radio program recently that Araluen would be closed on Sundays as a destination until further notice and, in the first instance, she advised that would be until the new financial year; a significant amount of time. Surprisingly, the minister for Arts said when she was questioned about this matter on ABC radio the following day, I think it was, that she knew nothing about the decision to close regularly on Sundays - hardly a minister on top of her game. Happily, in a sense, the minister said that she would intervene if necessary in relation to the funding difficulties that seem to have beset Araluen, so it does appear, as reported in the local newspaper the Centralian Advocate that an 11th hour bail out might be possible.
As I said publicly, it beggars belief that the minister did not know about the difficulties Araluen was facing. Also, I would like to make the point as I did in the local newspaper that on the one hand, yes, Araluen does need a bail out in a sense but, more importantly than that, it actually needs a long term plan - a vision for Araluen as an arts precinct or tourist destination, or a combination of both. It is not only my view, but a view among many others in Alice Springs that the vision just has not been delivered.
I note with interest that Lyn Peterkin, the Chair of the Central Australian Tourism Industry Association, otherwise known as CATIA, said, when she rang ABC radio when this matter was being discussed, that she was worried about the closures and expressed concern from a tourism point of view. She said, and I quote:
That is almost everyone. As we heard today, the government seems more than relaxed and comfortable about government departments blowing their budgets to the tune of $100m. Poor old Araluen seems to be the poor cousin.
In any event, the fact that CATIA, the peak body for tourism in Central Australia and Alice Springs in particular, has expressed concern should sound alarm bells for the government, as it does for the community in Alice Springs. In terms of funding, to the extent that I have able to ascertain, there have been no real increases. Funding has at best been static; at worst, or on one analysis, operational funding has been reduced. In other words, there has been a slow erosion of Araluen’s funding and we are starting to see the outcome.
There are, however, other issues of concern. As a result of no real increase in funding, Araluen has had to cut its theatre season in half next year. In fact, some constituents came to see me about this issue well before matters became public - such was the level of their concern.
Another matter is the airconditioning at Araluen. It is well known that it is in need of attention. It is not for me to say, but as the daughter of art dealers, I would have thought that an airconditioning system anything less than perfect may put a collection such as that held by Araluen at some form of risk. Perhaps the minister could enlighten us on this issue and indicate to me privately, or the parliament during these sittings, or the public of Alice Springs, sooner rather than later whether part of her so called ‘bail out’ will include addressing the very serious issue of the airconditioning system at Araluen.
What was surprising and, I would suggest, astounding was that when ABC radio in Alice Springs got hold of the minister, apart from saying she knew nothing about anything, she implied that there had been some level of mismanagement or incompetence at Araluen, which had brought about these funding difficulties. In fact she said, and I quote:
I invite the minister to come clean, stop making things up as she is going along and tell the parliament, the people of Alice Springs, and the Friends of Araluen where the so-called over-expenditure has been. I am advised that there has been no over-expenditure; funding has been tight and they have been doing the best they possibly can with a low budget, low staff and fighting against the odds to ensure the collection and everything contained within the Araluen precinct, so critical in Alice Springs, can continue to exist.
Alice Springs is a small place. The morale of staff is at an all-time low. How do I know this? I know because some of the staff are my friends and some of them my constituents. Any suggestion by the minister that this is not true will result in mutiny, the likes of which she has never seen before. She had better not, with respect, reply to these concerns by peddling some sort of rubbish about how fantastic everyone at Araluen feels because it just is not true.
In conclusion, I remind members of what the Chief Minister said at the Alice Springs sittings on 22 March this year. She said, and I quote:
She then extended her congratulations to its staff for their professionalism and enthusiasm. There is no doubt that the Araluen staff are professional and enthusiastic, however they are battling against the odds and the odds seem significant. I am not sure why the minister did not know. If memory serves me correctly, the Chief Minister was the Arts minister before the election. I am not sure if she did not know or, if she did know, why she did not tell the relatively new minister. In any event, there seems to be, at the very least, some bad communication between government ministers.
We do know that Araluen will be cutting back some of its services. It could get worse. Anyone who operates an organisation - whether it is in the public sector or the private sector - knows that when things are going badly, they need to come up with very creative ways around solving problems. I simply ask, as member for Araluen, that government casts its collective mind to assisting Araluen. The staff work very hard and, as I said, they work against the odds. Yes, Araluen is one of the best cultural precincts in this country. That is why I and others will not stand in silence and watch its demise under this Labor government. The Chief Minister already stands condemned earlier this afternoon for mismanaging her own budget in light of unprecedented revenue received. How on earth has it come to this? The Chief Minister and her minister must act, but they can do all us a favour and come up with a plan, a vision.
I note that there was a recent announcement that a task force be established in Darwin, tasked with, among other things as I understand it, to get more football games to Darwin. I ask why the government does not do the decent thing and come up with a sense of vision for Araluen - perhaps, given all of the circumstances, establish a task force since government is given to establishing task forces. If a task force is established for sport then, in the particular circumstances that beset Araluen, it is arguable, I and others suggest, that a task force that has the imprimatur and the resources of government, as well as some focus by government and others, should be set up, or such similar organisation specifically designed to assist Araluen. As I have said, a sense of vision for the future, not just the term of government, or any government, but a long-term future. We are all politicians; we know the game we are in. What is the criticism most of us hear? That politicians never plan, or rarely plan, beyond their terms.
The people of Alice Springs really depend and rely on Araluen for their cultural nourishment. They have relied upon it for many years, and they want to rely upon it for many years to come. It used to be that people of Alice Springs travelled south for their dose of culture. They can get their dose of culture - white culture, black culture and other cultures - at the Araluen Cultural Precinct. When I go down south, do I go to art galleries? You bet I go to art galleries, because it is something of a passion of mine. However, I like the idea that in my own town, in my own electorate, we have, as the Chief Minister described, one of the best regional cultural precincts in Australia. I, for one, am not prepared to stand by and watch Araluen’s demise under this government.
I would like to think that my constituents and the people of Alice Springs more broadly and, indeed, the people of the Territory and other tourists from all over the world who regularly come to Araluen and have done so for years - all of us - will be spared the outrage of watching the well-loved, much respected and community icons suffer under this government.
I have raised this matter in parliament tonight for obvious reasons. I plan on disseminating my words broadly. As I have said, I know we are politicians; I know the game we are in. However, I want the people who voted for me to know that I have raised this matter in the Territory parliament. It should be a concern for all of us. Many of us will continue to fight the good fight in whatever way we can and, to the extent that I can do anything, I thought it appropriate to raise this matter in parliament with the view to, perhaps, eliciting or, at the very least, encouraging some sort of action from government. To sit back and do nothing is negligent in the extreme. With those comments, Madam Speaker, I conclude.
Ms MARTIN (Fannie Bay): Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to a truly inspiring Territorian, although she does not live here any more. She is Eileen Heath, or Sister Eileen as she is affectionately known, who turned 100 years old on 29 November, which is today. Isn’t that good? So it is happy birthday to Sister Eileen. I am not sure if this Assembly has ever recognised anybody for turning 100 years old before. We could be having an historic moment now. I cannot remember anyone else in this Assembly noted for being 100 years old. Anyway, congratulations to Eileen Health, and have a wonderful 100th birthday.
As you can imagine, with someone who has lived as long as Sister Eileen, there are many, many stories to tell about her life. I will focus on her time in the Territory, particularly in Alice Springs, where she worked with the community for 40 years, and I would like to acknowledge the biography of Sister Eileen, A Life With The Lid Off, by Annette Roberts which contains many of those stories. The title of the book was inspired by words said to Sister Eileen when she began at the Moore River Native Settlement in Western Australia in 1935. The woman in charge of the hospital said to her: ‘You have come to a place where you will see life with the lid off’.
Sister Eileen was born in Fremantle in Western Australia, and was the first child of John and Susan Heath. She had five siblings: twins, Jack and Ted, David, and sisters, Effie and Lil, who is still alive and in her late 80s.
Eileen’s life in Central Australia began in March 1946 when she arrived in Alice Springs by train and was greeted by the local rector, Father Kenneth Leslie. Sister Eileen became the first resident sister at St Mary’s Hostel, working there until her retirement in 1992. She established the hostel so that Aboriginal outback children could attend school. To start with, Sister Eileen was given an old ex-army utility in which she drove the first 23 arrivals to school each day. The number of students increased so rapidly that the Department of Education eventually provided her with a bus for transport. By 1954, there were 68 schoolchildren in residence and 10 ex-students who worked in town.
Sister Eileen briefly moved to Darwin in early 1956 to establish a receiving home for neglected and destitute children, but she returned to Alice later that year where she remained Superintendent of St Mary’s Hostel.
Sister Eileen was awarded an MBE in 1968 for Community Services and was one of the founding members of the Northern Territory Parole Board, where she was a member from 1976 to 1988. She was Centralian of the Year in 1992 and in that year was ordained Deaconess in the Anglican Church in Western Australia and made an honorary Lay Cannon of Christchurch Cathedral in Darwin.
Since leaving the Red Centre in 1992, Sister Eileen has returned a few times, most notably in March 1996, aged 90, to attend the St Mary’s Family Service 50th Anniversary Celebrations. Believe it or not, she was again greeted by Bishop Kenneth Leslie, 50 years after he first met her in Alice. Sister Eileen and Annette Roberts have both recently donated 16 new series of photographs, diaries, visitor books and a Roll of Residence at St Mary’s Hostel from 1949 to 1956 to the Alice Spring’s Archives Centre. Appropriately, the road along the southern boundary of St Mary’s where Sister Eileen had spent so much of her time was named Heath Road.
A special celebration was held at St Mary’s Chapel in Alice to mark Sister Eileen’s centenary. The service was the perfect setting for many of the past residents and staff to reflect on their time with Sister Eileen.
On behalf of the government, and this parliament and all Territorians, I pass on our sincere gratitude to Sister Eileen for her commitment and her tremendous work with the Central Australian community over those many, many years.
On 26 October, I attended the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the hand back of Uluru-Kata Tjuta to the traditional owners of that country, the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people. Twenty years ago, the Hawke Labor government reached a landmark agreement with the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta to hand back ownership of the rock and the surrounding country, and to lease back the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park under a joint park management arrangement. Significantly, this agreement was to mark a time when relations between indigenous and non-indigenous people in the Northern Territory were polarised by the actions of the CLP government at the time. That government, under the stewardship of Ian Tuxworth, demonstrated their objection to the agreement by flying a banner over the Rock that read: ‘The Rock belongs to all Australians’. This now familiar fear campaign was premised on the idea that this magnificent icon will be lost to Territorians and Australians forever.
Twenty years and millions of visitors later, far from being a lost icon Uluru-Kata Tjuta stands proud as a truly great example of indigenous and non-indigenous people working together for a common goal. I was particularly proud to stand on the spot where the original hand-back ceremony took place in 1985 and to stand in front of three flags flying side by side. For the first time ever, the Northern Territory flag was flown in the Mutitjulu community in its rightful place next to the Aboriginal and Australian flags. This demonstrates the progress that has been made in our relationship with Aboriginal people in recent years. The joint park management arrangement has enabled many local Aboriginal people to gain lasting employment opportunities and take a lead role in the maintenance of their culture and traditions. Consequently, millions of visitors to the park are provided with a cultural experience that parallels anything available in the world.
A new database to register, monitor, and assist to maintain sacred sites within the park for the benefit of future generations was launched during the celebrations. Aboriginal people were and will continue to be involved in its design, development, and future management. This is cutting edge technology embraced by the traditional owners as a tool to preserve millions of years of history. The cultural centre in the park is providing an outlet for indigenous artists and the internationally acclaimed Anangu Tours continues to attract thousands of patrons. These are fine examples of how Aboriginal culture and the tourism industry can find synergy with a little bit creative and flexible planning.
Much has been written about Mutitjulu in recent times and there can be no avoidance of the many challenges the community faces. The couple of days I spent in park and in the Mutitjulu community provided me with a great of sense of hope and optimism for the future. With joint park management and tangible examples of indigenous culture and the market economy coming together to create real opportunities for Aboriginal people there is cause for optimism. The government will continue to work closely with the Mutitjulu community, with the traditional owners, and the Commonwealth government to assist in overcoming the challenges that people in the region face. Much has been achieved but there is still a good deal more to be done.
On the issues facing Mutitjulu, they are taking steps forward. I know there are enormous problems for the community and their awareness of what they are and working collectively with Territory level government and the Commonwealth, they are taking those steps forward. It was good to be in the community at such a time because community members were keen to say to me: ‘Look what we are doing in this direction, look what we are doing in this direction’, and talked me through what was happening to change the situation facing Mutitjulu. It is only with the community facing up to what is happening and working with levels of government that we will see change. Governments can do all they can but unless the community says we want change then it is not going to happen. I was heartened by the level of commitment in the community to see that change happening.
By way of conclusion I take this opportunity to thank everyone who made me and other members of governments, and there were many people from all around Australia and parts of the world, certainly from New Zealand, welcome at that momentous occasion, the 20th Anniversary of the hand-back of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Three weeks ago, Cabinet travelled to the Anmatjere and Alyawarra regions north of Alice Springs to conduct our 3rd Community Cabinet in Central Australia. The Anmatjere region includes the communities of Laramba, Ti Tree, Willowra, Pmara Jutunta, and a number of outstations. I, along with my ministerial colleagues, was extremely appreciative of the warm welcome we received and the great enthusiasm with which the community members engaged in our meetings. Opportunity to grow indigenous economic participation is a key priority area for my government. So it was with great interest that I, along with ministers Burns, Vatskalis, and Toyne attended a meeting at the Ti Tree Research Farm with representatives from the Ti Tree community, Centafarm, the Horticultural Partnership Group and other industry representatives to consider horticultural opportunities in the Anmatjere region.
Currently, there are three commercial horticultural ventures comprising approximately 300 ha of land operating successfully in the region with another 10 ventures in the planning stage. Some of these plans are well advanced with others requiring further negotiation. Accessibility to good land and water, as well as a stable work force, are the fundamental ingredients pointing to the success of horticulture in the Anmatjere region. Crops such as table grapes, dates, mangoes, citrus and a wide variety of vegetables can all be grown in the region. The successful implementation of these horticultural ventures will directly create up to 320 full- and part-time jobs in the region, and it is estimated that double that number of jobs will be created indirectly.
Cabinet also had the opportunity to meet with the Anmatjere Council and discuss their regional master plan. I commend everyone involved in the development of what is truly a progressive initiative. Their intention to develop Ti Tree as a regional service hub and create business opportunities such as a supermarket, tourism services and agribusiness sub-agencies augers well for the region’s economic future. It was equally heartening to hear of people’s plans to pursue private home ownership by building their own homes in Ti Tree. It was interesting that it was three women of that region who were saying they want to buy their homes, and we are working with them to achieve it.
Minister Lawrie and I also attended a women’s forum at the Ti Tree School. It was good to have the opportunity to meet with over 80 women from across the region and discuss their plans for the future. Education and training as well as improved housing were key themes to come from that forum.
It was encouraging to see the great attendance of students at the school and families participating in the school’s functioning. With the collective strength of the women at the forum, I am optimistic that the economic future of the region will be well underpinned by a well educated and motivated potential workforce.
Government looks forward to working closely with those people living in the Anmatjere region, and we will do everything we can to support their regional master plan and assist them to achieve their aspirations.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have heard the Chief Minister pay tribute to Sister Eileen Heath, which is something I intended to do. I am not quite sure if the Chief Minister knows what went on behind the scenes in her office, but I spoke to the Administrator and to her office to send Sister Eileen congratulations. The message I received was that we needed a birth certificate. Of course, I did not have the birth certificate and I do not think Sister Eileen had it, either. Without it, they could not send congratulations because it was only my word. Thank goodness for people like Alf Leonardi who was in minister Stirling’s office and who knew Sister Eileen and was able to correct it. I am pleased, Chief Minister, that you have acknowledged her.
She is an extraordinary woman and I cannot think of anyone who has worked in the Territory and who has lived that long, but then again, I have not been around that long, either. One hundred years is an amazing achievement for anyone. She had a story written, A Life With The Lid Off, in 2002. When you go through this book, it is almost a who’s who of people who have done well in Alice Springs.
Sister Eileen Heath started off at Moore River Native Settlement in Western Australia and it was probably the start of her character there, where she won the love and trust of all the Aboriginal people on Moore River Station at a very difficult time when ‘native’ was the word rather than ‘indigenous people’ or ‘Aboriginal people’. It was a little to her horror that she was asked to leave in 1944, but she was asked to leave because she was always someone who was willing to stand up to authority, to speak her mind, and to seek the best things for her young charges.
We were lucky because in being asked to leave Moore River Settlement, she came in 1946 to Alice Springs, as the Chief Minister said, to start off St Mary’s. Many of you will know that St Mary’s in Alice Springs is still the home for many indigenous children who come in from out bush. Interestingly, the children she had at the time were often children of mixed marriages. One of the partners of such a marriage wanted the children to have a good education so they sent them into town. There are names like Forresters, Rosalie Kunoth, Freda Glynn, Maureen Trindle - many of the family names with which we are very familiar in Alice Springs.
It was during her time at St Mary’s that Rosalie Kunoth was chosen to play Jedda. There are photos in this book showing how beautiful Rosalie was at the time. She was only 16 and it is really hard to imagine this young girl being plucked from a place like St Mary’s and taken to the big city to produce this film, but I know what a great support Sister Eileen was for her.
Many of the ‘girls’, as she called them, kept in touch with Sister Eileen even after she left Alice Springs. I know some of them intended to go to Western Australia to celebrate this centenary with her; it is a wonderful bond she achieved with these young people. It must have been a hard life; she started from scratch. She talks about the old Len Tuit bus in which she used to go and collect the children. I can recall going to Borroloola one year with some of the students from St Phillip’s who were returning home. I can tell you, it was a hard, tough old bus - bench seats with nothing flash about it. I also recall driving the escort vehicle along the way to give people relief.
She was able to engage the whole community to get the best for her children, as she called them, the people whom she loved and nurtured all that time. However, she was willing to stand up and speak loudly for the people, and she fell foul of the authorities again and was also asked to leave St Mary’s. Paul Hasluck, sensibly, recognised her talents and offered her a job with the Welfare Branch, so she stayed in the Territory and then, of course, eventually came back to Alice Springs.
She also talked in the book of the story of Rona Glynn. Some of us may recall that Rona was the first triple certificate Aboriginal nurse who came to Alice Springs to work. She delivered my son. In Alice Springs at the time, it did not matter if the doctor did not turn up for the birth because you knew Rona Glynn would be there and she was such a capable person. However, it is a sad story as she also, after she had given birth to a child herself, passed away. Sister Eileen tells that story also in her book.
There are so many memories associated with this wonderful woman, that I am pleased we are able to recognise her. I spoke to her a few weeks ago – I cannot believe how chirpy and bright she was. I cannot imagine being 100 years old and being as bright as she is. She said her hearing was not too good and her legs were not the best, but she was looking forward to this particular occasion and all the people who came to see her. She wrote a speech to be delivered for her 100th birthday and I want to read it:
As the Chief Minister said, they held a service there in the old chapel out of St. Mary’s:
I want to say on behalf of everyone who knew her: happy birthday, Sister Eileen. Congratulations on achieving a milestone which many of us will never do, and thank you for being such a wonderful supporter of all the Aboriginal children in your care.
Dr TOYNE (Stuart): Madam Speaker, it is good to see my old speed has not deserted me. I would like to talk about the same subject as the Chief Minister alluded to in her contribution, and that is the Community Cabinets held with the Anmatjere people and the Alyawarra people. The Anmatjere meeting was held through the communities of Pmara Jutunta, Nturiyaand Ti Tree, which is the headquarters of the Anmatjere Council.
The focus of the meetings was to look at the Regional Development plans. The Anmatjere Regional Development Plan has been in existence for a couple of years now, the Alyawarra one is just coming together and it is a very exciting time there for Alyawarra people. The Chief Minister mentioned the horticulture development. That is such a wide proposal from Centafarm that we could see anything up to 600 jobs directly, or secondary jobs to the developments that they are trying to progress. The horticultural blocks are spread everywhere, from Willowra through to the Ti Tree area, to Woolla, to Soapy Bore over in the Utopia area. There are very exciting prospects there for jobs and training and economic development within the Anmatjere area and the Alyawarra areas, and a little bit on the Warlpiri side as well.
For my colleagues to go out and to see the amount of work that the communities have put into these development plans, and the enthusiasm of many of the people to progress elements of the plan, it is very important for us to do that and I believe Community Cabinets are one of the best things that our government has done since we achieved government. It is a very grass roots contact, and I believe that the more we continue to do that, the more integrity will come into the work we are doing, particularly in regional development.
I will mention some people who helped us at Anmatjere - Tony Scrutton, the Council President of Anmatjere, Zania Liddle, the principal at the school, which was very kind in hosting both the Women’s Forum with the Chief Minister and the other ministers, and also putting on a really nice lunch for us. We moved from Ti Tree to the community of Ampilatwatja, north of the old Utopia pastoral area which is now freehold land. We had a very powerful meeting there. There would have been probably two or three hundred people, including a who’s who of all of the senior men from all of the Alyawarra communities. Communities came in from as far away as Lake Nash, Alpurrurulam and many of the northern Utopia communities also attended.
It was really to confirm the emerging Alyawarra plan, which deals with a whole range of things, such as the aspirations of the Alyawarra people as to regards education, health, policing, infrastructure, such as roads, power, water, so it was a really good overview of where things are and where things are hopefully going. My colleague, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, dealt with particular issues of the Irrultja community, where there are many, particularly older people, who are yet to get housing. The meeting we had with the Irrultja representatives produced some immediate practical ideas on how to alleviate their situation. Apart from that, the meeting set up a big agenda like the four regional agendas.
I again thank some of the people who were involved on their side: thanks to Geoffrey Morton, President of the Aherrenge Council; Kerry, the principal at Ampilatwatja School; and also Kathy and Viv Armstrong for giving us catering for our meeting. We needed interpreters because there were many very senior traditional people there who preferred to hear the proceedings in the Alyawarra language. Rosie Kunoth Monks helped us with the women’s side and David Moore, a linguist who has spent a long time at Ampilatwatja helped with the men. And not to forget our public servants from Central Australia who went to listen to what people had to say: Andre Burgess from Local Government; Laurence Wilson, Bruce Fyfe, Nick Purdie, and also Colleen Rosas and Donna McMasters from the Aboriginal Interpreter Services.
Olaf Geerken is an anthropologist from the Central Land Council who had spent a year up in the Alyawarra region drawing the plan together. Olaf, like any anthropologist, starts with who belongs in the same family, who is related to who. He spent a part of that time mapping out the genealogy of the families - who are the core family groups of the Alyawarra people. In that period he also discovered a series of killings that had not been previously known out in the Simpson Desert area which took many Alyawarra lives and that reflected in the genealogy of the families that he was plotting. I would like to just say what a great job Olaf did and thank the CLC for its support of that planning process.
Gilbert Corbett, who acted as MC, is a local Alyawarra man, a very good leader for his people and he played an important part in the meeting. We will go away now and I believe the regional development process will be able to provide ongoing support for the work there as will a Commonwealth program that has been approached to provide further development of this plan. This is regional development in the flesh. It is what has to happen at grassroots to get a plan in place and then to get everyone working towards it, both government and the local community.
The second matter I would like to talk about tonight is the departure of George and Robyn Hewitson from Kalkarindji, after a stint that started in 2001. What has characterised George and Robyn’s work is the development alongside the primary school, which they have also continued to run, but a fantastic secondary education program. By 2002, they had launched secondary studies in some old buildings to the side of the main school. It was pretty rough digs. They were operating in dongas with a shade area in between. The science room was inside an arc mesh cage, pretty alfresco, but they were not going to let something like that stop them. The first three graduates got through Year 12 and went on to further tertiary studies.
I attended their graduation on the day that they received their results. These days, Rhonda Rankin is doing a Bachelor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies at CDU; Lianna Brown is doing a Bachelor of Cultural Tourism at Flinders University; and Meshach Paddy is doing a teaching degree at CDU. George and Robyn’s son also received his results on the same day and did very well as well.
There are currently five students completing Year 11 at Kalkarindji School. Their names are Tara Long, Amanda Vincent, Venessa Bernard, Syliva Mick and Quitaysha Frith. Quitaysha completed her Year 11 earlier this year and began her Year 12 immediately on finishing. There are three Year 12s who hope to graduate at the end of this year: Antoinette Bernard, Ramsay Paddy and Quitaysha. Effort has been put in by other secondary staff: Holie Kane, Lochie Aila, Tim Meeth as well as George and Robyn. Michael Paddy who is the liaison officer of the school, and a very good friend of mine as well, and Wilson Rose both helped with bus runs; and Maurie Ryan is the school council president.
After a memorable four-year effort, George and Robyn will be leaving Kalkarindji, but not before they get their senior students’ results this year. Heading for the Red Centre, George will become a program coordinator for the collaborated trial sites of secondary education. I could not think of a better person to be rolling out further secondary programs around Central Australia. George has been there, done that and he knows exactly what is needed. Robyn is seconded to the CDU to undertake research on education at the Alice Springs campus, and as she already holds a PhD, she is very well qualified to do that.
I really wish George and Robyn the best, and I congratulate them on the public record for the fantastic job they did for the community and students at Kalkarindji. I look forward to seeing them arrive in Alice Springs and look forward to the great contribution I am sure they will make to education and research in our town.
Finally, I will be very self indulgent, Mr Deputy Speaker. I want to recall a fantastic day and night I had about three weeks ago in the Territory Off-Road Championships when we raced the mighty Fugly, a Class One buggy built at the Alice Springs gaol.
I was with my mates Neil Anderson, Rick Shembri and Billy Yan. I was navigator for three of the races - two during daylight and the other one after dark. I can assure members that racing at top speed in a Class One buggy in total darkness, only being able to see what is in your spotlights is absolutely exhilarating. In fact, we were off the ground at one stage at about 180km/h with no road! That is off-road racing and it is a feature of sport in the Centre.
I pay tribute particularly to Neil Anderson because his health is still a problem for him. He is in Adelaide at the moment and I wish him absolutely all the best in his fight for health. I also pay tribute to the guys for coming forward with such a great program in the prison. It is not only the prison officers who are involved in competing with the vehicle; it is also the prisoners who earn their mechanics certificates from the development and maintenance of that vehicle. They take huge pride not only in the vehicle doing well in the competition - it came fourth in its class in the championships, and it was competing against vehicles that cost up to $0.25m each - there are a lot of prisoners out there who very much identify with Fugly and with off-road racing. Onward and upward! It is a great sport, it is a great little buggy and it is a great program for our prisons.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, I recently had the pleasure of presenting one of Katherine’s few World War II veterans, William Duncan Gray Walker, affectionately known as Jock, with a medal marking 60 years since the end of World War II. On behalf of the Prime Minister John Howard and with his friend of many years, Tony Adams, present, I presented Mr Walker with this medal at the war memorial.
Mr Walker was born in Basta, Shetland Islands in 1924. He joined the British Royal Navy in 1940 at 16 years of age as an Able Seaman, and served until 1946. He served in the MTB and Grey Wolf. After D-Day, he was made redundant in Grey Wolf and was posted to Malta. He worked on mine sweepers, but as the majority of mine sweepers had been destroyed, the Navy converted motor launchers to mine sweepers. The crew could put the sweeps out from the converted boats, but they had to manually retrieve them, an arduous task for four men on each sweep.
Mr Walker served extensively throughout the Mediterranean, including Greece for six months, Italy and Algeria. When the war finished, his mine sweeper returned to Venice, striking a mine on the way which, fortunately, did not explode although caused considerable damage to the propeller. When reminiscing about his time in the British Royal Navy, Mr Walker said he would always remember those who had died or been injured alongside him doing such a risky job. He said: ‘You never forget it; there were the good points and the laughable points, as well as all the others’.
Mr Walker and his wife, who was pregnant at the time, came to Sydney in 1948 where he began work with Resch’s Brewery. They later lived in Cessnock, Sussex Inlet and Nowra before moving to South Australia. He came to Katherine to look at a block of land for a friend. He liked it so much he decided to relocate his family here, and that was 39 years ago.
Mr Walker is a popular and well-known Katherine figure who either walks or rides his bike every day around Katherine, exercising his loyal pet dog. He is easily recognised by his immaculate presentation in long sleeved white shirt, always wearing a tie, tailored trousers and his Akubra. It is no wonder he stands out. He is always smiling and greets everyone cheerfully. It would be fantastic if there were more people in the world like Mr Walker.
As I speak tonight, Mr Walker is in Adelaide undergoing open heart surgery, and I know that I speak for everyone in Katherine when I wish him a very speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing his cheerful, friendly presence home in the not too distant future.
I also acknowledge the wonderful work of Katherine High School teacher, David Arnold, and especially what he does with the Intensive Learning Unit. David came from Victoria to Katherine High School in 2003. Since that time, he has become involved in a range of aspects of the school which include welcoming and settling into the community newly arrived Katherine High School staff. He is in an active member of the AEU executive committee.
David, as the special education teacher, has shaped and moulded the school’s Intensive Learning Unit through a well-developed, Living Independently Program. The confidence that David has provided in overall student wellbeing and self-esteem is evident each and every time I have had the privilege of visiting the unit. There is never an unhappy face to be seen and David, with the assistance of his wonderful staff, at all times has made it a joy for the students in his care. Students who had very little speech now concentrate hard to speak clearly, to the extent that when they speak they can now convey a clear meaning. Students who had difficulty displaying social skills now do so as a matter of course. Central to their learning are hygiene, food preparation, and money handling skills, all vital to leading as independent life as possible.
The Living Independently Program that David and his team are so committed to has nurtured students who have thrived. In particular, the introduction of the VET course has given students with significant disabilities meaningful work, pride and dignity. One of the programs that David facilitates is the Certificate I in Horticulture for students with disabilities. This particular program has become very dear to me. When I first visited the dilapidated area in the corner of the high school grounds and listened to the plans that David and his students had to turn this area into the garden, I never imagined they would achieve their goal and more in such a short space of time. That same area today is unrecognisable from the original plot. The students and staff took on one plot after another, designing and planting each with care and detailed attention. Able-bodied students and staff began to comment on the difference that the ILU students were making to the school grounds and complimenting them on their hard work and dedication. David and his staff held open days at their garden area, and were able to sell to the public their own produce - plants, flowers, pumpkins and whatever vegetable was ripe at the time. Of course, this great garden would not be complete without the chicken run which is looked after with great care, and a couple of scarecrows which have been made with much detail.
A concrete path for wheelchair access was built this year, which ensures that every student participates in the garden scheme. The garden has now more than doubled its size, is extremely well laid out and, at this very time, is producing some magnificent flowers of which the students presented me with a great sheath last week - absolutely beautiful flowers. I am deeply honoured to be patron of the Intensive Learning Unit garden area, and look forward to seeing the great work continue next year.
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of being guest at the Intensive Learning Unit’s Christmas party. What a delight to visit them. The room was decorated magnificently and the luncheon was delicious, and always there was plenty of laughter with everyone enjoying themselves. It is no wonder that David Arnold won the Teaching Excellence Award for Urban Secondary Schools this year. David, along with his team of dedicated support staff, has shaped and moulded the Intensive Learning Unit into a well developed Living Independently Program. Congratulations and well done to you all.
I will now talk about the achievements of the Year 7 class at St Joseph’s College, Katherine. The Year 7 class this year took on a novel school project to rehabilitate and manage a sink hole which is situated near their school grounds. With the support of their teacher, Kellie Maddock, the class turned the sink hole area from one that looked like a rubbish dump site to an area that took out the Westpac Landcare Education Award at the 2005 Northern Territory Landcare Awards. The students not only looked at improved management of water quality through the reduction and contamination as water makes its way through the sink holes and underground systems that are so common in the Katherine region, they also undertook comprehensive studies of the surrounding ecosystems. The students gained knowledge about weed eradication and also implemented appropriate fire and weed management plans for the area. They shared their gained knowledge widely throughout the Katherine community through newsletter articles, radio appearances and were invited to be speakers at the International Association of Hydrologists conference in Darwin.
Teacher, Kellie Maddock and five of the Year 7 students, Emma-Jayne Hagley, Sophie Simon, Hannah Buzzo, Kaitlin Ray and Brooke Margetts also represented St Joseph’s College at the Murray/Darling Basin River Health Conference in Mildura and gave a presentation on their sink hole project. From all accounts, their workshop was a huge success and, of course, they made some great friends during their stay in Mildura. Well done, Kellie Maddock and Year 7 students on such a successful project.
The beauty of this project is that the students involved will be able to continue to keep an eye on the sink hole during not only this coming year but in years to come and know that they have made a significant impact. Teacher, Kellie Maddock was also nominated for a Teaching Excellence Award this year, so well done. It has been quite an exciting and rewarding year for the Year 7s at St Joseph’s College, Katherine.
I also would like to talk tonight about the Binjari Playgroup. It is looking after their little ones, and it is a new playgroup that has been set up and has been working very well. Early in 2005, the idea of a playgroup for Binjari community was suggested by a registered nurse at the Binjari Health Centre who is a member of the Playgroup Association of the Northern Territory. The suggestion was made after informal discussions with outside agencies about the difficulties facing Binjari community members, and which age groups to target with specific programs. Dale Jones from Territory Health Services visited the Binjari community and began to develop the idea of a playgroup, with the aim of encouraging positive interaction between parents and children. It is also expected that playgroup will aid in the transition from home life to a school life, and foster an enjoyment of learning activities in both parents and children.
The Binjari Community Government Council discussed the idea of the playgroup and decided that the program would be run as a council function under the Sport and Recreation Program. The Binjari Playgroup was registered with the Playgroup Association of the Northern Territory in September 2005 and became a member of the Katherine Toy Library, which allows access to a larger range of activities. Dale Jones and Linda Locking from Good Beginnings currently plan and run the playgroup activities with the assistance of Chris Collis, and a CDEP assistant for the first term, with the Binjari Sport and Recreation Program taking over the role completely in 2006. Health Centre staff participate in activities and parents are encouraged to help with activities and planning as well as participating with their children.
The playgroup is held on Tuesdays from 10.30 am until 12.00 noon at the Family Support Building with the community bus becoming the Playgroup Express, used only within the Binjari community on Tuesdays to encourage parents to attend playgroup with their children. The preschoolers are taken to the preschool directly from playgroup by parents who are encouraged to visit the classroom.
The first Binjari playgroup began on 11 October 2005 with six parents and around 15 children, with the official opening held on National Playgroup Day, 25 October 2005. I had the pleasure of attending that official opening and watching the young people, the young preschool attendants, make their banner that said ‘Binjari Playgroup’ and every child present on that day had a wonderful time with big buckets of paint and putting their handprints all over this fabulous sign. It was really good to see so many parents seriously involved in wanting to make sure that their children attended playgroup and participated in group activities. The attendance at playgroup is increasing with every week and the parent participation is a great thing and a positive step being taken by the Binjari community.
I congratulate Dale Jones and Linda Locking, and especially Chris Collis who works at Binjari all the time and is such a great encouragement to those young families to make sure that parents take their children along to playgroup. I wish them every success in the future.
Mr NATT (Drysdale): Mr Deputy Speaker, I want to take advantage of this, our last sittings, to thank a number of people and organisations for their support of me in my short time in my role as member for Drysdale.
There are a number of community groups in the Palmerston area that do a wonderful job for the people of this region. I have made an effort to visit as many as I can since I have been in office, and I have endeavoured to comprehend the work they undertake. They are a wonderful and dedicated group of individuals who work tirelessly for many underprivileged people.
Anglicare Youth Services is an example. Sandy Ford is a Youth Worker. She and her fellow staff members do a wonderful job with the youth of Palmerston and some of their troubles. They try to help as much as they can. Mission Australia, headed up by Jane Lawton, the State Operations Manager, does some terrific work with the people of Palmerston and help in any way they can.
Somerville Community Services: we have Marilyn Roberts, the Family Services Assistant Manager and Serena Staynes, and they help a number of families living in the Palmerston area with their problems, which could be housing or finances. Their assistance is greatly appreciated, by a number of families in that area.
The YMCA at Palmerston has a Youth Drop in Centre run by Maureen Thompson, the acting executive officer. I have been there on a number of occasions on Friday nights after markets and during the day. The youth of the area are actively involved in a number of pursuits, playing pool or table tennis or on the computer and they are doing that in comfortable surrounds under good supervision from Maureen.
Danila Dilba is run by Delsey Damiano. Danila Dilba has only started out there in the last six months or so, and her group of dedicated officers run a terrific Drop In Centre behind the Gray shopping centre. I am sure that in the years to come, it will be a wonderful area for the youth. It is really run well by Delsey.
Grow NT is an interesting group of people coordinated by Michelle Masters, Julie James and Maggie Schoenfisch. It helps people who have mental disorders or suffer from depression. They run a terrific group in the area and look after many people who want to use their services.
One area in which I have been particularly interested in is the Larakia Nation. Kelvin Costello and Alison Edwards are doing wonderful work with the Larakia Nation. I spoke about one of those efforts in one of my earlier adjournments in respect of the painting of the oil tank at Vopak. They are doing some wonderful work with the kids within the Palmerston area, and I am sure that work will continue.
One of the groups with which I became involved first up in my job was an interesting one; it was the pensioner’s workshop. They rang me and were looking for a computer. I was lucky enough to do some work and acquire a computer through the government. Joe Kane, the president, Eric Harman, Ted Field and Keith Hicks are heavily involved with the group and they run a workshop on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Winnellie. They have a terrific little workshop and cover everything from woodwork through to metalwork for anyone who is a retired gentleman, or even the ladies get involved with their needlework as well. Anyone who is retired can get involved and if they want to put their hand to working in the workshop they are quite welcome to at any stage for a low cost. I think there is a joining fee of about $5, so it is very minimal.
Another area I have been trying to help a little bit is the Bayview Body Corporate, and we have had a few issues there with broadband and other issues within the marina. I want to make mention of Leigh Eldridge, the chairman and Phil Doyle, the president. I have been working closely with them and attended a couple of their meetings as well.
A group which is doing some wonderful work with the businesses within the Palmerston area is the Palmerston Regional Business Association and I want to acknowledge the work of Wayne Zerbe and Ray Walton. Wayne is the president of the association and Ray is the secretary and they have around 400 businesses on their register at the moment. They have monthly meetings and I am looking forward to going to their Christmas show within the next fortnight.
The Palmerston Council has been very helpful to me whilst I have been out there, and I must acknowledge the work of Annette Burke, Rodney Donne and Luccio Cercarelli. They have worked closely with me on a couple of issues. I am also a member of the Palmerston Regional Safe Communities Committee which meets on a regular basis to see what areas we can get involved with within the community to help the Palmerston region with many aspects of trying to make the community safe.
The Darwin City Council has also been helpful in a number of areas, especially from my Bayview residents, with letters that I have written. I acknowledge Peter Adamson and Alan McGill for their efforts, and also the Lyons Aldermen, Heather Sjoberg, Helen Galton and Roger Dee. They have also been of assistance with a couple of issues I have had in that area as well.
The member for Brennan and I met with the Palmerston police the other week and I acknowledge Superintendent Greg Dowd and Andrew Heath, the Senior Sergent. They do some wonderful work within the area and are going to stay in close contact with us, as us with them, and I am sure we can work up a terrific relationship with them. I thank them for the work they do within the Palmerston area and acknowledge the good support they have within the community. It is great to see the crime rates within that area are dropping through their hard work.
The sporting clubs I have been involved with, or have visited: the Palmerston Golf Club has a few financial problems at the moment, however Ray Somerville, the president, is trying to work through those issues with his board. I wish them the best of luck and hope we can be of assistance somewhere down the track.
It is great to see the Palmerston Magpies Football Club move into the university grounds. Their president, Phil Thompson, has worked very hard with a ground committee group comprising David Stone and Vikki Baldwin from the CDU, and Tom Honan and fellow member, Terry Mills. It is great to see that the oval is just about up and running. They have been training on the second oval at this stage, however, the club rooms are very close to being finished and it will be fantastic in the new year to see Palmerston Magpies Football Club move onto the CDU grounds. I acknowledge the Palmerston Sports Club and the Cazaly’s Sports Club where Terry McKay and Greg Frewin-Lord have been supportive of the member for Brennan and me at a number of dinners we have attended.
There are five schools in my area, which is more than what other members have, however I must admit I have attended all the schools and have been to a couple of meetings now, and I have had terrific support from all of the schools and their principals. I acknowledge Driver Primary School, and Rob Preswell the Principal and Fathma Mauger who is the Acting Principal, Mark Monaghan, Assistant Principal, and Wally Mauger, the chairman of the school council. They have a fantastic little school there - well run and well organised - and terrific staff with terrific support from parents and kids within the school.
I also speak highly of Durack Primary School where Peter Collins is principal. Heather Stedman and Julie House are the Assistant Principals, who do a wonderful job. Corrine Hunt has just been appointed by the school as the Defence School Transition Aide. She helps the Defence Force families within the area with their schooling problems, and tries to get them settled in, especially when they are moving from interstate. She is doing a wonderful job within that school area.
The Good Shephard Lutheran School is another school in my area, and I acknowledge the good work of Peter Eckermann, the principal. Unfortunately, Peter is retiring at the end of the year and moving back to South Australia to live in the Riverland. I acknowledge the good work that Peter, and also Lester Reinbolt, the Pastor at the school have done. I understand there has been a new principal appointed from Western Australia who will be starting in the new year, and I look forward to meeting him.
The Gray Primary School is doing some wonderful work under the guidance of the Principal, Cindy McGarry. Cindy is a tireless worker there. The school has had some problems, but it is terrific to see that some of the programs they have employed in the last 12 months are starting to show signs of advancement. I have worked in a special group there with a male mentoring group under the guidance of Sue Beynon and Eric Smith. It is terrific to see the school trying different ideas to make sure the kids are getting the benefits of adult supervision, as well as increasing their education.
Kormilda College is a college in my area, and I acknowledge the good work of Stephen Kinsella, the principal. Unfortunately, Stephen is leaving this year and moving to Victoria, I understand. I wish him all the very best. I acknowledge the good work of Sharon Todd, the marketing manager, and Dr Marion Davey, one of the teacher facilitators. They are doing some terrific work at Kormilda, and it is great to be involved with that school.
The Palmerston High School is also doing some terrific work. Chris Dias, the principal, together with John Baldock, Robert Lee, David MacLean and Russell Ball, the chairman of the school council, are working hard to ensure that the school maintains high standards. I thank them for their support as well.
Vikki Baldwin is the campus leader at the CDU. On a couple of occasions, she has invited me to the CDU to show me around. It is a terrific establishment, and Vikki is doing a wonderful job putting the CDU Palmerston Campus up in lights so that it is an attraction for students leaving school to further their careers.
We have a couple of child-care centres in the area. I have had a chance to visit the Gray centre where Irene McCarthy is director, and also the Kentish Family Day Care where Lavinia Mills is the director. They are doing some great work there as well.
I am running out of time, so I would like to get down the list a little. I thank members of the staff of the Legislative Assembly for their assistance with me coming in as green as I have been in my first few months. Some names are Vicki Long, Brian Cook, Pat Hancock, Mary-Anne Almond, Cherie Thorpe, Terry Hanley, Robyn Smith, Ian McNeill and Liz McFarlane. They have been terrific to me and a great support and guidance. I thank them for their help and look forward to working with them next year.
I thank my caucus colleagues for their support and guidance. Nothing has been too much trouble for them. I especially acknowledge my fellow member for Brennan for his support and friendship during this particular busy intro into the politics arena. He has been very good to me following his background and his understanding of the Labor Party and politics. I thank him for all that he has done for me, and also his electorate officer, Jo Verrier has been terrific to me as well.
The Palmerston Branch of the ALP executive member, Simon Hall, unfortunately has left us. He has moved to South Australia. However, I thank Merv Hunt, Jaya Koraila, Phil Helmore, Sarah Schubert and Michelle Parker. I must acknowledge my electorate officer, Sarah Schubert, who has been terrific, and also close friends Lu and Des Freidrichs, John and Linda Deans, Mark Hough and Jenny Elliott for their support of my wife and myself. My son, Travis, in Adelaide, he has been terrific, on the other end of the phone and occasionally when we get to meet him. Most of all, I would like to thank my wife, Jetta, for her love, guidance and understanding and support for me in this position. I thank everyone who has been involved and wish them all a Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I rise tonight to comment on some reading I did since the last sittings of parliament. It was about an entry written in the Power and Water Corporation Annual Report 2005. Interestingly, on page 33 of the report, I came across a paragraph about the National Water Initiative. You would all recall the debate that occurred in the last 12 months between the Australian governments of all states and territories and the federal government trying to come to some form of agreement about what to do with our water resources. I would like to read a paragraph which I found a little bit disturbing and I will make some further comments after I have read this. I quote from the Power and Water Corporation Annual Report 2005 under the title of National Water Initiative:
I read that and thought, well, the Chief Minister signed an intergovernmental agreement on a national water initiative. Then it went on to define what that initiative includes, and the words that jumped up at me were, ‘… progression towards consumption-based pricing …’. Now, what does that mean? If I am wrong, I hope that the Chief Minister will explain to me in due course. I assume consumption-based pricing means that the user pays. If you use a certain amount of water, you pay for that amount. If it is harder for you, if it costs certain amount of dollars to get the water out of the ground, or from a dam, or from the sky, then you have to charge accordingly to make it consumption-based pricing based on cost recovery to ensure business viability.
Power and Water is a government-owned corporation and it has to operate under business principles. When there is a project or a commitment from government to do a certain thing that entails services from Power and Water, and it is a government decision rather than a commercial decision by Power and Water, the government needs to provide a community service obligation payment for those particular services. That way, Power and Water can cover its costs and still be able to maintain its commercial practice.
Obviously, water will be cheaper to source in Darwin than in many other parts of the Northern Territory. I assume that Katherine may have almost similar ease of obtaining water because it is within the rain zone. However, areas in the south of the Territory may not be so fortunate in this issue. Over the last three to four years in Alice Springs until our recent rains in the last two months we have been very much in a drought. So if it is consumption-based pricing with sufficient cost recovery to ensure business viability, does it mean that people living south of Darwin, or perhaps south of Katherine, would have to pay a different level of pricing for water? If that is the case, then it is important that the Chief Minister advises Territorians that this policy is going to be implemented in accordance with the initiative that she signed off on. Tell us when, tell us how much, so that those of us living in the drier part of Territory can prepare for it.
Power and Water obviously has to continue to maintain a commercial footing in terms of its operations and has to continue to make a profit. Infrastructure is ageing. Let me tell you about Power and Water’s infrastructure in Alice Springs. I know for a fact that the water pipes, the sewer pipes are aged, some as old as 30 years, and they are going to become problematic very soon. I know that on occasions there have been pipe collapses in Alice Springs. So, they are going to replace that infrastructure as well and there are going to be costs involved for Power and Water. If as we hear that we are suffering budget blow outs, that the potential for GST revenue is going to fall within the next few years, are we going to suffer significant problems with revenue for government and therefore CSOs to Power and Water? If that is the case, then Power and Water has to raise its revenue from somewhere else. And where else would that be but from consumers.
Do I now see Central Australians suffering significant disadvantage because of this act of the Chief Minister without discussing it with anybody else in the Territory, without discussing it in this House? She signed an intergovernmental agreement on the National Water Initiative. If the Chief Minister, as in the past practice of the last few years, has been drawing money from Power and Water, milking money from her government-owned corporation, as the pressure builds with the Northern Territory’s ability to raise capital, will this make the government draw more and therefore pass on that drain, that need for money to Power and Water which then passes on to the consumer? Is this government now going to say: ‘It’s not our fault, it is the National Water Initiatives fault, and that is reason why we have to raise prices.’? Well, maybe the government has to cover that with a CSO.
If the Northern Territory is to be involved with this National Water Initiative without passing on to the consumer, let’s make it a CSO so this government buffers Territorians, and by Territorians I mean those living south of the rain areas because we are going to be facing a major problem. Water may be cheaper now in Darwin for a long time to come if ever it will change, but in Central Australia it is a different category altogether.
The financial hole that this government has pushed us into has to be paid for by the taxpayer. Territorians have to cough up to help make up for the shortfall that this government’s spending policies have created. We cannot continue to keep paying taxes directly or indirectly. This government has become the highest taxing government the Northern Territory has ever known and this is going to add more to it.
It is time that this government seriously considered what it is doing with its economic management. Over the next two or three years things are going to get worse. It will not get better, it is going to get worse, and we are going to go further into debt. We are now starting to live on the bankcard. In previous times, the government, then in opposition, used to accuse the CLP of living off a bankcard. At that stage, they used to quote that every Territorian - man, woman and child - is in debt for some $8000 each. Today, it is nearly $8400 dollars. It is already projected that in about two years’ time, every man, woman and child will be in debt by $9000. This is the way this government operates. It borrows money, puts it into the so-called revenue stream, and then says: ‘We have a surplus’. We have a surplus of cash because you borrowed the money from somewhere else to plonk it in. So, yes, you have a surplus of cash, but that is not a surplus; that is a surplus built from an increasing debt. It is amazing how this government can, through their spin doctors, continue to propagate what is definitely not true.
To hear that the government, through their spin doctors, has created a cheat sheet for their ministers - if you are ever accused by the Country Liberal Party of blowing the budget, these are the words you have to use. This is how bad it is. Spin doctors now have to create words for the ministers to try to shore them up. Obviously there are ministers who do not understand what their problems are and the spin doctors have decided they do not need to know. They have a form of words to use to ensure they can rebut whatever is said and that is used as a stock standard answer. It is amazing what the spin doctors have come up with: ‘The answer in all cases should include …’ and there is a series of four points that they can use. Our economy is in trouble and it is important for this government to concentrate its effort on making sure that we do not get ourselves sinking deeper and deeper into the mire of debt and then find that with a downturn of GST revenue, we get ourselves into an ever-descending spiral from which we cannot return.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight I will talk about one of two trips I recently did. This was to Sydney specifically to look at the Lucas Heights reactor. I went on Monday, 7 November 2005. We were given a tour of ANSTO on the Tuesday. As we came down early, I thought we would use the time for something else in which I had an interest. I have spoken in parliament a few times before on the need for retaining some of our Darwin Harbour as a national park and I have used the example of the national park around Botany Bay. I spent quite a bit of time looking at Botany Bay National Park, which is probably one of the oldest national parks - not the oldest - in the Sydney region. It certainly has a difficulty existing when it has a golf course on one side and on the other side is Kurnell Refinery. It is in a fairly precarious situation at the mouth of Botany Bay. However, it is there and many people visit it. There was an Aboriginal mission on the La Perouse side of Botany Bay. There is, of course, a lot of history on that. La Perouse was the Frenchman who arrived about three days after Captain Cook. Probably if he had arrived three days before, we would all have been saying oui, oui and monsieur, but we are not. There is a lot of history associated with that side of Botany Bay, and some beautiful scenery.
If you travel to the other side, you will see the marking where Captain Cook arrived. There is an information centre there, and a much larger section of land set aside as a national park - a windswept area where many of the trees do not grow very tall. It is a place of national significance. I quickly make one comment that, as someone who had not been there before, I felt that, as a site that had changed this nation - to Aboriginal people, of course, it changed it in a major way - I felt that the place was not given the significance, both for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, that it should have been given. It is very nice, but it is a little dated and it also does not encourage people to see how important that particular spot is in relation to Australia’s history - to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history. Considering the money we spend on many other places, this place would be, I suppose, the foundation of Australia as we know it today and could be given much higher recognition by the New South Wales government.
It was good to be there; I had never been there before. However, as a first-timer, sometimes the impressions you get when you go to a place like that are the most important impressions. Whilst it is a nice park and it has some lovely bushland, I thought that there should be more work done on the importance of that area. It had an Aboriginal affection in the interpretative centre but, just like the other side of it, it was dated and needed revising. That is the impression I got.
The reason I went there was to see what a national park looked like in a built-up area. It convinced me more and more that, sadly, we are missing a good opportunity for part of Darwin’s Harbour to be declared a national park. We have said we will protect the mangroves, and then we have scraped the centre of the harbour out for extractive minerals. We should have been showing much more vision. Maybe that can still happen, and I encourage the government to think about the long-term vision for Darwin Harbour from the point of view of preserving it and enabling people to see what the harbour was like before development took over.
The next day, I arrived at Lucas Heights, which is run by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. I had never been there before and I was not sure what to expect. It is certainly a place of high security; you cannot drive in there in your little motor car without going through all the security checks that are required. We were met by Ms Laura Fayers, our guide for the tour. She took us up and introduced us to Dr Ron Cameron, Chief of Operations at Lucas Heights. If people have been following the debate, they would know that he is the main spokesman for ANSTO. He went through a fairly in-depth briefing of what ANSTO was all about.
Basically, what I thought I would do this evening is run through all the different types of institutes that operate from ANSTO. ANSTO is a very big facility. People are probably thinking it is just about a nuclear reactor; it is more than that. Over 800 people work at ANSTO and quite a few others work there part-time. Many students use the facility for post-graduate study or doing their final years of study at university. It is a large facility just out of Engadine, or Sutherland; it is actually in the national park. The mission of ANSTO - and I need to put this into Hansard so people understand what the whole place is about - is:
to support the development and implementation of government policies and initiatives in
nuclear-related areas, domestically and internationally;
the Australian and International Research community;
challenges and increase the competitiveness of Australian industry; and
of Australians.
I quote that specifically to say to people that I know there has been a lot of discussion about radiopharmaceuticals, however, that gives you some idea of what this facility is about. It is not just a single-use facility; it is there for a number of reasons.
The facility is made up of a number of research institutes. They are the BRAGG Institute, the Radiopharmaceutical Research Institute; the Institute for Nuclear Geophysiology, and the Institute of Materials and Engineering Science. I will give you some idea of what those particular groups do. I will come back to that later as that will cover where we have been as we did the tour.
There are a number of research themes which ANSTO looks at. One of those is about National Interest and Capability Enhancement. The second is isotopes and earth systems. The third is materials. The fourth is neutron and X-ray scattering, and the fifth is health. I will give a brief rundown of what those things are about. The aim of the National Interest and Capability Enhancement is to maintain capability and provide advice to government on the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear activities worldwide. We are represented in various international nuclear cooperation forums. We are also looking at focusing on government priorities, especially safeguarding Australia’s national research priorities. We are also involved in security and counter-terrorism research, and nuclear knowledge management. The counter-terrorism one is interesting as it is using methods developed by ANSTO, where they can look at things like people using radioactive material illegally. They can actually trace it in the soil and find out whether people have got materials which they should not have. They also use it for looking at comparisons of lead in various supplies of ammunition, so they can actually trace down where bullets have come from, using both nuclear forensics and classical forensic science. The technology developed here is part of collaborations and particular services provided for counter-terrorism and for forensic work.
The other one is development of isotopes in earth systems. ANSTO has innovative use of isotopes in addressing fairly important environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable use of water. This has occurred in the Territory, where they track pollution in groundwater to find out where materials have gone. In China, they are doing a lot of work tracing where pollution comes from and what its source is. They are looking at advanced materials using the environment, energy, health and industry. They are exploiting what they call CeramiSphere, using ceramics. They apply Synroc, and I will get on to that a bit later. They also involved the integrity of structures, the remaining life assessment of welds and stresses, and the customers of that in the power industry have developed Synroc. Again, this is an Australian first. It was actually developed by an Australian and I might just mention a few things about Synroc.
It was developed when it was discovered that there are certain rocks in Australia and other places that naturally hold radioactive material locked in. They believe it has been locked in there for thousands of years. An Australian scientist was able to bring out and make a synthetic version of that which has been redeveloped. I believe that a British fuel company now has a contract to make some of this material and also the same material that is being used in the United States. It is a very interesting material when you see it, certainly heavy when you pick it up, but it is basically just a synthetic rock that the radioactive material actually bonds into. To actually take that radioactive material out of that is practically impossible. You would have to be some sort of super scientist to do it, and it is an Australian invention.
Look at neutron and X-ray scattering: people might want to know what the heck that is about. We do some of that already using the present nuclear reactor, but the new reactor will also increase the potential for doing that. Neutron and X-ray scattering are used in things like Nanotechnology and nanos are the smallest possible - well, I am not saying the smallest possible, I would never say that - about one millionth of a millimetre.
Dr Lim: It is the smallest at the moment.
Mr WOOD: Yes, and they look at polymers, they are looking at materials, how they develop those materials for use in industry, certainly involved in engineering. Biomolecules - I do not know what that is about, and developing new products in food research. Of course there is health and they do have the Radiopharmaceuticals Research Institute which focuses on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. It collaborates with other medical researchers and hospitals and they are also looking at radiation studies to improve dosimetry for treatment, an example of which is proton therapy. I said to people before when I did this trip, I ended up with a big headache because there was so much science that we were shown. It was certainly a very intense day travelling around the Lucas Heights facility.
After we had a run down from Dr Ron Cameron we were introduced to a gentleman called Dr Robinson and - has my time gone that quickly? I intended to adjourn this as well to another day because there is so much that I would like to talk about. Basically he is from the Bragg Institute and that is one of these scientific institutes that are working at ANSTO. I will continue my remarks on the Bragg Institute at another time.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, as we are near the Christmas season and the end of the parliamentary year, I take this opportunity to speak about my first five months as the member for Arnhem and pay tribute to those who have made this settling in time a welcome one. As it is a very large electorate and I have 15 communities and the mining town of Alyangula, I will do this over a couple of nights because it could take a little while.
Travelling the Arnhem region on such a regular basis as I have done these past five months, I have observed many things, in particular, the dedication of a number of people to their communities, people who contribute in such a way to the general wellbeing of those who live in the region. I take this opportunity to speak tonight about Groote Eylandt and then Millingimbi and Ramingining.
First up is Groote. Allen Rasmussen is the first person I usually see as I step off the plane at Groote and he is someone who is affectionately known as Rassy. He has lived on the island for a very long time, somewhere near two decades, and he works at the airport refuelling planes as they fly in. Rassy’s knowledge of the region and understanding of the political issues that shape the area is renowned. His family call Groote and in particular Alyangula home. To Pauline and Henry Higgins who have made my visits to Groote enjoyable by opening up their home to me during my stay. Pauline works at the Alyangula school and was instrumental in supporting my election campaign at Groote, and for that I say thank you, Pauline. I look forward to more visits and, indeed, a boating trip with Henry at some stage.
Greg Arnott is the CEO of the Angurugu Council and is doing tremendous things in the community since arriving from Sydney to take up the job earlier this year. Greg is focused on improving housing in the community and he is going so far as to see old houses being renovated, houses that many have actually given up on. It is clear each time you go back to Angurugu just how much work there has been in the process of working on these old dilapidated houses and in some cases even relocating those old houses so that they can be done up.
Greg’s dedication to the Council of Angurugu and people of the community is clearly noticeable, especially by the Angurugu people. Greg works closely with council president, Jabani Lalara, to ensure cultural protocols are adhered to when decisions are made in the community. This is pleasing to see, especially given the negative media coverage of Angurugu earlier this year and late last year in particular. It is encouraging to see the good work being done in the community, work such as the united effort of Angurugu locals and Craig Coleman in building the new oval in the community, complete with a sprinkler system. The oval is yet to be officially opened, but sports minister, Delia Lawrie, has already had a sneak preview of the oval on her trip to the community with me a few months ago. It is an event we can look forward to in the new year.
At Angurugu’s Charles Darwin University rooms, Grant Burgoyne works consistently with students keen to further their skills. Recently music has been an area that Grant and others have worked on together and, at the Alyangula concert in August, everyone had a chance to hear the Angurugu band playing to a packed audience. It was really wonderful. It was a great evening under the stars at Alyangula with invited guests, the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, performing to spectacular fireworks over the island.
Nancy Lalara is a special lady who deserves special praise. Nancy’s language skills as an interpreter have helped many a confused lawyer, police officer and nurse in times of great need. Nancy is an outstanding role model to young Aboriginal women and, indeed, an inspiration to all people in how she comfortably combines her cultural responsibilities and obligations in her daily duties as an interpreter in mainstream Australia. It is not easy to balance cultural responsibilities, family needs and extended family duties plus daily work duties, but Nancy is a constant reminder to me of just what is achievable for all Aboriginal women and for that, Nancy, I say thank you.
From Umbakumba, I make special mention of Nathan Turner, a young man who is working quietly but consistently in supporting the youth at Umbakumba. Nathan works with the youth at weekend sports events and in the after school care program driving them to Alyangula, often for sporting days. He is quite a shy person, but very determined to continue working in his community. He takes a lot of pride in what he does. Well done, Nathan.
Graham Phelps is a relative newcomer to the Groote region, having worked in the Alice Springs Desert Park, a sharp jump from desert country to the Arafura Sea. In such a short time, Graham has worked tirelessly to bring together the three communities on Groote in the areas of employment, social issues such as the alcohol permit system, petrol sniffing and housing concerns at Alyangula, Angurugu and Umbakumba, and Bickerton Island or Milyakburra.
Jennifer Fry is another person I would like to bring to the attention of the Assembly, with her focus on youth issues on Groote. I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer on a police boat as we travelled from a Blue Light Disco on Bickerton Island back to Alyangula. The boat trip took just over an hour and we had a chance to talk about some of the issues affecting young people on Groote Eylandt. Once we returned to the dock at Alyangula, we had to jump in the police van, the police paddy wagon, and I remember especially this night because Jennifer and I sat in the back of the police paddy wagon as we made our way back to the township of Alyangula. It is a ride I am sure neither of us will forget.
I take this opportunity to thank the Alyangula police for the chance to go by boat to Bickerton Island. I make special mention of Sergeant Ben Hammon for his work with the youth on the island, as well as the OIC, Dean McMasters, for his successful implementation of the Alcohol Permit Strategy on Alyangula. It is quite a success. It is still early days, but there has been a considerable reduction in some of the social issues that were affecting Alyangula and surrounding communities; so much so that even other nearby communities are looking at it - even the township of Nhulunbuy. Residents there seem quite keen to know just what is happening on Groote Eylandt. Much of that does go back to the police and the leadership of the police, which is Dean McMasters. It certainly was not without it headaches. Dean, thank you for working through the complex nature of it all; it is really a credit to you and your staff.
I also point out how delighted I am that the Police minister, Paul Henderson, and Police Commissioner, Paul White, have agreed to a full-time school-based constable position for Groote Eylandt. The constable, while based at Alyangula, will be working with the five schools in the region: Angurugu, Umbakumba, Alyangula, Bickerton Island, and Numbulwar. It is a policing method that works quite successfully in our schools and towns across the Territory, so why not in our remote areas? We hope to see the position kick off with the new school year.
There are a couple of teachers I would like to acknowledge for their contribution to education on Groote Eylandt; in fact, there are quite a lot of teachers. I make especial mention of the schools at Bickerton Island, Angurugu and Numbulwar, which I hope to get back to again in the next couple of weeks. There are a couple of teachers I would like to mention who had some difficulties in his last couple of months: Graham Matthews and his wife, Denise; also Alessa and Morris. I had the pleasure of getting to know these teachers quite well, albeit it was in difficult circumstances. I thank these teachers very much for placing their trust in me to assist them through these troubled times.
I acknowledge Barry Walters who gives constant advice on how workers are going at GEMCO and the concerns of the Alyangula community. I look forward to our continuing relationship in the new year regarding concerns that people are raising with me through Barry in regards to the medical situations and the work at GEMCO.
A big thank you goes to Isobel Lalara for the chance to spend time with you on your country hunting for mussels in some of the bay areas around Groote Eylandt. It was a really special day, Isobel. Thank you for explaining the cultural protocols of the Anindilyakwa people to me, and for ensuring that I knew the areas of the land that are special to your people. I look forward to more time with you and your family in the coming year.
I would like to say thank you to Rick Peters at GEMCO for his considerable time and patience in explaining the history of the mine on Groote and for providing a tour of the mine site - not once Rick, not twice, maybe three times perhaps. But do not worry, I will certainly have many questions to ask you, Rick, about all sorts of issues, and look forward to more tours next year.
Let us leave Groote Eylandt now and head out to Ramingining and Milingimbi. There are many people in these communities I would like to pay tribute to. Firstly, to Johnny Morgan and Ross Mundi, thank you again for your support during the campaign as we travelled Arnhem by plane - a special Christmas cheer to you both and your families this festive season. To Bob Baker and Bluey for your efforts in supporting me during the campaign and since. I look forward to working closely with you over the next year. To ‘Bubba Joe’, the president of Milingimbi council and deputy, Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy. Congratulations on your election in the community to the local council. I certainly will be keen to see some of the issues that you have raised in regards to radio and BRACS in the community, and in regards to Telstra; I know you have expressed concern regarding CDMA coverage. These are issues we will certainly be having a look at in the new year.
To Joe Wulwul at the CDEP office in Milingimbi, keep up the good work. I know you will be looking forward to a rest over Christmas. Thank you, Joe, for taking the time to show me your community and to introduce me to your people and the special issues that are felt in the community of Milingimbi. To Yvonne Dhambirranyngu and Jason Mewala at the Centrelink office in Milingimbi, I hope you both have a well deserved break over the Christmas season; thank you both for your support. To Beryl Jjakala, who just retired from the Milingimbi Health Clinic after being a health worker for 41 years, a very big thank you for your decades of dedication and compassion towards building a better future for your people. You are an incredible role model to all people.
A special mention of nurse Rhonda Golsby-Smith and the staff at Ramingining Health Clinic, your dedication to the people of the region is noticed and is deeply appreciated, thank you. To the teachers at Ramingining School, especially principal, Coralyn Armstrong, thank you for your support this year and for allowing my son, Grayson, to join your classroom for a day. The Ramingining School put on a beautiful morning tea for minister Chris Burns and dignitaries and the community at the opening of the Ramingining airport, and it was much appreciated.
To principal, Nick Nicholas and the teachers at Milingimbi, thank you for allowing Grayson to join your classroom for a day too. Well done to the Milingimbi students who performed and won best school band at the Indigenous Music Awards.
These are only some of the communities I would like to pay tribute to tonight, but over the next two nights I will continue with some of my thoughts in regards to the large electorate of Arnhem which is, indeed, a very beautiful electorate and I will speak again tomorrow night.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Deputy Speaker, I take this opportunity to place on the record the account of a number of Australians, Territorians, who have made us proud. I had the pleasure of recently attending the Australian of the Year Awards, the Northern Territory Chapter. It is always inspiring when you attend such events to hear the stories of people who go about their business, not seeking to draw attention to themselves but, for once a year, they are brought before the community so that we can celebrate their achievements, and most inspiring it was indeed.
Before I begin, I acknowledge the very important role of the nominators of such people who make us proud because, sadly, many people take too much attention to themselves and do not look around and observe others. Most people seem to be preoccupied with themselves and it takes a special person who is able to look around and recognise the contribution of others and to be generous in that recognition. So behind each one of these people that I will speak about tonight there lies another person who has chosen to generously nominate that person and put them forward. You are not seen, you are not known; in one case I do know of one gentlemen and your name will be brought before us for the Parliamentary Record.
The first person and the first category recognised was the local hero, and for that we were introduced to two local heroes, Peter Cornell from Berrimah in the Category of Community Supporter. He is a bloke who just likes to get on with things, does not like to sit around on committees and have endless meetings. He sees and recognises the needs and has, within his own network, the capacity to respond wherever he can. He supports a number of fundraising ventures: Variety Club, the School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Riding for the Disabled, and Goanna Park Junior Police Rangers. He has coordinated the last three Mother’s Day Charity Runs for families with disadvantaged children, and he just does it and was duly recognised for that.
Beryl Mayanini, East Arnhem Land Indigenous Health Worker was recognised, and rightfully described as an unsung hero. As she very quietly came to the stage we learnt that Beryl has provided 24 hour health care at Milingimbi Clinic in East Arnhem Land, where she has worked for 40 years. She was originally trained in missionary times and has stories to tell including about the time when indigenous health workers ran the clinic by themselves with only radio connection to the mainland to back them up, even how she had to use a canoe at times to paddle from island to island to look after the health of nearby communities.
Both of these unsung heroes were celebrated on the night and of course it is difficult, but it was decided that Peter Cornell would have the honour of being recognised as the Northern Territory Local Hero. Congratulations to Peter and to Beryl.
Then the category of Young Australian of the Year and once again it is always exciting to see the young people and the quality of our young people. Too often we can look at stories that concern us in the paper and negative stories about young people. However, we were impressed by four solid young people who make strong contributions at an early age and that augers very well for the future.
Alice Chang, 24, was born overseas and remembers her time as a new arrival to Australia and has made a decision that she would likewise assist new arrivals to this country. She is also a young medical student but still finds time to work on Darwin’s Mandarin Program on Saturday nights. She promotes cultural understanding and empowers young people to have a voice. She is also a part of the NT Chief Minister’s Round Table. She is also involved, apart from being a very busy student with a heavy workload - she even just took time out to come to the ceremony because of her exams- she takes time to help with the development of sexual assault prevention strategies. She is also a member of the national advisory groups for consumer Health, mental health and domestic violence prevention. She is a very impressive young lady and very humble.
Sarah Manning is from Tennant Creek. It was quite impressive to have a 23 year old who has a degree in Library and Information Science from the Charles Darwin University. Last year, she became the Librarian at Tennant Creek and by all reports she has made a very strong impact on that community. She has reorganised the library and has involved the library in many local activities. It has now become a vibrant community body with its membership growing by a third since she arrived. Congratulations to Sarah.
There was also Danni Miatke, whom I have known for many years. I used to time keep for her when she was swimming at her earliest ages and she has the great honour of being one of those path makers. She is the NT’s first world champion swimmer and there are so many people who have been involved in the sport of swimming over many years sharing the honour that has been bestowed upon Danni. She was also a nominee for the night.
John Rawnsley is a youth advocate and encourages young people to be active and proud and stay positive; that is his main message. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Yurwang Indigenous Law Students Society while he was studying at the ANU. He also helps in the cultural side of things by assisting with free workshops in DJ’ing which is the use of vinyl records to produce those sounds that we hear sometimes on the radio.
Out of those four wonderful young people who make positive contributions, Alice Chang was recognised as the Young Australian of the Year and I congratulate her along with Sarah, Danni and John. For those who sit behind each one of those, the families, support group behind each one, particularly the one who nominated each of those.
Then we move to the category of Australian of the Year and I am going to save Senior Australian of the Year till last for a reason which I will reveal in a moment.
There was Peter Fannin, botanist, conservationist, astronomer, art lover, teacher and, most of all, a contributor to the community. And has he contributed! He recognised the value of indigenous art to indigenous people and has been very careful to ensure that the artists receive maximum benefit. He was the leading advocate for the raising of the profile of indigenous art, particularly at Papunya, and he continues to serve our community on a voluntary basis with guided plant walks and the like.
There was Mavis Malbunka, a wonderful lady, and it was good to see her there on the night. She has used her own pension to help petrol sniffers and cared for a number of them and, in recent times, she has received additional funding to assist her in the very important work of caring for those who are afflicted by petrol sniffing.
Philip Nitschke, a very passionate man about his cause, was also recognised on the night, and so was Dr Margaret O’Brien from the Remote Women’s Health Service. She takes women’s health provision to remote communities and is very passionate about obstetrics and gynaecology. Particularly for indigenous women, she has made a significant difference. It is reported as no coincidence that the incidence of cervical cancer in indigenous women being reduced in the Top End is directly related to the work of this lady.
Peter Fannin was recognised on the night, and it was just wonderful to see a quiet man who has made such a quiet contribution of a magnificent scale for so long recognised on the night. It was also good to see Lloyd Spencer, a good friend of mine, the son-in-law of Mavis Malbunka, on the night delighting in the nomination of his mother in-law.
Finally, we had the Senior Citizen of the Year, which ended up being the highlight of the night. We had Indrani Doloswala, a migrant worker and has not been in the Territory for very long, but is very passionate about her language and culture and set up the NT Sinhala Language School. She is a linguist and has done much work in raising the profile of her Sri Lankan heritage and assisting with migrant issues through the Family and Community Services Advisory Committee.
There is Mona Spain-Pedder, a Red Cross volunteer who is 80 years of age and sometimes in poor health herself. She does not think about herself; she helps others and helps improve the lives of patients in hospital. She is even known to take home the patients’ personal laundry and helps do their shopping. At 80 years of age, she is just a champion who is recognised and respected for her generous support for so many years.
Judy Weepers is known by hundreds and hundreds of kids throughout the Territory and is a delightful spark of a lady who loves music and children and is really the life of The Beat. She commenced The Beat so many years ago - in fact for 30 years she has been involved in teaching music and encouraging children to express themselves through music. It was an honour to see Judy up there and very humble about her contribution, but we all know it has been a magnificent contribution that lives forever in the lives of kids and memories that go on and on.
The highlight of the night was Kathleen Mills, and this is one nominee whose nominator I know. I acknowledge the nominator and the important role that nominators play, and I acknowledge the member for Millner for recognising the contribution of Kathleen Mills. She is a quiet lady, but those who know her know she makes a very significant contribution to the culture and the profile of the Top End community, an integral part. Part of a large, achieving family, very proud of her own heritage, she is revered not only as the mother of the Mills Sisters, but she is a custodian of something that is very special, that those who have been up here for some time would recognise as the old way of life in Darwin. I was not born here, I came up here later, but I recognise old Darwin and she epitomises that for me.
The interesting thing for me was that when Kath was recognised, and it was broadcast around the place, the next day I had three people congratulate me on my mother winning the Senior Citizen of the Year. I would be proud to be recognised as the son of Kath. She actually embarrassed me on the night because she does call me ‘Cousin’ because of the same surname. They have a wonderful song that Kath has written called The Arafura Pearl, which I would like to see sung more in our schools. It is something we should know the words of. It did not take too long on a few times of celebration when, after the event, we would encourage the Mills sisters to get up and have a song. Of course, there were the Mills brothers there and they were encouraged. I was having a quiet drink in the corner and this Mills was asked to join the Mills family to sing along. I did not know the words as the rest of my family, I must admit, but I have been suitably chastised by Kath that I must pick up my game and learn the song.
It was a great honour to stand there with the Mills family and sing along with them as they sang Arafura Pearl. The highlight of the night, of course, was the speech which Kath delivered. It is important that it is placed on the Parliamentary Record. I acknowledge that the member for Millner will place that very important speech on the Parliamentary Record. It is a very important speech, and I honour Kath for the words she put before the Territory community that night.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Deputy Speaker, before I wish everyone a fantastic Christmas this year, I want to talk about some high achievers in the Johnston electorate.
Firstly, I was invited to attend the Wagaman Primary School assembly on 4 November where, following nomination by parents in the school community, Linda Neve was presented with a National Excellence in Teaching Award. The school received a plaque for outstanding initiative and participation in strengthening relations between the school and its local community for purposes that go beyond the curriculum. Linda was nominated as a teacher who demonstrates initiative, concern and creativity in building stronger links with the school to the community. She is in her fifth year as an early childhood teacher at Wagaman Primary, and has been instrumental in running parent forums twice a term for the past four years that aid in the strengthening of relationships with the community. These forums are called Friday Morning Friends and can take the form of educational parenting workshops, or sometimes informal meet and greet sessions.
Linda has also been pivotal in celebrating the diversity of our community culture through the coordination of Harmony Day and language and culture events. I have attended many of these functions, and they are very well attended and organised, and very good fun. Congratulations to Linda Neve and the Wagaman Primary School for this nationwide recognition. A fantastic effort considering 200 000 practising teachers across Australia were nominated.
During the assembly at Wagaman School, a number of students were awarded with certificates and medallions following assessment by the University of New South Wales in literacy and numeracy earlier this year. Those students were Amy Russell, for a high distinction for writing and a credit for English. Amy attained the highest score in writing and was awarded a medal to recognise this achievement. In fact, Amy scored in the top 2% to 5% of children her age in the whole country. Well done, and what a fantastic effort.
Tyra Neilson was another high achiever at Wagaman who consistently performed at a high to very high level across all subject areas, gaining a distinction in science and English, a credit for computers, writing and mathematics and Westpac maths, and participation for spelling. I am reliably informed that all these subject tests were very difficult and Tyra’s results were most impressive.
Sayed Ferozkham had a distinction in writing and mathematics, a credit in spelling and English and participation in science and computers; Broden Neilson received a credit in computers and writing and participation in science, spelling, mathematics and Westpac maths; Gabrielle Fry, received participation in mathematics and English; Jack Russell, participation in English; and Daniel Russell, participation in English.
Tonight I celebrate the achievements of Jingili Primary School where Caroline Hughes was awarded the Urban Primary Teacher of the Year Award at the inaugural Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards in October this year. These awards recognise ‘Outstanding government teachers, acknowledging their excellence and innovation in achieving strong educational outcomes for Territory students’. Caroline teaches Years 1 and 2, and I am informed she is a brilliant classroom teacher, one which every parent would love to have teaching their child and every school wants to have on their staff. Caroline started teaching in Victoria and moved to the Territory in 1989, teaching in Millingimbi, Nganmarriyanga and Gunbalunya over the next six and a half years.
She then moved to Nightcliff Primary in 1999 and has been part of the Jingili school community since 2001. As stated before, Caroline is a brilliant teacher. Her classes are exciting, of the highest quality, involve parents, guest speakers and, Mr Deputy Speaker, you will be pleased to learn, as will the member for Braitling, that they employ new resources like Cockatoo Island.
Caroline came up with the idea of her class undertaking some real life experiences to gain a deeper understanding of sharing the wealth. Following contact with East Timor Sunrise Incorporated, Caroline and the school developed a link with Leu Lau school, five hours drive north of Dili in East Timor. It is touching to hear that last Christmas, through Caroline’s initiative, the school community sent a hundred shoe boxes decorated and filled with presents to the children of Leu Lau school community. Apparently the photographs of the children opening these presents at Christmas were very rewarding. This generosity continued during Education Week, with every class at Jingili producing a resource to be sent to the Leu Lau school. These resources included small blackboards, games, number books, etcetera. Wow, what a great school commitment to Leu Lau in East Timor!
There are many more incredible stories about Caroline and her teaching and community skills, but there is only so much time tonight. However, I must add that I received a copy of a letter from Laura, a 21-year-old who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Education Primary at Melbourne University. Laura saw Caroline’s name on the Internet for receiving this Excellence in Teaching Award and wrote to Caroline, who had taught her for a couple of years when she was six years of age. Laura relates that in her first year of university, the students were asked to recall a primary school experience about a teacher. The only teacher’s name Laura could remember was Caroline’s, and when she was asked to explain why she remembers that teacher, she started to reel off all the exciting activities Caroline did with the kids. This lasting impact led Laura to follow in Caroline’s footsteps, and her ambition is to teach in a community where indigenous and non-indigenous children learn together. Laura always thought it would be fantastic if you had that much of an impact on a student and they remembered you years later, so she wrote and told Caroline of her experience. Congratulations to Caroline on her award and her brilliant teaching.
Another teacher at Jingili Primary School, Donna Kimm, was awarded Teacher of Exemplary Practice Level One Status, and was recommended for fast tracking to Level Two in 2006. This Teacher of Exemplary Practice Status is awarded by the Northern Territory Education department for sustaining exemplary teaching performance and is determined on merit, providing prestige through a career path which is an alternative to the executive teacher structure. The process to gain this status is extremely comprehensive and judged by an independent panel. Jingili has many fantastic teachers and staff and these are just two of them.
The Johnston electorate abounds with sportsmen and women, and I will briefly mention a few I came across recently in Moil. We have all heard about 17-year-old Sarrita King’s acceptance in the South Australian Institute of Sport Netball Program. Sarrita is a fantastic netballer and has won many awards in her chosen sport. She has played on many representative sides, including the Northern Territory Under 25 when she was only fourteen. Sarrita has been trying out this weekend for the South Australian Under 19 side and I hope she makes it. In 2004, Sarrita, called the ‘Territory Centre Court Princess’ was selected in the Australian Under 16 Netball Squad, whilst in 2003 she won a National ASIS State Achiever Award for achievements in netball and basketball at school, club and national level.
While Sarrita’s heart will always remain in the Territory, her dream of playing in the national league will be a lot closer as the South Australian Institute squad will play as an A-grade team in the South Australian State League. I am sure all members join with me in wishing Sarrita all the best with her netball future and I look forward to hearing of her successes from mum, Kate, as the years go by.
Talking of accomplishments in sport, I have mentioned Tim Garner and his cricket successes before in this House. I was pleased to receive a letter from him recently telling me about his trip overseas to play. The Garners are a very well known family in Moil. Tim told me that the trip was organised by Saint Phillip’s College in Alice Springs and they invited cricketers from Kormilda College in Darwin to join them. The team left the Northern Territory in June and arrived in Singapore where they played a game of cricket against the combined schools team in Singapore. Although the team lost this match, Tim was awarded Man of the Match. The team then travelled on to Scotland and were billeted at Gordonstoun School. They played three matches against Gordonstoun School and won all three. Tim tells me that at Gordonstoun School there was a 300-year old tree which was about 30 metres off the pitch. It was the first time he had ever batted under the shade of a tree.
Following sightseeing through Scotland, as well as his playing cricket against different teams along the way, the team arrived in England on 1 July staying at Bristol and playing cricket against the Queen Elizabeth Hospital School. Sadly, Tim reports that on 7 July the team was travelling into London to have a sightseeing day but were diverted as that was the day that London was bombed. As you can well imagine his parents were on the phone to him immediately to make sure they were all okay. It was a very scary time for parents who have a teenager who is halfway around the world. However, Tim and the group managed to tour London the next day which included a guided tour of Lords Cricket Ground and acquired a few souvenirs to bring home. No doubt it was a momentous experience for an avid cricketer like Tim. I look forward to hearing the great things about Tim’s cricket and his career over the next few years.
Tonight I want to mention Moil girls, Nichole and Emma Vincent, who have taken up sports acrobatics. Sports acrobatics, or Acro as it is called, is reputed to be the fastest growing form of gymnastics at the moment and plays a very important part of numerous sports including diving, trampoline, rock and roll dancing, ski acrobatics, ice skating, artistic roller skating and balancing on horseback. Nichole at 21 is coaching Acro in Darwin and together with sister Emma, 12, Ashlea Beckett and Emily Furniss represented the PCYC gymnastic clubs at the Acro Nationals held last month in Sydney Olympic Park as part of the Territory team. Suzanne Builder, Kirsty Robertson and Georgia Steller from the Alice Springs club won gold for the Territory in the Level 4 women’s trio; the first gold won by the NT in the sport of Acro. It was a very exciting experience for these young women. The girls from PCYC went really well in competing with 26 other teams at Level 4, and Nichole and Ashlea came fifth in the Level 6 women’s pair. This was the first time the girls had competed at the nationals and followed intensive training with Nichole coaching over the last couple of years.
Nichole has only been coaching and training for two years whilst Emma only started a year ago. So to go through the gruelling process of trials to make the Territory team with only a few years experience was very exciting for these girls. Nichole has also been studying nursing during these two years so she is leading a very busy life with nursing, studying, training and coaching and now has also decided to take up trampolining, another fast growing discipline which employs acrobatics. Emma is finishing Year 7 at Moil Primary School this year where she is house captain of the Linde Lorikeets. I wish both girls every success to pursue their sports acrobatics and I hope to hear about their gold medals from the next nationals from this time next year.
Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight has been a celebration of the Johnston electorate and it is a great thing to represent the electorate. Tonight I have outlined excellence in academics, excellence in teaching and excellence in sport. I commend the Johnston electorate to the house.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Family of Mr Lee and Mr John Ah Kit
Family of Mr Lee and Mr John Ah Kit
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery, and also the ministerial officers’ gallery, of members of the family of the late Mr Bangardi Lee, who are attending for the condolence motion. I also draw your attention to the presence of the former member for Arnhem, Mr John Ah Kit. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I also draw your attention to the presence in the galleries of Year 3 to Year 7 students from Wagaman Primary School Leadership Program and Year 10 Pathways indigenous students from Kormilda College. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
RESPONSES TO PETITIONS
The CLERK: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to Petitions Nos 1, 4 and 5 have been received and circulated to honourable members.
Petition No 1
Protection of Daly River
Date presented: 16 August 2005
Presented by: Ms Scrymgour
Referred to: Chief Minister
Date response due: 29 November 2005
Date response received: 11 November 2005
Date response presented: 29 November 2005
- Moratoriums on land clearing and subdivision apply in the Daly Region outside of the Katherine and
Flora River catchments.
These moratoriums will remain in place until improved monitoring and management arrangements have
been consolidated – this is expected to be achieved in 2007.
The Territory government has no plans to subdivide pastoral leases in the Daly River catchment.
No water licences requiring land clearing outside of the Katherine River and Flora River catchments will be
issued while the land clearing moratorium is in place.
All other water licences will only be issued on the basis that there will be no risk to water dependent ecosystems
and the proposed use of water is within land capability.
The Territory government is committed to ensuring ecologically sustainable development and conservation in the
Daly River Region, as clearly demonstrated in the announced funding of $3.5m for monitoring, research and public
consultation over the next four years.
Petition No 4
- Adelaide River Railway Museum pedestrian crossing
Presented by: Mr Knight
Referred to: Chief Minister
Date response due: 16 February 2006
Date response received: 2 November 2005
- Date response presented: 29 November 2005
- Petitioners should be aware that the installation of a pedestrian crossing is not supported by the owner/operator of
the railway as it represents a public safety hazard at the proposed crossing site of the track.
The Friends of the North Australia Railway at Adelaide River have been assisted by the Office of Environment and
Heritage, Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts in the preparation of a conservation plan
for the precinct that provides for the interpretation of the heritage area without reliance on crossing of the operational
railway.
The existing fence provides the opportunity to view the heritage site without risk of entering into the restricted clearance
area of the operational railway.
Recently erected road signage indicates access for visitors to the heritage precinct is provided via Dorat Road in order
to avoid the conflict of vehicles attempting to use the redundant information bay on the Stuart Highway.
With all of these measures and in conjunction with the relocation of the NAR Locomotive from the Stuart Highway to a
site within the heritage precinct, there is no requirement for a pedestrian crossing to be installed.
Petition No 5
- Slip lane entrance to Humpty Doo and Rural Golf Club
Presented by: Mr Warren
Referred to: Minister for Local Government
Date response due: 29 November 2005
- Date response received: 16 November 2005
Date response presented: 29 November 2005
- Pioneer Drive, Humpty Doo, is a road that is the responsibility of the Litchfield Shire Council.
- The Humpty Doo and Rural Golf Club approached the Litchfield Shire Council in March 2005 requesting the installation
of a street light, for safety reasons, on Pioneer Drive opposite the turn off into the golf club.
The Litchfield Shire Council did not support the request for a number of reasons:
Generally, to conform with Australian Standards, three street lights would be required;
There are other major intersections in the shire with higher traffic levels and no street lights; if the council installs street
lights at the golf club, the community expectation would be that they be installed at all major intersections; council has
a small budget for street lighting and could not possibly meet all requests;
Council’s policy is that it undertakes street lighting projects where there has been a direct request from Northern Territory
Police who are of the opinion that lack of lighting has caused, or may cause, accidents.
The request to Litchfield Shire Council did not include a slip lane for Pioneer Drive. The council has not investigated the
possibility of a slip lane on this road; a storm water drain on one side of the road, and the closeness of the boundary fence
of the property on the other, may not provide sufficient area.
I have written to the Litchfield Shire Council asking them to reconsider the matter.
CONDOLENCE MOTION
Mr Bangardi Lee
Mr Bangardi Lee
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move - That this Assembly express its deep regret at the death of Mr Lee, a proud Territorian who, throughout his life, represented the Jawoyn nation and fought for the rights of his people; and tender its profound sympathy to his family.
I welcome family and friends of Mr Lee to the House today for this special condolence motion.
I extend condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr Lee, former Executive Director of Katherine’s Jawoyn Association and long-time activist and proponent of economic development for his people and, indeed, for all Territorians.
Mr Lee was born in 1952 on the banks of the Beswick Creek, 80 km east of Katherine. He was adopted and brought up by a senior Jawoyn man – Don Jambalili – along with his Dalabon mother, Daisy Bordu. He grew up in the bush at Beswick cattle station, as well as at Barunga – then known as Bamyili. There were times also when he lived in makeshift humpies on the edges of Katherine. When she was three, Lee’s sister, Rita, was removed by native welfare authorities and taken to Croker Island. He was not to see her again until he was 18. He avoided the same fate as his sister - his parents camped in a banana plantation at Manyallaluk whenever native welfare turned up.
Although he did well at school, he found it difficult learning things such as English history, which he later recalled was irrelevant to his life at Bamyili. His early life was a mix of tradition, hunting and ceremony, as well as the regimentation of the government settlement of the time. It was during this period he developed ritual connections that went east as far as Groote Eylandt and south-east to Ngukurr.
Mr Lee was very proud of his working life, often pointing out that he had never received the dole. At about 14, he went into the work force as a ringer and butcher supplying Bamyili. He was then promoted to mechanical works supervisor in the community.
The life of Mr Lee and his family was to change profoundly with the introduction of self-management on communities under the Whitlam government and the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act of the Fraser government. He described that period as one of confusion for his people who were ill-prepared to take over the running of their communities. As he said: ‘Things fell to pieces, went down; the government did not train people to take over responsibility’. This experience was to influence him in his later work both as Town Clerk at Barunga, where he served for 10 years, and as Executive Director of the Jawoyn Association when he took over from the former member for Arnhem, John Ah Kit.
From the mid-1980s, Mr Lee took on greater responsibilities for the people of his community and for the Jawoyn people. He gave evidence in the Jawoyn/Katherine area land claim in 1981-82 which was, ultimately, to lead to the return of Nitmiluk to its traditional owners in 1989. In 1984, he led the Katherine Aboriginal Action Group, which was established to deal with the effects of the population boom in the town brought about by the building of the Tindal RAAF Base, and gave evidence to the federal parliamentary committee inquiring into the base. It was the first of many occasions in which he would confront the parliamentary system in his work for his people. His friends remember he was very nervous before that appearance, but that it was a strong pointer to his future on the political stage representing his people.
His experience was broadened, as well, with his appointment to the Aboriginal Development Commission in the 1980s – a precursor to today’s Indigenous Business Australia. In the last part of the 1980s, he was part of the successful Jawoyn negotiation team with the Perron government over the lease at Nitmiluk National Park. During that period, the Jawoyn people also confronted proposals to mine in sickness country, a complex of sacred sites including Guratba or Coronation Hill. It was a hard time, especially for the senior custodians of the site, and Mr Lee was at the centre, along with his brother, Ray Fordimail, in what was, ultimately, to be a successful campaign to save the area. Sadly, Mr Fordimail was to die of tuberculosis a short time afterwards, and Mr Lee became a reluctant inheritor of his brother’s responsibilities. As he said later: ‘I was dragged in by all my senior council members. They selected me because I was next in line for all those responsibilities’.
However, the Jawoyn people were not opposed to mining per se. In 1993, Mr Lee was part of the negotiating group with the Perron and Keating governments over gold mining at Mt Todd. This led to Australia’s first native title agreement over mining, and was signed over a year before federal legislation responding to the Mabo decision came into force.
Over the last 16 years, Mr Lee served his people but also worked for the broader Territory community. He was on the Nitmiluk Board of Management from its inception, and was its longest serving chairman. He also served on the Gurig National Park Board and was an advisor to the Jawoyn representatives on the Kakadu Board of Management. Mr Lee was a member of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission as well as a valued member of the Conservation Commission. Mr Lee achieved the full membership for an Aboriginal organisation on the executive of the Minerals Council of the Northern Territory. He was a member of the Northern Land Council Executive. Mr Lee was appointed last year by the federal government as an inaugural member of the National Indigenous Council. In these varied roles, he contributed to the future of all the people of the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, this morning others will be speaking in this House to this condolence motion and covering different aspects of Mr Lee’s life and his contribution to the Territory and especially to Aboriginal Territorians. I would like to conclude by saying a few words about Mr Lee’s funeral at Barunga, and it is terrific to have John Ah Kit here today as the MC of those proceedings.
It was a very profound and moving farewell to Mr Lee. There were hundreds of people attending at Barunga; many had come from all over Australia. There were his family and friends, members of his community, and people he had worked with over the years that I have just referred to. There were tales at the funeral of a young Mr Lee with lots of energy and those tales brought the life and times of Mr Lee to life to those who had not experienced them themselves.
There were also members of governments from around Australia: the federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Amanda Vanstone; our federal member, Warren Snowdon; members of the Territory parliament, including myself; and also from the local government area, the Mayor of Katherine, Anne Shepherd. There was an outpouring of respect for Mr Lee, which was represented in a formal and informal sense.
There was a profound sense of loss at the funeral for the man himself, and that was articulated by his family and friends, particularly his children and grandchildren. There was a sense of loss of a man of energy and vision and commitment, who had left us far too early. He was an extraordinary man who concentrated on, almost before his time, economic development for his people in terms of Nitmiluk and Manyallaluk, and had a passion and commitment to opportunity for Aboriginal people and more broadly for the Territory.
We know that his family and his friends who are here today will miss him greatly. The Territory mourns the loss of a man of vision and commitment for all Territorians, and especially for Aboriginal Territorians. He did leave us far too soon, and this House’s thoughts are with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his friends and his many, many colleagues.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the opposition shares its sadness at the passing of Mr Lee, and I share with the Chief Minister in welcoming friends and family. Former member for Arnhem, Jack Ah Kit, I know you and Mr Lee were very close so we are very sorry for your sadness.
Fifty three years of age is far too young to pass on from this world but, sadly, in the case of Mr Lee, that is exactly the age he was when he passed away in Katherine a few weeks ago after a long illness. Although a relatively young man on his shoulders was a wise head that had developed wisdom from the daily education provided by a hard life.
Mr Lee was born about 80 km east of Katherine near Beswick Creek in a Northern Territory that is unrecognisable to the Territory in which we live today. The Territory back then was a rugged, remote and distant place to most Australians. The growth of the war years had slowed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, especially in remote outposts like Katherine. Mr Lee was brought up by Don Jambalili, a senior Jawoyn man, along with his mother, Daisy Bordu. From these people, and other people in his family, Mr Lee learnt the stories and songs for his country, his law and his people.
The songs of his people resonated throughout the land and through him. They provided him with a law that made his culture strong. They provided him with the title of his country and the title of his family’s country and, ultimately, the title to Nitmiluk. So strong were his titles in the traditional sense that it would be later in his life that such traditional titles were converted into a form of title recognised under the general law of Australia: freehold title.
Growing up in remote parts of the tropical Northern Territory, Mr Lee hunted, fished and walked across his land. His sweat fell upon the earth and doubtlessly even his blood intermingled with the soil of his father’s and his mother’s country, so much so that in his mind there was no possibility of him separating himself from the land or the land from him. He was an extension of his country in the same way that a tree or a rock that stuck out from the soil was. His country provided for him and he provided for his country. Even when he began working as a young man his contact with his country was not diminished. Butchering and stock work, as well as working at Barunga, kept him on his country and only increased his bond with that country as he grew older and more senior among his people.
His formative years were hard and his contact with white Territorians got him used to what must have appeared to be the strange rules of white men. In his brief schooling period, I understand he was flogged by white people for speaking his native tongue. The white people were trying to bring English to the Aboriginal people in the north.
The distractions were there and they were there in abundance. Mr Lee admitted that in his 20s and 30s the bright lights and booze that was affecting so many of his people affected him as well. He spent some years hanging about in Katherine drinking, being irresponsible, and ‘just living in the long grass and enjoying life with my mates’, he is reported to have said. He also said that there were more complicated reasons for his drinking and those reasons are the same reasons that many of his people continue in the same vein today. This was something that Mr Lee later came to lament as he, later in his life, began to rise to his traditional responsibilities. He often commented on the destruction that was caused by liquor and he placed much of the blame for the rampant problem at the feet of passive welfare.
This was a man who could speak from personal experience, like so many other people. Mr Lee had been there and he had done that. Perhaps it made him a better leader, but I am certain of this, it made him a more understanding one.
In the 1980s he was thrust by circumstance, and with some reluctance, as I understand it, into the leadership of his people. Because of his lineage, his senior brother, Fordimail, passed on that he was the next in the breach. Reluctant though he may have been, backward he was not, timid he was not and weak he was not. Mr Lee became a pillar of strength to his people. Where fights had to be engaged in, he engaged, and did so with the songs of ancestors singing in his ears.
What made this man remarkable is that when he was successful in something like the land claim over Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk as it is now called, he was careful to enter negotiations with the Chief Minister of the day to find a way to manage the area for the benefit of all. Mr Lee knew that the white man was on his land and he was there to stay, but rather than resenting that he sought ways to build bridges after what was often an acrimonious title fight in the community. It was certainly divisive and he set about trying to mend bridges as quickly as he could. And Mr Lee did that in very real ways.
He opened up his country to allow for continuing visitors. But he did more than that. He knew that the times had changed for ever, and that the way of the future was not the way of the past. Custodianship had to change. The songs for the country were still vital to his identity and the identity of his people, but there was a new reality. That was the reality of commerce, education, employment and financial wealth. Mr Lee knew that he had to build bridges because it was one thing to have the land, but it was another to make it work for his people in this new reality. So there were joint ventures, there was employment, there were economic bridges and foundations built between his people and the rest of his community. Rather than being exclusive, Mr Lee became inclusive.
The dynamic of the modern world demanded relationships between black and white needed to be more than symbolic. They needed to be, amongst other things, economic. It seems paradoxical, but by submitting to the economic system that was imposed upon him, he did more for Aboriginal self-determination than so many who have tried to achieve by other means such as exclusion or welfare approaches.
This man continued to work for the Jawoyn as a loyal and dedicated leader. Like so many leaders who did not want the job when it was given to them, he still rose to the occasion while maintaining his humility. He ended up advising the Prime Minister of this country as part of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council. That is a long way from the banks of a little creek in the bush 80 km east of Katherine and the long grass of Katherine.
This self-developed giant amongst his people was struck down and taken. He has been laid to rest in the country of his family. He will become part of the land and he will resonate through that land as the songs of that land once resonated through him. I will try to pay him the best possible compliment that can be paid to a traditional owner: Mr Lee, you looked after your country well, you made the Territory a better place; thank you and may you rest in peace.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I speak to the condolence motion for Bangardi Lee, who passed away on 22 October 2005. I place on the record my own appreciation of his service to the people of the Northern Territory and to express my sympathy to his family.
Bangardi was a leader of vision; he played a pivotal role in ensuring that the cultural values of his people were integrated into the management of parks on their land. His allegiance and dedication was first to his people, the Jawoyn and, second, to the Northern Territory community as a whole. He had managed to reconcile the two.
In 1978, the Jawoyn lodged a claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act over land including Katherine Gorge National Park. The hearing of the land claim commenced in 1982, and he was instrumental in its success, which acknowledged and secured Jawoyn rights over a substantial area of traditional Jawoyn land, including Katherine Gorge, or Nitmiluk. The land was vested in the Jawoyn Aboriginal Land Trust, and Nitmiluk was leased back to the Northern Territory to be operated as a park. Bangardi forged connections with government and fostered and encouraged the participation of Aboriginal traditional owners in park management. The Nitmiluk joint management model will remain his legacy.
Bangardi was elected as a Nitmiluk board member at its first meeting on 6 September 1989, and promoted to chairman of the board at its fourth meeting on 14 February 1990, a position he held for 15 years. His firm emphasis on conservation management was naturally aligned with his cultural vision. These enabled him to plot a careful and reliable course towards an economically profitable, but environmentally and culturally sustainable, future.
He developed a close and personal relationship with Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife officers and representatives, and was considered a great friend, ally and partner. His experience, dedication and energy in the management of Nitmiluk resulted in him being appointed to positions on the Gurig board, Kakadu, and the former Parks and Wildlife Commission Board. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the younger generation of the Jawoyn nation had a good future. The Nitmiluk tours and Manyallaluk enterprises are a testament to his effort and work. On 31 December this year, the current lease expires at Nitmiluk. I am saddened that we will not be able to share this milestone, and a 20-year vision of Bangardi’s, with him. However, we will think of him with great fondness of 1 January every year as we watch indigenous participation in tourism at Nitmiluk go from strength to strength.
Not content with just looking after the Jawoyn Association and his people and participating in joint management of parks, Bangardi also represented all our Aboriginal communities on several federal committees. He was determined to improve the social and economic outcomes for all Aboriginal people. He was passionate about improving education outcomes so that his people and the future generations of Jawoyn would benefit from proper self-management in the real sense of an independent future and an ability to compete in a mainstream society.
I remember, as the former Director of the Katherine West Health Board, meeting with Bangardi and senior Jawoyn elders regarding their desire to take responsibility for improving health services. The creation and development of the Sunrise Health Service is another example of his drive, motivation, and concern for his people and other Aboriginal people, and the need to get adequate health services in the eastern side of the Katherine region.
Much of Bangardi’s life was dedicated to making a positive difference to his people. He was proud of his heritage and lived to share, educate and promote Jawoyn culture. He was a born natural leader and cut across all levels of politics, developing strong relationships, and enjoyed communicating with all he met. He always listened to all points of view, and considered thoughtfully before voicing his opinion, which made him a great ambassador for reconciliation.
It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to him – his friendship, his humour but, most of all, his intelligence, which cannot be replaced. Nimpungi Mantanga – our sympathies go to his children and all his family at this most difficult time.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I support the motion of condolence on the passing of Mr Lee. I welcome his family and his friends here today.
So often when people pass away, they leave roles behind that are difficult, if not impossible, to fill. He was a man who filled this role, not so much because of the abilities given to him by a classical education, but much more because of the education that life gave him. It is no secret that, until the time that he was about 30, Mr Lee could well have been accused of being a person who was wasting his life. He was a young man who filled his days with frivolous pursuits that so many young men tend to do. Avoiding school, he was employed in the Bamyili area as a stockman and a meatworker. He also spent time in a boxing troupe, and for those of us who remember troupes such as the Fred Brophy troupe, there were few lives that could have been harder or more damaging to young men. He even spent time living in the long grass around Katherine because, like so many others, he developed a taste for liquor.
Why do we honour this great man with a motion of condolence today? The answer is simple: our unique Northern Territory allows a person to lift themselves up by their bootstraps and judges a person for who they are or who they choose to become, rather than where they are from. Mr Lee was a man who made a decision to become responsible for himself, and for the people who thrust responsibility onto his shoulders.
He was blooded into administration by being the Council Clerk at Barunga and, being the intelligent man that he was, soon grasped the processes of proper administration. He worked in that role for the better part of 10 years.
His time spent in the long grass and around Katherine, however, was not entirely wasted. What he did learn from those times was a clear understanding that one of the most destructive forces operating in Aboriginal Australia was passive welfare. Long before the Noel Pearsons of the world were making that point, Mr Lee was stridently critical of the damage that the reliance on welfare could do to the human spirit and to the family unit. This contempt for handouts began to permeate his management attitudes that were reflected in later life when managing the property amassed by the Jawoyn Association, particularly the Jawoyn interests in Nitmiluk – or as people may know it as Katherine Gorge National Park.
There certainly is no university so good at teaching as the university of hard living. It is interesting to read a speech Mr Lee gave to the Indigenous Economic Forum in March 2003. In that speech, he described a picture of economic management that made Jawoyn, the traditional owner of Nitmiluk, active owners of the property. He was very careful to point out that Aboriginal ownership required Aboriginal management, and that needed to dovetail into the economic realities that drive the rest of the world. The brand of economic isolationism that still seems so dominant in so much thinking in Aboriginal management was deliberately and carefully rejected by Mr Lee. He said that Aboriginal people needed to participate in the general economy and that is achieved through partnership arrangements that work for the benefit of both sides of the deal.
Mr Lee was proud to add that government had little input into the process because, from his experience, government could not provide assistance in any fashion without it coming from the flavour of welfare attached to it. Clearly, Mr Lee thought that once you were attached to the government nipple, it was nearly impossible to be weaned off it. That dependency was ultimately the source of pain that he knew only too well from personal experience. He also knew that there were conflicts between the commercial realities of the world in which he lived, and the need to protect those interests, which were the cultural interests into which he had been born. These interests were often in conflict and it was through the ability of Mr Lee to negotiate his way through those competing interests that made him the wonderful leader that he had become.
Beyond that, he has been instrumental in delivering true independence for the Jawoyn by remaining true to those values. It is from this basis of independence that Mr Lee also understood that education would have a context in which education made sense. Mr Lee knew that education needed a contextual environment to make education stick. Therefore, for Mr Lee, there had to be jobs at the other end of the education system. He had been repeatedly explicit about the need for work to exist so that education can have a practical outcome for the educated.
In 1997, the launch of the five-year plan demonstrated the inclusive nature and sensitive understanding that Mr Lee had for all those who live in the Katherine area. He understood intimately the relationship between black and white and the commercial relationships between people. When launching the plan, he said: ‘We have used our lands to invest in the future, a future that will benefit all the people of this region, not just the Jawoyn’. Mr Lee was a man of inclusion.
Madam Speaker, some people are born great, others achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Mr Lee was definitely in the latter category. He certainly indicated, on many occasions, that he would have been happy never to have these responsibilities thrust upon him but, nevertheless, he was called to his duty and he did his duty. He will not be forgotten by many people for doing his duty, and it was through people like him that the relations between traditional owners and other people were as smooth as they were.
We have lost a leader in our community in Katherine, and the Northern Territory is a diminished place. The loss of people like him, Mr Djerrkura, Mr Neidjie and others, leaves a big hole behind. I hope and pray that there will be others to come behind and fill their shoes. But I can say this to any who try: they have very big shoes to fill, indeed. Mr Lee was a man who had a hard start in life, but he elevated himself from the lowest point to become a leader in Katherine. He was universally loved and respected, and even those who started out as his critics had to admire him for his decency and dedication to what he believed in, and that was the advancement and welfare of the people of Katherine – black, white, yellow, or somewhere in between.
On a more personal note, Mr Lee was a regular customer at the general store and food outlet that my husband, Mike, and I ran in Katherine called Red Gum Tourist Park for over 10 years. He was always great to talk to, he displayed no political bias and was always outspoken about the best interests and outcomes for everybody. Mr Lee’s brother, Maurice Jambalili, is particularly special to Mike and me. He has also been someone that we have seen regularly over the years at Red Gum. Maurice started affectionately calling me mum quite a few years ago when I was giving him a few lectures like mums tend to do. I was having a heart to heart with him and, I have to say, he still affectionately calls me mum today. I must say, we have raised a few eyebrows at times when people have overhead him but, quite by coincidence, I have Maurice’s photo in my recent newsletter, so I am delighted to see Maurice here today.
My thoughts and sincere sympathy go out to all of Mr Lee’s family, his wife and his children, and to the Jawoyn people. Mr Lee will be greatly missed and his contribution to the Northern Territory in advancing indigenous economic development is a magnificent legacy and an inspiration. May he rest in peace in the country he loved so well.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I join the Chief Minister, my colleagues and members opposite in extending my sincere condolences to the family and the friends of the late Mr Bangardi Lee. I welcome the family here this morning.
For those of us who have chosen to live our lives outside of mainstream Australia, Bangardi Lee was one of our champions. He proved something that we who live in the bush know to be self evident. He proved that most, not all the good ideas, that not all the great visionaries came from the cities. He proved that nights spent around a campfire yarning with family or mates beneath the canopy of the million star hotel can produce in a man, or woman, the desire to make a difference for those who want to live in the regions. Mr Bangardi Lee was such a man. He was truly a man for all regions.
Bangardi Lee was a visionary. He saw that it was a necessity to develop economic independence as a way to ensure Jawoyn security on their land long before others raised similar visions. The achievements made by this man through his culture and through the Jawoyn people are achievements that I believe we did not fully acknowledge back in those days. And I mean this as no disrespect to the tributes which have been made since his passing, because we all know he truly deserved all those tributes. But we as Australians maybe did not fully understand or appreciate what the Jawoyn were trying to do back then. The Jawoyn did, and they worked hard to make that vision become a reality. We have all prospered as a society from that vision and I thank the Jawoyn people and Bangardi Lee’s leadership for that.
To establish the Jawoyn Association at the same time that the government of the day was fighting the handover of Uluru to traditional owners some 20 years ago is no small feat. For Bangardi Lee and his brother, the late Mr Fordimail, knew the return of Nitmiluk to Jawoyn control in 1989 spelt opportunity loud and clear. They celebrated the hand back in a rather unusual way for those times – they hosted a business forum in Katherine. As Mr John Ah Kit said at the Economic Summit only last week – and I welcome you also, John, this morning – they called then for local and regional enterprises to throw away their attitudes of the past and actively join with the Jawoyn in constructing an economic future that might benefit everybody.
The focus of business in those days did not focus on indigenous enterprise but rather mainstream businesses. Yet the Jawoyn demonstrated to those businesses that their funding is not linked to poverty and welfare dependence but also linked with indigenous economic development and that there are many opportunities for partnerships. By all means, Bangardi Lee thought the Jawoyn should prosper on their traditional lands, but not for one moment did he think the Jawoyn could do it on their own. He knew a long time ago what many of us in the regions are only beginning to understand now – that prosperity for us out bush will come from our hard work and commitments, but not that alone.
Madam Speaker, you only have to visit Katherine today to see that this man’s vision proved that indigenous economic development is not just about indigenous people. It is about developing the society in which we live in partnership with all for the good of all. Above all, Bangardi Lee was a kind and generous man who was dedicated: he dedicated his life to his family and his community. At this sad time I extend my condolences and sincere best wishes to the family. Our loving thoughts are with you all. God bless.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues and extend my condolences, my personal condolences and also my family’s condolences to the family. And I say my family because my wife and the two boys came to Katherine with me a few months ago and Mr Lee invited us to tour Nitmiluk, of which he was very proud, and then to Edith Falls. He wanted us to see his country. My two boys and my wife were very impressed with Mr Lee and when they heard about his death they were very saddened.
I met Mr Lee many years ago when I was working for an Aboriginal medical service and my job took me to Katherine. I immediately realised that Mr Lee was a decent, wise, proud man; a true leader. A true leader who was always trying to improve the life of his people, to find job opportunities for them, and to improve the economic development of this community. I came to know Mr Lee better and worked very closely with him after I became the minister for mines because we both had a common interest – mining. We both knew that the mining sector and primary industries were the two industries that provided job opportunities for indigenous Territorians and certainly for Jawoyn people. We both worked very hard to make this become a reality.
Mr Lee had an enormous experience with the mining sector and he was happy to discuss and engage in all issues, even when swathed with controversy. Mr Lee’s earliest experience in the industry involved the proposal to explore and mine Coronation Hill in the late 1980s. A major federal inquiry in 1991 ruled that mining would not proceed, a decision based on culture and environmental considerations which still stands. Despite the suggestion that the Jawoyn Association was in some way undermining, the association became a signatory to the Mt Todd agreement in January 1993. The Jawoyn Association was an active joint venture partner in the mining contract and allowed the exploration project. It was a first for an indigenous organisation in Australia. Despite the failure of this large project, the hard lessons learnt were invaluable and in no way affected Mr Lee’s balanced view of the mining industry.
I worked very closely with Mr Lee to address some of the issues that this failed mining venture left behind - the Mt Todd legacy. I am pleased to say that he was able to see that our government was addressing some of the issues. I was also pleased that Mr Lee was part of the team which arranged for what had to be done, and when it had to be done, and how it had to be done for the rehabilitation and restoration of the land he loved so much which would take place very soon. Subject to the overriding concerns of cultural sensitivities and the high standards of environmental management, Mr Lee’s driving goal was to deliver and derive the best possible benefits from mining for his people in the Katherine region. It was spelt out in the release of a Jawoyn Mining Policy 1997, another first for an indigenous organisation.
The Jawoyn Association was the first indigenous member of the executive committee of the Northern Territory Minerals Council. Mr Lee was known throughout the industry as someone always prepared to talk and negotiate. He was a fellow who had an uncanny ability to listen quietly to exceedingly complex political, commercial and technical advice and then formulate a position. The fact that he could do this whilst balancing immense traditional cultural pressures marks him as someone special. And he was someone special. Mr Lee will be sadly missed, not only by his people, but by all Territorians.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, I would like to provide some comments towards the condolence motion to Bangardi Lee. I will not be talking about some of the more troubled times in Mr Lee’s life in front of his family today.
Mr Lee was someone whom I came into contact with in the last 10 to 15 years as I have been around Katherine and I saw him in different roles. Much has been talked about his working career, but one of the most important jobs he ever had was not involved with his work. The most important role he played was as husband to his wife, Nancy; father of Sebastian, Joyce, Patricia, Preston and Larissa. He was a beloved father to a young fellow who has passed away, to Helen, Annemarie, to Tammy, Natalie, Daryl, Libby, David and Annemarie. He was a grandfather to Djuan, Darrylise, Alonza, Antonia, Simeon, Charlene, Shannelle, Anthony, Scott, Gaston, David, Lynitta, Huia, Samara, Shimayne, Zilitah, Lassarina, Henry, Robert, Ernie, Robert, Deanna, Naomi, Johnathan, Tiffany, Michael, Ethan, and Latisha.
He was also a great-grandfather to Keithan, Chevonne, Rashidah, Katidjah and Marlene, and a beloved brother to Maurice, Lee, Rita and Lily. That was really, I believe, the most important role he ever played. One of the things that defines someone is their family and their friends. I acknowledge all the friends and relationships he had formed also.
Mr Lee was someone who was very adaptive. He was someone, if you were in a meeting with him, was a fearsome advocate for the cause. He would take the argument up to anybody in any forum. I believe he could do that one minute and the next he could be out with his family in the bush hunting and fishing - doing those things he loved in country.
It has been talked about how he took on responsibility reluctantly. He was given the baton of the Jawoyn people and he held that baton high and ran very hard with it. Even up until the last days of his life, he was passing that baton on and getting things in order. That baton will be picked up by the next generation, and I look forward to working with the next generation of leaders from his family, or from the Jawoyn people. That was something which was always in his mind.
I will not extend my comments too much further, but I would just like to acknowledge on the family side the deep feelings they have for their father and husband.
I would like to read, with permission of his daughter, a poem which she wrote and read out at his funeral:
- I miss you Daddy.
When you went away my world turned to grey.
Without the sunshine of your smile all seems dark without the light from the twinkle in your eyes.
My heart is heavy without the sound of your laughter and the sound of your sweet voice.
It seems an eternity since you left, even though it was only yesterday.
I know it won’t be long until we are together forever
So smile for those who loved you dearly but save your tears for when we meet again.
I love you forever.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family. Mr Lee will be remembered by my family and me.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Madam Speaker, the funeral for Bangardi Lee was a truly historic occasion for the Katherine region. About 1000 people gathered at Barunga to pay their respects to one of the Territory’s own sons.
Speakers on the day included the federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Amanda Vanstone; our Chief Minister, Clare Martin; Gumatj leader, Galarrwuy Yunupingu; Lisa Mumbin from the Jawoyn Association; Bill Harney from the Wardaman Association; Anne Shepherd, the Mayor of Katherine; John De Koning from Parks and Wildlife; and Ray Hemple. They joined with many family members, not only to mourn but to also celebrate the life and remarkable achievements of Bangardi Lee - a life from welfare control to self-management.
I take this time to acknowledge the Lee family and friends who are here today and the former member for Arnhem, John Ah Kit. It was Jack who coordinated the final farewell at Barunga where Bangardi Lee wanted to rest, in the country where his heart truly belonged.
To those who knew and worked with him, Bangardi Lee was a proud and determined freshwater man, always a snappy dresser, who took great pride in making sure that he turned up at the office and meetings looking his best. There was a time early on when he did not want to take on the responsibilities associated with public life. His older brother, the late Ray Fordimail, told Bangardi that he had to stop partying because the future of the Jawoyn people rested with him.
Bangardi knew it was going to be hard, he knew that the Jawoyn people were a minority in their own country, firstly due to successive waves of non-Aboriginal migration and, secondly, that Katherine is an administrative and economic hub for the region, which has brought a permanent influx of non-Jawoyn people into the town.
In the early 1980s, Katherine had a national reputation as a racist town. The controversy generated over the Jawoyn land claim became a focus for community disharmony and misunderstandings did nothing to enhance the town’s image. I tell this story so it can give people an idea of just what the climate was like, and Bangardi Lee took on the challenges of trying to create harmony in an environment that was filled with disharmony. Much has changed since then and today we acknowledge that Bangardi was one of the key people instrumental in changing attitudes.
Bangardi grew up on Jawoyn country, and he was born on the banks of Beswick Creek with his mother attended by a traditional midwife. From the Beswick Station, his family moved to the government settlement of Barunga. It was a place which brought together different language and tribal groups, and it was here that Bangardi learnt to speak six languages as well as Kriol. It was known as good cattle country. In the early days, the government ran every aspect of community life. The white superintendent was in charge, a large communal kitchen provided three meals a day, a big vegetable garden supplied fruit and vegetables, and the large chook and pig farm was supplemented by fresh meat from the station. The children attended school. Bangardi said, as a child coming into Katherine, many of his people lived in humpies and flimsy shelters on the fringes of town or down by the Katherine River.
Bangardi was a man shaped by the events of the time. He was saved from the government round-up of mixed heritage children by being hidden in a banana plantation by his family. His three-year-old sister, Rita, along with many other children from around the Territory, was taken to Croker Island. He was not to see Rita again until he was 18 years old. Bangardi spoke his mother’s tongue, Ngalkbon, and remembered being flogged at school for not speaking English. He said of those times: ’We were like people from two different worlds trying to talk to each other, trying to communicate’.
He left school early and worked, firstly, as a ringer, then a butcher. His quiet work ethics saw him take on a job as a mechanical work supervisor, but wanderlust saw him join a boxing troupe and many can testify that he enjoyed a dust-up or two. Just speak to the former member for Arnhem, I am sure he can tell a few stories. In fact, there is one story that has been shared for us to hear today, with permission of his family and friends. There was one fist fight that is entered into the Katherine folklore, when Bangardi had a disagreement with another countryman. The reason, well, who knows? People do not remember that. The sheer showmanship, Madam Speaker, the fight meandered up and down the local watering holes in Katherine, across a disco floor, out on to the back bar, and spilling back on to the main street, and witnesses swear they saw Bangardi back-flip over the bonnet of a parked car to land on his feet. With no man backing down, he called for a smoko break, then they were back into it. He was that sort of bloke, never giving in.
He went to Barunga and served as Town Clerk for a decade, learning administration and diplomacy skills which he would need when he took the reins of the Jawoyn Association. For someone who started out as a reluctant participant, Bangardi stands tall as a testament to putting aside the personal for the betterment of others, to shoulder responsibilities and to keep a very clear eye on what needs to be done. He is described as a pragmatist. He sat at the negotiating table with many competing interests from both sides and all sides of the political fence. He was a man for the times who had a very clear vision of his people’s place in the Territory’s future.
As a Jawoyn man, he was chosen by the council of elders to continue the work begun by his older brother, to remain true and strong, to advance the views and aspirations of the Jawoyn traditional owners over the management, protection, control and development of traditional Jawoyn lands. The elders chose well. He advocated tirelessly for a better deal for his people. At the recent Jawoyn AGM, a clearly ill Bangardi had this to say:
- I don’t want to see Jawoyn collapse. From all the work that we have put in for the last 20 years I have been twisting and rolling
during my periods to try and come up with someone that can lead this organisation. The executive and that Nitmiluk tour
company that we own, and that path and that mission that Jawoyn people have so we can make it grow bigger, not only
just as a destination, or tourist destination, but also as an outlet, and it will create employment and job outcomes, proper job
outcomes for countrymen in the Northern Territory. That’s why we need lots of young people to get really involved now,
because we got 30 years to work towards that plan. And 30 years is a good time …
From his sick bed Bangardi called the former member for Arnhem, John Ah Kit, to help with the transition after he had gone. They talked long into the night, remembered shared stories and according to Jack they laughed until they cried.
It is at this point that I would like to share my memories of Mr Lee. The Lee family’s links with the Yanyuwa and Garrawa people of the Gulf of Carpentaria are strong, with family ties that link us. Bangardi has been an inspiration to my people of the Gulf region. He has shown what countrymen and women can do for their communities if we all work together with one aim to make life better for all people. I am grateful for Bangardi Lee, for his support in my role becoming the new member for Arnhem, a support that I will always treasure, and I will hold dear the memory of the dinners and the drinks at the Katherine Club with my predecessor, John Ah Kit. So, from my people to the Jawoyn people, to Bangardi Lee and his family, I am truly sorry for your sadness, but I am deeply grateful for what this one man has done for all indigenous people in this country, and I say thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: I thank honourable members for their contributions and tributes. On behalf of all members I extend condolences to the family and friends of Mr Lee.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: I ask all honourable members to rise in silence for one minute as a mark of respect.
Members rose and observed one minute’s silence as a mark of respect.
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Second Economic Development Summit
Second Economic Development Summit
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on the government’s second economic summit and the progress towards delivering a 10-year economic road map for the future of the Northern Territory.
There is no doubt that the Territory is in a vastly different place to where we were when the government held its first economic summit in 2001. Our economy has strengthened from virtually stagnant to having the strongest forecast economic growth in the country over the next five years. We have the lowest taxes in Australia for businesses with up to 100 staff and, most importantly, Territory small businesses are confident about their future.
The economic development strategy delivered through the first summit has had a central role in bringing about that change. In partnership with business, government has delivered on 98% of its recommendations. But we can not afford to sit back and wait for the future to come to us. Government, business, unions and the community must work together to shape a framework for the future which will continue to guide the Territory’s economic growth and improve the quality of life for Territorians no matter where you live. Mr Lee was at the first economic forum in 2001 and I know that he shared that aspiration for the future of the Territory.
That is exactly what last week’s economic summit was about: bringing Territorians together to plan for our future. From the outset, government said that the future of the Territory cannot just be about building strong economic growth in Darwin; we must engage our regional and remote areas in economic development. We held open regional forums in Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Darwin in the lead-up to last week’s summit. I was pleased to attend each of those regional forums. More than 150 Territorians attended to have their say in building a strong future.
The issues identified at these regional forums played a key part in the discussions at the summit where building our regions and engaging indigenous Territorians in economic development was an underlined theme throughout the two days. About 100 leading Territorians from business, unions and community groups gave up their valuable time to participate in the summit.
The central consideration of discussions was building a future for the Territory’s youth. We have the youngest population in Australia and the opportunities we are identifying now will be taken up by children now only in primary school. Summit participants heard from a range of speakers including David Rumbens from Access Economics; global economist, Professor Neville Norman; and former member for Arnhem, Jack Ah Kit. Sessions where chaired by Territory business people and community leaders including Steve Margetic, Greg Haigh and Fran Kilgarrif.
The summit focused on five key themes of discussion: creating an attractive business environment; promoting investment; expanding markets; developing business and industry capacity and capability; and building and retaining a skilled and productive work force.
The themes were discussed in relation to the Northern Territory as a whole, on a regional basis, and in relation to the key industry sectors of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, defence support, tourism and related industries, construction, manufacturing, mines and energy, and consumer services. The discussions on the five themes were broad ranging and the main issues and challenges identified included:
building the Territory’s skills base on a number of fronts;
identifying future skills needs; training for indigenous Territorians;
skilled migration;
retaining our skilled workforce;
maximising economic participation for indigenous Territorians;
targeting and building business opportunities including tackling the issue of source supply
and cost of energy;
identifying and growing niche markets and building our regional strengths;
promoting private sector investment and reinvestment in the Territory;
building our population through marketing and promotion of our unique lifestyle; and
development of services and planning for our future infrastructure needs.
We have a relatively small economy presenting a unique set of challenges and we have to keep looking at the best ways for business and government to deal with these challenges in a coordinated way. The summit was about looking to the future, identifying the challenges ahead, and meeting them head on.
The key issues identified both at the summit and the earlier regional forums will now become part of the 10-year 2015 Moving the Territory Ahead Economic Framework which is expected to be completed by March next year.
I thank all participants at the summit and the regional forums for giving up their time. Each was passionate about the Territory and it was with their input that we will be able to build a strong future for young Territorians.
I also thank my departmental staff; they worked really hard in pulling this summit together at a pretty short notice. Staff of my office as well put in extraordinary hours. I also thank Madam Speaker and the staff of the Legislative Assembly for all your support during the summit. It really was a key event for government and certainly will guide this government and future governments over the next 10 years as we continue to build a strong economy for the people of the Northern Territory.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, just as the minister for Education has often said, nothing happens in education unless it happens in the classroom, so too with this summit - nothing actually happens with the Territory economy or with these deliberations in a summit until it happens in the workplace with the support and encouragement of small to medium-sized enterprises in the Territory which are the driver of the Territory economy.
I commend this government for the summit. I was pleased to be a participant and was very impressed by the quality of those who take risks in private enterprise in the Northern Territory. As a member of the Territory community, I also believe in the great potential of the Northern Territory. However, just as a garden does not happen by accident but by careful planning and hard work, so we have had a time where we have planned and mapped out a future for the Northern Territory. We have an excellent plan, and we have had a previous plan from the previous summit. The judgment will come upon this government and those who continue to work with the plan and follow the guideposts that have been established as a result of the summit.
Quite interestingly, the minister acknowledged 98% of the directions of the previous summit were completed, but the cornerstone was not; that is, the delivery of gas onshore to provide some relief to the very clear prospect of increased cost of electricity to the Northern Territory economy. That is one issue which was referred to again and again in the first summit; also the cornerstone of this summit. The concerns are for the increased cost of electricity which remains unaddressed.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his comments, and also his contribution at the summit. It was good to see that he attended and participated.
There were many key themes addressed at the summit, and the issue of the cost of electricity was one of them. However, I would not say it was the cornerstone issue concerning people at the summit. The cornerstone issue concerning people at the summit was to ensure that our young people - both indigenous and non-indigenous - have the education, the skills, and the capacity to engage in the economy as it grows over the next 10 years. For me, that was the key issue that came out of the summit. The issue of gas onshore for future electricity supply for the Northern Territory is one which is currently being progressed by government on a number of fronts.
Investment Opportunities – Visit to Singapore
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I report to the House on my trip to Singapore. This trip had three purposes: to place before leading financial institutions and investors what we have to offer in government bonds; to meet with investors interested in becoming part of the Territory’s economic future; and, in my capacity as Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing, to meet with the Singapore Turf Club.
Each year, the Territory seeks to refinance a portion of our debt that is maturing. This year, that refinancing figure is higher than average at $540m. It was decided that we should test interest and investing in this beyond Australia into South-East Asia. The ANZ Bank invited me to address a number of leading business and investment representatives in Singapore on this matter and on the Territory, in general. It proved an important opportunity to sell our story to significant investors and developers.
On Thursday, 24 November, I addressed a business lunch including some of the most significant investors in Singapore, with people such as Mr Leng Beng Kwek, Executive Chairman of the Hong Leong Group, probably Singapore’s most influential developer and investor; Mr James Koh, Deputy Chairman of the Housing and Development Board; Mr Anthony Chan, Group Managing Director of the Chan Brothers International Travel Company - Singapore’s largest; Mr Peter Koh, Executive Chairman and chief executive of 3000 Investments Pty Ltd; and Mr Choon Seng Tan, CEO of WBL. Financial attendees included representatives from ANZ, the Hang Seng Asset Management, the Bank Negara, the Bank of Indonesia, Investment Corporation of the People’s Republic of China, and Mercer Consulting.
A number of questions about the Territory followed after lunch from people interested in both our physical size and what we had to offer. People were keen to know what plans were in place for growing the population, and following lunch, I met with Mr Chow Kiat Lim, Director Fixed Income Division of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. Mr Lim oversees the investment of billions of Singapore dollars on behalf of the government.
On Friday, I met with a team of people from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, headed by Ms Jacqueline Loh, Executive Director of Reserve and Monetary Management Department. Ms Loh and her staff were both informative and very generous with their time in working through issues with us.
That evening, I met both Mr Pang Fey Yu, the President and Chief Executive of the Singapore Turf Club, and Mr Tze Ming Soong, the Vice President of Racing. Mr Soong showed me the Strath Ayr Track, a Tasmanian-developed surface, the same as Moonee Valley races on, and examined the facilities of what is a truly remarkable club. I was delighted to attend dinner with committee members of the Singapore Turf Club, including Mr Koh, the Chairman of Turf Club, Mr Waung, Mr Ruyters and Mrs Ruyters, and the Tunku Seri Shahabuddin from Malaysia. I believe we did achieve our goals. There will be significant follow-up work conducted to ensure that the gains we made thus far turn into longer term results.
I am particularly grateful to Mr Bill Foo, General Manager of ANZ, who was an outstanding contributor, and Ms Ellen Collier of ANZ, who made the invitation in the first place. The ANZ does a great job in Asia, both for the Territory and Australia as a whole. I am extremely grateful to Mr John Montague from Treasury Corporation from our own Treasury for the organisation of the visit and his much appreciated professional support and advice throughout the trip.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, it takes me back to 1975; I was in Year 12. I had a flashback. The now Treasurer, in responding to that great event in 1975, rushes off to raise some cash. At the time, supply had been blocked and the Treasurer, Jim Cairns, rushes off to meet Mr Khemlani. It appears to me that, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of that event, the Treasurer scurries off to Singapore to meet, perhaps, Khemlani, I do not know, his name was not mentioned there.
Dr Lim: His name was not in there.
Mr MILLS: No. But, in leaving the Northern Territory, he left behind no assurance at all to the business community that the cost of electricity would rise. He left the Northern Territory with ‘for sale’ signs on TIO, with the costs of the trip perhaps paid for by the students of Irrekerlantye, public servants are being told that their jobs are under close scrutiny, that the Expo had been cancelled, and the Desert Knowledge Centre had been delayed. So, little wonder there was great concern raised within the Northern Territory community as to what was now motivating the minister, in the midst of the Economic Summit, to rush off to Singapore. Regards to Khemlani.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, ignoring the cheap shots from the member for Blain on a whole range of matters he placed before us, I simply make this point: the former Treasurer of the Northern Territory used to go to London to raise borrowings, and stayed at the Savoy at in excess of $600 a night - and this, a Treasurer of a government which prided itself on engagement with Asia. Why you would go to London when you are Treasurer in a government that was taking great pains to be close to our northern friends, establishing trade and financial relationships with our northern friends, but you go to London to raise your borrowings.
Well, we do not speak out of both sides of our mouth at once. When we talk about engagement with Asia, we actually do it. This Treasurer has gone to Singapore as part of that, to put the Northern Territory’s case before Singapore, a cashed-up country, with enormous reserves, and an opportunity to put the Territory’s case before their eyes, the first Treasurer of the Northern Territory to do so.
Jabiru Town Development Authority
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I present a ministerial report into the removal of delegated powers and functions from the Jabiru Town Council by the Jabiru Town Development Authority, and a subsequent investigation into the matter by my department.
On 9 November 2005, the authority released a public statement summarising the report on the investigation. The authority has declined to release a full copy of the report due to the personal nature of some material.
I will provide some background to the situation of governance at Jabiru, because it is a unique situation with respect to local government in the Northern Territory. The authority operates pursuant to the Jabiru Town Development Act which the authority has the function of delivery of local government to the town of Jabiru and delegates this to the Jabiru Town Council. The council is responsible to the authority, not the Minister for Local Government, as is the case for councils incorporated under the Local Government Act.
I will now turn to the issue which faced the authority with respect to the Jabiru Town Council. In mid-2004, the authority received a series of complaints and allegations about the operation of the council, the chief executive officer, and some councillors. Following a walk-out by some council members from a meeting in August 2004, a call by the chair for intervention, the authority launched an investigation using local government inspectors from my department. The action of some councillors in walking out is clearly not an example of good governance and left the council without a quorum. It had happened before.
An urgent interim report was provided to the authority indicating that while the council administration was operating effectively there were serious concerns about a number of matters which mediation would not resolve. Acting on the urgent interim report, the authority decided to withdraw the delegation of the local government function to the elected council which was within their powers to do so. I have been asked why the administration, particularly the CEO, was not suspended. This was unnecessary as the interim report found the administration of the CEO was acting appropriately. The final report ultimately concluded that accusations against staff by some councillors were unfounded and the decision by the authority to leave the CEO in place was sound. Indeed, the final report vindicates the actions of the CEO.
The authority appointed a manager of the council to act in the place of the elected members. I am advised that the administration services being provided are of a very high standard indeed. After withdrawal of the delegation to council, a public meeting was held at which the chairman and other members of the authority made themselves available. The overwhelming majority of the participants supported the actions of the authority. The discontent and friction between some elected members and the administrator had spilled over into the public domain and was causing considerable concern within the community.
The investigator’s final report concluded that some council members breached the council’s adopted code of conduct, had significant conflict of interest, and lacked an understanding of their roles and responsibilities which placed them unnecessarily in conflict with the CEO. It is clear from the report that there were other issues which escalated to the point that the authority felt bound to act as it did. Indeed, the issues became deeply personal, which caused individuals on both sides of the dispute considerable emotional distress.
Before the next election of the council in May 2006, a community engagement strategy will be put in place to inform the community of the role of the council and to consider options for the future of governance in Jabiru. There are a number of governance options for consideration for the future of Jabiru, including establishing a council under the Local Government Act. These options will be explained fully in the community engagement strategy. Following the elections, the authority will discuss with the new council future governance options. Funds will be made available to the council by the authority to facilitate appropriate assistance in this important process.
There is an issue that I should draw to the attention of the Assembly and the people of Jabiru. I make the point that it is not good governance and totally unacceptable to flag running a campaign for elections on the platform of removing an individual or council administration in general on the basis of personal vendetta. This is to be deplored and I am sure the people of Jabiru are looking at future candidates who will run on the principles of providing good leadership and policy direction. That is what good governance is about. It is now incumbent on the authority and the people of Jabiru to restore a democratic process to council that provides good governance. The community engagement strategy will help this happen.
The public meetings at Jabiru have been very well attended …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I am really disappointed with the minister for coming in here and putting a short ministerial report on what has been a very vexing issue for a long, long time.
It is unfortunate that the minister in one breath talks about democratic process yet denies the Jabiru people a democratic process. If there were serious issues involved with the Jabiru council, minister, then I suggest you release the full report, so that people can read and determine for themselves what actually happened. Do not put out a sanitised report written by god-knows-who, to try to cover up what issues there may be. It is no good saying that the council managers do not understand their role in their jobs there. If they do not understand their role, then your department has failed them in not providing instruction on what needs to be done as a council member or alderman.
It is time you released a full report so that the people of Jabiru can read the report in its entirety and let them decide for themselves what is actually happening there. Do not justify it with a sanitised report and try to brush over whatever happened there. One of the things you could do is to alter the composition of the council, so instead of having even numbers in the council where occasionally you get a tied vote and then their decisions are negatived, make it an odd numbered council, and you will never have a tied vote. That might assist in some decision-making. Minister, release the full report so that we can all see for ourselves what is in it.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I welcome the minister’s report. I also believe it needs far more discussion than just a report today. Minister, you stated in a letter that Jabiru Town Council operates under the delegated authority of the Jabiru Town Development Authority, and subsequently, they are the people who have been running this review. However, under section 4A, you have the authority to tell the Jabiru Town Development Authority what to do. You have ultimate power as to whether this council is allowed to continue, because this council has not been sacked. This council has been put into mothballs. There are a number of questions that need to be asked, and I do not know whether they will be answered in this report that you have. Some of those people are waiting to take their role as elected counsellors again.
Two of those points, which I do not know if the summary covers, was the failure of the Town Clerk to provide information to the council, and the failure and refusal of the Town Clerk to institute and provide a drop copy of all correspondence to council. Notwithstanding whether you can answer those questions now, you did say that the CEO had acted appropriately, and therefore there was no reason to stand him down as well. I would have thought you had to stand him down first to see whether he had acted appropriately. Not make a decision whether he had acted appropriately and therefore not stand him down.
You have a serious number of points here raised by the counsellors who walked out. From my experience on councils, the council is in charge, not the CEO. If the council asked for something to be done, and is not illegal, it is the job of the CEO to respond. From my understanding, the CEO refused to respond. Could you say whether this is true, and can we have that report released today, so we can have a look at it, so we can have time to consider whether it should be raised again as a matter of importance?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, your time has expired. Minister in reply.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I thank the members opposite for their contribution. May well the member for Greatorex be disappointed, however, I just want to assure him that I am not going to release a copy of the full report, and this also applies to a position put to me by you, member for Nelson. I am not going to release a copy of the full report.
What I failed to say, as I ran out of time, is that a summary of the report will be available to the people in Jabiru and will be published in the local paper. There are issues of immense concern that have occurred out there. This is not the place to go into some of those details. What I am prepared to say to both of you gentlemen across the Chamber is that if you wish to participate, to undertake a briefing, I am more than prepared to do that. We have to be very sensible in how we deal with this matter, because it must always be in the interest of the people in Jabiru.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Reports noted pursuant to Sessional Order.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw to your attention the presence in the gallery of Maningrida CEC students accompanied by Leon Syme and Monica Wilton. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend a very warm welcome to our visitors.
Members: Hear, hear!
VETERINARIANS AMENDMENT (FEES AND PENALTIES) BILL
(Serial 25)
(Serial 25)
Continued from 13 October 2005.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, the opposition does not have any serious problems with these amendments that are put forward, but when I went out to speak to the industry I received a mixture of results. I have to say that we would be cautiously supporting this bill.
I consulted with industry about the two-tiered scheme of registration. They wanted to know what the benefit was to the industry when other professionals have to pay for registration in the Northern Territory. The explanatory paper said that this secondary registration is half of the fee of the primary registration, and that it will be an incentive to attract greater numbers of interstate veterinarians to register and visit the Northern Territory. There were some vets with whom I spoke in the Northern Territory who are very cautious about that move and others who do not see it as an issue.
Therefore, we on this side of the House do have some caution towards the amendments to the bill, but we do support the bill.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, unless there are any other speakers, I would just like to make a few comments.
I read through the minister’s second reading speech closely and could still not work out why this was introduced in the first instance. He said that the main purpose is to introduce a two-tiered system of veterinarian registration. When I look at other professions – medical, nursing, lawyers, architects, engineers, you name it – just about every profession has the requirement to be fully registered in each jurisdiction prior to their practice. However, in veterinary practice, it appears that other jurisdictions have gone the same way as the Northern Territory, which is to have a two-tiered system.
As the member for Katherine advised earlier, she sought advice from industry and received mixed advice - some people have supported it and others have not. If the offer of secondary registration will be an incentive to attract registrations, yes, I can see that happening. However, I do not see any nett benefit to the Territory. Just because you are registered in the Territory does not mean that you can be practising in the Territory. You hope you will practise in the Territory, but you do not necessarily have to and, if you are physically located in the other states, you are unlikely to be practising in the Territory. On the principle of mutual recognition, if you are registered in the Territory you can also be registered interstate.
If there is a movement of vet services into the Territory, is there likely to be a movement of vet services out of the Territory as well, because our vets can now be registered interstate. Therefore, I do not see a nett benefit to the Territory. However, if somebody is fully registered and has to pay reasonable fees to be registered, it is more likely that they want to practise in the Territory. Otherwise, it is just a mere formality to get your name on the list.
The member for Katherine also mentioned that there have been concerns expressed to her that you can get vets - or any other profession for that matter - of not so high repute wanting to be registered in the Territory as well, and how they would be controlled when they are registered and allowed to work in the Territory.
I see no value in this alteration to the act. I seek the minister’s explanation, because he did not explain that clearly at all in the second reading speech, so that we can set, on the record, the rationale for allowing two-tiered vet registration when all other professions have not been accorded the same opportunities. It just does not add up at all, and I seek the minister’s explanation.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker I thank the opposition for their support. I would like to explain why we actually went to the model of primary/secondary registration. It is not something that we thought of in the Northern Territory; it was suggested by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council in 2002. They proposed a model of primary/secondary registration as a means of reducing registration requirements for vets seeking to operate interstate away from their home of primary registration. That was adopted by all jurisdictions, which now either have amended their legislation to incorporate the model of primary and secondary registration or are in the process of doing so. This is a way to recognise, across all jurisdictions, that it will not necessarily work all the time in one jurisdiction, or work 80% of the time in Victoria and 20% in the Northern Territory.
There are problems with access to vets in the Northern Territory. It is very easy for us in the urban centres to go to the vet and treat our animals, however, I am well aware that, in some of the regional centres, even Tennant Creek, they have problems. In Tennant Creek, apparently, a vet from Alice Springs visits once a week. It will be good to attract more vets to the Northern Territory, and if the secondary registration with a reduction of the fees is something that will attract them here, so be it. It is not something that this government thought of; it was proposed by the vets themselves, through their Australasian Veterinary Board and, like other jurisdictions, we were pleased to oblige.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
STREHLOW RESEARCH CENTRE BILL
(Serial 21)
(Serial 21)
Continued from 12 October 2005.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition appreciates the briefing that was provided, which was of great assistance in understanding the need for this legislation. The opposition will also raise comments regarding this legislation which are, in a general sense, supportive, but do raise concerns which will form the basis of a couple of questions. I would ask the minister to reassure the House of the security of the treasure trove which is unique, which I do not know enough about. I know what we have in the Territory, because of the work of Mr Strehlow, is of extraordinary value and it is to ensure that that valuable asset is duly protected.
As I said, I do not know enough about this, and I do not believe there are many people in the Territory or nationally who understand the depth and the intricacies of this collection. One reason, it is difficult to access and, second, the material that has been documented is of such a high order that it is difficult for the lay person to even understand the underlying concepts.
We recognise the incredible work that was undertaken by the likes of Mr Strehlow, who spoke German and invested his time, to learn not only the languages, but the culture and the secrets of an ancient people. He has provided us with a great service, and we are the custodians of that which he has put in place. I understand the bill is to allow the minister to have oversight of this collection in a way that was not permitted under existing legislation.
I understand, and I would like the minister to reassure me and the House, that the board still plays a significant role in the protection of the integrity of the collection. I do note, with some understanding of the enlarged facility that is provided through this legislation for the bringing in of sacred objects into the collection for the safekeeping, so it becomes a repository of sacred objects. I have been privileged to be advised on a couple of occasions of highly sacred objects that are hidden around our community, where they have been entrusted to members of the community for safekeeping. They are sometimes kept in warehouses, in bookcases and under beds. So that provision is fully supported: that we provide a repository, a place where these sacred objects can be kept and safeguarded.
The other side of it, though, is the ability that this legislation creates for the disposal of objects that are included in the collection. That raised my concern. I have not had the time to investigate this in any depth, but I raise the concern and I ask the minister to advise the House of the threshold that must be passed before an object is removed from the collection. The minister would be more aware than I am of the power of these objects and how they could be misused. I need to know as one who is here for a time to ensure that the safeguards are in place so that the deeper issues are protected, that is the maintenance of culture into the long term and used for the enhancement and strengthening of things that are falling away, and being lost from memory. If objects are removed from the collection, I hope that they would be returned to the collection ultimately, and I would hate to see objects removed from the collection and lost forever.
So, going back to the beginning, it appears to me that this legislation creates and enhances the capacity of this collection to be a repository of sacred objects so that objects could be kept there for safekeeping and borrowed at times, and taken out for appropriate use, but documented records kept, and hopefully they are returned to the collection for future generations.
It is that issue of the protection of the collection. The collection is for the safeguarding and protection of culture. If those collections are removed, perhaps for private use, maybe for divisive use - I do not want to enlarge on that but the minister would know what I am talking about - that they are used in the long term and the eternal benefit of the culture rather than the temporal benefit of those who want to advance a particular issue at a particular time, and so that the integrity of the collection if maintained.
My understanding is the collection was put in place because many ancient people, who sensed that the ancient cultures were under threat, entrusted these objects and their stories to Mr Strehlow so that the culture could be protected and that is my concern. It is the concern of opposition that the integrity of this collection is maintained as we do know the capacity for the disposal of objects. I will wait to hear what the minister says with regards to that and that the minister can ensure us of the protection of the integrity of this collection.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums): Madam Speaker, I thank the shadow spokesperson for his comments. He raised a couple of things and I will just go through them. In regard to the security, one of the first issues that he had raised in regard to the centre, there is a vault which probably houses the most culturally sensitive items. I can assure the member for Blain that any access into this area must be by admission. No one can just walk in and look at these items; you must seek admission prior to going in.
You also highlighted some concerns about the powers of the minister under that legislation and it does say in clause 7: ‘The minister has power to do all things necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Centre.’ However, the minister cannot dispose of objects from the collection without the consent of at least six or seven members of the board. With the whole issue of repatriation there have been some requests and people have been looking at some of these culturally sensitive items being repatriated back to communities
The board will be looking at some stringent guidelines for considering requests to repatriate some of these items. If you look at the membership of the board there is a broad base of expertise and knowledge in the area and current guidelines for access to the objects. There are some traditional owners who have been demonstrating a cultural right to gain access to particular objects and they will be able to apply to the board for the return of these goods. However, there will be that criteria in regard to the repatriation of objects, so it will not just be given to people. Given the cultural sensitivity and the safekeeping of those objects and the purpose of why they were there, there would be a number of guidelines stipulated as to the removal or allowance of those objects to be out.
You quickly touched on how there were people who were worried about the safekeeping of the objects. We share those concerns about safekeeping with theft and damage, and TGH Strehlow, with that same concern many years ago, was seen to be able to look after these items. Therefore the centre was established to continue to protect the culturally sensitive items when they were offered for sale after Strehlow’s death.
It is pretty straight forward as it allows the operations of the centre to come in line with the Public Sector Employment and Management Act. It still allows the board to make the decisions and oversee the cultural sensitivity of the objects.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Arts and Museums)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
HOUSING AMENDMENT BILL (No 2)
(Serial 23)
(Serial 23)
Continued from 13 October 2005.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I raise some concerns that I have with this amendment. I read carefully the minister’s second reading speech where he expressed that the intent of this amendment was to allow the HomeNorth loan scheme to become more responsive to market movements in housing prices and the demands or the needs of Territorians who are involved in purchasing property with the assistance of HomeNorth.
I commend the motive. It is good that Territory Housing or the HomeNorth loan scheme should be structured to assist Territorians in any way so that they can achieve home ownership, and to allow the Territory to move towards a higher rate of home ownership. However, this amendment appears to remove the minister from any decision-making by delegating to the chief executive officer the minister’s responsibility in establishing the HomeNorth loan scheme and its rates in their entirety. If I am wrong, I ask the minister to tell me that I am wrong in that assumption that I am making.
I am concerned about some points that I would like to ask the minister to elaborate on for me if possible. Is it possible, without coming back to parliament or putting it into the government Gazette, for example, to increase the amounts available for home loans via a HomeNorth scheme, or decrease the interest rate at any time that the minister or the CEO sees fit? Maybe a month before an election, perhaps, that would be a very attractive measure to adopt at a critical time when government’s political fortunes are flagging. You could support it or prop it up with such a move. Normally, you go through a due process where the minister would have to explain it, and then it would be eventually gazetted and, that way, it becomes a very transparent process. What this amendment proposes to do, it appears to me - and again I keep saying that I could be wrong on this - that that open, transparent process would not be followed. Maybe it is not the intent of the government, and that is fine. However, whether it is the intent or not, I believe the legislation should not leave a loophole so large that that sort of unintended consequence could be allowed.
I would like the minister to explain clearly whether this process will still remain open and transparent; that people in the Territory can see openly in a government Gazette what is going to take place in terms of changes to the HomeNorth loan scheme.
I ask another question: would HomeNorth be able to offer, without any public disclosure, different packages to different people? Is that possible? If the chief executive officer decides, due to market pressures, he has to respond to the market pressure and offer an individual, group or organisation a house; will he be able to do it with a particular package that is geared to the particular group, person, or organisation? That, to me, may be a possibility again according to what I have read in the amendment. I ask the minister to assure me that we make sure this is all open and transparent. This appears, to me, that it can be done by one person without reference to anybody, and this is what has to be demonstrated to the public, whether to us in parliament, or by gazettal. It is not an open and transparent process.
Another question I would like the minister to answer: could the government, without reference to proper regulatory process, bail more and more people out if they have difficulties with their loans? For instance, the government is already an equity partner in the purchase of a home, which also has loaned money through the HomeNorth loan scheme to an individual. If an individual struggles to pay the mortgage, can the government suddenly come behind the contract and say: ‘Okay, we will take another 10% or 20% equity in your residence’, and that will help you reduce your mortgage payments and therefore makes it all easy. Then, the government’s debt starts to increase further and further and never, in the life of the resident or home owner, would the home loan be paid off. How is the government going to do this without making sure that we all, in the Territory, know that it is happening, with the case of a particular home that has been purchased by a Territorian who is struggling to pay? Is the government going to use this amendment to continue to prop people up, people who, under any other normal circumstances, could not afford to purchase a home, but had committed at a time when money was readily available, and suddenly now find circumstances have changed.
While the HomeNorth loan scheme’s products have been brought into line with commercial lending sector standards, we then start to hear a few bells ringing. The TIO finances our HomeNorth loan scheme. Are we now preparing the TIO HomeNorth portfolios as part of a sale when we get rid of TIO as well? Does that mean that if TIO gets sold, that this TIO housing portfolio will be transferred to HomeNorth? These are bells that are ringing very loudly for me, and while it is not mentioned at all in the minister’s second reading speech, I believe it is beholden on the minister and government to respond to these concerns.
I have two final points. The minister said that the bill repeals all remaining loan schemes that were not covered by the previous amendment. The government says it gave people who took up loans in the past access to future improvements; it could also go the other way, I suspect. We will not know until it has happened, as there is no requirement for operations to be done by regulation. That is the problem. It just allows things to happen without an open and transparent process. Those questions need to be readdressed by government when they pass this bill. I am not sure, I have not spoken with industry myself, but, in the minister’s second reading speech, it says nothing about his consultation with private enterprise or with real estate industry. I suspect that they will be unhappy about this. They are completely uninformed about this altogether. This is something that has to do with the CEO, HomeNorth loan scheme, whatever they currently are, and TIO.
It appears to me that this is a bungling of a TIO portfolio that is part of the whole TIO review which is going to end up being sold off, herein lies another problem. I seek the minister’s explanation to those points I have raised, and I hope he has some satisfactory answers.
Mr McADAM (Housing): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex. I just want to respond to a couple of issues to begin with. This matter is in no way related to your perceptions in respect to the future of TIO. You will be very much aware that this government is presently undertaking the exercise in regards to TIO and in no way can you under any circumstances relate this particular amendment to the sale of TIO.
The other matter that you raised also is in respect of the real estate industry. My understanding is that the HomeNorth Extra scheme and the HomeNorth scheme prior is a scheme that is very well accepted, and acknowledged, right across the industry, because it caters to a niche market. It caters to those people who may not have the capacity or the finance to go into a higher market; as you would be aware there are certain rules, conditions and regulations which apply to the HomeNorth Extra scheme. So, instead of trawling up these red herrings about the real estate industry, it is incumbent upon you to be responsible. If you are going to get up in this House and say things, then you should say it with a degree of certainty. So just let me say that to you to begin with.
You also raised some other issues. I understand that you have not received a briefing in regards to this exercise. In a way I wish you had because it would have been simpler and you would have seen the merits of these amendments. Effectively, the amendments I refer to relate to bringing the Housing Loans Act into a more commercially business-regulated environment which will give the capacity through the CEO to be able to do certain actions and before anything occurs, the matter must always go back to Cabinet. That is the condition. If there needs to be a change in regards to market conditions, or to any of the existing regulations, then the CEO will obviously advise me of it and I would have to go back to Cabinet to seek any changes. I hope that addresses your particular issue there.
Effectively, there are no real changes. Essentially, these new amendments bring it into line with good business practice. You also referred to, and I do not know whether you actually meant this, or whether I misinterpreted you, but you seemed to suggest in some way that there might be some capacity for the CEO to be able to go off and act under his own steam in regard to the changing of these regulations. I hope that you did not mean it that way; you would be very much aware that there are certain compliances. I just want to give you that assurance that the Territory Housing people and the CEO have both been very professional in regards to this whole exercise, and that the HomeNorth Extra scheme is applauded right across Australia.
These new amendments will capture around 60-odd people under the old scheme, so it brings them into the same rates as applied before. What that does, essentially, is allow all clients who have taken out HomeNorth loans that if there are difficulties with repayments then there is capacity for up to 40% of the market value - that is the purchase price of the house at the time - for that to occur via the CEO.
I advise that there have probably been in excess of a total of 2792 loans approved under HomeNorth Extra, and a total of some 2000 loans all up. My advice is - and I sought this information - that there is one person who is taking out a home loan who has defaulted. There are others who are experiencing some financial difficulties. However, I have been assured that through these particular amendments, we are able to assist people who are experiencing financial difficulties. As you know they can buy back our particular equity in 5% increments over time.
I am not too sure if I have addressed all your points, member for Greatorex, but I honestly believe that this amendment is good business practice; it brings into line those outstanding loans that might not have been eligible under existing amendments. It frees it up to be able to react to the marketplace in terms of market pressures. As I said, I do not know whether it addresses all those particular issues that you have raised, but I feel …
Dr Lim: This is a quick interjection. You might like to go into committee and I can ask you questions on a couple of the amendments.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, are you asking that we go into committee later? Let the minister finish his speech.
Mr McADAM: The member for Greatorex wishes to go into the committee stages. Is that correct?
Madam SPEAKER: You are asking to go into the committee stages?
Mr McADAM: No, I am not. I am just wondering what he wants to do.
Dr Lim: Let us go into committee and I will ask you a couple of questions.
Madam SPEAKER: All right, member for Greatorex. Minister, have you completed your second reading debate?
Mr McADAM: Yes, I have.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Dr Lim: May we go into committee, please?
Madam SPEAKER: We will go into committee after Question Time, member for Greatorex.
Debate suspended until after Question Time.
MOTION
Proposed Censure of Treasurer, Chief Minister and Government
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move – That the Assembly censure the Treasurer, Chief Minister and government for:
lying to the elected members of this House about the state of the Northern Territory’s
finances;
lying to the people of the Northern Territory prior to the last election about the state Northern
Territory’s finances, and
fraudulently misrepresenting to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy.
Madam Speaker, this censure motion is brought before the House to ask the House and members of it to hear the evidence of the government, and particularly this Treasurer’s deceit, when it comes to the perilous nature of the Northern Territory’s finances. The motion asserts that the Treasurer is a liar and that he has masked the true state of the Territory’s finances. The motion requires all members of this House, and I appeal to Labor members in particular, to turn their mind to the state of the Northern Territory’s finances and say to this Treasurer: ‘You are no longer fit to hold the post that you have been given and you were never fit to hold the post in the first place’. I urge all Labor members to listen carefully to the facts and ask themselves this important question: does my party loyalty mean more to me than the economic welfare of the people of the Northern Territory? A straightforward question and I implore them to search within themselves to try to answer it.
I intend to begin by pointing out the lie started when this government came to office. It is for this reason that I have included the Chief Minister as part of this censure motion because it was she who took over the reigns of Treasury when Labor won government in 2001. It was the Chief Minister who announced and indeed created the so-called black hole, and it was she who used it to justify the extra tax on motor vehicle registrations that many Territorians will never forget. Thus from the very outset, this government’s approach to taxation was a deceit and the path was set.
The hallmark of so many Labor governments has been the same – big spending and high taxing. People like Joan Kirner would have been proud of this government because they are doing business in exactly the same way she did, and Victoria paid for it for years. Let us take a trip down memory lane to that time and open the now dusty document that is Budget Paper No 2 of that financial year 2002-03. I urge members to look at them.
For the uninitiated, this budget paper is entitled Fiscal and Economic Outlook. The second chapter of the paper talks about the fiscal strategy of government into the future. This was the first full budget that this government set down, and it was its opportunity to set the policies into concrete. That budget paper, on page 25, outlines the medium-term strategy, namely, the strategy that should have taken us forward over the next few years. It promised first, and I quote:
curbing the growth in nett debt and unfunded liabilities, while continuing to provide adequate
levels of servicing to the community.
Second:
a commitment to, and continuation of, a deficit reduction strategy.
Third:
a resultant decline in nett debt and total liabilities.
The document goes on to say, at page 26:
- The targets for this principle of the strategy are to achieve an underlying cash surplus by 2004-05.
This was going to be possible because of a further quote which appears on page 26 of the 2002-03 budget paper which said:
- … since the Mini-Budget, one of the Territory’s main revenue sources has increased. This has been due to an increase
in the Territory’s share (in relation to other States) of the GST revenue pool.
In short, we were going to have an underlying cash surplus and balanced budgets across government - that was the promise. What does the Treasurer say today about a cash surplus by last year? I turn the collective attention of members of the House to page 13 - unlucky for some -- of this year’s TAFS - I will hereafter refer to it as TAFS, but it is the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report - which was tabled during the last sittings. I quote:
- In the 2004-05 budget the government also set cash targets for 2004-05 and the forward estimates with the aim to balance
the budget by 2008-09.
What, we ask, has happened to a balanced budget by last year? The promises of 2002-03 where not kept - the government lied. It is worth pausing for a moment to consider the 2002 document for another reason. Balanced budgets were going to be achieved because of increased revenues to the tune of an annual income for the year 2004-05 of $2.367bn predicted back then. I draw members’ attention to the forward estimates of 2002-03 and the budget paper, and turn their attention to page 68 where that figures is very clearly stated.
The forward estimate in that year was $2.367bn. It was from that sum the government anticipated they were going to balance the budget and return cash surpluses. How much did the government actually get last year? The answer to that question is on page 25 of TAFS, the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement. For 2004-05, what did they actually get? It was $2.716bn. The Treasurer received $349m more in income last financial year than he expected to three years ago. Three years ago, he said that on a lesser income he was going to balance the budget. Three years ago, there was going to be cash surpluses. Three years ago, there was going to be sound economic management based on $340m less than he actually got for that year.
It is now well established that the government received $600m, or thereabouts, from GST revenue in their last term than they otherwise would have had. They had no idea how much they were going to get and they have become the highest taxing government in the Territory’s history - something the Chief Minister conveniently forgot to include in her answer to one of the questions during Question Time.
They have increased the income from local taxes, while raking in the GST in ways they never expected. They have governed with revenues that past Treasurers - and the Treasurer named a couple of them here today - would not have dared to dream were possible. I am going to say it again so that everyone hears this most important fact: three years ago, the Treasurer said they were going to balance the budget by now with $340m less than they actually received in a single year, or $600m over three years. The Treasurer lied or, if I am being charitable, alternatively he has grossly mismanaged the budget.
Let us go back to the fiscal strategy for 2002-03, and the first point of that strategy: nett debt will go down under Labor’s management. This is the Treasurer who retired no debt last year at all. If you look at Treasury Corporation’s Annual Report for 2004-05, it is clear that not one brass razoo of debt was retired. What is worse is that the Treasurer has been lucky because the situation could have been much worse. The improvement for the Treasurer is largely the result of the upward revision of Treasury assets, namely our housing stock is worth more concurrent with the general increase in the value of property prices. This means that the potential blow-out in nett debt was marked by the happenstance of a sharp increase in the value of land prices in Darwin and Alice Springs. Those prices rose faster than anyone, including organisations like the REINT, expected and predicted.
So, in the process of masking nett debt with asset increases, the Treasurer can tell us that all is not too bad. The question, however, is, can we trust the way the Territory’s assets are valued? If you take Power and Water, for example, whose assets are worth so much, well, we assume the assets are worth so much, but, when we continue to beaver away, we find that the Auditor-General has refused to accept the value that Power and Water has put into its annual report. I will say that again. The Auditor-General has refused to accept the value that Power and Water has put to its annual report. The Auditor-General has said:
- I was unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to support the fair value of property, plant and equipment
assets and, accordingly, I am unable to determine [their] fair value.
That is contained in Power and Water’s Annual Report 2004-05.
Here we have a Treasurer, who will argue, no doubt, that our nett debt is under control based on the valuation of our assets when, in the same breath, we have an Auditor-General making critical comments, and they are critical comments, about how the valuations of government assets are done.
We have here the extraordinary situation where a government-owned corporation is, if you understand what the Auditor-General is saying, probably overstating its asset values. Why would that be, Madam Speaker? It is because the single shareholder of Power and Water is the Treasurer, and he has an interest in seeing the assets overstated, it could be asserted. Is he lying to his own Chief Minister? Who knows? Or is that why the Chief Minister has put the priorities review process in place with herself at the helm? By putting herself back in charge of the money of the Territory, the Chief Minister has stuck the training wheels firmly back on to the Treasurer’s bike. She simply does not trust him to do his job, so micromanagement Martin takes over again.
The other thing is, there is no way that the Treasurer could have known what property prices were going to be three years ago. His reassuring statements on the containment of nett debt will be entirely predicated on an assumption that it is down to his skills as a debt manager. I can see his nose growing already. He has made that claim in the past and it grows every time. Last year, not a cent of debt was retired. It is for these reasons that we know that this is not an issue of incompetence by the Treasurer, but it is an issue of deceit. The Treasurer is lying to Territorians and he lied to them prior to the last election.
I turn my attention to the second point of Labor’s financial strategy – a commitment to and continuation of a deficit reduction strategy. Small wonder, Labor did not go to Estimates prior to the last election in 2002-03, the budget was going to be balanced this year. How much did they blow their appropriations out by across agencies? Let us have a look at the figures. The answer is $96.622m. That is how much the appropriations were blown across government departments. The situation is actually worse than that because that was only the blow-out from appropriations. Overspend on a department by departmental level was worse and it is worse because departments like Health have revenue from other sources.
Dr Toyne: Oh, be kind.
Ms CARNEY: I hear the Health minister groaning. If he is suggesting that the Health department does not get, from memory, about $200m from the Commonwealth, I invite him to contribute to this censure motion and perhaps enlighten me. If it is not $200m from the Commonwealth it is something pretty darn close. He was twitchy about what I have said so I am tempted to say it again. Health receives money from areas over and above the appropriations. Overspend on the department by department level was worse, and it is worse because departments like Health have revenue from other sources as well. The actual blow out in Health was $37.617m, and I will return to that later, time permitting. We know this because the appropriations were a little over $436m and the actual spend by this department, namely Health, was a little less than $640m. Predominantly, the extra money comes from grants and subsidies provided from sources outside the appropriation, and it is, with an element of surprise, that the Health minister apparently does not know that.
I clearly remember the time when the former Treasurer, I think his name was mentioned during Question Time today - Mike Reed - was censured by this House because he was alleged to have understated the budget position of the Department of Health by $8m. This Treasurer has done exactly the same thing for the same amount in the same department. So, if the former Treasurer was to be censured for what he did then, then this House must surely censure the current minister.
Page 102 of TAFS reveals that this Treasurer has deferred the payment of $8m to South Australia and simply subtracted that from the department’s - that is the Health Department’s - bottom line. In short, the Treasurer is saying that by not paying our bills we can take the money from what we owe people. The Health minister has an interest in this because questions will be asked as to whether he knew this furphy was committed by the Treasurer, or does he not understand the budget? In any event, I digress. Surely, the Treasurer does not want to give us a reputation as a place that does not pay our bills. It could have been much simpler than that. It could have been that our Treasurer simply decided not to pay the bills so it could come off Health’s bottom line. I know which interpretation I favour.
The deficit reduction strategy is in tatters. In the appropriation of last year, the Treasurer created a little piggy bank, and put some money aside so if something goes wrong, he can empty the little piggy bank and not blow the budget. The line item for the piggy bank is $29m; it is the Treasurer’s Advance. He drained that little piggy bank before Christmas last year. The Treasurer also snooped a little cash under the mattress. He overfunded interest taxes and administration by a similar amount so that he could whip some money out if needs be and still announce a surplus. Pretty clever, Treasurer, but you have been sprung. Well, like a drug addict addicted to spending, he took a hammer to the piggy bank and then he overturned the mattress and he spent the lot. Still desperate, he then went to his wallet and found the Visa card. Drunk on power and desperate to spend, he went over his credit for $48m! $48m! Typical of a Labor government, no wonder you were in opposition for 27 years.
This parliament gave the Treasurer extra money in case of contingencies. Percy Allen - remember Percy? - in 2001 said that the amount should be $40m. This Treasurer squirrelled away more than that, partially by devious means, by lying. In other words, he has blown the lot. Where was the large part of it blown? Answer: in the period leading up to the last election, and there was dissent, as many people will recall, across the public service about wages. To shut up those voices of dissent, the Treasurer gave in and he paid them more. I believe the public servants are worth every penny, but I also know that the Treasurer lied in a dishonourable way because he knew that he could not afford to pay those extra wages, but he did it. He did it in a deceitful way because he knew he would have to make cuts in the event that Labor was returned to government. The wages bill for the total public sector for the year before last was $1.055bn, last financial year it was $1.177bn; an increase of $122m over 12 months. Now he needs to cut it back - read job losses.
Where has it all gone, Treasurer, we ask? All of the extra hundreds of millions of dollars that you got and never knew were coming. All of the extra great plans for balanced budgets and surpluses – what happened to them? We know that you have been sprung, Treasurer, and your fiscal strategy is in tatters. This Treasurer lied. He lied to public servants before the election, and rather than tell them the truth about the fact that he could not afford their demands, he lied to them in the full knowledge that after the election some of their jobs would be lost, which is an act of betrayal.
We now come to the last of the fiscal strategies of 2002-03, and I quote ‘a resultant decline in nett debt and total liabilities’. In short, a decline in nett debt and gross debt. All debt would go down under this government was the promise, and the lie. In TAFS the Treasurer tries to excuse the deficit by saying that the unfunded liability of superannuation was bigger than expected. The promise was to lower unfunded liabilities. They have gone up in the form of superannuation and will continue to go up and that effect has been amplified by the Treasurer’s decision to make long service leave an unfunded liability. Goodbye fiscal policy, hello increased debt. In 2002-03, this government promised in its projection that nett debt would be reduced. Because of GST revenues the government has been able to retire some debt but the spending habit of this spending addicted government is beginning to rear its ugly head. By this Treasurer’s own predictions nett debt will creep up to $1.786bn in two years time.
So here is the picture. In 2002-03, their income is up by $600m more than they expected and their nett debt has only been brought down by $237m, and that is as good as it is going to get. This Treasurer could have retired nett debt to as low as $1bn if he had continued to be frugal rather than go on a typical Labor spending spree. The Treasurer is $340m off course in his planning to ratchet up nett debt by another $130m by 2007-08. By the Treasurer’s own projections nett debt will increase $1.786bn in two years time. The highest level of nett debt the Territory government has ever had. All of this means that the Treasurer will be a long way away from where he intended to be in 2002-03. So much for the medium term fiscal strategy for the Territory.
One of the reasons that Territorians did not turn to Labor for so many years was because they were afraid that Labor would outspend themselves, and Territorians were right. All of their fears are about to be realised. After three or four years they are about to be presented with a bill. Enter the razor gang. The lies have already started in a major way with the first being the sale of the TIO. One lie that the Treasurer indicated only a few weeks ago was that he was not planning to sell the TIO. What would normal people read into that? Government does not want to sell the TIO. However, since then, he has refused to rule it out.
The Treasurer has emptied the piggy bank, he has overturned the mattress and taken the cash stashed there, he has maxed out the credit card and treated his addiction, and is now turning his attention to the family silver.
Mr Henderson: Who has written this for you?
Ms CARNEY: Goodbye TIO. The member for Wanguri clearly does not understand the budget. That is sad. And it is …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: ... someone must understand on the Labor side of politics, someone must understand the budget. Maybe you all do not. It is obvious the Minister for Health does not, because he probably did not know anything about the $8m.
Mr Henderson: Who wrote the speech for you?
Ms CARNEY: He also did not know about how Health gets a couple of hundred million dollars from other sources. So, member for Wanguri, bring it on and I say again, I have said it a thousand times before…
Mr Henderson: I just want to know who wrote your speech.
Ms CARNEY: I always know when I am onto something because you start to get twitchy. God, I wish I had much longer. However, this Treasurer tells us that floods, cyclones and storm surge cover will remain for Territorians. They will not, no they will not. He cannot underwrite that and he knows it. He has to lie because that is his form.
Armed with their razors, they are going into the community and things are going to be cut. They are going to cut the throats of the public servants they made so many promises to before the election. They are going to close schools, like Irrkerlantye, put projects like Desert Knowledge on hold, not build Palmerston High School, delay sealing roads like Mereenie …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: ... I could go on if only I had time, member for Wanguri. This is the highest taxing government in the Territory’s history. In the past year their taxes on Territorians have gone up from $264m to $301m. This government forgets that taxation is the removal of wealth from rightful property holders by a threat of menaces. Most people understand the need for tax because certain services need to be delivered. What people resent, and rightly so, is supporting a taxation regime that is being administered by unconscionable and irresponsible people such as the Treasurer of the Northern Territory. Cuts have already been made in the area of infrastructure spending.
Remember the nice, little tale about the money in the capital works program that we were spun by government a little over a year ago? Well, they have taken money out of that program, not just a little, about $10m, and they have spent it elsewhere.
That brings me to the next area of concern. One department alone is responsible for a $41.8m blow-out from its appropriation, and nearly $60m overall when you factor in money that it has received from places like the federal government. That is the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. The $10m shift in spending that I have just talked about is justified as a ‘reclassification of the works in the capital appropriation’. This means one of two things: that the government simply lied as to what capital works were actually cashed up leading up to the election, or they needed money from capital works to plug other holes. It was a mixture of both, I suspect.
It needs to be remembered that this is the department that has carriage of two major projects, namely, privatisation of the parks estate and the waterfront. We do not know what deals have been done, but I can tell you that we have not been able to see what has been going on, and we may never see what is going on in the details in relation to the waterfront contractual obligations. In the case of the parks estate, the laws that this government rammed through means that there is no longer any recourse to this parliament. Once the negotiations are over, that is it. Therefore, we have no idea what promises are being paid for by taxpayers under those arrangements.
Secondly, in relation to the waterfront, there is no doubt that the funding arrangements are shrouded in secrecy. The government did have a very weak, I thought, negotiating position. However, the Chief Minister, determined to take her place in history, wanted to build something. Our view is that Territorians were sold short when it comes to the financial contractual obligations surrounding the waterfront. I could go on much longer about the waterfront; however, I am running out of time.
I say though, that there are a couple of points to make. It is interesting that the estimate for the environmental clean-up was estimated to be in the order of $10m, and that just happens to be the amount that has been whipped out of the capital works budget for the rest of the Territory. I wonder if there is a link.
Moving on, we know that projects like Desert Knowledge, Mereenie Loop and schools in Palmerston and Alice Springs have slowed down or stopped. Public servants are worried about their jobs and schools are being closed. Guess what? We may not be able to see the details of the waterfront, but we can see the effect of the cuts around us, and it is beginning to indicate the size of the problem.
When times are bad, governments often open their coffers and take some of the sting out the economy. This very Parliament House stands as a testament to that concept. It took a couple of years to build, and it was built during a time of the recession we had to have. Many small businesses were saved by this single project, and that is still something remembered in many quarters. However, what about this government? Has it saved? No, it has not. Has it reduced spending? No, it has not, although all indications are that it is about to by cutting the jobs of public servants.
In so many respects, there is too much information to get in a censure, and I am looking forward to the contribution of my colleague, the member for Blain, because he will add to the litany that is the disgrace of this Labor government, and the lies of this Treasurer. We have talked about Health: massive blow-outs consistently; I think almost every year. Our recollection, or mine, is that the Chief Minister indicated that CEOs might lose their jobs if they could not live within their budget. She did not say they would lose their jobs, because that is, obviously, a bit sensitive if a government minister says that at the moment. However, we understood, and the Chief Minister is on the record as saying, that CEOs need to live within their budget. Well, blow me down with a feather because, even in the last 12 months, there has been a blow-out of about $100m.
In relation to the Department of Justice - now this is an interesting one.
Dr Toyne: Oh, here we go again!
Ms CARNEY: He is grumbling. I cannot hear what he says but, anyway, it does not really matter; I am sure it is not enlightening.’
In the Department of Justice’s annual report, they say that they spend $136m and, yet, in TAFS, it is $130m. No explanation is required; it would just appear that the Treasurer has either lied to this House, the minister for Justice has lied, or they are both liars, although one has not got their story straight. ‘How much did you spend?’ ‘$130m’. ‘How much did I really spend?’ ‘$136m’. Perhaps a conversation like that might have been a good idea. In any event, as to actual spends of one government department, namely the Department of Justice, on your own figures - not ours, on your own; not even leaked ones, ones that you have tabled - $136m compared with $130m. If it was not so serious it would be frightening.
We are concerned that the Auditor-General makes comments like: ‘In my opinion … the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement does not present fairly, in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements in Australia’. The Auditor-General says that - you guys on the other side do not even look worried, how staggering. It appears that the Treasurer does not want to use Australian Accounting Standard No 31. Each year, the Auditor-General tells him to use it but, for some reason, the Treasurer does not want to do so. How alarming it is that the Auditor-General would come up with comments like the Power and Water’s assets are not probably worth that much and that the accounts do not present fairly. I would have thought that is a pretty serious matter.
This government is asking public servants to believe their assurances when the Treasurer cannot even tell the truth to the people’s representatives, that is, the parliament of the Northern Territory. The fact is that no-one believes the Treasurer or the Chief Minister. The fact that the Chief Minister wrote a letter telling all public servants that this was normal, tells us that they are super conscious and nervous about the fact that things are anything but normal. In fact, it is abnormal and the lie lasted only a single day. On the next day after the Chief Minister’s letter, the Northern Territory News was reporting an employment freeze in the public service. This is not normal at all. The truth is that the lies started when Labor came to government and they have been pretty constant ever since.
The difficulties that the average Territorian has with making calculations in relation to the budget paper cannot be underestimated. It is our job to keep this government accountable. It is our job to tell the story which is the lie and the fraud and the level of misrepresentation that the Treasurer and his Chief Minister have exercised daily since they came to office in 2001. They actually looked at the electorate with a straight face prior to the last election, made all sorts of promises, promised everyone the world – typical Labor government – and now they have to cut. The Treasurer and Chief Minister have lied to the elected members of the House. They have lied to the people of the Northern Territory, and they do and have and clearly will continue to fraudulently misrepresent to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy. Not only should the Treasurer be censured, he should be sacked.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I survived the embarrassment of probably the most inept censure motion that has ever been prosecuted in this House. I think I was just as relieved as the Leader of the Opposition when the clock finally struck zero, Madam Speaker, so inept was that performance, written by the former member for the seat now occupied by one Mr Natt, and that is the former member for Drysdale. I could hear him delivering those jewels.
In order to prosecute, in fact, the process was not too bad. At least they asked a couple of questions and then feigned frustration with the process and decided to prosecute and launch into a censure of myself, the Chief Minister and this government. That is fine. The process is fine. You probably should try a couple more questions rather than feign frustration, actually get there, it probably makes it a bit more credible and a bit more believable than trying to put it on. You really do have to have the minister in a spot of bother before you launch into the censure. But the prosecution of the censure motion itself, once it has commenced on the floor of parliament, requires a little more substance than using the word lie, lying, deceit, liar, 57 times in the space of a 20 minute contribution. You actually have to have some substance behind it to prosecute your allegations of deceit, lying and liar, because that is, in the end, all that I heard by way of anything meaningful in the Leader of the Opposition’s view.
Just to put some things in context around the state of the economy. This is the strongest economic situation recorded by Sensis in Australia, released just this morning. Growth is up around 4% on an annual basis. Construction approvals are up 4%. Retail trade is up about 9% for the year. Motor vehicle sales continue to be up. ANZ job advertising, year to September, a massive 23.4% increase. I accept that there is some duplication in terms of ANZ job advertising as a statistic because jobs that continue to be unfilled and advertised again are part of that. Nonetheless, it is a massive growth rate on what was a good growth rate up until September last year anyway and continues to bowl along at 23.4%. No other jurisdiction gets any where near that.
Building approvals by number, year to September, up 4% coming down now off a massive base last year; that includes the starting to come down a, bit but still a healthy 4% on a big base. Housing finance for owner occupation - this has been one of the real success stories of this government through HomeNorth and our assistance to first home buyers increasing the base of home ownership in the Northern Territory which is a credit to this government and will further strengthen our economic base into the future. Housing finance for owner occupation, year to August, 25.5%; retail trade, year to September, 5.2%; new motor vehicles, year to September, 9.9% - a figure that has been growing since 2002, so that 9.9% represents a real growth on a pretty strong base growth level anyway.
The Housing Industry Association and Access Economics both put out very strong independent analysis in September around the economy. Access Economics says the Territory’s short term prospects remain rather better than those seen nationwide. Chances are that the world will be beating a path to the Territory’s door for sometime yet. The Housing Industry Association described growth in the economy as historically very healthy; they described the state final demand growth as impressive, consumption growth as a stand out result. These independent commentators have put faith in economic growth of the Territory over the next five years.
It is cute, but I know we cannot comment on the absence or presence, but if you are going to prosecute a censure and you actually believe in it you would think the prosector might stay around a little while for the response, but apparently not.
Where this censure went right off the rails in terms of accusing me, the government, and the Chief Minister of deceit by trying to tell a different story after the election rather than before the election, is this little document here that the Leader of the Opposition failed to mention. It is called the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report. The member for Blain sits amazed. I do not think he has ever heard of it. It is a requirement under the Financial Integrity and Transparency Act and if you look at page 1, we are required to release this in the lead up to any election that is called. In fact this Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report, we affectionately refer to it as the PEFOR, is a requirement of the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act, FITA, which provides for the release of updated financial estimates for the budget year plus three forward years within 10 days of the issue of a writ for an election.
So I was a bit wrong. So you call the election and then within 10 days you must release the pre-election fiscal outlook. The member for Blain has never heard of it. It was a pretty important document in the lead up to the election. It has on page 1 nonetheless, and it is a pity the Leader of the Opposition did not open this up because she would have fallen over it, she would have stumbled over it on page 1: updated financial projections have been prepared for 2004-05 to 2008-09. Chapter 2 presents the details of each change that has been made since the May 2005 budget, not all that long before, about 18 May, and we are talking about three weeks later with this PEFOR when the election was called. So, any changes that have been made since the May 2005 Budget papers and discusses material changes in the pre-election fiscal outlook estimates as compared with those included in the 2005-06 budget. This chapter also includes a statement of risks as required by the FITA.
Table 1.1 compares the key aggregates in the pre-election fiscal outlook and the 2005-06 budget. There has been a small improvement in those aggregates but, nonetheless, the cash outcome as I read here in 2004-05, the cash outcomes at the time of this pre-election fiscal outlook, was predicted to be $46m. It came in at $51m surplus, but I will come back to that. In 2005-06: a deficit of $68m, 2006-07: a deficit of $53m, 2007-08: a deficit of $21 million, and 2008-09: back to a balanced budget.
The Leader of the Opposition would have it that we have made up these figures and that we have lied to Territorians since the election. This was 10 days after the election was called, a week and a bit, a couple of weeks before the election was held. Here is the document she should have had a look at, because the story today is almost what it was here. She somehow suggests that we are in a worsening budgetary situation, we are in a crisis, and we have to sack the public servants because our spending is out of control. It is all here released before the election as required by the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act. An act that we felt compelled, as a government, to introduce and pass in November 2001 because of the deceit and the lies of the previous government. So, we wrote and passed the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act so that a future government of any persuasion is bound by the requirements of that act to provide transparency for all Territorians, is bound by the act to produce the pre-election fiscal outlook report some 10 days after any election is called. If we go it is all there, there is no deceit or lies there. Nothing has changed from the time that was produced and out in front of Territorians before the election.
In fact, I did media a couple of times on that in and around the last couple of weeks of the election. If we go back to this story of nett debt, which is growing incredibly out of control since we have came into government, in 2001-02, we inherited the situation where nett debt stood out $1753m. By the end of 2002-03, it was $1723m. $1753m as opposed to $1723m – nett debt better off by $30m. This is trending okay, notwithstanding the fact that we inherited a basket case of an economy and a deceitful budget. By 2003-04, the estimate of nett debt stood at $1638m. Again, an $85 m improvement from 2002-03 to 2003-04, and then coming up in 2004-05, $1653m, and 2005-06, $1723m. Still, $30m better than we inherited in 2001-02 at $1753m.
Nett debt plus employee liabilities are increasing and there are reasons for that. If we go back to the pre-election fiscal outlook report, which reported that the 2004-05 final outcome should be around $46m surplus, we actually achieved a $51m surplus for 2004-05, a $5m improvement from what we estimated in May 2005 budget, and of course, what was estimated at the time of the pre-election fiscal outlook report. There is a $5m improvement between 18 May and the final outcome on 30 June. That was a result of additional revenue from the Australian government arriving on the books between 18 May and 30 June of $18m, and it was offset at the same time by some increased expenditure and assets acquired under finance around the waterfront project.
The nett operating balance was a deficit of $24m compared with an original 2004-05 budget deficit of $12m, and a final estimate of a $23m surplus. That $47m variation since May 2005 is all around this question of increased superannuation costs following actuarial reassessment. These are assessed, I think, on a three-yearly basis. One person had been doing the actuarial assessment for quite a long time, I understand, and a new actuarial assessor came on the scene for this last reassessment. All actuaries have their own methodology taking into account a whole range of things including increasing salaries and likely increases to final projected superannuation costs. That is what has occurred here; we have had a fairly dramatic reassessment of the outgoings required to service super into the future. They are largely the result of increased benefits resulting in higher pensions based on benefits; salaries are increasing somewhat faster than they have been previously been forecast in the three years prior; and, to a lesser extent, some revised mortality tables. The reduction in the nett operating balance also accounts for the deficit fiscal balance outcome.
On the other hand, nett worth for the non-financial public sector of $2353m was $435m better than predicted at the time of the 2004-05 budget, and a $196m improvement on the 2003-04 outcome. That is largely the result of the upward revision of the Territory’s assets, predominantly around housing stock. Therefore, on the one hand, we still have a nett debt figure lower than we inherited in 2001-02. At the same time, we are growing the worth of the Territory at a far greater rate than that, that will add to our nett debt right up until 2008-09 - $435m better than predicted at the time of the 2004-05 budget. We do not make those figures up; that is an upward revision around our housing stock.
The thrust, I suppose, of the censure motion, apart from the fact of fraudulently misrepresenting to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy and for lying to the people prior to the last election about the state of the Northern Territory’s finances, are all contained in that pre-election fiscal outlook. However, I think the climate that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to create is that there is some form of crisis within budget management within Treasury.
An economy and a budget that just went through a $51m surplus is not a budget in crisis. That target for 2004-05 was met. We are well on track to meet the 2005-06 budget target. I have previously indicated - and I will continue to indicate - that the growth in GST revenue is slowing and budget management, as a result of that slowing down in growth, will be relatively tight for the next couple of years. However, we are committed - absolutely and totally committed - to managing within the forward estimates, and we will. Those forward estimates, as I outlined, are contained in the May 2005 budget and in the June pre-election fiscal outlook report.
When we came to office, we inherited an absolute basket case situation in a number of agencies, particularly around safety and break-ins - it was on the page every other day - a police force that was seriously run down and in a great state of neglect. We shared those community concerns about safety, and the member for Wanguri, now minister for Police, and I constantly raised these issues from opposition. We went about very quickly increasing the expenditure on police. To this stage it is up about 38%. We addressed the needs of the Health system - a system which had been absolutely starved of funds, and not helped by the deceitful treatment in the 2001-02 budget of a so-called increase to the health budget which was no increase at all, but altered in fact, by the Minister for Health and Treasurer to make it look as though there had been an increase - increasing health funding by 43%. We have boosted education spending by 22%, and we have committed $2.2bn to capital works to build Territory infrastructure.
This economy is now growing strongly, in stark contrast to that inherited in August 2001. There is no crisis in the economy or in the budget. It is when things are going relatively well that it is wise to take stock. Each of these agencies, and right across the face of government, have had considerable enhancements to their budgets in those years since 2001-02. It is now time for consolidation; to step back, take stock, reassess priorities and ensure that we have the right settings for the budget, the right settings across agencies in order for them to meet the future challenges that we know are there, and to continue to grow the Territory economy. That is what the priorities review is about and that is what is behind this little stunt by the Leader of the Opposition today, because she is taking the run up to Christmas to try to scare the pants off public servants that they will not have a job post Christmas. That is deceitful in itself. We know it is all about politics, but it does give politics a little bit of a bad name when you run this sort of scare and nonsense campaign in the lead-up to Christmas.
The priorities review is a pre-budget planning process which will help us shape the 2006-07 budget. It is not a razor gang process as has been talked about. It is not an ERC post-1994 election – the infamous trio. It is not a Planning for Growth, God help us that we ever go there again, where Treasurer Reed was going to save $15m and finished up spending $45m and gutted agencies in the process. That was the greatest result of all time, we were going to save $15m, it cost us $45m and we had agencies unable to cope with their demands. In fact, we are still putting structures back in place to redress the damage inflicted through the Planning for Growth exercise.
All jurisdictions have budget subcommittees of Cabinet. We undertake these reviews annually as part of pulling the budget development process together. So it is not about cutting a budget.
The forward estimates: again, I refer to the 2005 budget. I refer to the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report which contains the forward estimates to show real growth in the expenditure going through to 2008-09.
It is all about reassessing and consolidating, reassessing those priorities to ensure that what funds are in those budgets and in those growth targets are targeted as effectively and efficiently as they can be to benefit all Territorians. It may be that some resources are refocussed as a result of this exercise. It would be a waste of time if you did not find some elements in the process to do that. It may result in some staff being redeployed to higher priority activities. It is not designed to target numbers of public servants or individuals and it will not result in any forced redundancies.
We have a terrific, professional, hardworking public service, and they have delivered, by and large, on the government’s election commitments and priorities over the last four years. So it is not an attack on the public service and we need to be very careful of the scare campaign that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to put out here. It is an exercise in ensuring that the priorities for the next four years are clear and that government resources are properly aligned to deliver on them.
I have probably said enough in response to a censure motion that really did not stack up. I refer the Leader of the Opposition once more and finally to the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook Report. If she tries to allege that I, the government or the Chief Minister have misled Territorians in any way about the state of the Northern Territory’s finances, I refer her to this little document where it is all contained, released prior to the election, and the story is pretty much the same today.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, the Treasurer holds up as evidence a document that was released 10 days after the announcement of the election as proof that this censure is not warranted. The opposition holds before this parliament, and for the people of the Northern Territory, other evidence. It is contained within the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report, to be read openly and honestly. It is also contained in the evidence that is clearly seen in the proposed sale of TIO. Why? The cancellation of NT Expo - why? Desert Knowledge Centre funding held back – why? Also $10m broken promise to people, the families of Palmerston – why? Cutbacks to the public sector. No new spending. No recruitment. Why? The closure of a school; students and families that can ill afford such a decision of this minister made on Melbourne Cup Day, Irrkerlantye – why? The Mereenie Loop Road has not been completed though many promises have been made – why is that?
The document that was held up as evidence to silence this censure surely contained reference to the trans-Territory pipeline, the Blacktip plant, and all of those forward projections were calibrated on the positive impact that the trans-Territory pipeline would have for the Northern Territory economy, both in this parliamentary term and beyond. The trans-Territory pipeline was canned straight after the election.
The member for Wanguri claimed, hand on heart, he knew nothing about it. Neither did the Treasurer or the Chief Minister. They knew absolutely nothing about the proposed cancellation of a significant project upon which calibrations for the future projections of the growth of the Northern Territory economy were based. How can we believe them? ‘Hand on heart, we never knew a thing about that’. Honestly! Walk down Mitchell Street during the election, before the election, and everybody was talking about it. But you are the only ones who knew nothing about it. Yet you based your forward projections on such, and your predictions and your growth, and then after the election, well, blow me down, what a surprise, Blacktip has been cancelled. And, do not worry, we are going to get gas from Papua New Guinea. And for four years we heard about gas, gas, gas. Then we heard wave pool, wave pool, wave pool. What next? Believe you? It is hard to.
That is the evidence that we hold. That is the substance of the censure. If it were not for the opposition such matters would remain unaddressed. We are outnumbered and outgunned on every respect with $8m spent on the 5th floor to produce a corporate image and a cohesive message. That makes it very difficult for an opposition on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory, the families, the small business operators, those who have plans for the future, to actually get a clear view of what the truth is. That is why we run such censure motions.
For the Treasurer to commence his rebuttal with exactly the same script that he used whenever censures were run in the previous parliament, in the 9th Assembly, he has just changed the names of the people involved, giving some gratuitous advice on how better to run censure motions. Well, he should have a lot of experience. I have gone through the previous Hansards for when they were in opposition and the grandfather of the House has a lot of experience with censures; there are umpteen censures that have been run whilst the Treasurer was in opposition. Sure, he does have a lot of experience, but he could learn some new lines, and to run gratuitous advice really is not gratuitous at all. It is quite insincere, and if we are going to make personal comments, it is noted, Treasurer, that your performance has lacked the spark and the enthusiasm that you once held.
I have noticed in the 10th Assembly that you have not risen to the same levels of passion that you had in the 9th Assembly. I was here for only part of the 8th Assembly, and it appears to me that some of the issues that we raise as matters of great concern to the Territory community are concerns that you hold also. Now you are on your own, Treasurer, and the Labor government is on its own. The honeymoon is over, and you cannot reflect back to a previous government as easily as you did before. The community holds you completely accountable, and you are front and centre, and it is our responsibility to ask you the questions and to see what kind of answers you do produce.
To read the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report and to make the assessment and raise the issue, and if the media runs it, as they are increasingly inclined to do so, it is because there is growing concern about the management of the economy. The Treasurer can play games, clever games. I walked out the back a moment ago and it seems that half of Treasury is sitting out the back there helping, however, the Treasurer make the claims that there was a surplus. There was a surplus, however, there is also increased debt. There have also been significant blow outs. The Chief Minister, who was once Treasurer for a very short time, has called this a growth budget. I have written down growth budgets and it is called growth spending. It is a bit like Christmas time going around with a bit of growth spending, that is like extra spending, unplanned spending. The luxury of spending more and it is a wonderful feeling to be able to write cheques and to buy things.
Where does the growth come from? It is a euphemism for excessive spending, for going beyond your limits. A growth budget is a budget beyond the limit. It is the extension of the parameters. How could you do this? How can you spend more than you plan to? Running a household budget, having responsibility for your income, managing your income, not just so you survive day-to-day or term-to-term or budget-to-budget, you have to run your budget and you have to run your economy so that you can grow and leave a legacy. Leave something that others can admire, not just to win the next election, or to create a perception. It is about making the money work for the long-term good of the Northern Territory. That is where the gloss is coming off this government.
Growth budgets are an excessive budget, beyond the normal limit. Growth spending beyond what you anticipated spending. Then the Treasurer’s line - which is the Chief Minister’s line – and their explanation of this excessive spending, which is good government is writing cheques. It must be a thrill to write cheques, something that the members who ran the Territory in the 8th Assembly, which is the former CLP, were unable to do so, because the GST revenue did not flow in for the Territory economy in the 8th Assembly, it commenced in the 9th. So, they had this wonderful experience of being able to write cheques. If it looked like an agency had gone beyond its limits, well you go and see the Treasurer, the Treasurer says: ‘Not a problem, I will just zip off to the Central Holding Authority, get a Treasurer’s Advance. How much more do you need?’
How could he go back to the storehouse and get a bit extra? Because it is there. You have a look at the Central Holding Authority, honourable members; have a look at it. Try to understand the budget. It is not an easy thing to understand these Treasury documents, and we understand of course that there was a beautiful little document circulated to all ministers today: just in case the opposition asked you this question say this. Just assert that. You do not understand it. How can you go to a Central Holding Authority and find that there is a bit more there and you can just chuck it out to the agency because they have gone beyond their normal limit? There has been $600m more than was expected in the forward estimates. There will be silly arguments backwards and forwards whether it was $400m or $600m, or we can sustain the argument, probably on a white board, to explain to you that there is, in fact, from 2001-02 now $600m more than you expected at that point, more than you expected in the Territory economy. That is why the Treasurer can zip off to Central Holding Authority and say: ‘How much more did you need, Education?’
Are you actually producing the outcome, that is, improved benchmarks, improved learning results? It seems to be sadly typical of Labor governments that outcomes are the same as spending more. So, a good outcome is you have spent more, and we have all these line items all over the place. You have figures there and you have had more government and more action, and more expenditure, but the actual measurable outcome that makes the noticeable long-term difference is of lesser importance. It is not of lesser importance. You have a responsibility to discharge, for the long-term benefit of the Northern Territory, not your short-term political gain.
We hold the evidence: TIO, NT Expo. I canvassed other members and, sadly - I am not sure but it is probably the case - members who are not opposition or Independent members would not keep a list of the promises that have been made. We railed publicly against government for breaking promises, holding back commitments that have been made, or delaying plans. ‘Explain them away and they will all believe it. It is okay. We understand. It is going to turn out all right in the end. Do not worry, we will pitch it right now. We will cut back real hard now, but we will come back right when it counts, just before the next election and, blow me down, there will be the money’. That is what you hope.
However, that may not necessarily be the case because you have become so accustomed to the GST largesse flowing into the Territory economy, you think it is just going to continue - $600m more than you expected for the last four years. Well, you have just become accustomed to that and you think it is going to be probably another $600m more than last time. It is just going to go on and on and this money will increase. You will just continue writing those cheques and just cut back a bit in the first couple of years of your term, and then open her up again in the third and fourth and - whacko! - you have won the next election and you give yourself a big pat on the back and wonderful things will happen and you will give yourselves credit for the next four years.
Well, it is not necessarily going to happen like that. For those who have obviously done a lot of study and read their Treasurer’s Annual Financial Reports as is their duty as elected representatives first and foremost and, secondly, as a member of a political party so that they can be honest representatives of their community, they ask the relevant questions of the minister. If he has given waffle and spin to protect a political point, they have been able to see through that and cut to the core of the issue: GST is what has allowed this government to continue on its merry way. However, it will not necessarily continue.
You may not understand this - I presume you do – but the GST is harvested from economic activity around the nation. Two states in particular, the most populous, have had strong growth. As a result of that strong economic growth – property booms and the like – there has been a significant increase in the GST harvested from those two states. Little wonder that the two Premiers concerned want to change the formula by which the GST is divvied up. Irrespective of the major beneficiary being the Northern Territory, which has the greatest need, they still want to run their own particular argument: not in their backyard, ‘Let us have it back here, thank you very much; we want the money in ours’. They want to change the formula which means we could see a cutback. I am sure the Chief Minister has been able to prevail upon Mr Iemma and Mr Bracks and get them to see the error of their ways and to not tamper with that formula.
That is one issue, but the more significant issue is one of just economics. With the slow down in the property market in New South Wales and Victoria, there has been less economic activity. That means there will be less in the pool and less distributed around the country, which will mean there will be significantly less in the Northern Territory.
At a recent briefing with Treasury - something I am sure all members have been able to keep up to date on - the predictions, the forward estimates of GST revenue flying into the Territory are significantly less. Not of concern in one year, but what about the following year? Well, the predictions are: worst case scenario is that it would continue to decline and we will end up with the likelihood of the GST receipts from one year to the next being less than the previous year. Every year since this government started to receive GST revenue, it has been significantly more than expected. What could happen is the very reverse of that. It is very likely, if you read your papers, it will go back the other way and, from one year to the next, it will be less than the year before.
The Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report demonstrates that we are in a vulnerable position, primarily because, in a time of plenty, government has spent beyond their limits, beyond their planned limits, and have predicated all of that on continued growth, continued income, that your Treasurer will always be able to dart back to the Central Holding Authority and find there is plenty there. Not necessarily the case and I would be very surprised if that be the case, for two reasons as already stated The actions of two Labor premiers of New South Wales and Victoria. Secondly, because the pool will diminish in size because the growth is slowing nationally.
At the Economic Summit, the definition of the economy was not just economic growth, financial growth, and money flying around the place. It is the benefit that flows from a growing economy, or from the economy to people. We run this censure because what lies ahead as a result of what we allege to be mismanagement, concealed mismanagement, is the opposite of that. A well-managed economy will directly benefit people, a mismanaged economy will bring harm to community. What harm lies potentially within the proposed sale of TIO? What community harm lies there potentially? Particularly when one considers this is a government which has as a core philosophy, does not seem to mean much anymore, of preferring not to sell a public asset. Different if it was a Coalition government or a Liberal government, or a CLP or whatever from the other side of the political fence, they have an interest in those sorts of things. But this is a group that does not believe in such things, yet they are propelled to do such a thing. Why? Is this a result of mismanagement that you need to make that move? As a result of mismanagement, following your own definition, mismanaging the economy brings potential harm to the community, particularly when you do not philosophically believe in the sale of public assets.
What community harm results from the cancellation of the NT Expo, to the foundations that have already been established, and the contacts that have been made? What harm, and I am more intimately aware of this, results from the forced decision to cancel a promise to the Palmerston community? It brings about great community harm. Learning outcomes are challenged, loss of faith in government, which has made promises and then excuses, and the most tenuous argument that there is not sufficient growth in Palmerston. The member for Wanguri often encourages us to: ‘Get out there and have a look around.’ When you go out and have a look around Palmerston at all the growth and housing that the Treasurer boasts about, and skites about how good the Territory is going, well, it is all happening in Palmerston, the very place that supposedly does not need to have another school. That is where all the building is going on. You are trying to run two arguments, and I would counsel him against too much time in Palmerston until he fixes that broken promise.
Everybody knows that there are restrictions placed on the public service. They are talking, they are feeling the pain. They are spoken of as professional, and they believe in what they are doing. They are educated and committed. They are quality people, and when they see, as a result of mismanagement and an excessive …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, your time has expired.
Mr MILLS: Oh, my goodness!
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, I move that the member for Blain be granted an extension of time.
Leave granted.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, honourable members!
The censure is one of great importance. Without this censure we are not able to demonstrate the effect of mismanagement, not able to hold this government accountable, and that means you have a responsibility not just for political gain and perception created by your $8m unit upstairs but you have an obligation to be honest in assessing the state of the Northern Territory economy.
In times of plenty when you have income beyond your expected allocation you have an obligation to spend that carefully. You have not spent it carefully otherwise you would not be in the situation you are in with the Treasurer rushing up the 30 year anniversary of Dr Cairns visit to a gentleman by the name of Khemlani - I did not know that Mr Khemlani lived in Singapore. The Treasurer had gone to Singapore to rustle the can for the Northern Territory to see whether we can raise additional money. All the evidence is there that warrants this censure and it is for that reason we are obligated to censure the Treasurer and this government and, in particular, the Chief Minister for the continued concealment of the actual state of the Northern Territory economy.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I thought the member for Blain was going to take up another 10 minutes but just to show we are not arrogant we give members additional time if they need it.
Speaking in response to this censure I really have to say that the prosecution of the censure by the Leader of the Opposition was something that was less than half hearted and as my colleague, the Treasurer, said, if you could just mark the censure based on the number of times the Leader of the Opposition said lie and lying, I suppose she will score pretty high. If you had to mark the censure in terms of actually prosecuting the case then that mark would be at the other end of the scale. It certainly rang true to me, as the Treasurer said, that it seemed to be a lot of bile that had been brewing up inside a member who had lost their seat at the last election.
We have some very good contacts within the CLP and they certainly advised us that one previous member for Drysdale had been working on that particular speech for some quite time and you could certainly hear the member for Drysdale
Ms CARNEY: Point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the Leader of Government Business to withdraw or otherwise bring on a substantive motion to give evidence to his assertion that the former member for Drysdale wrote this speech. It really is laughable.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. There is no point of order. Please continue.
Mr HENDERSON: Very sensitive, Madam Speaker. The ghost of the former member for Drysdale is rattling around this Chamber.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Members, order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker, the ghost of the former member for Drysdale is rattling around this Chamber. Those who have heard him speak in this Chamber many times in the past can certainly pick up those nuances in that particular speech.
Moving on to the censure motion and the first part of the censure motion accuses the Treasurer, Chief Minister and the government of lying to the elected members of this House about the state of the NT’s finances. Let us look at the context in which that particular allegation is made because this is a very significant slur and a very significant accusation. Not to members on this side of the parliament, but to the fine officers in Treasury who are responsible for putting together the budget papers, are responsible for the presentation of the pre-election fiscal outlook under the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act, that somehow these public servants of the highest integrity are actually caught up in politics.
It is an absolutely outrageous slur and nothing that the Leader of the Opposition or the member for Blain have said in their contributions to this censure motion could prosecute the fact that the numbers that are contained in the pre-election fiscal outlook are anything other than accurate at that particular point in time. The history and the integrity of Treasury officers go back to when this government came to office after the August 2001 election. It is useful to keep revisiting this history because members on the other side of the House have a track record of directly interfering in the work of Treasury and in the work of the budget papers. That is why we had to put in place legislation to protect Treasury officers and our good public servants from having the sticky fingers of ministers all over their work and presenting Treasury’s work as being anything other than totally honest.
If we go back to a memo that was tabled in this House on 27 September 2001, which goes to show exactly how the previous government used to operate, and this was a memo from the chief executive officer of the Territory Health Services to yourself, when you were the Minister for Health, Family and Children Services. In that particular memo, which has been tabled in this House, I will not read from it verbatim, Mr Bartholomew states, in summary, ‘there was an artificial reduction of $8m in Territory Health Services 2000-01 budget in order that the 2001-02 budget figures could be presented falsely as a 2.5% increase. In reality Territory Health Services 2001-02 budget represents a reduction on the final 2000-01 budget.’
So here is a memo from the CEO of a government agency stating that there was an artificial reduction in the budget so it could be presented falsely as a 2.5% increase.
These were the types of things that were going on for years in the Northern Territory and the Leader of the Opposition has a hide to come in here and accuse this government of lying to the members of this House about the state of the Northern Territory’s finances when that is precisely the form that the former CLP government’s had, and so eloquently sprung by the former CEO of the Health department. This is exactly the reason why we, as a government, had to introduce the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act to stop governments now and into the future falsely inserting figures into the budget papers to do exactly what this government is being alleged to do, which is to falsify the budget figures. That is the history and the context of this, and now that that legislation is in place, for the Leader of the Opposition to come in here with a censure motion and accuse government members of lying to this House about the state of the Territory’s finances is a very big slur on those 269 public servants in Treasury who put those budget papers together, and who put together the pre-election fiscal outlook.
The third part of the statement goes to fraudulently misrepresenting to Territorians the true state of the Territory economy. Again, accusing, by default, public servants of lying and fraudulently misrepresenting the state of the economy, is an allegation against public servants that we find extraordinarily insulting.
Ms Carney: It must have been why they were not censured, hey?
Mr HENDERSON: If we now go to the essence of the state of the Territory’s finances and misrepresenting the state of the Territory economy - well, if you do not believe Treasury, which has to comply to integrity and transparency legislation in this House, there are other non-government agencies which have run their eyes over the state of the Territory’s economy and Territory’s finances just in the last few months: Access Economics, Sensis and the Housing Industry of Association of Australia.
If the Leader of the Opposition is trying to say that not only do Treasury officers not know what they are doing and they cannot forecast accurately, and somehow the figures are wrong, she is also saying that other independent bodies are incompetent as well and the only people with wisdom are those on the other side of the Chamber and the people who are putting together her speeches for her.
Access Economics is forecasting the strongest growth for any jurisdiction in the country for the next five years, averaging about between 4% and 4.5% a year for the next five years. If the Territory government’s financial situation was so bankrupt, so destitute, so ill-prepared for potential future reduction in GST revenues from the Commonwealth government - if we were in such a bankrupt position - it amazes me that Access Economics could project economic growth of 4.5% every year for the next five years given the huge part that the Territory government’s expenditure has in the economy.
We have had the Sensis report today. I have been Business minister since the beginning of this Labor government, and I used to not particularly enjoy the Sensis comments about the business outlook in the Territory and confidence in government. However, we have worked really hard over four years in government with the business community. We have delivered record tax cuts, record expenditure in capital works, and shown our bona fides to the business community. I should send a copy of the release today, Tuesday, 29 November, to the Leader of the Opposition, if she has not received a copy. It states that small businesses stamped their approval on the Territory government’s economic policies:
- SMEs in the Northern Territory had recorded stunning confidence and economic performance in the last quarter.
It goes on to say:
- The Northern Territory’s economic conditions are still among the best in the nation with SMEs in the Territory recorded
the highest levels of sales and profitability.
The Housing Industry Association - and I do not have a copy of that report - which produces a very detailed economic forecast for the construction industry. Their latest quarterly report was, again, a stunning endorsement of confidence for the construction industry in the future of the Territory’s economy. I was very pleased to be at their recent awards night at the casino. Getting around talking to people and listening to the speeches, the housing industry is absolutely booming at the moment. They are very confident of future growth in the Northern Territory, and that confidence is reflected in their report.
Access Economics is also predicting the highest employment growth in Australia in the next four to five years, and the second highest population growth. Those forecasts are, in a large part, based on government budget papers and forward estimates. I do not think anybody criticises Access Economics as being anything other than a much respected, very astute financial analyst and commentator.
All of these people have been hoodwinked by this Treasurer and this government, according to the Leader of the Opposition. Apart from her own bile that she poured out in the speech that was, obviously, written for her, she was not able to point to one independent third party commentator looking at the Territory’s economy and the state of the Territory’s finances, to back up her assertions. It was just bile and vitriol and a yearning for years past.
The Leader of the Opposition makes the allegation over and over again, as did the previous opposition leader that this government is the highest taxing government in the Territory’s history. In regard to overall revenues coming to government, that is based on the fact that we have a growing economy, we have growing revenues, we have a growing population base that needs to be serviced. The real indicator to look at is the level of taxation that is applied to Territory small business compared to the level of taxation applied if that business was to be operating in any other of the states, and that ultimately affects our competitive position, that ultimately determines where investment flows are going to occur in the private sector.
I am very proud to be part of a government that actually has delivered the lowest taxing regime on small businesses of 100 employees or less than any other state in the Commonwealth, and business recognises that. Business recognise that the tax monkey has been incrementally lifted from their backs. I speak to many businesses which are very pleased with the work that we have done on payroll tax, in lifting the threshold from $600 000 to $1m this financial year, and $1.25m the next financial year. I do not have the numbers in front of me, but that is many tens and dozens of Territory small to medium businesses which will no longer be paying payroll tax. Those which are going to pay payroll tax are paying less.
We have reduced and removed a whole number of other annoying taxes on business, freeing up red tape, and certainly that has been recognised in the recent Sensis Business Index. SME’s support for the Territory government has stemmed from the belief that the government was trying to help small business, more aware of the needs of small business and small business management training. Again, the Leader of the Opposition is out of kilter.
I do not believe the Leader of the Opposition has prosecuted her censure motion one iota. She cannot quote one third party commentator to back up her assertions that she so eloquently made on behalf of her speech writer in this parliament this afternoon.
I would like to pick up on some comments from the member for Blain, where, I am pretty sure that he said in his opening comments, and I had not quite tuned in, that the pre-election fiscal outlook was released after the election. It was released about 10 days before polling day, or 10 days after the writs, and I recall the Treasurer doing media on it. I am surprised the member for Blain does not recall that. Certainly, in the lead-up to the election, every single election commitment the Labor Party made was fully costed, in overall cost and in which financial year that allocation was to be made. The opposition policies were not costed, were not detailed, and when they were finally provided to Treasury for Treasury costing in the two to three days prior to polling day, guess what? Treasury found that there was a $200m hole in the CLP costings. They could not even get their costings right in the lead-up to the election, and any allegation that the public of the Northern Territory were misled certainly goes to making allegations that Treasury officers had not complied with their responsibilities under the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act, an outrageous assertion and one that was not prosecuted by the Leader of the Opposition.
The member for Blain said it is all doom and gloom, nothing is happening out there, there is no recruitment. Well, pick up the paper on Saturday. I was looking at Saturday’s paper – there were dozens of public service ads in Saturday’s paper. I challenge you: pick up the paper and have a look. You talk about there being a recruitment freeze on? All you need to do is pick up the paper, Inspector Clouseau, and you can certainly see that there is no such recruitment freeze on.
He talks about the cancellation of NT Expo. I believe he is the shadow spokesman for small business. Has he spoken to Rick Paul, the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce? NT Expo is owned by the Chamber of Commerce. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Northern Territory government.
Dr Lim: It lacked the support from government, which was the problem. You guys have never supported it well.
Mr HENDERSON: The member for Greatorex carries on, however, I suggest to the opposition that if they are talking to the business community at all, speak to the president of the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce. He will give you a full explanation as to why NT Expo has been cancelled this year.
Dr Lim: Because of your lackadaisical support for it, that is why.
Mr HENDERSON: It has nothing to do with the Northern Territory government. But we know that the opposition does not talk to business anymore. Just last week in this Chamber we had over 100 people from the business community, from every industry association, here in the Chamber talking about the Territory’s economic future over the next 10 years. And where was the Leader of the Opposition? What more pressing engagement did the Leader of the Opposition have over that day and a half? She was invited to attend …
Ms Carney: On the Friday night beforehand! On the Friday beforehand, you goose!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, what more pressing engagement was there? Everyone was saying to me: ‘Where is the Leader of the Opposition? We thought she might be interested in this?’
Ms Carney: Yes. And guess what I told them? Guess what I told them?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: She might be interested in networking. There were great networking opportunities. Might be interested in networking with every single business association, business people from around the Northern Territory, but no, the Leader of the Opposition had something more important to do. I would be very keen to hear what was more important for the Leader of the Opposition than to meet with 100 of the Territory’s business elite looking at the future of the Northern Territory. I pay tribute to the member for Blain. He found time to come and he made a contribution and good luck to him …
Ms Carney: He was representing the opposition, being a business spokesman in the way that he is.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … however, the Leader of the Opposition was absent.
The government rejects this censure motion. It has not been prosecuted at all. Not one third party independent endorsement of the sentiments.
Madam Speaker, I move that the motion be put.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: The question now is that the censure motion be agreed to.
Motion negatived.
HOUSING AMENDMENT BILL (No 2)
(Serial 23)
(Serial 23)
Continued from earlier this day.
In committee:
Clauses 1 and 2, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 3:
Dr LIM: Clause 3, which is about Part X, No 50. Mr Chairman, I would like to ask the minister to clarify this for me. Under clause 50, Scheme under repealed housing loans regulations, it says:
- The scheme set out in the Schedule to the repealed Housing Loans Regulations is taken to be a scheme that the
Chief Executive Officer (Housing) may administer under section 24 of this act.
Section 24 of the act, as I referred to it earlier today, reads that the chief executive officer can administer section 24 under the minister’s delegation. It is my understanding, from the amendment, that the chief executive officer does not require direct delegation from the minister, but in fact can act on his own behalf after this amendment goes through the House. Am I right?
Mr McADAM: The point to be made here is essentially what occurs is that the chief executive officer, under these new regulations, has more capability, more capacity to be able to manage the HomeNorth scheme, GBD, along commercial and business lines. To take that one step further: the chief executive officer is able to administer those regulations but if the chief executive officer wishes to, in any way, vary or to make any changes, he cannot do that. He has to do that via the minister and then I have to take that matter to Cabinet for approval. Any variations, any changes - for instance, the chief executive officer could not increase the cap, which I think at the moment is $1166. The chief executive officer could not increase that cap arbitrarily, nor could he, for instance, raise the loan from $260 000. He could not do that. He would have to come back via me and, of course, I would have to submit that to Cabinet for consideration.
Dr LIM: Thank you, minister. It gives me a lot of comfort to know that. Could you also say that he cannot alter the interest rates without coming through you to Cabinet?
Mr McADAM: Of course - absolutely not. The chief executive officer has no capacity at all to vary the rates. There was the suggestion on your part a little bit earlier when you effectively implied that, for instance, there could be a government at some time in the future that could vary those rates, say, prior to an election. As you know, the scheme that we are locked into is very much set to market rates. Government is in no position whatsoever to influence interest rates. The market sets those rates, and any government that wanted in any way to interfere in that would be very foolish.
Dr LIM: Again, I take comfort in your words, minister. That is what I wanted in terms of clarification and the intent of this amendment as you explained, and I am happy with it. Thank you very much for that.
Clause 3 agreed to.
Clause 4 agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment; report adopted.
Mr McADAM (Housing): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 22)
(Serial 22)
Continued from 19 October 2005.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition supports this proposed legislation, understanding that there is, from time to time, the need to assess such agencies. However, the issue remains as to why this Treasurer and government are in a position to consider preparing TIO for sale. Whilst we understand the parameters which are established and the arguments to support such a move by government, we do not understand why the government would be in this position to want to proceed down this path.
Those words have been registered not just from the opposition. Those concerns are related to the motivation behind this direction. They have been registered not just by opposition, but by the Chamber of Commerce and a number of people, particularly in the Katherine region. It is that matter which is of deeper concern; however, it does not lie directly within the scope of this debate.
The arguments which have been raised by the minister to support this passage of legislation is understood and accepted by the CLP, but the underlying issues are not, and raise issues of great concern to the opposition - which were the content of significant debate in the Chamber recently.
Madam Speaker, that said, we do not oppose this legislation. However, we register those underlying concerns.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain and the opposition for their support. We are getting to a stage where, if it rains tomorrow it is a sign we are going to sell TIO, quite frankly. Everything we do has to be seen in the context of this potential sale of TIO.
TIO and the budget are totally unrelated – let me make that clear. Whether TIO is sold, has absolutely nothing to do with our budget. It would realise a one-off, which would always be useful to a government at any time. However, you cannot put any credence on it in fiscal terms as it is a one-off and it is not there the next year - whatever you got. Presumably, no discussion has been entered into because no decision has been made about the sale of TIO. However, if it was to be sold, options and recommendations for what you might do with the proceeds of the sale would then become a focus of discussion and decision by Cabinet. My view would be that, if it was, that would be a golden, one-off opportunity to retire debt because you are only going to get it once and you can only use it once. That, to me, would seem to be the best use of it: retirement against debt in some way.
The bill itself is just a question of timing. This legislation has been a long time in the making - well and truly on the books to come through Cabinet and into parliament before ever a scoping review into the operations of the TIO was ever considered. This will simply level the playing field a little in relation to the way TIO does its business in the marketplace against other competitors. It is fair that government gets a return for its prudential regulation carried out by Treasury, and it is only right and proper that TIO be encouraged, by way of legislative reform, to move closer and closer to the regulatory requirements laid down by APRA, and those regulatory requirements have seen a considerable strengthening, and rightly so, since the collapse of HIH back in 1999-2000.
I welcome the support of the opposition for the legislation. I do not know how clear I can make it that it is totally unrelated to any proposed or potential sale of TIO. This was a proper policy and the right legislation to bring in, regardless of the future of TIO and, really, it does not make any difference in regards to potential or proposed sale, totally unrelated items. I thank the opposition for their support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MOTION
Note Paper - Standing Orders Committee – Second Report of the Tenth Assembly
Note Paper - Standing Orders Committee – Second Report of the Tenth Assembly
Continued from 20 October 2005.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I will be brief in regards to the considerations of the Standing Orders Committee during the Tenth Assembly. Essentially, four areas have been looked at by the Standing Orders Committee and a couple more are still on foot in that committee.
The first goes to the amendments of Standing Orders 8, 9 and 10 to provide for the appointment of an Acting Speaker in the absence of the Speaker, and to address the fact that the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) Act is no longer in force. On 13 October, the Legislation Repeal Bill 2005 passed through the Assembly and that act repealed a whole range of legislation. One of those pieces of legislation was the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) Act. The Standing Orders Committee has recommended that we amend Standing Orders 8, 9 and 10 to provide for the appointment of an Acting Speaker in the absence of the Speaker, a fairly simple change and a commonsense change. Obviously, if the Speaker is overseas and there is urgent business for the Assembly, then the Acting Speaker does need to have the capacity to act as Speaker during the Speaker’s absence.
Regarding Routine of Business and Related Orders, the Standing Orders Committee recommends Sessional Orders now be adopted as Standing Orders for the rest of the term of this parliament. The new Standing Orders relate to the conduct of ministerial reports, the programming of questions, the routine of business and speech time limits.
The committee considered a request from the Independent members of this Assembly that they be able to, formally, within Standing Orders as opposed to by leave of the Assembly, have the capacity to speak to ministerial reports, so the Standing Orders Committee accepts that that is a logical recommendation and will amend Standing Orders to allow one Independent member to make comment for no more than two minutes on each ministerial report.
The last item of business is in relation to Standing Order 94, which governs support for a matter of public importance. At the moment, Standing Orders state that five members of the Chamber need to support any suspension of government business to address a matter of public importance. Given the status quo in the current Assembly where the formal opposition is made up of only four members of this House, the Standing Orders Committee thought it appropriate that, in accordance of recognition of the formal status of the opposition, that it should not be incumbent on them to be able to achieve support from one other member of this House to bring on a matter of public importance. The recommendation is that Standing Order 94 be amended to reduce the number of members, including the proposer who must support a matter of public importance, from five members to four members.
Some fairly minor but very important recommendations to amendments to standing orders is detailed in this second report. I commend these amendments to the Assembly.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I will just add a few brief words on the report. I thank the minister for bringing it on and express my appreciation of the report and the time provided for members to discuss these issues in committee and also here.
There is only one matter I want to raise and it is about matters of public importance. I thank the government members for their cooperation in reducing the number of members required to support an MPI from five to four. It makes life easier for the opposition and we appreciate the government’s recognition of the difficulties within which the opposition currently has to function. Without a doubt, MPIs are important issues that should be raised from time to time in parliament and for the formal opposition to be able to do that without having to seek support from elsewhere makes the process much simpler for us. In the event that Independent members wish to raise MPIs in this Chamber the opposition would be more than happy to assist where we can and leave our door open for them to walk through and seek our support for an MPI.
With those few words, I thank the minister for the report and support it.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, as the Independent on the Standing Orders Committee, I thank the Leader of Government Business for the support government and opposition have given to the Independents in allowing us to have a say in ministerial reports. It was a bit controversial to begin with and we are pleased that we have all agreed and that there is a fair contribution.
I also appreciate the comments made by the member for Greatorex with regards to an MPI because to get an MPI up, two Independents could not do it on their own. They would obviously need the support of either the government or the opposition and for that we are truly grateful.
In regard to Question Time, which I would like to flag even though it was not in the report, there is a feeling of frustration amongst the Independents of a lack of opportunity for us to ask questions. I realise the government has 19 members and probably many of their members feel very much the same way. Perhaps there is a need to look at the length of answers to questions. Much of the time today was taken with lengthy answers to dorothy dixers, whereas the opposition and the Independents obviously had those hard, biting questions that they want to ask and we really want to take government to task. That is part of our role: to be able to ask the hard questions. When you get denied an opportunity to do that it is extremely frustrating for us.
Perhaps it is something the Leader of Government Business might think about. There are set times in some parliaments. Perhaps it is time, with the imbalance that we have already in this parliament at the present time, to start thinking about that, to get more questions, short answers and of course shorter questions as well so that everyone gets a fair go.
The changes that were brought in to accommodate the composition of the Assembly this time around for this term are commendable.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution and their support for these changes.
In response to the member for Braitling, I am not sure how many questions we got through today but it is part of the analysis that I do as Leader of Government Business at the end of each sittings of parliament to review the number of questions and answers during the sittings. I can state with all sincerity, as much as it can be believed, that ministers do try to keep answers short. There is some competition amongst us. If a minister rambles on, he or she is picked up by their colleagues afterwards.
In the Ninth Assembly, there was some analysis done which I will bring to the next Standing Orders Committee meeting in regard to the average number of questions answered in the Ninth Assembly. I think it went to something like 16 or 17 a day. Sometimes it was a lot more than that. On one occasion, I think we had 23. If you look back over the history of this parliament, that was a very significant increase of what used to be the norm in terms of the number of questions that the opposition and Independents in this Chamber asked in previous Assemblies. We are doing much better than previous Assemblies did, and the challenge is, without adversely curtailing the answers so they become meaningless, to keep the pressure on. We will attempt to do that.
I personally do not believe in having set time limits to answer questions. Sometimes when you listen to the Senate, it really is a bit of a farce. Three minutes is hardly enough time if you have a very detailed or complex question. You hardly have time to even make a dent in the answer and the whole process becomes absolutely meaningless. So I am not personally a great fan of set time limits, but certainly there is an assurance from me as Leader of Government Business that I will try to keep my colleagues and myself honest and answer questions as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. I thank members for their support.
Motion agreed to; paper noted.
MOTION
Note Paper – Office of the Ombudsman, Annual Report 2004-05
Note Paper – Office of the Ombudsman, Annual Report 2004-05
Continued from 20 October 2005.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I wanted to make a few observations in relation to the Ombudsman’s report. From memory, the Chief Minister was reasonably brief, and I do not propose to spend much time on it other than to make a few observations.
One issue is that of funding. There seems to have been a cut. There was a forward estimate of $1.818m, and then in the 2005-06 budget it was down to $1.770m. It appears as though the Ombudsman’s office has suffered some reductions. Members of the current Assembly, the last and probably every Assembly since the Ombudsman was established in the Northern Territory, have probably stood in this Chamber talking about how very important the Ombudsman is in the Northern Territory, yet this office is, on the face of it at least, experiencing some funding difficulties. That is a matter, no doubt, that Territorians generally will comment on.
I note that the Ombudsman lists that the number of approaches to the office has doubled from 2001-02. Back then it was 1638, and in the last financial year it was 3275. That is a massive increase by any measure. One would have thought that over time, even before the government’s economic difficulties began, noting the quite significant increases in the number of approaches to the office that the Ombudsman would have been better funded.
I note that the Ombudsman, according to an article in the Northern Territory News on 31 October said, and I quote:
- …the workload of those managing inquiries has reached saturation point. Any further increase in approaches is likely
to stretch resources available for this purpose and impact on the ability to resolve complaints in a timely manner.
She also made comments as to unacceptable time frames in which complaints are finalised and noted that only 54% of police complaints were finalised within the benchmark time of 180 days. The Ombudsman, Carolyn Richards, said according, to the article, and I quote:
- This is not a reasonable time frame and is a cause of criticism of this office.
They are pretty serious words, and I hope that government has taken them on board. Not everything is perfect in life but, as I have said, given that we, as politicians, proudly stand in this place and talk - some would say waffle - about the importance of the Ombudsman, I would have thought that the new Ombudsman, in particular, would be afforded, at the very least, something in the manner of an assurance that life for the Ombudsman’s Office will improve.
There are many matters contained in the report. I would like to talk on one, in particular. It was nice to see in parliament today the former member for Arnhem, Jack Ah Kit, albeit on a very sad occasion because he was here supporting the condolence motion of a loss of a friend. We have all lost friends and I extend my heartfelt sympathies to him. Nevertheless, in the last Assembly he was a minister of the Crown. Maybe it is apocryphal - I do not know - but there seems to be the story around that Jack Ah Kit was leant on heavily - as you would need to with Jack - to move on from politics on account of, or as a result of, the gifting of a four-wheel drive. Of course, we started with this issue late in the day in the Alice Springs sittings in February/March, I think it was, and there have been a number of reports about this matter.
It was very interesting to see that the Ombudsman looked into it. The member for Arnhem will have a place in the Territory’s history for reasons that, perhaps, he would not like. My take on it is that he will go down as the bloke who gave away the four-wheel drive. Well, I suppose we all have our place in history. However, it was very interesting to read the Ombudsman’s report on the conduct of the former member for Arnhem.
I suggest to all members - particularly new members of parliament - that the Ombudsman’s report is always a good read. If you are just talking on the point of view of a local member, we all know we have many constituents coming into our office with a range of inquiries and we, as politicians in the normal course of our work, refer many constituents to the Ombudsman. We should continue to do that.
My view is that, regardless of who the individual Ombudsman is, the role of the Ombudsman in the Territory is very serious and we, as community leaders, have a part to play in that and we must, as local members, always encourage our constituents who have had a raw deal, and many of them have, but I would like to suggest and encourage you to use the Ombudsman’s Office despite concerns about funding.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for tabling the report. I take this opportunity of wishing the relatively new Ombudsman the very best in what will be, at times, a challenging but, I am sure, very rewarding task.
Mr HENDERSON (Business and Economic Development): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank our new Ombudsman for her report. As a member of parliament, I look forward to working with her in the future. As the Leader of the Opposition said, with twin hats of minister of the Crown responding to comments that the Ombudsman has raised in regards to each of our agencies, but also as a member of parliament recognising the work that the Ombudsman’s Office does in receiving complaints from members of the public when they feel aggrieved by decisions of government departments, it is an important role and one that I am sure our new Ombudsman will take on with great professionalism.
I would like to speak first of all in regard to the Ombudsman’s comments regarding my portfolio of Police, Fire and Emergency Services. I have to say, as Police minister, that it is certainly a very professional relationship between the Police Commissioner and the Ombudsman. Under current legislation, a very professional relationship exists. However, given the nature of police work and the opportunity for people in the community with motives that are anything other than pure and decent to make vexatious and spurious allegations about individual members of the police force and their actions, there is tension from time to time, particularly between the Police Association on behalf of their members and the role of the Ombudsman’s Office. It is a delicate balance but one that is a very important point.
I make the point that our police force in the Northern Territory takes to the highest levels of accountability their responsibilities for integrity, ethical practice and professionalism. I believe that all of us in this Chamber would acknowledge that we do have a police force in the Northern Territory of very high community standing, and, I have said it in this Assembly before, one which, unlike other police forces around Australia, has not been tainted by systemic corruption, or corruption per se to any degree, and certainly the integrity and professionalism of our police force is second to none. However, police officers do make mistakes, they do make errors of judgement, and some of those are reflected in this report.
I would like to point to certain reports from the National Audit Office that look at community sentiments towards police across all of the jurisdictions, and the values and ethics snapshot 2004-05 Northern Territory versus Australia showed that 66% of NT respondents strongly agreed or agreed that police treat people fairly and equally compared to 68% nationally. Eighty per cent of Territory respondents strongly agreed or agreed that police perform their job professionally, and 74% of NT respondents strongly agreed or agreed that police are honest. Every police officer is bound by a strict, professional code of conduct, and the Professional Responsibility Command of the Northern Territory Police has a specific charter to promote the agency’s integrity and reduce the risk of corruption.
The primary responsibilities of the Professional Responsibility Command include: investigation of serious complaints against police and the management of the complaints against the police system; the investigation of internal disciplinary matters and the management of the disciplinary process; investigation of alleged corruption and other serious matters; ethics and integrity training of recruits and supervisors; training for supervisors in the investigation of complaints against police; oversighting the deaths in custody investigations; and, executive auditing of the agency’s policies, procedures and practices.
The Ombudsman provides a further avenue to the work of the Northern Territory Police PRC in investigating complaints against police and may review any complaint where the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of a PRC review. So even if the Professional Responsibility Command investigates any complaint that is actually made to them, the Ombudsman still has the capacity to also investigate any complaint where the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review.
Of the specific issues raised by the Ombudsman - the first one was the Ombudsman’s comments about a backlog of complaints against the police. The Ombudsman states that only 54% of complaints against police are being dealt with within benchmark of 180 days, but says that this is primarily due to delays in the Ombudsman’s Office. I would like to see our new Ombudsman have time to settle into the office. I believe the previous Ombudsman had, obviously, a certain management style that was his own in how he organised the affairs of his office in allocating priorities and the work made against complaints. It will be interesting to see what that percentage is like next year in comparison to this year, given that benchmark of 180 days. I hope that it does improve.
In July this year, the Northern Territory Police Responsibility Command established a stand alone version of PROMIS and is now able to provide the Ombudsman’s office with more timely electronic interim reports of matters under investigation. Again, members would be aware that one of the great deficits in the police force going back four or five years prior to the O’Sullivan Review was the total lack of ongoing funding for the maintenance and enhancement of the PROMIS IT system, an integral system for logging and recording reports of crime and the tracking of police investigations. Now the police have a section of a PROMIS dedicated to logging and managing complaints through the PRC that the Ombudsman can access. We, as the government, I think it was about three budgets ago, increased the current funding to PROMIS to the tune of $1.5m a year to ensure that that system is kept up to date. Northern Territory Police are supportive of the Ombudsman’s efforts to establish and resource a police complaints unit within the Ombudsman’s office.
The second point was that during the present period there were three matters where the statute of limitations on complaints against police had expired and where disciplinary action may have been warranted. In two of the three cases criminal charges had been initiated, and in the other case the member received counselling for work practices. The police response to that is that in two of those three cases criminal charges have been initiated and a member has received counselling. So the question would be, did police ignore and not act on those complaints; I think that very much answers that those complaints were acted upon.
The third issue the Ombudsman raised was the increase in the number of complaints against police requiring review by the Ombudsman. There was a range of categories of complaints against police. They are preliminary inquiries where matters were initiated through the Ombudsman’s office for assessment or determination as to whether a police investigation is required; minor complaints are matters that appear suitable for resolution through conciliation which includes rudeness or lack of action if those allegations are made against individual police officers; non-joint review committee complaints which are complaints unsuitable for conciliation and generally are investigated by staff in the operational commands. The JRC responds by letter to complainants and a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Ombudsman; and the fourth area is the Joint Review Committee complaints. The Ombudsman’s office is furnished with all relevant materials during the course of the investigation and the Ombudsman prepares a final response to the complainants. These matters are almost exclusively investigated by the Professional Responsibility Command and the complaint will have some degree of criminality or systemic failing within the police structure.
The Ombudsman’s annual report indicates the total inquiries and complaints against police have increased from 692 to 880 from 2003-04 to 2004-05. Likewise, the Police annual report shows the total number of complaints against police received during 2004-05 was 333; 27 more complaints than the previous year. The breakdown of those was 29 preliminary inquiries in 2004-05 compared to 44 in 2003-04; 168 minor complaints compared to 132 the previous year; and 165 Joint Review Committee and Non-Joint Review Committee complaints compared to 159. Whilst there has been an increase in minor complaints over the past year, it is also worth noting that the number of officers in the Northern Territory Police Force has also increased by 137 since June 2003.
It is not a huge percentage and, given the number of additional police officers in our force, and with the advent of the mass recruiting that is under way at the moment, we do have a high percentage of probationary constables in our police force. There is only one way to make this omelette, and that is cracking a few eggs and getting police out there.
There are issues with new police officers across the Northern Territory. There is not the level of experience that we would like to see amongst those lower ranks, but the only way to grow our police force is to recruit. Given that mix of issues, I suppose one complaint is one complaint too many, but there certainly has not been a massive increase in complaints. The increase that is there is balanced by the fact that we have 137 more officers in the force than in June 2003 and the mix of experienced to probationary constables has certainly grown.
The independent O’Sullivan Review also recommended an increase in staffing in the Professional Responsibility Command and it is anticipated that three extra staff will start work this financial year.
In regards to police, I take on board and very seriously the Ombudsman’s reports and comments in regard to police matters. Anyone who knows the history of some of the issues between the Police Association and the Ombudsman’s office – there are very high levels of professionalism, but there have been tensions there. I hope that with our new Ombudsman and a new term of office, that relationship will improve. I thank the Ombudsman for her report and comments.
As minister for DBERD, Business Economic and Regional Development, there were two complaints lodged with the Ombudsman regarding the operations of the Territory Business Centres and documented in the 2004-05 annual report. Territory Business Centres are located in the major regions and are a one-stop shop for business licensing and business issues across the Territory.
The first complaint was the application from an electrical worker that was received at the TBC in August 2003 and a complaint lodged at the Ombudsman’s office in September 2004 about the non-refundable fee. The Ombudsman’s office examined the TBC process. It was found there was no action required from the TBC and the matter was then referred to and dealt with by the Electrical Workers and Contractors Board.
The second complaint was received by the Ombudsman in July 2005 about registration of a traditional name as a business name. The case manager from the Ombudsman’s office investigated the approval process and was satisfied with the course of action taken by the Business Centre. No further action has been taken by the complainant.
Mr Deputy Speaker, with those comments, I thank the Ombudsman for her report. It is a report that is taken very seriously by this parliament and I am sure all ministers and members welcome our new Ombudsman to her role and look forward to working with her over the years ahead.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I will not be long. I would like to thank Mr Peter Boyce for all the work he has done over the years and, in the putting together of this report, Mr Vic Feldman who took his place as Acting Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman in that period up to when our new Ombudsman, Carolyn Richards, was appointed. Our thanks for all the work that the previous Ombudsman did should be on record, and we especially thank Mr Vic Feldman who filled in at that time because he really had two jobs: one for the Health area; and the general work of the Ombudsman.
The minister for DBERD just said that there was extra money put in, but when you see the percentage increase and the number of approaches that the Ombudsman has received, and you can see how it is continually going up, it is really important that the government comes back to this parliament and says we support the role of the Ombudsman by improving funding.
As is noted in the report, what has been happening to try to keep the Ombudsman’s office operating is that they have had to cut back on some of the discretionary funding for things like awareness, staff development and training. I know, from talking to the new Ombudsman, that one of her goals was to go out to more communities to tell people about the role of the Ombudsman because, in many cases, they are only servicing the major towns. Many people in the communities do not realise the role of the Ombudsman. If you have to cut that sort of funding back to keep the office going, then the government is going to have look to allow more funding for the work that it does so that it does not cut into that important area of education and staff development and training. Many issues that come before the Ombudsman today relate to policing, because there is a lot more technical work in policing, I imagine, and training of staff in the Ombudsman’s Office also has to be upgraded.
I believe the new Ombudsman is sincere when she says that the issue of the backlog of complaints against police is unacceptable. As the minister for DBERD has said, there has been some criticism of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Police Association from time to time. I believe, looking at the background of our new Ombudsman, she will be making an effort to try to change that for the better, because we should have a good relationship between not only the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, but also the Police Association which, as we know, represents the police force. It is many of those policemen who, from time to time in their work, do have complaints filed against them which end up with the Ombudsman.
I make one other note in relation to Correctional Services. I raised this in some questions today about issues in Correctional Services. I note that issues such as prisoners’ rights, from 2003 – well, I go back a little further. In 2002-03, there were 75 – I think these tables have been switched over somehow. Yes, the headings on the tables have been swapped over incorrectly here. However, in 2002-03, on page 20, there were 75 complaints relating to prisoners’ rights. In 2003-04, that nearly doubled to 133 and, in 2004-05, it did double to 288. I do not believe that the number of prisoners between 2003-04 and 2004-05 would have doubled; they would have been still fairly high.
However, with an increase in the number of prisoners complaining about their rights increase by over 100%, you would have to ask why that is occurring. It would be worthy of the minister to check why there have been that many complaints, with such a large increase in complaints by prisoners regarding their rights. Is there something brewing in our prison system? As I mentioned before, there has been a little trouble in Berrimah and in Alice Springs. Are there some issues that the government needs to be looking at here? If you look at that trend of prisoners saying they are not happy, it is a trend that is going up.
Many people would say: ‘So what? Prisoners are in gaol’. However, on the other hand, you want prisoners who are not going to cause trouble for the prison officers because of dissatisfaction with some of the conditions, for whatever reason. Some of those complaints may be unreasonable but, in other cases, they may be reasonable. It would be worth a break-up from the minister – if he knows why there has been such a vast increase in complaints over prisoners’ rights in the last three years. It may be nothing, but it may be something which actually saying to us that there are some issues in prisons. It could be anything from visiting rights, I have heard of people writing letters about having enough food, or issues about overcrowding. We know that is why the new facility has been built. All these issues, if they are not looked at and attended to, sometime could make life difficult for those people who look after those prisoners - the prison officers. Therefore, it would be interesting to know what those complaints were about and how many of them were legitimate.
All in all, I am not going to go through all the department’s reports, however I believe the new Ombudsman, Carolyn Richards, from what I have gained from speaking to her, certainly wants to bring more efficiencies to the Ombudsman’s Office, especially in relation to Police. I believe that if the government is going to support what she is trying to do, and if she is trying to take some of the workload off her staff – she talks about the welfare of the staff and sometimes that is forgotten about - you need good staff morale and job satisfaction if you want the job done properly, I hope the government would show that it supports the role of the Ombudsman, and the new Ombudsman who has recently been appointed to this job, by making sure they have adequate finance as it is an important job.
You might say the opposition in parliament has a job of scrutinising the government, the media has a job of scrutinising the government, but the Ombudsman does not have a bone to pick with anybody. It is the neutral person who checks to see whether the government and government departments have been doing their job fairly and correctly. If the government truly supports the role of the Ombudsman, then it needs to make sure there is adequate finance. I would be interested to know if the government is looking down that path so they do show their support for this important office of government.
Dr TOYNE (Justice and Attorney-General): Mr Deputy Speaker, it is opportune that I can reply to some of the member for Nelson’s assertions about what is going on in our prisons, as asking six questions in the one barrel during Question Time, it was a bit hard to cover them all.
One thing I would counsel at the moment is that the prison officers are involved in an industrial campaign. I wish them all the best in that as it is part of the collective bargaining process which we are engaged with them on, and it is to settle staff numbers to expand the Berrimah prison capacity. However, you have to be aware that they are campaigning, so many of the assertions they will put out, for tactical reasons, are not necessarily accurate and it is probably good to double check what they are saying about what is going on in the prisons. Our prisons are not crowded at the moment; they are below their maximum capacity of 800.
The incidents which you referred to this morning and again just now - there were two separate incidents in sequence – it was the same prisoner that initiated both. The prisoner caused a disturbance in Berrimah gaol. He was then transferred to Alice Springs gaol, where he duly caused another disturbance which involved six prisoners in the most recent event. It was subdued without the use of force and with a highly professional response from the prison officers, and I commend them for the work they did on that. There were some mattresses burnt, there were no injuries to anyone, either to fellow prisoners, the perpetrators, or the prison officers, and the police are now investigating the incident. If there is a basis for it, they will, no doubt, lay charges. To paint a picture that we have all this upheaval or difficulties in our gaols, I would ask that you double check from different sources. I welcome your contribution to the debate on what we should or should not be doing in our prisons, but it is a matter of checking information.
With regard to the increase in complaints, in fact, the Ombudsman’s report says that complaints rose significantly over the last year, from 645 this year in total, including the prisoner rights issues which you are talking about, up from 376. Ordinarily, if I saw those figures I would say what the hell is going on. Let’s have a look at why there is this apparent increase in the unhappiness of the prisoners with the treatment they are getting in our gaols but the actual explanation for it is that we have a new prisoner telephone service. The whole system was reinstalled with proper access codes particular to each prisoner. One of those access numbers given to every prisoner is the Ombudsman. They are encouraged to use that line if they have a grievance that cannot be resolved with the prison staff. We believe that that along with some increase in actual prisoner numbers would be the main reasons for that increase. We will always respond to a finding from the Ombudsman to make absolutely sure that that is what has happened. But we are pretty certain that that is the story.
Looking at the specific categories of complaints, while there has been an increase in the number of complaints lodged regarding the attitude of staff there has been a significant fall in the number of complaints regarding administrative acts or omissions and unreasonable use of force. Complaints regarding security measures and prisoner rights and privileges have increased and this can be attributed to an increase in security arrangements regarding illicit substances, for example, searches, mail censorship and drug testing.
Turning to drugs in prison, the regime is strict and it has been the cause of some complaint. Government policies on drug crimes are well known and with this government taking quite a tough line on drugs, whether you are inside or outside makes no difference to us. We want to counter the distribution of drugs in any context within our community. We take the issue of drugs very seriously and it is treated very seriously by the Department of Justice.
Prisoners are strip searched when they first enter prison. Their property is searched and secured. Prisoners are also strip searched each time they return from court, from hospital, or randomly searched upon return from community support work parties. A strict urine testing program is in place where a minimum of 10% of prisoners are randomly tested for illicit drugs. Prisoners can also be targeted according to the information received. Unfortunately, visitors to Correctional Services’ institutions are a source of drug trafficking. Prison visitors are randomly searched and, if necessary, are dealt with in accordance with applicable criminal laws. A public education program has been introduced with information pamphlets being provided to visitors, posters placed in visiting centre, and signs at prison entry points to warn visitors against trafficking drugs. A secure fence has been erected around the entire Darwin Correctional Centre boundary and boom gates installed at the entrance to the centre. This has allowed Correctional Services to expand its drug detection capability beyond the prime security fence line.
With regard to the case studies the Ombudsman included in the report, they were used to give a snapshot of some of the nature of the complaints that were received by the Ombudsman. This year, the Ombudsman has highlighted six case studies dealing with issues including prison misconduct charges, prisoner mail, meals, excessive lockdowns, and alleged victimisation. Prior to June 2004 there was a history of high numbers of lockdowns exacerbated by staffing pressures. The issue of lockdowns was addressed as part of the Adult Custodial Services Review. Staffing levels were addressed with the recruitment of 19 new prison officers commencing duty in Darwin Correctional Centre on 22 November 2004 bringing staffing levels to full establishment. On 2 May 2005, 20 new prison officers commenced duty in Alice Springs Correctional Centre which brought staffing levels to full establishment. A further two prison officer in training recruit courses have just been completed bringing a total of 37 extra prison officers on line.
I thank my colleagues, the members for Macdonnell and Brennan, for covering those ceremonies for me as I was otherwise engaged. It was very good that they could go along and emphasise the importance the government places on these intakes into our prison officer ranks.
As at October 2005, unscheduled lockdowns represented 4.55% of the scheduled out-of-cell time in Darwin Correctional Centre and 1.70% of scheduled out-of-cell time in Alice Springs Correctional Centre. With the additional staff available to the roster from 28 November 2005 and the commitment to fill any vacancies, lockdowns should be kept to a minimum. I am satisfied that in each of these case studies, the concerns raised by the Ombudsman were addressed by NT Correctional Services in an open and transparent manner. NT Correctional Services will continue to support a high level of access to all prisoners to avenues for the lodging of complaints, such as free access to the Ombudsman via the prisoner telephone system as it is believed this leads to improved service provision and support of prisoners’ basic rights.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I take another opportunity to express my support for prison management under Jens Tolstrup, our director. As I said earlier, there is an industrial campaign going on at the moment and there will be assertions made. Even though I absolutely encourage the prison officers to take whatever tactic they feel might benefit their cause in getting the outcomes they want from their industrial campaign, it is important to balance the record and say that Jens Tolstrup and his management staff are doing a great job in running our prisons and advancing the reforms that were set in train by the government some year or so ago. I wish them well in continuing their function.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Mr Deputy Speaker, I provide a response to matters raised in the Annual Report of the Ombudsman for 2004-05.
These matters are listed under the former Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, but now relate to my Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines. Although the report shows a total of 13 inquiries or complaints, they relate to only eight discrete matters including one inquiry which did not become a complaint. As an outcome of these inquiries, the Ombudsman referred two matters to the chief executive of the department. One query related to statutory licensing procedure and the department continues to work with the applicant in seeking to satisfy current legislative requirements.
The second inquiry was addressed through the freedom of information process. Information was supplied through existing processes and the case was subsequently closed.
One inquiry relates to a prosecution currently before the courts, and it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific issue raised. Nevertheless, the Ombudsman ruled he did not have jurisdiction over advice given to agencies by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Ombudsman investigated a complex complaint relating to an extractive operation. My department has taken a proactive approach to resolving the complaint. It provided the complainant a written apology about the information provided in responding to a concern raised directly with the agency. The department undertook to implement additional actions in addressing the concerns raised, including developing a consistent complaints handling policy under the guidance of the chief investigator and is committed to work closely with the complainant in the future. Procedures for handling concerns of this nature are to be redrafted and improved.
The Ombudsman also made an informal recommendation regarding the training of counter staff in dealing with some statutory matters. On the basis of the actions taken by the agency, the Ombudsman closed the file.
A further inquiry was received from the same complainant in relation to additional information. The Ombudsman reviewed the information and declined to investigate the matter.
One complaint was received in relation to the operation of the registration board. The Ombudsman considered a comprehensive response and has made some recommendations in relation to that matter.
Separate from this issue, my department has arranged for the registration board to be externally reviewed to ensure it meets the requirements of clients, industry and government.
A complaint was lodged about a decision about commercial access to government-owned facilities. Following a public call for expressions of interest, an independent consultant was commissioned to assess all applications received. The recommendations of the consultant were accepted. An unsuccessful party was concerned that any decisions would be weighed in favour of land management issues rather than the likely revenue received. The Ombudsman determined that he did not have jurisdiction to investigate a ministerial decision. I made a decision on the basis of advice provided by the independent consultant; that all applicants had addressed the land management issue satisfactorily and that consideration of the difference in tenders was appropriate.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I welcome the Ombudsman’s report. On the specific recommendations requiring action, I am pleased to report that my agency has accepted the findings of the Ombudsman’s office and will continue to address complaints in a proactive manner.
Dr BURNS (Planning and Lands): Mr Deputy Speaker, I would also like to place on the record my appreciation for the work of the Ombudsman. This is the first report from the new Ombudsman, and I congratulate her and her deputy on a job well done. I also echo the words of the Ombudsman in commending her staff for their hard work, dedication and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
I would like to reflect on the agencies for which I have responsibility, which have been mentioned in the Ombudsman’s report. Overall, however, there were 102 inquiries or complaints involving the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment - now largely folded into the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The Ombudsman’s annual report detailed its investigation into a complaint concerning Building Advisory Services, which is part of DPI. The Ombudsman made a number of recommendations involving practices and procedures within the Building Advisory Services. I am pleased to note that the department has accepted most of the Ombudsman’s recommendations, and these have either been adopted or are being addressed as part of the current review of the Building Act. I quote from page 47 of the Ombudsman’s report. In summary and in conclusion the Ombudsman said:
- It was pleasing to note that the department accepted the majority of the recommendations and it was especially pleasing to
note that at the time of finalising this matter, the department had undertaken to establish an internal complaints process.
This issue is to do with ad hoc structures in the rural area, particularly comparatively isolated remote parts of the rural area. There were complaints by neighbours about various structures and potential dangers during a cyclone. I commend the Building Advisory Services Branch for the work they do. They have to cover a large area and quite a lot of issues but, once this issue was brought squarely to their attention by the Ombudsman, they did act and the Ombudsman was quite complimentary on those actions. That is in relation to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
There were 21 complaints or inquiries into the Department of Corporate and Information Services. Before I detail that, I would like to compliment both the Department of Planning and Infrastructure which has a large job to do and covers quite a lot of area, and also the Department of Corporate and Information Services. They run the machinery of government and, generally, it runs very smoothly. They look after the government accounting system and the payroll system. They are very efficient and it has been my privilege to visit a number of workplaces and see how hard the people within both DPI and DCIS work. I have been very impressed by the operation. However, whenever you have a large operation like that, you will always have problems, and there were certain problems that were bought to the Ombudsman’s attention.
There were 21 complaints or inquiries into the Department of Corporate and Information Services. The majority related to contracts and procurement services. As you would be aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, this government is carrying out a range of reforms into procurement and the whole issue of contracts. I compliment DCIS for the work that they do. It is always a difficult area; people compete very strongly for tenders, and there is sometimes a bad feeling when people miss out, and there can be arguments. In that context, given the scope and nature of the work carried out within Corporate and Information Services, 21 complaints is quite a reasonable number. Nonetheless, they have been raised with the Ombudsman and each and very one of those complaints must be investigated.
There was one issue that the Ombudsman did comment on and investigate. That was related to recruitment activities. This was resolved satisfactorily and a number of changes were made to DCIS processes. The issue revolved around the receipt of a person’s application and, in the longer term, DCIS recognised that they needed to amend their processes to recognise that, if someone had sent in an application and it had not been receipted for whatever reason, that there is a process to accommodate that.
In 2004-05, the Ombudsman also investigated one matter relating to the Procurement Review Board which was then managed by Treasury. With the relocation of the procurement policy function, including the Procurement Review Board, to DCIS there has been a structural change which addresses the concerns raised by the Ombudsman. There were also four complaints or inquiries concerning the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment and one concerning the Port Corporation.
In summary, I thank the Ombudsman for her report. As a government, we take the role of the Ombudsman and the recommendations of the Ombudsman very seriously. As evidenced by departmental responses to the Ombudsman’s Report, we are a government which is all about openness and transparency, and the job of the Ombudsman is to bring these sorts of matters to our attention. I am proud to say that our departments act on those recommendations.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I speak on the Ombudsman’s Report. There is one particular item for 2004-05 relating to the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. In particular, the item refers to reported approaches made to the Ombudsman in relation to Parks and Wildlife. In 2004-05, 10 approaches regarding Parks and Wildlife were recorded in the Ombudsman’s annual report. However, as the Office of the Ombudsman records an inquiry or complaint as a separate approach, there is the potential for double-counting the same issue if an inquiry proceeds to a complaint.
Of the five inquiries in 2004-05, four become complaints, plus one complaint was lodged directly, giving a total of five complaints and one inquiry which did not proceed to a complaint. Two of the four complaints were referred to the Parks and Wildlife Commission by the Ombudsman and required no further action by the agency. Two of the four complaints referred to Parks and Wildlife by the Ombudsman were successfully resolved between the complainant and the agency, requiring the agency to make minor amendments to process. The fifth complaint was also referred to the agency and it is continuing to work cooperatively with the complainant to resolve this issue.
None of the complaints have received further action by the Ombudsman and it is a credit to the agency that these issues have been resolved.
Ms LAWRIE (Family and Community Services): Mr Deputy Speaker, I respond to the Ombudsman’s Annual Report of 2004-05. Within my portfolio area, there were four specific mentions in the Ombudsman’s annual report. They are all in the area of Family and Children Services and, specifically, Child Protection.
Child protection is, understandably, a very emotive issue. Unfortunately, there is considered no alternative, and it sometimes does involve removing children from their parents and families. Understandably, when this happens, parents are often unhappy about this and in such an emotive area complaints are often made to the Ombudsman. It is also an area where there is a complex interplay between the roles of the department and the role of the Family Court and this can also lead to approaches to the Ombudsman.
This is the correct course of action and I would encourage all parents who feel aggrieved as a result of a child protection intervention to contact the Ombudsman. It is a system which works to provide checks and balances, and both the Ombudsman and the department agree that the department’s practices have improved as a result of working with the Ombudsman. Gladly, this has been the case this year. The annual report outlines areas where both the department and the Ombudsman agree that service improvements have been made. I will briefly run through the four specific areas:
Child Protection Reform: on page 32 of the annual report, the Ombudsman describes some systemic and practice issues found during investigation of an extremely complex complaint against FACS. The case in question occurred in late 2003 and related to a sensitive child protection investigation where a young child suffered severe physical injuries that were initially believed to be accidental but were later alleged to have been inflicted by the child’s mother. The parents were separated and the case resulted in Family Court action being taken by the non-custodial father. The investigation of the complaint took almost two years and was not finalised until early this year. FACS participated fully in the investigation and worked closely with the Ombudsman to identify issues highlighted by the case and to appropriately pose recommendations for action.
The case was a catalyst for improving relationships between the Ombudsman’s office and FACS and also led to increased confidence in the program by the Ombudsman and his staff. The Ombudsman’s final report on the case acknowledged the willingness of FACS to accept criticisms and address practice and systemic issues. Given the length of time taken with the complex investigations, the final report was able to discuss the range of actions FACS had already taken to address the issues the case had highlighted.
Secondly, the Dawn House case, the Ombudsman being an office of last resort. This case study has probably been included as it highlights the lack of appropriate complaint mechanisms for non-government community service organisations that were not within the jurisdiction of the Health Complaints Commission. Dawn House is funded through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, what we call SAAP. A complaint system was introduced for SAAP-funded agencies in 2003. However, in the case in question it was questionable whether this system was appropriate as the complainant was not a direct client of the service.
A case study of FACS not considering the facts: this case highlights the complexities of some FACS interactions. The investigation largely found FACS’ action had been appropriate. It was yet another case where there was a complex interplay between the child protection and Family Court systems and where the needs of the child are difficult to keep in focus in this environment.
Since this case was investigated, FACS has formed a family matters forum where family lawyers and FACS meet on a regular basis to discuss ways to improve the system interactions and address issues such as training and information sharing. FACS has also recently agreed to implement the Magellan protocol with the Family Court of Australia. This protocol is in place in other jurisdictions and details how the Family Court and the relevant child protection agency will work together to ensure cases have progressed as quickly and smoothly as possible in the best interest of the children.
Complaint Data: the annual report states that there were 99 complaints against FACS in 2004-05. FACS has checked this figure with the Ombudsman’s office as it did not equate to FACS’ own records. The Ombudsman has now clarified that this figure included some double counting as well as complaints that were declined and referred to FACS for direct resolution The actual number of FACS inquiries received by the Ombudsman was 59 of which 38 were referred to FACS for action.
During 2004-05, FACS and the Ombudsman developed a new approach to complaint management. This approach involves the Ombudsman asking complainants if they have already attempted to resolve their issue with FACS and if the answer is no, the Ombudsman refers the complaints to the director for action. Once FACS addresses the complaint, the director advises the Ombudsman of the outcome of the action taken. In cases where either FACS or the Ombudsman believes the complaints should be directly investigated by the Ombudsman, FACS participates fully in the preliminary investigation and if necessary in the formal investigation. The Ombudsman and FACS both believe this approach will ensure a timely and appropriate response to complaint resolution using the principle of addressing the complaint within the agency wherever possible. FACS is now developing data collection and reporting systems with the Ombudsman which will allow FACS management to produce meaningful reports about the type of issues being raised by complainants. FACS will report all complaints to these reports and produce quarterly reports for quality improvement purposes.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we would like every child protection intervention to go smoothly; unfortunately, they all do not. The role of the Ombudsman working with FACS and families to help resolve conflicts is a very important one. This government has embarked on a radical reform of the child protection system. Last financial year, we employed 61 new child protection staff. With more staff on the ground and a much greater awareness in the community that child abuse simply cannot be tolerated, the government expects that the number of interventions will increase. With more interventions it is possible there will be more approaches to the Ombudsman. This, of course, is not ideal, but it should not necessarily be seen as a bad thing as it helps the system to improve.
As I said previously, I encourage anyone involved on a child protection case who does feel aggrieved with the actions of FACS to first try to resolve the issue with the department. However, if they are not satisfied with the outcome, they should of course go to the Ombudsman.
I thank the Ombudsman for the annual report. I join my ministerial colleagues in welcoming Carolyn Richards, our new Ombudsman, to the job and wish her well.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Mr Deputy Speaker, the Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2004-05 contains two issues of particular relevance to my portfolios.
First, the report notes there has been a doubling of complaints to the Ombudsman’s office regarding Territory Housing in 2004-05 as compared with 2003-04. I am sure members are aware that Territory Housing has several thousand clients and works hard to ensure all complaints are resolved as quickly as possible. Of the 162 recorded complaints in 2004-05, over half - that is 86 - were inquiries of Territory Housing, leaving only 76 actual complaints.
I am happy to say that of that 76, there is only one outstanding complaint. It is important to note that Territory Housing has taken some very positive steps in improving service and information on decisions to clients. Specifically, a new appeals mechanism has been set up, which will encourage people to question administrative decisions directly with Territory Housing. The new mechanism places a strong emphasis on a quick turnaround in decision making, and will afford clients three levels of appeal, with matters escalated to the next level if they are not satisfied with the decision at any stage of the process. I have appointed an independent board with authority to make determinative and administrative decisions, and to make recommendations to Territory Housing to change or review existing policy. I have every confidence that this appeals mechanism will see a significant reduction in inquiries and complaints to the Ombudsman.
Second, the Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2004-05 details the gifting of a four-wheel drive vehicle with funding supplied under a Special Purpose Grant to the Belyuen Community Government Council. My department has previously accepted all the Ombudsman’s recommendations and has provided a detailed response. Most of these recommendations have been implemented, in particular the regulatory and funding issues. However, others are still in train with the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory. These relate mainly to the delivery and reinforcement of roles and responsibilities of elected members and chief executive officers, and codes of conduct.
Basically, of the 14 formal recommendations made by the Ombudsman in regards to this matter, the only outstanding implementations have to do with LGANT’s training package for the CEO and council, which, I am informed, will occur in early 2006.
Members should note that the Ombudsman’s report on this issue concludes with the following, and I quote:
- The responses to the Ombudsman’s recommendations by both the department and the Council, were very encouraging.
In short, they adopted a pro-active and positive attitude to give effect to the report’s recommendations. One significant
example of this was that the Council had agreed to repay the $35 000 in equal instalments over two years via a
reduction in their operational grant.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the Ombudsman has been so forthright in commending my department for their response to this issue. I also thank Carolyn Richards and her staff for the diligence in pursuing these matters. I thank officers of the Department of Local Government and Housing for their ongoing commitment to the operations of my department.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I made a tabling statement in relation to the Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2004-05 and reserved the right to make a few further comments in these sittings, which I would like to do now.
I thank members for their contributions to this debate. The work of the Ombudsman, as each minister, members of the opposition and Independents have said, is very important. We take the Ombudsman’s report very seriously.
As members will be aware, the role of the Ombudsman is to receive and investigate complaints from members of the public who feel that they have been treated unfairly or inappropriately by government. The Ombudsman’s jurisdiction extends to Territory government agencies, statutory authorities and local government councils. In pursuit of these complaints, the Ombudsman can investigate the administrative actions, decisions, practices and procedures of the entity which is the subject of complaint. As this report indicates, there is a wide range of actions taken to the Ombudsman across all those different areas.
The Office of the Ombudsman is essential in providing an independent, just, and accessible mechanism that all members of the public can use. It is of paramount importance that such a mechanism is available, and my government remains steadfast in its commitment to the values that the Office of the Ombudsman embodies.
While many complaints are resolved quickly, others take time to investigate and can result in constructive criticisms of agencies or local government councils. Agencies and councils generally respond well to the Ombudsman in his or her role as a constructive critic, and the vast majority of the Ombudsman’s recommendations are accepted and implemented.
There are three areas of the Ombudsman’s annual report which I make specific comment on today. These are the overall increase in the number of approaches to the Office of the Ombudsman; approaches and complaints specifically about the Department of the Chief Minister; and the review of the Ombudsman (Northern Territory) Act.
My ministerial colleagues have responded to the issues raised by the Ombudsman in relation to their own portfolios. From the information presented to the Ombudsman, there appears to be little doubt that the number of people approaching the office has increased. In the period of the report, 2004-05, the Ombudsman was approached by 3275 people, an increase of 39% on the previous reporting period. Whilst some approaches can be resolved in a quick telephone call, others require more detailed and in-depth inquires. Of the 3275 approaches made, 2141, or 65%, were inquires, including 27% about bodies that are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. However, that leaves some 1134 complaints, which is more than double last year.
This increase in approaches and, in particular complaints, has placed significant demands on the resources of the Ombudsman’s Office. I note the Ombudsman’s comments in the annual report that the increased level of complaints has meant that the workload of staff managing inquiries has reached saturation point. To this end, I have sought advice from Treasury regarding the current and future allocation of resources to the Ombudsman’s Office and, in particular, to consider the statistics presented by the Office of the Ombudsman in some detail. As with all other areas of government, resources will need to be considered in the context of competing demands.
As always, one needs to look quite closely at the statistics, as they are broken down into approaches, inquiries, complaints and matters raised. Not every approach to the Ombudsman turns into a complaint. For example, the matter might be outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and needs to be referred elsewhere, such as the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner or the Information Commissioner.
Generally, the Ombudsman categorises complaints into those made against members of the police force, Correctional Services, other NT government agencies, and against local government councils. Frontline government offices which deal directly with the public, as is in the case of police, receive a high number of complaints due to their interaction with members of the public on a daily basis. I know my colleague, the minister for Police, has spoken in detail about the complaints against members of the police force and, particularly, the delays in resolving some complaints. It is, however, important to note that the police are often involved in emotionally and physically charged situations which will, on occasion, create controversy and complaints. The Ombudsman and the Professional Responsibility Command within the NT Police Force work particularly hard to resolve complaints, and are to be commended for their efforts.
The Ombudsman had a significant improvement in meeting the performance benchmark the office has set for itself on general complaints. However, as mentioned in my tabling speech, the meeting of benchmarks in resolving police complaints is only 54%. Some action has been taken to resolve the backlog of complaints, including the temporary employment by the Ombudsman of an AO7 Senior Investigations Officer between June and August this year to clear the backlog of outstanding complaints against police. Police have committed extra staff to work with the Ombudsman in following up complaints.
Complaints from prisoners in the Darwin Correction Centre jumped to 446 this year from 176 in the previous year. This continuing increase is attributed by the Ombudsman to prisoners having access to a free telephone service directly to her office. I note that there has been a significant decline in complaints relating to administrative acts, while the increase has been complaints about prisoner rights. In 153 cases, the complainants were advised to try to resolve the issue first with Correctional Services before approaching the Ombudsman. As with any complaints, the person raising the complaint is encouraged by the Ombudsman to resolve the issue with the agency or local government council in the first instance.
Power and Water also had a significant increase in complaints from 44 in 2003-04 to 122 in 2004-05, which resulted, in the main, from complaints about teething problems with the new billing system.
My government is determined to ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman remains a robust, active and credible investigator into complaints from members of the public against government agencies and local government councils. The Ombudsman is an integral part of my government’s transparency and accountability programs.
Turning now to complaints made about the Department of Chief Minister. I note that the annual report indicates that six complaints were made about the department. Following inquiries with the Ombudsman, I am advised that there were, in fact, only three complaints, one concerning an outstanding account, which was resolved very quickly. The other two necessitated some investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman which, in the end, determined that while some matters were outside its jurisdiction, other parts of the complaints could not be substantiated.
I now wish to provide members with an update on the review of the Ombudsman (Northern Territory) Act which commenced in February 2002. It has been a very thorough review, which had almost reached its final conclusions earlier this year. However, with the commencement of the new Ombudsman, it is imperative that Carolyn Richards be given time to work with the current legislation and consider the material contained in the review, then offer her opinions for future directions based on her wealth of experience. While this additional step is adding more time to the review reaching its conclusions, it is worth it in order to have a strong piece of legislation which will serve Territorians for many years to come.
In conclusion, I reiterate the high value my government places on the work of the Ombudsman and her staff. The office has continued to operate within budget, though the strain of the increased number of approaches has impacted on the allocation of staff to other activities, including access and awareness programs and staff training and development. I look forward to hearing the Ombudsman’s views on the best way to progress the work of the office. I thank the Office of the Ombudsman for their hard work and dedication over the last year and wish them all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Motion agreed to; paper noted.
TABLED PAPER
Remuneration Tribunal Report and Determination No 1
Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of the Executive Council and Ministers of the Territory
Remuneration Tribunal Report and Determination No 1
Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of the Executive Council and Ministers of the Territory
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I table the report of the Remuneration Tribunal and Determination No 1 of 2005 for Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of the Executive Council and Ministers of the Territory. The Remuneration Tribunal undertakes an inquiry and makes a report and determination each year by 31 October in respect of entitlements of members of the Assembly and minsters of the Territory. The tribunal has handed up its 2005 report and determination for consideration by this Assembly. As members will be aware, once the determination is tabled, the Assembly has 10 sitting days in which to consider it with a view as to whether some of the provisions of the determination should be disallowed.
I now turn to some of the key elements of the latest determination, being Determination No 1 of 2005.
Travelling allowances: travelling allowance rates have been altered where necessary for inflation and taking into account other factors where appropriate, including the rate set by the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal for executives and federal politicians. The tribunal has made it clear that if a claimant wishes to utilise the travelling allowance option rather than reimbursement of reasonable expenses, this election must be made in advance of travel. That is, there can be no deciding after the event which type of expense coverage a claimant wants. This is aimed at avoiding claimants opting for the most advantageous option after the event.
Another aspect raised in this determination is travel by opposition members. The determination proposes a new regime for opposition member travel due to the opposition now consisting only of four members, rendering the previous pooling arrangements ineffective. The tribunal has amended the determination to provide a sliding scale for the maximum number of trips and overnight stays that can be funded for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and shadow ministers depending on the number of members of the opposition. This approach will cover variations in the size of the opposition in the future without further amendment of the determination.
There was no submission to the Remuneration Tribunal requesting an increase in the remuneration for office bearers. Despite this, the Remuneration Tribunal expressed concerns at the low level of remuneration for being an office bearer in the Northern Territory, and pointed out that the Northern Territory has the lowest paid office bearers in Australia. Concerns centred on the long term ability to attract suitable people to pursue a career in politics. These allowances have been increased by the year’s 4.1% rise in the labour price index. In its covering report, the Tribunal notes as to what office holders’ entitlements should appropriately be covered by the determination and what is at the discretion of government - examples like office accommodation, office equipment, transport services. The Tribunal has indicated that it needs to take legal advice and also take further submissions on its authority to determine such entitlements.
Other changes made by the Tribunal include a 60 day limit on the period in which reimbursement for travel expenses will be made; provision for office holders or a member representing an office holder to claim child care expenses even if not accompanied by a spouse or nominee; and provision for electorate officers to be provided with a mobile telephone subject to the respective member reimbursing the government for the associated monthly costs.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the report and that leave be granted to continue my remarks at a later hour.
Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I think we have all been caught a little short. I would like to talk tonight about concerns that have been expressed both to me as a local member and as a citizen of Alice Springs in relation to the problems involving the Araluen Cultural Precinct in Alice Springs. It is in the heart of my electorate in almost every sense. Being the member for Araluen does make the Araluen Cultural Precinct pretty significant for me. Having lived in Alice Springs for many years I can assure you from a personal point of view it is very special indeed.
Due to deficiencies in funding, Araluen, as it is called, will be closed on Sundays from late this year I understand, well certainly from January. It will also be closed over the Christmas period for longer than it has always been. As for the closures on Sundays, the director of Araluen advised listeners in her regular weekly radio program recently that Araluen would be closed on Sundays as a destination until further notice and, in the first instance, she advised that would be until the new financial year; a significant amount of time. Surprisingly, the minister for Arts said when she was questioned about this matter on ABC radio the following day, I think it was, that she knew nothing about the decision to close regularly on Sundays - hardly a minister on top of her game. Happily, in a sense, the minister said that she would intervene if necessary in relation to the funding difficulties that seem to have beset Araluen, so it does appear, as reported in the local newspaper the Centralian Advocate that an 11th hour bail out might be possible.
As I said publicly, it beggars belief that the minister did not know about the difficulties Araluen was facing. Also, I would like to make the point as I did in the local newspaper that on the one hand, yes, Araluen does need a bail out in a sense but, more importantly than that, it actually needs a long term plan - a vision for Araluen as an arts precinct or tourist destination, or a combination of both. It is not only my view, but a view among many others in Alice Springs that the vision just has not been delivered.
I note with interest that Lyn Peterkin, the Chair of the Central Australian Tourism Industry Association, otherwise known as CATIA, said, when she rang ABC radio when this matter was being discussed, that she was worried about the closures and expressed concern from a tourism point of view. She said, and I quote:
- Costs are going up, but the funding does not so everyone has to come up with new ones to stay within their budget.
That is almost everyone. As we heard today, the government seems more than relaxed and comfortable about government departments blowing their budgets to the tune of $100m. Poor old Araluen seems to be the poor cousin.
In any event, the fact that CATIA, the peak body for tourism in Central Australia and Alice Springs in particular, has expressed concern should sound alarm bells for the government, as it does for the community in Alice Springs. In terms of funding, to the extent that I have able to ascertain, there have been no real increases. Funding has at best been static; at worst, or on one analysis, operational funding has been reduced. In other words, there has been a slow erosion of Araluen’s funding and we are starting to see the outcome.
There are, however, other issues of concern. As a result of no real increase in funding, Araluen has had to cut its theatre season in half next year. In fact, some constituents came to see me about this issue well before matters became public - such was the level of their concern.
Another matter is the airconditioning at Araluen. It is well known that it is in need of attention. It is not for me to say, but as the daughter of art dealers, I would have thought that an airconditioning system anything less than perfect may put a collection such as that held by Araluen at some form of risk. Perhaps the minister could enlighten us on this issue and indicate to me privately, or the parliament during these sittings, or the public of Alice Springs, sooner rather than later whether part of her so called ‘bail out’ will include addressing the very serious issue of the airconditioning system at Araluen.
What was surprising and, I would suggest, astounding was that when ABC radio in Alice Springs got hold of the minister, apart from saying she knew nothing about anything, she implied that there had been some level of mismanagement or incompetence at Araluen, which had brought about these funding difficulties. In fact she said, and I quote:
- … a lot of reduction in programs has been because of the over-expenditure that has occurred the year before.
I invite the minister to come clean, stop making things up as she is going along and tell the parliament, the people of Alice Springs, and the Friends of Araluen where the so-called over-expenditure has been. I am advised that there has been no over-expenditure; funding has been tight and they have been doing the best they possibly can with a low budget, low staff and fighting against the odds to ensure the collection and everything contained within the Araluen precinct, so critical in Alice Springs, can continue to exist.
Alice Springs is a small place. The morale of staff is at an all-time low. How do I know this? I know because some of the staff are my friends and some of them my constituents. Any suggestion by the minister that this is not true will result in mutiny, the likes of which she has never seen before. She had better not, with respect, reply to these concerns by peddling some sort of rubbish about how fantastic everyone at Araluen feels because it just is not true.
In conclusion, I remind members of what the Chief Minister said at the Alice Springs sittings on 22 March this year. She said, and I quote:
- The Araluen Cultural Precinct is one of the best regional cultural precincts in Australia and enjoys enormous
community support.
She then extended her congratulations to its staff for their professionalism and enthusiasm. There is no doubt that the Araluen staff are professional and enthusiastic, however they are battling against the odds and the odds seem significant. I am not sure why the minister did not know. If memory serves me correctly, the Chief Minister was the Arts minister before the election. I am not sure if she did not know or, if she did know, why she did not tell the relatively new minister. In any event, there seems to be, at the very least, some bad communication between government ministers.
We do know that Araluen will be cutting back some of its services. It could get worse. Anyone who operates an organisation - whether it is in the public sector or the private sector - knows that when things are going badly, they need to come up with very creative ways around solving problems. I simply ask, as member for Araluen, that government casts its collective mind to assisting Araluen. The staff work very hard and, as I said, they work against the odds. Yes, Araluen is one of the best cultural precincts in this country. That is why I and others will not stand in silence and watch its demise under this Labor government. The Chief Minister already stands condemned earlier this afternoon for mismanaging her own budget in light of unprecedented revenue received. How on earth has it come to this? The Chief Minister and her minister must act, but they can do all us a favour and come up with a plan, a vision.
I note that there was a recent announcement that a task force be established in Darwin, tasked with, among other things as I understand it, to get more football games to Darwin. I ask why the government does not do the decent thing and come up with a sense of vision for Araluen - perhaps, given all of the circumstances, establish a task force since government is given to establishing task forces. If a task force is established for sport then, in the particular circumstances that beset Araluen, it is arguable, I and others suggest, that a task force that has the imprimatur and the resources of government, as well as some focus by government and others, should be set up, or such similar organisation specifically designed to assist Araluen. As I have said, a sense of vision for the future, not just the term of government, or any government, but a long-term future. We are all politicians; we know the game we are in. What is the criticism most of us hear? That politicians never plan, or rarely plan, beyond their terms.
The people of Alice Springs really depend and rely on Araluen for their cultural nourishment. They have relied upon it for many years, and they want to rely upon it for many years to come. It used to be that people of Alice Springs travelled south for their dose of culture. They can get their dose of culture - white culture, black culture and other cultures - at the Araluen Cultural Precinct. When I go down south, do I go to art galleries? You bet I go to art galleries, because it is something of a passion of mine. However, I like the idea that in my own town, in my own electorate, we have, as the Chief Minister described, one of the best regional cultural precincts in Australia. I, for one, am not prepared to stand by and watch Araluen’s demise under this government.
I would like to think that my constituents and the people of Alice Springs more broadly and, indeed, the people of the Territory and other tourists from all over the world who regularly come to Araluen and have done so for years - all of us - will be spared the outrage of watching the well-loved, much respected and community icons suffer under this government.
I have raised this matter in parliament tonight for obvious reasons. I plan on disseminating my words broadly. As I have said, I know we are politicians; I know the game we are in. However, I want the people who voted for me to know that I have raised this matter in the Territory parliament. It should be a concern for all of us. Many of us will continue to fight the good fight in whatever way we can and, to the extent that I can do anything, I thought it appropriate to raise this matter in parliament with the view to, perhaps, eliciting or, at the very least, encouraging some sort of action from government. To sit back and do nothing is negligent in the extreme. With those comments, Madam Speaker, I conclude.
Ms MARTIN (Fannie Bay): Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to a truly inspiring Territorian, although she does not live here any more. She is Eileen Heath, or Sister Eileen as she is affectionately known, who turned 100 years old on 29 November, which is today. Isn’t that good? So it is happy birthday to Sister Eileen. I am not sure if this Assembly has ever recognised anybody for turning 100 years old before. We could be having an historic moment now. I cannot remember anyone else in this Assembly noted for being 100 years old. Anyway, congratulations to Eileen Health, and have a wonderful 100th birthday.
As you can imagine, with someone who has lived as long as Sister Eileen, there are many, many stories to tell about her life. I will focus on her time in the Territory, particularly in Alice Springs, where she worked with the community for 40 years, and I would like to acknowledge the biography of Sister Eileen, A Life With The Lid Off, by Annette Roberts which contains many of those stories. The title of the book was inspired by words said to Sister Eileen when she began at the Moore River Native Settlement in Western Australia in 1935. The woman in charge of the hospital said to her: ‘You have come to a place where you will see life with the lid off’.
Sister Eileen was born in Fremantle in Western Australia, and was the first child of John and Susan Heath. She had five siblings: twins, Jack and Ted, David, and sisters, Effie and Lil, who is still alive and in her late 80s.
Eileen’s life in Central Australia began in March 1946 when she arrived in Alice Springs by train and was greeted by the local rector, Father Kenneth Leslie. Sister Eileen became the first resident sister at St Mary’s Hostel, working there until her retirement in 1992. She established the hostel so that Aboriginal outback children could attend school. To start with, Sister Eileen was given an old ex-army utility in which she drove the first 23 arrivals to school each day. The number of students increased so rapidly that the Department of Education eventually provided her with a bus for transport. By 1954, there were 68 schoolchildren in residence and 10 ex-students who worked in town.
Sister Eileen briefly moved to Darwin in early 1956 to establish a receiving home for neglected and destitute children, but she returned to Alice later that year where she remained Superintendent of St Mary’s Hostel.
Sister Eileen was awarded an MBE in 1968 for Community Services and was one of the founding members of the Northern Territory Parole Board, where she was a member from 1976 to 1988. She was Centralian of the Year in 1992 and in that year was ordained Deaconess in the Anglican Church in Western Australia and made an honorary Lay Cannon of Christchurch Cathedral in Darwin.
Since leaving the Red Centre in 1992, Sister Eileen has returned a few times, most notably in March 1996, aged 90, to attend the St Mary’s Family Service 50th Anniversary Celebrations. Believe it or not, she was again greeted by Bishop Kenneth Leslie, 50 years after he first met her in Alice. Sister Eileen and Annette Roberts have both recently donated 16 new series of photographs, diaries, visitor books and a Roll of Residence at St Mary’s Hostel from 1949 to 1956 to the Alice Spring’s Archives Centre. Appropriately, the road along the southern boundary of St Mary’s where Sister Eileen had spent so much of her time was named Heath Road.
A special celebration was held at St Mary’s Chapel in Alice to mark Sister Eileen’s centenary. The service was the perfect setting for many of the past residents and staff to reflect on their time with Sister Eileen.
On behalf of the government, and this parliament and all Territorians, I pass on our sincere gratitude to Sister Eileen for her commitment and her tremendous work with the Central Australian community over those many, many years.
On 26 October, I attended the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the hand back of Uluru-Kata Tjuta to the traditional owners of that country, the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people. Twenty years ago, the Hawke Labor government reached a landmark agreement with the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta to hand back ownership of the rock and the surrounding country, and to lease back the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park under a joint park management arrangement. Significantly, this agreement was to mark a time when relations between indigenous and non-indigenous people in the Northern Territory were polarised by the actions of the CLP government at the time. That government, under the stewardship of Ian Tuxworth, demonstrated their objection to the agreement by flying a banner over the Rock that read: ‘The Rock belongs to all Australians’. This now familiar fear campaign was premised on the idea that this magnificent icon will be lost to Territorians and Australians forever.
Twenty years and millions of visitors later, far from being a lost icon Uluru-Kata Tjuta stands proud as a truly great example of indigenous and non-indigenous people working together for a common goal. I was particularly proud to stand on the spot where the original hand-back ceremony took place in 1985 and to stand in front of three flags flying side by side. For the first time ever, the Northern Territory flag was flown in the Mutitjulu community in its rightful place next to the Aboriginal and Australian flags. This demonstrates the progress that has been made in our relationship with Aboriginal people in recent years. The joint park management arrangement has enabled many local Aboriginal people to gain lasting employment opportunities and take a lead role in the maintenance of their culture and traditions. Consequently, millions of visitors to the park are provided with a cultural experience that parallels anything available in the world.
A new database to register, monitor, and assist to maintain sacred sites within the park for the benefit of future generations was launched during the celebrations. Aboriginal people were and will continue to be involved in its design, development, and future management. This is cutting edge technology embraced by the traditional owners as a tool to preserve millions of years of history. The cultural centre in the park is providing an outlet for indigenous artists and the internationally acclaimed Anangu Tours continues to attract thousands of patrons. These are fine examples of how Aboriginal culture and the tourism industry can find synergy with a little bit creative and flexible planning.
Much has been written about Mutitjulu in recent times and there can be no avoidance of the many challenges the community faces. The couple of days I spent in park and in the Mutitjulu community provided me with a great of sense of hope and optimism for the future. With joint park management and tangible examples of indigenous culture and the market economy coming together to create real opportunities for Aboriginal people there is cause for optimism. The government will continue to work closely with the Mutitjulu community, with the traditional owners, and the Commonwealth government to assist in overcoming the challenges that people in the region face. Much has been achieved but there is still a good deal more to be done.
On the issues facing Mutitjulu, they are taking steps forward. I know there are enormous problems for the community and their awareness of what they are and working collectively with Territory level government and the Commonwealth, they are taking those steps forward. It was good to be in the community at such a time because community members were keen to say to me: ‘Look what we are doing in this direction, look what we are doing in this direction’, and talked me through what was happening to change the situation facing Mutitjulu. It is only with the community facing up to what is happening and working with levels of government that we will see change. Governments can do all they can but unless the community says we want change then it is not going to happen. I was heartened by the level of commitment in the community to see that change happening.
By way of conclusion I take this opportunity to thank everyone who made me and other members of governments, and there were many people from all around Australia and parts of the world, certainly from New Zealand, welcome at that momentous occasion, the 20th Anniversary of the hand-back of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Three weeks ago, Cabinet travelled to the Anmatjere and Alyawarra regions north of Alice Springs to conduct our 3rd Community Cabinet in Central Australia. The Anmatjere region includes the communities of Laramba, Ti Tree, Willowra, Pmara Jutunta, and a number of outstations. I, along with my ministerial colleagues, was extremely appreciative of the warm welcome we received and the great enthusiasm with which the community members engaged in our meetings. Opportunity to grow indigenous economic participation is a key priority area for my government. So it was with great interest that I, along with ministers Burns, Vatskalis, and Toyne attended a meeting at the Ti Tree Research Farm with representatives from the Ti Tree community, Centafarm, the Horticultural Partnership Group and other industry representatives to consider horticultural opportunities in the Anmatjere region.
Currently, there are three commercial horticultural ventures comprising approximately 300 ha of land operating successfully in the region with another 10 ventures in the planning stage. Some of these plans are well advanced with others requiring further negotiation. Accessibility to good land and water, as well as a stable work force, are the fundamental ingredients pointing to the success of horticulture in the Anmatjere region. Crops such as table grapes, dates, mangoes, citrus and a wide variety of vegetables can all be grown in the region. The successful implementation of these horticultural ventures will directly create up to 320 full- and part-time jobs in the region, and it is estimated that double that number of jobs will be created indirectly.
Cabinet also had the opportunity to meet with the Anmatjere Council and discuss their regional master plan. I commend everyone involved in the development of what is truly a progressive initiative. Their intention to develop Ti Tree as a regional service hub and create business opportunities such as a supermarket, tourism services and agribusiness sub-agencies augers well for the region’s economic future. It was equally heartening to hear of people’s plans to pursue private home ownership by building their own homes in Ti Tree. It was interesting that it was three women of that region who were saying they want to buy their homes, and we are working with them to achieve it.
Minister Lawrie and I also attended a women’s forum at the Ti Tree School. It was good to have the opportunity to meet with over 80 women from across the region and discuss their plans for the future. Education and training as well as improved housing were key themes to come from that forum.
It was encouraging to see the great attendance of students at the school and families participating in the school’s functioning. With the collective strength of the women at the forum, I am optimistic that the economic future of the region will be well underpinned by a well educated and motivated potential workforce.
Government looks forward to working closely with those people living in the Anmatjere region, and we will do everything we can to support their regional master plan and assist them to achieve their aspirations.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have heard the Chief Minister pay tribute to Sister Eileen Heath, which is something I intended to do. I am not quite sure if the Chief Minister knows what went on behind the scenes in her office, but I spoke to the Administrator and to her office to send Sister Eileen congratulations. The message I received was that we needed a birth certificate. Of course, I did not have the birth certificate and I do not think Sister Eileen had it, either. Without it, they could not send congratulations because it was only my word. Thank goodness for people like Alf Leonardi who was in minister Stirling’s office and who knew Sister Eileen and was able to correct it. I am pleased, Chief Minister, that you have acknowledged her.
She is an extraordinary woman and I cannot think of anyone who has worked in the Territory and who has lived that long, but then again, I have not been around that long, either. One hundred years is an amazing achievement for anyone. She had a story written, A Life With The Lid Off, in 2002. When you go through this book, it is almost a who’s who of people who have done well in Alice Springs.
Sister Eileen Heath started off at Moore River Native Settlement in Western Australia and it was probably the start of her character there, where she won the love and trust of all the Aboriginal people on Moore River Station at a very difficult time when ‘native’ was the word rather than ‘indigenous people’ or ‘Aboriginal people’. It was a little to her horror that she was asked to leave in 1944, but she was asked to leave because she was always someone who was willing to stand up to authority, to speak her mind, and to seek the best things for her young charges.
We were lucky because in being asked to leave Moore River Settlement, she came in 1946 to Alice Springs, as the Chief Minister said, to start off St Mary’s. Many of you will know that St Mary’s in Alice Springs is still the home for many indigenous children who come in from out bush. Interestingly, the children she had at the time were often children of mixed marriages. One of the partners of such a marriage wanted the children to have a good education so they sent them into town. There are names like Forresters, Rosalie Kunoth, Freda Glynn, Maureen Trindle - many of the family names with which we are very familiar in Alice Springs.
It was during her time at St Mary’s that Rosalie Kunoth was chosen to play Jedda. There are photos in this book showing how beautiful Rosalie was at the time. She was only 16 and it is really hard to imagine this young girl being plucked from a place like St Mary’s and taken to the big city to produce this film, but I know what a great support Sister Eileen was for her.
Many of the ‘girls’, as she called them, kept in touch with Sister Eileen even after she left Alice Springs. I know some of them intended to go to Western Australia to celebrate this centenary with her; it is a wonderful bond she achieved with these young people. It must have been a hard life; she started from scratch. She talks about the old Len Tuit bus in which she used to go and collect the children. I can recall going to Borroloola one year with some of the students from St Phillip’s who were returning home. I can tell you, it was a hard, tough old bus - bench seats with nothing flash about it. I also recall driving the escort vehicle along the way to give people relief.
She was able to engage the whole community to get the best for her children, as she called them, the people whom she loved and nurtured all that time. However, she was willing to stand up and speak loudly for the people, and she fell foul of the authorities again and was also asked to leave St Mary’s. Paul Hasluck, sensibly, recognised her talents and offered her a job with the Welfare Branch, so she stayed in the Territory and then, of course, eventually came back to Alice Springs.
She also talked in the book of the story of Rona Glynn. Some of us may recall that Rona was the first triple certificate Aboriginal nurse who came to Alice Springs to work. She delivered my son. In Alice Springs at the time, it did not matter if the doctor did not turn up for the birth because you knew Rona Glynn would be there and she was such a capable person. However, it is a sad story as she also, after she had given birth to a child herself, passed away. Sister Eileen tells that story also in her book.
There are so many memories associated with this wonderful woman, that I am pleased we are able to recognise her. I spoke to her a few weeks ago – I cannot believe how chirpy and bright she was. I cannot imagine being 100 years old and being as bright as she is. She said her hearing was not too good and her legs were not the best, but she was looking forward to this particular occasion and all the people who came to see her. She wrote a speech to be delivered for her 100th birthday and I want to read it:
- Thank you for being here with me today to celebrate my 100th birthday, and thank those who would have liked to have been here. I am writing this little message to share with them too. I thank especially the rector and the Parish of Alice Springs for their remembrance.
As the Chief Minister said, they held a service there in the old chapel out of St. Mary’s:
- I have been on a long distance travel tour and God has been my leader. First, he gave me good parents and security;
then he gave me wonderful health and vitality, and such great friends along the journey who encouraged and supported
me on the very streets I have to travel. Most of all, he gave me work to do and strength to do that work. It was a
challenge, exciting, adventurous, full and fulfilling task sometimes daunting, and I had to remind myself ‘that in Christ
He must have the pre-eminence’. He would work in me all I work, say in all I say, go with me all the way, His cross my
guide might be.
Sometimes, he moved my direction with divine intent from working in an Aboriginal government institution in Western
Australia, to Alice Springs to take care of an Anglican hostel for outback indigenous children, to send them to school
and care for them for nine years, and then send them out into the wider community of nomadic adults merging into
citizenship, helping them to adjust in an urban population, to understand the meaning of responsibility, accountability,
good parenting skills, employment, and exposure to drinking habits.
I learnt a lot from the indigenous people, having lived and worked only in the white society and cultures so different from
theirs. Prejudice had to be overcome and allowances made but, gradually, experience brought understanding and
empathy with grievances forgotten. Today, indigenous people are responding to the love and kindness not always
shown them in the past, and showing willingness and aptitude towards education, health, work opportunities,
employment, and acceptance.
Annette Roberts, who wrote my story, has had a great interest and compassion for the work which is still being undertaken,
and I greatly appreciate the help and encouragement she has given me.
I might be neither young, strong and free now, but I can still try to be the best I can for the dear dark people I love so well.
I thank God for sending me on my long tour on their behalf and welfare. As He prepares me for the final stage towards
the finishing line, He will bless my work and carry it through.
I want to say on behalf of everyone who knew her: happy birthday, Sister Eileen. Congratulations on achieving a milestone which many of us will never do, and thank you for being such a wonderful supporter of all the Aboriginal children in your care.
Dr TOYNE (Stuart): Madam Speaker, it is good to see my old speed has not deserted me. I would like to talk about the same subject as the Chief Minister alluded to in her contribution, and that is the Community Cabinets held with the Anmatjere people and the Alyawarra people. The Anmatjere meeting was held through the communities of Pmara Jutunta, Nturiyaand Ti Tree, which is the headquarters of the Anmatjere Council.
The focus of the meetings was to look at the Regional Development plans. The Anmatjere Regional Development Plan has been in existence for a couple of years now, the Alyawarra one is just coming together and it is a very exciting time there for Alyawarra people. The Chief Minister mentioned the horticulture development. That is such a wide proposal from Centafarm that we could see anything up to 600 jobs directly, or secondary jobs to the developments that they are trying to progress. The horticultural blocks are spread everywhere, from Willowra through to the Ti Tree area, to Woolla, to Soapy Bore over in the Utopia area. There are very exciting prospects there for jobs and training and economic development within the Anmatjere area and the Alyawarra areas, and a little bit on the Warlpiri side as well.
For my colleagues to go out and to see the amount of work that the communities have put into these development plans, and the enthusiasm of many of the people to progress elements of the plan, it is very important for us to do that and I believe Community Cabinets are one of the best things that our government has done since we achieved government. It is a very grass roots contact, and I believe that the more we continue to do that, the more integrity will come into the work we are doing, particularly in regional development.
I will mention some people who helped us at Anmatjere - Tony Scrutton, the Council President of Anmatjere, Zania Liddle, the principal at the school, which was very kind in hosting both the Women’s Forum with the Chief Minister and the other ministers, and also putting on a really nice lunch for us. We moved from Ti Tree to the community of Ampilatwatja, north of the old Utopia pastoral area which is now freehold land. We had a very powerful meeting there. There would have been probably two or three hundred people, including a who’s who of all of the senior men from all of the Alyawarra communities. Communities came in from as far away as Lake Nash, Alpurrurulam and many of the northern Utopia communities also attended.
It was really to confirm the emerging Alyawarra plan, which deals with a whole range of things, such as the aspirations of the Alyawarra people as to regards education, health, policing, infrastructure, such as roads, power, water, so it was a really good overview of where things are and where things are hopefully going. My colleague, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, dealt with particular issues of the Irrultja community, where there are many, particularly older people, who are yet to get housing. The meeting we had with the Irrultja representatives produced some immediate practical ideas on how to alleviate their situation. Apart from that, the meeting set up a big agenda like the four regional agendas.
I again thank some of the people who were involved on their side: thanks to Geoffrey Morton, President of the Aherrenge Council; Kerry, the principal at Ampilatwatja School; and also Kathy and Viv Armstrong for giving us catering for our meeting. We needed interpreters because there were many very senior traditional people there who preferred to hear the proceedings in the Alyawarra language. Rosie Kunoth Monks helped us with the women’s side and David Moore, a linguist who has spent a long time at Ampilatwatja helped with the men. And not to forget our public servants from Central Australia who went to listen to what people had to say: Andre Burgess from Local Government; Laurence Wilson, Bruce Fyfe, Nick Purdie, and also Colleen Rosas and Donna McMasters from the Aboriginal Interpreter Services.
Olaf Geerken is an anthropologist from the Central Land Council who had spent a year up in the Alyawarra region drawing the plan together. Olaf, like any anthropologist, starts with who belongs in the same family, who is related to who. He spent a part of that time mapping out the genealogy of the families - who are the core family groups of the Alyawarra people. In that period he also discovered a series of killings that had not been previously known out in the Simpson Desert area which took many Alyawarra lives and that reflected in the genealogy of the families that he was plotting. I would like to just say what a great job Olaf did and thank the CLC for its support of that planning process.
Gilbert Corbett, who acted as MC, is a local Alyawarra man, a very good leader for his people and he played an important part in the meeting. We will go away now and I believe the regional development process will be able to provide ongoing support for the work there as will a Commonwealth program that has been approached to provide further development of this plan. This is regional development in the flesh. It is what has to happen at grassroots to get a plan in place and then to get everyone working towards it, both government and the local community.
The second matter I would like to talk about tonight is the departure of George and Robyn Hewitson from Kalkarindji, after a stint that started in 2001. What has characterised George and Robyn’s work is the development alongside the primary school, which they have also continued to run, but a fantastic secondary education program. By 2002, they had launched secondary studies in some old buildings to the side of the main school. It was pretty rough digs. They were operating in dongas with a shade area in between. The science room was inside an arc mesh cage, pretty alfresco, but they were not going to let something like that stop them. The first three graduates got through Year 12 and went on to further tertiary studies.
I attended their graduation on the day that they received their results. These days, Rhonda Rankin is doing a Bachelor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies at CDU; Lianna Brown is doing a Bachelor of Cultural Tourism at Flinders University; and Meshach Paddy is doing a teaching degree at CDU. George and Robyn’s son also received his results on the same day and did very well as well.
There are currently five students completing Year 11 at Kalkarindji School. Their names are Tara Long, Amanda Vincent, Venessa Bernard, Syliva Mick and Quitaysha Frith. Quitaysha completed her Year 11 earlier this year and began her Year 12 immediately on finishing. There are three Year 12s who hope to graduate at the end of this year: Antoinette Bernard, Ramsay Paddy and Quitaysha. Effort has been put in by other secondary staff: Holie Kane, Lochie Aila, Tim Meeth as well as George and Robyn. Michael Paddy who is the liaison officer of the school, and a very good friend of mine as well, and Wilson Rose both helped with bus runs; and Maurie Ryan is the school council president.
After a memorable four-year effort, George and Robyn will be leaving Kalkarindji, but not before they get their senior students’ results this year. Heading for the Red Centre, George will become a program coordinator for the collaborated trial sites of secondary education. I could not think of a better person to be rolling out further secondary programs around Central Australia. George has been there, done that and he knows exactly what is needed. Robyn is seconded to the CDU to undertake research on education at the Alice Springs campus, and as she already holds a PhD, she is very well qualified to do that.
I really wish George and Robyn the best, and I congratulate them on the public record for the fantastic job they did for the community and students at Kalkarindji. I look forward to seeing them arrive in Alice Springs and look forward to the great contribution I am sure they will make to education and research in our town.
Finally, I will be very self indulgent, Mr Deputy Speaker. I want to recall a fantastic day and night I had about three weeks ago in the Territory Off-Road Championships when we raced the mighty Fugly, a Class One buggy built at the Alice Springs gaol.
I was with my mates Neil Anderson, Rick Shembri and Billy Yan. I was navigator for three of the races - two during daylight and the other one after dark. I can assure members that racing at top speed in a Class One buggy in total darkness, only being able to see what is in your spotlights is absolutely exhilarating. In fact, we were off the ground at one stage at about 180km/h with no road! That is off-road racing and it is a feature of sport in the Centre.
I pay tribute particularly to Neil Anderson because his health is still a problem for him. He is in Adelaide at the moment and I wish him absolutely all the best in his fight for health. I also pay tribute to the guys for coming forward with such a great program in the prison. It is not only the prison officers who are involved in competing with the vehicle; it is also the prisoners who earn their mechanics certificates from the development and maintenance of that vehicle. They take huge pride not only in the vehicle doing well in the competition - it came fourth in its class in the championships, and it was competing against vehicles that cost up to $0.25m each - there are a lot of prisoners out there who very much identify with Fugly and with off-road racing. Onward and upward! It is a great sport, it is a great little buggy and it is a great program for our prisons.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, I recently had the pleasure of presenting one of Katherine’s few World War II veterans, William Duncan Gray Walker, affectionately known as Jock, with a medal marking 60 years since the end of World War II. On behalf of the Prime Minister John Howard and with his friend of many years, Tony Adams, present, I presented Mr Walker with this medal at the war memorial.
Mr Walker was born in Basta, Shetland Islands in 1924. He joined the British Royal Navy in 1940 at 16 years of age as an Able Seaman, and served until 1946. He served in the MTB and Grey Wolf. After D-Day, he was made redundant in Grey Wolf and was posted to Malta. He worked on mine sweepers, but as the majority of mine sweepers had been destroyed, the Navy converted motor launchers to mine sweepers. The crew could put the sweeps out from the converted boats, but they had to manually retrieve them, an arduous task for four men on each sweep.
Mr Walker served extensively throughout the Mediterranean, including Greece for six months, Italy and Algeria. When the war finished, his mine sweeper returned to Venice, striking a mine on the way which, fortunately, did not explode although caused considerable damage to the propeller. When reminiscing about his time in the British Royal Navy, Mr Walker said he would always remember those who had died or been injured alongside him doing such a risky job. He said: ‘You never forget it; there were the good points and the laughable points, as well as all the others’.
Mr Walker and his wife, who was pregnant at the time, came to Sydney in 1948 where he began work with Resch’s Brewery. They later lived in Cessnock, Sussex Inlet and Nowra before moving to South Australia. He came to Katherine to look at a block of land for a friend. He liked it so much he decided to relocate his family here, and that was 39 years ago.
Mr Walker is a popular and well-known Katherine figure who either walks or rides his bike every day around Katherine, exercising his loyal pet dog. He is easily recognised by his immaculate presentation in long sleeved white shirt, always wearing a tie, tailored trousers and his Akubra. It is no wonder he stands out. He is always smiling and greets everyone cheerfully. It would be fantastic if there were more people in the world like Mr Walker.
As I speak tonight, Mr Walker is in Adelaide undergoing open heart surgery, and I know that I speak for everyone in Katherine when I wish him a very speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing his cheerful, friendly presence home in the not too distant future.
I also acknowledge the wonderful work of Katherine High School teacher, David Arnold, and especially what he does with the Intensive Learning Unit. David came from Victoria to Katherine High School in 2003. Since that time, he has become involved in a range of aspects of the school which include welcoming and settling into the community newly arrived Katherine High School staff. He is in an active member of the AEU executive committee.
David, as the special education teacher, has shaped and moulded the school’s Intensive Learning Unit through a well-developed, Living Independently Program. The confidence that David has provided in overall student wellbeing and self-esteem is evident each and every time I have had the privilege of visiting the unit. There is never an unhappy face to be seen and David, with the assistance of his wonderful staff, at all times has made it a joy for the students in his care. Students who had very little speech now concentrate hard to speak clearly, to the extent that when they speak they can now convey a clear meaning. Students who had difficulty displaying social skills now do so as a matter of course. Central to their learning are hygiene, food preparation, and money handling skills, all vital to leading as independent life as possible.
The Living Independently Program that David and his team are so committed to has nurtured students who have thrived. In particular, the introduction of the VET course has given students with significant disabilities meaningful work, pride and dignity. One of the programs that David facilitates is the Certificate I in Horticulture for students with disabilities. This particular program has become very dear to me. When I first visited the dilapidated area in the corner of the high school grounds and listened to the plans that David and his students had to turn this area into the garden, I never imagined they would achieve their goal and more in such a short space of time. That same area today is unrecognisable from the original plot. The students and staff took on one plot after another, designing and planting each with care and detailed attention. Able-bodied students and staff began to comment on the difference that the ILU students were making to the school grounds and complimenting them on their hard work and dedication. David and his staff held open days at their garden area, and were able to sell to the public their own produce - plants, flowers, pumpkins and whatever vegetable was ripe at the time. Of course, this great garden would not be complete without the chicken run which is looked after with great care, and a couple of scarecrows which have been made with much detail.
A concrete path for wheelchair access was built this year, which ensures that every student participates in the garden scheme. The garden has now more than doubled its size, is extremely well laid out and, at this very time, is producing some magnificent flowers of which the students presented me with a great sheath last week - absolutely beautiful flowers. I am deeply honoured to be patron of the Intensive Learning Unit garden area, and look forward to seeing the great work continue next year.
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of being guest at the Intensive Learning Unit’s Christmas party. What a delight to visit them. The room was decorated magnificently and the luncheon was delicious, and always there was plenty of laughter with everyone enjoying themselves. It is no wonder that David Arnold won the Teaching Excellence Award for Urban Secondary Schools this year. David, along with his team of dedicated support staff, has shaped and moulded the Intensive Learning Unit into a well developed Living Independently Program. Congratulations and well done to you all.
I will now talk about the achievements of the Year 7 class at St Joseph’s College, Katherine. The Year 7 class this year took on a novel school project to rehabilitate and manage a sink hole which is situated near their school grounds. With the support of their teacher, Kellie Maddock, the class turned the sink hole area from one that looked like a rubbish dump site to an area that took out the Westpac Landcare Education Award at the 2005 Northern Territory Landcare Awards. The students not only looked at improved management of water quality through the reduction and contamination as water makes its way through the sink holes and underground systems that are so common in the Katherine region, they also undertook comprehensive studies of the surrounding ecosystems. The students gained knowledge about weed eradication and also implemented appropriate fire and weed management plans for the area. They shared their gained knowledge widely throughout the Katherine community through newsletter articles, radio appearances and were invited to be speakers at the International Association of Hydrologists conference in Darwin.
Teacher, Kellie Maddock and five of the Year 7 students, Emma-Jayne Hagley, Sophie Simon, Hannah Buzzo, Kaitlin Ray and Brooke Margetts also represented St Joseph’s College at the Murray/Darling Basin River Health Conference in Mildura and gave a presentation on their sink hole project. From all accounts, their workshop was a huge success and, of course, they made some great friends during their stay in Mildura. Well done, Kellie Maddock and Year 7 students on such a successful project.
The beauty of this project is that the students involved will be able to continue to keep an eye on the sink hole during not only this coming year but in years to come and know that they have made a significant impact. Teacher, Kellie Maddock was also nominated for a Teaching Excellence Award this year, so well done. It has been quite an exciting and rewarding year for the Year 7s at St Joseph’s College, Katherine.
I also would like to talk tonight about the Binjari Playgroup. It is looking after their little ones, and it is a new playgroup that has been set up and has been working very well. Early in 2005, the idea of a playgroup for Binjari community was suggested by a registered nurse at the Binjari Health Centre who is a member of the Playgroup Association of the Northern Territory. The suggestion was made after informal discussions with outside agencies about the difficulties facing Binjari community members, and which age groups to target with specific programs. Dale Jones from Territory Health Services visited the Binjari community and began to develop the idea of a playgroup, with the aim of encouraging positive interaction between parents and children. It is also expected that playgroup will aid in the transition from home life to a school life, and foster an enjoyment of learning activities in both parents and children.
The Binjari Community Government Council discussed the idea of the playgroup and decided that the program would be run as a council function under the Sport and Recreation Program. The Binjari Playgroup was registered with the Playgroup Association of the Northern Territory in September 2005 and became a member of the Katherine Toy Library, which allows access to a larger range of activities. Dale Jones and Linda Locking from Good Beginnings currently plan and run the playgroup activities with the assistance of Chris Collis, and a CDEP assistant for the first term, with the Binjari Sport and Recreation Program taking over the role completely in 2006. Health Centre staff participate in activities and parents are encouraged to help with activities and planning as well as participating with their children.
The playgroup is held on Tuesdays from 10.30 am until 12.00 noon at the Family Support Building with the community bus becoming the Playgroup Express, used only within the Binjari community on Tuesdays to encourage parents to attend playgroup with their children. The preschoolers are taken to the preschool directly from playgroup by parents who are encouraged to visit the classroom.
The first Binjari playgroup began on 11 October 2005 with six parents and around 15 children, with the official opening held on National Playgroup Day, 25 October 2005. I had the pleasure of attending that official opening and watching the young people, the young preschool attendants, make their banner that said ‘Binjari Playgroup’ and every child present on that day had a wonderful time with big buckets of paint and putting their handprints all over this fabulous sign. It was really good to see so many parents seriously involved in wanting to make sure that their children attended playgroup and participated in group activities. The attendance at playgroup is increasing with every week and the parent participation is a great thing and a positive step being taken by the Binjari community.
I congratulate Dale Jones and Linda Locking, and especially Chris Collis who works at Binjari all the time and is such a great encouragement to those young families to make sure that parents take their children along to playgroup. I wish them every success in the future.
Mr NATT (Drysdale): Mr Deputy Speaker, I want to take advantage of this, our last sittings, to thank a number of people and organisations for their support of me in my short time in my role as member for Drysdale.
There are a number of community groups in the Palmerston area that do a wonderful job for the people of this region. I have made an effort to visit as many as I can since I have been in office, and I have endeavoured to comprehend the work they undertake. They are a wonderful and dedicated group of individuals who work tirelessly for many underprivileged people.
Anglicare Youth Services is an example. Sandy Ford is a Youth Worker. She and her fellow staff members do a wonderful job with the youth of Palmerston and some of their troubles. They try to help as much as they can. Mission Australia, headed up by Jane Lawton, the State Operations Manager, does some terrific work with the people of Palmerston and help in any way they can.
Somerville Community Services: we have Marilyn Roberts, the Family Services Assistant Manager and Serena Staynes, and they help a number of families living in the Palmerston area with their problems, which could be housing or finances. Their assistance is greatly appreciated, by a number of families in that area.
The YMCA at Palmerston has a Youth Drop in Centre run by Maureen Thompson, the acting executive officer. I have been there on a number of occasions on Friday nights after markets and during the day. The youth of the area are actively involved in a number of pursuits, playing pool or table tennis or on the computer and they are doing that in comfortable surrounds under good supervision from Maureen.
Danila Dilba is run by Delsey Damiano. Danila Dilba has only started out there in the last six months or so, and her group of dedicated officers run a terrific Drop In Centre behind the Gray shopping centre. I am sure that in the years to come, it will be a wonderful area for the youth. It is really run well by Delsey.
Grow NT is an interesting group of people coordinated by Michelle Masters, Julie James and Maggie Schoenfisch. It helps people who have mental disorders or suffer from depression. They run a terrific group in the area and look after many people who want to use their services.
One area in which I have been particularly interested in is the Larakia Nation. Kelvin Costello and Alison Edwards are doing wonderful work with the Larakia Nation. I spoke about one of those efforts in one of my earlier adjournments in respect of the painting of the oil tank at Vopak. They are doing some wonderful work with the kids within the Palmerston area, and I am sure that work will continue.
One of the groups with which I became involved first up in my job was an interesting one; it was the pensioner’s workshop. They rang me and were looking for a computer. I was lucky enough to do some work and acquire a computer through the government. Joe Kane, the president, Eric Harman, Ted Field and Keith Hicks are heavily involved with the group and they run a workshop on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Winnellie. They have a terrific little workshop and cover everything from woodwork through to metalwork for anyone who is a retired gentleman, or even the ladies get involved with their needlework as well. Anyone who is retired can get involved and if they want to put their hand to working in the workshop they are quite welcome to at any stage for a low cost. I think there is a joining fee of about $5, so it is very minimal.
Another area I have been trying to help a little bit is the Bayview Body Corporate, and we have had a few issues there with broadband and other issues within the marina. I want to make mention of Leigh Eldridge, the chairman and Phil Doyle, the president. I have been working closely with them and attended a couple of their meetings as well.
A group which is doing some wonderful work with the businesses within the Palmerston area is the Palmerston Regional Business Association and I want to acknowledge the work of Wayne Zerbe and Ray Walton. Wayne is the president of the association and Ray is the secretary and they have around 400 businesses on their register at the moment. They have monthly meetings and I am looking forward to going to their Christmas show within the next fortnight.
The Palmerston Council has been very helpful to me whilst I have been out there, and I must acknowledge the work of Annette Burke, Rodney Donne and Luccio Cercarelli. They have worked closely with me on a couple of issues. I am also a member of the Palmerston Regional Safe Communities Committee which meets on a regular basis to see what areas we can get involved with within the community to help the Palmerston region with many aspects of trying to make the community safe.
The Darwin City Council has also been helpful in a number of areas, especially from my Bayview residents, with letters that I have written. I acknowledge Peter Adamson and Alan McGill for their efforts, and also the Lyons Aldermen, Heather Sjoberg, Helen Galton and Roger Dee. They have also been of assistance with a couple of issues I have had in that area as well.
The member for Brennan and I met with the Palmerston police the other week and I acknowledge Superintendent Greg Dowd and Andrew Heath, the Senior Sergent. They do some wonderful work within the area and are going to stay in close contact with us, as us with them, and I am sure we can work up a terrific relationship with them. I thank them for the work they do within the Palmerston area and acknowledge the good support they have within the community. It is great to see the crime rates within that area are dropping through their hard work.
The sporting clubs I have been involved with, or have visited: the Palmerston Golf Club has a few financial problems at the moment, however Ray Somerville, the president, is trying to work through those issues with his board. I wish them the best of luck and hope we can be of assistance somewhere down the track.
It is great to see the Palmerston Magpies Football Club move into the university grounds. Their president, Phil Thompson, has worked very hard with a ground committee group comprising David Stone and Vikki Baldwin from the CDU, and Tom Honan and fellow member, Terry Mills. It is great to see that the oval is just about up and running. They have been training on the second oval at this stage, however, the club rooms are very close to being finished and it will be fantastic in the new year to see Palmerston Magpies Football Club move onto the CDU grounds. I acknowledge the Palmerston Sports Club and the Cazaly’s Sports Club where Terry McKay and Greg Frewin-Lord have been supportive of the member for Brennan and me at a number of dinners we have attended.
There are five schools in my area, which is more than what other members have, however I must admit I have attended all the schools and have been to a couple of meetings now, and I have had terrific support from all of the schools and their principals. I acknowledge Driver Primary School, and Rob Preswell the Principal and Fathma Mauger who is the Acting Principal, Mark Monaghan, Assistant Principal, and Wally Mauger, the chairman of the school council. They have a fantastic little school there - well run and well organised - and terrific staff with terrific support from parents and kids within the school.
I also speak highly of Durack Primary School where Peter Collins is principal. Heather Stedman and Julie House are the Assistant Principals, who do a wonderful job. Corrine Hunt has just been appointed by the school as the Defence School Transition Aide. She helps the Defence Force families within the area with their schooling problems, and tries to get them settled in, especially when they are moving from interstate. She is doing a wonderful job within that school area.
The Good Shephard Lutheran School is another school in my area, and I acknowledge the good work of Peter Eckermann, the principal. Unfortunately, Peter is retiring at the end of the year and moving back to South Australia to live in the Riverland. I acknowledge the good work that Peter, and also Lester Reinbolt, the Pastor at the school have done. I understand there has been a new principal appointed from Western Australia who will be starting in the new year, and I look forward to meeting him.
The Gray Primary School is doing some wonderful work under the guidance of the Principal, Cindy McGarry. Cindy is a tireless worker there. The school has had some problems, but it is terrific to see that some of the programs they have employed in the last 12 months are starting to show signs of advancement. I have worked in a special group there with a male mentoring group under the guidance of Sue Beynon and Eric Smith. It is terrific to see the school trying different ideas to make sure the kids are getting the benefits of adult supervision, as well as increasing their education.
Kormilda College is a college in my area, and I acknowledge the good work of Stephen Kinsella, the principal. Unfortunately, Stephen is leaving this year and moving to Victoria, I understand. I wish him all the very best. I acknowledge the good work of Sharon Todd, the marketing manager, and Dr Marion Davey, one of the teacher facilitators. They are doing some terrific work at Kormilda, and it is great to be involved with that school.
The Palmerston High School is also doing some terrific work. Chris Dias, the principal, together with John Baldock, Robert Lee, David MacLean and Russell Ball, the chairman of the school council, are working hard to ensure that the school maintains high standards. I thank them for their support as well.
Vikki Baldwin is the campus leader at the CDU. On a couple of occasions, she has invited me to the CDU to show me around. It is a terrific establishment, and Vikki is doing a wonderful job putting the CDU Palmerston Campus up in lights so that it is an attraction for students leaving school to further their careers.
We have a couple of child-care centres in the area. I have had a chance to visit the Gray centre where Irene McCarthy is director, and also the Kentish Family Day Care where Lavinia Mills is the director. They are doing some great work there as well.
I am running out of time, so I would like to get down the list a little. I thank members of the staff of the Legislative Assembly for their assistance with me coming in as green as I have been in my first few months. Some names are Vicki Long, Brian Cook, Pat Hancock, Mary-Anne Almond, Cherie Thorpe, Terry Hanley, Robyn Smith, Ian McNeill and Liz McFarlane. They have been terrific to me and a great support and guidance. I thank them for their help and look forward to working with them next year.
I thank my caucus colleagues for their support and guidance. Nothing has been too much trouble for them. I especially acknowledge my fellow member for Brennan for his support and friendship during this particular busy intro into the politics arena. He has been very good to me following his background and his understanding of the Labor Party and politics. I thank him for all that he has done for me, and also his electorate officer, Jo Verrier has been terrific to me as well.
The Palmerston Branch of the ALP executive member, Simon Hall, unfortunately has left us. He has moved to South Australia. However, I thank Merv Hunt, Jaya Koraila, Phil Helmore, Sarah Schubert and Michelle Parker. I must acknowledge my electorate officer, Sarah Schubert, who has been terrific, and also close friends Lu and Des Freidrichs, John and Linda Deans, Mark Hough and Jenny Elliott for their support of my wife and myself. My son, Travis, in Adelaide, he has been terrific, on the other end of the phone and occasionally when we get to meet him. Most of all, I would like to thank my wife, Jetta, for her love, guidance and understanding and support for me in this position. I thank everyone who has been involved and wish them all a Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Dr LIM (Greatorex): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I rise tonight to comment on some reading I did since the last sittings of parliament. It was about an entry written in the Power and Water Corporation Annual Report 2005. Interestingly, on page 33 of the report, I came across a paragraph about the National Water Initiative. You would all recall the debate that occurred in the last 12 months between the Australian governments of all states and territories and the federal government trying to come to some form of agreement about what to do with our water resources. I would like to read a paragraph which I found a little bit disturbing and I will make some further comments after I have read this. I quote from the Power and Water Corporation Annual Report 2005 under the title of National Water Initiative:
- At the Council of Australian Governments meeting on 25 June 2004, the Chief Minister signed the Intergovernmental
Agreement on a National Water Initiative. The National Water Initiative includes obligations for urban water supplies
and sewerage services including, pricing policies including progression towards consumption based pricing, sufficient
cost recovery to ensure business viability and consistency of pricing policies with other jurisdictions.”
I read that and thought, well, the Chief Minister signed an intergovernmental agreement on a national water initiative. Then it went on to define what that initiative includes, and the words that jumped up at me were, ‘… progression towards consumption-based pricing …’. Now, what does that mean? If I am wrong, I hope that the Chief Minister will explain to me in due course. I assume consumption-based pricing means that the user pays. If you use a certain amount of water, you pay for that amount. If it is harder for you, if it costs certain amount of dollars to get the water out of the ground, or from a dam, or from the sky, then you have to charge accordingly to make it consumption-based pricing based on cost recovery to ensure business viability.
Power and Water is a government-owned corporation and it has to operate under business principles. When there is a project or a commitment from government to do a certain thing that entails services from Power and Water, and it is a government decision rather than a commercial decision by Power and Water, the government needs to provide a community service obligation payment for those particular services. That way, Power and Water can cover its costs and still be able to maintain its commercial practice.
Obviously, water will be cheaper to source in Darwin than in many other parts of the Northern Territory. I assume that Katherine may have almost similar ease of obtaining water because it is within the rain zone. However, areas in the south of the Territory may not be so fortunate in this issue. Over the last three to four years in Alice Springs until our recent rains in the last two months we have been very much in a drought. So if it is consumption-based pricing with sufficient cost recovery to ensure business viability, does it mean that people living south of Darwin, or perhaps south of Katherine, would have to pay a different level of pricing for water? If that is the case, then it is important that the Chief Minister advises Territorians that this policy is going to be implemented in accordance with the initiative that she signed off on. Tell us when, tell us how much, so that those of us living in the drier part of Territory can prepare for it.
Power and Water obviously has to continue to maintain a commercial footing in terms of its operations and has to continue to make a profit. Infrastructure is ageing. Let me tell you about Power and Water’s infrastructure in Alice Springs. I know for a fact that the water pipes, the sewer pipes are aged, some as old as 30 years, and they are going to become problematic very soon. I know that on occasions there have been pipe collapses in Alice Springs. So, they are going to replace that infrastructure as well and there are going to be costs involved for Power and Water. If as we hear that we are suffering budget blow outs, that the potential for GST revenue is going to fall within the next few years, are we going to suffer significant problems with revenue for government and therefore CSOs to Power and Water? If that is the case, then Power and Water has to raise its revenue from somewhere else. And where else would that be but from consumers.
Do I now see Central Australians suffering significant disadvantage because of this act of the Chief Minister without discussing it with anybody else in the Territory, without discussing it in this House? She signed an intergovernmental agreement on the National Water Initiative. If the Chief Minister, as in the past practice of the last few years, has been drawing money from Power and Water, milking money from her government-owned corporation, as the pressure builds with the Northern Territory’s ability to raise capital, will this make the government draw more and therefore pass on that drain, that need for money to Power and Water which then passes on to the consumer? Is this government now going to say: ‘It’s not our fault, it is the National Water Initiatives fault, and that is reason why we have to raise prices.’? Well, maybe the government has to cover that with a CSO.
If the Northern Territory is to be involved with this National Water Initiative without passing on to the consumer, let’s make it a CSO so this government buffers Territorians, and by Territorians I mean those living south of the rain areas because we are going to be facing a major problem. Water may be cheaper now in Darwin for a long time to come if ever it will change, but in Central Australia it is a different category altogether.
The financial hole that this government has pushed us into has to be paid for by the taxpayer. Territorians have to cough up to help make up for the shortfall that this government’s spending policies have created. We cannot continue to keep paying taxes directly or indirectly. This government has become the highest taxing government the Northern Territory has ever known and this is going to add more to it.
It is time that this government seriously considered what it is doing with its economic management. Over the next two or three years things are going to get worse. It will not get better, it is going to get worse, and we are going to go further into debt. We are now starting to live on the bankcard. In previous times, the government, then in opposition, used to accuse the CLP of living off a bankcard. At that stage, they used to quote that every Territorian - man, woman and child - is in debt for some $8000 each. Today, it is nearly $8400 dollars. It is already projected that in about two years’ time, every man, woman and child will be in debt by $9000. This is the way this government operates. It borrows money, puts it into the so-called revenue stream, and then says: ‘We have a surplus’. We have a surplus of cash because you borrowed the money from somewhere else to plonk it in. So, yes, you have a surplus of cash, but that is not a surplus; that is a surplus built from an increasing debt. It is amazing how this government can, through their spin doctors, continue to propagate what is definitely not true.
To hear that the government, through their spin doctors, has created a cheat sheet for their ministers - if you are ever accused by the Country Liberal Party of blowing the budget, these are the words you have to use. This is how bad it is. Spin doctors now have to create words for the ministers to try to shore them up. Obviously there are ministers who do not understand what their problems are and the spin doctors have decided they do not need to know. They have a form of words to use to ensure they can rebut whatever is said and that is used as a stock standard answer. It is amazing what the spin doctors have come up with: ‘The answer in all cases should include …’ and there is a series of four points that they can use. Our economy is in trouble and it is important for this government to concentrate its effort on making sure that we do not get ourselves sinking deeper and deeper into the mire of debt and then find that with a downturn of GST revenue, we get ourselves into an ever-descending spiral from which we cannot return.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight I will talk about one of two trips I recently did. This was to Sydney specifically to look at the Lucas Heights reactor. I went on Monday, 7 November 2005. We were given a tour of ANSTO on the Tuesday. As we came down early, I thought we would use the time for something else in which I had an interest. I have spoken in parliament a few times before on the need for retaining some of our Darwin Harbour as a national park and I have used the example of the national park around Botany Bay. I spent quite a bit of time looking at Botany Bay National Park, which is probably one of the oldest national parks - not the oldest - in the Sydney region. It certainly has a difficulty existing when it has a golf course on one side and on the other side is Kurnell Refinery. It is in a fairly precarious situation at the mouth of Botany Bay. However, it is there and many people visit it. There was an Aboriginal mission on the La Perouse side of Botany Bay. There is, of course, a lot of history on that. La Perouse was the Frenchman who arrived about three days after Captain Cook. Probably if he had arrived three days before, we would all have been saying oui, oui and monsieur, but we are not. There is a lot of history associated with that side of Botany Bay, and some beautiful scenery.
If you travel to the other side, you will see the marking where Captain Cook arrived. There is an information centre there, and a much larger section of land set aside as a national park - a windswept area where many of the trees do not grow very tall. It is a place of national significance. I quickly make one comment that, as someone who had not been there before, I felt that, as a site that had changed this nation - to Aboriginal people, of course, it changed it in a major way - I felt that the place was not given the significance, both for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, that it should have been given. It is very nice, but it is a little dated and it also does not encourage people to see how important that particular spot is in relation to Australia’s history - to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history. Considering the money we spend on many other places, this place would be, I suppose, the foundation of Australia as we know it today and could be given much higher recognition by the New South Wales government.
It was good to be there; I had never been there before. However, as a first-timer, sometimes the impressions you get when you go to a place like that are the most important impressions. Whilst it is a nice park and it has some lovely bushland, I thought that there should be more work done on the importance of that area. It had an Aboriginal affection in the interpretative centre but, just like the other side of it, it was dated and needed revising. That is the impression I got.
The reason I went there was to see what a national park looked like in a built-up area. It convinced me more and more that, sadly, we are missing a good opportunity for part of Darwin’s Harbour to be declared a national park. We have said we will protect the mangroves, and then we have scraped the centre of the harbour out for extractive minerals. We should have been showing much more vision. Maybe that can still happen, and I encourage the government to think about the long-term vision for Darwin Harbour from the point of view of preserving it and enabling people to see what the harbour was like before development took over.
The next day, I arrived at Lucas Heights, which is run by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. I had never been there before and I was not sure what to expect. It is certainly a place of high security; you cannot drive in there in your little motor car without going through all the security checks that are required. We were met by Ms Laura Fayers, our guide for the tour. She took us up and introduced us to Dr Ron Cameron, Chief of Operations at Lucas Heights. If people have been following the debate, they would know that he is the main spokesman for ANSTO. He went through a fairly in-depth briefing of what ANSTO was all about.
Basically, what I thought I would do this evening is run through all the different types of institutes that operate from ANSTO. ANSTO is a very big facility. People are probably thinking it is just about a nuclear reactor; it is more than that. Over 800 people work at ANSTO and quite a few others work there part-time. Many students use the facility for post-graduate study or doing their final years of study at university. It is a large facility just out of Engadine, or Sutherland; it is actually in the national park. The mission of ANSTO - and I need to put this into Hansard so people understand what the whole place is about - is:
to support the development and implementation of government policies and initiatives in
nuclear-related areas, domestically and internationally;
the Australian and International Research community;
challenges and increase the competitiveness of Australian industry; and
of Australians.
I quote that specifically to say to people that I know there has been a lot of discussion about radiopharmaceuticals, however, that gives you some idea of what this facility is about. It is not just a single-use facility; it is there for a number of reasons.
The facility is made up of a number of research institutes. They are the BRAGG Institute, the Radiopharmaceutical Research Institute; the Institute for Nuclear Geophysiology, and the Institute of Materials and Engineering Science. I will give you some idea of what those particular groups do. I will come back to that later as that will cover where we have been as we did the tour.
There are a number of research themes which ANSTO looks at. One of those is about National Interest and Capability Enhancement. The second is isotopes and earth systems. The third is materials. The fourth is neutron and X-ray scattering, and the fifth is health. I will give a brief rundown of what those things are about. The aim of the National Interest and Capability Enhancement is to maintain capability and provide advice to government on the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear activities worldwide. We are represented in various international nuclear cooperation forums. We are also looking at focusing on government priorities, especially safeguarding Australia’s national research priorities. We are also involved in security and counter-terrorism research, and nuclear knowledge management. The counter-terrorism one is interesting as it is using methods developed by ANSTO, where they can look at things like people using radioactive material illegally. They can actually trace it in the soil and find out whether people have got materials which they should not have. They also use it for looking at comparisons of lead in various supplies of ammunition, so they can actually trace down where bullets have come from, using both nuclear forensics and classical forensic science. The technology developed here is part of collaborations and particular services provided for counter-terrorism and for forensic work.
The other one is development of isotopes in earth systems. ANSTO has innovative use of isotopes in addressing fairly important environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable use of water. This has occurred in the Territory, where they track pollution in groundwater to find out where materials have gone. In China, they are doing a lot of work tracing where pollution comes from and what its source is. They are looking at advanced materials using the environment, energy, health and industry. They are exploiting what they call CeramiSphere, using ceramics. They apply Synroc, and I will get on to that a bit later. They also involved the integrity of structures, the remaining life assessment of welds and stresses, and the customers of that in the power industry have developed Synroc. Again, this is an Australian first. It was actually developed by an Australian and I might just mention a few things about Synroc.
It was developed when it was discovered that there are certain rocks in Australia and other places that naturally hold radioactive material locked in. They believe it has been locked in there for thousands of years. An Australian scientist was able to bring out and make a synthetic version of that which has been redeveloped. I believe that a British fuel company now has a contract to make some of this material and also the same material that is being used in the United States. It is a very interesting material when you see it, certainly heavy when you pick it up, but it is basically just a synthetic rock that the radioactive material actually bonds into. To actually take that radioactive material out of that is practically impossible. You would have to be some sort of super scientist to do it, and it is an Australian invention.
Look at neutron and X-ray scattering: people might want to know what the heck that is about. We do some of that already using the present nuclear reactor, but the new reactor will also increase the potential for doing that. Neutron and X-ray scattering are used in things like Nanotechnology and nanos are the smallest possible - well, I am not saying the smallest possible, I would never say that - about one millionth of a millimetre.
Dr Lim: It is the smallest at the moment.
Mr WOOD: Yes, and they look at polymers, they are looking at materials, how they develop those materials for use in industry, certainly involved in engineering. Biomolecules - I do not know what that is about, and developing new products in food research. Of course there is health and they do have the Radiopharmaceuticals Research Institute which focuses on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. It collaborates with other medical researchers and hospitals and they are also looking at radiation studies to improve dosimetry for treatment, an example of which is proton therapy. I said to people before when I did this trip, I ended up with a big headache because there was so much science that we were shown. It was certainly a very intense day travelling around the Lucas Heights facility.
After we had a run down from Dr Ron Cameron we were introduced to a gentleman called Dr Robinson and - has my time gone that quickly? I intended to adjourn this as well to another day because there is so much that I would like to talk about. Basically he is from the Bragg Institute and that is one of these scientific institutes that are working at ANSTO. I will continue my remarks on the Bragg Institute at another time.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, as we are near the Christmas season and the end of the parliamentary year, I take this opportunity to speak about my first five months as the member for Arnhem and pay tribute to those who have made this settling in time a welcome one. As it is a very large electorate and I have 15 communities and the mining town of Alyangula, I will do this over a couple of nights because it could take a little while.
Travelling the Arnhem region on such a regular basis as I have done these past five months, I have observed many things, in particular, the dedication of a number of people to their communities, people who contribute in such a way to the general wellbeing of those who live in the region. I take this opportunity to speak tonight about Groote Eylandt and then Millingimbi and Ramingining.
First up is Groote. Allen Rasmussen is the first person I usually see as I step off the plane at Groote and he is someone who is affectionately known as Rassy. He has lived on the island for a very long time, somewhere near two decades, and he works at the airport refuelling planes as they fly in. Rassy’s knowledge of the region and understanding of the political issues that shape the area is renowned. His family call Groote and in particular Alyangula home. To Pauline and Henry Higgins who have made my visits to Groote enjoyable by opening up their home to me during my stay. Pauline works at the Alyangula school and was instrumental in supporting my election campaign at Groote, and for that I say thank you, Pauline. I look forward to more visits and, indeed, a boating trip with Henry at some stage.
Greg Arnott is the CEO of the Angurugu Council and is doing tremendous things in the community since arriving from Sydney to take up the job earlier this year. Greg is focused on improving housing in the community and he is going so far as to see old houses being renovated, houses that many have actually given up on. It is clear each time you go back to Angurugu just how much work there has been in the process of working on these old dilapidated houses and in some cases even relocating those old houses so that they can be done up.
Greg’s dedication to the Council of Angurugu and people of the community is clearly noticeable, especially by the Angurugu people. Greg works closely with council president, Jabani Lalara, to ensure cultural protocols are adhered to when decisions are made in the community. This is pleasing to see, especially given the negative media coverage of Angurugu earlier this year and late last year in particular. It is encouraging to see the good work being done in the community, work such as the united effort of Angurugu locals and Craig Coleman in building the new oval in the community, complete with a sprinkler system. The oval is yet to be officially opened, but sports minister, Delia Lawrie, has already had a sneak preview of the oval on her trip to the community with me a few months ago. It is an event we can look forward to in the new year.
At Angurugu’s Charles Darwin University rooms, Grant Burgoyne works consistently with students keen to further their skills. Recently music has been an area that Grant and others have worked on together and, at the Alyangula concert in August, everyone had a chance to hear the Angurugu band playing to a packed audience. It was really wonderful. It was a great evening under the stars at Alyangula with invited guests, the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, performing to spectacular fireworks over the island.
Nancy Lalara is a special lady who deserves special praise. Nancy’s language skills as an interpreter have helped many a confused lawyer, police officer and nurse in times of great need. Nancy is an outstanding role model to young Aboriginal women and, indeed, an inspiration to all people in how she comfortably combines her cultural responsibilities and obligations in her daily duties as an interpreter in mainstream Australia. It is not easy to balance cultural responsibilities, family needs and extended family duties plus daily work duties, but Nancy is a constant reminder to me of just what is achievable for all Aboriginal women and for that, Nancy, I say thank you.
From Umbakumba, I make special mention of Nathan Turner, a young man who is working quietly but consistently in supporting the youth at Umbakumba. Nathan works with the youth at weekend sports events and in the after school care program driving them to Alyangula, often for sporting days. He is quite a shy person, but very determined to continue working in his community. He takes a lot of pride in what he does. Well done, Nathan.
Graham Phelps is a relative newcomer to the Groote region, having worked in the Alice Springs Desert Park, a sharp jump from desert country to the Arafura Sea. In such a short time, Graham has worked tirelessly to bring together the three communities on Groote in the areas of employment, social issues such as the alcohol permit system, petrol sniffing and housing concerns at Alyangula, Angurugu and Umbakumba, and Bickerton Island or Milyakburra.
Jennifer Fry is another person I would like to bring to the attention of the Assembly, with her focus on youth issues on Groote. I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer on a police boat as we travelled from a Blue Light Disco on Bickerton Island back to Alyangula. The boat trip took just over an hour and we had a chance to talk about some of the issues affecting young people on Groote Eylandt. Once we returned to the dock at Alyangula, we had to jump in the police van, the police paddy wagon, and I remember especially this night because Jennifer and I sat in the back of the police paddy wagon as we made our way back to the township of Alyangula. It is a ride I am sure neither of us will forget.
I take this opportunity to thank the Alyangula police for the chance to go by boat to Bickerton Island. I make special mention of Sergeant Ben Hammon for his work with the youth on the island, as well as the OIC, Dean McMasters, for his successful implementation of the Alcohol Permit Strategy on Alyangula. It is quite a success. It is still early days, but there has been a considerable reduction in some of the social issues that were affecting Alyangula and surrounding communities; so much so that even other nearby communities are looking at it - even the township of Nhulunbuy. Residents there seem quite keen to know just what is happening on Groote Eylandt. Much of that does go back to the police and the leadership of the police, which is Dean McMasters. It certainly was not without it headaches. Dean, thank you for working through the complex nature of it all; it is really a credit to you and your staff.
I also point out how delighted I am that the Police minister, Paul Henderson, and Police Commissioner, Paul White, have agreed to a full-time school-based constable position for Groote Eylandt. The constable, while based at Alyangula, will be working with the five schools in the region: Angurugu, Umbakumba, Alyangula, Bickerton Island, and Numbulwar. It is a policing method that works quite successfully in our schools and towns across the Territory, so why not in our remote areas? We hope to see the position kick off with the new school year.
There are a couple of teachers I would like to acknowledge for their contribution to education on Groote Eylandt; in fact, there are quite a lot of teachers. I make especial mention of the schools at Bickerton Island, Angurugu and Numbulwar, which I hope to get back to again in the next couple of weeks. There are a couple of teachers I would like to mention who had some difficulties in his last couple of months: Graham Matthews and his wife, Denise; also Alessa and Morris. I had the pleasure of getting to know these teachers quite well, albeit it was in difficult circumstances. I thank these teachers very much for placing their trust in me to assist them through these troubled times.
I acknowledge Barry Walters who gives constant advice on how workers are going at GEMCO and the concerns of the Alyangula community. I look forward to our continuing relationship in the new year regarding concerns that people are raising with me through Barry in regards to the medical situations and the work at GEMCO.
A big thank you goes to Isobel Lalara for the chance to spend time with you on your country hunting for mussels in some of the bay areas around Groote Eylandt. It was a really special day, Isobel. Thank you for explaining the cultural protocols of the Anindilyakwa people to me, and for ensuring that I knew the areas of the land that are special to your people. I look forward to more time with you and your family in the coming year.
I would like to say thank you to Rick Peters at GEMCO for his considerable time and patience in explaining the history of the mine on Groote and for providing a tour of the mine site - not once Rick, not twice, maybe three times perhaps. But do not worry, I will certainly have many questions to ask you, Rick, about all sorts of issues, and look forward to more tours next year.
Let us leave Groote Eylandt now and head out to Ramingining and Milingimbi. There are many people in these communities I would like to pay tribute to. Firstly, to Johnny Morgan and Ross Mundi, thank you again for your support during the campaign as we travelled Arnhem by plane - a special Christmas cheer to you both and your families this festive season. To Bob Baker and Bluey for your efforts in supporting me during the campaign and since. I look forward to working closely with you over the next year. To ‘Bubba Joe’, the president of Milingimbi council and deputy, Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy. Congratulations on your election in the community to the local council. I certainly will be keen to see some of the issues that you have raised in regards to radio and BRACS in the community, and in regards to Telstra; I know you have expressed concern regarding CDMA coverage. These are issues we will certainly be having a look at in the new year.
To Joe Wulwul at the CDEP office in Milingimbi, keep up the good work. I know you will be looking forward to a rest over Christmas. Thank you, Joe, for taking the time to show me your community and to introduce me to your people and the special issues that are felt in the community of Milingimbi. To Yvonne Dhambirranyngu and Jason Mewala at the Centrelink office in Milingimbi, I hope you both have a well deserved break over the Christmas season; thank you both for your support. To Beryl Jjakala, who just retired from the Milingimbi Health Clinic after being a health worker for 41 years, a very big thank you for your decades of dedication and compassion towards building a better future for your people. You are an incredible role model to all people.
A special mention of nurse Rhonda Golsby-Smith and the staff at Ramingining Health Clinic, your dedication to the people of the region is noticed and is deeply appreciated, thank you. To the teachers at Ramingining School, especially principal, Coralyn Armstrong, thank you for your support this year and for allowing my son, Grayson, to join your classroom for a day. The Ramingining School put on a beautiful morning tea for minister Chris Burns and dignitaries and the community at the opening of the Ramingining airport, and it was much appreciated.
To principal, Nick Nicholas and the teachers at Milingimbi, thank you for allowing Grayson to join your classroom for a day too. Well done to the Milingimbi students who performed and won best school band at the Indigenous Music Awards.
These are only some of the communities I would like to pay tribute to tonight, but over the next two nights I will continue with some of my thoughts in regards to the large electorate of Arnhem which is, indeed, a very beautiful electorate and I will speak again tomorrow night.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Mr Deputy Speaker, I take this opportunity to place on the record the account of a number of Australians, Territorians, who have made us proud. I had the pleasure of recently attending the Australian of the Year Awards, the Northern Territory Chapter. It is always inspiring when you attend such events to hear the stories of people who go about their business, not seeking to draw attention to themselves but, for once a year, they are brought before the community so that we can celebrate their achievements, and most inspiring it was indeed.
Before I begin, I acknowledge the very important role of the nominators of such people who make us proud because, sadly, many people take too much attention to themselves and do not look around and observe others. Most people seem to be preoccupied with themselves and it takes a special person who is able to look around and recognise the contribution of others and to be generous in that recognition. So behind each one of these people that I will speak about tonight there lies another person who has chosen to generously nominate that person and put them forward. You are not seen, you are not known; in one case I do know of one gentlemen and your name will be brought before us for the Parliamentary Record.
The first person and the first category recognised was the local hero, and for that we were introduced to two local heroes, Peter Cornell from Berrimah in the Category of Community Supporter. He is a bloke who just likes to get on with things, does not like to sit around on committees and have endless meetings. He sees and recognises the needs and has, within his own network, the capacity to respond wherever he can. He supports a number of fundraising ventures: Variety Club, the School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Riding for the Disabled, and Goanna Park Junior Police Rangers. He has coordinated the last three Mother’s Day Charity Runs for families with disadvantaged children, and he just does it and was duly recognised for that.
Beryl Mayanini, East Arnhem Land Indigenous Health Worker was recognised, and rightfully described as an unsung hero. As she very quietly came to the stage we learnt that Beryl has provided 24 hour health care at Milingimbi Clinic in East Arnhem Land, where she has worked for 40 years. She was originally trained in missionary times and has stories to tell including about the time when indigenous health workers ran the clinic by themselves with only radio connection to the mainland to back them up, even how she had to use a canoe at times to paddle from island to island to look after the health of nearby communities.
Both of these unsung heroes were celebrated on the night and of course it is difficult, but it was decided that Peter Cornell would have the honour of being recognised as the Northern Territory Local Hero. Congratulations to Peter and to Beryl.
Then the category of Young Australian of the Year and once again it is always exciting to see the young people and the quality of our young people. Too often we can look at stories that concern us in the paper and negative stories about young people. However, we were impressed by four solid young people who make strong contributions at an early age and that augers very well for the future.
Alice Chang, 24, was born overseas and remembers her time as a new arrival to Australia and has made a decision that she would likewise assist new arrivals to this country. She is also a young medical student but still finds time to work on Darwin’s Mandarin Program on Saturday nights. She promotes cultural understanding and empowers young people to have a voice. She is also a part of the NT Chief Minister’s Round Table. She is also involved, apart from being a very busy student with a heavy workload - she even just took time out to come to the ceremony because of her exams- she takes time to help with the development of sexual assault prevention strategies. She is also a member of the national advisory groups for consumer Health, mental health and domestic violence prevention. She is a very impressive young lady and very humble.
Sarah Manning is from Tennant Creek. It was quite impressive to have a 23 year old who has a degree in Library and Information Science from the Charles Darwin University. Last year, she became the Librarian at Tennant Creek and by all reports she has made a very strong impact on that community. She has reorganised the library and has involved the library in many local activities. It has now become a vibrant community body with its membership growing by a third since she arrived. Congratulations to Sarah.
There was also Danni Miatke, whom I have known for many years. I used to time keep for her when she was swimming at her earliest ages and she has the great honour of being one of those path makers. She is the NT’s first world champion swimmer and there are so many people who have been involved in the sport of swimming over many years sharing the honour that has been bestowed upon Danni. She was also a nominee for the night.
John Rawnsley is a youth advocate and encourages young people to be active and proud and stay positive; that is his main message. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Yurwang Indigenous Law Students Society while he was studying at the ANU. He also helps in the cultural side of things by assisting with free workshops in DJ’ing which is the use of vinyl records to produce those sounds that we hear sometimes on the radio.
Out of those four wonderful young people who make positive contributions, Alice Chang was recognised as the Young Australian of the Year and I congratulate her along with Sarah, Danni and John. For those who sit behind each one of those, the families, support group behind each one, particularly the one who nominated each of those.
Then we move to the category of Australian of the Year and I am going to save Senior Australian of the Year till last for a reason which I will reveal in a moment.
There was Peter Fannin, botanist, conservationist, astronomer, art lover, teacher and, most of all, a contributor to the community. And has he contributed! He recognised the value of indigenous art to indigenous people and has been very careful to ensure that the artists receive maximum benefit. He was the leading advocate for the raising of the profile of indigenous art, particularly at Papunya, and he continues to serve our community on a voluntary basis with guided plant walks and the like.
There was Mavis Malbunka, a wonderful lady, and it was good to see her there on the night. She has used her own pension to help petrol sniffers and cared for a number of them and, in recent times, she has received additional funding to assist her in the very important work of caring for those who are afflicted by petrol sniffing.
Philip Nitschke, a very passionate man about his cause, was also recognised on the night, and so was Dr Margaret O’Brien from the Remote Women’s Health Service. She takes women’s health provision to remote communities and is very passionate about obstetrics and gynaecology. Particularly for indigenous women, she has made a significant difference. It is reported as no coincidence that the incidence of cervical cancer in indigenous women being reduced in the Top End is directly related to the work of this lady.
Peter Fannin was recognised on the night, and it was just wonderful to see a quiet man who has made such a quiet contribution of a magnificent scale for so long recognised on the night. It was also good to see Lloyd Spencer, a good friend of mine, the son-in-law of Mavis Malbunka, on the night delighting in the nomination of his mother in-law.
Finally, we had the Senior Citizen of the Year, which ended up being the highlight of the night. We had Indrani Doloswala, a migrant worker and has not been in the Territory for very long, but is very passionate about her language and culture and set up the NT Sinhala Language School. She is a linguist and has done much work in raising the profile of her Sri Lankan heritage and assisting with migrant issues through the Family and Community Services Advisory Committee.
There is Mona Spain-Pedder, a Red Cross volunteer who is 80 years of age and sometimes in poor health herself. She does not think about herself; she helps others and helps improve the lives of patients in hospital. She is even known to take home the patients’ personal laundry and helps do their shopping. At 80 years of age, she is just a champion who is recognised and respected for her generous support for so many years.
Judy Weepers is known by hundreds and hundreds of kids throughout the Territory and is a delightful spark of a lady who loves music and children and is really the life of The Beat. She commenced The Beat so many years ago - in fact for 30 years she has been involved in teaching music and encouraging children to express themselves through music. It was an honour to see Judy up there and very humble about her contribution, but we all know it has been a magnificent contribution that lives forever in the lives of kids and memories that go on and on.
The highlight of the night was Kathleen Mills, and this is one nominee whose nominator I know. I acknowledge the nominator and the important role that nominators play, and I acknowledge the member for Millner for recognising the contribution of Kathleen Mills. She is a quiet lady, but those who know her know she makes a very significant contribution to the culture and the profile of the Top End community, an integral part. Part of a large, achieving family, very proud of her own heritage, she is revered not only as the mother of the Mills Sisters, but she is a custodian of something that is very special, that those who have been up here for some time would recognise as the old way of life in Darwin. I was not born here, I came up here later, but I recognise old Darwin and she epitomises that for me.
The interesting thing for me was that when Kath was recognised, and it was broadcast around the place, the next day I had three people congratulate me on my mother winning the Senior Citizen of the Year. I would be proud to be recognised as the son of Kath. She actually embarrassed me on the night because she does call me ‘Cousin’ because of the same surname. They have a wonderful song that Kath has written called The Arafura Pearl, which I would like to see sung more in our schools. It is something we should know the words of. It did not take too long on a few times of celebration when, after the event, we would encourage the Mills sisters to get up and have a song. Of course, there were the Mills brothers there and they were encouraged. I was having a quiet drink in the corner and this Mills was asked to join the Mills family to sing along. I did not know the words as the rest of my family, I must admit, but I have been suitably chastised by Kath that I must pick up my game and learn the song.
It was a great honour to stand there with the Mills family and sing along with them as they sang Arafura Pearl. The highlight of the night, of course, was the speech which Kath delivered. It is important that it is placed on the Parliamentary Record. I acknowledge that the member for Millner will place that very important speech on the Parliamentary Record. It is a very important speech, and I honour Kath for the words she put before the Territory community that night.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Deputy Speaker, before I wish everyone a fantastic Christmas this year, I want to talk about some high achievers in the Johnston electorate.
Firstly, I was invited to attend the Wagaman Primary School assembly on 4 November where, following nomination by parents in the school community, Linda Neve was presented with a National Excellence in Teaching Award. The school received a plaque for outstanding initiative and participation in strengthening relations between the school and its local community for purposes that go beyond the curriculum. Linda was nominated as a teacher who demonstrates initiative, concern and creativity in building stronger links with the school to the community. She is in her fifth year as an early childhood teacher at Wagaman Primary, and has been instrumental in running parent forums twice a term for the past four years that aid in the strengthening of relationships with the community. These forums are called Friday Morning Friends and can take the form of educational parenting workshops, or sometimes informal meet and greet sessions.
Linda has also been pivotal in celebrating the diversity of our community culture through the coordination of Harmony Day and language and culture events. I have attended many of these functions, and they are very well attended and organised, and very good fun. Congratulations to Linda Neve and the Wagaman Primary School for this nationwide recognition. A fantastic effort considering 200 000 practising teachers across Australia were nominated.
During the assembly at Wagaman School, a number of students were awarded with certificates and medallions following assessment by the University of New South Wales in literacy and numeracy earlier this year. Those students were Amy Russell, for a high distinction for writing and a credit for English. Amy attained the highest score in writing and was awarded a medal to recognise this achievement. In fact, Amy scored in the top 2% to 5% of children her age in the whole country. Well done, and what a fantastic effort.
Tyra Neilson was another high achiever at Wagaman who consistently performed at a high to very high level across all subject areas, gaining a distinction in science and English, a credit for computers, writing and mathematics and Westpac maths, and participation for spelling. I am reliably informed that all these subject tests were very difficult and Tyra’s results were most impressive.
Sayed Ferozkham had a distinction in writing and mathematics, a credit in spelling and English and participation in science and computers; Broden Neilson received a credit in computers and writing and participation in science, spelling, mathematics and Westpac maths; Gabrielle Fry, received participation in mathematics and English; Jack Russell, participation in English; and Daniel Russell, participation in English.
Tonight I celebrate the achievements of Jingili Primary School where Caroline Hughes was awarded the Urban Primary Teacher of the Year Award at the inaugural Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards in October this year. These awards recognise ‘Outstanding government teachers, acknowledging their excellence and innovation in achieving strong educational outcomes for Territory students’. Caroline teaches Years 1 and 2, and I am informed she is a brilliant classroom teacher, one which every parent would love to have teaching their child and every school wants to have on their staff. Caroline started teaching in Victoria and moved to the Territory in 1989, teaching in Millingimbi, Nganmarriyanga and Gunbalunya over the next six and a half years.
She then moved to Nightcliff Primary in 1999 and has been part of the Jingili school community since 2001. As stated before, Caroline is a brilliant teacher. Her classes are exciting, of the highest quality, involve parents, guest speakers and, Mr Deputy Speaker, you will be pleased to learn, as will the member for Braitling, that they employ new resources like Cockatoo Island.
Caroline came up with the idea of her class undertaking some real life experiences to gain a deeper understanding of sharing the wealth. Following contact with East Timor Sunrise Incorporated, Caroline and the school developed a link with Leu Lau school, five hours drive north of Dili in East Timor. It is touching to hear that last Christmas, through Caroline’s initiative, the school community sent a hundred shoe boxes decorated and filled with presents to the children of Leu Lau school community. Apparently the photographs of the children opening these presents at Christmas were very rewarding. This generosity continued during Education Week, with every class at Jingili producing a resource to be sent to the Leu Lau school. These resources included small blackboards, games, number books, etcetera. Wow, what a great school commitment to Leu Lau in East Timor!
There are many more incredible stories about Caroline and her teaching and community skills, but there is only so much time tonight. However, I must add that I received a copy of a letter from Laura, a 21-year-old who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Education Primary at Melbourne University. Laura saw Caroline’s name on the Internet for receiving this Excellence in Teaching Award and wrote to Caroline, who had taught her for a couple of years when she was six years of age. Laura relates that in her first year of university, the students were asked to recall a primary school experience about a teacher. The only teacher’s name Laura could remember was Caroline’s, and when she was asked to explain why she remembers that teacher, she started to reel off all the exciting activities Caroline did with the kids. This lasting impact led Laura to follow in Caroline’s footsteps, and her ambition is to teach in a community where indigenous and non-indigenous children learn together. Laura always thought it would be fantastic if you had that much of an impact on a student and they remembered you years later, so she wrote and told Caroline of her experience. Congratulations to Caroline on her award and her brilliant teaching.
Another teacher at Jingili Primary School, Donna Kimm, was awarded Teacher of Exemplary Practice Level One Status, and was recommended for fast tracking to Level Two in 2006. This Teacher of Exemplary Practice Status is awarded by the Northern Territory Education department for sustaining exemplary teaching performance and is determined on merit, providing prestige through a career path which is an alternative to the executive teacher structure. The process to gain this status is extremely comprehensive and judged by an independent panel. Jingili has many fantastic teachers and staff and these are just two of them.
The Johnston electorate abounds with sportsmen and women, and I will briefly mention a few I came across recently in Moil. We have all heard about 17-year-old Sarrita King’s acceptance in the South Australian Institute of Sport Netball Program. Sarrita is a fantastic netballer and has won many awards in her chosen sport. She has played on many representative sides, including the Northern Territory Under 25 when she was only fourteen. Sarrita has been trying out this weekend for the South Australian Under 19 side and I hope she makes it. In 2004, Sarrita, called the ‘Territory Centre Court Princess’ was selected in the Australian Under 16 Netball Squad, whilst in 2003 she won a National ASIS State Achiever Award for achievements in netball and basketball at school, club and national level.
While Sarrita’s heart will always remain in the Territory, her dream of playing in the national league will be a lot closer as the South Australian Institute squad will play as an A-grade team in the South Australian State League. I am sure all members join with me in wishing Sarrita all the best with her netball future and I look forward to hearing of her successes from mum, Kate, as the years go by.
Talking of accomplishments in sport, I have mentioned Tim Garner and his cricket successes before in this House. I was pleased to receive a letter from him recently telling me about his trip overseas to play. The Garners are a very well known family in Moil. Tim told me that the trip was organised by Saint Phillip’s College in Alice Springs and they invited cricketers from Kormilda College in Darwin to join them. The team left the Northern Territory in June and arrived in Singapore where they played a game of cricket against the combined schools team in Singapore. Although the team lost this match, Tim was awarded Man of the Match. The team then travelled on to Scotland and were billeted at Gordonstoun School. They played three matches against Gordonstoun School and won all three. Tim tells me that at Gordonstoun School there was a 300-year old tree which was about 30 metres off the pitch. It was the first time he had ever batted under the shade of a tree.
Following sightseeing through Scotland, as well as his playing cricket against different teams along the way, the team arrived in England on 1 July staying at Bristol and playing cricket against the Queen Elizabeth Hospital School. Sadly, Tim reports that on 7 July the team was travelling into London to have a sightseeing day but were diverted as that was the day that London was bombed. As you can well imagine his parents were on the phone to him immediately to make sure they were all okay. It was a very scary time for parents who have a teenager who is halfway around the world. However, Tim and the group managed to tour London the next day which included a guided tour of Lords Cricket Ground and acquired a few souvenirs to bring home. No doubt it was a momentous experience for an avid cricketer like Tim. I look forward to hearing the great things about Tim’s cricket and his career over the next few years.
Tonight I want to mention Moil girls, Nichole and Emma Vincent, who have taken up sports acrobatics. Sports acrobatics, or Acro as it is called, is reputed to be the fastest growing form of gymnastics at the moment and plays a very important part of numerous sports including diving, trampoline, rock and roll dancing, ski acrobatics, ice skating, artistic roller skating and balancing on horseback. Nichole at 21 is coaching Acro in Darwin and together with sister Emma, 12, Ashlea Beckett and Emily Furniss represented the PCYC gymnastic clubs at the Acro Nationals held last month in Sydney Olympic Park as part of the Territory team. Suzanne Builder, Kirsty Robertson and Georgia Steller from the Alice Springs club won gold for the Territory in the Level 4 women’s trio; the first gold won by the NT in the sport of Acro. It was a very exciting experience for these young women. The girls from PCYC went really well in competing with 26 other teams at Level 4, and Nichole and Ashlea came fifth in the Level 6 women’s pair. This was the first time the girls had competed at the nationals and followed intensive training with Nichole coaching over the last couple of years.
Nichole has only been coaching and training for two years whilst Emma only started a year ago. So to go through the gruelling process of trials to make the Territory team with only a few years experience was very exciting for these girls. Nichole has also been studying nursing during these two years so she is leading a very busy life with nursing, studying, training and coaching and now has also decided to take up trampolining, another fast growing discipline which employs acrobatics. Emma is finishing Year 7 at Moil Primary School this year where she is house captain of the Linde Lorikeets. I wish both girls every success to pursue their sports acrobatics and I hope to hear about their gold medals from the next nationals from this time next year.
Mr Deputy Speaker, tonight has been a celebration of the Johnston electorate and it is a great thing to represent the electorate. Tonight I have outlined excellence in academics, excellence in teaching and excellence in sport. I commend the Johnston electorate to the house.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016