2010-05-04
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I table Message No 18 recommending to the Legislative Assembly a bill for and act authorising the issuing and expending of public monies in the Territory in respect of the year ending 30 June 2011.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move - That the routine of business of the Assembly, Government Business, Notices and Orders of the Day be rearranged or suspended if a question or debate is before the Chair so as to permit the Treasurer to deliver Budget 2010-11 at 11 am this day.
Motion agreed to.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move - That the routine of business of the Assembly, Government Business, Notice and Orders of the Day be rearranged or suspended if a question or debate is before the Chair so as to permit a response to Budget 2010-11 by the Leader of the Opposition at 11 am on Wednesday, 5 March 2010.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise, therefore, that at 11 am during Government Business, I will call on the Treasurer to deliver the budget. The member speaking at the time will be asked to continue their remarks after Question Time.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, I present a petition from 137 petitioners praying for the second development application for the Woolianna Road, Daly River be rejected. The petition bears the Clerk’s certificate that it conforms to the requirements of standing orders. Madam Speaker, I move that the petition be read.
Motion agreed to; petition read:
HEALTH PRACTITIONER (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION)
IMPLEMENTATION BILL
(Serial 93)
Continued from 24 February 2010.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, the opposition will support this bill that facilitates changes to the Territory Health Practitioners Act and other Territory legislation to allow the enactment of national registration for health practitioners.
The bill also introduces provisions, as we know, for a Pharmacy Premises Committee. This committee is being created to manage and regulate pharmacy business operations, a function of the current Pharmacy Board, as the Territory Pharmacy Board will be defunct from 1 July 2010. The industry has lobbied that the management and regulation of pharmacy premises be continued under Territory control, rather than disappearing. The committee is made up of members appointed by the minister, and is responsible for matters relating to Schedule 8 of the Health Practitioners Act.
One of the other changes this bill introduces is the creation of a board for professional regulation for radiographers, under the Health Practitioners Act. Radiographers currently sit under the Radiographers Act, and their status was reviewed through legislation in April 2009, which was passed in October 2009, with the introduction of the Radiation Protection and Radiographers Bill 2009 (Serial 36). This reversed the 2004 bill that disbanded the board and placed the responsibility for the profession with the Chief Medical Officer.
Medical radiographer practitioners were only accepted into the national scheme on 8 May 2009 after the Radiation Protection and Radiographers Bill had been introduced into Territory parliament. It is my understanding the department decided it was simpler to continue with the creation of the board under the Radiographers Act. The nature of the Health Practitioner Act makes the provisions for radiographers more comprehensive than those introduced in 2009. The difference relating specifically to radiographers is that now physiotherapists, acting under instruction form a GP, are allowed to use ultrasonic equipment to treat a patient.
These inclusions are all supported by the opposition.
Dr BURNS (Education and Training): Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure today to speak on this bill as a registered health professional in the Northern Territory, and someone who has been registered in four jurisdictions in Australia as a pharmacist. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to move from one jurisdiction to another. In many cases you had to start, not from the bottom, but there was a great deal of work and expense involved in registering in another jurisdiction. I believe, as part of the National Health Work Force reform which is going on at present, this national unified registration system across Australia for a whole range of health professionals is a step in the right direction. I know it will be welcomed by all health professionals.
I know the AMA has had questions and queries about some elements of the reform, but there has been a long process of negotiation. What is proposed and what is coming into force is not everything the AMA would want, but it makes it easier for national registration of health professionals; I believe it should go a long way to actually achieving a simplified system and allow the Northern Territory to attract more health professionals in a range of professions.
I do commend the act, and I commend the minister for the hard work he has done in relation to this reform.
I would like to go into some detail now of this particular bill, which is certainly implementing the transitional provisions and consequential amendments to other Northern Territory legislation. The original tranche of legislation was passed by the Queensland parliament and, I understand, Western Australia did have some questions and issues in relation to the national registration; however, as I understand it, those questions and issues are in the process of being resolved. So, I do commend the Western Australian government for continuing to negotiate and recognising the importance of a national registration scheme.
The aim of this bill is to amend the Health Practitioners Act to remove reference to nine health professions which will be amalgamated into the national scheme from 1 July this year. These professions are: medical; nursing and midwifery; pharmacy; physiotherapy; dental; psychology; optometry; osteopathy; and chiropractic practitioners. Podiatry is not registered in the Northern Territory as we have very few podiatrists here, but it will be included in the national scheme from 1 July 2010.
If I could commend the work of podiatrists in the Northern Territory; there are not many of them, but the job they have to do is immense given the prevalence of diabetes within our community. Foot care is of vital importance for people with diabetes, particularly in a tropical climate; so podiatrists do a fantastic job.
The bill will also add radiographers to the remaining two professions covered by the Northern Territory’s Health Practitioners Act by repealing the Northern Territory Radiographers Act. The other professions are occupational therapy and Aboriginal health workers. These professions are partially regulated; that is, they are not registered in all states and territories.
Once again, I commend the work of occupational therapists in the Northern Territory; they do have very difficult terrain and very difficult issues to deal with, particularly in remote areas. Of course, the Northern Territory has led the way in Aboriginal health workers being a registered health profession. I do commend the work of Dr Didi Devanesen, who is a pioneer in this area. He did it with energy, much spirit, and is very well respected amongst Indigenous people and Indigenous health workers across the Territory. So, a great vote of thanks to Dr Didi Devanesen.
This was something pioneered under a CLP government, and was a very good step and is something this government wants to build on to value our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. They form a very critical part of our health workforce, particularly in remote health centres.
While we wait for the rest of the country to catch up to us, those professions will remain a part of the Health Practitioners Act. They will move over to the national scheme on 1 July 2012 and, from that date, the Territory will no longer be responsible for the regulation of the health professionals I have mentioned.
There have been a few hiccups in getting the national legislation through. While Western Australia has always agreed the national scheme is important and wanted to be part of it, they also recognised this would require they develop their own legislation to mirror the national legislation. I am pleased to say Western Australia is now developing its own legislation which will allow them to be part of the national scheme. Western Australia also had some concerns around the control of training accreditation standards. These concerns have been addressed and amendments made which maintain safety and quality as a priority.
Moving those professions to a national scheme will enable the Northern Territory to apply a national registration and accreditation scheme for health professions. It will also allow the Northern Territory to meet its obligation under the National Partnership Agreement to deliver a seamless national economy. Changes to the legislation came about as a result of a Productivity Commission recommendation to address workforce shortages to stop duplication and red tape, and to increase the ability to deliver services in a more flexible way.
The main objective of the national scheme is to regulate health practitioners with a view to providing more safeguards and protection to the public. A national scheme will ensure health practitioners barred from practising in one state or territory cannot slip under the radar and begin practising in another. On the flipside, a national scheme will allow registered health practitioners to work across borders more easily. This is especially important in the Northern Territory where we have a shortage of many health professionals, and getting locums or specialists has often proved difficult.
National registration also means health professionals coming to work in the Territory will no longer have to pay fees or go through the registration process if they are nationally registered. As we all know, we have trouble attracting health professionals to the Northern Territory, so anything which makes it easier for them to deliver health services here is very welcome.
Nurse practitioners will be covered under the transition. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education, generally a master’s degree, as well as training in the diagnosis and management of common, as well as some complex medical conditions. Currently, the Territory has one nurse practitioner for wound care at Royal Darwin Hospital who has formulary of drugs so she can prescribe, approved by the Chief Health Officer. It is very important, if a nurse practitioner is qualified, they have their own set of drugs or a formulary they can prescribe from, rather than having to go through a doctor. It is recognition of their skill and experience that they have been allocated a formulary of drugs by the Chief Health Officer.
Currently, the Health department has seven nurse practitioner candidates and three nurse practitioners. By 2011 there should be another 11 nurse practitioner candidates in training. Changes to Medicare were passed in the Senate in March this year allowing nurse practitioners to prescribe and charge Medicare fees. That is a very important aspect in the Northern Territory because for decade upon decade it was nurses, particularly in remote areas, who actually bore the major burden of delivering health services in remote areas; and there are some very skilled nurses with long commitment to specific communities. I can think of Sister Hellen Matthews of Maningrida. On and off Hellen would have been there for 30 years; very experienced in all facets of nursing; great support to the health workers and, on occasions, someone who could advise the doctors very strongly about treatments and protocols for treating Indigenous patients.
These people are very valuable and we need to recognise their skill and experience, not only in their pay but also in what they can prescribe for patients. So, there is a continuing role for nurses. Often doctors go to remote communities and live there for some time however, in the longer term, it is the nurses who provide the continuity of service in remote areas, and they are a very important part of our health system.
As a registered pharmacist I was very interested to see pharmacy standards, in particular the ownership and regulation of pharmacy premises, move from the Health Practitioners Act into this new bill. This move ensures pharmacy services, and the dispensing of certain classes of medicine, remain in a regulated premises. This will ensure pharmacies remain an important and accurate source of health information in our communities.
If I could digress here: there is certainly a push by major supermarkets to absorb pharmacy within their operations. I believe services should be offered where necessary and if it with these major retailers fair enough, however I do not want to see a dilution of pharmacy services by so doing. This is a government that stood up for pharmacy ownership of premise, and it has been something of a national battle, and remains a national battle. I believe community pharmacy has proven itself, over decades, to provide a wonderful service to our Australian population. It has been the subject of a number of regulations, endures as a trusted source of health information, and pharmacists are amongst the most trusted people in our society. When you become a politician you go through an overnight transformation - suddenly you become a politician and the world changes.
I commend the work pharmacists do across Australia, and in the Northern Territory. There are very interesting projects going on in the Northern Territory and we have our own pharmacy school at Charles Darwin University, which is a wonderful step forward.
Returning to the bill, it establishes an independent committee to replace the functions of the Northern Territory Pharmacy Board in relation to the standards and control of pharmacy premises and ownership. It is a move that has delighted chemists and pharmacists in the Territory. Over the next two years the role of this committee will be reviewed to ensure best practice. This government is very committed to maintaining and improving the standards for our health professionals, and we are just as committed to ensuring the delivery of high quality health services that protect all Territorians.
The introduction of the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill brings the Territory in line with the rest of the country. It provides greater safeguards for Territorians, and it will mean a more flexible and responsive health force.
I commend this bill to the House.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I support of the Health Practitioners Bill. I believe it is worth putting on record the good work the previous member for Greatorex did in trying to introduce nurse practitioners to the Northern Territory. He introduced a private member’s bill but, unfortunately, resigned from the Legislative Assembly and that legislation was never debated. He would be glad to see this change.
My concern today is the people who are not in this bill; I specifically refer to physiotherapists. I have been approached by a practising physiotherapist who is concerned their association has not been recognised in this particular bill.
In the second reading speech the minister says the national scheme will initially apply to 10 health professions, which are the nine health professions registered in every state and Territory: medical; nursing and midwifery; pharmacy; physiotherapy; dental, that is dentists, dental prosthetics, dental therapists and dental hygienists; psychology; optometry; osteopathy; chiropractic; and podiatry. That was the intention; the fact is physiotherapy has been left off this bill.
I quote from a statement made by the Australian Physiotherapy Association to highlight the fact they believed they were going to be in this bill originally. It is from a position statement in October 2009 where they said:
Obviously, they thought they would be registered. As things got closer there was a media release, again, from the Australian Physiotherapy Association which states:
The minister’s second reading speech talked about the range of specialists in the dental area: dental prosthetics, dental therapists, and dental hygienists. If you look at physiotherapists - and I will name three clinical areas: musculoskeletal physiotherapy, generalist physiotherapists, and specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapists. You can even have specialist physiotherapists in rheumatology. Like other professions, there are specialist areas for people who practice physiotherapy.
I am interested to hear from the minister why this important part of our medical profession has not been included in this national scheme. Obviously, the APA believed it was going to be part of this scheme. Anybody who has involved themself in physical activity knows the importance of physiotherapists; anyone who sees the speed our football codes are carried out understands there is a great need for physiotherapists, and sports physiotherapists would be another area of expertise. They, basically, keep some of these teams running. I imagine many of these football clubs pay quite large sums of money to employ these specialists. Look at the money invested in football or other forms of physical activity throughout Australia. Whether it is basketball, soccer or whatever, physiotherapy is very much a core function of operating an elite sporting team.
I am interested to know why government ministers dealing with this National Health Practitioners’ Scheme, have not included physiotherapists. They would be listening to the reasons why and they, and I, encourage the government to reduce this delay; it appears it could be at least 12 months before anything is done, with no guarantee anything will happen. Physiotherapists are in a position of uncertainty. They believe specialists in their field should be recognised. I encourage governments, especially our minister, to work towards finding a solution to this issue.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, this bill is good news, particularly for those health practitioners who serve in the private sector. As the member for Johnston pointed out, jurisdictional boundaries have caused headaches in Australia for many years now - not just with health professionals, right across the board.
For some time we have gone through a process of having national standards put in place for a range of industries and sectors; this builds on that.
The member for Johnston made some very good points I believe, about pharmacists in particular, and how difficult it was for him as a young pharmacist to move around Australia having to comply with different sets of requirements in different states. The minister pointed out this is something he had striven for, for years; and I say well done.
Minister, you say pharmacists are held in esteem by the community and I have no doubt that is the case; we all find pharmacists extremely important people. One of the great bodies of people stopping the big supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths, putting in pharmacies was the Coalition. They prevented it, and it is good to see federal Labor on the same bed.
I suggest it is probably not because you became a politician that you fell from grace; more what you have done as a politician. It seems Labor members across the country have not done a particularly good job for constituents in Australia.
This bill gives the Labor party in the Northern Territory a great opportunity to sigh with relief and push another responsibility somewhere else. It is not that long ago we were made aware of the intern in Alice Springs operating without a practising certificate. I understand he treated some 400 patients over an eight month period before he was finally exposed, and I believe that shows a gaping hole in this government’s ability to regulate this industry.
For that reason, I believe this government will be dead keen when July 2012 comes - they can hand over responsibility for registrations to the National Health Practitioner Regulation Board. That will be a great day for this government because no longer will they have the onerous task of determining who has a practising certificate and who does not, because they have shown they cannot be trusted in ensuring people have practising certificates in this very important sector.
July 2012 will be a big time for this government; not only will they have handed over responsibility for this, but are quite prepared to hand over responsibility for health. That is another wonderful occasion because they have been exasperated for so long; they failed in health, they have run up the white flag. When the Prime Minister was talking about nationalising the health system recently he had not even put pen to paper with details of what that meant when this government was telling all and sundry they would be the first to sign on; obviously because they had realised managing the health system - they were not up to it, and had failed. Like a litany of other failures, this government has finally run up the white flag and admitted defeat, and are prepared to allow Kevin Rudd to take 30% of our GST - take our health system for a paltry 14 extra beds.
I believe their motivation for this bill is shameful. It is not about uniform laws around the country; this is another opportunity for this government to get another responsibility off its plate, a responsibility they have shown time and time again they are not up to meeting.
We, on this side of the House, support this bill for the right reasons; the right reasons being it will put in place a uniform system right across Australia. We are not supporting it for the wrong reason which is, as a government, we would not be up to the task of doing the job properly; and at which we have seen this current government fail miserably.
We will support the bill.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, somehow the second stage of Bill C was confused with Bill C Stage 1, which was introduced in February. Anyway, I accept the arguments.
I thank the member for Greatorex for his accurate comment; we might have our differences sometimes, but it was well read, well spoken and pointing exactly to what this bill is about.
This is the final stage of the Northern Territory’s bill C process to supporting the implementation of a national registration and accreditation scheme. I mention the accurate comments by the member for Greatorex because the member for Nelson made comments about physiotherapists; these are comments which should have been made on the introduction of Stage 1 in February rather than this bill. The introduction of the 10 professions incorporated in this bill was done in consultation with all states and the Commonwealth and, of course, everyone wants to be in national registration. It was decided only 10 professions would be initially included under this bill, and other professions would come in as time goes by.
I had the same lobbying by physiotherapists and a number of other professions however, the initial decision was 10 professions and then the others will come in as time goes by. I certainly advocate and support the inclusion of physiotherapists in the national registration scheme. This time I cannot do it because other states, such as South Australia and Western Australia, have not introduced their bills into parliament, and Tasmania went to an election. When it finally becomes a national bill, we can advocate and bring it to the Chief Ministerial Council for the inclusion of other professions, including physiotherapists.
This bill seeks to introduce transitional provisions and the necessary consequential amendments to Northern Territory legislation to ensure effective implementation of the national scheme. The bill in process is not seeking to introduce new regulatory provisions. It is based on maintaining current provision with minimum legislative change.
I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation, on behalf of the Northern Territory community, to the members of our Health Practitioners Board, which is soon to undergo enormous change with the commencement of the national scheme. The board could not operate without the participation of board members and their efforts in dealing with registration and accreditation matters. Some may have the opportunity to continue their involvement in regulation of professions under the national scheme, and I encourage them to do so if the opportunity arises.
Appreciation must also go to administrative support staff of the Health Professionals Licensing Authority, who are also about to undergo significant change to their work environment as a result of the national scheme.
This bill is not about governments giving away their rights and responsibilities to the Commonwealth, it is a genuine national scheme that streamlines processes. I listened to the member for Fong Lim speaking, and I have to say either he is ignorant or deliberately twists things, because it is not the Health department in the Northern Territory that registers doctors. It is not the Health department in the Northern Territory that approves doctors who come from another jurisdiction; that is the role of the Medical Practitioners Board, which is an independent board at arms length from the department and the minister, established under its own legislation. When a person comes to work in the Northern Territory they do not apply to the Health department or the Health minister for approval, but the Health Practitioners Board.
Despite the fact this fake document is still going through the process, he has gone to extreme lengths to fake documentation which was certified by a JP in another jurisdiction as genuine, and then this certification was presented to the medical board in the Northern Territory, and was accepted because it had had the stamp and signature of a Justice of the Peace from another jurisdiction. That doctor was detected by our people in the Health department …
Mr Elferink: It is never your fault, is it? It never has anything to do with you; it is always somebody else’s fault.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Port Darwin!
Mr VATSKALIS: …a member from our Health team at the Alice Springs Hospital realised the person was not who he pretended to be and he reported it, and that is how he was discovered.
No, it has nothing to do with the minister, member for Port Darwin, because if you had time to study the legislation you would find the minister does not approve people coming to work in the Territory. There is a board whose sole purpose is to approve or not approve people coming to work in the Northern Territory.
Despite your campaign about the Health department, despite your campaign about our health system, our health system is one of the best in the country. It is recognised by both Western Australia and South Australia, which is why we recently signed an agreement for the provision of renal dialysis services to their people in Central Australia. If the system was so bad, so corrupt, as you say, so bankrupt, who in their right mind would allow their people to be treated in Central Australia? This is a system which is so bad it has the highest number of beds per 100 000 people in Australia; the highest number of public beds in Australia - 3.6 beds per 100 000 people in the Northern Territory. This is a system which, since 2002, has an extra 127 hospital beds and 157 more doctors, and 588 more nurses. This is a system that is so bad Royal Darwin Hospital had 161% increase in funding, and the Alice Springs Hospital had a 140% increase in its budget. If our system is bad, you can imagine the state the CLP left it in for us to have to put so much money in to fix it.
I go back to the bill. Since the introduction of Stage 2 of the bill in February, we had further consultation with jurisdictions and the project team from the national scheme, and identified other transitional issues which need to be addressed. I would like to propose further amendments to this bill at the committee stage of proceedings, to ensure proper application of the legislation, and effective implementation of the national registration and accreditation scheme in the Northern Territory.
The national law establishes a role of National Health Practitioners Ombudsman, and National Health Practitioners Privacy Commissioner for the purpose of the national scheme. Establishment of these roles and application of standard provisions will ensure a consistent authority for dealing with relevant matters and application on national policy. Any new application or complaint made on or after 1 July 2010 will be dealt with under the national scheme legislation. However, transitional provisions are required to deal with applications, or complaints relating to freedom of information, privacy, the relevant tribunal, and matters dealt with by the Ombudsman which have been long-standing under Northern Territory legislation but are still pending as at 1 July 2010.
All jurisdictions are currently in the process of developing transitional provisions to clarify how applications or complaints, pending as at 1 July 2010, are to be completed. These transitional provisions will only deal with matters relating to professions transferring to the national scheme. The proposed amendments will provide that an application or complaint which has been commenced under Northern Territory legislation, but not been completed as at 1 July 2010, will be taken to its full conclusion, including a right of review or appeal, under the relevant Northern Territory legislation.
It is also proposed an administrator be given the power to make regulations to deal with transitional matters to ensure proper application of the Health Practitioner Regulation (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2010, and the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill 2010, and supporting implementation of the national scheme. It is proposed the regulations may operate retrospectively to the commencement date of the national scheme in the Northern Territory, provided its operation does not disadvantage a person in relation to decreasing their rights or imposing liabilities. The inclusion of the transitional provisions in this bill will mean all outstanding matters required to implement the national scheme in the Northern Territory will be dealt with through this bill C process.
The Department of Health and Families has consulted with Parliamentary Counsel, the Ombudsman, the Information Commission, the President of the Health Professional Review Tribunal, Director of Health Professionals Licensing Authority, Manager of the Department’s FOI and Privacy Unit, the Department of Justice, and the national project team in development of the proposed amendments. Every attempt has been made to establish comprehensive provisions in the Northern Territory legislation to adopt the national laws and implement the national scheme. This has been done within extremely tight time frames. The proposed amendments will ensure the Northern Territory has legislation in place which is comprehensive and can effectively deal with any unforeseen matters which arise after the national scheme commences on 1 July 2010.
Madam Speaker, I would like to go to the committee stage because I have an amendment.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Madam CHAIR: Honourable members, the committee has before it the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill 2010 (Serial 93), together with schedule of amendments No 36 circulated by the Minister for Health, Mr Vatskalis.
Clauses 1 to 16, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 17:
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Chair, I move amendment 36.1, that clause 17, proposed Part 12, be omitted and substituted with Parts 12 and 13 as presented in the amendment schedule before members.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Chair, we move that amendment be accepted.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 17, as amended, agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole, and agreed to.
Bill reported; report adopted.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 29 April 2010.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to speak to the first report of the Council of Territory Cooperation. Up-front, my thanks to the council for the report tabled during the February sittings. The council is doing what we jointly, with the member for Nelson and by leave of this House, envisaged it was going to do - to open up the process of parliament and government to the broader community. That is what the council is doing. At all hearings there has been unprecedented input from the community into the deliberations of council in a full, frank, open, and transparent way. I commend the council for their first report to this parliament.
The council has consulted widely with the community at large through its public hearings in Darwin and major regional centres. The Council of Territory Cooperation has travelled more broadly in the Territory than many other parliamentary committees, and will continue to do so. During the period November to December 2009, in the preparation of its first report, the council heard from 63 witnesses and received 31 tabled papers as part of its hearings across the Territory.
At the outset, I gave a commitment my government will support the council in the performance of its role to examine government decision-making through open and transparent consultation; have input into the development, formulation and evolution of government policy; and the council will receive the full support of government departments and its public servants as part of this process.
The council’s scrutiny of the development and implementation of government policy will benefit the Territory and all Territorians by providing transparency and greater consultation and input into government’s thinking, policy planning and implementation. The council has got to the detail of a number of issues and the opportunity, outside of the Estimates Committee process, to discuss with public servants the implementation of policy, evolution of policy, and development of policy. This has really benefited not only the council, but the government in some of the recommendations in the report.
The council’s report contains 21 recommendations relating to SIHIP, Local Government Reform, A Working Future, and operations of the council itself. Government has carefully considered each recommendation contained in the report. I have instructed, through the head of the Department of Chief Minister, all the recommendations of the Council of Territory Cooperation go through a rigorous input and scrutiny of the public service in coming back to advise government with regard to the recommendations: what can be implemented, and if things cannot be implemented, why not. I start from the position of trying to make the recommendations of council become part of government’s policy however, if there are good reasons why we cannot, they will be articulated, and have been articulated, in our response tabled last week. The recommendations made by the council are consistent with the direction my government is taking to improve the living standards of Territorians in our rural and remote communities.
Our government tabled its response to the report in these sittings. It is not necessary for me to repeat these in detail, and members have had the opportunity to scrutinise government’s response. I am sure there will be debate of those responses. However, I would like to respond to some specific recommendations and comments made by the council in its report.
As honourable members would agree, closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage is the biggest issue facing the Territory today. SIHIP is the largest Indigenous housing program ever delivered in the Territory’s history. We are working in partnership with the Commonwealth government, and industry, to engage with Indigenous Territorians individually, and as a community, to ensure they receive quality housing to improve their standard of living, to make families healthier, strengthen communities, and provide greater economic and employment opportunities.
The council has visited a number of communities across the Territory where SIHIP is currently being rolled out. As Chief Minister, I have also visited a number of communities and it is great to see houses are now being built, being upgraded and renovated and, importantly, Indigenous Territorians are gaining employment on these programs.
I visited the Tiwi Islands recently with the federal Indigenous Affairs minister, and it was great to see the large numbers of Tiwi employed on building and upgrading houses. So beneficial is this program there is a waiting list of Tiwi people on the books of the joint venture with their hands up, waiting for work. As SIHIP ramps up during the Dry Season, the numbers of people employed, not only on the Tiwi Islands, on Groote Eylandt, and at Wadeye, will significantly increase, along with Gunbalanya and Maningrida, which are coming on stream later this year. It is fabulous to see Indigenous Territorians gainfully employed, enjoying the work they are doing, and making a very real difference in those communities across the Northern Territory. By the end of this year we will reach our target of 150 new houses and several thousand upgrades across the Northern Territory.
My government considers SIHIP an important first stage in addressing the current and longer term need for Indigenous housing in the Northern Territory. We recognise this need will not be fully met by SIHIP alone, which is why we, as a government, have signed up to the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Housing with the Commonwealth government. This will see $1.7bn invested in remote housing over the next 10 years; and there will be further announcements in the budget speech my colleague, the Treasurer, is about to deliver, of additional commitments by the Territory government towards that program.
Addressing the long-term nature of the enormous backlog in housing across the Territory, which previous Commonwealth and Territory governments did very little about for decades, is going to take a sustained effort over many years to really affect change and improve the social and economic outcomes for Indigenous Territorians. That journey has now fully commenced. As I travel around the Northern Territory into remote communities the program is very much welcomed, not only for the improved housing it is providing, but real job opportunities and the longer term business opportunities the scale of this investment will generate over the years.
Achieving these social and economic outcomes for Indigenous Territorians can only be achieved through a committed and shared partnership between the Territory government, the Commonwealth government and Indigenous Territorians. We are committed to that partnership and the task ahead of us.
Turning to the Council’s recommendations relating to local government reform and A Working Future: these are examples of the progressive nature of my government and our commitment to reform for the benefit of the Territory and all Territorians. Those reforms of establishing shires across the Northern Territory, and establishing A Working Future policy, are probably two of the most fundamental policy reforms undertaken by Territory governments for decades.
In the budget to be announced shortly by my colleague, the Treasurer, you will see the scale of commitment to these reforms we are implementing, and the structures to support ongoing, significant, future investment not only of A Working Future, but of local government reform delivering services to Territorians where Territorians live, within a cohesive policy framework, with real partnerships with the Commonwealth government and, most importantly, the single largest financial commitment ever by Commonwealth and Territory governments in supporting this reform agenda.
The structures are there, the dollars are flowing, and things are improving in the bush. We cannot wave a magic wand and transform things overnight; however the budget about to be handed down will see the size and scale of the commitment by this government, and the Commonwealth government, to reform flowing through this budget.
The reforms to local government were historically the most significant change to local government for the Territory’s rural and remote communities. Recognising our system of local government was - and that is an under statement - not operating as effectively as it could, having the previous Local Government minister saying virtually all the prior 70-odd community government councils were, essentially, dysfunctional, it took this government with a reform agenda to implement a new system of local government. It needed to be changed, it has been changed, and we are now building on that change.
Through our reforms we provided our regional and remote local governments with access to increased funding and expertise to improve infrastructure in roads, to secure better services and improve business and employment opportunities for Territorians in rural and remote communities. I returned on Sunday with my colleague, the Indigenous Policy minister, from Ngukurr. We were there with Michael Berto, the CE from the Roper Gulf Shire, and talked to a number of shire employees at Ngukurr. Things are changing out there for the better, and there is a significant degree of optimism for the reform agenda.
There are issues with reform programs of this size and scale. A number of those were identified in the report, and we will be addressing as many of those as we can.
In consultation with shires and municipal councils, my government has established formal processes for direct consultation with presidents and mayors. Local government regional management plans have also been developed in consultation with regional councils with input from shire councils, other levels of government, and the non-government sector.
My government continues to work collaboratively with local government and the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory to provide training for elected members of shires and municipal councils to improve their knowledge of the Local Government Act, and ensure they are aware of their governance obligations and fiduciary responsibilities.
The Department of Lands and Planning is conducting audits of roads within 50 km of growth towns, in addition to all roads on the Northern Territory Grants Commission database. Following the analysis of the audit, a submission will be developed in conjunction with the departments of Local Government and Housing, and Regional Services, Lands and Planning and Treasury in consultation with the Local Government Association to demonstrate the level of underfunding which exists under the Grants Commission methodology for Northern Territory roads, and to seek additional funding from the Australian government to address this shortfall. This has been a significant structural shortfall under the Grants Commission methodology which has existed for decades in the Northern Territory, precisely because until we implemented these reforms, vast areas of the Northern Territory were unincorporated so local government never had access to funding from the Commonwealth other states have for rural and remote roads.
The council also made a number of recommendations relating to the operations of the council, specifically: that government provides the council with a secretariat to assist the council in the performance of its role; reports of council must be provided promptly to government for immediate advice on action that will be taken in relation to a report; and government instructs its public servants to be forthcoming with information on all occasions when advising the council.
With the complexity of the issues being considered by the council and the long-term nature of the council’s role examining SIHIP, local government reform and A Working Future, it has been recognised there is a need for the commitment of additional resources to assist the council if it is to be effective. Accordingly, government has agreed to provide the council with a secretariat comprising a committee secretary, executive officer and an administration officer to assist in the performance of its functions.
The council’s terms of reference requires government to formally respond to a report of the council within three months from the date the report is received. Government provides its assurance it will respond in a timely manner to a report of the council, and within the time frame specified by the terms of reference.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, it now being 11 am, I ask that you to continue your remarks after Question Time.
Debate suspended.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that I have given permission for various media to broadcast live, or rebroadcast with sound and vision, the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech, and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply: Territory FM to broadcast live the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply; the Northern Territory News to take photographs.
The Assembly will resume after luncheon suspension today at 2.30 pm.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence of Ms Jennifer Prince, the Under-Treasurer, and the officers from Treasury. On behalf of honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, we also have other dignitaries with us. I draw your attention to the presence of the former member for Nightcliff and the mother of the Treasurer, Ms Dawn Lawrie. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: There are also several Chief Executives here today. I apologise if I do not recognise all of you, but it is simply that I do not see you. I will recognise the ones I can see: the Police Commissioner, Mr John McRoberts; the Solicitor-General of the Northern Territory, Mr Michael Grant QC; the Chief Executive of the Port Authority, Mr Robert Ritchie; and the Ombudsman, Ms Carolyn Richards. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: I draw your attention to Mr Hugh Bradley, the Honorary Consul for Sweden, and Ms Susan Bradley AM. On behalf of honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I present a bill entitled Appropriation (2010-2011) Bill 2010 (Serial 99), the subject of His Honour the Administrator’s Message No 18 notified earlier this day.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I move the bill be now read a second time.
I table the 2010-11 Appropriation Bill and related papers.
Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families and invests in the future of the Territory. Budget 2010-11 is a tight budget; a financially responsible budget, and a focused budget. Budget 2010-11 focuses on key government priorities, including: Territory 2030 and A Working Future. Budget 2010-11 focuses on growing the Territory with low taxes and a record $1.8bn infrastructure expenditure to create and protect jobs. Importantly, Budget 2010-11 delivers infrastructure in the bush, with a record $980m to support A Working Future. Budget 2010-11 focuses on better hospitals, better schools, and more housing.
Budget 2010-11 was constructed in constrained financial circumstances. The global financial crisis dramatically slowed GST growth, which has adversely affected current and future Territory revenue forecasts. In light of this revenue reduction, the formation of Budget 2010-11 required every potential spending initiative to undergo a rigorous assessment. Two core criteria were applied: how will this initiative deliver now for families; and how will this initiative invest in the future of the Territory?
The global economy is slowly recovering from the deepest economic downturn since World War II. The recovery is expected to strengthen over 2010, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting world growth of 4.2%, and Australian growth of 3%. However, the impact of the global downturn on growth in 2008-09 and 2009-10 was considerable, and neither Australia nor the Territory escaped unscathed. Although Australia and, in particular, the Territory, did prove to be remarkably resilient to the downturn; the Territory economy was affected by slower demand and tighter credit markets, resulting in lower private sector economic activity. As the global economy continues to recover over 2010, the Territory is expected to be a major beneficiary as demand for Territory exports increases.
After slowing to an estimated 0.4% in 2009-10 following completion of a number of major projects, Territory economic growth is forecast to strengthen to 3.6% in 2010-11, supported by a record $1.8bn capital investment by the Territory government, a recovery in household spending, and a strengthening trade surplus driven by higher alumina, manganese and iron ore exports.
The Territory government’s capital works program, accelerated land release, and strengthening residential construction activity will continue to support jobs growth across the Territory in 2010-11, with resident employment estimated to increase by 2.5%. A substantial increase in land supply and further stamp duty concessions will also enable more Territorians to enter the housing market, and meet the needs of the Territory’s growing population.
For the last six months, the Northern Territory has enjoyed the lowest unemployment in the nation, currently at 3.2%. This has been achieved while also having the highest labour force participation in the country. It is clear; if you want a job, come to the Territory. The Territory’s low unemployment rate simply would not have occurred without the Rudd government’s stimulus package and the Henderson government’s low taxes and record infrastructure spend. These public spending programs kept our economy strong and stable in a time of global upheaval.
The Territory’s low tax regime also played an important role in assisting businesses to continue to employ and invest through the crisis. This continues in Budget 2010-11: the lowest recurrent taxes for small and medium business in Australia. Since 2001, our tax cuts have saved Territory businesses $291m. A year ago, we made the deliberate decision to enter a budget deficit position to protect our economy. It worked. After having delivered seven surpluses in a row, delivering an eighth would have cost many Territorians their jobs.
Budget 2010-11 maintains the strategy adopted last year: to support jobs and the economy, but have a clear deficit step-out strategy to return the budget to surplus. At the time of formulating Budget 2010-11, the national economy is in a recovery phase. However, the Territory’s fiscal position continues to be affected by lower than historic revenue growth. Declining GST revenue has affected every jurisdiction in Australia. In their mid-year financial reports, every jurisdiction was forecasting cash deficit for this financial year.
Although GST revenue has started to recover in line with the improvement in the Australian economy, total collections remain lower than pre-global financial crisis levels. For the Territory, the effect is lower GST revenue of $154m in 2009-10, and approximately $100m in 2011-12. GST revenue for the Territory has been further affected by the 2010 Commonwealth Grants Commission review of relativities. The CGC’s new relativities resulted in a reduction to the Territory’s share of GST revenue from 5.4% to 5.2%, or $77m. This affects all forward years, and has extended the deficit step-out strategy by two years. The estimated cash deficit for 2009-10 is $137m, a $59m improvement from the estimate in the 2009-10 budget due to a nett transfer of expenditure between years, and increased revenue from the higher GST pool, offset by additional expenditure initiatives.
For 2010-11, the cash deficit is projected to be $268m, $94m higher than estimated at this time last year. A major influence on the 2010-11 budget aggregates are substantial variations of over $400m in both receipts and payments due to the significant increase in tied Commonwealth funding. Apart from this, the increased deficit is due to: expenditure associated with Commonwealth revenue received in prior years; new expenditure initiatives supported, in part, through a reprioritisation; a reduction in own-source revenue, largely taxes; and a small increase in GST revenue as a result of the pool growth offset by the Territory’s lower relativity.
Budget 2010-11 meets the Territory’s fiscal strategy targets through ensuring growth in operating expenditure is less than revenue growth; significant infrastructure investment; a competitive tax environment; and prudent management of liabilities.
The Territory’s cash position will remain in deficit over the forward estimates, although trending to an improvement by 2013-14. However, the operating position is in surplus over this period, providing a considerable contribution to high infrastructure spending over the forward estimates.
Budget 2010-11 totals $5.1bn, balanced appropriately between operating and capital expenditure. In this context, the forecast deficits are sustainable and responsible. The record level of infrastructure spending will increase nett debt levels over the forward years.
Budget 2010-11 forecasts a nett debt to revenue ratio for the general government sector of 26%. This important indicator measures the Territory’s capacity to service debt and compares extremely favourably to the 61% we inherited in 2001. Nett financial liabilities to revenue of 89% are projected for 2010-11, rising to 108% by 2013-14, but lower than 133% in 2001-02.
The Henderson government has a strong record of cutting stamp duty through providing higher concessions to homebuyers. Budget 2010-11 increases the stamp duty concession for first homebuyers. From today, the stamp duty concession for first homebuyers increases to the first $540 000 of the value of the home - up from $385 000. This increases the maximum stamp duty savings for first homebuyers from $15 515 to $26 730.
Budget 2010-11 delivers an innovative new concession to assist senior Territorians buy a home by slashing stamp duty payable by $8500 for eligible seniors, carers, veterans, and pensioners. Importantly, this initiative assists older Territorians to downsize from a larger family home into smaller accommodation.
Budget 2010 -11 supports other homebuyers with a 40% increase to the Principal Place of Residence Rebate - up from $2500 to $3500. The budget also includes measures to respond to the constrained fiscal environment by increasing revenue over time, and limiting expenditure growth.
From 1 July 2010, the Territory’s mineral royalty rate will increase from 18% to 20%. This rate change is the first since the Mineral Royalty Act commenced in 1982. Unlike other states who predominantly use output-based royalty schemes, the Territory imposes royalty on mine profitability. This means Territory mines only contribute royalties when they make a profit.
The increased rate is competitive with royalty rates imposed in the main mineral producing Australian states, is consistent with recent actions in other states, and is not expected to have a detrimental affect on exploration or mining in the Northern Territory. The new rate is expected to increase revenue by approximately $9.2m in 2010-11.
Although not a revenue source for government, the Motor Accident Compensation Contributions Commissioner has determined a 3.5% increase in motor accident compensation premiums. This adds approximately $16.00 to MAC premiums.
In recent years the Henderson government has increased the number of frontline staff. Since June 2002 staffing numbers have increased by 3800. In the current constrained fiscal environment it is vital to ensure budget restraint is maintained. To this effect, a staffing cap is in place across all agencies so overall numbers are maintained at the March 2010 levels. This does not preclude staffing increases in particular areas to respond to changing circumstances or demand. Budget 2010-11 maintains or increases frontline staffing levels.
The long awaited Henry Tax Review was released on Sunday. The review is clearly far reaching and deals with many issues affecting our future prosperity and the obligations on governments to meet the nation’s future expenditure needs, as outlined in the intergenerational report.
While my expectation is the Commonwealth budget will reflect some of the thinking of the review, there are many issues which require far more consideration and discussion. Importantly, the Commonwealth has committed no state would be worse off financially as a result of the Commonwealth implementation of the reforms. The government will fully respond to the review separately.
The Territory has enjoyed strong population growth over the past four years and currently has the third highest growth rate of the states and territories, behind Queensland and Western Australia. This is expected to continue with forecast growth of 2.1% in 2010, and 2% in 2011.
The Henderson government is committed to meeting the challenges of this growth through our Growing the Territory strategy. Our $1.8bn infrastructure budget delivers jobs now and is an investment in the Territory’s future.
Roads are always a large component of our infrastructure program. The infrastructure program in Budget 2010-11 also focuses on better hospitals, better schools and more housing. The roads budget this year is $331m, and funds projects across the Territory. The roads repairs and maintenance budget has increased to $80m.
Our roads program is funded in conjunction with the Commonwealth. Some of the roads to receive upgrades in Budget 2010-11 include: the Stuart Highway, Arnhem Highway, Central Arnhem Road, Port Keats Road, Buntine Highway, Umbakumba Road, Maryvale Road, Tanami Road, Sandover Highway, Litchfield Road, Fog Bay Road, and the Buchanan Highway. Darwin does not miss out either. The duplication of Vanderlin Drive to four lanes will cut travel time between Casuarina and Palmerston, and improve safety around the Leanyer water park.
The Henderson government is investing $1.7bn over five years from 2009-10 for power and water infrastructure to increase reliability of supply and ensure we meet growing demand. This includes $120m for two new turbines at Channel Island.
Budget 2010-11 recognises Palmerston is our fastest growing region. We deliver on our election commitment to provide a water park for Palmerston. The water park at Leanyer has been an extraordinary success and the Palmerston project, at $13.6m, is just as exciting. Rosebery Primary and Middle Schools will open next year, and Budget 2010-11 has allocated an additional $14.1m for their operation. The Palmerston super clinic, supported by the Rudd government, will open later this year. 2010-11 will also see the completion of the Tiger Brennan Drive extension project, cutting travel times between Palmerston and Darwin by up to 20 minutes.
The infrastructure program in Budget 2010-11 has a focus on better hospitals. The budget was framed in the midst of the biggest national reform debate in our nation’s history: the future direction of health and hospital funding in Australia. At the COAG meeting on 19 and 20 April, a range of national health reforms were agreed to by all jurisdictions, except Western Australia. The reforms are to be fully implemented by 2014-15, with arrangements for the transition period from 2010-11 to 2013-14. These transitional arrangements include additional Commonwealth funding of $55.7m for the Territory. Initiatives to be funded through the transitional arrangements include reduced waiting times for emergency departments and elective surgery; additional sub-acute beds; extra GP training places; and improved aged care and mental health services. After the transitional period, the Territory is guaranteed to receive an additional $167m in growth funding over five years from 2014-15 on top of growth in existing funding arrangements. These additional funds will be incorporated into the budget when the agreement is finalised in June.
While the construction of future health budgets will be different, Budget 2010-11 continues the Henderson government’s record investment in a healthy Territory and Territory hospitals. In last year’s budget, the Department of Health and Families broke through the billion dollar barrier with a budget of $1.05bn. Our investment continues with a $110m boost. In Budget 2010-11, $1.16bn has been allocated to the Department of Health and Families. All five Territory hospitals will have record funding this year. Royal Darwin Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in Australia, and it provides health services to patients from locations all over the Territory. With a current workforce of approximately 2000, Royal Darwin Hospital is estimated to treat 220 000 patients next year. Budget 2010-11 allocates $292.8m for the operation and expansion of Royal Darwin Hospital. This funding delivers now for families with more frontline medical staff and invests in the Territory’s future with additional capital funding, including $43.5m to upgrade emergency standby power generation.
Budget 2010-11 also delivers for our regional hospitals. Alice Springs Hospital has been allocated a budget of $129m with 143 000 patients expected to be treated. There is also $19.6m for the new emergency department, jointly funded with the Commonwealth. Due to its remote location, Gove District Hospital has always had difficulty attracting professional staff, and Budget 2010-11 allocates $3.8m for additional staff accommodation. The budget for Gove District Hospital will be $20.5m and 20 000 patients are expected to be treated. Funding for Katherine Hospital will be $28.6m with 35 000 patients expected. $2.8m is also provided to upgrade and expand the renal facilities and services at the hospital. Tennant Creek Hospital has a budget of $12.5m catering for an expected 24 000 patients; and there is an additional $1.7m for the operation of the Tennant Creek renal unit.
Hospitals are at the core of health and the focus of recent national debate, however there is so much more to health. Keeping people out of hospital is as important and, it is expected in 2010-11, $112m will be spent on preventative health initiatives.
Mental health is an area in need of additional investment across Australia. Budget 2010-11 delivers now with $930 000 to establish a Territory-wide 24-hour coordination service to provide increased capacity to respond to emergency and urgent mental health assessments at Royal Darwin Hospital and throughout the Darwin community.
Among the biggest challenges this nation faces is Indigenous health. Both the Indigenous Expenditure Review and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have determined about 60% of the Territory’s Health budget is Indigenous-related. Improving the health outcomes of Indigenous Territorians is going to take an enormous effort; there are signs we are headed in the right direction. Recent Indigenous health outcomes include: Indigenous women are now living three years longer on average; the Indigenous infant mortality rate has fallen by 35%; anaemia rates for Indigenous children have fallen by 20%, a significant improvement in their ability to grow and lead a normal life; and cervical cancer rates have fallen by 61%.
Protecting our children is an important component of two Henderson government strategies - A Healthy Territory and A Safe Territory. The Henderson government has a strong record of investment in child protection. The budget we inherited in 2001 was under $30m. While the government will respond to the recommendations of the current independent child protection inquiry, we have decided not to delay our continued investment. Budget 2010-11 provides an additional $14.7m for child protection measures, including an additional 76 child protection and support staff, expanded services for children and young people, and improvements to case management systems.
Our children’s future is dependent on their education. In 2010-11, there are expected to be over 42 000 students in 187 schools across the Territory. Budget 2010-11 invests $886m in our Smart Territory strategy through education and training. More students with more teachers in better schools are the focus of Budget 2010-11’s education budget.
In 2008, the Henderson government made an election commitment to upgrade every school in the Northern Territory over the next four years. Budget 2010-11 invests in our future with this initiative to build better schools right across the Territory with $5m for Casuarina Senior College, through to $2m for Yirrkala. Other highlights include: $6.8m to upgrade the Acacia, Henbury and Nemarluk Special Schools; $6.4m to upgrade Centralian Middle School and establish a youth hub at ANZAC Hill; $8.1m to build two new children and family centres at Yuendumu and Gunbalanya; $9.5m to construct additional centres in remote locations funded by the Commonwealth; $1m to upgrade Sanderson Middle School; and $300 000 each to upgrade 21 primary schools across the Territory.
In conjunction with the Rudd government’s Education Revolution, Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families with $12m for additional teachers and school support staff. This is an initiative directly targeted at improving the educational outcomes achieved by the children of the Northern Territory.
Initiatives to support quality classroom teaching for our children include: $14.1m for staff and operational expenses associated with the new Rosebery Primary and Middle Schools opening in 2011; $21.4m for 170 teachers as part of the Commonwealth’s four-year initiative for additional remote teachers; $2.4m over four years to establish five centres for excellence in senior secondary colleges and comprehensive high schools, with $300 000 in 2010-11 to commence the first two centres at Darwin High School and Casuarina Senior College; $3.1m for the Back to School Voucher Scheme, providing $75 towards essential school items for every school-aged child; $4.1m to fund the Childcare Subsidy, cutting the cost of childcare to families by up to $27 per week per child.
The Northern Territory remains the only jurisdiction to provide this subsidy, and 4450 children and families are expected to benefit this year; $2.8m to establish the Institute of School Leadership, Learning and Development to develop existing and aspiring educational leaders; $1.5m to expand the At School Pilot, using virtual schooling as a learning alternative for senior secondary students; and $700 000 to establish a literacy and numeracy task force to oversee whole-of-school approaches to improving literacy and numeracy, the building blocks of future success in education and life.
Students attending school every school day is essential if they are to learn and achieve. Budget 2010-11 provides $2.2m for a going to school enrolment and attendance strategy. The Clontarf program is achieving tremendous results, and Budget 2010-11 provides $2.3m for student engagement programs such as Clontarf at 11 sites, and Sporting Chance at six sites.
With record funding for more teachers in better schools, the Henderson government is committed to improving education outcomes across the Territory.
Our growing population and strong economy is placing pressure on the housing market. Budget 2010-11 provides tax cuts and record funding to deliver more land and housing for Territory families. Budget 2010-11 allocates more than $0.5bn towards our Housing the Territory Strategy.
The stamp duty changes included in Budget 2010-11 will provide considerable additional support for first homeowners, other principal place of residence home purchasers and, importantly, seniors and carers to assist them in downsizing their existing properties to more appropriate dwellings. Further assistance is provided through Homestart NT, a Territory government scheme designed to help first homebuyers and low to middle income earners who may not be able to gain access to a mortgage in the commercial market. Each year, Homestart NT price cuts and income caps require consideration and potential revision to adapt to current market conditions. Budget 2010-11 increases Homestart NT purchase price caps and income limits across the Territory with mortgage repayments of no more than 30% of income. The price caps are different across the Territory, and the income limits are based on household size. In Darwin and Palmerston, the price cap increases by $55 000 to $475 000, and the income for a two-parent, two-child household is now over $100 000 at $105 000. These adjustments are sensible; they will keep Homestart NT where it should be in the marketplace: assisting homebuyers unable to attract commercial finance.
Providing land to grow is an important component of the Henderson government’s Housing the Territory strategy. Our growing population and strong economy have increased the need for government to fast-track land release. Palmerston East is at the centre of this land to grow program, and it will become the new home to 15 000 people over the next five years. $20m will be delivered to fast-track headworks in the new suburb of Zuccoli. Stage 1 will deliver 400 new residential housing lots which will provide approximately 550 new homes.
Under the Housing the Territory strategy, Budget 2010-11 also delivers $10m towards the new suburb of Kilgariff in Alice Springs; $1.95m to progress planning for the new town of Weddell; and $900 000 for the release of 54 fully-serviced residential lots in Tennant Creek. Budget 2010-11 provides funding of $72.9m for new and upgraded public housing to improve access for Territorians to long-term and secure accommodation.
On 20 May last year, the government launched A Working Future, a targeted strategy to improve the lives of Territorians living in remote areas. The initial focus of A Working Future is 20 Territory growth towns. Health and education are clear priorities. Budget 2010-11 also has A Working Future initiatives covering roads, public transport, safer communities, essential services, and economic participation. A highlight is Stage 1 of the implementation of the government’s integrated regional transport strategy. $21m is being invested over five years to improve access by air, sea and road, which is crucial for the future of our remote communities.
Budget 2010-11 delivers a safer community for Territory families by giving the police the tools they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. The government will continue to crack down on alcohol-related crime, which makes up 59% of all assaults in the Territory. Tackling alcohol abuse will reduce crime.
Budget 2010-11 increases the Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget to $310m - up by 127% since 2001. Budget 2010-11 provides more police stations, more police beats, and more police. The Northern Territory has twice as many police per head of population than the rest of Australia. Police numbers have increased by 399 since 2002.
One of the most popular of all Henderson government initiatives has been the establishment of police beats in shopping centres and community hubs. The first police beat was established at the Territory’s biggest shopping centre at Casuarina, and has been an extraordinary success. Since then, there has been a 38% reduction in the number of reported incidences within the precinct, including a 91% reduction in the number of general disturbances reported
Budget 2010-11 provides $6m to build and maintain police beats in Karama, Parap, Palmerston, Casuarina, Nightcliff, and Alice Springs. Budget 2010-11 delivers $22.5m for new and upgraded police stations at Tennant Creek, Alpara and Imanpa. There is also $27.1m for policing in 18 remote communities.
As mentioned, 59% of violent crime in the Territory is alcohol-related. The human cost of this crime is terrible. From a financial perspective, alcohol abuse costs the Northern Territory about $642m each year. The Henderson government is committed to cracking down on alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour.
In addition to frontline policing, Budget 2010-11 delivers $1.57m for day and night patrols and a public hotline; $1.44m for CCTV monitoring in Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston; continued responsible drinking education campaigns targeted at our young people; stronger alcohol courts to deal with problem drinkers and provide treatment; and $370 000 for the Palmerston Information and Referrals Office to continue antisocial behaviour intervention and case management services. Our continued investment in rehabilitation and treatment, in partnership with the Commonwealth, means there are now over 300 rehabilitation and sobering-up shelter beds in the Northern Territory.
A core focus for 2010-11 will be the development and implementation of an alcohol management plan for Darwin and Palmerston. Budget 2010-11 delivers now for victims of crime with an extra $2.56m to increase funding to the Crime Victims Support Scheme and Crime Victims Services Unit. This boost is supported by a $10 increase in the victim’s levy applied to infringement notices, including speeding fines and traffic offences.
Budget 2010-11 tackles youth issues in Palmerston with $1.25m in the first year of the new Palmerston Youth Action Plan. The plan includes increased targeting of police operations including youth crime, diversion and school-based constables, and expansion of authorised officers to enforce school attendance. We also provide $1m for three youth camps across the Territory. Budget 2010-11 delivers $3.5m for Stage 2 of the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan, building on current initiatives to get young people in Alice Springs back to school and away from antisocial and crime-related activities. Further resources for our justice system include: a $2m increase for juvenile detention facilities, and a further $7.5m to boost the capacity of correctional centres to manage offenders. There is $2.7m to modernise the Integrated Justice Information System giving police and justice officers better tools, and streamlining the criminal justice system.
Budget 2010-11 also establishes the Barkly Work Camp with $5.1m allocated to construction, and $2.6m for operations. The Barkly Work Camp will help end the revolving door by providing prisoners with the skills to successfully transition back to the community.
The Territory government is committed to protecting and enhancing our unique Territory environment. Budget 2010-11 supports businesses and households to respond to climate change with a range of subsidies and initiatives under the Territory government’s $34m climate change policy. The $43.5m infrastructure upgrade at Royal Darwin Hospital will cut emissions by an estimated 8.2%. Other green initiatives in Budget 2010-11 include: $2m to showcase renewable and low emission energy in remote communities; funding for the ecoBiz NT program and the Centre for Renewable Energy; $720 000 in grassroots environment grants; and $625 000 for Cash for Containers; $390 000 for the water tank rebate scheme; a $500 000 funding boost to the Environment Protection Authority; and $4m over two years for the Green Heart of Darwin projects.
The Territory is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our lifestyle is the best in Australia. The Henderson government is committed to making our lifestyle even better, and Budget 2010-11 delivers more funding for major events, Territory sport, more recreational and fishing facilities, and support for community events and the arts. The highlight of our major events include: funding for major AFL, Rugby Union and Rugby League matches; funding for the V8 Supercars, BassintheGrass, the Alice Springs Concert, Arafura Games, Masters Games, Rugby’s Hottest 7s, and the Super Bikes. There is also $11.5m to support the Territory racing industry and the 1000 jobs it supports.
Budget 2010-11 supports grassroots, local sports with $3.7m in peak sporting body funding, and $2.3m for remote community sport and recreation programs.
Budget 2010-11 invests in our sporting infrastructure with funding for Hidden Valley, Freds Pass, the Arafura athletics track and Traegar Park. Improvements to fishing infrastructure and access make it easier for Territorians to get out on the water. Highlights include; $1m to upgrade and improve recreational fishing infrastructure in the Top End, and $3.5m to upgrade recreational fishing access roads including Fog Bay, Woolianna and Marrakai Roads.
The Northern Territory, with its great outdoors, is perfect for a healthy, active lifestyle. We continue to support this way of life by providing $3.32m for bike paths, including a link from Palmerston to Howard Springs, and $9.4m for facility upgrades to Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the West MacDonnell Visitors Centre, and Howard Springs Nature Park.
The Northern Territory also has a unique arts and culture scene, and Budget 2010-11 delivers $1.5m to support festivals, including the Darwin Festival, Alice Springs Festival, and remote community celebrations.
Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families, but it also invests in our long-term future. It is appropriate to conclude this speech by outlining how Budget 2010-11 takes us towards Territory 2030, the strategic plan for the future of the Northern Territory. The member for Arafura has been busy the last couple of months travelling the Northern Territory as Parliamentary Secretary for Territory 2030. She is listening to communities about their ideas and their priorities.
As the first budget since the release of Territory 2030 in December last year, Budget 2010-11 makes a start on working towards the targets within the six key priority areas for 2030. The better schools and better hospitals focus of Budget 2010-11 is a clear commitment towards education and health and wellbeing targets within Territory 2030. I have outlined many initiatives in Budget 2010-11 which support 2030: priority areas of society, economic sustainability and environment, as well as knowledge, creativity, and innovation; score cards will be published and independent reviews conducted. Territory 2030 is a long-term strategy and future budgets will continue to invest in Territory 2030 and the future of the Northern Territory.
This is what Budget 2010-11 is about: it delivers now for Territory families and it invests in the future of the Territory. It is a tight budget; it is a responsible and sustainable budget. Budget 2010-11 is focused on the core priorities of the Henderson government: we will protect and grow our economy; we will protect and create jobs; we are committed to delivering better hospitals, better schools and more housing. We are delivering now for families, and we are investing in the future of the Northern Territory.
I commend Budget 2010-11 to the House.
Debate adjourned.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Department of Business and Employment staff. On behalf of 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 gallery of Ms Bess Price, the Chair of the Northern Territory government’s Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you also a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received a document relating to pairs for today, 4 May 2010, from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm for the member for Fannie Bay and the member for Araluen. It is signed by both the government Whip and the opposition Whip. I table the document.
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I will continue my remarks in regard to the government’s response to the first report of the Council of Territory Cooperation.
As previously indicated, my government will continue to wholesomely support the council. I believe the council is providing a very significant and important role, not only for this parliament, but for all Territorians to better understand the policy issues facing the Northern Territory and to provide an avenue for Territorians to meet with the council and talk about the impact of government policy around the Territory and how that can be improved.
I am concerned the council’s opposition members, in their dissenting report, chose to personally name the Under-Treasurer and imply she attempted to avoid answering a question. My government and I stand by the professionalism and integrity of our public servants, and reject any suggestion public servants would be motivated to obstruct the council in the performance of its duties, or that it has instructed public servants to withhold information from the council. The issues being considered by the council are complex and require careful consideration. My government and I expect public servants would be entitled to seek clarification of any question asked by the council in the performance of their duties to meet the commitments I have previously given to ensure information being provided to the council is comprehensive and accurate.
My government will continue to concentrate significant time, effort, and resources to ensure SIHIP, local government reform, and A Working Future policy delivers improved outcomes for Territorians. These improved outcomes will only be achieved through a sustained effort and committed partnership over the long term and into the future.
We have taken the recommendations on board, and a large number of those will be taken up by government. We are committed to the task and reaffirm our commitment to, and support for, the work of the council. I thank the Council of Territory Cooperation for their work and their commitment to ensuring the council is an important vehicle to assist in developing government policy and monitoring the implementation of government policy to the benefit of the people of the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for his response to the first group of recommendations from the first report of the Council of Territory Cooperation. There are two aspects to this response I would like to comment on today.
The first is the discussion about the recommendations of the Council of Territory Cooperation as a whole. Some recommendations have been agreed to, and some have been noted. Regardless of the detail, the real point of this exercise will be whether the government acts on these recommendations, especially the ones they have agreed to. Why? Because the CTC not only has a role in gathering facts and scrutinising government policies, but also in pushing for change where it believes change is necessary. If the CTC recommends change it would hope, unless there is very good reason, the government would show its support for the CTC by acting on the recommendations.
The CTC is a committee of this parliament and, like all other committees, the recommendations are not binding on the government. When many of the recommendations have support from all sides of parliament, you would think it would add more weight to the recommendations. It is one thing to support the recommendations, it is another thing to put them into action, and the CTC will be regularly monitoring the progress of any action.
The second aspect of the discussion is regarding the government’s responses in the detail. As noted in the introduction, there were 11 recommendations on SIHIP; six recommendations on local government; one recommendation on A Working Future local government; and three on the council itself.
In relation to the 11 SIHIP recommendations, the government has agreed to seven and noted the remainder. The first recommendation in the report was more an opinion rather than something which could be acted on, which was duly noted. The second recommendation was SIHIP should be allowed to roll-out its refurbishments and rebuilds to the standards originally promised. That was also noted by the government.
In relation to this issue, the concept of refurbishments and rebuilds and the changes to how much could be spent on these categories has been the subject of much debate, especially since the review of SIHIP. The CTC is also concerned, and this was highlighted when the council visited Nguiu and was told a house would only have the kitchen and bathroom repaired, leaving the rest of the house in a very dilapidated state. Since then we have been informed by the local member that the house has been cleaned and painted. The question is: how much did the house cost to bring up to that standard? The CTC was told $75 000 would only do the kitchen and bathroom. Does that mean the $75 000 was stretched further, or was more money put into the house, or did the Department of Housing and Local Government repairs and maintenance program bring the house to an acceptable standard? More needs to be looked at in this area.
We are not alone when it comes to these concerns. A report released in March this year known as the SIHIP Post Review Assessment (PRA), by Dr Owen Donald and Julia Canty-Waldron says – and I am referring to page 14 of the report:
Further on it says:
In the government’s response it says:
From the SIHIP Post Review Assessment and from the CTC’s own visitation to the communities having houses refurbished, this is an area which will need strong monitoring, because if we cannot avoid the duplication - that is, having houses partially upgraded by the CTC and then waiting for the repairs and maintenance program from Remote Housing to finish off the house - there will be delays in handing these houses over to the people we are urgently trying to put into those houses. That is an area we have to look at.
The use of repairs and maintenance money to finish off houses which cannot be completed because of insufficient money begs the question whether there will be less in the repairs and maintenance budget in normal times.
Recommendation 3 deals with ensuring the standard of housing will meet NT Housing standards. However, government’s response to that says:
Recommendation 4 says:
Recommendation 5 said:
I am a little confused because the answer from government was discussions with Julalikari Aboriginal Corporation indicate their priorities are infrastructure upgrades to bring the community living areas up to the same standards, or better, than the town area of Tennant Creek are the priority for SIHIP funding. I do not have any complaint about that; I do not know if the message might have gone down the wrong path. There was money - I do not have the amount - in the original pre-review program for Tennant Creek which included about $13m for external infrastructure for the houses.
My understanding, and I am sure other CTC members would say the same, is there was a change, post-review, that all external infrastructure would be paid for out of a new bucket of money from the National Partnership Agreement. The CTC was saying: let us get the money from the National Partnership Agreement to do the Tennant Creek infrastructure, and use the $13m pre-review infrastructure bucket of money to build more houses. We wanted more houses to be built with the infrastructure money pre-review, and if there needed to be work - and naturally there had to be more infrastructure work done in Tennant Creek - get that from the National Partnership Agreement, as is occurring for other communities, so it would be consistent and give Tennant Creek the opportunity to build more houses.
There was an enormous shortage of new houses in Tennant Creek - up to 200 houses short. We were told there was severe overcrowding; so it would be better to put the pre-review infrastructure money into new houses, which is what the CTC was pushing for. There may have been some confusion as to what the CTC was trying to do; it was not trying to take money away from Tennant Creek.
Recommendation 7 says:
This has only been noted by the government. It says it will cost too much to get an accurate house-by-house figure, which would be better spent on delivering houses. While that may be a fair point, there needs to be a way of checking the costs of houses against the average figure of $450 000.
A number of accountants are employed by the federal government, as we found out during meetings with both Commonwealth and Territory public servants in relation to the post-SIHIP program, and there are accountants working with the alliances. I do not want to put extra financial burdens on the program - if we could use all that money for building more houses we should. The federal government accountants, and the alliance accountants, should be able to come up with a ballpark figure because they are monitoring the finances all the time. It might not be right to the nth degree, but they should be able to give a reasonable idea of the cost of housing.
The Post Review Assessment does not look at this issue so it does not seem to be a concern. From a CTC perspective, it is important to keep an eye on building costs. The government says the answer will be seen in a detailed financial report at the end of each quarter. If that is the case, will we see an individual price or just a total expenditure figure? How much detail will be supplied to make an educated estimate of the cost of a house, a rebuild or a refurbishment? Will the cost of a house only be ascertained at the end of the project? If that is the case, how will the CTC know if there are enough funds to complete the program by target date?
We know these figures have been put out for refurbishments, rebuilds and houses. These comments are mine - this report has not been discussed by CTC - if we check to see whether the system is running according to targets and budget, we need to be coming up regularly with prices of new houses, refurbishments and rebuilds, otherwise we could get back to the problems of pre-review, where people were unsure of the cost of these houses.
I understand where the government is coming from, however using the resources of people already employed under the post-review process - accountants and financial people should be able to come up with a figure.
That leads into Recommendation 8, basically the same thing. I would be concerned if we get a quarterly report saying the alliance had this much money for these houses, and spent this much. We need more detail, and I will be interested to see what the detailed quarterly report looks like.
Recommendation 9 says an audit be done by an independent auditor at the end of the process. That is important. The Post Review Assessment says, to some extent, the alliance program is working reasonably well, but they throw up some caution. In its conclusion it says:
It then says:
That reinforces what the CTC is saying: we will need an audit to look at whether the alliance model is the right one for delivering houses on the ground in Indigenous communities. The CTC will be very conscious of this as it continues to monitor this program.
Recommendation 10 says:
This recommendation deals with private ownership, a very important part of the solution to the housing shortage. The government’s response says it will: facilitate and support the concept of private ownership. There needs to be a dedicated effort to push private ownership, and regular reports need to be delivered on exactly how many private houses have been built. The quality of houses could also be an issue. A cheap house may not mean value for money and the house may have a short life.
I am interested in the life of two Chinese houses at Nguiu which have been brought in. I have strong concerns those houses will not last long. When you see an internal door facing outside the house, you worry whether people have been given a warning about these houses before they purchased them. I would not step in the way of a person having the right to buy whatever house they want; however, I hope there is a system in place which protects people who, through lack of knowledge when it comes to the quality of a house - especially when spending quite a large sum of money - from buying a house which does not last very long.
On the issue of private ownership, I believe it is something both federal and Territory governments have to keep pushing. There is no way the scheme of building public housing to solve the problem of overcrowding in Indigenous communities will be the solution. We have to find other ways, and the concept of private ownership, I believe, is a key factor. It is something we should promote.
Recommendation 11 says:
At Bathurst Island they were talking about up to 34 people being employed. If I went back there tomorrow, will I find the same 34 people employed? If you are training people and improving their skills, consistency in turning up for work, and on time, is the key and keeps costs down.
There is a requirement at least 20% of people employed in SIHIP must be Indigenous. If you have a very mobile Indigenous workforce which is not consistently working, that is adding to the cost of the houses. These are areas the CTC needs to know about because if there are problems in that area we have to look at ways of getting around that.
The big question for the alliances, and the government, is what happens to the Indigenous workers when SIHIP ceases? This is a problem in many communities where a project will occur; 10, 20, or 30 people are employed and when that project ceases or slows down, a number of those good, qualified people are unemployed. We need to be very conscious of that. We need to set up alternative ways of employing them, maybe even encouraging them to follow the work around. We do not want to lose those skills, or make it hard for people to work again. If they know they are taking a job which may not last very long, perhaps next time a job or project comes along they will not bother; not put their hand up to be employed; say it is easier to stay on the dole. That is an important area.
The Post Review Assessment is a paper CTC members have just become aware of, and has some conclusions I hope the government acts upon. The conclusions the PRA has, in a number of cases, support the concerns of the CTC. I would like to read those conclusions because this is a document written for either the Commonwealth or the Northern Territory government, or both. I presume these conclusions would be put into place by the government when it accepted this report.
It states the following opportunities under the heading Conclusions:
continue the integration of SIHIP into Remote Housing NT, in acknowledgement of the linkages with and between property and tenancy management and infrastructure provision.
also assess other non traditional project procurement options for strong and sustained outcomes in and beyond SIHIP.
pay particular attention to population trends and overcrowding in remote communities to inform estimates of funding required for housing and related services.
That is worth including in our response because there are some very good conclusions there.
In the area of local government there were six recommendations. Four were agreed to, and two noted. The government noted Recommendation 12:
The government said this will be considered as part of the future review of the Local Government Act. It will be interesting to hear what kind of review the government intends - minor or massive - bearing in mind the act went through a complete overhaul several years ago. When the government intends to do a review is important, bearing in mind shire rates are capped until the end of 2010-11. The question was: when will this review start so decisions on what happens to rates after they are capped can be taken into account during the review?
The question was asked about service fees in our recommendation as this was once a system used at Bathurst Island. That does not seem to have been answered, and this is an area the CTC needs to follow up. In the case of Bathurst Island, the Tiwi Shire Council can obtain very little money from rates and service fees. Was this system used in previous local government which existed before the amalgamations?
In relation to ShireBiz and an increase in establishment money, the response of the government will be taken to shires for comment. That does not mean other councils will not have an opinion. To get their viewpoint before the CTC can probably comment, we need to talk to councils about the effect of ShireBiz. Is it now up and running; what were the overall costs to those councils for the delay in the establishment of ShireBiz?
In relation to recommendations on roads, there are still many questions which need answers. The key one is the normalisation of roads, which must go hand-in-hand with the normalisation of towns. As well, the perennial question of funding for private roads versus public roads has never been answered. Avoided - yes; answered - no. The member for Macdonnell spoke on roads on Bathurst and Melville Islands. Under the federal system of grant money you cannot fund private roads. What is private and what is public is a key issue to funding. That does not mean governments cannot fund the roads on Bathurst Island; they cannot use the Federal Assistance Grant, or FAG money, which normally comes through local government. It is an area which needs to be cleared up.
The DLP is coordinating a road hierarchy audit of all roads within a 50 km radius of the growth towns. Again, the question is: will those roads be public roads? If they are looking for money for those roads, who will fund them? The shires have been in existence for nearly two years and we still do not know which roads they will be responsible for and where their funding will come from. The shires were also sweetened with the idea if they amalgamated, they will receive more money for roads; for example, the …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I move that the member for Nelson be granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, member for Katherine. The Pitjantjatjara Lands and other lands in South Australia have received money normally received through federal local government funding.
On the local website, an article from the Local Government Focus, April 2008 is quoted saying $386m would be available for federal and Territory services for the development of roads. It would be good to hear where that $386m went, or was that money received? This is a key reason councils amalgamated - there were promises of money for roads.
The CTC will continue to monitor and investigate reform of local government both from a financial viewpoint, the delivery of their core functions, and the governance process.
Recent issues relating to the number of CEOs who have resigned, and also the vote of no confidence in the Mayor of Victoria Daly Shire are of concern. The CTC needs to ensure services are being delivered on the ground, especially communities which lost their community government councils. Many promises were made to people, as shown in the reform benefits fact sheet; the real question the CTC needs to investigate is whether these benefits have, or are, occurring.
It is pleasing to see Recommendation 10 has been supported by the government. We now have a stand-alone secretariat, which will allow more focus on the work of the CTC; and I thank the government for that support.
I put on record I believe the CTC has received very good cooperation and information from both the Territory and Commonwealth public service. I would also like to express my support for the Under-Treasurer, not because today is budget day, not in relation to the CTC, ever since I have known her, especially through the PAC - some might say I am a biased here - I have been delivered my copy of the budget in spiral binding, which is something the Under-Treasurer has done for me most years, however that is an aside. I believe the Under-Treasurer is fair and independent and does her job as it should be done, properly and consciously.
Madam Deputy Speaker, in summing up, I thank the government for its recommendations. I am not going over them again - the key for me will be: they are only as good as the paper they are written on. We need to see action. Actions speak louder than words. The CTC will continue to monitor these recommendations to see if the government goes ahead with its promises.
Many of these recommendations are not going to cost the government a great deal, however they might be able to change or improve policies. The role of the CTC, especially in the case of SIHIP, is to ensure houses are delivered on time, at a reasonable price, to Indigenous people. Whether we agree with the alliance program, or whether we agree with the way the whole thing was set up, the reality of life is we are part way into a program and we need to ensure taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely, and the outcomes are that Indigenous people receive good housing.
In the case of local government, the government took a big step in amalgamating many councils – 54 councils into seven or eight large councils. I am on record saying I believe these councils are too big - that is the government’s policy, and I am not on the CTC to bring government policy down. We will look at this policy and see if these amalgamations have made a difference; have they improved people’s lives. I have the benefits of local government in my office and I will be asking: you said these were the benefits, now prove it. I believe our job is to ensure the government’s reasons for amalgamating councils did happen, or are going to happen, otherwise we will be saying to the government: you need to revisit whether it is inefficient and not the way to go, or needs change. There will be more recommendations though …
Mr Elferink: Why do you not become a minister and do it?
Mr WOOD: There will be more recommendations when it comes to local government and …
Mr Elferink: Join Cabinet and do it.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Elferink: Stop whinging about it and do it.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr WOOD: If the member for Port Darwin wants to quieten down. I have heard all that before.
Mr Elferink: You have not answered it, ever, not once.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Port Darwin!
Mr WOOD: I am not here at Question Time.
Mr Elferink: That is right. You do not want to answer questions; you just want to whinge.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting please!
Mr WOOD: It is a pity the member for Port Darwin had to interrupt at that stage. I am saying the government needs to assess where the amalgamation of councils is going.
The last area is A Working Future, which is an extremely large, global type of government policy which will need a great deal of scrutiny to see whether it is just blowing in the wind, or whether it is going to achieve something.
I believe the CTC’s role in scrutinising these government policies will continue for some time, because the objects of some of the programs will continue for some time, and will need continual scrutiny by the CTC to ensure they work.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, I happily contribute to this debate on the response from the Northern Territory government to the first report of the CTC.
The response by the government is, in all respects, what I expected. It is noteworthy the CTC’s first report to the Legislative Assembly was, in the opinion of the opposition members sitting on that committee, a rather watery document which failed to carry with it much of the guts and gusto we believed to be inherent in this committee. The government’s response is just as watery as the first report.
This sessional committee was the result of the parliamentary agreement between the Chief Minister and the Independent member for Nelson. The terms of reference included the committee facilitate greater levels of collaboration of the government of the Northern Territory; to expand involvement in important Northern Territory initiatives and projects; provide new avenues for Territorians to have input through legislative process; and to provide a road map for tackling specific issues currently facing the Territory.
In the media release, or spin, which was published on 14 October 2009 entitled Cooperating to Deliver for Territorians, the Chief Minister said the bipartisan Council of Territory Cooperation would encourage more constructive political dialogue. He also said:
I am yet to see that happen. He also said the council would allow scrutiny of the work being done at officer level on the ground, and would input into the way policy is developed and implemented.
He went on to say:
In an interview on 10 November 2009 posted on the website of Jenny Macklin MP, the Chief Minister claimed:
It is ironic the council is not empowered to do anything; all the public can see is a talkfest. I am working my hardest, and other members are too, to ensure this council is not just a talkfest. Unfortunately, the feedback I am receiving still echoes that sentiment.
It is evident by many of the government’s responses to the first report government can treat reports from this committee in any way it feels inclined. In the response document, the government either notes or agrees with any given recommendation, and has some explanations sitting alongside that. Many of the recommendations the government agrees to are motherhood-ish, or carry little or no implication for the government whatsoever. A case in point would be Recommendation 3 of the CTC and the government’s response. I quote Recommendation 3:
Honestly, what a no-brainer. It is a commitment by the government; a response to a recommendation which says and does basically nothing.
Recommendation 10 is probably noteworthy; the Council recommends that Indigenous Business Australia, or IBA, schemes supporting private ownership be actively encouraged by the NT government. Again, the response is a no-brainer. Even though they agree with it, there is no substance to what is coming out of the government in their response to these recommendations.
Questions are posed by members of the CTC which, through all this whole process, go unanswered. They were not posed to simply fill the air or waste time so the Labor government can stay in office. No, they were asked to seek complete answers, not 10 pages of niceties.
I refer to Recommendation 2 of the CTC’s first report and the government’s response. Matters arising out of this recommendation and response were canvassed recently in a CTC meeting. The content of that briefing to representatives of the NT and federal governments were taken in camera. I am patently aware of that, and am not going to disclose any information provided to the CTC, however Recommendation 2 says the Council recommends SIHIP should be allowed to roll-out its refurbishments and rebuilds to the standards originally promised.
Part of the government’s response says:
This is a concern because the money in that bucket provided to shires via service agreements, is supposed to be a repairs and maintenance program for housing right across any given shire. We will see some of that money taken from the regular repairs and maintenance program and funnelled into SIHIP housing. If I were a shire CEO, president, mayor or, for that matter, a person living in a shire with substandard housing, housing desperately in need of repairs and maintenance, and discovered some of the money going into fixing my shire houses was now to be funnelled into SIHIP, I would be furious.
I believe this is a matter the shires very carefully need to consider and take forward to this government in the strongest possible terms. If this government starts to raid the piggy bank set aside for other repairs and maintenance programs that will be the thin end of the wedge. They will attempt to do it by stealth, I am sure. I am surprised to see the response by government to Recommendation 2, admitting they would be syphoning money from the standard repairs and maintenance program. I suspect that is probably a tactical mistake on their part.
The member for Nelson has been through this report and provided his personal viewpoint on most of the responses to the recommendations. Another example of one of the lame responses by this government to the report is Recommendation 14 regarding the shires. The IT systems provided to the new super shires became such a complete disaster - it rapidly became obvious this was because of systemic and administrative shortcomings by those in charge of administering the local government reform. Much has been said, and much has been taken in evidence with respect to the computer systems of the shires. I daresay the true state of those systems will be revealed during the estimates process.
With respect to the IT systems, it was reported to the Council of Territory Cooperation on 2 December 2009 by Mr Des Kennedy, Project Director for the ShireBiz remediation project, who said:
The shire councils are paying an inherently high cost for something that is, indeed, a commodity. That forms part of the issue around Recommendation 14. The Northern Territory government response was, in part, to say: ‘More detail on our position will be provided in the future’.
The Northern Territory government is allowing these shires to languish in an IT system forced upon them during the implementation of the failed shires reform package. Their only response to a query raised by the CTC is: ‘More detail on our position will be provided in the future’. I do not know why the Northern Territory government cannot give a time frame for providing more detail of their position on that topic. The shires will continue to wait with baited breath until the government sees fit to respond to the CTC’s recommendation. The Territory government response is an absolute disgrace, and an insult to the many hours spent by those serving on the Council, and those who have reported to the Council.
We have had some small wins, not from matters arising out of the report, more from the dissenting report and the debate in this House subsequent to the tabling of that first report.
One of the criticisms of the dissenting report tabled with the CTC’s first report to this Assembly was the lack of flexibility and responsiveness by the CTC to emerging issues. This was evidenced with reference to the cut-off date for the first report. Despite the CTC canvassing critical and important issues on Bathurst Island, those matters were not, because of that inflexibility, included in the CTC’s first report. It took the dissenting report and debate by members on this side of the House to raise some of those issues and, thankfully, some have been addressed.
In my contribution to that debate, I spoke about a house at Nguiu, and I quote from the Hansard on 24 February 2010:
I later go on to say:
I am pleased to report that the house I referred to on 24 February this year is now a house you would not recognise. Reportedly, this house has been refurbished to the point it should have been in the first place – new floor coverings throughout, repainted, new wet areas; this house is now a far cry from the standard it was when the CTC visited it earlier this year.
The point is not the member for Katherine raised the issue and the house was fixed; the point is why should the member for Katherine have to mention the house? Should it not be the job of government to oversee the way these refurbishments are rolling out? Will it take someone speaking about every single refurbishment or rebuild under SIHIP before the government takes notice and does something?
The other point is, had the member for Katherine not spoken about the standard of this refurbishment under the failed SIHIP, it would not have been raised until the second report of the CTC. That report is due to be tabled in parliament later this week. The net effect would have been nearly a three month delay in rectifying the refurbishment on a house whose floor I would barely let my dog sleep on.
The member for Nelson raised an issue about the CTC ensuring - and it goes to the same argument - houses under SIHIP are built properly and within a specific budget. That is what we have to do; I understand that is what we have to do - should we have to do it? Realistically, why is it the responsibility of a committee of this parliament to oversee the roll-out of an enormous government work program for Indigenous people? Surely there is sufficient capacity within the Northern Territory government, within the federal government, to have this program rolled out without the oversight of a six member committee of the parliament of the Northern Territory – absolutely shameful.
The government has acknowledged the dissenting report which accompanied the CTC’s first report. There are some responses to the contents of the dissenting report, and I want to touch on that briefly.
Madam Deputy Speaker, quite …
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move an extension of time for the member for Katherine, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Quite rightly, the government has come out in defence of the Under-Treasurer when issues around her openness and forthrightness in giving evidence before the committee were questioned by members of the opposition in the dissenting report. While the opposition members can agree to disagree with other members of the CTC with respect to this issue, this perhaps serves as a timely reminder to government, and to those who are summoned to appear before the CTC, that obstruction, whether passive or not, will not escape the scrutiny of some, if not all, members of the CTC.
The government’s response is not really a departure from what I would have expected of them. None of the responses carry, in my opinion, any serious commitment to do anything. In saying that, I conclude my remarks.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to briefly comment on this document before the House. I am surprised to see government members not speaking to this document today. It, perhaps, reflects how seriously the government takes this. The CTC is a parliamentary committee and nothing more. It is not what was promised to the people of the Northern Territory; it does not fulfil the role described by the member for Nelson to the people of the Northern Territory and, in some ways, is an emasculated organ in the sense it does not achieve what the member for Nelson hoped it would. The member for Nelson, I do not believe, was clear as to what he wanted this committee to do, so long as it felt right. Now, being confronted, as time passes, with some of the limitations of the organ, as well as some of its problems, he has realised this is not going to come cheap to Territorians. I hope it will continue to work to produce some positive benefit.
So far the impact upon government has been profound. We now have a 10-page response to the result of months of work, and a comprehensive report, both dissenting and non-dissenting, from the parliamentary committee, the CTC.
The Northern Territory government has learnt how to put the word ‘no’ into the word ‘noted’. This is an unremarkable document from an unremarkable majority report from the Council of Territory Cooperation, such as it is.
I, too, like the member for Katherine, wish to turn my attention to the recommendation about SIHIP being allowed to hand over properties being handed back to the Northern Territory government - Territory Housing - to look after, ostensibly. It demonstrates how much more the Territory budget will have to accommodate expenditure through its failings and shortcomings in the management of the original part of the SIHIP process; we are talking about the pre-review section of SIHIP.
That was when the Northern Territory government and the minister for calamities, the member for Daly, had to run SIHIP. Such was his disinterest in the organisation of SIHIP that ultimately the federal government had to step in. They claim in the post-review period it is an environment of cooperation, which is nonsense. It was another intervention in the Northern Territory by the federal government; this time not because of what was happening in the bush, rather what was happening in the Cabinet of the Northern Territory.
Another major flaw in this committee is the fact we do not get an opportunity to bring ministers before the committee. I cannot imagine how ministers who considered themselves to be responsible for their duties would not appear before the committee - would actively avoid appearing before this committee. I am aware the minister – I am talking about the member for Daly – has been on the receiving end of several letters inviting him to appear. If I were the minister in charge of something like SIHIP, not only would I be waiting for letters to invite me to give evidence to defend decisions I had made, more importantly, I would be writing letters to the committee pleading, in fact demanding, I be allowed to give evidence and defend the decisions I had made.
In this cute arrangement between the member for Nelson and the Chief Minister, there is no such requirement of ministers, which is a shame because the member for Nelson is starting to realise all roads lead to Rome. He thought by talking to the public servants whose responsibility it is to implement these policies - when you drill into the policy decisions, you are immeasurably drawn to the Cabinet and the ministers who make these determinations and give directions to those public servants.
Whilst we spend much time talking to public servants, we have not had an opportunity to quiz any minister on how they do their job. How the member for Nelson believes this is a good result for the people of the Northern Territory, I cannot imagine.
The government has assiduously avoided making any appearance before this committee, with the exception of one way - it now appears amongst our members is a parliamentary secretary. That raises other issues because, while they are called parliamentary secretaries, they have a habit of reporting to Cabinet rather than parliament.
In the parliamentary legislation which deals with the Public Accounts Committee in South Australia, they have made it a law a minister may not sit on the Public Accounts Committee. I have objected, in the past, to that situation occurring in the Northern Territory, and now we find we have a parliamentary secretary. I do not know if she is being paid - it would be interesting to know if she has been receiving any remuneration for her role as a parliamentary secretary; and we do not know if she is well staffed. I understand there is at least one staff member dedicated to her at this point, and there may be more. That raises a question for me, and should raise a question for the parliamentary committee, whether the integrity of the parliamentary committee, as a committee of a parliament, has been undermined. That matter will come up in the not so distant future of the committee, I have no doubt.
How the infrastructure component of SIHIP has now drifted across to the NT government concerns me. While we were attempting to extract information in relation to what that shift of costs was, it turns out the Treasurer’s Advance was being touched to the tune of about $20m. I read in the newspaper recently that figure may well have increased and, without being able to drill into the figure I read in the newspaper, it appears the infrastructure component of SIHIP in now costing the Territory taxpayer $125m. That is a $125m impost on the Northern Territory because of the failure of this minister, and this government, to effectively run SIHIP in its pre-review stage.
If that is true, and we are not including in that $125m the original $1m set aside for housing by the Northern Territory government as part of its contribution to SIHIP, the whole amount is the infrastructure component of SIHIP programs, that is a disgrace of monumental proportions. That is two schools the Northern Territory cannot build because of the stuff-ups surrounding SIHIP under the management of the Northern Territory government.
The failure by this government to effectively respond to the committee demonstrates the ongoing issues I have with this committee. I interjected on the member for Nelson, to which he took exception, however I cannot forbear to mention the glaring thing I hear every time the member for Nelson complains about some aspect of government policy. There is no person better positioned in the Northern Territory, with the exception of the Chief Minister himself, and possibly not even he, to deal with any issues the member for Nelson decides need to be dealt with. He does not involve himself. If the member for Nelson saw the Chief Minister tomorrow and demanded to be part of the ministry dealing with issues he continually raises - and I use planning as an example - because he wants something done about them, that is exactly what the member for Nelson should do. The member for Nelson does not do that; he sits on the sidelines taking up the role of commentator, saying all the things which are wrong, but does nothing to involve himself in the fixing process.
The Territory is full of commentators, and also has 25 other people who are public representatives. If the member for Nelson wants to be a mere commentator, he should get a job with the Northern Territory News writing a column, rather than offering himself up to the people of Nelson, and the Northern Territory, as someone who believes things should be fixed, being elected to fix those things and, then, avoiding that responsibility.
That is the great failing of this member. He should walk up to the mark and take an active interest. This committee of the parliament has become a segue for government; a way to avoid its own responsibilities. I expect to see the government using this committee to flick some of its more difficult problems away saying: ‘CTC, look at that’. The member for Nelson will say: ‘That is a very good idea; we will look at that.’ Suddenly, it is no longer the government’s problem; it will be the CTC’s problem - the parliamentary committee. The Council of Territory Cooperation will suddenly have the duty of investigating, enabling the government to avoid further responsibility.
The member for Katherine spoke about flexibility of the committee, and its capacity to see issues coming up. For four months now, since the pre-Christmas period, I have said: ‘There is a major problem with the Power and Water Corporation. There is a major problem with the way it is structured, and the way it is going to deal with its financial issues’. This is something the CTC has fluffed around with - mucked about with. Finally, we chatted to the Auditor-General about what he can do. What do we discover? After repeated denials of the problem from the government we open the budget papers - and guess what? There is a problem.
There is a problem because, all of a sudden the Power and Water Corporation - which is the subject of some interest from the Council of Territory Cooperation – has done a debt and equity swap, which means the Power and Water Corporation, in every likelihood, was getting itself into a position where it could not manage its debts. I suspect, in Budget Paper No 2, the Uniform Presentation Framework, the sudden big shifts in the equity and assets of the general public sector have a great deal to do with that debt and equity swap. I will investigate that at a later date.
The effect is, the issue which has been pursued by the Council of Territory Cooperation is an issue the Northern Territory government now has to attend to, and it has meant a major leap in the overall debt position of the Northern Territory. The Council of Territory Cooperation was not effective enough, despite having the issue raised for about six months, to respond to an incumbent debt coming the way of the Territory taxpayer.
We had an absolute guarantee from the Treasurer last week that power prices would not be going up. The only other way we can rescue the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation is by bailing it out, which is what is occurring in Budget 2010-11.
In the process of the bail out, I ask questions and invite government to comment on this. I suspect they will not. Has management, and the role of management, been effectively reviewed? Has the structural approach by the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation been effectively reviewed? Are fundamentals now in place to ensure the Power and Water Corporation is capable of moving forward?
These are not questions which are going to be addressed by the Northern Territory government. By the time the Council of Territory Cooperation looks at it, should we even bother now, the effect will be an academic exercise. It is an unusual vehicle in the sense it is funded as a parliamentary committee, however it is an organ slow to respond, and if it cannot effectively do the work, such as look at the Power and Water Corporation, it is wasting taxpayers’ money.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank honourable members for their contribution. I am disappointed in the contribution from the opposition members on the Council. I stand here in good faith saying the Council of Territory Cooperation, and the work it is doing in oversighting the implementation of significant areas of government reform and policy to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people of the Northern Territory, is work I value. As well as the response to the report, I have taken on board a number of issues to further follow-up as a result of contributions in debate today.
The opposition has to decide whether it wants to participate in this Council of Territory Cooperation in a collaborative way or a destructive way. The concluding comments from the member for Port Darwin, saying he believes it is a waste of money, are quite insightful to the attitude the opposition brings to this body - they are starting off with the attitude it is a waste of money. I am aware the member for Port Darwin has sought additional resources, which have been provided to the council to assist with research and follow up. I am not sure what additional resources he believes the council needs to do its work.
As the Chief Minister wanting this council to have input into not only oversighting major policy initiatives of government to ensure best outcome, coming forward with initiatives and ideas of how to improve areas of public policy in the Northern Territory, we have had many Territorians -I do not like using the word ‘evidence’ or ‘witness statements’ because that implies some legal obligation - wanting to talk to the council and share their experiences regarding the detail of implementation of government policy.
Government would not establish in partnership - this was part of the partnership agreement with the member for Nelson - a vehicle which is just a cheer squad of government.
Most people who come to the Council of Territory Cooperation have issues, concerns and, I might even say, complaints, about how government policy is being implemented. It is important those people feel free to talk to a body, an organ, of this parliament and outlay their concerns regarding the implementation of government policy. It is like running a business; if you are a good business operator you want to hear complaints about the quality of service your business is delivering, because you cannot improve unless you understand the issues. That is the view I take with the Council of Territory Cooperation.
I want people to come forward where there are issues, concerns and challenges, because I openly admit Territory government agencies and ministers do not get it absolutely 100% right all the time. Mistakes are made; sometimes the intent of government policy, for whatever reason, is misunderstood, misinterpreted, not delivered the way ministers or government would like. If the Council can flesh out those issues and challenges it will help us, as government and ministers, keep these issues on track.
I reassert today to this House, and the people of the Northern Territory, I believe the Council of Territory Cooperation is a very worthwhile initiative of this parliament. I urge all members to engage, in a constructive way, to identify areas where the delivery of government policy, government services, can be improved within the constraints of government. There is not a bottomless pit of money to fix all the problems in the Northern Territory; but to be efficient, effective, targeted, to work in partnership, to understand in a spirit of partnership where the community of the Northern Territory, whether as individuals, not-for-profit organisations, the business community, individual communities, can actually be part of the solution.
Government does not always have the answer to every single problem or issue affecting Territorians’ lives. The solution to improving some, or all, of those is much better coming from the ground up as opposed to the top down. Much of the detailed work the council is doing in identifying issues which are still of concern through SIHIP, through local government reforms, through A Working Future, I want to hear about, as Chief Minister - what people are saying on the ground, where their concerns are and where we can tighten up.
I am disappointed at the tenor and tone of the opposition contributions today. I stand here in all genuineness and say we want, wherever possible, to implement the recommendations which come through this council, particularly where they are bipartisan recommendations. I start from the principle of wanting to implement recommendations; however the government has a responsibility to test those recommendations and to understand the full implication of implementing them in policy, outcome and budget. Where the policy initiatives are across both Territory and Commonwealth governments, and the appetite of the Commonwealth government is to go down a particular path, we do not have the jurisdictional power to direct the Commonwealth in their efforts in the Northern Territory.
I am pleased with the collaborative relationship we have with the Commonwealth on a range of areas across the Northern Territory. To have the opposition impugn government motives for this, and run the line of a bizarre conspiracy theory by the member for Port Darwin that we are using the Council of Territory Cooperation as a dumping ground for all governments’ problems is absolutely ridiculous.
I see the council as being part of the solution to improving policy objectives of government, improving the lives of people of the Northern Territory, and encouraging people to talk to the council about their issues and concerns. What I would really like to see is people saying to the Council of Territory Cooperation: ‘Government is trying to do X and Y in a certain area and they are doing it this way; we believe they should be doing it that way, and this is a much better way to achieve the policy objectives of government’.
I want to see people come forward not only with complaints, but ideas about how to improve things and how we might consider alternatives in service delivery. We are not the font of all knowledge and wisdom, and we want information coming forward.
I commend the council for its first report to the parliament; I commit my government to taking these reports seriously with a spirit of wanting to implement the recommendations wherever we can.
I noted several comments, and will chat to the member for Nelson later, however the issue of monitoring the implementation of recommendations - I have spoken to the CE of the Department of Chief Minister and we have said we will implement the majority of the recommendations in this report, and we need a tracking mechanism to ensure we commit to the implementation of those. That is an issue I take away from this debate this afternoon. Other issues raised by members, I will pick up one-on-one. I thank people for their contributions.
I urge the opposition to stick with it, engage in the spirit I am offering, which is we want services to improve for people in the Territory. This is a vehicle to allow people to talk about issues and concerns they have, and find a way we might do things better. I countenance that by saying it is budget day today, and money fixes most things. There is only a limited amount to go around and, within the financial constraints of government, these issues have to be taken into consideration.
I thank honourable members for their contribution to the Council of Territory Cooperation, and I genuinely look forward to their next report to the parliament.
Motion agreed to.
Continued from 27 April 2010.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, let me emphasise, the Country Liberals support health reform - real reform based on real information which will ensure real results for the next 50 years and more. Colin Barnett, Western Australia’s Premier, stated on 9 March this year:
Mr Barnett continued:
Well said, Colin Barnett. Let me give you a very simple example of the situation in the Northern Territory. A senior citizen was recently given an urgent referral for an eye condition. He was warned the hospital specialist had recently retired. Being computer savvy, he checked the Internet for the new details. The hospital website listed the former name. A phone call - in fact, it took many phone calls until the extension number was free - was made. The patient requested details on the new specialist; though probably extremely competent, no one had any information about him. The answer from the hospital receptionist was: ‘We have one name only, his family name. We do not know his full name, no one has ever asked before. No, we do not have his biography or CV. No, we do not know where he trained - he was trained overseas - and no, we do not understand your concern at this complete lack of information as no one has ever asked before and, anyway, he is the only choice you have’.
Does this ring any bells? This is what faces our citizens every single day.
We are given the thinnest possible presentation on one of the weightiest issues the community faces today; health. We are given no detail, no fulsome activity-based funding answers; we are scorned for wanting to know who, what, when and where. No different to this poor senior who, I know you will not be surprised to hear, has booked a cheapie airfare to seek the necessary surgery interstate. That is not acceptable. This concerns the health of Territorians.
The Territory government is responsible for patient care, and must give full explanations why Rudd’s reform was seen to be better than anything else, despite the steamrolling and unseemly haste used in the process, or lack thereof. The Commonwealth is responsible for the number of beds and how long we wait. Those suffering illnesses in my constituency are waiting and waiting even longer. Who do I ask how we fix this problem? Who do I contact? Which bureaucrat do I phone?
This proposed split system means split responsibilities continue; the blame game continues. It is not me, it is the Territory government; it is not me, it is Canberra; it is nothing to do with us in Canberra. You have a nightmare finding the right extension to phone for patient feedback in Canberra.
Going back to Colin Barnett, Premier of Western Australia, he stated also:
Colin Barnett concluded his comments a month ago by saying:
Regardless of politics, the Country Liberals’ sentiment is the same. We have superb medical practitioners throughout the Northern Territory - surgeons, award-winning GPs, caring nurses, community services at the coalface of the desperate and unique needs in our Territory community. However, at all levels, there is disquiet. Professionals themselves are in the dark. We are all aware the Rudd government runs - indeed, gallops headlong and headstrong - on the mantra of reform. This Rudd agenda, based on its record, is already famous for what it has failed to achieve. There is a massive gaping hole in the accountability, and this rings major alarm bells when we are talking about hospital funding.
Where is the proof of consistency in the way conditions and procedures in the Northern Territory hospitals and out-of-hospital sectors and patient encounters are to be correctly costed? Where is this? Why was the presentation not many pages longer, denser with detail, with appendices, outlining the proposed activity-based funding model for the Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals, with clear definitions about inclusions and exclusions, and definitions and explanations about boundary issues? How will the efficiencies of treatment be gauged? How will the quality of treatments be gauged? Where are the financial impacts of alternative models of care outlined? Where is the IT infrastructure that will be required? How do we ensure services do not fall through the gaps?
Having been told in the past Alice Spring and Darwin do not currently have critical mass for a fee-for-service model, what has changed? How do we, and patients themselves, ensure clinical decisions are made on the basis of clinical need, not the basis of funding?
Before the Territory government targets us further for daring to confront the need for detail, let me quote from the Medical Journal of Australia study funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, and supported by the Australian Case-mix Clinical Committee. In their synopsis they state:
The General Practice Network NT published, in a recent quarterly newsletter, and I quote:
We have the question of the need for primary healthcare organisations, plus the question of exactly what are the current models in regional Australia which will work well, but differently, to our models – regional Victorian experience, for instance.
There is nothing but questions. When the Country Liberals looked for a copy of the Department of Health presentation at the activity-based summit held in 2009, we were advised the presentation was not in a format suitable for distribution. We have requested documents relating to cross-modelling of health services and hospitals in the Northern Territory, particularly in relation to casemix related accounting and activity-based accounting. We sought a comprehensive briefing on activity-based funding in the Northern Territory and received an overview prepared by a project manager of the Northern Territory’s activity-based funding project. I quote from his technical overview - and this subject is highly technical. I quote:
Madam Speaker, the presentation went on, and I quote:
This yells: rush job, slow down, think carefully, take advice, learn more, do not bully, do not push us. Back to the expert who went on to say:
Unfortunately, this presentation raised more questions than it answered and, at a further briefing held in haste last Friday morning, more questions were raised than answers given. The answers must be given in their entirety as this is a highly complex subject and we need to translate it into terms everyone can understand. Until this happens there will be no reassurance at any level.
We simply cannot hold our noses and jump into this health reform. A great deal of work is being undertaken by the shadow minister for Health researching and understanding what is working here and what questions - and there are a myriad of questions - must be answered for the health of our Northern Territory health system.
Speaking on the ABC 7.30 Report on Tuesday, 20 April, the Prime Minister responded to the question of hospitals’ varying funding models, and I quote:
The response from the Australian Medical Association President, Andrew Pesce, was large scale continuation of block funding could undermine efforts to stop funds intended for health being diverted. The question continues, and the Country Liberals are not prepared to take a leap of faith into a quagmire of contention.
Let me return to the Premier of Western Australia, and let me share with you the exact Hansard transcript recording of what went on behind the closed doors of COAG; what our Chief Minister was party to. This is what the Premier said, and I quote:
He went on to say:
Our Chief Minister was in that room and had responsibility to the Northern Territory; he was too busy banding together with his Labor mates.
Let us learn some more - some real explanations as presented last week to the West Australian parliament by their Premier. I quote:
Colin Barnett concluded with the statement and I quote:
In a more general sense and closer to home, the Territory government has talked of, if not promised, an ambulance service for the rural area. It is urgently needed, possibly based close to Humpty Doo. From my background with the ambulance service, the trigger for additional crew is a population around 20 000 people. We have well over that population in the rural and greater rural area yet we have no ambulance centre, no ambulance service …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I move an extension of time to allow the honourable member to conclude her remarks, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Ms PURICK: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Chief Minister. Rural areas are growing every day. Over 1100 clients and families were given food parcels because they are struggling. I spoke on that last week. They have medical needs, real underlying needs in personal and family health, yet government fails to acknowledge this growing problem.
Placing a secure care facility in the rural residential area due to the high needs of the client base is a glaring example of this government’s lack of planning for the best and appropriate location. The objection to this proposal is not about mental health, I cannot stress that enough. It is not about the acknowledged need for a facility in the Top End and in the Centre; it is about the appropriateness of placing it in a built-up, rural, residential area without consultation despite the fact supporting healthcare is some 50 km away.
The government claims it should go to Bees Creek because it is close to services and infrastructure. What a load of rubbish! There is no town water down the road, the power is sub-standard and, by its own admission, will need upgrading, and access to the area is a dirt road. I would not call that close to good services. The Minister for Health, in a radio interview on 29 April 2010, stated the AZRI site in Alice Springs, 10 km from the hospital, was too far away. How can the site at Bees Creek be suitable, when it is 50 km away from the hospital?
I have another example of how this government lets down people when they need help the most. The case involved a terminally ill man and how abysmally he and his family were treated at Royal Darwin Hospital. The man was dying, and when he was transferred from the Royal Darwin Hospital to the hospice he was banged and pushed into a hot, ambulance-style transfer vehicle which did not start and, when they took him back to RDH, they injured his arm causing blood loss and the need for minor surgery. When the widow lodged a formal complaint she was cast aside, ignored, her complaints trivialised as if to say: ‘What the hell, your husband is dead, so why are you bothering?’
That is not right. What about the way families and the other terminally ill people are treated in the services provided by our hospitals? It is nothing short of scandalous. In addition, nurses in remote areas are feeling forgotten. NT Top End Remote Health Clinics have had up to 90 vacancies for permanent and relief positions in recent months. In Central Australia the current recruit-to-fill list has five clinic manager N5 positions, and nine M4 remote area nurse positions, and Expanding Health Delivery Initiative has three. This is not to mention NGOs and other health services, and these are only the positions I know about.
Bullying in clinics is rife and not dealt with effectively by the Health Services; nurses claim if any of these offenders were sacked, who would replace them? Nurses are blacklisting communities, for example Port Keats and Millingimbi. This is allegedly directly attributed to poor management at the N5 and higher levels.
Many clinics appear to be run by burnt-out managers or people who have been there too long. These people are not managed because no one will replace them if they are removed. Many stories filter through from the RAN about the Aboriginal Health Workers who practise outside their scope of expertise, or do not show up to work and are away from their duties for days at a time. Unfortunately, nothing is done about it, and people in the communities suffer as a consequence.
Staff housing is for relief staff only; it is not clean and, at times, not safe. We have read of dogs attacking nurses or nurses threatened by camp dogs. I know one nurse who is still unable to work after an attack in the Katherine Road region before Christmas.
Perhaps your business colleagues can check out how it is the Commonwealth and Territory governments can possibly act in an anti-competitive manner and put Australian government intervention nurses, under the guise of a remote health corps, into non-AGI positions ahead of private agencies which are on the Territory government tender list.
We all have to be answerable for the big picture in health, and the local picture in the Northern Territory; this government must answer the questions, not just make announcements.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contributions. This is an item of current debate, and a reform agenda which will improve our health services in the Northern Territory for many years to come. The debate has gone over several sitting days, and I will pick up on honourable members’ comments in my reply.
In the politics around the COAG health reforms, the backdrop is the fact for many years there has been a declining share of the funding required for our health and hospital systems by Commonwealth governments. The contributions made by Commonwealth governments in the Commonwealth/state health agreements, and the share allocated to the Commonwealth of Australia, has been declining. Health costs continue to rise as technology improves and investments are made in the system; we have an ageing population in Australia which everyone acknowledges - or I hope the opposition acknowledges - and the current arrangements in funding for our health system will see within 20 years, if nothing changes regarding funding, the entire Northern Territory budget swallowed up by our health system. That is why we need structural reform in the funding of our health system.
That is the starting point for this debate; structural reform is required, and for funding the needs of the health system into the future, the Commonwealth of Australia, which has the constitutional power to be the dominant taxer of the Australian people and economy, has to become the dominant funder of this system - not the states. We have seen over many years in numerous Commonwealth/state health agreements the Commonwealth walking away from its responsibilities, and the states that deliver the services having more of their budgets consumed by health. That is unsustainable, because we do not have the capacity to raise the taxes and charges required to continue to invest in our health system to the necessary level.
If the opposition were to agree to that premise, that is the starting point for this debate. The last Commonwealth/state health agreement signed in the last term of the Howard government with the then Health minister, one Tony Abbott MP, saw the Commonwealth reduce its relativity share to the Commonwealth/state health agreement by $1bn out of our hospital system - that occurred and is on the public record – and a further $1bn stripped out of the hospital system that the states really struggled to put back in, let alone the growth in funding which was required. Did we hear anything from the members opposite in regard to the previous Howard government ripping $1bn out of the health and hospital system? No, we did not. It was supported by the then member for Solomon in their parliamentary system, and in their party room, as he did not challenge the then Health minister for ripping $1bn out of the hospital system.
We have agreed the Commonwealth has to become the dominant funding provider. Last week, I laid out a national agreement on health which is acknowledged by most commentators, health professionals and others, as the most significant reform in the history of the nation’s health system; and we do not have a constructive, alternative path put forward by the opposition, all we have is complaint and complaint and not one alternative. For the weeks and months leading up to the COAG meeting where health was the dominant item on the agenda, there was no contribution to that debate from members opposite, least of all the shadow minister for Health, who must have been the most silent shadow minister for Health in the nation - no contribution to that debate, let alone an alternative put forward.
Like their federal political colleagues in Canberra, the CLP have not provided a single shred of policy argument or discussion, or even a position on this major issue. This debate was about giving them a platform to offer what they would do, and me outlining what was in the agreement. Instead, they have spent the entire debate slagging-off on the government and what we signed up to; not one positive aspect, not one policy idea. Whilst this major debate was occurring, the CLP did not outline their concerns, their views, or their proposals. I find it remarkable for a supposed alternate government not to have a policy position on the reform agenda this nation needs to have. There is very little which is more important than the health of Territorians, and for three months we have had a major national debate on health with only silence from the CLP.
I have put my position clearly; I have not hidden my intentions from the public; I have argued the Territory’s case personally to the Prime Minister; I have run health groups and bought in the AMA, the ANF and AMSANT. I have had meetings with them in Parliament House and sought their views with my colleague, the Health minister, before the Territory government agreed to endorse the approach and go to COAG to sign up to the details. Those groups are the peak professional health lobby groups in the Territory and, with caveats and questions, were broadly supportive of the Commonwealth’s approach. Everyone would like to see more immediate investment in our health system, however the structural reforms were broadly supported by the AMA, by Indigenous medical service providers, by the ANF and other clinical representative groups in the Territory which I, and the Health minister, met with as we sought to put our position together.
I made my call, I made it publicly and, once I had signed up, the best the opposition could do was say I threw my hand in too early. Little do they know how this debate concluded.
The Leader of the Opposition talked about a brief PowerPoint outline saying: ‘Give us the detail; what does all this funding mean?’ The Leader of the Opposition needs to know this was not a proposal worked up at COAG and put in front of us; this had been worked through for months and months. The Commonwealth had their health and hospital reforms discussion paper in the public arena many months beforehand; there had been numerous meetings prior to COAG discussing health; we had Treasurers meeting on a regular basis about the funding reforms and, at the COAG meeting I was well supported not only by the Treasurer, the Acting CE of the Health department, and also senior Treasury officials who worked around the clock to get the best possible financial deal for the Northern Territory.
The Leader of the Opposition did not say he received the ministerial statement we are debating today with the details he claimed he did not have. He did not say, in the three months we have had this debate, he has not once sought a briefing from me or from the Health minister. Not once has he attempted to contact me with his issues and concerns, and we have seen no policy position from the opposition today. Instead, he tried to pretend a brief PowerPoint is the only briefing he had and the only detail he has received. He has not asked for any detail; he has been totally missing in the debate, and has not sought any briefings; however, if he seeks further details I am happy to provide them.
The media have been taken through the financial detail of the deal; they requested that level of detail and have been provided with it. The CLP, lazy and contemptuous, still have not sought the detail. The shadow health minister offered much the same as the Leader of the Opposition; his contribution to this debate was rhetoric and vitriol. He is clearly someone who does not enjoy the responsibility of hard study and policy work when it comes to policy creation.
In stark contrast to the CLP, the government has laid out a plan for the future of the health system in this nation. Both the Prime Minister and I have laid out the future direction for health in the nation and the Territory. I have placed that before Territorians, and I place if before this House. I believed the best way to deal with this major reform issue was to do what I outlined in the statement last week; to have done something different would have let Territorians down.
Let me repeat for this House the deal which has been achieved. The Australian government will fund 60% of hospitals, and 100% of primary care services. At the moment, the Commonwealth only funds 35% of our hospital costs in the Northern Territory. That is structural reform.
We have an additional $222.7m over and above what was in the previous Commonwealth/state health agreement into our health system in the Territory. Would we like more? We would always like more, however, $222.7m is a significant additional investment in our health system over and above the current Commonwealth/state health agreement. The federal government will pick up growth in health costs into the future, relieving the Territory of a massive, future, financial burden.
We do not have a policy proposal from the opposition about funding the rocketing costs in our health system in the Territory, unless they were able to get the Commonwealth to pick up more of their share. They have not articulated a policy position unless, of course, they want to stay with the status quo and see the health system in the Territory consume more and more of the budget of the Territory government.
There will be a reduction in waiting times in our emergency departments as a result of commitments under this reform agenda, and an extra 350 Territorians will receive elective surgery each year. There will be protection for our small hospitals in the regions - a commitment to block funding for those hospitals. The commitment from the Australian government regarding the clinical school in the Northern Territory in conjunction with Charles Darwin University and Flinders University and the capital project is commencing as I speak. The doubling of the number of new GP first year placements across Australia going from 300 to 600, and the quarantining of half those additional places to remote, regional Australia will see by 2014-15 in the Northern Territory, 40 GPs a year graduating from our clinical school at Charles Darwin University - a wonderful achievement for the Northern Territory.
Territory students who achieve their entrance marks through TER at Year 12 level, and who pass their GAMSAT will not have to compete, unless they wish to, with other Australian students for scarce university places in medical schools throughout the rest of Australia; they will have guaranteed places in the Northern Territory, which is an enormous change and one future generations of Territorians will really embrace. If we can keep half those extra GPs in the Territory; if 20 a year decide to work in the Territory, that is an extra 200 GPs over 10 years, and it will make a significant difference.
For aged Territorians and their families there will be an increase in the number of aged care places and primary care services for aged people. For Territorians with diabetes there will be an additional $4.5m for co-ordinated care. For Territorians and their families with mental health issues there will be an additional $1.8m for mental health services, and a growth path for health services over the next 10 years. This is a good deal for Territorians. As with any deal, you could want more, but sooner or later the well runs dry, and we do have a good deal for Territorians.
I had two pre-conditions for signing up to the agreement: there would be more funds in healthcare for Territorians, and our unique circumstances had to be taken into account. These pre-conditions have been delivered, and I am happy to sign up to a deal which will benefit Territorians now and long into the future.
Since this Labor government came to office, the health budget has increased by 117%, and those budget increases have delivered results. Survival rates for Territorians on dialysis are now equal to national rates, an extraordinary turnaround from when the NT mortality rate was 66% above the national average 20 years ago. There has been a huge change benefiting the lives of many thousands of Territorians.
We have 127 more hospital beds, 188 more doctors, 616 more nurses with a further 95 nurses funded in the budget handed down today. Other health outcomes include: Aboriginal women are now living three years longer on average than before; Indigenous infant mortality rates have fallen by 35%, in other words hundreds more babies are now surviving; anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20%, a significant improvement in their ability to grow and lead a normal life; and cervical cancer rates have fallen by 61%. I was given this number at the Chief Minister’s Public Servants’ Awards late last year when a team from Health presented of what they have done proactively in screening rates across the Territory to reduce cervical cancer rates, predominantly in Indigenous women. I nearly fell off my chair when I was told those rates have fallen by 61% - that is an enormous achievement. I give my personal thanks, and I am sure everyone in this House would agree, to the people in that area of the Health department who have worked passionately, proactively and with total commitment to see that improvement in cervical cancer rates.
In spite of the politics around health, I have to say the people who work in our health system are very passionate about what they do, and are totally committed to improving health outcomes in the Territory. They do a difficult job under difficult circumstances, compounded by the tyranny of distance, and they deserve everybody’s support in the House, not statements that we have an appalling health system in the Territory. We do not. We have a very good health system; one which can improve and will improve under this agreement to which I have committed the Territory.
The CLP criticises everything this government does; they have nothing to match the achievements I have outlined in improving health outcomes, and they are a policy free zone in regard to how a Country Liberal Party government would be able, within their budget parameters, fund the ever escalating costs of healthcare without signing up to this agreement with the Commonwealth. I do not know how they would fund the health system.
In regard to the last speaker from the opposition, who spent a large part of her speech quoting from various news clippings regarding the Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett, I have met Premier Barnett on a number of occasions, predominantly at COAG meetings, and found him to be very considered in his approach to the national reform agenda at COAG, and very constructive in his dealings around the table; there was no party politics played. I respect the right he has, as Premier of Western Australia, to continue to find and conclude an arrangement for Western Australia.
The Premier of Western Australia – and I was there for all meetings and all breaks around COAG - was certainly not critical, and he participated in a very constructive way in all the structural reforms put forward and debated at COAG. With regard to improving health outcomes for Western Australians, he acknowledges the structural reforms thrashed out at COAG will improve health outcomes for Western Australians. He also stated ...
Dr BURNS: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: I thank my colleague, the Leader of Government Business. I want to get this on the record because I believe he is a considered man and, as any Premier does, works hard in the best interest of their state. He answered the question in the media conference afterwards: ‘Premier, you have not signed this agreement. Are you saying Western Australia should not receive the same benefits?’ He made it very clear he expected the Commonwealth government to deliver the improved benefits to the health system in Western Australia, and not see Western Australians miss out; however he was not going to sign over his share of the GST. That is his policy position, although he did acknowledge the reforms had significant benefits to health outcomes in Western Australia.
The real issue regarding the GST for Western Australia is the Grants Commission has handed down the review of relativities which saw Western Australia take a significant reduction in their relativities and, therefore, a reduced flow of funding from the Commonwealth to Western Australia. However, he was not prepared to see a further, on paper, reduction of those revenues to the state. I understand his position, and he was certainly prepared to put an equivalent amount into a pool; he did not want the Commonwealth to retain 30% of the overall slice of the GST. He was committed to Western Australia contributing its share to the pool.
I do not believe Western Australia and the Commonwealth are too far apart to conclude an agreement. It is not a debate about the quantum of money for Western Australia to contribute; it is about how that money is allocated to the pool. I believe that is a semantic argument if you are not arguing about the quantum of money, and I am sure the PM and the Western Australian Premier will work it out. The Western Australian Premier did participate fully, argued Western Australia’s case - as we all did - and acknowledged there are significant benefits to the people of Western Australia through the structural reforms.
For the member to say he does not believe there are any health benefits and it is all a waste of time - that is not the Premier I spent several days with and worked alongside.
In conclusion, I am sure we will continue to debate health in this parliament. It is not very often the Northern Territory Chief Minister gets to walk away from a COAG meeting with an extra $222.7m in his or her pocket for the health system in the Northern Territory; I believe that is a good couple of day’s work on behalf of our health system today, and into the future. Improvements can always be made, and we will continue to work cooperatively with the Australian government to improve health services in the Northern Territory.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Continued from 29 April 2010.
Ms McCARTHY (Local Government): Madam Deputy Speaker, I note the government’s strong support for improved information and communications technology, and the benefit of new technology across my portfolio responsibilities. Before commencing, I would like to reflect on the major advances made in this area.
Some time ago, Tim Fisher, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party, was promoting the Internet as the future for commerce. He asked his very enthusiastic audience how many were making a profit utilising the Internet. Surprisingly, only one person was: a whip maker from the Northern Territory called Mick Denigan. This interview was probably made six or seven years ago and since then, commerce on the Internet has expanded, or exploded.
Today, new opportunities have been fully realised as improvements in information technology and access to fibre-optic highways and satellite communications is opening up the Northern Territory, not only to the rest of the country, the rest of the world. Our land mass as a country, our distance from one another and our population growth in major centres is one of our big challenges. The isolation was further compounded for many towns and smaller communities in the Territory east or west of the Stuart Highway lacking access to the telegraph and, later, telephone lines. For my electorate, and many other bush electorates, the changes occurring now are astounding. It is said advancement in information technology is the new driving force of human society.
Let us go back into history. In 1872, the Overland Telegraph connecting Australia to the rest of the world was officially opened. This momentous event meant communication between Australia and London, which took around 1000 hours by steam ship, was reduced to one hour. In developing the Territory, the Overland Telegraph Line did not do too much. If you were not on the line, it could take from one to 14 days by horse before one had access to communications with the outside world. Even if you managed to make it to a relay station, the cost of sending a telegram was enormous. An article in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette, dated 28 November 1873, announced the Telegraph Office was reducing the cost of a 10-word telegram from 14 shillings to 10 shillings. With the average wage at the time in the order of 2, a telegram cost in the vicinity of 25% of the working wage - to give an idea of the cost - a huge amount of money by any standards.
The reason we know these facts is because a newspaper of that era has been digitised. Anyone who has slightest interest in Territory history can go to a primary source and bring it up, whether they be a resident in Darwin, Bulman, or in southern Arnhem Land, or further. This is the big break through - access to information on any subject at minimal cost.
In the 1870s, you had to be physically on the line and rich enough to use the service. In the period from the 1950s through to the 1990s, the communication medium for those living east or west of the telegraph line was either VJY outpost radio, or the infamous radio telephone. Both these systems had major limitations and, having grown up in Borroloola in the 1970s, I can still remember them. Privacy was not a strong point; your limited VJY conversation time could be heard across the length and breadth of the Territory. Everyone knew your business and, consequently, people used coded messages to convey intimate details. Radio telephone communications were very susceptible to atmospheric conditions, not the clear satellite communications we enjoy today. The worst thing about radio telephones was, as a rule, there was only one in the town, and when your town has a population of over 500 people demand on it went late into the night.
People who spent time in remote areas of the Northern Territory during the 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s, will have had some experience with these nightmares in communication. Until the early 1990s, communication out bush was largely limited to voice or fax messages; images or other data could not be conveyed clearly and connections could only be made with one person or agency at a time; unlike today where one e-mail can be distributed to thousands of people at the click of a mouse.
With the roll-out of optic fibre across the Northern Territory, and when I was driving to Ramingining for the festival last year, you had a good sense of the tremendous amount of work carried out between the Gunbalanya and Maningrida area across to Ramingining. Travelling on the Central Arnhem road coming up through Bulman, you saw where the Telstra workers had been digging the lines and you, Madam Deputy Speaker, living in the region, would no doubt see it in your travels too.
With the roll-out of optic fibre across the Territory, improved satellite communications, mobile phone coverage, and the installation of landline phones, remote towns and communities in the Territory are now really connected to the outside world. Isolation and distance, our greatest adversaries, are being rolled back. As the member for Arnhem and the Minister for Local Government, Regional Development, Indigenous Development, Tourism, Women’s Policy and Statehood I have a great appreciation of the value of emerging information and communications technology. Without the technologies people in my electorate, and across the regions of the Territory, would continue to be denied access to information, services and business opportunities increasingly taken for granted in our major towns and cities.
Over the years if a line is cut, for example between Borroloola and the mine or from Borroloola to Daly Waters Highway Inn, the town has been without any form of communication for at least a full day, if not longer. That isolation is recognised immediately by people, and how much we rely on the speed of technology today.
Some of the biggest changes have happened in Local Government. Before the reforms we had a multitude of small councils doing their own thing, all using their own financial systems, all unconnected to the rest of the world. When you add lack of housing to the equation, maintaining some level of competence, stability and continuity was an ongoing battle. Information and communication technology has liberated remote towns in the Northern Territory. Many towns now have the same access to expertise and knowledge as the inhabitants of Parliament House.
In the past, the CEOs of small local government bodies were, in the main, principally money managers. They had little chance to achieve anything other than acquit grants, and success was measured not so much in service delivery, but in grant acquittals. The reform of local government and the establishment of the shires could only have occurred in this, the 21st century. Towns within shires can now access all their business information online from a single provider through ShireBiz: e-mail, Internet, finances, timesheets, HR, office products, can all be accessed.
The shires now have the new capacity to inform their constituents about what is occurring. Shire council minutes, financial information, newsletters and events of interest can all be showcased on their own websites, and updated continuously. Previously, operations like this were strictly the domain of big departments in government.
Another portfolio responsibility which has benefited from information and communication technology, and continues to do so, is Regional Development. Its website has enabled the government to promote the main regional centres through the development of economical profiles which use data collected from surveys and reputable government departments and take the economic structure of a town from the anecdotal to the scientifically measurable. These profiles are available for Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and, soon, Madam Deputy Speaker, your electorate of Nhulunbuy.
One industry booming through the ability to promote and market their business opportunities through modern information and communication technologies is tourism. Change in information technologies is rapidly changing the way people all over the world go about booking a holiday. The pace of change is something we must be focused on and involved with. The tourism industry is at the forefront of these changes and adapting quickly to the changing landscape. Tourism NT is investing wisely in this area to not only keep abreast of the changes, to lead the way.
In the social media and marketing sphere, a number of initiatives are in place. Tourism NT was the first government tourism organisation in Australia to launch an official presence on YouTube. Compared to all other Australian-based destinations, we remain the most popular with the most subscribers, and the most video-views of our content. Tourism NT has recently established its Facebook page and is building fans very quickly, and will expand to well over 6000 friends of our Facebook page in coming weeks. We will also explore opportunities in the next financial year to use a variety of Facebook tools to help people look and share content, and book travel through our Facebook site.
We are currently number seven in popularity as one of the top free travel applications in iPhone, out of 11 120 free travel applications available. The Queensland site comes in at 37 and South Australia at 63, to give an indication of the popularity of the Northern Territory.
TNT is also exploring other platforms to launch applications for the Territory, including those suitable for new software known as Android. Android is a software system for a range of mobile devices including other Smart Phone brands and is also used by Google; investment will be based on use and alignment with our target market. Different forms of media and new technology continue to evolve presenting exciting new opportunities for Tourism NT and marketing.
Tourism NT recently partnered with Yahoo7, Channel 7, and a host of trade and operator partners to provide them with opportunities to showcase their tourism products and deals using new media channels, including social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook. Partners with booking engine capability have also generated direct bookings from leads with this media partnership. E-enablement forms a major theme in the Tourism NT strategic plan and a number of programs and technical tools and applications are under development. There is a great deal happening behind the scenes with advancements in technology, and Tourism NT is at the forefront ensuring we keep up with, and capitalise on, the changing environment.
A culture of exploring new technology and accessing new information is also being taken up by young people in the bush and across the regions. Who will ever forget the worldwide phenomenon in 2007 when a mobile phone recording of the Chooky Dancers’ rendition of Zorba the Greek became an overnight sensation on YouTube? It has had over a million hits around the world and, through modern information technology, travelled halfway around the world to the Greek island of Kastellorizo, a small island in southeast Greece. When we in the Territory saw the vision for the first time it was seen by the locals in the village square on the island of Kastellorizo at the same time. Interestingly, most of the people from the island immigrated to Australia and came to Darwin. This is a great and recent example of technology linking cultures around the globe and reducing the remoteness and isolation of people in the bush in the Territory, and on small Greek islands a world away.
It is the adoption and use of contemporary technology which has led these young Yolngu men into an amazing life of fame and international stardom. Since the YouTube sensation, they have performed at the Sydney Festival and the Melbourne Comedy Festival and, because of this fame, are now being recognised by other performing arts and dance, and recently performed at the Adelaide Festival. They have also reached the big screen with their performance in Rachel Perkins’ film, Bran Nue Dae; a movie well worth seeing, Madam Deputy Speaker, if you and other members of the House have not seen it. I encourage everyone to catch the Chooky Dancers in this year’s Darwin Festival in August ...
Mr Knight: And at Merrepen.
Ms McCARTHY: And at Merrepen Arts Festival. Thank you, member for Daly.
People in the bush are taking up the use of versatile new technology and entering the international community not only for entertainment, for training, education and communicating with friends and family. The culture of the information age is also changing behaviour in our communities - mostly good changes however, as a government, we have to be aware of damaging behaviour occurring as a result of these changes.
One example is diva texting, a behaviour developing as mobile networks are extended to our remote and regional townships. Diva texting, for the parliament and members not aware, can be another form of cyber bullying mostly conducted by young people who send explicit, repeated, hostile texts to an unsuspecting person who takes the insults and messages seriously. These texts can cause community unrest in some places, and can erupt into family violence. It is quite disturbing, and I am aware of it as the local member in Arnhem.
It was raised with me at the Northern Land Council full meeting in Barunga recently. I heard one leader at the council calling for an extension of mobile networks in places without access to mobiles, and another leader expressing concern that mobile networks need to be shut down because of the disturbances these diva texts are creating amongst family groups.
Families need to ensure their younger people are using new technology safely and we, as a government, want to ensure parents have the skills and tools to ensure their children are protected against any negative aspects of this trend. We have advice for parents and mobile phone users on our Department of Justice website. It is important parents get involved with their children’s use and management of information technology; parents need to communicate with their children to ensure they have tools for safe use of new technologies. Children and young people need to report any bullying, whether it is on the phone or computer. Bullying via mobile phone must not be tolerated, like any other form of bullying.
A recent example was an e-mail which was sent from Queensland and made its way through spam to Katherine. Within four minutes a footy team from just south of the Katherine region was requesting a change to their game time due to the disturbing nature of the e-mail and the fear it created for this football team which would be travelling at night. The police were notified of this incident and this spam was relegated to the rubbish bin. What is amazing is the speed with which the e-mail affected behaviour.
It is also disturbing that people tend to think everything they read is fact, which is why many people are being overloaded with spam. While we appreciate the advances in technology, caution needs to be exercised at all times. We, as a government, have to ensure the necessary filters and access to young people are developed to protect society from the predatory and unsavoury use of what is quite remarkable technology, however there are things we have to be mindful of with its use.
The social network industry is almost unfathomable to people who do not use these new communication tools. In fact, my own children have a better grasp of it at times than I do - I look to them to fix my phone, or work out something on the computer. It is quite extraordinary how young people can do it with their eyes closed, and it takes a little while for me to figure it out; it is a running joke in our family.
These developments will change aspects of our society, and it is difficult to assess or predict the future global, social impact. One thing is for certain, it will change the face of our community; it is changing the face of our community in the definition of community, and in the definition of communication across communities.
I commend the minister for his statement and this government’s continuing work in maximising the benefits of technological change, and a new communications infrastructure for all people across the Northern Territory.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend my colleague, the ICT minister, on a very broad-ranging and visionary statement; I know he is very passionate about improving service delivery through the use of ICT. I am very pleased to respond to this statement personally, and as Chief Minister of the Territory, because I decided to end my first career in life as a marine fitter and wanted to get into the ICT industry; I could see it was the industry for the future. I worked in the ICT industry in government as well a brief stint in Europe contracting work on a number of projects in the UK in the early 1990s working for myself and, over a 15-year period, saw significant changes in the ICT industry.
As the Chief Minister, something I am determined to do with my Cabinet colleagues and the ICT minister, is introduce a more broad-ranging and wide-ranging use of IT into the Territory government and across the Territory as a whole. I believe there is a much better capacity to deliver services to people in regional and remote areas through the use of ICT. It will require some cultural change throughout the public service, but it is one I, and my colleagues, are up for.
I also believe we have the public service to do it. Our public servants are, in the main, switched on to the fact delivering health services in regional and remote areas is complex and challenging, and acknowledge ICT gives them the capacity to do things better and smarter. I want to harness that energy across government and use it to change the way we do business. Members are aware of how much paper we all get, and it is good to see members using computers in the Chamber. A great deal of paper is produced every day by this parliament, and a challenge for the Department of the Legislative Assembly is to significantly reduce the amount of paper consumed as part of our business; I want government, as a whole, to be as paperless as possible. I want Territorians to access their needs from government online as much as possible, and I want as many of our utilities as possible to have their paperwork requirements online.
There are additional allocations in the budget handed down today to improve access to Territory business to apply for and renew licences required by government online. I want our planning system far more online focused, and non-government organisations should be able to access their requirements from government online; the myriad of forms we all need to fill in need to be online. I am also working on changing the way government communicates.
Members may not be aware of the great lengths government went to with the development of Territory 2030. For the first time, a major government policy development process was opened up to the public from the outset. One way people could access this document was to edit it online and communications between the 2030 team and many participants in the process did occur online. This is the type of process I want to expand and see more of in the way government interacts with the community. The rapid pace of change in communications is mind boggling, but it is a process I enjoy seeing evolve. Communications opens up our world and information provides us with knowledge, and I welcome all those changes. I want to ensure government keeps up with these changes and uses them to make life easier for our residents and for people to be involved in government.
I congratulate the minister for his persistent efforts, and that of his agency, in lobbying so successfully for $75m from the federal government for new ICT infrastructure for Territorians - a significant achievement.
This government is delivering a world-class communications network to all Territorians; it is something we are proud of, focused on, and something the minister will continue to roll-out. The Territory 2030 plan created by the people of the Territory acknowledges that, and I quote:
This government is delivering just that – a world-class communications network for all Territorians – and we are rolling it out at a faster rate, thanks to the $75m investment we fought for. As the minister has already informed the House, construction of nearly 2300 km of modern fibre cables and electronic systems between Brisbane and Darwin is under way. I, with the minister, met with a number of proprietors of Nextgen after parliament on Thursday last week, and a further 760 km will be laid to connect Alice Springs. Improving access to and use of technology is a clear objective of the Territory 2030 plan. Our target, as stated in the plan, is to ensure:
Delivering superior ICT infrastructure will benefit many sectors of the community, and I will cover a few: more and more Territorians will have access to faster and more reliable broadband. We know 60% of Territorians have access today, and as coverage improves across the Territory, I expect this to reach closer to 90% in the not too distant future. We are continuing to see a rapid rise in the use of ICT technology by Territorians, particularly the social media networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and this usage will only increase. We will be better able to manage the tyranny of distance which has plagued us for so long as we better connect to the rest of the world. Delivering improvements in ICT capabilities will enable communities across the Territory to connect with family and friends from all over the world and, for business, the ability to access every corner of the world. As a government, we are committed to supporting our Territory businesses to improve their online capabilities through a series of workshops and one-on-one coaching.
At the COAG held in Darwin on 1 July last year, each state and territory was required to inform their colleagues on Indigenous progress matters. I spoke of our e-Health initiative system, which is widely acknowledged as the most advanced system in the nation, and is now being copied by my colleagues interstate. It means Territorians living in the bush will have their medical records follow them wherever they go. Into the future the use of technology to deliver medical services is growing. We are so far ahead of the other states in single electronic medical records, which means Indigenous Territorians in remote parts of the Territory, regardless of whether they access their local clinics; a visiting district medical officer; present to the Katherine, Alice Springs or Royal Darwin Hospital; present to a GP in Darwin or in Alice Springs, their electronic health record is instantly available to whoever the referring physician is, or the nurses are, who have access to those medial records. Any new treatment the prescribing physician provides is automatically updated on that database, and is available in real time wherever the patient may go.
We are so far ahead of the other states everyone is playing catch-up. I pay credit to the people in the Health department, the people in the Aboriginal medical service providers and the ICT people of government who have worked so hard to deliver such enormous benefits to our Indigenous people who require health services. I have spoken to a number of doctors at length about the huge benefits this provides to them. When an Indigenous patient comes to Royal Darwin Hospital, the treating clinician can see when the last tests were completed on that patient, the outcomes; the medication regime the patient is on - their entire health record. That improves clinical diagnostic times, reduces costs for duplication of testing regimes, and improves turnaround times through the hospital because interpreters do not have to be involved. The patient’s medical history is online in real time for the treating clinician and will, over time, lead to better health outcomes.
Talking about education, it has long been a personal desire of mine to see all Territory children receive quality education, and for children in our remote communities this has been a challenge. ICT comes into its own when we consider the extensive educational opportunities provided by the increasing sophistication of technology; it is the obvious vehicle for overcoming educational disadvantage associated with small numbers of students living in extremely remote locations. There is a very strong link between the opportunities ICT presents, Territory 2030, and the fact education is a priority of government. I would like to see every student in our schools with a computer on their desk many years prior to 2030. This is not an unrealistic goal; we are already some way down the track.
By the end of 2011, thanks to the digital education revolution supported by the Australian government, every student in Years 9 – 12 in the Territory will have access to a computer, and 2500 students living in remote communities now have a computer through the one laptop per child program. ICT will be the learning tool to position all students, regardless of where they live in the Territory, to be part of the information age, to participate in and enjoy the prosperity associated with our fast growing economy and the global economy.
I predict there will be a significant transformation of delivering education across the Territory over the next few years. The concept of the virtual classroom is coming into its own. It is not feasible, particularly in our middle and high schools, to have specialist teachers in specialised subjects in all schools across the Territory. To have a virtual classroom in a specialist biology subject, for example, students will be able to enrol online from wherever they are in the Northern Territory to participate in an elective they otherwise would not have access to. This is the path we are going down. Nothing will ever replace the face-to-face teaching and learning, however this will open up far more choice for students across the Northern Territory to access elective subjects, not only from the Northern Territory but from elsewhere within Australia and, why not, the world?. It is an exciting time in education.
Across my portfolio for Police, Fire and Emergency Services a number of communication networks and systems are employed to manage and monitor the deployment of staff and provide community safety and protection in an efficient and effective way. These communication systems include digital and analogue radio networks, microwave backbone links, HF radio and satellite. This government has made a significant investment in upgrading NTPFES communications; $13m was provided to replace the existing Motorola 3.0 digital radio network which is approaching its end-of-life. The digital radio upgrade project commenced in July 2008 will implement the latest Motorola digital trunking communication system across the urban operations in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.
The rollout of the new digital trunking network will be completed in the second half of 2010. Whilst many of the benefits of the new network will not be evident to everyday users, some benefits will include: greater digital radio penetration and coverage across Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs; provide improved inter-operability for NT emergency service, which is going to be a very big boost to the NTES; provide for end-to-end encryption allowing for secure communication of all traffic on the network; increases in the volume of channels and talk groups available to police, emergency services and other public safety stakeholders, thus improving inter-operability between organisations and stakeholders; and superior logging and auditing of voice communications.
Emergency alerts controlled by police commenced in March 2010, and are part of a national emergency warning system which provides emergency messages via voice to landlines by service addresses, and by SMS to mobile phones by billing addresses. Messages to mobile phones by geographic location of the handset are being developed, and will be introduced in future versions of the software. Geographical boundary areas for the delivery of messages can be defined and transmitted across all carriers. Our emergency operation centres will use new critical information management software call WebEOC. The two major expected users of WebEOC will be Police, Fire and Emergency Services and the National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre within the Department of Health and Families. The WebEOC project is presently being managed by Police, Fire and Emergency Service and is expected to be fully operational by August 2010.
In February 2008, this government announced the installation of CCTV systems as part of a package of antisocial behaviour initiatives to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week and, where an offence is detected by CCTV, the operator informs the appropriate police unit for attention, and the response is instantaneous.
I have briefly highlighted, in areas of portfolio responsibility I have, how government is making better and better use of the ICT infrastructure available to us. The minister and Cabinet are committed to improving the delivery of health services, educational services, and correctional services; and providing better services to businesses, not-for-profit groups, and citizens of the Northern Territory by having much more accessible, online access to government, and much more creative thinking in regard to improving service delivery to people in regional and remote parts of the Territory.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister on his statement.
Mr McCARTHY (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I support the minister’s statement on information communication technology in the Northern Territory.
The construction of the 3500 km fibre link will bring substantial benefits to Territorians with improved telecommunication services. Access to high speed broadband and the Internet is one of the Henderson government’s Territory 2030 targets. This $75m infrastructure project is one of many major projects under way which will improve the lives of people living in the Territory. As a bush member, I understand the importance of the investment in communication technology and the benefits it can bring to remote areas of the Territory.
It was with great joy I listened to the member for Arnhem and her memories of the radio telephone. I remember my first contact with the radio telephone, and thinking how sophisticated that technology was because I was operating a HF radio. I will never forget the call sign of the HF radio I was operating, which is embedded into my psyche - Victor Zulu Eight Charlie X-ray, Epenarra School. We had a network of schools across the southern region that communicated via this technology, which I found fascinating, appropriate, and matched the setting of a remote area silver bullet school on the Frew River many moons ago. I also remember my first trip to Borroloola witnessing this advanced communication technology, the radio telephone. I thought our system in the bush, the HF radio, was far superior because I definitely did not enjoy sitting in front of the radio telephone and watching a small red light turn to green when it was my opportunity to jump on board to gain access - but there was no guarantees.
I also remember, with fondness, introducing the HF radio network to the old men and, through the assistant teacher, the old ladies of the community. It was an example of how communication is so important in our communities and our society, and relates to all aspects of our lives. The first few sessions on HF radio when VJY made the frequency clear after 5 pm, gave a small window of opportunity to talk to communities. I instigated a project where members of the community could talk to other communities to share knowledge and information. It was a wonderful experience teaching the old people about this technology, and then witnessing their communication with countrymen from Murray Downs, and even as far south as the Sandover in those days.
Two like minded schools were also willing to have old people participate in this communication, and I still use it to this day. It was very interesting when the conversation was opened in language, and the traditional language came back through the radio waves, the person who opened the conversation would inquire: ‘Who are you?’ It became quite a fun time when ‘Who are you?’ would identify themselves on the other end, and the crowd gathered around the HF set would burst into laughter and enjoy the communication taking place. They are very fond memories.
We ramped that up to conduct quite integral communication lines between communities about educational projects, what the schools were doing, what the communities were doing, about people travelling back and forward. I would reflect on how that would occur in traditional days and was still done, to a large degree, in the early 1980s in remote parts of the Barkly, based on ceremonial law; people reading the seasons, people acting on traditional calendars, and only brought into the modern world when a visitor would appear. The HF radio days were wonderful days. People call it very primitive technology; however, for the communities it serviced, it was our lifeline in early communications.
I also remember moving to the next level of communications with satellite phones, and seeing how incredible they were and how up-market that technology was, then witnessing the idiosyncrasies and limitations to satellite communications.
The minister has brought this statement forward and is focused on fibre links, which is a new age in information technology and communication, a new age for knowledge sharing and for delivering real benefits to Territorians no matter where they live; in the urban networks or in the remotest parts of the Territory.
This statement is about delivering faster and more efficient access to government information and services through such facilities. A simple example in one of my portfolio areas is the road report website - important information at your fingertips for all Territorians. The days of a school teacher bogged on the side of the road for days is no longer necessary, where it was try your luck and see if you could get to town for that important meeting or shopping expedition. Now, with improved information technology, we can not only keep Territorians safer, we can deliver more efficient outcomes as well.
This is important for business and doing business with the government. Territorians will have improved telecommunication access in remote areas which reduces risks associated with working in remote locations and improves the ability of officers from the Department of Construction and Infrastructure, indeed any department, to report incidents and initiate repair work on government assets in remote locations.
Government’s new asset management system is designed to achieve the maximum benefit from the new Fiberlink and utilise the full capabilities of the information and communications technology. Fiberlink will assist government to increase productivity and reduce response times; have the ability to access information about works required, or under way, within a geographic location, and increase efficiency and effectiveness of budgeted monies through opportunities to bundle repairs and maintenance works. Businesses will have timely and efficient access to facilities such as tenders online, which improves opportunities for companies outside major regional centres to tender for works. This also delivers on our commitment to invest in the regions with better information access set to result in increasing numbers of potential tenderers and the level of competition in the marketplace. Increased competition will benefit all Territorians.
The government has fast-tracked land release in 2009-10 to meet the needs of our growing population. My department will continue to ensure our land developments can be held up as examples of how to build an environmentally sustainable future. Weddell will be a world-class, green city and a smart city. Our new suburbs of Bellamack and Johnston include fibre to the home technology - this investment is under way now. As the new suburbs are built, the new technology is being put in the ground and will deliver dividends in the future as families receive better access to information tools, and much faster and more reliable Internet speeds. Home businesses will also grow with the Internet services available to homes at speeds normally only found in the central business districts in large cities.
One of the Henderson government’s Territory 2030 targets is expanding the education and training opportunities available to prisoners in our prison system, to increase literacy and numeracy, to reduce the rate of recidivism, and to create opportunities for life outside prison. Our new era in Corrections focuses government on stopping the cycle of recidivism, and providing the right learning and training environment to help those in custody have the best chance of a successful future through education. We are investing in our education and training facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs, and the new prison to be built in Darwin will provide even better communications technology, delivering better outcomes for rehabilitation, education, and prisoners returning to the community.
In relation to Arts and Museums, high speed broadband will open up opportunities for artists throughout the Territory to utilise this technology to share their art with the world. It will create e-Business opportunities and give artists the ability to showcase their talent to the world. We are talking about global markets; we are talking about art and music, culture and heritage. Already in Tennant Creek, a regional area of the Northern Territory, the Barkly Regional Arts Organisation, the Winanjjikari Music Centre, are already exploring this incredible market opportunity of sending the art product around the world, and artists are very excited about the opportunities. These opportunities will only grow with improved ICT hardware, improved speed and improved connectivity.
Access to high speed broadband will enable Territorians living in remote and smaller regional centres to access information and facilities such as online banking, and enjoy the benefits of Internet services currently available to people who reside in our major centres. Distance will no longer be a barrier to doing business with remote and regional centres, with improved opportunities to grow Territory businesses in remote communities through e-Business. This investment will have a positive impact on all areas of our community, from schools and health services to environmental management and employment opportunities.
Improving the sharing of information across the Territory through Internet and videoconferencing facilities will reduce the amount of travel time necessary, and will improve the conducting of business and attending training, giving people more time to pursue other activities. Videoconferencing can significantly improve the effectiveness of communications with remote and regional Territorians by adding the visual component and creating a more inclusive, productive environment.
As the member for Barkly, I am only too familiar with the amount of time it takes to commute to important meetings with constituents, or in my ministerial capacity. I am looking forward to this technology enabling me to work remotely within the electorate. Currently there are great examples of technology providing this opportunity: remote connections to Cabinet meetings; remote connections with the Department of Justice without courts; opportunities improved ICT presents for community corrections and managing clients in a community correctional environment; reduced travel; reduced paper usage; increased e-Business; and an increased number of Territorians accessing online services will benefit the environment by decreasing the level of carbon emissions. The opportunity for Territorians to reduce the impact on the environment with the option to receive electronic information by e-mail instead of paper based information is credible.
Remote students at all levels will be able to take advantage of online learning opportunities, expanding the world for students in primary and secondary schools and opening doors for adults in remote locations to participate in tertiary education. Access to information is access to education.
In a concluding reflection, I would like to mention the Borroloola Community Education Centre and the innovative project we engaged in with Glamorgan School under a Telstra IT project. That was in 1996, and very much an exploration between Borroloola and Toorak on chat rooms. The Grade 5 and 6 students from the Borroloola Community Education Centre developed their first engagement with a modern IT system via chat rooms, met students who were growing up in a fast paced modern city in Victoria, Melbourne, and exchanged project work through the Telstra learner project, which facilitated excursions with not only Borroloola students travelling to Melbourne and being hosted by Geelong Grammar, Glamorgan campus, also the Glamorgan students travelling to Borroloola and being hosted in the fabulous gulf country, including a major excursion to Vanderlin Island.
It was early technology and was rather cumbersome. When we see this statement and the Henderson government delivering ICT technology across the Territory towards 2030, projects like that will be streamlined and the educational outcomes associated with creating a real world vision for our students in remote areas will become very much the norm, and I look forward to it.
In conclusion, we have come a very long way with our information and communication technology over the past decade. We have an exciting future in the Territory, and it is not just about roads, bridges and buildings, it is about investing in a smart Territory. It is about investing in new technology, driving innovation in the bush, building better and faster communication channels for sharing information, ideas and education. The flagship projects the minister detailed in his statement, the fibre link across Arnhem Land and Nextgen construction of a 3500 km fibre network from Brisbane to Darwin, going right through Tennant Creek, and the growth of our world-class, online patient information system show we are heading in the right direction.
Madam Speaker I thank the minister for bringing on this statement.
Mr GUNNER (Fannie Bay): Madam Speaker, I support the statement of a minister who has formed a partnership with the Australian government and the private sector to make a significant difference to the future of the Territory. The significance of 2300 km of fibre-optic cabling cannot be underestimated. Fibre-optic communications have revolutionised telecommunications; it has played, and is playing, a major role in the information age. It has huge advantages over electrical transmissions, and is the obvious, logical replacement to the copper wire communications.
An investment in fibre-optics will pay off today, and continue to pay off into the future, especially for the Territory with our huge distances. Optical fibre has large advantages over existing copper wire in long distance and high-demand applications. There is no doubt 2300 km is a long distance. This investment will open up the Territory in ways we can guess, but cannot know for sure. The ceiling of what can be achieved and delivered with this technology is not known yet; it has amazing potential. As a measure of the power of technology and the invention and innovation of Territorians, we will find ways to make this work for us we have not thought of yet.
The significance of this investment has historical parallels for the Territory. Growing up in Alice, I spent time at the Old Telegraph Station. I am sure members are aware of the importance of the Australian Overland Telegraph line – 3200 km of telegraph line which connected Darwin with the world - the member for Johnston referred to it in his contribution to this debate. The line was completed in 1872; one of the great engineering feats. Distance and terrain were conquered in completing the line, and the consequences of the line were to permanently defy the handicaps of distance and terrain for many people living in the Territory. The first message along the line was:
Having the ability to reliably transfer huge amounts of data over long distances quickly will allow the Territory to compete internationally, where there are benefits we cannot predict. Businesses in my electorate already rely on technology to base their operations in Darwin. I am talking principally about the betting operations of Brett Dixon House at the Turf Club. I was there one Saturday about a month ago and watched in wonderment. It is an amazing operation. They had about 50 people with headsets talking to people from all around the world. They had televisions set up, I saw uninterrupted power supplies, their back-up data; they back up to the cloud - they back up live to Sydney. It is an amazing operation which they operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Technology allows them to set up here and they can choose Darwin as home - they do not have to be located in Sydney or Melbourne. We need to be flexible and competitive in the Territory so they do not leave, and that is a challenge we have risen to as a government. They are not the only industry; I know other companies based in the Territory rather than elsewhere; technology has allowed them to make that decision. The 2300 km of fibre-optic cabling will make that decision easier in the future. How we do business is changing; how we live our lives is changing; technology is making things possible, practical, accessible and cheap so new options are available to people.
Teleconferencing is a great example of something which was limited in its applicability and breadth, and has now become accepted as an everyday application. I have used teleconferencing and, with current technology and new technologies emerging all the time, teleconferencing is very good, and will only get better and easier. Last year I used Skype in Darwin to present a volunteer award to someone in Alice Springs. I know a family who, because of the birth of a child, cannot attend a family wedding overseas. They are having the wedding Skyped to them in Darwin. All you need is the Internet, a laptop and a webcam. That is the power of modern technology - you can be connected around the world.
The minister for Education put this IT debate in context when he talked about the Territory having a population the size of Geelong living in an area the size of France, with about 600 communities, and the ongoing innovation in ICT having a significant implication for schools. The old tyranny of distance clich as an excuse for non-delivery of services is challenged as technology improves at an exponential rate. However, the demography of the Territory demands application of new technologies to deliver education services. That applies across a whole range of things in the Territory. We did have the tyranny of distance. With the power of technology, that can be conquered and is no longer an excuse for not delivering good services; it is something to which we should apply ourselves.
The local ICT industries realise the opportunities and challenges they are facing and, picking up on the points made by the Business minister, the local ICT industry has developed a web portal competing for business. They realise they need more ICT professionals, and have formed a partnership with Charles Darwin University from 2011 to ensure we have home-grown ICT professionals with a specialised Bachelor of Information Technology. That is a sign of confidence in the future of the ICT industry in the Territory, and something we all welcome.
There are things we need to do as a government when it comes to ICT - one of the biggest was mentioned by the minister for Business: his vision for one portal through which business can access information electronically such as regulations and assistance programs from all governments, including the Northern Territory and Commonwealth. Transacting electronically with government will impact on business.
The second part of that vision is an integrated Northern Territory government back end for licensing and regulation, which eliminates duplication and optimises the use of a common system. The advantage to business would be one portal could provide access to all information on government regulations and programs impacting on business; for example, licensing, planning, taxation, grant assistance, training programs, workforce, attraction programs and government procurement. This is the important part, minister: it should eliminate the requirement to provide the same information to multiple government bodies, which is often cursed. The potential to provide government regulations and licensing arrangements would be very welcomed, and would be a significant achievement.
It has been the ambition of many people over many years to achieve a paperless office. I believe we are closer to achieving that than ever before; it has been talked about a great deal, and sometimes we seem to be getting further and further away from it. In his statement, the minister touched on the electronic invoice management system which is currently being implemented, which will go a long way to reducing paper. The figures in the minister’s statement were 15 000 purchasing papers per month; 4000 recruitment-related papers per month - huge figures - and there are other figures also. A huge amount of paper is produced in government. I believe, as Smart Phones get smarter, and iPhones are handy, the paperless office gets closer. From discussions with IT professionals, they believe it is through tablet PCs, like the iPad, we might finally achieve a paperless office; which was first promised by the humble desktop PC. We are getting closer to achieving it.
I believed it was possible when I held my first Kindle. I do not know if other members have seen a Kindle; it is the e-book reader Amazon uses. The problem I have always had with moving away from paper is screens are not easy on the eye. The Kindle is amazingly easy to read; I believe it is as easy as reading printed material.
The advancement of new technology is amazing and new barriers are constantly being broken. The laying of 2300 km of fibre-optic cabling means the Territory will have the underlying infrastructure to take advantage of new breakthroughs, and entrepreneurs and innovators in the Territory can compete and sell their services and information to the world. That is a significant achievement, and I commend the minister on achieving that partnership.
Madam Speaker, I support this statement and commend it to the House.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Madam Speaker, I support the minister’s statement. The critical importance and reliance we, as Territorians, have upon information and communication technology can never be underestimated. It is never truer than for those of us who live, work and raise our families in very remote and isolated parts of the Territory. The enormous role information communication technology plays in our lives, and lives of people in remote areas, was highlighted poignantly at Yirrkala in my electorate in North East Arnhem Land on 24 March.
It was the day the philanthropic organisation, One Laptop per Child, handed over 200 of its XO educational devices, compact laptops, in white and lime green colours; designed for harsh environments, they are almost indestructible. Over the next 12 months the One Laptop Per Child program will deliver 15 000 of these XO laptops to remote schools across the inland and the north, and it is anticipated by the time the program is completed in 2014, 400 000 laptops will be distributed - one for every child aged from four to 15-years in regional and remote areas.
The significance of this event was not lost on anyone from traditional owners to the national media, as well as three of the country’s big corporate players - Telstra, News Limited and the Commonwealth Bank - and it was not lost on the elected representatives of government at Territory and federal level who were there. On that note, as the minister said at the outset, I too wish to acknowledge that some of our recent achievements have come about because of our partnerships with the private sector. At the Yirrkala event, senior Rirratjingu man and traditional owner, Djuwalpi Marika, stated, and I quote:
Also addressing the large crowd at Yirrkala School was Mandawuy Yunupingu, former Australian of the Year, and a much respected former principal of Yirrkala School in the early 1990s. Mandawuy left his position at Yirrkala School when, as lead singer of the band, Yothu Yindi, he toured the world. Of the many hit albums and songs they had was one called Information Superhighway. At the event, overcome by emotion as he spoke, he recalled his Yothu Yindi song and the sentiments it contained and recognised the importance of the future of his children and grandchildren, and how technology and laptops are part of that future.
The federal Minister for Employment Participation, Mark Arbib, said:
News Limited’s Chief Executive, John Hartigan, said:
Our own Education minister said:
My colleague, the member for Arnhem, is correct when she says our young people possess an incredible aptitude for picking up new technologies. This government also recognises students in remote areas need the necessary infrastructure from which to work with their laptops. The member for Macdonnell was quite right last week in Question Time to ask what the government was doing for students at the school at Hermannsburg who need new classroom space. The response the government would be delivering $1.25m for that community is fantastic news for the local member, the community, families, students and teachers.
I am pleased to see Budget 2010-11 also commits $300 000 for three homeland learning centres - $300 000 for each one- at Rurangala, Birany Birany, and Mirrnatja in North East Arnhem Land. This is the type of investment never made by the CLP in its 26 years in the bush. Small wonder we did not see an Indigenous student from a remote area complete school to Year 12 level - if it was out of Darwin, it was out of sight.
This government, since 2001, has invested heavily in education infrastructure and additional teachers, and will continue to do so for the benefit of all Territorian students, including those who live in remote areas.
I have spoken about the launch of One Laptop per Child at Yirrkala, and a key element which makes that technology possible is access to the Internet - high speed at that. People across Arnhem Land from Jabiru to Nhulunbuy, and places in between, have benefited enormously from the Telstra fibre-optic cable project which was completed in December last year. This project is yet another prime and successful example of the Henderson government working in partnership with the private sector and, on this occasion, with traditional owners as well
With a total investment of approximately $34m, the partnership was led by Telstra. Rio Tinto Alcan Gove came on board so their business systems needs could be met, and it also delivered broadband to the homes of their employees, who make up around 50% of Nhulunbuy’s population, and it delivered broadband to every resident in Nhulunbuy; so it was not only Rio Tinto Alcan employees who benefited from it.
The other crucial partner in this project was the Northern Land Council. Clearly, with fibre-optic cable to be laid the 800 km or so between Jabiru and Nhulunbuy, there had to be very close consultation with traditional owners the length and breadth of the corridor to ensure access did not encroach upon or disturb sacred sites or areas of cultural importance or significance.
The project was delivered with remarkable speed, a credit to all parties involved. For peoples’ lives, businesses and delivery of government services, I can truly say it has been transformational. As the minister said, Gove District Hospital now has reliable access to the online patient system for the first time which allows ease and speed of access to a Territory-wide system.
The CEO of Telstra, Mr David Thodey, made the trip to Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala for the One Laptop per Child launch. It was his first visit to the region and, I believe, an eye-opener to see, firsthand, where some of Telstra’s most remote customers live, work and run businesses. Unfortunately, wet weather made it impossible for him to travel to one of the Layna homelands; nevertheless, he managed to fill in a busy day. What struck me was how genuinely interested he was to speak with people and understand the telecommunication shortfalls that exist for Telstra customers; and Gove people are certainly never backward in coming forward.
I would like to see some of the other CEOs from big corporations in Australia who do business in the Gove region - Westpac, Woolworths, Qantas - making a trip to the coalface to chat with consumers and find out what people think. It certainly would not go astray.
I mentioned what the fibre-optic cable project has meant for Gove hospital; the benefits are there for education and business in overcoming the tyranny of distance. For our regional development, delivering on the commitments of A Working Future policy in connecting our Territory growth towns, several of which are located in the region, it is essential. For every Territorian who lives out that way, access to world-class information and communications technology is essential in providing the platform to deliver it across the board.
People in my electorate have more opportunities now to embrace eLearning without having to leave their communities, and for Yolngu people, this is especially important. It allows them to stay on country yet be connected with a classroom and teacher hundreds of kilometres away. It removes the cost and logistics associated with travelling for study and, in that same vein, Charles Darwin University launched last year its very successful Teaching from Country program which sees Yolngu lecturers involved with the Yolngu studies courses including the Bachelor degree, literally teach from their country in real time with the use of Skype.
My constituent, Dhanggal Gurruwiwi, a respected senior woman and linguist, translator and artist, first told me of this program. She is able to lecture from her home at Birritjimi, near Nhulunbuy, while her students might be in Darwin or Tokyo. It is, in fact, the reverse of remote learning and, by all accounts, working well. Its success is entirely reliant on the information and communications technology which support it. From what I have read on their website, there is a high level of interest in Germany to tap into these academic courses.
Our modern day reliance on the information superhighway, as Mandawuy Yunupingu sang about, extends very much to the business world. The Department of Regional Development has delivered two grants recently which will see the overhaul of the websites for the East Arnhem Land Tourist Association and also for Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre at Yirrkala. East Arnhem Land does have a growing niche tourist market for people looking for some of the world’s best blue water fishing, or just good old fashioned four-wheel driving and camping experiences, or perhaps a cultural eco-tour experience rich in Indigenous knowledge and culture. The latter has grown considerably over the last three to four years with homelands atBawaka, Nyinyikay, Marparu and Yilpara moving into this market. While they are hard to get to places, they are not hard to find on the Internet and the more information we can capture and make available on the East Arnhem Land Tourist Association website, the better for customers and business operators.
In that vein, I acknowledge the Tourism minister’s ongoing funding for the Yolngu Tourism Hub which is providing backroom support to tourism businesses operating in homelands with great success. It is these kinds of ventures which A Working Future policy seeks to embrace: peoples’ participation in the economic activity of their community. I have heard time and time again from my electorate, from Yolngu people who seek opportunities to be actively engaged in the working life of their community, and I know for the homelands tourism businesses I am familiar with, the rewards are rich and not only in the monetary sense.
There are women, in particular, who gain enormous satisfaction and pride from hosting people on their country, on their community and being able to teach the visitors about their culture, language, and way of life. Their visitors go away with a life-changing experience and new and firsthand insights into Indigenous culture, vowing to return and passing on their recommendations to friends and family. This is all made possible because of the ICT platform which supports it.
The minister is quite right when he says this government has worked hard to ensure that jobs, economic opportunity, and community development are delivered to Territorians through investment in information and communications technology in the Territory. This is so important for Territorians in remote and isolated areas. The $49 000 made available to Buku-Larrnggay at Yirrkala will allow them to overhaul their website and build their capacity to manage online sales, as well as provide access to the enormous archives they hold in images, stories, and music. It is one of the most successful Indigenous art galleries in Australia, and the most successful art gallery in remote Australia. Established in the mid-1970s, it boasts the works of Yirrkala and homeland artists, many of whom are multi-award winners and recognised nationally and internationally for their works in a variety of mediums. These artists have displayed their works in galleries here and overseas, and will continue to do so. With the ICT platform of their new website they will have the capacity for buyers, and those interested in learning more about Yirrkala and its proud tradition of art, to come to Yirrkala online.
The minister detailed the green benefits information and communications technologies, and associated technology, allows us; something he has a vested interested in, not only as minister for ICT, but as minister for the Environment. The growing capacity for electronic workflow to take over from the paper trail of hard copy is not to be underestimated. This is a subject the Country Liberals are keenly interested in, as per last year’s estimates week, where they had a set of generic questions for each minister of how their agencies were working to reduce the carbon footprint associated with government administration.
As a member of the Legislative Assembly, my administrative dealings are largely electronic - bookings for travel, e-tickets, advice and confirmation of bookings, payments - all conducted via e-mail making the whole process more efficient, more timely, and easily tracked. It means not only reduction in use of paper and costs, but frees up time and resources to do other things. I noticed last week in the Chamber members’ copies of Hansard from Question Time arriving electronically, reducing paper wastage. I note the Chief Minister’s comment that we need to be as paperless as possible; perhaps there is more room to use electronic mail as opposed to hard copy.
Regarding paper wastage, the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee, in the early days of this parliamentary session, made a decision to reduce paper and printing by having all documents e-mailed as PDF files to members. With piles of documents in colour-coded manila folders for each of the five committees of which I am a member, I can attest to the fact the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee has dramatically less paperwork associated with it.
The types of efficiencies ICT affords us can be far-reaching. This morning I received an e-mail from Nhulunbuy High School asking parents to provide an update of their contact details ahead of the implementation and roll-out of the mobile phone short message service, or SMS, on 31 May. This system, which is in place at other schools around the Territory, and in other states, is part of a bid to notify parents of unexplained absences from school and will improve the ability of schools to communicate with parents in a fashion which is discreet and unobtrusive, fast and efficient and, importantly, cost-effective, while also freeing up the time and resources of school staff who are not tied to a phone contacting individual parents. Not all families will have mobile phones and, in those circumstances, Nhulunbuy High School, like other schools, will continue with other means of communication such as landlines and sending letters home. It remains an important step in the right direction towards ensuring on a school day students are where they should be - at school - unless they are unwell, or their absence is explained or justified, in the knowledge for students to be successful at school, they must attend regularly.
Another example of a significant breakthrough where the development and implementation of successful technology has delivered benefits to the North East Arnhem region is the takeaway liquor permit system which came into effect in March 2008. It is a system modelled on one in place on Groote Eylandt and driven at grassroots level by the community, led by a group of senior women from Yirrkala who appealed to key community stakeholders and leaders to work with them to devise a system to reduce the damage and dysfunction brought about by alcohol abuse - quite simply by restricting access to alcohol. The strategy, which was devised over three years, was agreed to and wholeheartedly supported by this government, which made the investment through the Department of Justices’ Alcohol Strategy Division.
The permit system means any person living in the region, or visiting the region, must obtain a permit to purchase liquor from takeaway outlets. It seemed onerous to some at the start, but is now accepted as part and parcel of living in Nhulunbuy. The success of the system has hinged entirely upon specially developed communications information technology which captures, electronically, all permit holders at specially installed terminals at the four or five takeaway stores at the point of purchase, and which verifies the purchaser is a permit holder; and lines up with photo ID which appears on the screen so the salesperson can match up the two. Currently, we have 8010 active permit holders, and 48 permits revoked.
The system also highlights whether the permit holder is currently on permit revocation because they have been in breach of their permit, or whether they are on a restricted permit. Not everyone on a restricted permit is because they have been in breach, some people voluntarily, from both the Indigenous and the non-Indigenous community, impose their own restriction on the permit. A permit holder might be on conditions which dictate the volume of the purchase is six cans of light beer per day, or it could be a 12-pack of medium strength beer per day.
This system was purpose-built for the Nhulunbuy region, being the only place on the mainland where liquor can be purchased. Retailers commented how helpful the IT people had been in installing and testing the system and, as people find new and creative ways of trying to bypass the system, the IT people are brought back in. For instance, there was a discovery early on that some permit holders on a restriction would visit each of the liquor outlets in the space of a day taking up their restricted allocation and, having done it several times, were obviously breaching the system. That has been addressed and now a retailer can see if a purchase has already been made that day.
This successful technology has seen a dramatic reduction in antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related crime. We heard the Treasurer, in her Budget speech today, say, 59% of crime in the Territory is alcohol-related, and alcohol abuse costs the Northern Territory approximately $642m a year. Statistics released by the Justice minister and Attorney-General in March this year showed assaults had dropped by 38% in Nhulunbuy in 2009. This, I would say, is directly linked to a successful takeaway liquor permit system, supported by an effective night patrol operated by the East Arnhem Shire, and an increase in effective policing.
This government has invested heavily in state-of-the-art information communication technology and will continue to do so for the benefit of all Territorians however, the needs are none so great than those of us who are living and work in remote areas.
Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his hard work and commitment in this area, and I commend the statement to the House.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, it is amazing to hear how the plight of Aboriginal people in the communities is a result of the failure of the CLP to invest in information technology; the lack of CLP investment in information technology has brought about the plight of Aboriginal people in communities across the Northern Territory. It would not have anything to do with the fact that, 10 years ago, or even five years ago, we did not have this technology; 15 years ago it was essentially non-existent. It would not have anything to do with the fact there is not a house for them to plug their computer into. It would not have anything to do with that? No, again, it is all the CLP’s fault and, I am sure it has been said during the debate, it is probably John Howard’s fault. The reason we have not invested in information technology; all the woes of the Northern Territory are the fault of the CLP, and the heavy investment by the Labor government is the reason we are seeing all these wonderful successes, according to members opposite, to do with alcohol policy and the like.
This statement is another political propaganda puff piece put out to fill up time and waste the time of this parliament, to sit here at 7 pm and debate a 16-page document the first half of which is repetitive. It says we have a 3500 km fibre link from Brisbane to Darwin. It mentions construction of fibre cables and electronics will add 200 jobs to the NT. The minister said we worked hard - this government has lobbied long and hard in Canberra. He says it again; we have worked hard to secure this investment from the federal government. In 2009 this government successfully lobbied the Australian government and, in the next paragraph on page six of this 16-page document: ‘I am delighted to report that after many months of concerted lobbying and meetings with the federal minister ...’. He said that four times in the first few pages; he mentioned again the 200 jobs, the 760 km fibre link which will connect Alice Springs and Darwin. We have a very repetitive document from the minister. The first six or seven pages are repeating what he said on the first page; then it goes on for a paltry seven or eight more pages.
I draw your attention to the title: Delivering World-Class Information and Communications Technology for all Australians. This is not world-class technology; this is ancient technology. This is like investing in Betacam; this is like investing in steam engines. Fibre-optic is not the future - satellite is the future. This government crows about a National Broadband Network, we are going to dig up all the lines and cables again, we are going to re-lay them with fibre-optic cables; meanwhile, Territorians and Australians are paying through the teeth for mobile satellite technology. Where is the investment by the Australian government and the Northern Territory government, who worked so hard to lobby the federal government to provide world-class information communications technology for all Territorians? Where is the push to invest in wireless and satellite technology? That is the future. The future is the iPhone.
The iPhone is infant or embryonic. It is the start of this technology. You will not recognise today’s iPhone in five years time. The iPhone today can already provide you with: satellite technology, Internet, telephone calls, everything, in one little handset. If you look at the advancement of technology in the last five, 10 years to where we are today, you can only imagine where it is going to be in five or 10 years. Where is the investment in that? The future is not in broadband technology, it is not in physical cables under the ground; it is in satellite technology up there in space.
Wireless technology and satellite - that is the future - that is how we link up and bring the Territory together; that is how we provide all children with a laptop. As the member for Fong Lim stated, a laptop is a portable device, it is something you can take with you, it is something you can access the Internet with anywhere at anytime. We cannot do that in the Northern Territory. You leave Alice Springs, 10 km out of town, it has gone - the 3G service, the Telstra service - completely gone; and Optus service is less than any Telstra service across the Northern Territory.
The future is not in physical cables under the ground; the future is in wireless technology. Where is the government’s commitment to that? Where is the minister’s commitment to going in for Territorians? As he said: ‘I have worked hard to secure this investment from the federal government’. He also says: ‘… successfully lobbied the Australian government’. I believe, minister, you have come up short-changed, because the future of technology is up there; it is not on the ground, and we are going to see this happen much sooner than we think.
Broadband will be obsolete - it is like Betacam. It is like providing everyone with a Beta tape recorder - a Beta VCR. It will all be wireless technology. At the moment we have telecommunications companies crowing about how they provide service coverage to 95% of the country. It is absolutely rubbish and it is spin. They are providing services to 95% of the population, and that leaves us out because we make up a fraction of the Australian population. ITC services are not rolled out comprehensively across the Northern Territory, therefore not providing the services to the communities you are talking about, or even to our major towns across the Northern Territory.
You could perhaps understand the minister saying: ‘We are delivering world-class information’. He could be forgiven for not being right across it, or trying to put his best foot forward and say: ‘I am trying to get on the front foot here when it comes to information technology’. The person you cannot forgive is the Prime Minister - the Prime Minister with billions of dollars, is it $40bn?
A member: $43bn.
Mr CONLAN: $43bn of taxpayers’ money into a program which will be obsolete in five years. There is no doubt about it; London to a brick, this technology will be obsolete in five years. Look at the progress made in IT in the last 10 years - the last 15 years. Fifteen years ago people did not even have e-mail, apart from maybe one or two who could afford it. Five years ago, people were starting to be use mobile phones; now everyone has a mobile phone. The statistics are 10 years ago, 3% of households were without a landline; 10 years later, 10% of households do not have a landline. People are substituting their landline for mobile phone technology. The government should be investing in that; the Rudd government should be investing in wireless technology …
Mr Tollner: The previous government wanted to.
Mr CONLAN: The previous government wanted to; the previous government was limited by the technology itself. It is like saying it is Bob Menzies’ fault because he did not invest in broadband; the thing did not exist. We are in 2010, and this technology is with us. The government should be investing in wireless technology, in satellite technology, to make that cheaper and more accessible for Territorians. If I ring someone on a mobile phone and get their voice message, I pay for that and they pay to access it. We have spent $5 or $10 and no one has spoken to anyone. It is absurd. The cost of mobile and satellite technology has to come down, and there is no reason why it cannot come down.
The satellite phone - what a scam that is! There is no reason why we cannot be accessing the same services on a mobile phone. If we had a Territory government with vision and backbone that could stand up to the federal minister, could even stand up to the Prime Minister, then maybe we would be somewhere down the track.
That is the future; there is no doubt about it - broadband and cables. The hard wire you plug into the back of your computer at home will be gone. I do not see anyone denying that, yet, we crow about this statement, how wonderful and visionary it is; he is delivering world-class information and communications technology for all Territorians. Well, it is absolute rubbish! It is just another puff piece.
Look at the Notice Paper, there is not much for the government today. Look at the bills by the opposition - can we not get through some of that? What is wrong with that? Why can we not debate some real issues and give Territorians value for money in this parliament, which is so expensive? The last call was $7000 an hour or something similar. We have another propaganda puff piece which has just about taken the cake. I believe there is another one on the way that might win the award for the greatest propaganda puff piece the government has put out thus far. I say, thus far …
Mr Hampton: What is it?
Mr CONLAN: It is on the Notice Paper, minister; read it. No, it is not on the Notice Paper? I believe it is coming on. Yes, that is good.
There is a line: across the world in the last decade we have seen an extraordinary growth in our use of information and communications technology. That should have given you a clue we are not heading down the right path with the NBN. I agree with this line: Information technology has created new economic opportunities, opened up new social vistas, and made it possible to maintain our environmental security in ways we have never been able to do before. Absolutely! Of course it has. Everyone in here has a computer. Everyone is using mobile phone technology. The iPhone, and variations thereof into the future, is where it is at. It is not in physical cables from under the ground you plug into the back of your computer. That is not going to help people in remote communities, particularly people who do not have a home, particularly people who live in overcrowded and despairing conditions in remote communities in the Northern Territory, which we all know all too well and talk about almost on a daily basis in this parliament.
Wireless technology, mobile phone technology, is the future, not the National Broadband Network. $43bn into this program is an obscene spend of taxpayers’ money to invest in something which will be obsolete in five years time.
Mr Tollner: More than the book value of the whole of Telstra.
Mr CONLAN: More than the book value of the whole of Telstra, I have just been informed. That is absolutely staggering. The only thing saving us from this is whether Kevin 07 can roll this out. This is going to be the big test; whether he can do it. He does not come with very good form. The cracks are starting to appear; we have seen it.
The shine is starting to come off the Prime Minister; people are starting to see through him. Hard core Labor people, dyed-in-the-wool Labor supporters, people who could not wait to see the back of John Howard and voted for a Labor Prime Minister are now saying: ‘Oh, my goodness, what is going on?’ We are seeing the cracks because of the failure of this Prime Minister to roll out his promises. The only thing saving this country, and $43bn of taxpayers’ money, is the Prime Minister is so inept he probably will not roll it out. One can only hope this does not happen. How much money will they spend and consume in administration costs getting this off the ground? We have seen it with SIHIP; the cost is absolutely enormous. Let us hope we do not see enormous chunks of this $43bn rolled out in administration costs - that is a waste of money. This is probably the greatest waste of money we have seen in a long, long time, in federal government initiatives, because it is not the future.
It is disappointing to see the Territory minister supporting the National Broadband Network so wholeheartedly, and not lobbying his Labor colleagues in Canberra for a program which is truly visionary and will deliver world-class information communications technology for all Territorians - and not just Territorians, all Australians. We need to be driving the cost of wireless and satellite technology down so it is affordable, because at the moment prices are absolutely through the roof, and unnecessarily so. We are paying way too much for our mobile phone technology and our wireless capacity. Data charges are through the roof, they are exorbitant and they should not need to be.
The government has an opportunity to drive this technology down and make it accessible to every single Australian. The only thing holding it up is the amount of money being generated each time we make a phone call, each time we leave a voice message, each time we download a webpage - someone pays for that. If I go on the member for Stuart’s web page, I am paying for that; I am paying to download that. Do you know that? When I click on that web page I pay for it, and you pay as well. Someone has to pay for it.
The real challenge is to drive those costs down so we can truly have a world-class information and communications system for all Territorians, and all Australians. This is disappointing. I believe it lacks vision, it is not the future, and we have seen, at great expense to the Territory taxpayer, the minister with yet another propaganda political puff piece.
Mr HAMPTON (Information, Communications and Technology Policy): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution to this very important statement. In doing so, I say the member for Greatorex has an absolute cheek to say talking about such an important issue as ICT is a waste of parliamentary time. This is the party which shut down parliament early last Thursday. They could not come into this House …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, they could not come into this House and talk about the MPI last Thursday, so we adjourned the House at 7 pm. They can say what they want, but last Thursday they had the opportunity to talk about the very important issue of housing affordability, and they could not be bothered turning up. It is an absolute shame.
I thank all members for their contribution to the ICT statement. It is a subject not talked about too often in this House. Going back to Hansard, the last statement was in 2003 by the then minister, Dr Peter Toyne, who spoke about communications technology, particularly to remote communities. That is almost seven years ago, and I believe it is very timely we discuss ICT now.
Seven years is a long wait to talk about such an important subject, particularly when we are on the cusp of some very exciting things happening in remote communities with A Working Future policy and the budget. We are spending just under $1bn in remote communities and growth towns. A very important part in breaking down the electronic divide which exists in the Northern Territory is information and communications technology.
I thank all members for their contributions. There is a real comparison between government and opposition on this subject. My colleagues on this side of the House were able to give articulate and clear examples of the benefits of ICT, particularly my bush colleagues, who have a great deal of experience in remote regions. The opposition clearly do not get out to the remote communities enough. I do not know the last time the member for Braitling went to a remote community, or the member for Greatorex, to see the benefits of ICT. The benefits my colleague, the member for Nhulunbuy talked about with the 800 km of fibre this government worked alongside Rio Tinto Alcan, Telstra, the Northern Land Council to put in the ground - and we are now seeing the benefits. The member for Nhulunbuy very articulately gave clear, practical examples of what that investment is reaping. In education, she talked about the One Laptop per Child program and those executives on the ground seeing their investment and the return they are getting.
Communications is a subject we do not talk about often enough in this parliament. This government has certainly grasped with both hands the real opportunities ICT is bringing to the Northern Territory. We have a great opportunity to be world leaders in ICT, and one example is e-Health as my colleague, the Minister for Health, discussed in his contribution; e-Health records - electronic health records. The Chief Minister also touched on that, and the idea of Territorians having an electronic health card. The Chief Minister thanked the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory. There is such importance in dealing with chronic health, with renal problems, diabetes, kidney disease. We know many Indigenous people are mobile - they move around within cultural and language regions. We know the benefit this type of infrastructure has provided with the ability to track those patients, no matter where they are in the Northern Territory, whether it is Darwin, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alice Springs, Lajamanu or Yuendumu, and when they require medical attention those records are there for the medical practitioner, wherever they are.
The Minister for Health mentioned TeleHealth. Under the e-Health e-Towns program, this type of infrastructure will enable us, and practitioners using a range of technologies, to assist those patients, particularly those with chronic health issues.
That is another example of why, on this side of the House, we support the ICT infrastructure investment we see coming into the Territory. $75m, and I cannot believe we have a conservative group of people opposite who do not believe in competition; they do not believe in bringing prices down …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Drysdale! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HAMPTON: I cannot believe members on the other side do not believe in competition, and they clearly do not understand the NBN. The member for Greatorex is banging on about fibre; the NBN is not only about optical fibre put into the ground. It is about satellite and it is about wireless technology. They do not understand the NBN. $75m in economic opportunity; $75m in savings to Territorians for their broadband services and the conservatives do not believe in that - they are against it.
The Minister for Health, and minister for Primary Industry, was able to give clear, practical examples of the benefits investment into IT infrastructure can bring. In the mining industry, my colleague mentioned the IT infrastructure. The Northern Territory can deliver many web-based applications for people in China to plug into computers via the network and gain information about investment in the Northern Territory. They can be sitting in Shandong, as the minister said, and find everything they need to know about the Tanami - prospects in the Tanami, geological surveys, and all the information they need about mineral resources in the middle of Australia.
In the primary industry area, he was able to give practical examples of how IT infrastructure can change how primary industries deliver and do their work on the ground. I read some time ago about a constituent of mine, Roy Chisholm, who went to South America, and was able to monitor his bores on Napperby Station from South America through IT. The sky is the limit with regard to IT and how it can be used, whether it is in the mining industry, the pastoral industry, or e-Health.
I thank the Chief Minister. I know he is passionate about IT; he was the minister before me and I thank him for handing over this very exciting portfolio. Things have moved on over the last few years and we have done very well with IT infrastructure and the East Arnhem project – 800 km of optical fibre going through to Nhulunbuy, as well as the second competitive fibre link we will have in the Territory. Things have moved on, and I thank the Chief Minister for his guidance and direction particularly in relation to this portfolio.
I thank the member for Fannie Bay, and my colleague, the Minister for Indigenous Development, for their contributions. One of the things which came out clearly in the member for Fannie Bay’s contribution was the need to cut red tape. With regard to e-Government, the Chief Minister talked about his vision when he was the minister in improving e-Government services to all Territorians with e-forms and cutting back on red tape as a very important part of this government’s agenda on ICT.
My colleague, the member for Barkly, relayed some very good stories of his days as a teacher in the wild, wild Barkly region, particularly the use of the old HF radio communication technology. Things have changed since the days of the old HF radio. We now have virtual classrooms; all down to improvements in technology whether it is through fibre, or wireless, and satellite technology. Thank you for your contribution. The words which really came home to me - and they have not changed from your days in the classroom and the old ways of communicating - were the sharing of knowledge and information. That is really what ICT is all about; sharing knowledge and information between people. I know people along the Sandover who still use HF radio-type communication; they find it easier and reliable. With the virtual classrooms teachers have to deal with now, that philosophy has not changed - the value of communication with regard to sharing knowledge and information.
I, like most Territorians, welcome the value of this investment in the Northern Territory for our businesses, our families, and the environment. It is quite clear the opposition does not share this value; they are certainly against $75m of new investment in the Territory, and they clearly do not understand what the NBN is all about. It is about better health, education, and job outcomes for Territorians.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: The member for Drysdale clearly embarrassed himself during his contribution. It was an absolute pleasure having representatives from Nextgen in my office listening to the member embarrassing himself. You should be totally ashamed of yourself, member for Drysdale.
Mr Bohlin: When are you going to tell us about the life-threatening positions plaguing you?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, cease interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: One of the questions you did have, member for Drysdale, was when will we received the optic fibre coverage. I am pleased to tell you, 100% of Territorians will get NBN; 90% will get fibre, and those who do not get fibre will get wireless or satellite technology. That is what the NBN is; it is not just about fibre. How will the fibre be delivered to Territory homes? Usually by a backhoe digging the trenches is the best practice for most utilities these days.
The other question you had, member for Drysdale, was the impact of the roll-out on householders in the main centres? The answer to that question is: the same as for those in regional areas - lower prices, better reliability, and superior data transfers up to 1 GB in the years to come. It was great to have those people up there listening to what you said about them and the whole project.
Regarding other members’ contributions, colleagues on this side mentioned many easy and practical examples of what the ICT infrastructure will do. For me, as a bush member, I see many of my constituents in their local council offices, the local library, using Internet banking services; Internet cafes are popping up everywhere in the bush. A satellite phone is something I rely on heavily when I am travelling around the Territory and, in the meetings I have with parents from the Isolated Parents Association, technology is very important to them and their children’s education, as well as those parents who access School of the Air.
There is probably much more I can say about ICT. We support it and are genuinely interested in bringing down the electronic divide which exists in Aboriginal centres in the bush. I thank colleagues for their contributions.
This government is proud of what we are delivering in ICT. The Arnhem fibre project is the broadband backbone for the Northern Territory to bring down prices, bring competition in, which is great - I cannot believe conservatives do not agree with that – and the digital regions program. These are three very important ICT projects this government has been able to secure and, in many ways, will be delivering outcomes for Territorians.
Madam Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I table the member for Brennan’s interstate study travel report pursuant to paragraph 3.15 of the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No 1 of 2009. As members would be aware, the disallowance period for the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No 1 of 2009 expires today, 4 May 2010. I remind members that, pursuant to Paragraphs 3.15 and 4.2 of that Determination:
Madam SPEAKER: Before calling on the statement, I would like to make a comment on something which happened earlier in the House.
Members will recall, at the conclusion of Question Time today, I undertook to provide an explanation and considered opinion on a ruling I gave in respect of points of order made by the member for Port Darwin and the member for Fong Lim in respect of an answer given by the Treasurer, to a question from the member for Port Darwin on the Power and Water Corporation.
Members will recall in response to the initial point of order by the member for Port Darwin in which he indicated he required a yes or no answer, I ruled there was no point of order. This ruling was based on the well-established practice in this Assembly, and other Australian and overseas parliaments, that a minister cannot be required to answer questions in a specific way.
In particular, I refer members to the following extract from the House of Representatives Practice 5th Edition at page 553:
Mr Elferink: That is not a correct interpretation, Madam Speaker. You are wrong, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms McCARTHY (Women’s Policy): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to report on key achievements of our government, working both locally and nationally, in developing and progressing the wellbeing of women across the Northern Territory. Nationally, I am working with my ministerial colleagues at the Commonwealth’s States, Territories and New Zealand Ministers’ Conference on the Status of Women, where we have identified four key national priorities for women: women’s economic security; women’s safety; women’s leadership; and women and social inclusion.
The Northern Territory, through this and other national forums, has made a strong contribution to the development of national policies, particularly as it applies to women in regional and remote settings and, of course, issues of concern to Indigenous women. In respect to Indigenous women’s policy issues, I would like to specifically acknowledge the work of our delegates to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gathering, Joy Cardona, Ngaree Ah Kit, Moogie Patu and Susan Murray, who are working with women across the Territory to have a strong voice in identifying and informing policy priorities for local Indigenous women.
At the local level, our then Minister for Women’s Policy, Marion Scrymgour launched, in March 2008, our own Northern Territory road map for progressing issues important to women in the Northern Territory, a plan titled Building on our Strengths: A Framework for Action for Women in the Northern Territory 2008-12. This plan was built on information collated from Community Cabinet Women’s Forums held from 2003 to 2007 in urban, rural and remote communities across the Territory, and sets out key actions in five key priority areas: Health and Wellbeing; Safety; Economic Security; Leadership and Participation; and Life Balance.
Members will recall in February this year I tabled a progress report outlining our work and achievements under that plan. I would like to record my thanks to the hard-working staff of the Office of Women’s Policy for maintaining momentum and taking that work forward.
One key area of national women’s policy is economic security, and the Northern Territory government is keenly focused on supporting policies aimed at greater economic security for all women. At the national level, we have joined other jurisdictions in lobbying and working for pay equity for Australian women, and I am pleased this joint work resulted, last year, in a review of women’s pay equity issues by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment and Workplace Relations.
The Standing Committee’s report, Making it Fair: Pay equity and associated issues related to increasing female participation in the workforce, outlined 63 recommendations to progress equity issues including: industrial relations legislative reforms, the establishment of gender pay units, improved data collection, monitoring and research, and strengthening of the national Office for the Status of Women.
Later this year, there will also be a landmark industrial relations case led by the Australian Services Union, seeking national pay equity under the new Fair Work Act. Women comprise a significant cohort of employees in the community sector and this campaign provides a real opportunity to progress pay equity based on principles of ‘like pay for like work’, irrespective of gender or the history of an industry. In the Territory, the Office of Women’s Policy has undertaken our own research into pay gaps in the Northern Territory and underlying causes.
Since 1994, the pay gap in the Northern Territory has fluctuated between 12% and 22%, and currently sits at 14% for ordinary time earnings. For total earnings, however, the pay gap is closer to 19%. This suggests men have a greater capacity to work longer hours than women, as women take up the burden of family care and responsibilities. The main occupation groups contributing to the pay gap are trades and technical, with some occupations seeing a pay gap of over $700 per week. Continuing pay gaps have a significant impact on women and their financial security now and well into retirement. Addressing issues of pay equity and workforce participation will continue as a priority for our government to improve economic security and wellbeing for all Territory women.
Another key area where we contribute to national policy is our support for a national paid parental leave scheme. The proposed Australian government’s model is a first step; however, we recognise issues such as payment of superannuation contributions and full remuneration of salary while on paid maternity leave are still vital to many women to help ensure their long-term economic security. In 2008, the Northern Territory government made a submission to the Australian government’s Productivity Commission inquiry, Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave, into paid parental leave and support for parents with newborn children, highlighting the need to ensure Aboriginal women on CDEP, and similar programs, were eligible to receive payment under a national paid maternity leave scheme; recognition of Aboriginal family rearing practices; the need for flexibility in the system to include grandparents as alternate partners for single women; the need for the scheme to stand alone, not piggyback onto employers’ arrangements; and the requirement for evaluation, monitoring and reporting of outcomes under a national paid parental leave scheme with links to the national indicators on the status of women.
In the Northern Territory, the unemployment rate for women has dropped from 4.9% in January 2000 to 3.5% in January 2010. This reflects a trend of decline in overall unemployment rates for the Northern Territory over the last decade. Over the same period, participation rates for women increased from 63.1% in January 2000 to 68.8% in January 2010, with 54 900 women participating in the Northern Territory workforce; 39 000 or 71.4% of those female workers are engaged in full-time employment. The Northern Territory government is committed to building on this progress.
In the area of women’s safety, we progressed real action under the national priority of women’s safety including strong participation on the National Safety Task Force in developing a national plan to address violence against women. Our government has also delivered a number of very important initiatives in relation to domestic and family violence over the past 10 years. There has been a special focus on community education and, most importantly, community action through activities such as the Let’s Stop it Now campaign, the Aboriginal All Stars television campaign, and the Be Someone campaign. The Be Someone campaign, currently running across the NT on television and in newspapers, informs the community about mandatory reporting of domestic and family violence, and challenges us all to take a stand and report family violence when we see or hear it.
I add a commendation to Charlie King and the Strong Men’s Group who contribute to the message to support women and children across the Northern Territory with the No More campaign - No More meaning ‘no more’ to family and domestic violence, a campaign which has carried across the Northern Territory into the states, and seen Charlie King as an ambassador in the White Ribbon Day campaign.
Our government is proud of the groundbreaking steps it has taken in the area of domestic and family violence policy, including the introduction of mandatory reporting of serious harm from domestic violence, an important measure no other jurisdiction in Australia has yet matched. Along with this legislative change is our commitment of $15m over three years to improve family violence service provision, data collection and community education in the Northern Territory. We are also committed to local on-ground support for victims of violence, and the Northern Territory government has worked with the Australian government to establish and operate 20 safe places in 15 of our remote communities, plus safe places in Alice Springs and Darwin.
These safe places provide increased safety options, particularly in remote communities, by providing safe houses for women and children, and cooling off places for men and young people. They employ local people and are more than crisis accommodation service; they serve as a hub for family violence education and intervention in each community.
As part of our general community education activities, the Northern Territory government has also been a proud and strong advocate of White Ribbon Day, a day to promote the elimination of violence against women. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is marked on 25 November each year and originated from a United Nations resolution calling on governments across the world to organise activities to raise public awareness of violence against women. It is the largest campaign in the world involving men in the struggle to end violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon on the day signifies a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. The Office of Women’s Policy has a strong partnership with the White Ribbon Foundation and coordinates the campaign across the Northern Territory.
High profile male ambassadors including politicians, sportsmen and media personalities are recruited across Australia to assist in planning and promoting the day. In the Territory we have 36 White Ribbon Day ambassadors, and they demonstrate leadership and support in addressing violence against women.
Years ago, women comprised only 26% of the membership of government boards and committees in the area of leadership. In 2009 this percentage increased to 34%, and we will continue to build on this improvement. In the local government sector, I am pleased to report especially in this, the Year of Women in Local Government, 37% of elected representatives are women - higher than any other jurisdiction in Australia. In addition, a quarter of our mayors or shire presidents are women, and 20% of our local government CEOs are women.
Whilst improvements have been made, there is certainly a long way to go to achieve equal representation for women in decision-making; our government is committed to achieving further progress in this area. The Office of Women’s Policy will be developing a new action plan for the Territory government designed to target boards and committees to raise awareness and gain support across government to reach the desired equitable representation of 50% men and 50% women reflecting the Territory’s population on all government boards and committees.
In addition, the Territory government continues to target women for participation in leadership roles. This year a new online website was developed, the Northern Territory’s Women’s Register, enabling women to manage their own details of experience, interest and availability for board positions. The new website enables all government boards and committees, private sector boards, and community boards to bring vacancies to the attention of interested women. Participating contributors can then be provided with contact details of the women who meet criteria for the vacancies.
The Chief Minister’s Study Scholarships for Women was introduced in 2001 as a key opportunity to support excellence and leadership potential of women undertaking study. The aim of the scholarships is to encourage women to undertake education and training to enhance their employment, general life outcomes and, ultimately, to improve women’s economic security. The scholarships also target disadvantaged women who would not be able undertake further study without assistance.
During the period 2002 to 2010 a total of 18 scholarships have been awarded. Scholarships are awarded to higher education students and Vocational Educational and Training students. In 2007, a review was conducted of the scholarship and, from this review, a partnership between Office of Women’s Policy and Charles Darwin University was established, enabling Charles Darwin University to administer the Chief Minister’s Study Scholarships. The review included changing the name of the scholarship, restructuring funding arrangements, and offering two VET scholarships.
The Chief Minister’s Higher Education Study Scholarship for women undertaking graduate studies is $15 000, with a laptop computer valued at $1200. There are two Chief Minister’s VET Study Scholarships for women valued at $2000. Students from various regions have received the scholarships, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alyangula and Nhulunbuy. Recipients of the scholarships have studied, or are studying, a wide range of subjects and gaining diverse qualifications, including education, finance, beauty therapy, human resources, conservation, land management, and Indigenous health studies.
The Tribute to Northern Territory Women established by our government in 2003 is another important opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in Territory life. The tribute is an annual award which recognises, celebrates, and commemorates the achievements of women who have made, or are making, a significant contribution for women in their community. Each year, nominations are called from organisations and members of the public for women who have made, or are making, a significant contribution over and above their paid work, to the Territory.
Some notable recipients include Eliza Tuckwell, born in London in 1836, who came to Australia as a young, single woman, then married and lived in the Northern Territory until her death in 1921, aged 85. Eliza was awarded a Pioneer Woman Tribute in 2008, which recognised the challenges she overcame, and her involvement and contribution to the Northern Territory community. She was one of the first women in Australia eligible to vote in 1895, and one of the first Territory women to own her own business and pay taxes and rates in her own right. Eliza Tuckwell was renowned for standing up for herself. She was certainly an early role model for women in the Territory, and made her point of view clear to the appropriate authorities whenever she felt it necessary. She paved the way for other women to stand up for their rights.
Another Northern Territory woman, Barbara James, came to Darwin in the 1960s and worked in various fields including journalism, as an author, historian, activist and advocate. Eileen Cummings, born in central Arnhem Land and a member of the Stolen Generations, has the distinction of being the first qualified Aboriginal teacher in the Territory. She has also dedicated much of her work and life to addressing Aboriginal community issues, and is a well-known and respected Aboriginal woman. Yananymul Mununggurr, an inspirational Yolngu woman from Arnhem Land, joined Laynhapuy Homelands Association as a CDEP worker in 1990, and has since worked her way up through the organisation to the position of Executive Officer in 2006.
On 8 March this year, I was proud to announce the recipients of the 2010 Tributes, bringing the total number of Territory women recognised to 50. One of the women recognised was Daniela Mattiuzzo. Daniela, born and bred in the Territory, joined the Northern Territory Police Force in 1985 at the tender age of 16. She is the youngest police officer to have ever graduated as a constable. Daniela has lived in Katherine since 1988 and been heavily involved in the community, including nine years as the school-based police officer for Katherine schools. She has also been instrumental in supporting the work of Katherine Neighbourhood Watch, the Northern Territory Road Safety Council and the YWCA.
Other women recognised in this year’s Tribute to Territory Women include:
Sharon Kimberly, for her achievements as a business woman and her commitment to empowering Territory women and young people;
Dr Sadhana Mahajani, for her long-term dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Territorians;
Beverley Ratahi, for her contribution as a volunteer and her commitment to caring for Territory wildlife; and
Pioneer Territory woman, Granny Lum Loy, for her contribution as a Territory pioneer, matriarch, entrepreneur and inspirational role model.
In 2009, the government introduced the International Women’s Day Grants program to support local organisations holding events across the Territory to celebrate International Women’s Day. In 2010, 17 organisations were funded to acknowledge and celebrate International Women’s Day, with events in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Timber Creek, Lajamanu, Nhulunbuy and the Tiwi Islands. Over the last two years a variety of activities and events have been held to celebrate International Women’s Day, including luncheons, a motor trades forum, film evenings, walks, first aid courses, bush tucker days, and women’s fishing competitions.
An important priority has been our day-to-day work to advance policy which engenders greater social inclusion for all women in the Territory. A key component of our women’s policy platform is the implementation and use of gender analysis in policy development and review by all government departments. This will be a focus for future policy development to ensure women, as well as men, have the opportunity to engage in the economic development of the Northern Territory.
One exciting part of my work, both as Minister for Women’s Policy and for Regional Development, is the opportunity to work with my colleagues in advancing the interests of Territory women under the banner of A Working Future policy initiatives. This is a transformational work, taking on the challenge of years of neglect and building strong prosperous growth towns for all residents of the regions across the Northern Territory. A Working Future is not just about planning and infrastructure, it is about families and family wellbeing. It is important for all us to get this right, and a key to that success is working with local people for local implementation plans; plans that will be built by the people; plans that identify the gaps and local people’s priorities. I am especially pleased our work to develop local implementation plans is providing opportunities for local women in and around our 20 growth towns to contribute.
I would also like to acknowledge the role of the Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council, Bess Price, for her contribution to government policy making generally, and to A Working Future. Bess is well-known for her advocacy of women’s issues and strong action in relation to safety for women, and represents those views at a national forum.
All members of the IAAC make an important contribution to women’s policy and my thinking on it, and our broader work under the banner of A Working Future to improve day-to-day life for Indigenous Territorians.
I close this statement by acknowledging a very important event next year, the celebration of 100 years of International Women’s Day. On 8 March next year, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day with a Northern Territory theme of ‘Celebrating our Past, Planning for the Future’. A new information website for women is being created to celebrate this event and inform Territory women on their history, their achievements, their rights and the history of the women’s movement in achieving these rights. We will also inform on future opportunities and allow Territory women to keep us up-to-date with Territory, national and international events and developments in relation to women.
It is intended there will be a Centenary of Territory Women celebrating 100 of our greatest female achievers over the last century, and a facility to allow Territorians to share their stories of Territory women who have been inspirational to them.
The Office of Women’s Policy website will also act as a portal for merchandise, distribution of education materials on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW - and other relevant human rights treaties and how these directly impact on women in the Northern Territory.
There will be many opportunities to celebrate the Territory we enjoy today, with a particular focus on women, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who have achieved much and have often been overlooked in the telling of the history of the Northern Territory.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the minister for her statement, and while it contains much good information, I believe there are some glaring areas of omission. The same information could have been contained in half the pages, and removed the repetitious nature of the statement. Talk is cheap, action costs more - this statement does not contain much strong talk on action at all. I am not convinced the statement addresses all the issues in the community confronting women.
First, I comment on the title ‘Progressing Women’s Policy’. Having clear and concise policy is important, and it is from this position one moves on to strategies, then to actual actions. This statement fails to give clear strategies to address many issues facing women today, nor does it articulate any actions. Moreover, the statement does not demonstrate how it is going to judge outcomes achieved.
This statement contains many references to meetings, forums and conferences, but no solid information on outcomes achieved on the ground for issues affecting women - and I mean all women. The statement references Aboriginal women and women in regional and remote settings, which is appropriate; however, no reference at all to youth and young women from high school age into early twenties. This is an important age group for a range of reasons, and this statement does not have any plans or actions proposed to deal with issues confronting young women. Where are the plans or actions to address the growing number of homeless youth, or the personal safety of young girls and women?
Second, the reference to workforce participation claims unemployment has dropped from 4.9% to 3.5% over the last 10 years, and participation has gone from 63.1% to 68.8% currently. I am sure these figures have nothing to do with this Labor government or any of its actions; rather, the figures attributed are due to structural changes within the economy and the workforce. Why is there no reference in the statement to women in senior positions in the public sector, from A08 upwards? I suggest it is because the figure for women in senior positions is not great. I am the first to say people should secure jobs and positions on their merit, not because of gender; however, this Labor government makes a big play of equality and balance not supported by hard cold facts and figures. The latest figures I could secure show as of June 2008, women made up 62.3% of the total numbers in the public sector. However, women in executive positions - EO1 to EO6 - are sitting at a low number of 37%.
If we look at agencies, the best performers in employing women are the Office of the Ombudsman with around 80%, followed by the health system, and the teaching and education system at approximately 75%. The latter two agencies should not be a surprise given the number of women in the teaching and nursing world. The worst performer in the government sector for employing women is the Port Corporation, closely followed by the Power and Water Corporation - both around 25%.
The government will be wondering where I get these figures from; I direct them to their own website and the report from the Office of the Public Employment Commissioner.
I could speculate if these two agencies, Power and Water Corporation and the Port Authority, employed more women, particularly in senior positions, we would not have the problems with these agencies and their activities. I wonder if either of these agencies employs people in the roles of environmental assessment and compliance; I suspect they do not, and I would like to be proven wrong on this point. If the Port Corporation had senior women in environmental science in their organisation, the issues of reporting and compliance may not have occurred.
In the area of workforce participation, there is talk of developing effective strategies to improve the equitable participation of young women in the workforce - sounds good in theory – however, more talk on wanting to, no detail on what has been achieved.
I move to the serious issue of domestic violence and the new legislation on reporting domestic violence. Minister, how many cases have been reported? Are there any changes for the better, or is the situation getting worse? Sadly, I suspect the situation is getting worse, based on my talks with NGOs. Where is this government’s commitment to more safe house and emergency accommodation such as provided by Dawn House? I see nothing in this statement or in the budget.
Last week I spoke on the increasing problem in the rural area of domestic violence and drug use and abuse. I read nothing about services to the rural area, or the greater rural area, in the Top End or elsewhere in the Territory. The statement talks about data collection, but gives no details of what is collected, how it is collected, or what will be done with the information once collected.
Women’s leadership is an important area; however, I see no leadership in any part of this statement. I see no reference to encouraging women in business; indeed, this Labor government did away with the Business Women’s Consultative Council – that is how much they thought of encouraging women into business enterprises or starting their own business - it is almost as if women and business do not rate in this statement. Where is there reference to the level of women in local government? The numbers are good, however they have nothing to do with this Labor government, its policies or work programs. There is no reference to the large number of women in small business who have little ideas, a little capital and set up a business such as gardening, house cleaning, running a smoko van, or a courier business. Why have they not been mentioned or congratulated for their initiative and hard work?
Getting women into leadership roles is not about setting up websites the government wants - websites for women’s register, websites for celebration days and websites for almost everything. This technology is important, however, it does not help women in the bush who are flat out getting decent IT services such as a reliable telephone service, let alone access to the website and the Internet.
What happened to the old-fashioned face-to-face sessions, or visiting women and getting to understand their issues on the ground? I read nothing about women in agriculture or horticulture; I read nothing about working women in the bush. This statement brings no comfort to women other than those in need. I take nothing away from the importance of support services for women in need. Goodness knows, this government has let them down badly with low levels of support in areas of crisis accommodation and mental health. In fact, I read nothing in this statement on mental health, which I will come to.
A member: You do not want it in your area!
Ms PURICK: First, where is the minister’s plan or vision for flexible working hours to accommodate working families and working women? Leadership is all fine and good - if women have aspirations to go bigger and better or higher and higher, that is good; however, not everyone will be a leader. Many will be content to work and live in an average, ordinary way. Why are these women not mentioned? What about their needs and wants in achieving a balanced life?
There is no reference to the provision of flexible working hours and how that benefits families and society as a whole. I read nothing of any program for the public sector, which I thought would have been the minister’s priority, to show they are serious about recruiting and retaining women in the workforce, if they want to be in the workforce. I read nothing about the government’s intention to address the employment issue of fly in/fly out and how it is changing the face of employment in the bush, and the impact on women entering this kind of employment. I read nothing about encouraging women into the non-traditional areas of employment such as the mining industry or the agricultural and pastoral industry; I see no reference to this government working with industry groups to encourage more women into these industries, or any joint programs.
On the government’s own admission there is a growing need for mental health support services, yet I see nothing in this statement remotely connected to mental health for women. This is a terrible situation which goes to the core of this government’s failure to plan or even acknowledge the growing issues associated with mental health. We know the number of people with mental health issues presenting to agencies is growing alarmingly. The number of people in need of support from NGOs is growing, and we know there are many problems associated with young mothers.
Often women with children have difficulties juggling their families and their lives. They often let things associated with their personal lives slip by the wayside, such as regular Pap tests or other much advised health checks. Why has the government not thought about having a women’s health nurse in health clinics so when the mother presents at the clinic, it is a one-stop shop for mother and child? Not a big cost, I do not believe, and would be such a good and much needed service, especially for women in the bush who come to town for healthcare services.
Another deficiency in the statement is no reference to seniors; the majority of whom we know to be women. No reference to health and aged care services required to meet the challenges of our ageing population, particularly for women in the bush and on pastoral stations. I feel this government places all seniors in one camp; all seniors are the same regardless of any other aspect of their life. I live next door to a very senior senior, and have a senior person across the road from me, both of them still contributing to the community, with aspirations the same as younger people in their 30s, 40s or 50s. Why is there no mention or reference to seniors or senior women and what they want from government and the community?
Contained in the statement are names of women who have achieved good things, and they are to be congratulated - I congratulate them. In particular, I congratulate Beverley Ratahi who received a Tribute to NT Women Award recently. Beverley lives in my electorate, and is truly an inspiration to all of us. Beverly is the mother of four children, is Chairman of the Bees Creek Primary School, a member of the Taminmin College, as well as holding down a job in the Commonwealth government. Beverly should be congratulated as she goes about her life with zest and enthusiasm; I see her children regularly and they are happy, healthy and well-adjusted children; and her husband, Peter, is a tremendous support to her, and in the work she does with schools and the education community generally.
While I take nothing away from the women mentioned in the statement, I wonder why other notable women are not mentioned for their pioneering contribution to the Territory. What about Jessie Litchfield and Christa Roderick, Marshall Perron’s grandmother and mother - both terrific contributors to our Territory’s quality of life? Jessie Litchfield was a stringer for the Sydney Morning Herald before it was common for women to be in journalism. What about the relatives of Meredith Robson and her late mother, Patsy Garling, who are buried in the old Goyder cemetery? They, too, were pioneering women. What about Nancy Giese and her contribution as Chancellor of the university for many years. What about Kath Yates, a well-known name in the rural area, and her family’s contribution to opening up Howard Springs and the rural area. And, of course, the well-known and much-loved Doris Barden, who did more for water skiing than any other woman, and well ahead of her time in business with her husband, Roy.
This statement does not go near enough in the area of women’s policy or a vision for new initiatives. It is completely denuded of anything associated with women in business, and lacks substantial detail as to hardcore facts and figures. It is disappointing the statement is released on budget day, where it will be hidden away in the media-hype over the budget.
The minister, and this government, are not serious about women’s issues and have done them a great disservice. I suggest the minister go back to the drawing board and come up with some real initiatives, actions, and plans which deliver results for all women, not just minority groups, and demonstrate their seriousness by committing real dollars to mental health and women in the bush.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I give this statement a mark of five out of 10.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Deputy Speaker, I share the view of my colleague, the member for Goyder, about the timing of this statement. On budget day, I am not sure how much more cynical a government can get when it comes to women’s policy - pretty cynical. It really speaks volumes about this government and women’s policy.
With the assistance of staff in the Legislative Assembly, who I asked this morning to advise - because I thought this was the first statement I have seen since being in this House on the subject - of all ministerial statements made in parliament since Labor’s first term. This is the first one. Of all ministerial statements in the Ninth Assembly, not one on women’s policy; of all 81 ministerial statements in the Tenth Assembly, not one on women’s policy; the Eleventh Assembly, 25 statements so far, not one on women’s policy. What a good bunch of feminists you are in the Australian Labor Party! Those of you, particularly the more disingenuous women on the other side, with hand on heart, say how good it is the Australian Labor Party Northern Territory Branch has a reasonable number of women; yet, as a group you are dreadful on women’s policy, as was your former Chief Minister.
I remember saying it was a big call to say Clare Martin was the worst minister for women’s policy the Territory had ever seen. It is not for me to apologise for some of the blokey behaviour of the CLP over the years, however we had better ministers for women’s policy than Clare Martin ever was. There is ample evidence to support the proposition. This government had the first woman Chief Minister in the Territory’s history - great achievement, does not matter what side of politics she was on - I thought it was terrific. The Northern Territory - classic cowboy country – a woman Chief Minister. What did the woman Chief Minister do? She got rid of the Women’s Advisory Council, she abolished the Business Women’s Consultative Council, and she restructured the budget books.
The CLP had a specific publication which accompanied budgets called Women in the Budget. It was about Territory women, and provided details of where women were up to across the agencies, the level at which they were employed and, from memory, a statistical analysis. This Labor government, with so many women in it, got rid of that publication. Where do you people get off?
The Women’s Information Centre in Alice Springs, one of the last bastions of an information centre for women, is a shadow of its former self; it has been completely restructured. It used to be a great service for women in Alice Springs where they could use all the services provided; it had a fantastic library service and a person to deal with a range of women’s issues, everything from health to legal issues, and it acted as a general referral centre. It is now buried deep within the Health department and, I do not believe it is even called the Women’s Information Centre anymore.
Shame on you, particularly Labor women! My colleague, the member for Greatorex, called this statement a puff piece; he was not wrong. Apart from the absence of apostrophes and commas, you would have thought there would be someone able to type women’s with an apostrophe S. It was not one typo; it was throughout. I nearly slid off my chair when I saw an apostrophe in the word women’s. How seriously do you people take this? Not seriously at all.
It is called Achievements in Developing and Progressing Womens - no apostrophe - Policy in the Northern Territory; I believe women of the Northern Territory would like to have seen, after eight-and-a-half long years, a statement about outcomes not policy - outcomes. Progressing Womens - no apostrophe - Policy in the Northern Territory is well and good, however it is the outcome, I believe, women of the Territory are keen to see.
My colleague, the member for Goyder said websites are well and good, but it is a long way from getting better outcomes for women. I noticed the sheer gutlessness of this minister, not known for her political courage, not to refer in the statement to the damning and awful statistics of women as the victims of violence.
Let us go back to a media release issued by the Attorney-General on 31 March, where she says:
Under this government you have seen, on a quarter-on-quarter comparison, a 25% increase in domestic violence, and 53% of all assaults are domestic violence. Yet, the minister introduces this long-awaited statement and merely glosses over violence against women.
As we saw last week, maybe there is a problem deep within government when it comes to violence against women - yes, I am referring to you, member for Johnston - but when the minister says she is pleased with this and pleased with that, how can any minister for Women’s Policy, in any jurisdiction, be remotely satisfied things are going well when it comes to the issue of safety and women?
It is all well and good for this minister to have pages of her statement congratulating those women in the Territory who have done well by achieving various awards. I would have liked to see much more information about what government is doing to address the culture of violence and intimidation prolific in the Territory. I am aghast - although I should not be all that surprised - this government has been so utterly appalling when it comes to women’s policy.
Pay equity is fine. The minister is participating in a national dialogue, national forums; well, good on you, yes, they are important issues. However, I do not believe it is enough to simply gloss over violence against women. If that is not one of the most serious issues in this jurisdiction, I do not know what is. When the minister does talk about domestic violence, she seems to speak proudly of government initiatives in that area. I have the domestic violence strategies: I have one released in December 2002, and I have the next one released by the member for Arafura and all they are is promises upon promises packaged in little glossies.
I will get back to the strategies shortly. When the minister referred to mandatory reporting of domestic violence, she did not talk about problems with the relevant legislation debated in parliament in February 2009.
Let me remind members of the opposition’s view with respect to the Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Bill. We supported the bill because it was supportable. However, I said on 18 February and I quote:
I referred to various sections of relevant legislation under the Criminal Code and said, and I quote:
I made the point this government sought to separate the forms of harm - forms of violence against women. The government sought to distinguish between types of violence against women. I said at the time:
What does the minister do? She speaks proudly and blindly of the government’s so-called initiative of mandatory reporting of domestic violence. You sly little buggers, you do not tell the people of the Northern Territory how deficient your legislation is in a number of respects. You do not tell the people of the Northern Territory only some types of violence against women are to be reported. Shame on you - you are the bunch of hypocrites everyone knows you are.
Getting back to the Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence Strategy of December 2002; there are a number of priority actions listed throughout the documentation - throughout the glossies. Interestingly, it says, and I quote:
You have failed. You have utterly failed based on your own Attorney-General’s quotes in a very recent media release: 53% of all assaults reported are domestic violence related. I believe that has gone up significantly over the last few years.
There is reference in one of the documents to production - this is 2002. When I say one of the documents, it is a three-part bundle of documents: the production of annual reports on recorded domestic violence incidents across the Territory. I have not seen such reports produced. All I have seen is one-liners, sometimes two or three-liners in media releases, and statements off-the-cuff by ministers in parliament. I would encourage government to produce annual reports, as it promised, on recorded domestic violence incidents across the Territory.
Another part of a priority action 2002-03 was - I am picking some, there is plenty of information in this – and I quote:
In today’s budget approximately $2.9m was allocated to expand the interpreter service; about time too. I remember the Law Society, and others, screaming from the rooftops in the dying days of the CLP that far more needed to be done in the courts to assist those participating in the justice system, particularly victims. We needed more interpreters; and it was a good call because we did. What has Labor done about it? Not much. I was pleased to see in the budget today some money for interpreters; however for a government which has had a great deal of money, I would have expected to see much more before now.
Many of the priority actions referred to in the domestic violence strategy released in 2002 have not materialised and have not been prioritised by this government. In the area of Aboriginal family violence, so much was promised and so little has been delivered. We have the minister, hand on heart whenever she talks about these issues, saying how awful it is Aboriginal women are subjected to the levels of violence they are. Yes. She is a member of Cabinet; she has the ability to do something about it, yet what we see is a statement on budget day about women, the first one in eight-and-a-half-years, which in so many ways glosses over the issue of violence. I find that appalling.
For those who care about this - and I am sure there are a few around - we are not only disappointed, we speak in fairly unflattering terms about your government and the lack of action in so many areas when it comes to women’s policy which, I note, was held by the Chief Minister in the CLP. A bunch of cowboys some of those in the CLP used to be, however women’s policy was held by the Chief Minister. What have the lefties and feminists on the other side done? Some years ago they gave it to a junior minister; I believe we talked about it at the time. It is now with an inept, incompetent minister who was in charge of the child protection system for a while - and what a disaster that was! She is now responsible for women’s policy, and releases this statement on budget day. What a joke!
I wonder if the Minister for Women’s Policy - not that she works very hard for her ministerial salary - has asked the question of her colleague, the Corrections minister, how many of the recommendations from the Ombudsman’s report, about 2007, have been implemented. Not all of them - there is still a chunk swinging in the breeze, and I am going to ask the minister for Corrections in estimates. I briefly asked questions on that report last year. However, would you not think a Minister for Women’s Policy would refer to that dreadful, damning report by the Ombudsman?
I encouraged the minister for Corrections, when he was relatively new, to read that report. It was shocking! It is a big report worth reading. What does the Minister for Women’s Policy do? She does not want to know about that, or does not think it is important enough to include in her statement; she wants to talk about websites and congratulate some of those women - worthy recipients of various awards - in a statement which could have been so much more. Like this government, you could have been so much more when it comes to advancing the issues of women in the Territory.
I wonder whether the Minister for Women’s Policy has asked if this government might reinstate the Women in the Budget publication. She should ...
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I move an extension of time to enable the member for Araluen to complete her remarks, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you. You are feeling particularly generous today, Chief Minister; that is twice, and we are very grateful to you. Feels like Christmas.
Returning to the statement about ‘womens - no apostrophe repeatedly - policy. Let us talk about sex offender treatment programs. I do not have the figure in front of me - it may be in the document I am working on for Corrections - from memory, last year only a handful of prisoners completed sex offender treatment programs. The evidence - for any doubting Thomas on the other side - is predominately sex offences are committed against women and children. That is the case in the Territory. One wonders whether the Minister for Women’s Policy, in her statement, might have talked about what can be done about sex offenders in the Northern Territory, given so few of them participated in - let alone completed - sex offender treatment programs last year or the year before. If I were Minister for Women’s Policy, I would put that one in the top three of the list. That is a good thing for a Minister for Women’s Policy to look at.
However, we have a puffy statement. My comments should not be construed as not supporting equal pay for women. That is something this government - any government - should pursue. Having come from the private sector, I opened my own legal practice because I was sick of being paid a girl’s salary. I was in an environment where the blokes around me were paid more than I was, and I was unhappy about it. I understand the issue, and it is very important.
The issue of paid parental leave is also important. Workforce participation is important. I believe there are other issues of equal importance which have not been included in this statement. In the Northern Territory, the issue of violence against women has to be at the forefront of the minds of decision-makers; otherwise you should pack up and go home. I do not know what it would be like to sit in government and do so little when it comes to addressing violence against women. If I ever get my go, I can assure members I will try so much harder than those opposite.
The minister, in her statement, has referred to the establishment of safe houses in remote communities. We are supportive of that, however I would have liked to be informed by the statement how many have been established. There are fluffy lines like; ‘we are also committed to local, on-ground support for victims of violence’ and, ‘the Northern Territory government has worked with the Australian government to establish and operate safe places in 15 of our remote communities, plus safe places in Alice Springs and Darwin’. Good on you! How many? How many have you built? Is it like SIHIP? Is it squillions of dollars and not much happening? This is absolute rubbish. The first statement on women’s policy in eight-and-a-bit years, and you do not have the courtesy to tell us how many safe places, you so proudly and repeatedly announce, have been started. Really, spare me!
Women’s leadership: also important, and not an issue which is the province of the Australian Labor Party. The CLP has been in government, and probably in the women and budget publications, women in leadership was discussed. The Women’s Advisory Council many times had workshops on women and leadership. We ran many women in politics seminars. Who does that these days - no one.
The minister referred to Community Cabinets speaking to women. Does that continue? It used to happen; not as much as Labor would have people believe, however occasionally a few of you would turn up to women’s meetings. Does that happen? How many women’s meetings has Cabinet attended in the last 12 months? Would that not be a piece of useful information in the first statement on women’s policy this government has produced? I believe so. I do not believe people would disagree.
This statement is unbelievable. I was quite excited, even though I was hung up on the lack of apostrophes, when I looked at the heading and thought: Oh, great. I read it and I thought: Wow, what a flop. It is sad. Most people in the Chamber know I am not a classic, right wing conservative politician. My friend, the member for Goyder, referred to me last week as the token leftie in our group, and I am. I am one of the old guard who believes feminism is not a dirty word, and when Labor came to office, I was philosophical - Labor deserved to win in 2001 – you had a good woman Chief Minister; you had more women in seats than the CLP ever had. It was not necessarily the saddest of days for people like me, even though I would have liked to have been part of the CLP government. I have watched you, you had such promise; you just did not deliver. I am desperately sad about that. I hope when some of you go to bed tonight, you think: Yeah, I know she is right. I know you believe I am right - but what a shame.
However, if you want to be congratulated - congratulations on a statement produced after eight-and-a-half-years - I expected so much more.
On that somewhat depressing note, I do not believe I can add much more. I look forward to more colourful glossies as the years roll on, and I hope government might turn its collective mind to, in a fair dinkum way, address a range of issues for women; particularly violence against women.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I support the Minister for Women’s Policy statement to the House on developing and progressing women’s policy in the Northern Territory.
Member for Araluen, we on this side of the House miss you. You do not contribute to parliamentary debate as much as you used to. I was very pleased to give you an extension of time, because you throw in some hand grenades - some get close and some miss altogether. It is always interesting when we are debating the member for Araluen, and you have put forward some issues I am sure the minister will deal with in her response; I will try to deal with some of them in my contribution.
To say, in eight-and-a-half years, the Labor government under the former Chief Minister and me have done nothing to advance the status of women in the Northern Territory, it has all gone backwards, we have done nothing to deal with the issues of the abhorrent and totally inexcusable day-to-day tragedy of violence against women in the Northern Territory, is not right.
Your contributions are always challenging, however, I believe acknowledgement of some of the inroads we have made would be appropriate for the quality of this debate. There have been significant inroads, and I will get to the work the police have been doing to combat violence against women across the Northern Territory in my contribution, which has been totally strategic; it has been very well resourced and is making an impact. I would like to see the day when there is no violence committed against anyone in the Northern Territory.
What is happening is certainly inexcusable, and the police are focused on it to a much greater level and extent, both strategically and resource-wise, than they were when we came to government in 2001. This government strongly supports policies aimed at advancing the status of women. Overcoming the social and economic barriers for Territory women will help them achieve equity, improved economic security and independence, and provide the opportunity to be heard. Not only heard, to participate in the decision-making process at all levels of the Territory community. We are working hard to create an environment where women can balance family, work and lifestyle, and be safe.
Although there has been much effort over generations to advance the cause of women, we cannot say today total equality has been achieved between man and women. I find it appalling women today in Australia do not have equality of pay across so many area of our economy. It is inexcusable, and at every level all governments have a responsibility to ensure there is equal pay for equal work across the Territory and Australia; particularly for employers who discriminate against women by not providing them with equal pay and equal conditions men have within the same business. That is inexcusable also.
Employers who participate in those practices should be ashamed of themselves. Women take on the greater share of family and household responsibilities; we all know women are adept at multitasking; we all know women are more likely to be running households at the same time as holding down a job; undertaking caring obligations - many are running their own business as well. More and more women are participating in the Territory workforce, and research undertaken by the Office of Women’s Policy indicates almost 69% of women in January 2010 are engaged in the workforce, of which 71% are working full-time. Women really are a very significant part of the economy of the Northern Territory.
It is also important to have more women participating in leadership roles. Why? Because women bring diversity, a competitive advantage, a new voice, a different perspective, and contrasting experience to decision-making bodies.
I downloaded several episodes of Yes, Minister to keep me awake on a recent flight, and there was one - I urge people to go onto iTunes - I forget which series of Yes, Minister it is - it is when the minister becomes aware of the paucity, before he becomes Prime Minister, of women in senior leadership roles across the public service. He decides to make a difference as Minister for Administrative Affairs and issues a directive: from now on 25% of all Chief Executive positions will be allocated to women; he was going to parachute women in from the corporate side of the economy to vacant positions within the public service, bypass the recruitment and selection process, and bypass the merit principles. He says to Sir Humphrey: ‘This will be done’. Of course, Sir Humphrey and the public service completely outwit him, outfox him, out manoeuvre him, and he slinks away to fight another day having failed to achieve his objectives. This debate has been going on for a long time. I believe that episode was at least 20 years old.
We would all like to see more women in senior leadership roles, not only in the public sector, also the private sector. The glass ceiling is still there, and for many reasons it should be torn down. We all have a responsibility to ensure those glass ceilings are torn down. I refer that episode of Yes, Minister to the member for Araluen - you might have a chuckle at that, because this fight has been going on for a long time. It is also important to have women participating in leadership roles in all areas of our society.
We are attempting to encourage more people to nominate for appointment to boards the Northern Territory government has constituted through the legislative process. I ask all members of this House to encourage skilled, competent women, whom we all know as part of our own networks, to register their interest, on the website, in being appointed to boards. That is a practical thing we can all do, and it is a challenge I will take on. All of us, through our electorates as well as our personal networks, know some magnificent women who would make great contributions to Territory boards, both advisory and statutory. We should all go away from this debate and make a commitment to encourage people to nominate their interests.
The Northern Territory Women’s Register enables women to list their availability for board positions and update their details regarding skills and experiences. It also enables boards to list vacant positions, and provides for an automatic data matching system for women who meet the vacancy criteria. There is a somewhat churlish recognition of websites; this is a practical application of how we can encourage more women to put their names forward.
At the national level, recent research has shown the proportion of women on boards in the top 200 Australian companies has remained stagnant at around 8% since 2002, and there are no women represented on the boards of more than half the top 200 companies. That is an absolute disgrace. Perhaps one of the practical things we could do in the interests of this debate, those of us who may be shareholders in listed companies, is to make representation to the boards we have investments in that we want to see more women on the board of those companies.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, I advise you it is now 9 pm. I can allow you an extension, as is customary, of up to 10 minutes if you wish, or you can continue your remarks at a later hour.
Mr HENDERSON: I do have more to say, Madam Speaker, so I will continue my remarks tomorrow.
Madam SPEAKER: We will adjourn then.
Debate suspended pursuant to Standing Order 41A(c)(v).
Madam SPEAKER: The Assembly does now adjourn.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I am grateful you are in the Chair as I want to make a couple of comments on the ruling made earlier in relation to the information you gave this House.
The ruling you gave this House was no minister may be asked a yes or no question. I point out that even in your explanation you have not fully or sufficiently addressed the issue. The reference you made to page 553 of House of Representatives Practice does not support that contention at all. You quoted, I believe, this line: ‘even though a question may invite a ‘yes or no’ answer, members cannot demand an answer be given in such terms’.
It was intimated during your explanation that that was the demand I made. I made no such demand. I said: ‘The question, at its simplest, only requires a yes or no answer’. I was saying a yes or no answer would have sufficed; that was the simplest way to deal with the issue at hand. At no point was I demanding a yes or no answer. The contention no minister may be asked a yes or no question is not correct; a question may invite that, however a minister is not limited to answering in those terms.
Whilst I appreciate the argy-bargy, from time to time, makes the House difficult to contain and control, I am concerned the rules of this House occasionally become interpreted in ways which are not entirely appropriate.
Therefore, Madam Speaker, I place on the record my anxiousness to see the rules of this House properly obeyed, and properly and fairly applied.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I recently attended the Young Achiever Awards. This year it was extra special, with Simon Baker-Johns crowned as the Northern Territory Young Achiever for 2010. Simon was recognised for the dedication and support he provides to his mother, Jade, who is legally blind, and his sister, Louisa, who is in a wheelchair. I am proud to say Simon and his sister, Louisa, are both Nakara Primary School students attending Nakara from preschool to Year 7. These fabulous awards recognise the work of youth in our community, many of whom, like Simon, are the real young heroes in our community, who overcome tremendous adversity and still achieve.
Congratulations to Simon and all the 2010 Young Achiever entrants, finalists and winners.
I also congratulate Skevos Lelekis, Marwa Osman, Ilinka Bacev, Maria Tran, Rebecca Clarke and Simone Liddy, the Territory’s first Charles Darwin University pharmacy graduates. These six graduates are the first to complete the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree since it was introduced at CDU in 2006. A special mention goes to Simone Liddy, another talented young woman who attended Nakara Primary and Dripstone High Schools, and is the first Indigenous pharmacy graduate in the Northern Territory.
I also recognise the calibre of the research staff within my department of Resources as highlighted at the recent National Seafood Industry Awards held in Melbourne. The department won national awards in two separate categories, and I congratulate them on this achievement.
First, the Department of Resources’ Aquatic Biosecurity Group, led by Ms Helen Cribb, was the recipient of the Environment Award through the delivery of their aquatic biosecurity program. This program, delivered by her team, helps to protect the Northern Territory’s valuable aquatic resources, habitats and fishing and aquaculture industries from introduced aquatic pests. The Aquatic Biosecurity Program was established following recognition of the vulnerability of the Territory’s waterways to invasion by exotic species, as highlighted by the incursion of the black striped mussel in Darwin marinas. Territorians will remember the confirmation of black striped mussel in Cullen Bay on 1 April - a day renowned for practical jokes. In seeking to guard against another incident of this nature, and to protect our pristine environment, an Aquatic Biosecurity Group has been established, and this award recognises the good work they do.
Second, the department’s Fisheries Indigenous Development Group, led by Robert (Bo) Carne, won the Training Award for their work in delivering certified training in fisheries compliance to the Northern Territory’s Indigenous marine rangers. The delivery of the course was assisted by both the Police Marine Fisheries Enforcement Section and Charles Darwin University. Marine rangers play a vital role as the eyes and ears of the Territory’s remote coastline, and undertake various roles from research, marine pest surveillance, search and rescue, and fishery monitoring. This is a fantastic win for the staff of my department, who were up against a very strong field of contenders from around Australia.
Both Bo and Helen’s groups had previously taken out their respective categories in the Northern Territory’s Seafood Council in Darwin last year. The Northern Territory Seafood Council is gratefully acknowledged for the sponsorship provided to all Territory nominees to attend the national awards. These awards recognise the vital work undertaken by NT Fisheries staff; and it is great to see this work has been acknowledged on the national stage.
I will speak about three employees in my department who have now retired.
Ms Pauline Evans retired on 26 February 2010 after nearly 30 years of service. Pauline commenced work as a Registered Nurse in 1980. She worked at the Tennant Creek Hospital until 1993, when she took study leave and worked in a number of casual positions at Royal Darwin Hospital. In December 1993, Ms Evans transferred to Alice Springs Hospital, and in 1995 she took up a position to implement One Staff, the computerised nurse rostering system. In 1999, she won the position of Nursing Director Information Manager at Alice Springs Hospital. Ms Evans demonstrated an advanced level of specialist expertise in the area of information management in addition to sound management skills. She was especially valued for her good humour and commonsense approach to resolving even the most difficult issues.
I also congratulate Mrs Barbara Dhamany who retired on 19 April 2010 after 38 years of service as an Aboriginal Health Worker. Mrs Dhamany started work in 1972 as an Aboriginal Nursing Aid at Milingimbi. In 1973, she started as an Aboriginal Health Worker at Milingimbi Health Centre, participating in on-the-job training. She commenced basic skills training in 1974, and completed studies in 1975. In the 1990s, she went on to jointly manage the Milingimbi Community Health Centre in conjunction with the Remote Area Nurse. She completed further studies to obtain a Diploma in Health Science, and an Advanced Diploma in Health Science. In 2006, Mrs Dhamany received the Aboriginal Health Worker Award for Excellence, and an award as Aboriginal Health Worker Legend. She has been an important member of the Milingimbi Primary Health Care team, mentoring and supporting her colleagues on cultural safety and protocols. Her love of the work enabled her to fulfil the health needs of her people and contribute to improving Aboriginal health in general.
Ms Margaret Cooper is retiring today after more than 21 years with the Department of Health and Families. Ms Cooper commenced work in 1998 as a Registered Nurse in Tennant Creek. She moved to Katherine and worked tirelessly and professionally for 18 years in the Katherine Centre for Disease Control to provide tuberculosis control measures to the Katherine region. She has contributed to the fight against TB, and seen the fruits of her labour in reduced rates of TB in Katherine over the years. Margaret was also a contributor to the intense disaster response to the Katherine floods, and to local disease control preparedness for conditions such as SARS and, more recently, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic. Throughout her many years with the department, Margaret has provided excellent clinical service and follow-up, and has shown understanding towards her patients and their families.
Pauline, Barbara and Margaret, congratulations on your long careers in the Health department. You have my sincere appreciation for the fantastic work you have done for the Territory community.
Mrs AAGAARD (Nightcliff): Madam Deputy Speaker, tonight I pay tribute to the life of the late Greg Jarvis, Darwin City Council Alderman and Nightcliff constituent, who died suddenly on 1 February 2010.
I was one of several hundred people who attended Greg’s funeral at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral where friends, family and associates travelled from near and far to pay tribute to his life. Greg, who was born in Bowral, NSW, had been a Territorian for the past 35 years, embracing the opportunities and challenges that can be found only in this unique part of Australia.
He is well remembered for his role as a teacher and principal, particularly at Alyangula, Milingimbi, Maningrida, Malak and Moulden Park. Friend and former teaching colleague, Wendy Jordan, told mourners at Greg’s funeral, as Principal of Moulden Primary School, his aim was to earn a reputation for the school as ‘Golden Moulden, the school of happy children’. Ms Jordan said Greg’s positive attitude and unshakable belief in the qualities and abilities of both the staff and students to achieve was integral to the school achieving this goal.
Another speaker, Roslyn Djuwandaynu Wununmurra from Milingimbi spoke of the respect Greg had for all people regardless of their background. Rapid Creek teenager, Max Stretton, recalled his interactions with Greg on the soccer field, and Greg’s ability to inspire young players to great achievements while ensuring they were safe, happy and having fun.
After his retirement from teaching in 2006, Greg worked in my Nightcliff electorate office as a relief officer a couple of times while he explored new opportunities available to him without the constraints of full-time work. He found and embraced those opportunities which came in the form of the Australian Principals Association’s Dare to Lead program, and community work with organisations such as the Melaleuca Refugee Centre.
In 2008, he extended his commitments further with his successful candidacy for the Chan Ward on Darwin City Council. It is pleasing to know Greg’s work towards acknowledgement of the Larrakia people at the beginning of each council meeting was achieved the week before he died.
I extend my deepest sympathy to Greg’s wife, Trish Joy, and his daughter, Thea, on their very sad loss. They may take comfort in the words Greg wrote in 1972:
Tonight I also make special mention of the late Glenda Liddle, a Rapid Creek constituent who lived life quietly and unobtrusively, but who had a deep and lasting impact on the lives she touched. Glenda passed away on 30 November 2009 at the age of 68, after a long fight with ovarian cancer. Glenda’s daughter, Samantha Sabaratnam, described her mother as a truly positive person with a wonderful sense of humour who lived in and enjoyed every moment; a woman who loved connecting with other people, but who had an innate understanding of boundaries which she never encroached.
Glenda spent many years working at the Catholic Diocesan offices, which is where I first had connection with Glenda. She was the person working directly with Bishop Ted Collins and Fr Tim Brennan, and she was always a delight to have contact with. Fr Brennan, unfortunately, could not be at the funeral at St Paul’s Catholic Church; however, he sent a most beautiful eulogy which was read by Fr Vince Carroll, the priest at St Paul’s Catholic Church. Fr Brennan said how grateful he was for the time with Glenda at the Diocesan office after Glenda had been lured from the Nightcliff Parish office. Fr Brennan aptly described Glenda as warm, compassionate, generous and competent, as well as being fun to work with and a great conversationalist.
Glenda grew up in Melbourne and worked for several years on former Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen’s staff when Sir Zelman was Dean of the Law Faculty at Melbourne University. Later she embarked on an adventurous stint as a public service secretary in Papua New Guinea, which is where she met her husband, Peter.
Fr Brennan described Glenda as a great student of life. She also loved learning and, amongst other things, studied Canon Law to enable her to play a part in the Catholic Marriage Tribunal where her warmth, caring, astuteness, insightfulness and discretion were invaluable.
Glenda’s greatest love was for her family - husband Peter, daughters Vanessa, Geraldine and Samantha, and her grandchildren. She showed her feisty spirit and optimism when faced with cancer, gaining extra years amongst her loved ones. Glenda Liddle will be much missed by all who knew her, especially her beloved family through whom her spirit will live on.
I will finish with a poem written by Glenda which was handed out to those of us who attended her beautiful funeral at St Paul’s Catholic Church:
Vale, Glenda Liddle.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to talk this evening about my visit to the Tiwi Islands, and to acknowledge the traditional owners on the Tiwi, Robert Tipungwuti and Walter and Cyril.
I had the pleasure of being at the full Tiwi Land Council on Friday and was amazed at what these guys are doing. They brought young people to the full Tiwi Land Council and introduced these young people to how the Tiwi Land Council works, and the economic opportunities they have on the island.
I want to take a moment in this House to talk about the Tiwi people; and the fact that they lead. When you compare the things they do on the Tiwi Islands with any remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, I believe they lead and set a very good example to all our remote Aboriginal communities with the economic opportunities they have on the communities, and their nous in talking about economic opportunities for their people, and the dreams these old people have.
The dream to make their community go forward with economic opportunities, with leasing on their land - they were the first community to accept community leasing, and the first community to purchase their own homes on the Tiwi Islands. As a matter of fact, when I was there the first SIHIP house of 15 was handed over to the first owners on the Tiwi Islands. It is an amazing thing to see all this revolutionary, economic opportunity and scope and dream and hope coming out of traditional Yolngu Tiwi people.
They have the college at Pickertaramoor; they have the dream to further the education of Tiwi children which is absolutely fantastic. The college will be officially opened by the Governor-General next weekend, and I hope members of the Northern Territory government are there to acknowledge to the Tiwi people we do believe in education for Indigenous people. It would be nice to see someone there. I believe you have to put your political dislike for the Tiwi people aside and acknowledge these people for their aspirations, their dreams and the hope they have for Tiwi people. They are trying to educate their children; they were the first community to do leasing, the first people to buy their own homes, and they are people giving real hope and aspiration to young leaders, future Tiwis, to take over the Tiwi Land Council, to have that economic dream. Often at the meeting at Pickertaramoor the old people got up, Walter, Cyril, Robert, and said to the young people: you must never be afraid to challenge whitefellas, to challenge governments. You need to make sure your aspirations and dreams are what governments look at.
I believe it is a great opportunity to use these people as an example to all other Territorians in remote Aboriginal communities and say to these other people: If the Tiwi can do it, we can do it.
I would like to place that on record and thank, from the bottom of my heart, the Tiwi Land Council and all the Tiwi elders for having that dream, for having that hope and for having that vision. One of the things I would say is: do not stop dreaming. Do not stop having that hope and do not stop having that vision because that vision, hope and dream is what will drive the Tiwi to eventually, one day, be economically sustainable with their own income, without going cap in hand to governments that despise them for facing the real challenges, trying to challenge government about real economic opportunities; trying to challenge governments about real education.
I would say: do not stop dreaming; do not stop having that vision. Continue to push your children just as you are doing now, to take over the reins from the elders who have led that community to all these positive outcomes.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, I gladly reflect on the weekend just passed in Katherine, in particular, the Katherine Country Music Muster. As usual, it was a terrific event; three days of quintessential country music, and the quality of the artists who came along to the event this year was nothing short of outstanding. The event started on Friday, 30 April, in the afternoon.
The first part of the Music Muster program for the weekend was ‘The Territory Showcase’: a group of homegrown, Territory country music people who came along to perform. I have heard some of these artists play before, and it is terrific to see we have so much musical talent in the Northern Territory. I do not say that lightly, because when you listen you can hear the depth and quality of their music and their singing.
I acknowledge - and I will do this throughout my debate tonight - those who performed, and the people who are big supporters of the Country Music Muster.
The Territory Showcase performers on the night were: a band called Dusty Tracks; Markus Bader; Yuliana Pascoe; Kate Oliver - a local Katherine girl and a fantastic singer; Lee Hubble, also known as ‘The General’; The Bone Collectors, and Marisa Quigley.
Ms Scrymgour: The local member did not sing?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: No. If I could pick up on the interjection from the member for Arafura - country music is not my forte. You never know what you may see throughout the year, however.
Saturday was also an enormous day in Katherine. It started out with the markets in Ryan Park on Saturday morning - great turnout - the best weekend the markets have had. The market has been growing slowly since its inception a little over a year ago. We had 26 stalls this weekend, which is fantastic, because these stalls are now becoming sustainable, and in the Dry Season it will be terrific to see that continue. At the markets was the display of ‘Beaut Utes’. We had a muster of utes, and it was good to see the young fellows putting effort …
Mr Bohlin: And lasses.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: … and lasses, indeed – putting effort and money into hotting up their utes. Some of them were absolutely fantastic.
We then had the cavalcade which went up and down the main street; a collection of the utes, people on horseback, trucks, and the firies did a display as well. The only thing missing was a road train full of cattle; that always adds a little atmosphere to the main street of Katherine. There was a lull in proceedings until the afternoon, and at 3 pm there was a line dancing workshop - I did not get along to the line dancing; again, probably not one of my fortes.
That evening saw the main performance of the weekend. Some the performers who came along were: Keith Jamieson, Daly Stephenson, and Jay Messenger. There was a national song writing competition. Glenys Rae and her Tamworth Playboys also performed on the night, as did Tracey Killeen, Texas Rose, and also Chucks Wagon. At this point I would like to thank the MC for the night, Peter Izod, from Tamworth in New South Wales. He has been around the country music industry for a very long time, and he had nothing but praise for the Katherine Country Music Muster. It impressed him to see a small country town turn out an event of that nature, and be able to put on such talent.
Sunday, the third day, was a family day, and finished with a concert in the evening with The Honky Tonk Angels. Unfortunately, I was out of town on Sunday afternoon, but I would love to have seen Donnella Plane and Amber Joy Poulton performing as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lyn and Patsy Cline. I believe they would have given the original artists a run for their money.
It takes an enormous amount of money, time and effort to put together an event such as the Katherine Country Music Muster - which really was huge – and I acknowledge tonight many of the supporters and sponsors of the event. Thanks to: Southern Cross Television, XXXX Gold, CAAMA Radio, Katherine Toyota, Katherine Times, Katherine Research Station, Mac’s Hire Services, Tourism NT, Transpacific Cleanaway, Regional Territory News, Katherine Community Markets, Katherine Police, Johnny’s Electrics, Top End Mustangs, St Andrew’s Serviced Apartments, Paraway Motel, Willem Westra van Holthe MLA, Bendigo Community Bank, ABC radio, Katherine Community Radio, Katherine Country Club, Katherine Town Council, Katherine Visitor Information Centre, Katherine Crash Repairs, On-Site Refrigeration, Canning Industries Pty Ltd, Power and Water, Trash & Treasure Market Nortonville, Katherine Art Gallery, Katherine Museum & Historical Society, Katherine Sports and Recreation Club, Shady Lane Tourist Park, IBW Crane Hire, D & A Walsh, Edith River Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, Katherine Volunteer Fire Brigade, DJ Hogan Electrical Contractors, Downes Graderway, Hardt Transport, Custom Cabinet’s, Fe’s Variety, Rotary Katherine, Brumby’s Bakery, Jones Meat Mart, Reg Poole, Repco Auto Parts, Top News, and You’re Kidding.
It took a long time to read the list of supporters and sponsors for the Music Muster; it really shows how interested the Katherine community is in this event. To put together a list of sponsors and supporters that long is an outstanding achievement.
That comes back to the organising committee, and I am going to pay a special tribute to those people too. These guys worked for months and months on end, are all volunteers - there are no paid positions; they do this work outside their normal day jobs.
I acknowledge the President of the Katherine Country Music Muster Association, which has been alive now for 11 years - this is the eleventh Country Music Muster in Katherine: President, Kerry Watkins; Vice President, Melanie Reichlmeier; Treasurer, Shirley Canning; Secretary, Katrina Anlezark. Other committee members: Katie Oliver, Sue Moran, Meg Greitz, Lindy Lou Smith, Debbie Smith, Cheryl and Max Holt. There are many others volunteers and supporters, and I want to mention Brian Canning and Donny Walsh, who did much of the heavy lifting work. They had to organise hay bales, the stage, and the heavy infrastructure around the Music Muster. It was fantastic to see them put it together.
The last thing I want to say in relation to the Music Muster is this event is very expensive to run; it costs somewhere in the vicinity of $65 000 just to bring the artists to Katherine. All this money is raised through community sponsorships and donations; and much of the labour is donated by people on the ground. I would like to believe, and I am going to say this in the nicest possible way: for an event of this nature and this size which promotes Katherine as a destination, and as a significant contributor to the economy of Katherine and the Northern Territory, and also the musical and artistic pursuits of the region, the Northern Territory government might like to consider coming on board to sponsor and support the Music Muster in a financial way. There were no applications for a grant on this occasion; however, I would like to believe this event might make it onto the government’s radar as one which needs to be included in the regional events calendar to attract the sort of financial support it deserves.
The people on this committee worked very, very hard and deserve some recognition and support from the Northern Territory government.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr BOHLIN (Drysdale): Madam Deputy Speaker, today I wish to talk on two things. First, an event I attended on Wednesday, 14 April, in Darwin at the Novotel Atrium - the 2010 finalists and announcement of the Barnardos Mother of the Year Awards. Barnardos is an organisation which believes in children; it revolves around the family structure and supports many children throughout Australia.
I, with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Terry Mills MLA, and some other dignitaries attended. The most important dignitaries of the day happened to be three lovely ladies, and the reason they were there was because they are all mothers of special notoriety and, as we know, our mums are very special to us all. I can guarantee you, my mother is fantastic. She was, without a doubt, a big influence in my life as I grew up, through my teenage years, and until I was shuffled off into the Army to learn a trade. It is my mum we telephone and, with Mother’s Day coming up, I believe it is very important we do not forget our mums.
My mother, Dorothy Rae Bohlin, is definitely a special lady to me, and I know my daughter’s mother is special to her. We all have that special lady in our lives and this happens to be one way they can be recognised; and Barnardos really put in a great effort - they put on a fantastic show, in fact.
These three ladies were the finalists for the Northern Territory, and the winner will be our representative in the national finals - and she may well win. I will quickly run through the three ladies’ names, and will then table the document because it will take too long to read.
The first lovely lady is Ann Fleming of Ludmilla. She was nominated by her daughter, Olivia Fleming. The top tip from Ann was: Mum always says to think of others.
The second lovely lady is Michelle Ormsby of Moulden, nominated by her son, James Roberts. Her top tip: just try it - what do you have to lose?
The third lovely mother is Monika Schaefe of Moulden, nominated, by her daughter, Sherrona Schaefe. Her top tip: love and forgive your enemies because life is too short for hatred and bitterness.
I am very pleased to announce to the House, Monika Schaefe was our winner for the Northern Territory’s 2010 Mother of the Year.
A member: Hear, hear!
Mr BOHLIN: Hear, hear, indeed. Monika has had a very hard life, and has helped out many children in Palmerston and beyond. She has many great stories to tell, some of them not enjoyable. She has certainly put in everything for her children, and there were many of her children present at the ceremony. There were children of all ages and, I must say, there were many tears; in fact, there were many tears from all people present. Whether it was their mother who had won or not, it was an emotional time.
Something quite striking were the men who spoke, including the Lord Mayor of Darwin, Graeme Sawyer, and Mr Terry Mills; you could hear a crackle in their voices when they spoke of the importance of their mothers; and it shows men are really affected by their mothers. I know women are just as affected by their mothers; they shape our lives, and I know Monika has shaped many lives.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to table this document.
Leave granted.
Mr BOHLIN: That can be read from here onwards. There is a short description of each mother, which does not go fully into explaining who they are but is a good start. It is fantastic to think Monika will represent not only mothers of the Northern Territory, but the mothers of Palmerston, at our national level.
On Friday before Anzac Day, Palmerston High School had a very efficient, very sombre ceremony conducted by the school, with a very high level of respect. It is something I felt deserved to be mentioned in this House because the quality of the service was equal to any I have seen for a long time.
The introduction was done by one of the great teachers there, Ms Gillian Furness. The school had a catafalque party formed by cadets who are Palmerston High School students. Their Guard Commander was John Pedersen, and the names of the guards in that catafalque party were: Natalia Talbot, Sarah Dunleavy-Gilmore, Nadine Talbot, and Courtney Hall; and the Flag Guard was Richard Farrall.
After the guard was mounted there was an address by Darryl Salathiel, Secretary of the Palmerston RSL. This led to the placing of wreaths and books.
Three elements of the school were represented here: Air Force Cadets from Palmerston High School, whose wreath was presented by Nicholas Drake and Logan Devine; Palmerston High School Student Representative Council, whose wreath was presented by Tegan Gusling and Georgina Snijders; and Palmerston High School Special Education Students, whose wreath was presented by Brandon Edwards and Dion Carthew. Guests were then asked to lay a wreath.
The Ode of Remembrance was read by a lovely lady who, in my time as the member for Drysdale, I have met many times. She always has a great smile, and is Captain of the Palmerston High School’s Student Representative Council, Jessica Butler. I spoke to Jessica’s father, who is a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Australian Army, and he was extremely proud of his daughter and the fact she was speaking on this special day; and rightly so. He was dressed in his parade uniform, and I thank the Defence Force for giving him that extra time to spend with his daughter, because many of our service personnel do not get that time. He was so proud to watch his daughter read out the Ode.
The last post was played by Warrant Officer Class 2, Geoff Carter, who is also an Alderman of Palmerston City Council. Geoff always does a fantastic job.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr BOHLIN: Shortly after, the ceremony was wrapped up by Gillian Furness; and it was a fantastic event. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries were there. The students represented themselves with great dignity, should be proud of their behaviour, and the way they conducted a fantastic service to remember those who have fallen. I have already spoken about Anzac Day; this was the lead up to it. They did themselves proud, they did Palmerston proud, and they did many schools in the Northern Territory proud with the high calibre of this event.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Madam Deputy Speaker, I advise members of a project which is being launched by the Chief Minister and me through schools and school communities in the Northern Territory. This project is called Schools - Our Community Heart.
In the Territory’s remote communities and the towns and suburbs of our city, schools are the glue that binds people together and helps shape a strong sense of local identity. Schools are also important community assets; they have equipment and facilities which can be used to assist in the lifelong learning of the whole community. There are more community groups using schools as places to meet and, in some remote communities, schools are considering plans to teach language and culture after school hours.
The government wants to identify ways in which schools can become even more part of their local areas. That is why we are launching this project, Schools - Our Community Heart. This project is seeking community feedback about the role schools can play after hours in the community, including everything from the use of facilities through to possible after hour’s adult education and training, and more community programs.
A letter is being forwarded tomorrow from the Chief Minister and me to all principals, teachers and school council members and, through them, to parents, advising of the government’s intention to launch this project. A discussion paper on options will follow this letter in the near future. We will be asking people for their input, and respond to the level of involvement each community wants. The government does not intend to impose matters on schools, but we want to work with schools and the community to open up these vital community assets to greater community use. Programs and proposed activities should not have a significant impact on staffing resources at the schools. Schools are already well patronised by the community, but there has not been a formal policy in place to do this in a wide and organised way; and I look forward to hearing from schools.
This is another example of this government’s commitment to improving education outcomes for the broader community, as well as our students. Community engagement is an important part of our Smart Territory strategy to boost education outcomes. This government has a real education policy and plan to help our students achieve, in stark contrast to the CLP’s flimsy education policy and their failure to enter into a constructive and honest debate about improving education in our school communities.
As a local member, and now as Education minister, I value the opportunity to attend school council meetings; I take great interest in these meetings. It was of great concern to me to learn that only last month the member for Sanderson gave a school council totally incorrect and untrue information about the school-based constable program. We all know he has been spreading rumours for a long time in the community about the school-based constable program being axed. That was about 10 years ago; and it is still there.
However, on 13 April, the member for Sanderson took it to a new level at the Sanderson Middle School Council meeting. I am taking this straight from the minutes of the meeting:
Madam Deputy Speaker, I table the minutes of the school council meeting which will clearly show this quote to be correct. The draft minutes then state he:
Member for Sanderson, that will not be necessary because there is no intention by the government to remove school-based constables at this school or, for that matter, school nurses. Your assertions are untrue.
I am disgusted by the actions of the member for Sanderson and his rumourmongering amongst the Sanderson Middle School community. It is likely he has been doing this at other schools as well.
Member for Sanderson, I have discussed your allegation with both the Police minister and the Health minister, who both inform me there is absolutely no intention to remove school-based constables or school nurses from the school. Moreover, both ministers have discussed these allegations with their CEOs who have confirmed these rumours are untrue. Indeed, I am informed the new Police Commissioner, John McRoberts, is so incensed by the mischievous, incorrect, and misleading statements given to the school council, he will be writing to the school and school-based constables to set the record straight.
The fact is school-based constables will continue to work in and with schools, as will nurses. They play an important role in supporting our students and their families. I have been advised the role of school-based constables will be beefed up and made more effective by changing their reporting structure. School-based constables will be required to report to their local area officer-in-charge, putting them in the front line of policing in their community, and feeding into local intelligence.
The member for Sanderson should contact Sanderson Middle School Council to retract his mischievous statements and misinformation. The member for Sanderson has been caught out for politically-motivated rumourmongering, and needs to make amends to the school, and should also apologise for verballing the Commissioner of Police. He should focus his efforts on working towards solutions to improve our schools, rather than creeping around spreading mistruths for his own political gain.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR
Message No 18
Message No 18
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I table Message No 18 recommending to the Legislative Assembly a bill for and act authorising the issuing and expending of public monies in the Territory in respect of the year ending 30 June 2011.
MOTION
Presentation of Budget Speech by Treasurer
Presentation of Budget Speech by Treasurer
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move - That the routine of business of the Assembly, Government Business, Notices and Orders of the Day be rearranged or suspended if a question or debate is before the Chair so as to permit the Treasurer to deliver Budget 2010-11 at 11 am this day.
Motion agreed to.
MOTION
Budget Speech - Response by
Opposition Leader
Budget Speech - Response by
Opposition Leader
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move - That the routine of business of the Assembly, Government Business, Notice and Orders of the Day be rearranged or suspended if a question or debate is before the Chair so as to permit a response to Budget 2010-11 by the Leader of the Opposition at 11 am on Wednesday, 5 March 2010.
Motion agreed to.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Budget Speech 2010-11
Budget Speech 2010-11
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise, therefore, that at 11 am during Government Business, I will call on the Treasurer to deliver the budget. The member speaking at the time will be asked to continue their remarks after Question Time.
PETITION
Development Application Wooliana Road,
Daly River
Development Application Wooliana Road,
Daly River
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, I present a petition from 137 petitioners praying for the second development application for the Woolianna Road, Daly River be rejected. The petition bears the Clerk’s certificate that it conforms to the requirements of standing orders. Madam Speaker, I move that the petition be read.
Motion agreed to; petition read:
- To the honourable Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory,
We the undersigned respectfully showeth concerns relating to the second development application lodged for the NT portion 21812/401 Woolianna Road, Daly River, and NT portion 2813/377 Woolianna Road, Daly River of 72 units. Reduction of eight units does not resolve potential problems with 300 people in a small area, adverse affects to the environment, local residents, health, policing, emergency service, schools, sewerage and roads. This will have a serious detrimental effect on over burdening the current infrastructure of the Daly River.
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that any development of this size should only be considered for the proposed town site area with appropriate provision of supporting infrastructure.
And your petitioners as in duty bound ever pray.
HEALTH PRACTITIONER (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION)
IMPLEMENTATION BILL
(Serial 93)
Continued from 24 February 2010.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, the opposition will support this bill that facilitates changes to the Territory Health Practitioners Act and other Territory legislation to allow the enactment of national registration for health practitioners.
The bill also introduces provisions, as we know, for a Pharmacy Premises Committee. This committee is being created to manage and regulate pharmacy business operations, a function of the current Pharmacy Board, as the Territory Pharmacy Board will be defunct from 1 July 2010. The industry has lobbied that the management and regulation of pharmacy premises be continued under Territory control, rather than disappearing. The committee is made up of members appointed by the minister, and is responsible for matters relating to Schedule 8 of the Health Practitioners Act.
One of the other changes this bill introduces is the creation of a board for professional regulation for radiographers, under the Health Practitioners Act. Radiographers currently sit under the Radiographers Act, and their status was reviewed through legislation in April 2009, which was passed in October 2009, with the introduction of the Radiation Protection and Radiographers Bill 2009 (Serial 36). This reversed the 2004 bill that disbanded the board and placed the responsibility for the profession with the Chief Medical Officer.
Medical radiographer practitioners were only accepted into the national scheme on 8 May 2009 after the Radiation Protection and Radiographers Bill had been introduced into Territory parliament. It is my understanding the department decided it was simpler to continue with the creation of the board under the Radiographers Act. The nature of the Health Practitioner Act makes the provisions for radiographers more comprehensive than those introduced in 2009. The difference relating specifically to radiographers is that now physiotherapists, acting under instruction form a GP, are allowed to use ultrasonic equipment to treat a patient.
These inclusions are all supported by the opposition.
Dr BURNS (Education and Training): Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure today to speak on this bill as a registered health professional in the Northern Territory, and someone who has been registered in four jurisdictions in Australia as a pharmacist. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to move from one jurisdiction to another. In many cases you had to start, not from the bottom, but there was a great deal of work and expense involved in registering in another jurisdiction. I believe, as part of the National Health Work Force reform which is going on at present, this national unified registration system across Australia for a whole range of health professionals is a step in the right direction. I know it will be welcomed by all health professionals.
I know the AMA has had questions and queries about some elements of the reform, but there has been a long process of negotiation. What is proposed and what is coming into force is not everything the AMA would want, but it makes it easier for national registration of health professionals; I believe it should go a long way to actually achieving a simplified system and allow the Northern Territory to attract more health professionals in a range of professions.
I do commend the act, and I commend the minister for the hard work he has done in relation to this reform.
I would like to go into some detail now of this particular bill, which is certainly implementing the transitional provisions and consequential amendments to other Northern Territory legislation. The original tranche of legislation was passed by the Queensland parliament and, I understand, Western Australia did have some questions and issues in relation to the national registration; however, as I understand it, those questions and issues are in the process of being resolved. So, I do commend the Western Australian government for continuing to negotiate and recognising the importance of a national registration scheme.
The aim of this bill is to amend the Health Practitioners Act to remove reference to nine health professions which will be amalgamated into the national scheme from 1 July this year. These professions are: medical; nursing and midwifery; pharmacy; physiotherapy; dental; psychology; optometry; osteopathy; and chiropractic practitioners. Podiatry is not registered in the Northern Territory as we have very few podiatrists here, but it will be included in the national scheme from 1 July 2010.
If I could commend the work of podiatrists in the Northern Territory; there are not many of them, but the job they have to do is immense given the prevalence of diabetes within our community. Foot care is of vital importance for people with diabetes, particularly in a tropical climate; so podiatrists do a fantastic job.
The bill will also add radiographers to the remaining two professions covered by the Northern Territory’s Health Practitioners Act by repealing the Northern Territory Radiographers Act. The other professions are occupational therapy and Aboriginal health workers. These professions are partially regulated; that is, they are not registered in all states and territories.
Once again, I commend the work of occupational therapists in the Northern Territory; they do have very difficult terrain and very difficult issues to deal with, particularly in remote areas. Of course, the Northern Territory has led the way in Aboriginal health workers being a registered health profession. I do commend the work of Dr Didi Devanesen, who is a pioneer in this area. He did it with energy, much spirit, and is very well respected amongst Indigenous people and Indigenous health workers across the Territory. So, a great vote of thanks to Dr Didi Devanesen.
This was something pioneered under a CLP government, and was a very good step and is something this government wants to build on to value our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. They form a very critical part of our health workforce, particularly in remote health centres.
While we wait for the rest of the country to catch up to us, those professions will remain a part of the Health Practitioners Act. They will move over to the national scheme on 1 July 2012 and, from that date, the Territory will no longer be responsible for the regulation of the health professionals I have mentioned.
There have been a few hiccups in getting the national legislation through. While Western Australia has always agreed the national scheme is important and wanted to be part of it, they also recognised this would require they develop their own legislation to mirror the national legislation. I am pleased to say Western Australia is now developing its own legislation which will allow them to be part of the national scheme. Western Australia also had some concerns around the control of training accreditation standards. These concerns have been addressed and amendments made which maintain safety and quality as a priority.
Moving those professions to a national scheme will enable the Northern Territory to apply a national registration and accreditation scheme for health professions. It will also allow the Northern Territory to meet its obligation under the National Partnership Agreement to deliver a seamless national economy. Changes to the legislation came about as a result of a Productivity Commission recommendation to address workforce shortages to stop duplication and red tape, and to increase the ability to deliver services in a more flexible way.
The main objective of the national scheme is to regulate health practitioners with a view to providing more safeguards and protection to the public. A national scheme will ensure health practitioners barred from practising in one state or territory cannot slip under the radar and begin practising in another. On the flipside, a national scheme will allow registered health practitioners to work across borders more easily. This is especially important in the Northern Territory where we have a shortage of many health professionals, and getting locums or specialists has often proved difficult.
National registration also means health professionals coming to work in the Territory will no longer have to pay fees or go through the registration process if they are nationally registered. As we all know, we have trouble attracting health professionals to the Northern Territory, so anything which makes it easier for them to deliver health services here is very welcome.
Nurse practitioners will be covered under the transition. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education, generally a master’s degree, as well as training in the diagnosis and management of common, as well as some complex medical conditions. Currently, the Territory has one nurse practitioner for wound care at Royal Darwin Hospital who has formulary of drugs so she can prescribe, approved by the Chief Health Officer. It is very important, if a nurse practitioner is qualified, they have their own set of drugs or a formulary they can prescribe from, rather than having to go through a doctor. It is recognition of their skill and experience that they have been allocated a formulary of drugs by the Chief Health Officer.
Currently, the Health department has seven nurse practitioner candidates and three nurse practitioners. By 2011 there should be another 11 nurse practitioner candidates in training. Changes to Medicare were passed in the Senate in March this year allowing nurse practitioners to prescribe and charge Medicare fees. That is a very important aspect in the Northern Territory because for decade upon decade it was nurses, particularly in remote areas, who actually bore the major burden of delivering health services in remote areas; and there are some very skilled nurses with long commitment to specific communities. I can think of Sister Hellen Matthews of Maningrida. On and off Hellen would have been there for 30 years; very experienced in all facets of nursing; great support to the health workers and, on occasions, someone who could advise the doctors very strongly about treatments and protocols for treating Indigenous patients.
These people are very valuable and we need to recognise their skill and experience, not only in their pay but also in what they can prescribe for patients. So, there is a continuing role for nurses. Often doctors go to remote communities and live there for some time however, in the longer term, it is the nurses who provide the continuity of service in remote areas, and they are a very important part of our health system.
As a registered pharmacist I was very interested to see pharmacy standards, in particular the ownership and regulation of pharmacy premises, move from the Health Practitioners Act into this new bill. This move ensures pharmacy services, and the dispensing of certain classes of medicine, remain in a regulated premises. This will ensure pharmacies remain an important and accurate source of health information in our communities.
If I could digress here: there is certainly a push by major supermarkets to absorb pharmacy within their operations. I believe services should be offered where necessary and if it with these major retailers fair enough, however I do not want to see a dilution of pharmacy services by so doing. This is a government that stood up for pharmacy ownership of premise, and it has been something of a national battle, and remains a national battle. I believe community pharmacy has proven itself, over decades, to provide a wonderful service to our Australian population. It has been the subject of a number of regulations, endures as a trusted source of health information, and pharmacists are amongst the most trusted people in our society. When you become a politician you go through an overnight transformation - suddenly you become a politician and the world changes.
I commend the work pharmacists do across Australia, and in the Northern Territory. There are very interesting projects going on in the Northern Territory and we have our own pharmacy school at Charles Darwin University, which is a wonderful step forward.
Returning to the bill, it establishes an independent committee to replace the functions of the Northern Territory Pharmacy Board in relation to the standards and control of pharmacy premises and ownership. It is a move that has delighted chemists and pharmacists in the Territory. Over the next two years the role of this committee will be reviewed to ensure best practice. This government is very committed to maintaining and improving the standards for our health professionals, and we are just as committed to ensuring the delivery of high quality health services that protect all Territorians.
The introduction of the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill brings the Territory in line with the rest of the country. It provides greater safeguards for Territorians, and it will mean a more flexible and responsive health force.
I commend this bill to the House.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I support of the Health Practitioners Bill. I believe it is worth putting on record the good work the previous member for Greatorex did in trying to introduce nurse practitioners to the Northern Territory. He introduced a private member’s bill but, unfortunately, resigned from the Legislative Assembly and that legislation was never debated. He would be glad to see this change.
My concern today is the people who are not in this bill; I specifically refer to physiotherapists. I have been approached by a practising physiotherapist who is concerned their association has not been recognised in this particular bill.
In the second reading speech the minister says the national scheme will initially apply to 10 health professions, which are the nine health professions registered in every state and Territory: medical; nursing and midwifery; pharmacy; physiotherapy; dental, that is dentists, dental prosthetics, dental therapists and dental hygienists; psychology; optometry; osteopathy; chiropractic; and podiatry. That was the intention; the fact is physiotherapy has been left off this bill.
I quote from a statement made by the Australian Physiotherapy Association to highlight the fact they believed they were going to be in this bill originally. It is from a position statement in October 2009 where they said:
- Physiotherapy in Australia is a profession regulated in each state and territory. From July 2010, it is planned that the physiotherapy profession will be regulated through a new national scheme.
Obviously, they thought they would be registered. As things got closer there was a media release, again, from the Australian Physiotherapy Association which states:
- The Australian Physiotherapy Association launched a grassroots campaign today to ensure that specialist physiotherapists are registered under the new national registration scheme when it commences on 1 July this year.
APA President, Pat Maher, said ‘APA members have lost confidence in government assertions that national registration would result in improvements for them and their patients and that no profession would be worse off. They would be expressing that disappointment voraciously to state and federal health ministers in the coming weeks’.
‘A decision on specialist physiotherapists being included in the national registration scheme has been delayed by the state health ministers indefinitely. The scheme is due to commence in less than 12 weeks, and APA physiotherapists demand certainty. Practices need to be able to advertise if they have specialists, and patients and GPs need to be able to identify them’.
No convincing arguments have been put forward to the APA as to why the decision to nationally register specialist physiotherapists has not been made.
The minister’s second reading speech talked about the range of specialists in the dental area: dental prosthetics, dental therapists, and dental hygienists. If you look at physiotherapists - and I will name three clinical areas: musculoskeletal physiotherapy, generalist physiotherapists, and specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapists. You can even have specialist physiotherapists in rheumatology. Like other professions, there are specialist areas for people who practice physiotherapy.
I am interested to hear from the minister why this important part of our medical profession has not been included in this national scheme. Obviously, the APA believed it was going to be part of this scheme. Anybody who has involved themself in physical activity knows the importance of physiotherapists; anyone who sees the speed our football codes are carried out understands there is a great need for physiotherapists, and sports physiotherapists would be another area of expertise. They, basically, keep some of these teams running. I imagine many of these football clubs pay quite large sums of money to employ these specialists. Look at the money invested in football or other forms of physical activity throughout Australia. Whether it is basketball, soccer or whatever, physiotherapy is very much a core function of operating an elite sporting team.
I am interested to know why government ministers dealing with this National Health Practitioners’ Scheme, have not included physiotherapists. They would be listening to the reasons why and they, and I, encourage the government to reduce this delay; it appears it could be at least 12 months before anything is done, with no guarantee anything will happen. Physiotherapists are in a position of uncertainty. They believe specialists in their field should be recognised. I encourage governments, especially our minister, to work towards finding a solution to this issue.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, this bill is good news, particularly for those health practitioners who serve in the private sector. As the member for Johnston pointed out, jurisdictional boundaries have caused headaches in Australia for many years now - not just with health professionals, right across the board.
For some time we have gone through a process of having national standards put in place for a range of industries and sectors; this builds on that.
The member for Johnston made some very good points I believe, about pharmacists in particular, and how difficult it was for him as a young pharmacist to move around Australia having to comply with different sets of requirements in different states. The minister pointed out this is something he had striven for, for years; and I say well done.
Minister, you say pharmacists are held in esteem by the community and I have no doubt that is the case; we all find pharmacists extremely important people. One of the great bodies of people stopping the big supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths, putting in pharmacies was the Coalition. They prevented it, and it is good to see federal Labor on the same bed.
I suggest it is probably not because you became a politician that you fell from grace; more what you have done as a politician. It seems Labor members across the country have not done a particularly good job for constituents in Australia.
This bill gives the Labor party in the Northern Territory a great opportunity to sigh with relief and push another responsibility somewhere else. It is not that long ago we were made aware of the intern in Alice Springs operating without a practising certificate. I understand he treated some 400 patients over an eight month period before he was finally exposed, and I believe that shows a gaping hole in this government’s ability to regulate this industry.
For that reason, I believe this government will be dead keen when July 2012 comes - they can hand over responsibility for registrations to the National Health Practitioner Regulation Board. That will be a great day for this government because no longer will they have the onerous task of determining who has a practising certificate and who does not, because they have shown they cannot be trusted in ensuring people have practising certificates in this very important sector.
July 2012 will be a big time for this government; not only will they have handed over responsibility for this, but are quite prepared to hand over responsibility for health. That is another wonderful occasion because they have been exasperated for so long; they failed in health, they have run up the white flag. When the Prime Minister was talking about nationalising the health system recently he had not even put pen to paper with details of what that meant when this government was telling all and sundry they would be the first to sign on; obviously because they had realised managing the health system - they were not up to it, and had failed. Like a litany of other failures, this government has finally run up the white flag and admitted defeat, and are prepared to allow Kevin Rudd to take 30% of our GST - take our health system for a paltry 14 extra beds.
I believe their motivation for this bill is shameful. It is not about uniform laws around the country; this is another opportunity for this government to get another responsibility off its plate, a responsibility they have shown time and time again they are not up to meeting.
We, on this side of the House, support this bill for the right reasons; the right reasons being it will put in place a uniform system right across Australia. We are not supporting it for the wrong reason which is, as a government, we would not be up to the task of doing the job properly; and at which we have seen this current government fail miserably.
We will support the bill.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, somehow the second stage of Bill C was confused with Bill C Stage 1, which was introduced in February. Anyway, I accept the arguments.
I thank the member for Greatorex for his accurate comment; we might have our differences sometimes, but it was well read, well spoken and pointing exactly to what this bill is about.
This is the final stage of the Northern Territory’s bill C process to supporting the implementation of a national registration and accreditation scheme. I mention the accurate comments by the member for Greatorex because the member for Nelson made comments about physiotherapists; these are comments which should have been made on the introduction of Stage 1 in February rather than this bill. The introduction of the 10 professions incorporated in this bill was done in consultation with all states and the Commonwealth and, of course, everyone wants to be in national registration. It was decided only 10 professions would be initially included under this bill, and other professions would come in as time goes by.
I had the same lobbying by physiotherapists and a number of other professions however, the initial decision was 10 professions and then the others will come in as time goes by. I certainly advocate and support the inclusion of physiotherapists in the national registration scheme. This time I cannot do it because other states, such as South Australia and Western Australia, have not introduced their bills into parliament, and Tasmania went to an election. When it finally becomes a national bill, we can advocate and bring it to the Chief Ministerial Council for the inclusion of other professions, including physiotherapists.
This bill seeks to introduce transitional provisions and the necessary consequential amendments to Northern Territory legislation to ensure effective implementation of the national scheme. The bill in process is not seeking to introduce new regulatory provisions. It is based on maintaining current provision with minimum legislative change.
I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation, on behalf of the Northern Territory community, to the members of our Health Practitioners Board, which is soon to undergo enormous change with the commencement of the national scheme. The board could not operate without the participation of board members and their efforts in dealing with registration and accreditation matters. Some may have the opportunity to continue their involvement in regulation of professions under the national scheme, and I encourage them to do so if the opportunity arises.
Appreciation must also go to administrative support staff of the Health Professionals Licensing Authority, who are also about to undergo significant change to their work environment as a result of the national scheme.
This bill is not about governments giving away their rights and responsibilities to the Commonwealth, it is a genuine national scheme that streamlines processes. I listened to the member for Fong Lim speaking, and I have to say either he is ignorant or deliberately twists things, because it is not the Health department in the Northern Territory that registers doctors. It is not the Health department in the Northern Territory that approves doctors who come from another jurisdiction; that is the role of the Medical Practitioners Board, which is an independent board at arms length from the department and the minister, established under its own legislation. When a person comes to work in the Northern Territory they do not apply to the Health department or the Health minister for approval, but the Health Practitioners Board.
Despite the fact this fake document is still going through the process, he has gone to extreme lengths to fake documentation which was certified by a JP in another jurisdiction as genuine, and then this certification was presented to the medical board in the Northern Territory, and was accepted because it had had the stamp and signature of a Justice of the Peace from another jurisdiction. That doctor was detected by our people in the Health department …
Mr Elferink: It is never your fault, is it? It never has anything to do with you; it is always somebody else’s fault.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Port Darwin!
Mr VATSKALIS: …a member from our Health team at the Alice Springs Hospital realised the person was not who he pretended to be and he reported it, and that is how he was discovered.
No, it has nothing to do with the minister, member for Port Darwin, because if you had time to study the legislation you would find the minister does not approve people coming to work in the Territory. There is a board whose sole purpose is to approve or not approve people coming to work in the Northern Territory.
Despite your campaign about the Health department, despite your campaign about our health system, our health system is one of the best in the country. It is recognised by both Western Australia and South Australia, which is why we recently signed an agreement for the provision of renal dialysis services to their people in Central Australia. If the system was so bad, so corrupt, as you say, so bankrupt, who in their right mind would allow their people to be treated in Central Australia? This is a system which is so bad it has the highest number of beds per 100 000 people in Australia; the highest number of public beds in Australia - 3.6 beds per 100 000 people in the Northern Territory. This is a system which, since 2002, has an extra 127 hospital beds and 157 more doctors, and 588 more nurses. This is a system that is so bad Royal Darwin Hospital had 161% increase in funding, and the Alice Springs Hospital had a 140% increase in its budget. If our system is bad, you can imagine the state the CLP left it in for us to have to put so much money in to fix it.
I go back to the bill. Since the introduction of Stage 2 of the bill in February, we had further consultation with jurisdictions and the project team from the national scheme, and identified other transitional issues which need to be addressed. I would like to propose further amendments to this bill at the committee stage of proceedings, to ensure proper application of the legislation, and effective implementation of the national registration and accreditation scheme in the Northern Territory.
The national law establishes a role of National Health Practitioners Ombudsman, and National Health Practitioners Privacy Commissioner for the purpose of the national scheme. Establishment of these roles and application of standard provisions will ensure a consistent authority for dealing with relevant matters and application on national policy. Any new application or complaint made on or after 1 July 2010 will be dealt with under the national scheme legislation. However, transitional provisions are required to deal with applications, or complaints relating to freedom of information, privacy, the relevant tribunal, and matters dealt with by the Ombudsman which have been long-standing under Northern Territory legislation but are still pending as at 1 July 2010.
All jurisdictions are currently in the process of developing transitional provisions to clarify how applications or complaints, pending as at 1 July 2010, are to be completed. These transitional provisions will only deal with matters relating to professions transferring to the national scheme. The proposed amendments will provide that an application or complaint which has been commenced under Northern Territory legislation, but not been completed as at 1 July 2010, will be taken to its full conclusion, including a right of review or appeal, under the relevant Northern Territory legislation.
It is also proposed an administrator be given the power to make regulations to deal with transitional matters to ensure proper application of the Health Practitioner Regulation (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2010, and the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill 2010, and supporting implementation of the national scheme. It is proposed the regulations may operate retrospectively to the commencement date of the national scheme in the Northern Territory, provided its operation does not disadvantage a person in relation to decreasing their rights or imposing liabilities. The inclusion of the transitional provisions in this bill will mean all outstanding matters required to implement the national scheme in the Northern Territory will be dealt with through this bill C process.
The Department of Health and Families has consulted with Parliamentary Counsel, the Ombudsman, the Information Commission, the President of the Health Professional Review Tribunal, Director of Health Professionals Licensing Authority, Manager of the Department’s FOI and Privacy Unit, the Department of Justice, and the national project team in development of the proposed amendments. Every attempt has been made to establish comprehensive provisions in the Northern Territory legislation to adopt the national laws and implement the national scheme. This has been done within extremely tight time frames. The proposed amendments will ensure the Northern Territory has legislation in place which is comprehensive and can effectively deal with any unforeseen matters which arise after the national scheme commences on 1 July 2010.
Madam Speaker, I would like to go to the committee stage because I have an amendment.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Madam CHAIR: Honourable members, the committee has before it the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill 2010 (Serial 93), together with schedule of amendments No 36 circulated by the Minister for Health, Mr Vatskalis.
Clauses 1 to 16, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 17:
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Chair, I move amendment 36.1, that clause 17, proposed Part 12, be omitted and substituted with Parts 12 and 13 as presented in the amendment schedule before members.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Chair, we move that amendment be accepted.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 17, as amended, agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole, and agreed to.
Bill reported; report adopted.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MOTION
Note Paper – Northern Territory Government Response to the First Report of the
Council of Territory Cooperation
Note Paper – Northern Territory Government Response to the First Report of the
Council of Territory Cooperation
Continued from 29 April 2010.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to speak to the first report of the Council of Territory Cooperation. Up-front, my thanks to the council for the report tabled during the February sittings. The council is doing what we jointly, with the member for Nelson and by leave of this House, envisaged it was going to do - to open up the process of parliament and government to the broader community. That is what the council is doing. At all hearings there has been unprecedented input from the community into the deliberations of council in a full, frank, open, and transparent way. I commend the council for their first report to this parliament.
The council has consulted widely with the community at large through its public hearings in Darwin and major regional centres. The Council of Territory Cooperation has travelled more broadly in the Territory than many other parliamentary committees, and will continue to do so. During the period November to December 2009, in the preparation of its first report, the council heard from 63 witnesses and received 31 tabled papers as part of its hearings across the Territory.
At the outset, I gave a commitment my government will support the council in the performance of its role to examine government decision-making through open and transparent consultation; have input into the development, formulation and evolution of government policy; and the council will receive the full support of government departments and its public servants as part of this process.
The council’s scrutiny of the development and implementation of government policy will benefit the Territory and all Territorians by providing transparency and greater consultation and input into government’s thinking, policy planning and implementation. The council has got to the detail of a number of issues and the opportunity, outside of the Estimates Committee process, to discuss with public servants the implementation of policy, evolution of policy, and development of policy. This has really benefited not only the council, but the government in some of the recommendations in the report.
The council’s report contains 21 recommendations relating to SIHIP, Local Government Reform, A Working Future, and operations of the council itself. Government has carefully considered each recommendation contained in the report. I have instructed, through the head of the Department of Chief Minister, all the recommendations of the Council of Territory Cooperation go through a rigorous input and scrutiny of the public service in coming back to advise government with regard to the recommendations: what can be implemented, and if things cannot be implemented, why not. I start from the position of trying to make the recommendations of council become part of government’s policy however, if there are good reasons why we cannot, they will be articulated, and have been articulated, in our response tabled last week. The recommendations made by the council are consistent with the direction my government is taking to improve the living standards of Territorians in our rural and remote communities.
Our government tabled its response to the report in these sittings. It is not necessary for me to repeat these in detail, and members have had the opportunity to scrutinise government’s response. I am sure there will be debate of those responses. However, I would like to respond to some specific recommendations and comments made by the council in its report.
As honourable members would agree, closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage is the biggest issue facing the Territory today. SIHIP is the largest Indigenous housing program ever delivered in the Territory’s history. We are working in partnership with the Commonwealth government, and industry, to engage with Indigenous Territorians individually, and as a community, to ensure they receive quality housing to improve their standard of living, to make families healthier, strengthen communities, and provide greater economic and employment opportunities.
The council has visited a number of communities across the Territory where SIHIP is currently being rolled out. As Chief Minister, I have also visited a number of communities and it is great to see houses are now being built, being upgraded and renovated and, importantly, Indigenous Territorians are gaining employment on these programs.
I visited the Tiwi Islands recently with the federal Indigenous Affairs minister, and it was great to see the large numbers of Tiwi employed on building and upgrading houses. So beneficial is this program there is a waiting list of Tiwi people on the books of the joint venture with their hands up, waiting for work. As SIHIP ramps up during the Dry Season, the numbers of people employed, not only on the Tiwi Islands, on Groote Eylandt, and at Wadeye, will significantly increase, along with Gunbalanya and Maningrida, which are coming on stream later this year. It is fabulous to see Indigenous Territorians gainfully employed, enjoying the work they are doing, and making a very real difference in those communities across the Northern Territory. By the end of this year we will reach our target of 150 new houses and several thousand upgrades across the Northern Territory.
My government considers SIHIP an important first stage in addressing the current and longer term need for Indigenous housing in the Northern Territory. We recognise this need will not be fully met by SIHIP alone, which is why we, as a government, have signed up to the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Housing with the Commonwealth government. This will see $1.7bn invested in remote housing over the next 10 years; and there will be further announcements in the budget speech my colleague, the Treasurer, is about to deliver, of additional commitments by the Territory government towards that program.
Addressing the long-term nature of the enormous backlog in housing across the Territory, which previous Commonwealth and Territory governments did very little about for decades, is going to take a sustained effort over many years to really affect change and improve the social and economic outcomes for Indigenous Territorians. That journey has now fully commenced. As I travel around the Northern Territory into remote communities the program is very much welcomed, not only for the improved housing it is providing, but real job opportunities and the longer term business opportunities the scale of this investment will generate over the years.
Achieving these social and economic outcomes for Indigenous Territorians can only be achieved through a committed and shared partnership between the Territory government, the Commonwealth government and Indigenous Territorians. We are committed to that partnership and the task ahead of us.
Turning to the Council’s recommendations relating to local government reform and A Working Future: these are examples of the progressive nature of my government and our commitment to reform for the benefit of the Territory and all Territorians. Those reforms of establishing shires across the Northern Territory, and establishing A Working Future policy, are probably two of the most fundamental policy reforms undertaken by Territory governments for decades.
In the budget to be announced shortly by my colleague, the Treasurer, you will see the scale of commitment to these reforms we are implementing, and the structures to support ongoing, significant, future investment not only of A Working Future, but of local government reform delivering services to Territorians where Territorians live, within a cohesive policy framework, with real partnerships with the Commonwealth government and, most importantly, the single largest financial commitment ever by Commonwealth and Territory governments in supporting this reform agenda.
The structures are there, the dollars are flowing, and things are improving in the bush. We cannot wave a magic wand and transform things overnight; however the budget about to be handed down will see the size and scale of the commitment by this government, and the Commonwealth government, to reform flowing through this budget.
The reforms to local government were historically the most significant change to local government for the Territory’s rural and remote communities. Recognising our system of local government was - and that is an under statement - not operating as effectively as it could, having the previous Local Government minister saying virtually all the prior 70-odd community government councils were, essentially, dysfunctional, it took this government with a reform agenda to implement a new system of local government. It needed to be changed, it has been changed, and we are now building on that change.
Through our reforms we provided our regional and remote local governments with access to increased funding and expertise to improve infrastructure in roads, to secure better services and improve business and employment opportunities for Territorians in rural and remote communities. I returned on Sunday with my colleague, the Indigenous Policy minister, from Ngukurr. We were there with Michael Berto, the CE from the Roper Gulf Shire, and talked to a number of shire employees at Ngukurr. Things are changing out there for the better, and there is a significant degree of optimism for the reform agenda.
There are issues with reform programs of this size and scale. A number of those were identified in the report, and we will be addressing as many of those as we can.
In consultation with shires and municipal councils, my government has established formal processes for direct consultation with presidents and mayors. Local government regional management plans have also been developed in consultation with regional councils with input from shire councils, other levels of government, and the non-government sector.
My government continues to work collaboratively with local government and the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory to provide training for elected members of shires and municipal councils to improve their knowledge of the Local Government Act, and ensure they are aware of their governance obligations and fiduciary responsibilities.
The Department of Lands and Planning is conducting audits of roads within 50 km of growth towns, in addition to all roads on the Northern Territory Grants Commission database. Following the analysis of the audit, a submission will be developed in conjunction with the departments of Local Government and Housing, and Regional Services, Lands and Planning and Treasury in consultation with the Local Government Association to demonstrate the level of underfunding which exists under the Grants Commission methodology for Northern Territory roads, and to seek additional funding from the Australian government to address this shortfall. This has been a significant structural shortfall under the Grants Commission methodology which has existed for decades in the Northern Territory, precisely because until we implemented these reforms, vast areas of the Northern Territory were unincorporated so local government never had access to funding from the Commonwealth other states have for rural and remote roads.
The council also made a number of recommendations relating to the operations of the council, specifically: that government provides the council with a secretariat to assist the council in the performance of its role; reports of council must be provided promptly to government for immediate advice on action that will be taken in relation to a report; and government instructs its public servants to be forthcoming with information on all occasions when advising the council.
With the complexity of the issues being considered by the council and the long-term nature of the council’s role examining SIHIP, local government reform and A Working Future, it has been recognised there is a need for the commitment of additional resources to assist the council if it is to be effective. Accordingly, government has agreed to provide the council with a secretariat comprising a committee secretary, executive officer and an administration officer to assist in the performance of its functions.
The council’s terms of reference requires government to formally respond to a report of the council within three months from the date the report is received. Government provides its assurance it will respond in a timely manner to a report of the council, and within the time frame specified by the terms of reference.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, it now being 11 am, I ask that you to continue your remarks after Question Time.
Debate suspended.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Budget Speech - Media Arrangements
Budget Speech - Media Arrangements
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that I have given permission for various media to broadcast live, or rebroadcast with sound and vision, the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech, and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply: Territory FM to broadcast live the presentation of the budget and the Treasurer’s speech and the Leader of the Opposition’s reply; the Northern Territory News to take photographs.
The Assembly will resume after luncheon suspension today at 2.30 pm.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence of Ms Jennifer Prince, the Under-Treasurer, and the officers from Treasury. On behalf of honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, we also have other dignitaries with us. I draw your attention to the presence of the former member for Nightcliff and the mother of the Treasurer, Ms Dawn Lawrie. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: There are also several Chief Executives here today. I apologise if I do not recognise all of you, but it is simply that I do not see you. I will recognise the ones I can see: the Police Commissioner, Mr John McRoberts; the Solicitor-General of the Northern Territory, Mr Michael Grant QC; the Chief Executive of the Port Authority, Mr Robert Ritchie; and the Ombudsman, Ms Carolyn Richards. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: I draw your attention to Mr Hugh Bradley, the Honorary Consul for Sweden, and Ms Susan Bradley AM. On behalf of honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
APPROPRIATION (2010-2011) BILL
(Serial 99)
(Serial 99)
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I present a bill entitled Appropriation (2010-2011) Bill 2010 (Serial 99), the subject of His Honour the Administrator’s Message No 18 notified earlier this day.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I move the bill be now read a second time.
I table the 2010-11 Appropriation Bill and related papers.
Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families and invests in the future of the Territory. Budget 2010-11 is a tight budget; a financially responsible budget, and a focused budget. Budget 2010-11 focuses on key government priorities, including: Territory 2030 and A Working Future. Budget 2010-11 focuses on growing the Territory with low taxes and a record $1.8bn infrastructure expenditure to create and protect jobs. Importantly, Budget 2010-11 delivers infrastructure in the bush, with a record $980m to support A Working Future. Budget 2010-11 focuses on better hospitals, better schools, and more housing.
Budget 2010-11 was constructed in constrained financial circumstances. The global financial crisis dramatically slowed GST growth, which has adversely affected current and future Territory revenue forecasts. In light of this revenue reduction, the formation of Budget 2010-11 required every potential spending initiative to undergo a rigorous assessment. Two core criteria were applied: how will this initiative deliver now for families; and how will this initiative invest in the future of the Territory?
The global economy is slowly recovering from the deepest economic downturn since World War II. The recovery is expected to strengthen over 2010, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting world growth of 4.2%, and Australian growth of 3%. However, the impact of the global downturn on growth in 2008-09 and 2009-10 was considerable, and neither Australia nor the Territory escaped unscathed. Although Australia and, in particular, the Territory, did prove to be remarkably resilient to the downturn; the Territory economy was affected by slower demand and tighter credit markets, resulting in lower private sector economic activity. As the global economy continues to recover over 2010, the Territory is expected to be a major beneficiary as demand for Territory exports increases.
After slowing to an estimated 0.4% in 2009-10 following completion of a number of major projects, Territory economic growth is forecast to strengthen to 3.6% in 2010-11, supported by a record $1.8bn capital investment by the Territory government, a recovery in household spending, and a strengthening trade surplus driven by higher alumina, manganese and iron ore exports.
The Territory government’s capital works program, accelerated land release, and strengthening residential construction activity will continue to support jobs growth across the Territory in 2010-11, with resident employment estimated to increase by 2.5%. A substantial increase in land supply and further stamp duty concessions will also enable more Territorians to enter the housing market, and meet the needs of the Territory’s growing population.
For the last six months, the Northern Territory has enjoyed the lowest unemployment in the nation, currently at 3.2%. This has been achieved while also having the highest labour force participation in the country. It is clear; if you want a job, come to the Territory. The Territory’s low unemployment rate simply would not have occurred without the Rudd government’s stimulus package and the Henderson government’s low taxes and record infrastructure spend. These public spending programs kept our economy strong and stable in a time of global upheaval.
The Territory’s low tax regime also played an important role in assisting businesses to continue to employ and invest through the crisis. This continues in Budget 2010-11: the lowest recurrent taxes for small and medium business in Australia. Since 2001, our tax cuts have saved Territory businesses $291m. A year ago, we made the deliberate decision to enter a budget deficit position to protect our economy. It worked. After having delivered seven surpluses in a row, delivering an eighth would have cost many Territorians their jobs.
Budget 2010-11 maintains the strategy adopted last year: to support jobs and the economy, but have a clear deficit step-out strategy to return the budget to surplus. At the time of formulating Budget 2010-11, the national economy is in a recovery phase. However, the Territory’s fiscal position continues to be affected by lower than historic revenue growth. Declining GST revenue has affected every jurisdiction in Australia. In their mid-year financial reports, every jurisdiction was forecasting cash deficit for this financial year.
Although GST revenue has started to recover in line with the improvement in the Australian economy, total collections remain lower than pre-global financial crisis levels. For the Territory, the effect is lower GST revenue of $154m in 2009-10, and approximately $100m in 2011-12. GST revenue for the Territory has been further affected by the 2010 Commonwealth Grants Commission review of relativities. The CGC’s new relativities resulted in a reduction to the Territory’s share of GST revenue from 5.4% to 5.2%, or $77m. This affects all forward years, and has extended the deficit step-out strategy by two years. The estimated cash deficit for 2009-10 is $137m, a $59m improvement from the estimate in the 2009-10 budget due to a nett transfer of expenditure between years, and increased revenue from the higher GST pool, offset by additional expenditure initiatives.
For 2010-11, the cash deficit is projected to be $268m, $94m higher than estimated at this time last year. A major influence on the 2010-11 budget aggregates are substantial variations of over $400m in both receipts and payments due to the significant increase in tied Commonwealth funding. Apart from this, the increased deficit is due to: expenditure associated with Commonwealth revenue received in prior years; new expenditure initiatives supported, in part, through a reprioritisation; a reduction in own-source revenue, largely taxes; and a small increase in GST revenue as a result of the pool growth offset by the Territory’s lower relativity.
Budget 2010-11 meets the Territory’s fiscal strategy targets through ensuring growth in operating expenditure is less than revenue growth; significant infrastructure investment; a competitive tax environment; and prudent management of liabilities.
The Territory’s cash position will remain in deficit over the forward estimates, although trending to an improvement by 2013-14. However, the operating position is in surplus over this period, providing a considerable contribution to high infrastructure spending over the forward estimates.
Budget 2010-11 totals $5.1bn, balanced appropriately between operating and capital expenditure. In this context, the forecast deficits are sustainable and responsible. The record level of infrastructure spending will increase nett debt levels over the forward years.
Budget 2010-11 forecasts a nett debt to revenue ratio for the general government sector of 26%. This important indicator measures the Territory’s capacity to service debt and compares extremely favourably to the 61% we inherited in 2001. Nett financial liabilities to revenue of 89% are projected for 2010-11, rising to 108% by 2013-14, but lower than 133% in 2001-02.
The Henderson government has a strong record of cutting stamp duty through providing higher concessions to homebuyers. Budget 2010-11 increases the stamp duty concession for first homebuyers. From today, the stamp duty concession for first homebuyers increases to the first $540 000 of the value of the home - up from $385 000. This increases the maximum stamp duty savings for first homebuyers from $15 515 to $26 730.
Budget 2010-11 delivers an innovative new concession to assist senior Territorians buy a home by slashing stamp duty payable by $8500 for eligible seniors, carers, veterans, and pensioners. Importantly, this initiative assists older Territorians to downsize from a larger family home into smaller accommodation.
Budget 2010 -11 supports other homebuyers with a 40% increase to the Principal Place of Residence Rebate - up from $2500 to $3500. The budget also includes measures to respond to the constrained fiscal environment by increasing revenue over time, and limiting expenditure growth.
From 1 July 2010, the Territory’s mineral royalty rate will increase from 18% to 20%. This rate change is the first since the Mineral Royalty Act commenced in 1982. Unlike other states who predominantly use output-based royalty schemes, the Territory imposes royalty on mine profitability. This means Territory mines only contribute royalties when they make a profit.
The increased rate is competitive with royalty rates imposed in the main mineral producing Australian states, is consistent with recent actions in other states, and is not expected to have a detrimental affect on exploration or mining in the Northern Territory. The new rate is expected to increase revenue by approximately $9.2m in 2010-11.
Although not a revenue source for government, the Motor Accident Compensation Contributions Commissioner has determined a 3.5% increase in motor accident compensation premiums. This adds approximately $16.00 to MAC premiums.
In recent years the Henderson government has increased the number of frontline staff. Since June 2002 staffing numbers have increased by 3800. In the current constrained fiscal environment it is vital to ensure budget restraint is maintained. To this effect, a staffing cap is in place across all agencies so overall numbers are maintained at the March 2010 levels. This does not preclude staffing increases in particular areas to respond to changing circumstances or demand. Budget 2010-11 maintains or increases frontline staffing levels.
The long awaited Henry Tax Review was released on Sunday. The review is clearly far reaching and deals with many issues affecting our future prosperity and the obligations on governments to meet the nation’s future expenditure needs, as outlined in the intergenerational report.
While my expectation is the Commonwealth budget will reflect some of the thinking of the review, there are many issues which require far more consideration and discussion. Importantly, the Commonwealth has committed no state would be worse off financially as a result of the Commonwealth implementation of the reforms. The government will fully respond to the review separately.
The Territory has enjoyed strong population growth over the past four years and currently has the third highest growth rate of the states and territories, behind Queensland and Western Australia. This is expected to continue with forecast growth of 2.1% in 2010, and 2% in 2011.
The Henderson government is committed to meeting the challenges of this growth through our Growing the Territory strategy. Our $1.8bn infrastructure budget delivers jobs now and is an investment in the Territory’s future.
Roads are always a large component of our infrastructure program. The infrastructure program in Budget 2010-11 also focuses on better hospitals, better schools and more housing. The roads budget this year is $331m, and funds projects across the Territory. The roads repairs and maintenance budget has increased to $80m.
Our roads program is funded in conjunction with the Commonwealth. Some of the roads to receive upgrades in Budget 2010-11 include: the Stuart Highway, Arnhem Highway, Central Arnhem Road, Port Keats Road, Buntine Highway, Umbakumba Road, Maryvale Road, Tanami Road, Sandover Highway, Litchfield Road, Fog Bay Road, and the Buchanan Highway. Darwin does not miss out either. The duplication of Vanderlin Drive to four lanes will cut travel time between Casuarina and Palmerston, and improve safety around the Leanyer water park.
The Henderson government is investing $1.7bn over five years from 2009-10 for power and water infrastructure to increase reliability of supply and ensure we meet growing demand. This includes $120m for two new turbines at Channel Island.
Budget 2010-11 recognises Palmerston is our fastest growing region. We deliver on our election commitment to provide a water park for Palmerston. The water park at Leanyer has been an extraordinary success and the Palmerston project, at $13.6m, is just as exciting. Rosebery Primary and Middle Schools will open next year, and Budget 2010-11 has allocated an additional $14.1m for their operation. The Palmerston super clinic, supported by the Rudd government, will open later this year. 2010-11 will also see the completion of the Tiger Brennan Drive extension project, cutting travel times between Palmerston and Darwin by up to 20 minutes.
The infrastructure program in Budget 2010-11 has a focus on better hospitals. The budget was framed in the midst of the biggest national reform debate in our nation’s history: the future direction of health and hospital funding in Australia. At the COAG meeting on 19 and 20 April, a range of national health reforms were agreed to by all jurisdictions, except Western Australia. The reforms are to be fully implemented by 2014-15, with arrangements for the transition period from 2010-11 to 2013-14. These transitional arrangements include additional Commonwealth funding of $55.7m for the Territory. Initiatives to be funded through the transitional arrangements include reduced waiting times for emergency departments and elective surgery; additional sub-acute beds; extra GP training places; and improved aged care and mental health services. After the transitional period, the Territory is guaranteed to receive an additional $167m in growth funding over five years from 2014-15 on top of growth in existing funding arrangements. These additional funds will be incorporated into the budget when the agreement is finalised in June.
While the construction of future health budgets will be different, Budget 2010-11 continues the Henderson government’s record investment in a healthy Territory and Territory hospitals. In last year’s budget, the Department of Health and Families broke through the billion dollar barrier with a budget of $1.05bn. Our investment continues with a $110m boost. In Budget 2010-11, $1.16bn has been allocated to the Department of Health and Families. All five Territory hospitals will have record funding this year. Royal Darwin Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in Australia, and it provides health services to patients from locations all over the Territory. With a current workforce of approximately 2000, Royal Darwin Hospital is estimated to treat 220 000 patients next year. Budget 2010-11 allocates $292.8m for the operation and expansion of Royal Darwin Hospital. This funding delivers now for families with more frontline medical staff and invests in the Territory’s future with additional capital funding, including $43.5m to upgrade emergency standby power generation.
Budget 2010-11 also delivers for our regional hospitals. Alice Springs Hospital has been allocated a budget of $129m with 143 000 patients expected to be treated. There is also $19.6m for the new emergency department, jointly funded with the Commonwealth. Due to its remote location, Gove District Hospital has always had difficulty attracting professional staff, and Budget 2010-11 allocates $3.8m for additional staff accommodation. The budget for Gove District Hospital will be $20.5m and 20 000 patients are expected to be treated. Funding for Katherine Hospital will be $28.6m with 35 000 patients expected. $2.8m is also provided to upgrade and expand the renal facilities and services at the hospital. Tennant Creek Hospital has a budget of $12.5m catering for an expected 24 000 patients; and there is an additional $1.7m for the operation of the Tennant Creek renal unit.
Hospitals are at the core of health and the focus of recent national debate, however there is so much more to health. Keeping people out of hospital is as important and, it is expected in 2010-11, $112m will be spent on preventative health initiatives.
Mental health is an area in need of additional investment across Australia. Budget 2010-11 delivers now with $930 000 to establish a Territory-wide 24-hour coordination service to provide increased capacity to respond to emergency and urgent mental health assessments at Royal Darwin Hospital and throughout the Darwin community.
Among the biggest challenges this nation faces is Indigenous health. Both the Indigenous Expenditure Review and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have determined about 60% of the Territory’s Health budget is Indigenous-related. Improving the health outcomes of Indigenous Territorians is going to take an enormous effort; there are signs we are headed in the right direction. Recent Indigenous health outcomes include: Indigenous women are now living three years longer on average; the Indigenous infant mortality rate has fallen by 35%; anaemia rates for Indigenous children have fallen by 20%, a significant improvement in their ability to grow and lead a normal life; and cervical cancer rates have fallen by 61%.
Protecting our children is an important component of two Henderson government strategies - A Healthy Territory and A Safe Territory. The Henderson government has a strong record of investment in child protection. The budget we inherited in 2001 was under $30m. While the government will respond to the recommendations of the current independent child protection inquiry, we have decided not to delay our continued investment. Budget 2010-11 provides an additional $14.7m for child protection measures, including an additional 76 child protection and support staff, expanded services for children and young people, and improvements to case management systems.
Our children’s future is dependent on their education. In 2010-11, there are expected to be over 42 000 students in 187 schools across the Territory. Budget 2010-11 invests $886m in our Smart Territory strategy through education and training. More students with more teachers in better schools are the focus of Budget 2010-11’s education budget.
In 2008, the Henderson government made an election commitment to upgrade every school in the Northern Territory over the next four years. Budget 2010-11 invests in our future with this initiative to build better schools right across the Territory with $5m for Casuarina Senior College, through to $2m for Yirrkala. Other highlights include: $6.8m to upgrade the Acacia, Henbury and Nemarluk Special Schools; $6.4m to upgrade Centralian Middle School and establish a youth hub at ANZAC Hill; $8.1m to build two new children and family centres at Yuendumu and Gunbalanya; $9.5m to construct additional centres in remote locations funded by the Commonwealth; $1m to upgrade Sanderson Middle School; and $300 000 each to upgrade 21 primary schools across the Territory.
In conjunction with the Rudd government’s Education Revolution, Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families with $12m for additional teachers and school support staff. This is an initiative directly targeted at improving the educational outcomes achieved by the children of the Northern Territory.
Initiatives to support quality classroom teaching for our children include: $14.1m for staff and operational expenses associated with the new Rosebery Primary and Middle Schools opening in 2011; $21.4m for 170 teachers as part of the Commonwealth’s four-year initiative for additional remote teachers; $2.4m over four years to establish five centres for excellence in senior secondary colleges and comprehensive high schools, with $300 000 in 2010-11 to commence the first two centres at Darwin High School and Casuarina Senior College; $3.1m for the Back to School Voucher Scheme, providing $75 towards essential school items for every school-aged child; $4.1m to fund the Childcare Subsidy, cutting the cost of childcare to families by up to $27 per week per child.
The Northern Territory remains the only jurisdiction to provide this subsidy, and 4450 children and families are expected to benefit this year; $2.8m to establish the Institute of School Leadership, Learning and Development to develop existing and aspiring educational leaders; $1.5m to expand the At School Pilot, using virtual schooling as a learning alternative for senior secondary students; and $700 000 to establish a literacy and numeracy task force to oversee whole-of-school approaches to improving literacy and numeracy, the building blocks of future success in education and life.
Students attending school every school day is essential if they are to learn and achieve. Budget 2010-11 provides $2.2m for a going to school enrolment and attendance strategy. The Clontarf program is achieving tremendous results, and Budget 2010-11 provides $2.3m for student engagement programs such as Clontarf at 11 sites, and Sporting Chance at six sites.
With record funding for more teachers in better schools, the Henderson government is committed to improving education outcomes across the Territory.
Our growing population and strong economy is placing pressure on the housing market. Budget 2010-11 provides tax cuts and record funding to deliver more land and housing for Territory families. Budget 2010-11 allocates more than $0.5bn towards our Housing the Territory Strategy.
The stamp duty changes included in Budget 2010-11 will provide considerable additional support for first homeowners, other principal place of residence home purchasers and, importantly, seniors and carers to assist them in downsizing their existing properties to more appropriate dwellings. Further assistance is provided through Homestart NT, a Territory government scheme designed to help first homebuyers and low to middle income earners who may not be able to gain access to a mortgage in the commercial market. Each year, Homestart NT price cuts and income caps require consideration and potential revision to adapt to current market conditions. Budget 2010-11 increases Homestart NT purchase price caps and income limits across the Territory with mortgage repayments of no more than 30% of income. The price caps are different across the Territory, and the income limits are based on household size. In Darwin and Palmerston, the price cap increases by $55 000 to $475 000, and the income for a two-parent, two-child household is now over $100 000 at $105 000. These adjustments are sensible; they will keep Homestart NT where it should be in the marketplace: assisting homebuyers unable to attract commercial finance.
Providing land to grow is an important component of the Henderson government’s Housing the Territory strategy. Our growing population and strong economy have increased the need for government to fast-track land release. Palmerston East is at the centre of this land to grow program, and it will become the new home to 15 000 people over the next five years. $20m will be delivered to fast-track headworks in the new suburb of Zuccoli. Stage 1 will deliver 400 new residential housing lots which will provide approximately 550 new homes.
Under the Housing the Territory strategy, Budget 2010-11 also delivers $10m towards the new suburb of Kilgariff in Alice Springs; $1.95m to progress planning for the new town of Weddell; and $900 000 for the release of 54 fully-serviced residential lots in Tennant Creek. Budget 2010-11 provides funding of $72.9m for new and upgraded public housing to improve access for Territorians to long-term and secure accommodation.
On 20 May last year, the government launched A Working Future, a targeted strategy to improve the lives of Territorians living in remote areas. The initial focus of A Working Future is 20 Territory growth towns. Health and education are clear priorities. Budget 2010-11 also has A Working Future initiatives covering roads, public transport, safer communities, essential services, and economic participation. A highlight is Stage 1 of the implementation of the government’s integrated regional transport strategy. $21m is being invested over five years to improve access by air, sea and road, which is crucial for the future of our remote communities.
Budget 2010-11 delivers a safer community for Territory families by giving the police the tools they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. The government will continue to crack down on alcohol-related crime, which makes up 59% of all assaults in the Territory. Tackling alcohol abuse will reduce crime.
Budget 2010-11 increases the Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget to $310m - up by 127% since 2001. Budget 2010-11 provides more police stations, more police beats, and more police. The Northern Territory has twice as many police per head of population than the rest of Australia. Police numbers have increased by 399 since 2002.
One of the most popular of all Henderson government initiatives has been the establishment of police beats in shopping centres and community hubs. The first police beat was established at the Territory’s biggest shopping centre at Casuarina, and has been an extraordinary success. Since then, there has been a 38% reduction in the number of reported incidences within the precinct, including a 91% reduction in the number of general disturbances reported
Budget 2010-11 provides $6m to build and maintain police beats in Karama, Parap, Palmerston, Casuarina, Nightcliff, and Alice Springs. Budget 2010-11 delivers $22.5m for new and upgraded police stations at Tennant Creek, Alpara and Imanpa. There is also $27.1m for policing in 18 remote communities.
As mentioned, 59% of violent crime in the Territory is alcohol-related. The human cost of this crime is terrible. From a financial perspective, alcohol abuse costs the Northern Territory about $642m each year. The Henderson government is committed to cracking down on alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour.
In addition to frontline policing, Budget 2010-11 delivers $1.57m for day and night patrols and a public hotline; $1.44m for CCTV monitoring in Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston; continued responsible drinking education campaigns targeted at our young people; stronger alcohol courts to deal with problem drinkers and provide treatment; and $370 000 for the Palmerston Information and Referrals Office to continue antisocial behaviour intervention and case management services. Our continued investment in rehabilitation and treatment, in partnership with the Commonwealth, means there are now over 300 rehabilitation and sobering-up shelter beds in the Northern Territory.
A core focus for 2010-11 will be the development and implementation of an alcohol management plan for Darwin and Palmerston. Budget 2010-11 delivers now for victims of crime with an extra $2.56m to increase funding to the Crime Victims Support Scheme and Crime Victims Services Unit. This boost is supported by a $10 increase in the victim’s levy applied to infringement notices, including speeding fines and traffic offences.
Budget 2010-11 tackles youth issues in Palmerston with $1.25m in the first year of the new Palmerston Youth Action Plan. The plan includes increased targeting of police operations including youth crime, diversion and school-based constables, and expansion of authorised officers to enforce school attendance. We also provide $1m for three youth camps across the Territory. Budget 2010-11 delivers $3.5m for Stage 2 of the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan, building on current initiatives to get young people in Alice Springs back to school and away from antisocial and crime-related activities. Further resources for our justice system include: a $2m increase for juvenile detention facilities, and a further $7.5m to boost the capacity of correctional centres to manage offenders. There is $2.7m to modernise the Integrated Justice Information System giving police and justice officers better tools, and streamlining the criminal justice system.
Budget 2010-11 also establishes the Barkly Work Camp with $5.1m allocated to construction, and $2.6m for operations. The Barkly Work Camp will help end the revolving door by providing prisoners with the skills to successfully transition back to the community.
The Territory government is committed to protecting and enhancing our unique Territory environment. Budget 2010-11 supports businesses and households to respond to climate change with a range of subsidies and initiatives under the Territory government’s $34m climate change policy. The $43.5m infrastructure upgrade at Royal Darwin Hospital will cut emissions by an estimated 8.2%. Other green initiatives in Budget 2010-11 include: $2m to showcase renewable and low emission energy in remote communities; funding for the ecoBiz NT program and the Centre for Renewable Energy; $720 000 in grassroots environment grants; and $625 000 for Cash for Containers; $390 000 for the water tank rebate scheme; a $500 000 funding boost to the Environment Protection Authority; and $4m over two years for the Green Heart of Darwin projects.
The Territory is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our lifestyle is the best in Australia. The Henderson government is committed to making our lifestyle even better, and Budget 2010-11 delivers more funding for major events, Territory sport, more recreational and fishing facilities, and support for community events and the arts. The highlight of our major events include: funding for major AFL, Rugby Union and Rugby League matches; funding for the V8 Supercars, BassintheGrass, the Alice Springs Concert, Arafura Games, Masters Games, Rugby’s Hottest 7s, and the Super Bikes. There is also $11.5m to support the Territory racing industry and the 1000 jobs it supports.
Budget 2010-11 supports grassroots, local sports with $3.7m in peak sporting body funding, and $2.3m for remote community sport and recreation programs.
Budget 2010-11 invests in our sporting infrastructure with funding for Hidden Valley, Freds Pass, the Arafura athletics track and Traegar Park. Improvements to fishing infrastructure and access make it easier for Territorians to get out on the water. Highlights include; $1m to upgrade and improve recreational fishing infrastructure in the Top End, and $3.5m to upgrade recreational fishing access roads including Fog Bay, Woolianna and Marrakai Roads.
The Northern Territory, with its great outdoors, is perfect for a healthy, active lifestyle. We continue to support this way of life by providing $3.32m for bike paths, including a link from Palmerston to Howard Springs, and $9.4m for facility upgrades to Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the West MacDonnell Visitors Centre, and Howard Springs Nature Park.
The Northern Territory also has a unique arts and culture scene, and Budget 2010-11 delivers $1.5m to support festivals, including the Darwin Festival, Alice Springs Festival, and remote community celebrations.
Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families, but it also invests in our long-term future. It is appropriate to conclude this speech by outlining how Budget 2010-11 takes us towards Territory 2030, the strategic plan for the future of the Northern Territory. The member for Arafura has been busy the last couple of months travelling the Northern Territory as Parliamentary Secretary for Territory 2030. She is listening to communities about their ideas and their priorities.
As the first budget since the release of Territory 2030 in December last year, Budget 2010-11 makes a start on working towards the targets within the six key priority areas for 2030. The better schools and better hospitals focus of Budget 2010-11 is a clear commitment towards education and health and wellbeing targets within Territory 2030. I have outlined many initiatives in Budget 2010-11 which support 2030: priority areas of society, economic sustainability and environment, as well as knowledge, creativity, and innovation; score cards will be published and independent reviews conducted. Territory 2030 is a long-term strategy and future budgets will continue to invest in Territory 2030 and the future of the Northern Territory.
This is what Budget 2010-11 is about: it delivers now for Territory families and it invests in the future of the Territory. It is a tight budget; it is a responsible and sustainable budget. Budget 2010-11 is focused on the core priorities of the Henderson government: we will protect and grow our economy; we will protect and create jobs; we are committed to delivering better hospitals, better schools and more housing. We are delivering now for families, and we are investing in the future of the Northern Territory.
I commend Budget 2010-11 to the House.
Debate adjourned.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Department of Business and Employment staff. On behalf of 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 gallery of Ms Bess Price, the Chair of the Northern Territory government’s Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you also a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
TABLED PAPER
Pairing Arrangement – Member for Fannie Bay and Member for Araluen
Pairing Arrangement – Member for Fannie Bay and Member for Araluen
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received a document relating to pairs for today, 4 May 2010, from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm for the member for Fannie Bay and the member for Araluen. It is signed by both the government Whip and the opposition Whip. I table the document.
MOTION
Note Paper - Northern Territory Government Response to the First Report of the Council of Territory Cooperation
Note Paper - Northern Territory Government Response to the First Report of the Council of Territory Cooperation
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I will continue my remarks in regard to the government’s response to the first report of the Council of Territory Cooperation.
As previously indicated, my government will continue to wholesomely support the council. I believe the council is providing a very significant and important role, not only for this parliament, but for all Territorians to better understand the policy issues facing the Northern Territory and to provide an avenue for Territorians to meet with the council and talk about the impact of government policy around the Territory and how that can be improved.
I am concerned the council’s opposition members, in their dissenting report, chose to personally name the Under-Treasurer and imply she attempted to avoid answering a question. My government and I stand by the professionalism and integrity of our public servants, and reject any suggestion public servants would be motivated to obstruct the council in the performance of its duties, or that it has instructed public servants to withhold information from the council. The issues being considered by the council are complex and require careful consideration. My government and I expect public servants would be entitled to seek clarification of any question asked by the council in the performance of their duties to meet the commitments I have previously given to ensure information being provided to the council is comprehensive and accurate.
My government will continue to concentrate significant time, effort, and resources to ensure SIHIP, local government reform, and A Working Future policy delivers improved outcomes for Territorians. These improved outcomes will only be achieved through a sustained effort and committed partnership over the long term and into the future.
We have taken the recommendations on board, and a large number of those will be taken up by government. We are committed to the task and reaffirm our commitment to, and support for, the work of the council. I thank the Council of Territory Cooperation for their work and their commitment to ensuring the council is an important vehicle to assist in developing government policy and monitoring the implementation of government policy to the benefit of the people of the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for his response to the first group of recommendations from the first report of the Council of Territory Cooperation. There are two aspects to this response I would like to comment on today.
The first is the discussion about the recommendations of the Council of Territory Cooperation as a whole. Some recommendations have been agreed to, and some have been noted. Regardless of the detail, the real point of this exercise will be whether the government acts on these recommendations, especially the ones they have agreed to. Why? Because the CTC not only has a role in gathering facts and scrutinising government policies, but also in pushing for change where it believes change is necessary. If the CTC recommends change it would hope, unless there is very good reason, the government would show its support for the CTC by acting on the recommendations.
The CTC is a committee of this parliament and, like all other committees, the recommendations are not binding on the government. When many of the recommendations have support from all sides of parliament, you would think it would add more weight to the recommendations. It is one thing to support the recommendations, it is another thing to put them into action, and the CTC will be regularly monitoring the progress of any action.
The second aspect of the discussion is regarding the government’s responses in the detail. As noted in the introduction, there were 11 recommendations on SIHIP; six recommendations on local government; one recommendation on A Working Future local government; and three on the council itself.
In relation to the 11 SIHIP recommendations, the government has agreed to seven and noted the remainder. The first recommendation in the report was more an opinion rather than something which could be acted on, which was duly noted. The second recommendation was SIHIP should be allowed to roll-out its refurbishments and rebuilds to the standards originally promised. That was also noted by the government.
In relation to this issue, the concept of refurbishments and rebuilds and the changes to how much could be spent on these categories has been the subject of much debate, especially since the review of SIHIP. The CTC is also concerned, and this was highlighted when the council visited Nguiu and was told a house would only have the kitchen and bathroom repaired, leaving the rest of the house in a very dilapidated state. Since then we have been informed by the local member that the house has been cleaned and painted. The question is: how much did the house cost to bring up to that standard? The CTC was told $75 000 would only do the kitchen and bathroom. Does that mean the $75 000 was stretched further, or was more money put into the house, or did the Department of Housing and Local Government repairs and maintenance program bring the house to an acceptable standard? More needs to be looked at in this area.
We are not alone when it comes to these concerns. A report released in March this year known as the SIHIP Post Review Assessment (PRA), by Dr Owen Donald and Julia Canty-Waldron says – and I am referring to page 14 of the report:
- The functional refurbishments implemented by Alliance Partners concentrate on rectifying the most urgent health and safety hazards. The average budget of $75 000 per dwelling is generally insufficient for a comprehensive refurbishment. The PRA consultants understand that many, if not most, refurbished properties will require further work through the Remote Housing NT repairs and maintenance program.
In the view of the PRA consultants, there are risks and potential inefficiencies in this transition. If the two processes are not synchronised they could result in properties being re-occupied at below public housing occupancy standard, this would threaten community acceptance, occupants’ sense of ownership and commitment, and risk underachievement of the additional revenues required to support ongoing property and tenancy management. Also, it is inherently inefficient to arrange two teams to undertake serially what one team could have done simultaneously.
Further on it says:
- The PRA consultants understand that program managers comprehend and are considering options to deal with this issue in a more coordinated way. This includes rescheduling of works from NPA RIH (National Partnership Agreement Remote Indigenous Housing) budget to maximise contemporaneous refurbishment, repairs and maintenance work on individual houses or at least to reduce the potential hiatus between functional refurbishment and other works required to achieve public housing occupancy standards. To improve efficiency - avoiding duplication and travel, setup and overhead costs - consideration should also be given to whether and how Alliance Partners could undertake all or some of the additional work before functionally refurbished properties are reoccupied.
In the government’s response it says:
- This will see houses further upgraded in a programmed way and will occur via service agreements with shires or other contracted parties.
From the SIHIP Post Review Assessment and from the CTC’s own visitation to the communities having houses refurbished, this is an area which will need strong monitoring, because if we cannot avoid the duplication - that is, having houses partially upgraded by the CTC and then waiting for the repairs and maintenance program from Remote Housing to finish off the house - there will be delays in handing these houses over to the people we are urgently trying to put into those houses. That is an area we have to look at.
The use of repairs and maintenance money to finish off houses which cannot be completed because of insufficient money begs the question whether there will be less in the repairs and maintenance budget in normal times.
Recommendation 3 deals with ensuring the standard of housing will meet NT Housing standards. However, government’s response to that says:
- The Northern Territory and Australian governments will continue to work toward ensuring stock is at an appropriate standard.
Recommendation 4 says:
- The council recommends that the transition period from a new, rebuilt, or refurbished house being completed, checked for successful completion and handed over to new tenants be streamlined to minimise any delay of occupancy.
Recommendation 5 said:
- The council recommends that the $13.5 million set aside in Tennant Creek for infrastructure be used for the construction of new houses and the infrastructure money is sourced from the NPA (National Partnership Agreement).
I am a little confused because the answer from government was discussions with Julalikari Aboriginal Corporation indicate their priorities are infrastructure upgrades to bring the community living areas up to the same standards, or better, than the town area of Tennant Creek are the priority for SIHIP funding. I do not have any complaint about that; I do not know if the message might have gone down the wrong path. There was money - I do not have the amount - in the original pre-review program for Tennant Creek which included about $13m for external infrastructure for the houses.
My understanding, and I am sure other CTC members would say the same, is there was a change, post-review, that all external infrastructure would be paid for out of a new bucket of money from the National Partnership Agreement. The CTC was saying: let us get the money from the National Partnership Agreement to do the Tennant Creek infrastructure, and use the $13m pre-review infrastructure bucket of money to build more houses. We wanted more houses to be built with the infrastructure money pre-review, and if there needed to be work - and naturally there had to be more infrastructure work done in Tennant Creek - get that from the National Partnership Agreement, as is occurring for other communities, so it would be consistent and give Tennant Creek the opportunity to build more houses.
There was an enormous shortage of new houses in Tennant Creek - up to 200 houses short. We were told there was severe overcrowding; so it would be better to put the pre-review infrastructure money into new houses, which is what the CTC was pushing for. There may have been some confusion as to what the CTC was trying to do; it was not trying to take money away from Tennant Creek.
Recommendation 7 says:
- The council recommends that all new, rebuilt or refurbished houses when handed over to Territory Housing have a publicly available final cost that includes an administrative component.
This has only been noted by the government. It says it will cost too much to get an accurate house-by-house figure, which would be better spent on delivering houses. While that may be a fair point, there needs to be a way of checking the costs of houses against the average figure of $450 000.
A number of accountants are employed by the federal government, as we found out during meetings with both Commonwealth and Territory public servants in relation to the post-SIHIP program, and there are accountants working with the alliances. I do not want to put extra financial burdens on the program - if we could use all that money for building more houses we should. The federal government accountants, and the alliance accountants, should be able to come up with a ballpark figure because they are monitoring the finances all the time. It might not be right to the nth degree, but they should be able to give a reasonable idea of the cost of housing.
The Post Review Assessment does not look at this issue so it does not seem to be a concern. From a CTC perspective, it is important to keep an eye on building costs. The government says the answer will be seen in a detailed financial report at the end of each quarter. If that is the case, will we see an individual price or just a total expenditure figure? How much detail will be supplied to make an educated estimate of the cost of a house, a rebuild or a refurbishment? Will the cost of a house only be ascertained at the end of the project? If that is the case, how will the CTC know if there are enough funds to complete the program by target date?
We know these figures have been put out for refurbishments, rebuilds and houses. These comments are mine - this report has not been discussed by CTC - if we check to see whether the system is running according to targets and budget, we need to be coming up regularly with prices of new houses, refurbishments and rebuilds, otherwise we could get back to the problems of pre-review, where people were unsure of the cost of these houses.
I understand where the government is coming from, however using the resources of people already employed under the post-review process - accountants and financial people should be able to come up with a figure.
That leads into Recommendation 8, basically the same thing. I would be concerned if we get a quarterly report saying the alliance had this much money for these houses, and spent this much. We need more detail, and I will be interested to see what the detailed quarterly report looks like.
Recommendation 9 says an audit be done by an independent auditor at the end of the process. That is important. The Post Review Assessment says, to some extent, the alliance program is working reasonably well, but they throw up some caution. In its conclusion it says:
- The SIHIP team’s achievements since the Review are significant. The PRA confirmed that the Australian and NT Governments are working in close partnership - much progress has been made in implementing the actions and recommendations emerging from the Review and the risk of SIHIP not achieving its targets have been substantially reduced.
It then says:
- It is too early to determine if actions implemented and those in the process of implementation will be fully effective in delivering SIHIP’s housing outputs in the required number, at the right price, and in the right time frame.
That reinforces what the CTC is saying: we will need an audit to look at whether the alliance model is the right one for delivering houses on the ground in Indigenous communities. The CTC will be very conscious of this as it continues to monitor this program.
Recommendation 10 says:
- … Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) schemes supporting the private ownership of houses on Aboriginal communities be actively encouraged by the Northern Territory Government and private financial institutions, especially in communities where the SIHIP program is presently operating.
This recommendation deals with private ownership, a very important part of the solution to the housing shortage. The government’s response says it will: facilitate and support the concept of private ownership. There needs to be a dedicated effort to push private ownership, and regular reports need to be delivered on exactly how many private houses have been built. The quality of houses could also be an issue. A cheap house may not mean value for money and the house may have a short life.
I am interested in the life of two Chinese houses at Nguiu which have been brought in. I have strong concerns those houses will not last long. When you see an internal door facing outside the house, you worry whether people have been given a warning about these houses before they purchased them. I would not step in the way of a person having the right to buy whatever house they want; however, I hope there is a system in place which protects people who, through lack of knowledge when it comes to the quality of a house - especially when spending quite a large sum of money - from buying a house which does not last very long.
On the issue of private ownership, I believe it is something both federal and Territory governments have to keep pushing. There is no way the scheme of building public housing to solve the problem of overcrowding in Indigenous communities will be the solution. We have to find other ways, and the concept of private ownership, I believe, is a key factor. It is something we should promote.
Recommendation 11 says:
- That every 6 months training and employment data for SIHIP is made publicly available. This data is to include a breakdown of employee and sub-contractor numbers, labour hours, training hours on-site and in the classroom, and the types of trades and certificates that people are being trained in.
At Bathurst Island they were talking about up to 34 people being employed. If I went back there tomorrow, will I find the same 34 people employed? If you are training people and improving their skills, consistency in turning up for work, and on time, is the key and keeps costs down.
There is a requirement at least 20% of people employed in SIHIP must be Indigenous. If you have a very mobile Indigenous workforce which is not consistently working, that is adding to the cost of the houses. These are areas the CTC needs to know about because if there are problems in that area we have to look at ways of getting around that.
The big question for the alliances, and the government, is what happens to the Indigenous workers when SIHIP ceases? This is a problem in many communities where a project will occur; 10, 20, or 30 people are employed and when that project ceases or slows down, a number of those good, qualified people are unemployed. We need to be very conscious of that. We need to set up alternative ways of employing them, maybe even encouraging them to follow the work around. We do not want to lose those skills, or make it hard for people to work again. If they know they are taking a job which may not last very long, perhaps next time a job or project comes along they will not bother; not put their hand up to be employed; say it is easier to stay on the dole. That is an important area.
The Post Review Assessment is a paper CTC members have just become aware of, and has some conclusions I hope the government acts upon. The conclusions the PRA has, in a number of cases, support the concerns of the CTC. I would like to read those conclusions because this is a document written for either the Commonwealth or the Northern Territory government, or both. I presume these conclusions would be put into place by the government when it accepted this report.
It states the following opportunities under the heading Conclusions:
continue the integration of SIHIP into Remote Housing NT, in acknowledgement of the linkages with and between property and tenancy management and infrastructure provision.
also assess other non traditional project procurement options for strong and sustained outcomes in and beyond SIHIP.
pay particular attention to population trends and overcrowding in remote communities to inform estimates of funding required for housing and related services.
That is worth including in our response because there are some very good conclusions there.
In the area of local government there were six recommendations. Four were agreed to, and two noted. The government noted Recommendation 12:
- The council recommends that the Northern Territory government amend legislation to enable shires to increase their own revenue base, such as through service fees in remote Aboriginal communities where they provide services.
The government said this will be considered as part of the future review of the Local Government Act. It will be interesting to hear what kind of review the government intends - minor or massive - bearing in mind the act went through a complete overhaul several years ago. When the government intends to do a review is important, bearing in mind shire rates are capped until the end of 2010-11. The question was: when will this review start so decisions on what happens to rates after they are capped can be taken into account during the review?
The question was asked about service fees in our recommendation as this was once a system used at Bathurst Island. That does not seem to have been answered, and this is an area the CTC needs to follow up. In the case of Bathurst Island, the Tiwi Shire Council can obtain very little money from rates and service fees. Was this system used in previous local government which existed before the amalgamations?
In relation to ShireBiz and an increase in establishment money, the response of the government will be taken to shires for comment. That does not mean other councils will not have an opinion. To get their viewpoint before the CTC can probably comment, we need to talk to councils about the effect of ShireBiz. Is it now up and running; what were the overall costs to those councils for the delay in the establishment of ShireBiz?
In relation to recommendations on roads, there are still many questions which need answers. The key one is the normalisation of roads, which must go hand-in-hand with the normalisation of towns. As well, the perennial question of funding for private roads versus public roads has never been answered. Avoided - yes; answered - no. The member for Macdonnell spoke on roads on Bathurst and Melville Islands. Under the federal system of grant money you cannot fund private roads. What is private and what is public is a key issue to funding. That does not mean governments cannot fund the roads on Bathurst Island; they cannot use the Federal Assistance Grant, or FAG money, which normally comes through local government. It is an area which needs to be cleared up.
The DLP is coordinating a road hierarchy audit of all roads within a 50 km radius of the growth towns. Again, the question is: will those roads be public roads? If they are looking for money for those roads, who will fund them? The shires have been in existence for nearly two years and we still do not know which roads they will be responsible for and where their funding will come from. The shires were also sweetened with the idea if they amalgamated, they will receive more money for roads; for example, the …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I move that the member for Nelson be granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, member for Katherine. The Pitjantjatjara Lands and other lands in South Australia have received money normally received through federal local government funding.
On the local website, an article from the Local Government Focus, April 2008 is quoted saying $386m would be available for federal and Territory services for the development of roads. It would be good to hear where that $386m went, or was that money received? This is a key reason councils amalgamated - there were promises of money for roads.
The CTC will continue to monitor and investigate reform of local government both from a financial viewpoint, the delivery of their core functions, and the governance process.
Recent issues relating to the number of CEOs who have resigned, and also the vote of no confidence in the Mayor of Victoria Daly Shire are of concern. The CTC needs to ensure services are being delivered on the ground, especially communities which lost their community government councils. Many promises were made to people, as shown in the reform benefits fact sheet; the real question the CTC needs to investigate is whether these benefits have, or are, occurring.
It is pleasing to see Recommendation 10 has been supported by the government. We now have a stand-alone secretariat, which will allow more focus on the work of the CTC; and I thank the government for that support.
I put on record I believe the CTC has received very good cooperation and information from both the Territory and Commonwealth public service. I would also like to express my support for the Under-Treasurer, not because today is budget day, not in relation to the CTC, ever since I have known her, especially through the PAC - some might say I am a biased here - I have been delivered my copy of the budget in spiral binding, which is something the Under-Treasurer has done for me most years, however that is an aside. I believe the Under-Treasurer is fair and independent and does her job as it should be done, properly and consciously.
Madam Deputy Speaker, in summing up, I thank the government for its recommendations. I am not going over them again - the key for me will be: they are only as good as the paper they are written on. We need to see action. Actions speak louder than words. The CTC will continue to monitor these recommendations to see if the government goes ahead with its promises.
Many of these recommendations are not going to cost the government a great deal, however they might be able to change or improve policies. The role of the CTC, especially in the case of SIHIP, is to ensure houses are delivered on time, at a reasonable price, to Indigenous people. Whether we agree with the alliance program, or whether we agree with the way the whole thing was set up, the reality of life is we are part way into a program and we need to ensure taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely, and the outcomes are that Indigenous people receive good housing.
In the case of local government, the government took a big step in amalgamating many councils – 54 councils into seven or eight large councils. I am on record saying I believe these councils are too big - that is the government’s policy, and I am not on the CTC to bring government policy down. We will look at this policy and see if these amalgamations have made a difference; have they improved people’s lives. I have the benefits of local government in my office and I will be asking: you said these were the benefits, now prove it. I believe our job is to ensure the government’s reasons for amalgamating councils did happen, or are going to happen, otherwise we will be saying to the government: you need to revisit whether it is inefficient and not the way to go, or needs change. There will be more recommendations though …
Mr Elferink: Why do you not become a minister and do it?
Mr WOOD: There will be more recommendations when it comes to local government and …
Mr Elferink: Join Cabinet and do it.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Elferink: Stop whinging about it and do it.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr WOOD: If the member for Port Darwin wants to quieten down. I have heard all that before.
Mr Elferink: You have not answered it, ever, not once.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Port Darwin!
Mr WOOD: I am not here at Question Time.
Mr Elferink: That is right. You do not want to answer questions; you just want to whinge.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting please!
Mr WOOD: It is a pity the member for Port Darwin had to interrupt at that stage. I am saying the government needs to assess where the amalgamation of councils is going.
The last area is A Working Future, which is an extremely large, global type of government policy which will need a great deal of scrutiny to see whether it is just blowing in the wind, or whether it is going to achieve something.
I believe the CTC’s role in scrutinising these government policies will continue for some time, because the objects of some of the programs will continue for some time, and will need continual scrutiny by the CTC to ensure they work.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, I happily contribute to this debate on the response from the Northern Territory government to the first report of the CTC.
The response by the government is, in all respects, what I expected. It is noteworthy the CTC’s first report to the Legislative Assembly was, in the opinion of the opposition members sitting on that committee, a rather watery document which failed to carry with it much of the guts and gusto we believed to be inherent in this committee. The government’s response is just as watery as the first report.
This sessional committee was the result of the parliamentary agreement between the Chief Minister and the Independent member for Nelson. The terms of reference included the committee facilitate greater levels of collaboration of the government of the Northern Territory; to expand involvement in important Northern Territory initiatives and projects; provide new avenues for Territorians to have input through legislative process; and to provide a road map for tackling specific issues currently facing the Territory.
In the media release, or spin, which was published on 14 October 2009 entitled Cooperating to Deliver for Territorians, the Chief Minister said the bipartisan Council of Territory Cooperation would encourage more constructive political dialogue. He also said:
- The intention behind the creation of the council is to change the political culture of the Northern Territory.
I am yet to see that happen. He also said the council would allow scrutiny of the work being done at officer level on the ground, and would input into the way policy is developed and implemented.
He went on to say:
- It is a logical extension of the policies the government has introduced to open up and make government processes more transparent and to bring in advice, input and ideas from outside government.’
In an interview on 10 November 2009 posted on the website of Jenny Macklin MP, the Chief Minister claimed:
- In regards to the Council of Territory Cooperation, this is a big bold new step forward for the Parliament of the Northern Territory. This is about opening doors and windows of the Parliament to external scrutiny, and also public advice about how we can get the big challenges facing the Northern Territory done better into the future. Obviously one of the first terms of reference was the SIHIP program, and there have been challenges getting that program up and running. But it is up and running now’.
It is ironic the council is not empowered to do anything; all the public can see is a talkfest. I am working my hardest, and other members are too, to ensure this council is not just a talkfest. Unfortunately, the feedback I am receiving still echoes that sentiment.
It is evident by many of the government’s responses to the first report government can treat reports from this committee in any way it feels inclined. In the response document, the government either notes or agrees with any given recommendation, and has some explanations sitting alongside that. Many of the recommendations the government agrees to are motherhood-ish, or carry little or no implication for the government whatsoever. A case in point would be Recommendation 3 of the CTC and the government’s response. I quote Recommendation 3:
- The council recommends that the Northern Territory government work with the Australian government to ensure that stock from SIHIP meets minimum Territory Housing standards.
- The Northern Territory and Australian governments will continue to work toward ensuring stock is at an appropriate standard.
Honestly, what a no-brainer. It is a commitment by the government; a response to a recommendation which says and does basically nothing.
Recommendation 10 is probably noteworthy; the Council recommends that Indigenous Business Australia, or IBA, schemes supporting private ownership be actively encouraged by the NT government. Again, the response is a no-brainer. Even though they agree with it, there is no substance to what is coming out of the government in their response to these recommendations.
Questions are posed by members of the CTC which, through all this whole process, go unanswered. They were not posed to simply fill the air or waste time so the Labor government can stay in office. No, they were asked to seek complete answers, not 10 pages of niceties.
I refer to Recommendation 2 of the CTC’s first report and the government’s response. Matters arising out of this recommendation and response were canvassed recently in a CTC meeting. The content of that briefing to representatives of the NT and federal governments were taken in camera. I am patently aware of that, and am not going to disclose any information provided to the CTC, however Recommendation 2 says the Council recommends SIHIP should be allowed to roll-out its refurbishments and rebuilds to the standards originally promised.
Part of the government’s response says:
- Refurbishments will be supplemented by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services repairs and maintenance program. This will see houses further upgraded in a programmed way and will occur via service agreements with Shires or other contracted parties.
This is a concern because the money in that bucket provided to shires via service agreements, is supposed to be a repairs and maintenance program for housing right across any given shire. We will see some of that money taken from the regular repairs and maintenance program and funnelled into SIHIP housing. If I were a shire CEO, president, mayor or, for that matter, a person living in a shire with substandard housing, housing desperately in need of repairs and maintenance, and discovered some of the money going into fixing my shire houses was now to be funnelled into SIHIP, I would be furious.
I believe this is a matter the shires very carefully need to consider and take forward to this government in the strongest possible terms. If this government starts to raid the piggy bank set aside for other repairs and maintenance programs that will be the thin end of the wedge. They will attempt to do it by stealth, I am sure. I am surprised to see the response by government to Recommendation 2, admitting they would be syphoning money from the standard repairs and maintenance program. I suspect that is probably a tactical mistake on their part.
The member for Nelson has been through this report and provided his personal viewpoint on most of the responses to the recommendations. Another example of one of the lame responses by this government to the report is Recommendation 14 regarding the shires. The IT systems provided to the new super shires became such a complete disaster - it rapidly became obvious this was because of systemic and administrative shortcomings by those in charge of administering the local government reform. Much has been said, and much has been taken in evidence with respect to the computer systems of the shires. I daresay the true state of those systems will be revealed during the estimates process.
With respect to the IT systems, it was reported to the Council of Territory Cooperation on 2 December 2009 by Mr Des Kennedy, Project Director for the ShireBiz remediation project, who said:
- The way the Northern Territory government put together that deal, they bundled a lot of cost into the provision of those services. They had 12 to 15 project managers, and their costs were built into the cost of every desktop. None of the shire councils had access to those 12 project managers because they are all extremely busy doing work for the departments.
The shire councils are paying an inherently high cost for something that is, indeed, a commodity. That forms part of the issue around Recommendation 14. The Northern Territory government response was, in part, to say: ‘More detail on our position will be provided in the future’.
The Northern Territory government is allowing these shires to languish in an IT system forced upon them during the implementation of the failed shires reform package. Their only response to a query raised by the CTC is: ‘More detail on our position will be provided in the future’. I do not know why the Northern Territory government cannot give a time frame for providing more detail of their position on that topic. The shires will continue to wait with baited breath until the government sees fit to respond to the CTC’s recommendation. The Territory government response is an absolute disgrace, and an insult to the many hours spent by those serving on the Council, and those who have reported to the Council.
We have had some small wins, not from matters arising out of the report, more from the dissenting report and the debate in this House subsequent to the tabling of that first report.
One of the criticisms of the dissenting report tabled with the CTC’s first report to this Assembly was the lack of flexibility and responsiveness by the CTC to emerging issues. This was evidenced with reference to the cut-off date for the first report. Despite the CTC canvassing critical and important issues on Bathurst Island, those matters were not, because of that inflexibility, included in the CTC’s first report. It took the dissenting report and debate by members on this side of the House to raise some of those issues and, thankfully, some have been addressed.
In my contribution to that debate, I spoke about a house at Nguiu, and I quote from the Hansard on 24 February 2010:
- It was having its kitchen redone, the bathroom redone, and new cupboards being put in, in the bedrooms. However, because of the cutbacks - the scaling back of the scope of works to be carried out on these refurbishments - there were no new floor coverings going down on that floor. The photograph does not show it well, but it is concrete that was laid 30 or 40 years ago, using beach sand as a component part of the concrete. Since that time, that concrete floor has become eroded and pitted. It has been damaged by the use of tools inside the house, such as axes. I would feel uncomfortable walking barefooted on that floor, let alone having children crawl on that floor.
I later go on to say:
- Instead of the Northern Territory government going over there and saying: ‘Show me what $75 000 will buy’ - I do not think they bothered doing that because, surely to goodness, if someone in the government had been shown that floor was going to remain as part of a SIHIP house, they would have been absolutely mortified. I would not – well, I probably would - let my dog sleep on it, but I certainly would not let my children sleep on it.
I am pleased to report that the house I referred to on 24 February this year is now a house you would not recognise. Reportedly, this house has been refurbished to the point it should have been in the first place – new floor coverings throughout, repainted, new wet areas; this house is now a far cry from the standard it was when the CTC visited it earlier this year.
The point is not the member for Katherine raised the issue and the house was fixed; the point is why should the member for Katherine have to mention the house? Should it not be the job of government to oversee the way these refurbishments are rolling out? Will it take someone speaking about every single refurbishment or rebuild under SIHIP before the government takes notice and does something?
The other point is, had the member for Katherine not spoken about the standard of this refurbishment under the failed SIHIP, it would not have been raised until the second report of the CTC. That report is due to be tabled in parliament later this week. The net effect would have been nearly a three month delay in rectifying the refurbishment on a house whose floor I would barely let my dog sleep on.
The member for Nelson raised an issue about the CTC ensuring - and it goes to the same argument - houses under SIHIP are built properly and within a specific budget. That is what we have to do; I understand that is what we have to do - should we have to do it? Realistically, why is it the responsibility of a committee of this parliament to oversee the roll-out of an enormous government work program for Indigenous people? Surely there is sufficient capacity within the Northern Territory government, within the federal government, to have this program rolled out without the oversight of a six member committee of the parliament of the Northern Territory – absolutely shameful.
The government has acknowledged the dissenting report which accompanied the CTC’s first report. There are some responses to the contents of the dissenting report, and I want to touch on that briefly.
Madam Deputy Speaker, quite …
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move an extension of time for the member for Katherine, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Quite rightly, the government has come out in defence of the Under-Treasurer when issues around her openness and forthrightness in giving evidence before the committee were questioned by members of the opposition in the dissenting report. While the opposition members can agree to disagree with other members of the CTC with respect to this issue, this perhaps serves as a timely reminder to government, and to those who are summoned to appear before the CTC, that obstruction, whether passive or not, will not escape the scrutiny of some, if not all, members of the CTC.
The government’s response is not really a departure from what I would have expected of them. None of the responses carry, in my opinion, any serious commitment to do anything. In saying that, I conclude my remarks.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to briefly comment on this document before the House. I am surprised to see government members not speaking to this document today. It, perhaps, reflects how seriously the government takes this. The CTC is a parliamentary committee and nothing more. It is not what was promised to the people of the Northern Territory; it does not fulfil the role described by the member for Nelson to the people of the Northern Territory and, in some ways, is an emasculated organ in the sense it does not achieve what the member for Nelson hoped it would. The member for Nelson, I do not believe, was clear as to what he wanted this committee to do, so long as it felt right. Now, being confronted, as time passes, with some of the limitations of the organ, as well as some of its problems, he has realised this is not going to come cheap to Territorians. I hope it will continue to work to produce some positive benefit.
So far the impact upon government has been profound. We now have a 10-page response to the result of months of work, and a comprehensive report, both dissenting and non-dissenting, from the parliamentary committee, the CTC.
The Northern Territory government has learnt how to put the word ‘no’ into the word ‘noted’. This is an unremarkable document from an unremarkable majority report from the Council of Territory Cooperation, such as it is.
I, too, like the member for Katherine, wish to turn my attention to the recommendation about SIHIP being allowed to hand over properties being handed back to the Northern Territory government - Territory Housing - to look after, ostensibly. It demonstrates how much more the Territory budget will have to accommodate expenditure through its failings and shortcomings in the management of the original part of the SIHIP process; we are talking about the pre-review section of SIHIP.
That was when the Northern Territory government and the minister for calamities, the member for Daly, had to run SIHIP. Such was his disinterest in the organisation of SIHIP that ultimately the federal government had to step in. They claim in the post-review period it is an environment of cooperation, which is nonsense. It was another intervention in the Northern Territory by the federal government; this time not because of what was happening in the bush, rather what was happening in the Cabinet of the Northern Territory.
Another major flaw in this committee is the fact we do not get an opportunity to bring ministers before the committee. I cannot imagine how ministers who considered themselves to be responsible for their duties would not appear before the committee - would actively avoid appearing before this committee. I am aware the minister – I am talking about the member for Daly – has been on the receiving end of several letters inviting him to appear. If I were the minister in charge of something like SIHIP, not only would I be waiting for letters to invite me to give evidence to defend decisions I had made, more importantly, I would be writing letters to the committee pleading, in fact demanding, I be allowed to give evidence and defend the decisions I had made.
In this cute arrangement between the member for Nelson and the Chief Minister, there is no such requirement of ministers, which is a shame because the member for Nelson is starting to realise all roads lead to Rome. He thought by talking to the public servants whose responsibility it is to implement these policies - when you drill into the policy decisions, you are immeasurably drawn to the Cabinet and the ministers who make these determinations and give directions to those public servants.
Whilst we spend much time talking to public servants, we have not had an opportunity to quiz any minister on how they do their job. How the member for Nelson believes this is a good result for the people of the Northern Territory, I cannot imagine.
The government has assiduously avoided making any appearance before this committee, with the exception of one way - it now appears amongst our members is a parliamentary secretary. That raises other issues because, while they are called parliamentary secretaries, they have a habit of reporting to Cabinet rather than parliament.
In the parliamentary legislation which deals with the Public Accounts Committee in South Australia, they have made it a law a minister may not sit on the Public Accounts Committee. I have objected, in the past, to that situation occurring in the Northern Territory, and now we find we have a parliamentary secretary. I do not know if she is being paid - it would be interesting to know if she has been receiving any remuneration for her role as a parliamentary secretary; and we do not know if she is well staffed. I understand there is at least one staff member dedicated to her at this point, and there may be more. That raises a question for me, and should raise a question for the parliamentary committee, whether the integrity of the parliamentary committee, as a committee of a parliament, has been undermined. That matter will come up in the not so distant future of the committee, I have no doubt.
How the infrastructure component of SIHIP has now drifted across to the NT government concerns me. While we were attempting to extract information in relation to what that shift of costs was, it turns out the Treasurer’s Advance was being touched to the tune of about $20m. I read in the newspaper recently that figure may well have increased and, without being able to drill into the figure I read in the newspaper, it appears the infrastructure component of SIHIP in now costing the Territory taxpayer $125m. That is a $125m impost on the Northern Territory because of the failure of this minister, and this government, to effectively run SIHIP in its pre-review stage.
If that is true, and we are not including in that $125m the original $1m set aside for housing by the Northern Territory government as part of its contribution to SIHIP, the whole amount is the infrastructure component of SIHIP programs, that is a disgrace of monumental proportions. That is two schools the Northern Territory cannot build because of the stuff-ups surrounding SIHIP under the management of the Northern Territory government.
The failure by this government to effectively respond to the committee demonstrates the ongoing issues I have with this committee. I interjected on the member for Nelson, to which he took exception, however I cannot forbear to mention the glaring thing I hear every time the member for Nelson complains about some aspect of government policy. There is no person better positioned in the Northern Territory, with the exception of the Chief Minister himself, and possibly not even he, to deal with any issues the member for Nelson decides need to be dealt with. He does not involve himself. If the member for Nelson saw the Chief Minister tomorrow and demanded to be part of the ministry dealing with issues he continually raises - and I use planning as an example - because he wants something done about them, that is exactly what the member for Nelson should do. The member for Nelson does not do that; he sits on the sidelines taking up the role of commentator, saying all the things which are wrong, but does nothing to involve himself in the fixing process.
The Territory is full of commentators, and also has 25 other people who are public representatives. If the member for Nelson wants to be a mere commentator, he should get a job with the Northern Territory News writing a column, rather than offering himself up to the people of Nelson, and the Northern Territory, as someone who believes things should be fixed, being elected to fix those things and, then, avoiding that responsibility.
That is the great failing of this member. He should walk up to the mark and take an active interest. This committee of the parliament has become a segue for government; a way to avoid its own responsibilities. I expect to see the government using this committee to flick some of its more difficult problems away saying: ‘CTC, look at that’. The member for Nelson will say: ‘That is a very good idea; we will look at that.’ Suddenly, it is no longer the government’s problem; it will be the CTC’s problem - the parliamentary committee. The Council of Territory Cooperation will suddenly have the duty of investigating, enabling the government to avoid further responsibility.
The member for Katherine spoke about flexibility of the committee, and its capacity to see issues coming up. For four months now, since the pre-Christmas period, I have said: ‘There is a major problem with the Power and Water Corporation. There is a major problem with the way it is structured, and the way it is going to deal with its financial issues’. This is something the CTC has fluffed around with - mucked about with. Finally, we chatted to the Auditor-General about what he can do. What do we discover? After repeated denials of the problem from the government we open the budget papers - and guess what? There is a problem.
There is a problem because, all of a sudden the Power and Water Corporation - which is the subject of some interest from the Council of Territory Cooperation – has done a debt and equity swap, which means the Power and Water Corporation, in every likelihood, was getting itself into a position where it could not manage its debts. I suspect, in Budget Paper No 2, the Uniform Presentation Framework, the sudden big shifts in the equity and assets of the general public sector have a great deal to do with that debt and equity swap. I will investigate that at a later date.
The effect is, the issue which has been pursued by the Council of Territory Cooperation is an issue the Northern Territory government now has to attend to, and it has meant a major leap in the overall debt position of the Northern Territory. The Council of Territory Cooperation was not effective enough, despite having the issue raised for about six months, to respond to an incumbent debt coming the way of the Territory taxpayer.
We had an absolute guarantee from the Treasurer last week that power prices would not be going up. The only other way we can rescue the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation is by bailing it out, which is what is occurring in Budget 2010-11.
In the process of the bail out, I ask questions and invite government to comment on this. I suspect they will not. Has management, and the role of management, been effectively reviewed? Has the structural approach by the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation been effectively reviewed? Are fundamentals now in place to ensure the Power and Water Corporation is capable of moving forward?
These are not questions which are going to be addressed by the Northern Territory government. By the time the Council of Territory Cooperation looks at it, should we even bother now, the effect will be an academic exercise. It is an unusual vehicle in the sense it is funded as a parliamentary committee, however it is an organ slow to respond, and if it cannot effectively do the work, such as look at the Power and Water Corporation, it is wasting taxpayers’ money.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank honourable members for their contribution. I am disappointed in the contribution from the opposition members on the Council. I stand here in good faith saying the Council of Territory Cooperation, and the work it is doing in oversighting the implementation of significant areas of government reform and policy to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people of the Northern Territory, is work I value. As well as the response to the report, I have taken on board a number of issues to further follow-up as a result of contributions in debate today.
The opposition has to decide whether it wants to participate in this Council of Territory Cooperation in a collaborative way or a destructive way. The concluding comments from the member for Port Darwin, saying he believes it is a waste of money, are quite insightful to the attitude the opposition brings to this body - they are starting off with the attitude it is a waste of money. I am aware the member for Port Darwin has sought additional resources, which have been provided to the council to assist with research and follow up. I am not sure what additional resources he believes the council needs to do its work.
As the Chief Minister wanting this council to have input into not only oversighting major policy initiatives of government to ensure best outcome, coming forward with initiatives and ideas of how to improve areas of public policy in the Northern Territory, we have had many Territorians -I do not like using the word ‘evidence’ or ‘witness statements’ because that implies some legal obligation - wanting to talk to the council and share their experiences regarding the detail of implementation of government policy.
Government would not establish in partnership - this was part of the partnership agreement with the member for Nelson - a vehicle which is just a cheer squad of government.
Most people who come to the Council of Territory Cooperation have issues, concerns and, I might even say, complaints, about how government policy is being implemented. It is important those people feel free to talk to a body, an organ, of this parliament and outlay their concerns regarding the implementation of government policy. It is like running a business; if you are a good business operator you want to hear complaints about the quality of service your business is delivering, because you cannot improve unless you understand the issues. That is the view I take with the Council of Territory Cooperation.
I want people to come forward where there are issues, concerns and challenges, because I openly admit Territory government agencies and ministers do not get it absolutely 100% right all the time. Mistakes are made; sometimes the intent of government policy, for whatever reason, is misunderstood, misinterpreted, not delivered the way ministers or government would like. If the Council can flesh out those issues and challenges it will help us, as government and ministers, keep these issues on track.
I reassert today to this House, and the people of the Northern Territory, I believe the Council of Territory Cooperation is a very worthwhile initiative of this parliament. I urge all members to engage, in a constructive way, to identify areas where the delivery of government policy, government services, can be improved within the constraints of government. There is not a bottomless pit of money to fix all the problems in the Northern Territory; but to be efficient, effective, targeted, to work in partnership, to understand in a spirit of partnership where the community of the Northern Territory, whether as individuals, not-for-profit organisations, the business community, individual communities, can actually be part of the solution.
Government does not always have the answer to every single problem or issue affecting Territorians’ lives. The solution to improving some, or all, of those is much better coming from the ground up as opposed to the top down. Much of the detailed work the council is doing in identifying issues which are still of concern through SIHIP, through local government reforms, through A Working Future, I want to hear about, as Chief Minister - what people are saying on the ground, where their concerns are and where we can tighten up.
I am disappointed at the tenor and tone of the opposition contributions today. I stand here in all genuineness and say we want, wherever possible, to implement the recommendations which come through this council, particularly where they are bipartisan recommendations. I start from the principle of wanting to implement recommendations; however the government has a responsibility to test those recommendations and to understand the full implication of implementing them in policy, outcome and budget. Where the policy initiatives are across both Territory and Commonwealth governments, and the appetite of the Commonwealth government is to go down a particular path, we do not have the jurisdictional power to direct the Commonwealth in their efforts in the Northern Territory.
I am pleased with the collaborative relationship we have with the Commonwealth on a range of areas across the Northern Territory. To have the opposition impugn government motives for this, and run the line of a bizarre conspiracy theory by the member for Port Darwin that we are using the Council of Territory Cooperation as a dumping ground for all governments’ problems is absolutely ridiculous.
I see the council as being part of the solution to improving policy objectives of government, improving the lives of people of the Northern Territory, and encouraging people to talk to the council about their issues and concerns. What I would really like to see is people saying to the Council of Territory Cooperation: ‘Government is trying to do X and Y in a certain area and they are doing it this way; we believe they should be doing it that way, and this is a much better way to achieve the policy objectives of government’.
I want to see people come forward not only with complaints, but ideas about how to improve things and how we might consider alternatives in service delivery. We are not the font of all knowledge and wisdom, and we want information coming forward.
I commend the council for its first report to the parliament; I commit my government to taking these reports seriously with a spirit of wanting to implement the recommendations wherever we can.
I noted several comments, and will chat to the member for Nelson later, however the issue of monitoring the implementation of recommendations - I have spoken to the CE of the Department of Chief Minister and we have said we will implement the majority of the recommendations in this report, and we need a tracking mechanism to ensure we commit to the implementation of those. That is an issue I take away from this debate this afternoon. Other issues raised by members, I will pick up one-on-one. I thank people for their contributions.
I urge the opposition to stick with it, engage in the spirit I am offering, which is we want services to improve for people in the Territory. This is a vehicle to allow people to talk about issues and concerns they have, and find a way we might do things better. I countenance that by saying it is budget day today, and money fixes most things. There is only a limited amount to go around and, within the financial constraints of government, these issues have to be taken into consideration.
I thank honourable members for their contribution to the Council of Territory Cooperation, and I genuinely look forward to their next report to the parliament.
Motion agreed to.
MOTION
Note Statement – National Health Reform and National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement
Note Statement – National Health Reform and National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement
Continued from 27 April 2010.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, let me emphasise, the Country Liberals support health reform - real reform based on real information which will ensure real results for the next 50 years and more. Colin Barnett, Western Australia’s Premier, stated on 9 March this year:
- I made it very clear in my public comments and to the federal government that this state government would adopt a cooperative and constructive approach. In other words, I said that we would look at the issue on its merits. If there are to be any changes to our public hospitals, the test should be whether the change will improve patient care. If it can be demonstrated that a change will improve patient care, we are prepared to look at it on its merits. If, however, it threatens or undermines patient care, we are not; it is as simple as that.
Mr Barnett continued:
- There are some aspects of this proposal that seem to have some merit. The idea of pooling some commonwealth and state funding into public hospitals so that a consistent agreed policy is applied has merit. That will hopefully overcome some of the gaps and reduce some of the duplication or overlap. The idea of activity-based funding - providing a certain amount of funding for knee or hip operations, or whatever else - also has merit.
We have some experience of this funding; it is also used well right across Victoria. Those medical reforms have merit and we are willing to cooperate on those. However, on the wider issues there are obvious concerns. I remind members that the people of Western Australia have, over decades, built, owned and operated the public hospitals of this state. Today they provide more than 60% of the funding for our public hospitals. The Commonwealth government is the minor player, contributing, by its own figures, 35 per cent across the nation. Let us put that in context: these are our hospitals, for which the government of the day and the Parliament have responsibility. I do not believe that they should simply be handed over to the Commonwealth government.
Well said, Colin Barnett. Let me give you a very simple example of the situation in the Northern Territory. A senior citizen was recently given an urgent referral for an eye condition. He was warned the hospital specialist had recently retired. Being computer savvy, he checked the Internet for the new details. The hospital website listed the former name. A phone call - in fact, it took many phone calls until the extension number was free - was made. The patient requested details on the new specialist; though probably extremely competent, no one had any information about him. The answer from the hospital receptionist was: ‘We have one name only, his family name. We do not know his full name, no one has ever asked before. No, we do not have his biography or CV. No, we do not know where he trained - he was trained overseas - and no, we do not understand your concern at this complete lack of information as no one has ever asked before and, anyway, he is the only choice you have’.
Does this ring any bells? This is what faces our citizens every single day.
We are given the thinnest possible presentation on one of the weightiest issues the community faces today; health. We are given no detail, no fulsome activity-based funding answers; we are scorned for wanting to know who, what, when and where. No different to this poor senior who, I know you will not be surprised to hear, has booked a cheapie airfare to seek the necessary surgery interstate. That is not acceptable. This concerns the health of Territorians.
The Territory government is responsible for patient care, and must give full explanations why Rudd’s reform was seen to be better than anything else, despite the steamrolling and unseemly haste used in the process, or lack thereof. The Commonwealth is responsible for the number of beds and how long we wait. Those suffering illnesses in my constituency are waiting and waiting even longer. Who do I ask how we fix this problem? Who do I contact? Which bureaucrat do I phone?
This proposed split system means split responsibilities continue; the blame game continues. It is not me, it is the Territory government; it is not me, it is Canberra; it is nothing to do with us in Canberra. You have a nightmare finding the right extension to phone for patient feedback in Canberra.
Going back to Colin Barnett, Premier of Western Australia, he stated also:
- The other aspect of this issue relates to the funding. It is a sleight of hand for the Commonwealth to take 30% of the GST – the states’ revenue - keep it in the Commonwealth, put it into the pool and say, ‘We are now the major funder of our hospitals’. I think the Australian public is a bit smarter than to fall for a trick like that - indeed, it saw through it within a few hours.
This state will look at this proposal for health on its merits. If we are convinced that there are strong health reasons for change, we will look at the funding implications.
Colin Barnett concluded his comments a month ago by saying:
- Our system is not perfect. It makes mistakes. It has gaps. We recognize that. But to simply turn our health system on its head and hope it will be okay is not good enough. We are prepared to be convinced, but it would take strong argument and strong evidence that health care will be improved.
Regardless of politics, the Country Liberals’ sentiment is the same. We have superb medical practitioners throughout the Northern Territory - surgeons, award-winning GPs, caring nurses, community services at the coalface of the desperate and unique needs in our Territory community. However, at all levels, there is disquiet. Professionals themselves are in the dark. We are all aware the Rudd government runs - indeed, gallops headlong and headstrong - on the mantra of reform. This Rudd agenda, based on its record, is already famous for what it has failed to achieve. There is a massive gaping hole in the accountability, and this rings major alarm bells when we are talking about hospital funding.
Where is the proof of consistency in the way conditions and procedures in the Northern Territory hospitals and out-of-hospital sectors and patient encounters are to be correctly costed? Where is this? Why was the presentation not many pages longer, denser with detail, with appendices, outlining the proposed activity-based funding model for the Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals, with clear definitions about inclusions and exclusions, and definitions and explanations about boundary issues? How will the efficiencies of treatment be gauged? How will the quality of treatments be gauged? Where are the financial impacts of alternative models of care outlined? Where is the IT infrastructure that will be required? How do we ensure services do not fall through the gaps?
Having been told in the past Alice Spring and Darwin do not currently have critical mass for a fee-for-service model, what has changed? How do we, and patients themselves, ensure clinical decisions are made on the basis of clinical need, not the basis of funding?
Before the Territory government targets us further for daring to confront the need for detail, let me quote from the Medical Journal of Australia study funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, and supported by the Australian Case-mix Clinical Committee. In their synopsis they state:
- The Northern Territory Health Service implemented a casemix system of hospital funding in 1996 using national averages and national cost weights as benchmarks for length of stay and funding. Clinicians and health administrators were concerned about the potential of this model to impair health service delivery, especially to children of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander (ATSI) descent, whose current poor health has been well described.
These results confirm clinical impressions about disease patterns and length of hospital stay in ATSI children, and highlight the problems of imposing a casemix classification system for a ‘typical’ Australian population on a region with a high proportion of people of ATSI descent.
The General Practice Network NT published, in a recent quarterly newsletter, and I quote:
- The Report from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) and the subsequent Report on the National Primary Health Care Strategy reinforced the need for an enhanced role for primary health care as part of radical National Health Reform.
The GP Network firmly believes that the establishment of PHCOs (Primary Health Care Organisations) requires a collaborative approach. Partnerships with others already providing primary health services will be a critical success factor in realising the objective of a coordinated, accessible and efficient primary health care sector.
It recognises that flexibility in design and implementation will be essential to reflect the differences which already exist between health systems in different States and Territories and also to retain the strength of models that work well in different jurisdictions and regional settings.
We have the question of the need for primary healthcare organisations, plus the question of exactly what are the current models in regional Australia which will work well, but differently, to our models – regional Victorian experience, for instance.
There is nothing but questions. When the Country Liberals looked for a copy of the Department of Health presentation at the activity-based summit held in 2009, we were advised the presentation was not in a format suitable for distribution. We have requested documents relating to cross-modelling of health services and hospitals in the Northern Territory, particularly in relation to casemix related accounting and activity-based accounting. We sought a comprehensive briefing on activity-based funding in the Northern Territory and received an overview prepared by a project manager of the Northern Territory’s activity-based funding project. I quote from his technical overview - and this subject is highly technical. I quote:
- The health reforms announced by Prime Minister Rudd in the week ended 12 March 2010 are not a new project. They are simply an acceleration of some of the elements of the National Partnership Agreement agenda. However, with the shorter time frames implied by Mr Rudd’s announcements there are some increased funding risks, largely brought about by a lack of understanding of how the Territory’s costs structure align with the new national agenda. A boundary issue which is critical to the Territory is between the Community Service Obligation and other hospital services for Katherine, and potentially Alice Springs. Both these hospitals suffer from a term coined as ‘host disability’ as the unit cost of their care provision is higher than for their peers as the hospitals suffer from tyranny of distance related costs, as well as the lack of available specialists on a full-time basis.
Madam Speaker, the presentation went on, and I quote:
- At what point is the threshold crossed from acute to subacute. More information collection is required, as well as care provided, care led by a doctor or care led by a nurse. As it is problematic, maybe quarantine a percentage for subacute care and review over time as the definitions become more solid. There may be Commonwealth incentives, but we need the infrastructure, the specialised subacute facilities. Activity-based funding must qualify subacute output. The Commonwealth wants it to grow by 40%, however, subacute care is much more expensive than acute care and is to be tailored to the community you are in.
- Maybe quarantine a percentage for subacute care and review over time.
This yells: rush job, slow down, think carefully, take advice, learn more, do not bully, do not push us. Back to the expert who went on to say:
- The geriatric evaluation project, where is it at? Establishing the market, not admitted, more complicated as outpatients may present with three problems but be counted as one patient. Federal government commonality will be defined. Outpatient costings are inefficient. We still need to capture the information and use it. The emergency department is a good measure of through put success. Under the Australian Health Care Agreement, hospitals have to meet certain standards, but the same classification might apply, for instance, to bee stings and to cardiac arrest. There is not a good scale for resource consumption. Primary care patients have to be identified. They may be at urgent level 4/5, arrive on their own, is there enough critical mass to therefore create a separate walk-in centre?
Summary. Community Service Obligations. Darwin and Alice Springs are both solid hospitals with length of stay similar to the rest of the nation. Katherine has high overheads and high fixed costs. Smaller hospitals need to be propped up - Katherine, Tennant Creek and Gove are not very efficient. Alice Springs is a special case. It is the most remote hospital in the nation, servicing an enormous area, requiring fly-in, fly-out specialists. The argument is there should be a community service obligation payment to Alice Springs.
Unfortunately, this presentation raised more questions than it answered and, at a further briefing held in haste last Friday morning, more questions were raised than answers given. The answers must be given in their entirety as this is a highly complex subject and we need to translate it into terms everyone can understand. Until this happens there will be no reassurance at any level.
We simply cannot hold our noses and jump into this health reform. A great deal of work is being undertaken by the shadow minister for Health researching and understanding what is working here and what questions - and there are a myriad of questions - must be answered for the health of our Northern Territory health system.
Speaking on the ABC 7.30 Report on Tuesday, 20 April, the Prime Minister responded to the question of hospitals’ varying funding models, and I quote:
- Of the 764, you got about 165 who are the larger hospitals, that is those who are delivering large-scale accident emergency services and surgical services, etc. They’ll form the core element of the activity-based funding arrangement. The others are very small hospitals, usually in rural areas and these will be funded by what we call block funding arrangements …
The response from the Australian Medical Association President, Andrew Pesce, was large scale continuation of block funding could undermine efforts to stop funds intended for health being diverted. The question continues, and the Country Liberals are not prepared to take a leap of faith into a quagmire of contention.
Let me return to the Premier of Western Australia, and let me share with you the exact Hansard transcript recording of what went on behind the closed doors of COAG; what our Chief Minister was party to. This is what the Premier said, and I quote:
- It was an interesting COAG meeting. The first day of the meeting COAG, as a council, met throughout the day and we talked about elective surgery, emergency departments, sub-acute beds and the Commonwealth’s general commitment to pick up most of the growth funding in the out years; by that I mean 2014.
- On the second day of the COAG meeting, I, and others, said that the big issues are the structure of this proposed funding and GST. Do members know that? They got five to 10 minutes at the end. Day two of the COAG meeting was basically a Labor party meeting which was a degeneration of the COAG process and virtually nothing was done. It turned from a genuine meeting of the leaders of governments in Australia to a Labor Party Caucus function on the second day.
He went on to say:
- What was offered for elective surgery, emergency departments, sub-acute beds and the funding arrangements are good. I have to say that publicly; I do not have any argument with it.
On the formwork of how the money will flow, the administration and who bears the responsibility for what; there was no discussion at all at COAG - that was one of the fundamental issues. We have a good health system in Australia, if we are going to turn it on its head we want to be confident that health care will improve. The critical issue was not discussed at COAG and it should have been, indeed, there were contrivances to make sure we never got to the substance of that issue.
Our Chief Minister was in that room and had responsibility to the Northern Territory; he was too busy banding together with his Labor mates.
Let us learn some more - some real explanations as presented last week to the West Australian parliament by their Premier. I quote:
- I appreciated that the Commonwealth put offers of real money and a real commitment on the table.
On the structure, which I hope members realise is a big issue, the Commonwealth’s proposal includes, at a national level, the National Health and Hospitals Network Fund, the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, the National Performance Authority, and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Four or five new federal bodies will be established; it is meant to be simple, there will be also the local health networks. If someone has a complaint about health care, what will they do? They will go to their local health network and if they are unhappy they may get a satisfactory answer but, more than likely, they will be told you could not have that procedure because Canberra is not giving us the money. If it does not satisfy them it will be because the state has not put in the capital equipment and will not allow us to do so because they have the service agreement with us.
There will not be a single the-buck-stops-here system. There will be three levels - a national, state and local level. That is, three levels of decision-making and three levels of administration. That will be three levels of confusion. I do not think that is well-designed. I think at a minimum, COAG should have discussed the structure for what was proposed. I happen to think it is incredibly cumbersome.
Colin Barnett concluded with the statement and I quote:
- I was not going to be one of those Premiers who fell over like bowling pins yesterday. That is what happened, one after the other. I knew something was wrong when they could not look me in the eye. That was about 11 o’clock in the morning. They were falling over one by one.
In a more general sense and closer to home, the Territory government has talked of, if not promised, an ambulance service for the rural area. It is urgently needed, possibly based close to Humpty Doo. From my background with the ambulance service, the trigger for additional crew is a population around 20 000 people. We have well over that population in the rural and greater rural area yet we have no ambulance centre, no ambulance service …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I move an extension of time to allow the honourable member to conclude her remarks, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Ms PURICK: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Chief Minister. Rural areas are growing every day. Over 1100 clients and families were given food parcels because they are struggling. I spoke on that last week. They have medical needs, real underlying needs in personal and family health, yet government fails to acknowledge this growing problem.
Placing a secure care facility in the rural residential area due to the high needs of the client base is a glaring example of this government’s lack of planning for the best and appropriate location. The objection to this proposal is not about mental health, I cannot stress that enough. It is not about the acknowledged need for a facility in the Top End and in the Centre; it is about the appropriateness of placing it in a built-up, rural, residential area without consultation despite the fact supporting healthcare is some 50 km away.
The government claims it should go to Bees Creek because it is close to services and infrastructure. What a load of rubbish! There is no town water down the road, the power is sub-standard and, by its own admission, will need upgrading, and access to the area is a dirt road. I would not call that close to good services. The Minister for Health, in a radio interview on 29 April 2010, stated the AZRI site in Alice Springs, 10 km from the hospital, was too far away. How can the site at Bees Creek be suitable, when it is 50 km away from the hospital?
I have another example of how this government lets down people when they need help the most. The case involved a terminally ill man and how abysmally he and his family were treated at Royal Darwin Hospital. The man was dying, and when he was transferred from the Royal Darwin Hospital to the hospice he was banged and pushed into a hot, ambulance-style transfer vehicle which did not start and, when they took him back to RDH, they injured his arm causing blood loss and the need for minor surgery. When the widow lodged a formal complaint she was cast aside, ignored, her complaints trivialised as if to say: ‘What the hell, your husband is dead, so why are you bothering?’
That is not right. What about the way families and the other terminally ill people are treated in the services provided by our hospitals? It is nothing short of scandalous. In addition, nurses in remote areas are feeling forgotten. NT Top End Remote Health Clinics have had up to 90 vacancies for permanent and relief positions in recent months. In Central Australia the current recruit-to-fill list has five clinic manager N5 positions, and nine M4 remote area nurse positions, and Expanding Health Delivery Initiative has three. This is not to mention NGOs and other health services, and these are only the positions I know about.
Bullying in clinics is rife and not dealt with effectively by the Health Services; nurses claim if any of these offenders were sacked, who would replace them? Nurses are blacklisting communities, for example Port Keats and Millingimbi. This is allegedly directly attributed to poor management at the N5 and higher levels.
Many clinics appear to be run by burnt-out managers or people who have been there too long. These people are not managed because no one will replace them if they are removed. Many stories filter through from the RAN about the Aboriginal Health Workers who practise outside their scope of expertise, or do not show up to work and are away from their duties for days at a time. Unfortunately, nothing is done about it, and people in the communities suffer as a consequence.
Staff housing is for relief staff only; it is not clean and, at times, not safe. We have read of dogs attacking nurses or nurses threatened by camp dogs. I know one nurse who is still unable to work after an attack in the Katherine Road region before Christmas.
Perhaps your business colleagues can check out how it is the Commonwealth and Territory governments can possibly act in an anti-competitive manner and put Australian government intervention nurses, under the guise of a remote health corps, into non-AGI positions ahead of private agencies which are on the Territory government tender list.
We all have to be answerable for the big picture in health, and the local picture in the Northern Territory; this government must answer the questions, not just make announcements.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contributions. This is an item of current debate, and a reform agenda which will improve our health services in the Northern Territory for many years to come. The debate has gone over several sitting days, and I will pick up on honourable members’ comments in my reply.
In the politics around the COAG health reforms, the backdrop is the fact for many years there has been a declining share of the funding required for our health and hospital systems by Commonwealth governments. The contributions made by Commonwealth governments in the Commonwealth/state health agreements, and the share allocated to the Commonwealth of Australia, has been declining. Health costs continue to rise as technology improves and investments are made in the system; we have an ageing population in Australia which everyone acknowledges - or I hope the opposition acknowledges - and the current arrangements in funding for our health system will see within 20 years, if nothing changes regarding funding, the entire Northern Territory budget swallowed up by our health system. That is why we need structural reform in the funding of our health system.
That is the starting point for this debate; structural reform is required, and for funding the needs of the health system into the future, the Commonwealth of Australia, which has the constitutional power to be the dominant taxer of the Australian people and economy, has to become the dominant funder of this system - not the states. We have seen over many years in numerous Commonwealth/state health agreements the Commonwealth walking away from its responsibilities, and the states that deliver the services having more of their budgets consumed by health. That is unsustainable, because we do not have the capacity to raise the taxes and charges required to continue to invest in our health system to the necessary level.
If the opposition were to agree to that premise, that is the starting point for this debate. The last Commonwealth/state health agreement signed in the last term of the Howard government with the then Health minister, one Tony Abbott MP, saw the Commonwealth reduce its relativity share to the Commonwealth/state health agreement by $1bn out of our hospital system - that occurred and is on the public record – and a further $1bn stripped out of the hospital system that the states really struggled to put back in, let alone the growth in funding which was required. Did we hear anything from the members opposite in regard to the previous Howard government ripping $1bn out of the health and hospital system? No, we did not. It was supported by the then member for Solomon in their parliamentary system, and in their party room, as he did not challenge the then Health minister for ripping $1bn out of the hospital system.
We have agreed the Commonwealth has to become the dominant funding provider. Last week, I laid out a national agreement on health which is acknowledged by most commentators, health professionals and others, as the most significant reform in the history of the nation’s health system; and we do not have a constructive, alternative path put forward by the opposition, all we have is complaint and complaint and not one alternative. For the weeks and months leading up to the COAG meeting where health was the dominant item on the agenda, there was no contribution to that debate from members opposite, least of all the shadow minister for Health, who must have been the most silent shadow minister for Health in the nation - no contribution to that debate, let alone an alternative put forward.
Like their federal political colleagues in Canberra, the CLP have not provided a single shred of policy argument or discussion, or even a position on this major issue. This debate was about giving them a platform to offer what they would do, and me outlining what was in the agreement. Instead, they have spent the entire debate slagging-off on the government and what we signed up to; not one positive aspect, not one policy idea. Whilst this major debate was occurring, the CLP did not outline their concerns, their views, or their proposals. I find it remarkable for a supposed alternate government not to have a policy position on the reform agenda this nation needs to have. There is very little which is more important than the health of Territorians, and for three months we have had a major national debate on health with only silence from the CLP.
I have put my position clearly; I have not hidden my intentions from the public; I have argued the Territory’s case personally to the Prime Minister; I have run health groups and bought in the AMA, the ANF and AMSANT. I have had meetings with them in Parliament House and sought their views with my colleague, the Health minister, before the Territory government agreed to endorse the approach and go to COAG to sign up to the details. Those groups are the peak professional health lobby groups in the Territory and, with caveats and questions, were broadly supportive of the Commonwealth’s approach. Everyone would like to see more immediate investment in our health system, however the structural reforms were broadly supported by the AMA, by Indigenous medical service providers, by the ANF and other clinical representative groups in the Territory which I, and the Health minister, met with as we sought to put our position together.
I made my call, I made it publicly and, once I had signed up, the best the opposition could do was say I threw my hand in too early. Little do they know how this debate concluded.
The Leader of the Opposition talked about a brief PowerPoint outline saying: ‘Give us the detail; what does all this funding mean?’ The Leader of the Opposition needs to know this was not a proposal worked up at COAG and put in front of us; this had been worked through for months and months. The Commonwealth had their health and hospital reforms discussion paper in the public arena many months beforehand; there had been numerous meetings prior to COAG discussing health; we had Treasurers meeting on a regular basis about the funding reforms and, at the COAG meeting I was well supported not only by the Treasurer, the Acting CE of the Health department, and also senior Treasury officials who worked around the clock to get the best possible financial deal for the Northern Territory.
The Leader of the Opposition did not say he received the ministerial statement we are debating today with the details he claimed he did not have. He did not say, in the three months we have had this debate, he has not once sought a briefing from me or from the Health minister. Not once has he attempted to contact me with his issues and concerns, and we have seen no policy position from the opposition today. Instead, he tried to pretend a brief PowerPoint is the only briefing he had and the only detail he has received. He has not asked for any detail; he has been totally missing in the debate, and has not sought any briefings; however, if he seeks further details I am happy to provide them.
The media have been taken through the financial detail of the deal; they requested that level of detail and have been provided with it. The CLP, lazy and contemptuous, still have not sought the detail. The shadow health minister offered much the same as the Leader of the Opposition; his contribution to this debate was rhetoric and vitriol. He is clearly someone who does not enjoy the responsibility of hard study and policy work when it comes to policy creation.
In stark contrast to the CLP, the government has laid out a plan for the future of the health system in this nation. Both the Prime Minister and I have laid out the future direction for health in the nation and the Territory. I have placed that before Territorians, and I place if before this House. I believed the best way to deal with this major reform issue was to do what I outlined in the statement last week; to have done something different would have let Territorians down.
Let me repeat for this House the deal which has been achieved. The Australian government will fund 60% of hospitals, and 100% of primary care services. At the moment, the Commonwealth only funds 35% of our hospital costs in the Northern Territory. That is structural reform.
We have an additional $222.7m over and above what was in the previous Commonwealth/state health agreement into our health system in the Territory. Would we like more? We would always like more, however, $222.7m is a significant additional investment in our health system over and above the current Commonwealth/state health agreement. The federal government will pick up growth in health costs into the future, relieving the Territory of a massive, future, financial burden.
We do not have a policy proposal from the opposition about funding the rocketing costs in our health system in the Territory, unless they were able to get the Commonwealth to pick up more of their share. They have not articulated a policy position unless, of course, they want to stay with the status quo and see the health system in the Territory consume more and more of the budget of the Territory government.
There will be a reduction in waiting times in our emergency departments as a result of commitments under this reform agenda, and an extra 350 Territorians will receive elective surgery each year. There will be protection for our small hospitals in the regions - a commitment to block funding for those hospitals. The commitment from the Australian government regarding the clinical school in the Northern Territory in conjunction with Charles Darwin University and Flinders University and the capital project is commencing as I speak. The doubling of the number of new GP first year placements across Australia going from 300 to 600, and the quarantining of half those additional places to remote, regional Australia will see by 2014-15 in the Northern Territory, 40 GPs a year graduating from our clinical school at Charles Darwin University - a wonderful achievement for the Northern Territory.
Territory students who achieve their entrance marks through TER at Year 12 level, and who pass their GAMSAT will not have to compete, unless they wish to, with other Australian students for scarce university places in medical schools throughout the rest of Australia; they will have guaranteed places in the Northern Territory, which is an enormous change and one future generations of Territorians will really embrace. If we can keep half those extra GPs in the Territory; if 20 a year decide to work in the Territory, that is an extra 200 GPs over 10 years, and it will make a significant difference.
For aged Territorians and their families there will be an increase in the number of aged care places and primary care services for aged people. For Territorians with diabetes there will be an additional $4.5m for co-ordinated care. For Territorians and their families with mental health issues there will be an additional $1.8m for mental health services, and a growth path for health services over the next 10 years. This is a good deal for Territorians. As with any deal, you could want more, but sooner or later the well runs dry, and we do have a good deal for Territorians.
I had two pre-conditions for signing up to the agreement: there would be more funds in healthcare for Territorians, and our unique circumstances had to be taken into account. These pre-conditions have been delivered, and I am happy to sign up to a deal which will benefit Territorians now and long into the future.
Since this Labor government came to office, the health budget has increased by 117%, and those budget increases have delivered results. Survival rates for Territorians on dialysis are now equal to national rates, an extraordinary turnaround from when the NT mortality rate was 66% above the national average 20 years ago. There has been a huge change benefiting the lives of many thousands of Territorians.
We have 127 more hospital beds, 188 more doctors, 616 more nurses with a further 95 nurses funded in the budget handed down today. Other health outcomes include: Aboriginal women are now living three years longer on average than before; Indigenous infant mortality rates have fallen by 35%, in other words hundreds more babies are now surviving; anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20%, a significant improvement in their ability to grow and lead a normal life; and cervical cancer rates have fallen by 61%. I was given this number at the Chief Minister’s Public Servants’ Awards late last year when a team from Health presented of what they have done proactively in screening rates across the Territory to reduce cervical cancer rates, predominantly in Indigenous women. I nearly fell off my chair when I was told those rates have fallen by 61% - that is an enormous achievement. I give my personal thanks, and I am sure everyone in this House would agree, to the people in that area of the Health department who have worked passionately, proactively and with total commitment to see that improvement in cervical cancer rates.
In spite of the politics around health, I have to say the people who work in our health system are very passionate about what they do, and are totally committed to improving health outcomes in the Territory. They do a difficult job under difficult circumstances, compounded by the tyranny of distance, and they deserve everybody’s support in the House, not statements that we have an appalling health system in the Territory. We do not. We have a very good health system; one which can improve and will improve under this agreement to which I have committed the Territory.
The CLP criticises everything this government does; they have nothing to match the achievements I have outlined in improving health outcomes, and they are a policy free zone in regard to how a Country Liberal Party government would be able, within their budget parameters, fund the ever escalating costs of healthcare without signing up to this agreement with the Commonwealth. I do not know how they would fund the health system.
In regard to the last speaker from the opposition, who spent a large part of her speech quoting from various news clippings regarding the Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett, I have met Premier Barnett on a number of occasions, predominantly at COAG meetings, and found him to be very considered in his approach to the national reform agenda at COAG, and very constructive in his dealings around the table; there was no party politics played. I respect the right he has, as Premier of Western Australia, to continue to find and conclude an arrangement for Western Australia.
The Premier of Western Australia – and I was there for all meetings and all breaks around COAG - was certainly not critical, and he participated in a very constructive way in all the structural reforms put forward and debated at COAG. With regard to improving health outcomes for Western Australians, he acknowledges the structural reforms thrashed out at COAG will improve health outcomes for Western Australians. He also stated ...
Dr BURNS: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON: I thank my colleague, the Leader of Government Business. I want to get this on the record because I believe he is a considered man and, as any Premier does, works hard in the best interest of their state. He answered the question in the media conference afterwards: ‘Premier, you have not signed this agreement. Are you saying Western Australia should not receive the same benefits?’ He made it very clear he expected the Commonwealth government to deliver the improved benefits to the health system in Western Australia, and not see Western Australians miss out; however he was not going to sign over his share of the GST. That is his policy position, although he did acknowledge the reforms had significant benefits to health outcomes in Western Australia.
The real issue regarding the GST for Western Australia is the Grants Commission has handed down the review of relativities which saw Western Australia take a significant reduction in their relativities and, therefore, a reduced flow of funding from the Commonwealth to Western Australia. However, he was not prepared to see a further, on paper, reduction of those revenues to the state. I understand his position, and he was certainly prepared to put an equivalent amount into a pool; he did not want the Commonwealth to retain 30% of the overall slice of the GST. He was committed to Western Australia contributing its share to the pool.
I do not believe Western Australia and the Commonwealth are too far apart to conclude an agreement. It is not a debate about the quantum of money for Western Australia to contribute; it is about how that money is allocated to the pool. I believe that is a semantic argument if you are not arguing about the quantum of money, and I am sure the PM and the Western Australian Premier will work it out. The Western Australian Premier did participate fully, argued Western Australia’s case - as we all did - and acknowledged there are significant benefits to the people of Western Australia through the structural reforms.
For the member to say he does not believe there are any health benefits and it is all a waste of time - that is not the Premier I spent several days with and worked alongside.
In conclusion, I am sure we will continue to debate health in this parliament. It is not very often the Northern Territory Chief Minister gets to walk away from a COAG meeting with an extra $222.7m in his or her pocket for the health system in the Northern Territory; I believe that is a good couple of day’s work on behalf of our health system today, and into the future. Improvements can always be made, and we will continue to work cooperatively with the Australian government to improve health services in the Northern Territory.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
MOTION
Note Statement –Information and Communications Technology Achievement
Note Statement –Information and Communications Technology Achievement
Continued from 29 April 2010.
Ms McCARTHY (Local Government): Madam Deputy Speaker, I note the government’s strong support for improved information and communications technology, and the benefit of new technology across my portfolio responsibilities. Before commencing, I would like to reflect on the major advances made in this area.
Some time ago, Tim Fisher, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party, was promoting the Internet as the future for commerce. He asked his very enthusiastic audience how many were making a profit utilising the Internet. Surprisingly, only one person was: a whip maker from the Northern Territory called Mick Denigan. This interview was probably made six or seven years ago and since then, commerce on the Internet has expanded, or exploded.
Today, new opportunities have been fully realised as improvements in information technology and access to fibre-optic highways and satellite communications is opening up the Northern Territory, not only to the rest of the country, the rest of the world. Our land mass as a country, our distance from one another and our population growth in major centres is one of our big challenges. The isolation was further compounded for many towns and smaller communities in the Territory east or west of the Stuart Highway lacking access to the telegraph and, later, telephone lines. For my electorate, and many other bush electorates, the changes occurring now are astounding. It is said advancement in information technology is the new driving force of human society.
Let us go back into history. In 1872, the Overland Telegraph connecting Australia to the rest of the world was officially opened. This momentous event meant communication between Australia and London, which took around 1000 hours by steam ship, was reduced to one hour. In developing the Territory, the Overland Telegraph Line did not do too much. If you were not on the line, it could take from one to 14 days by horse before one had access to communications with the outside world. Even if you managed to make it to a relay station, the cost of sending a telegram was enormous. An article in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette, dated 28 November 1873, announced the Telegraph Office was reducing the cost of a 10-word telegram from 14 shillings to 10 shillings. With the average wage at the time in the order of 2, a telegram cost in the vicinity of 25% of the working wage - to give an idea of the cost - a huge amount of money by any standards.
The reason we know these facts is because a newspaper of that era has been digitised. Anyone who has slightest interest in Territory history can go to a primary source and bring it up, whether they be a resident in Darwin, Bulman, or in southern Arnhem Land, or further. This is the big break through - access to information on any subject at minimal cost.
In the 1870s, you had to be physically on the line and rich enough to use the service. In the period from the 1950s through to the 1990s, the communication medium for those living east or west of the telegraph line was either VJY outpost radio, or the infamous radio telephone. Both these systems had major limitations and, having grown up in Borroloola in the 1970s, I can still remember them. Privacy was not a strong point; your limited VJY conversation time could be heard across the length and breadth of the Territory. Everyone knew your business and, consequently, people used coded messages to convey intimate details. Radio telephone communications were very susceptible to atmospheric conditions, not the clear satellite communications we enjoy today. The worst thing about radio telephones was, as a rule, there was only one in the town, and when your town has a population of over 500 people demand on it went late into the night.
People who spent time in remote areas of the Northern Territory during the 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s, will have had some experience with these nightmares in communication. Until the early 1990s, communication out bush was largely limited to voice or fax messages; images or other data could not be conveyed clearly and connections could only be made with one person or agency at a time; unlike today where one e-mail can be distributed to thousands of people at the click of a mouse.
With the roll-out of optic fibre across the Northern Territory, and when I was driving to Ramingining for the festival last year, you had a good sense of the tremendous amount of work carried out between the Gunbalanya and Maningrida area across to Ramingining. Travelling on the Central Arnhem road coming up through Bulman, you saw where the Telstra workers had been digging the lines and you, Madam Deputy Speaker, living in the region, would no doubt see it in your travels too.
With the roll-out of optic fibre across the Territory, improved satellite communications, mobile phone coverage, and the installation of landline phones, remote towns and communities in the Territory are now really connected to the outside world. Isolation and distance, our greatest adversaries, are being rolled back. As the member for Arnhem and the Minister for Local Government, Regional Development, Indigenous Development, Tourism, Women’s Policy and Statehood I have a great appreciation of the value of emerging information and communications technology. Without the technologies people in my electorate, and across the regions of the Territory, would continue to be denied access to information, services and business opportunities increasingly taken for granted in our major towns and cities.
Over the years if a line is cut, for example between Borroloola and the mine or from Borroloola to Daly Waters Highway Inn, the town has been without any form of communication for at least a full day, if not longer. That isolation is recognised immediately by people, and how much we rely on the speed of technology today.
Some of the biggest changes have happened in Local Government. Before the reforms we had a multitude of small councils doing their own thing, all using their own financial systems, all unconnected to the rest of the world. When you add lack of housing to the equation, maintaining some level of competence, stability and continuity was an ongoing battle. Information and communication technology has liberated remote towns in the Northern Territory. Many towns now have the same access to expertise and knowledge as the inhabitants of Parliament House.
In the past, the CEOs of small local government bodies were, in the main, principally money managers. They had little chance to achieve anything other than acquit grants, and success was measured not so much in service delivery, but in grant acquittals. The reform of local government and the establishment of the shires could only have occurred in this, the 21st century. Towns within shires can now access all their business information online from a single provider through ShireBiz: e-mail, Internet, finances, timesheets, HR, office products, can all be accessed.
The shires now have the new capacity to inform their constituents about what is occurring. Shire council minutes, financial information, newsletters and events of interest can all be showcased on their own websites, and updated continuously. Previously, operations like this were strictly the domain of big departments in government.
Another portfolio responsibility which has benefited from information and communication technology, and continues to do so, is Regional Development. Its website has enabled the government to promote the main regional centres through the development of economical profiles which use data collected from surveys and reputable government departments and take the economic structure of a town from the anecdotal to the scientifically measurable. These profiles are available for Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and, soon, Madam Deputy Speaker, your electorate of Nhulunbuy.
One industry booming through the ability to promote and market their business opportunities through modern information and communication technologies is tourism. Change in information technologies is rapidly changing the way people all over the world go about booking a holiday. The pace of change is something we must be focused on and involved with. The tourism industry is at the forefront of these changes and adapting quickly to the changing landscape. Tourism NT is investing wisely in this area to not only keep abreast of the changes, to lead the way.
In the social media and marketing sphere, a number of initiatives are in place. Tourism NT was the first government tourism organisation in Australia to launch an official presence on YouTube. Compared to all other Australian-based destinations, we remain the most popular with the most subscribers, and the most video-views of our content. Tourism NT has recently established its Facebook page and is building fans very quickly, and will expand to well over 6000 friends of our Facebook page in coming weeks. We will also explore opportunities in the next financial year to use a variety of Facebook tools to help people look and share content, and book travel through our Facebook site.
We are currently number seven in popularity as one of the top free travel applications in iPhone, out of 11 120 free travel applications available. The Queensland site comes in at 37 and South Australia at 63, to give an indication of the popularity of the Northern Territory.
TNT is also exploring other platforms to launch applications for the Territory, including those suitable for new software known as Android. Android is a software system for a range of mobile devices including other Smart Phone brands and is also used by Google; investment will be based on use and alignment with our target market. Different forms of media and new technology continue to evolve presenting exciting new opportunities for Tourism NT and marketing.
Tourism NT recently partnered with Yahoo7, Channel 7, and a host of trade and operator partners to provide them with opportunities to showcase their tourism products and deals using new media channels, including social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook. Partners with booking engine capability have also generated direct bookings from leads with this media partnership. E-enablement forms a major theme in the Tourism NT strategic plan and a number of programs and technical tools and applications are under development. There is a great deal happening behind the scenes with advancements in technology, and Tourism NT is at the forefront ensuring we keep up with, and capitalise on, the changing environment.
A culture of exploring new technology and accessing new information is also being taken up by young people in the bush and across the regions. Who will ever forget the worldwide phenomenon in 2007 when a mobile phone recording of the Chooky Dancers’ rendition of Zorba the Greek became an overnight sensation on YouTube? It has had over a million hits around the world and, through modern information technology, travelled halfway around the world to the Greek island of Kastellorizo, a small island in southeast Greece. When we in the Territory saw the vision for the first time it was seen by the locals in the village square on the island of Kastellorizo at the same time. Interestingly, most of the people from the island immigrated to Australia and came to Darwin. This is a great and recent example of technology linking cultures around the globe and reducing the remoteness and isolation of people in the bush in the Territory, and on small Greek islands a world away.
It is the adoption and use of contemporary technology which has led these young Yolngu men into an amazing life of fame and international stardom. Since the YouTube sensation, they have performed at the Sydney Festival and the Melbourne Comedy Festival and, because of this fame, are now being recognised by other performing arts and dance, and recently performed at the Adelaide Festival. They have also reached the big screen with their performance in Rachel Perkins’ film, Bran Nue Dae; a movie well worth seeing, Madam Deputy Speaker, if you and other members of the House have not seen it. I encourage everyone to catch the Chooky Dancers in this year’s Darwin Festival in August ...
Mr Knight: And at Merrepen.
Ms McCARTHY: And at Merrepen Arts Festival. Thank you, member for Daly.
People in the bush are taking up the use of versatile new technology and entering the international community not only for entertainment, for training, education and communicating with friends and family. The culture of the information age is also changing behaviour in our communities - mostly good changes however, as a government, we have to be aware of damaging behaviour occurring as a result of these changes.
One example is diva texting, a behaviour developing as mobile networks are extended to our remote and regional townships. Diva texting, for the parliament and members not aware, can be another form of cyber bullying mostly conducted by young people who send explicit, repeated, hostile texts to an unsuspecting person who takes the insults and messages seriously. These texts can cause community unrest in some places, and can erupt into family violence. It is quite disturbing, and I am aware of it as the local member in Arnhem.
It was raised with me at the Northern Land Council full meeting in Barunga recently. I heard one leader at the council calling for an extension of mobile networks in places without access to mobiles, and another leader expressing concern that mobile networks need to be shut down because of the disturbances these diva texts are creating amongst family groups.
Families need to ensure their younger people are using new technology safely and we, as a government, want to ensure parents have the skills and tools to ensure their children are protected against any negative aspects of this trend. We have advice for parents and mobile phone users on our Department of Justice website. It is important parents get involved with their children’s use and management of information technology; parents need to communicate with their children to ensure they have tools for safe use of new technologies. Children and young people need to report any bullying, whether it is on the phone or computer. Bullying via mobile phone must not be tolerated, like any other form of bullying.
A recent example was an e-mail which was sent from Queensland and made its way through spam to Katherine. Within four minutes a footy team from just south of the Katherine region was requesting a change to their game time due to the disturbing nature of the e-mail and the fear it created for this football team which would be travelling at night. The police were notified of this incident and this spam was relegated to the rubbish bin. What is amazing is the speed with which the e-mail affected behaviour.
It is also disturbing that people tend to think everything they read is fact, which is why many people are being overloaded with spam. While we appreciate the advances in technology, caution needs to be exercised at all times. We, as a government, have to ensure the necessary filters and access to young people are developed to protect society from the predatory and unsavoury use of what is quite remarkable technology, however there are things we have to be mindful of with its use.
The social network industry is almost unfathomable to people who do not use these new communication tools. In fact, my own children have a better grasp of it at times than I do - I look to them to fix my phone, or work out something on the computer. It is quite extraordinary how young people can do it with their eyes closed, and it takes a little while for me to figure it out; it is a running joke in our family.
These developments will change aspects of our society, and it is difficult to assess or predict the future global, social impact. One thing is for certain, it will change the face of our community; it is changing the face of our community in the definition of community, and in the definition of communication across communities.
I commend the minister for his statement and this government’s continuing work in maximising the benefits of technological change, and a new communications infrastructure for all people across the Northern Territory.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend my colleague, the ICT minister, on a very broad-ranging and visionary statement; I know he is very passionate about improving service delivery through the use of ICT. I am very pleased to respond to this statement personally, and as Chief Minister of the Territory, because I decided to end my first career in life as a marine fitter and wanted to get into the ICT industry; I could see it was the industry for the future. I worked in the ICT industry in government as well a brief stint in Europe contracting work on a number of projects in the UK in the early 1990s working for myself and, over a 15-year period, saw significant changes in the ICT industry.
As the Chief Minister, something I am determined to do with my Cabinet colleagues and the ICT minister, is introduce a more broad-ranging and wide-ranging use of IT into the Territory government and across the Territory as a whole. I believe there is a much better capacity to deliver services to people in regional and remote areas through the use of ICT. It will require some cultural change throughout the public service, but it is one I, and my colleagues, are up for.
I also believe we have the public service to do it. Our public servants are, in the main, switched on to the fact delivering health services in regional and remote areas is complex and challenging, and acknowledge ICT gives them the capacity to do things better and smarter. I want to harness that energy across government and use it to change the way we do business. Members are aware of how much paper we all get, and it is good to see members using computers in the Chamber. A great deal of paper is produced every day by this parliament, and a challenge for the Department of the Legislative Assembly is to significantly reduce the amount of paper consumed as part of our business; I want government, as a whole, to be as paperless as possible. I want Territorians to access their needs from government online as much as possible, and I want as many of our utilities as possible to have their paperwork requirements online.
There are additional allocations in the budget handed down today to improve access to Territory business to apply for and renew licences required by government online. I want our planning system far more online focused, and non-government organisations should be able to access their requirements from government online; the myriad of forms we all need to fill in need to be online. I am also working on changing the way government communicates.
Members may not be aware of the great lengths government went to with the development of Territory 2030. For the first time, a major government policy development process was opened up to the public from the outset. One way people could access this document was to edit it online and communications between the 2030 team and many participants in the process did occur online. This is the type of process I want to expand and see more of in the way government interacts with the community. The rapid pace of change in communications is mind boggling, but it is a process I enjoy seeing evolve. Communications opens up our world and information provides us with knowledge, and I welcome all those changes. I want to ensure government keeps up with these changes and uses them to make life easier for our residents and for people to be involved in government.
I congratulate the minister for his persistent efforts, and that of his agency, in lobbying so successfully for $75m from the federal government for new ICT infrastructure for Territorians - a significant achievement.
This government is delivering a world-class communications network to all Territorians; it is something we are proud of, focused on, and something the minister will continue to roll-out. The Territory 2030 plan created by the people of the Territory acknowledges that, and I quote:
- One of the major needs for the future of the Territory is to improve access to technology. We must not waiver in our efforts to connect every Territorian to a high speed broadband network.
This government is delivering just that – a world-class communications network for all Territorians – and we are rolling it out at a faster rate, thanks to the $75m investment we fought for. As the minister has already informed the House, construction of nearly 2300 km of modern fibre cables and electronic systems between Brisbane and Darwin is under way. I, with the minister, met with a number of proprietors of Nextgen after parliament on Thursday last week, and a further 760 km will be laid to connect Alice Springs. Improving access to and use of technology is a clear objective of the Territory 2030 plan. Our target, as stated in the plan, is to ensure:
- Territorians and major towns and communities will have access to high speed broadband and the internet on the same terms as the rest of Australia as a matter of priority.
Delivering superior ICT infrastructure will benefit many sectors of the community, and I will cover a few: more and more Territorians will have access to faster and more reliable broadband. We know 60% of Territorians have access today, and as coverage improves across the Territory, I expect this to reach closer to 90% in the not too distant future. We are continuing to see a rapid rise in the use of ICT technology by Territorians, particularly the social media networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and this usage will only increase. We will be better able to manage the tyranny of distance which has plagued us for so long as we better connect to the rest of the world. Delivering improvements in ICT capabilities will enable communities across the Territory to connect with family and friends from all over the world and, for business, the ability to access every corner of the world. As a government, we are committed to supporting our Territory businesses to improve their online capabilities through a series of workshops and one-on-one coaching.
At the COAG held in Darwin on 1 July last year, each state and territory was required to inform their colleagues on Indigenous progress matters. I spoke of our e-Health initiative system, which is widely acknowledged as the most advanced system in the nation, and is now being copied by my colleagues interstate. It means Territorians living in the bush will have their medical records follow them wherever they go. Into the future the use of technology to deliver medical services is growing. We are so far ahead of the other states in single electronic medical records, which means Indigenous Territorians in remote parts of the Territory, regardless of whether they access their local clinics; a visiting district medical officer; present to the Katherine, Alice Springs or Royal Darwin Hospital; present to a GP in Darwin or in Alice Springs, their electronic health record is instantly available to whoever the referring physician is, or the nurses are, who have access to those medial records. Any new treatment the prescribing physician provides is automatically updated on that database, and is available in real time wherever the patient may go.
We are so far ahead of the other states everyone is playing catch-up. I pay credit to the people in the Health department, the people in the Aboriginal medical service providers and the ICT people of government who have worked so hard to deliver such enormous benefits to our Indigenous people who require health services. I have spoken to a number of doctors at length about the huge benefits this provides to them. When an Indigenous patient comes to Royal Darwin Hospital, the treating clinician can see when the last tests were completed on that patient, the outcomes; the medication regime the patient is on - their entire health record. That improves clinical diagnostic times, reduces costs for duplication of testing regimes, and improves turnaround times through the hospital because interpreters do not have to be involved. The patient’s medical history is online in real time for the treating clinician and will, over time, lead to better health outcomes.
Talking about education, it has long been a personal desire of mine to see all Territory children receive quality education, and for children in our remote communities this has been a challenge. ICT comes into its own when we consider the extensive educational opportunities provided by the increasing sophistication of technology; it is the obvious vehicle for overcoming educational disadvantage associated with small numbers of students living in extremely remote locations. There is a very strong link between the opportunities ICT presents, Territory 2030, and the fact education is a priority of government. I would like to see every student in our schools with a computer on their desk many years prior to 2030. This is not an unrealistic goal; we are already some way down the track.
By the end of 2011, thanks to the digital education revolution supported by the Australian government, every student in Years 9 – 12 in the Territory will have access to a computer, and 2500 students living in remote communities now have a computer through the one laptop per child program. ICT will be the learning tool to position all students, regardless of where they live in the Territory, to be part of the information age, to participate in and enjoy the prosperity associated with our fast growing economy and the global economy.
I predict there will be a significant transformation of delivering education across the Territory over the next few years. The concept of the virtual classroom is coming into its own. It is not feasible, particularly in our middle and high schools, to have specialist teachers in specialised subjects in all schools across the Territory. To have a virtual classroom in a specialist biology subject, for example, students will be able to enrol online from wherever they are in the Northern Territory to participate in an elective they otherwise would not have access to. This is the path we are going down. Nothing will ever replace the face-to-face teaching and learning, however this will open up far more choice for students across the Northern Territory to access elective subjects, not only from the Northern Territory but from elsewhere within Australia and, why not, the world?. It is an exciting time in education.
Across my portfolio for Police, Fire and Emergency Services a number of communication networks and systems are employed to manage and monitor the deployment of staff and provide community safety and protection in an efficient and effective way. These communication systems include digital and analogue radio networks, microwave backbone links, HF radio and satellite. This government has made a significant investment in upgrading NTPFES communications; $13m was provided to replace the existing Motorola 3.0 digital radio network which is approaching its end-of-life. The digital radio upgrade project commenced in July 2008 will implement the latest Motorola digital trunking communication system across the urban operations in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.
The rollout of the new digital trunking network will be completed in the second half of 2010. Whilst many of the benefits of the new network will not be evident to everyday users, some benefits will include: greater digital radio penetration and coverage across Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs; provide improved inter-operability for NT emergency service, which is going to be a very big boost to the NTES; provide for end-to-end encryption allowing for secure communication of all traffic on the network; increases in the volume of channels and talk groups available to police, emergency services and other public safety stakeholders, thus improving inter-operability between organisations and stakeholders; and superior logging and auditing of voice communications.
Emergency alerts controlled by police commenced in March 2010, and are part of a national emergency warning system which provides emergency messages via voice to landlines by service addresses, and by SMS to mobile phones by billing addresses. Messages to mobile phones by geographic location of the handset are being developed, and will be introduced in future versions of the software. Geographical boundary areas for the delivery of messages can be defined and transmitted across all carriers. Our emergency operation centres will use new critical information management software call WebEOC. The two major expected users of WebEOC will be Police, Fire and Emergency Services and the National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre within the Department of Health and Families. The WebEOC project is presently being managed by Police, Fire and Emergency Service and is expected to be fully operational by August 2010.
In February 2008, this government announced the installation of CCTV systems as part of a package of antisocial behaviour initiatives to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week and, where an offence is detected by CCTV, the operator informs the appropriate police unit for attention, and the response is instantaneous.
I have briefly highlighted, in areas of portfolio responsibility I have, how government is making better and better use of the ICT infrastructure available to us. The minister and Cabinet are committed to improving the delivery of health services, educational services, and correctional services; and providing better services to businesses, not-for-profit groups, and citizens of the Northern Territory by having much more accessible, online access to government, and much more creative thinking in regard to improving service delivery to people in regional and remote parts of the Territory.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister on his statement.
Mr McCARTHY (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I support the minister’s statement on information communication technology in the Northern Territory.
The construction of the 3500 km fibre link will bring substantial benefits to Territorians with improved telecommunication services. Access to high speed broadband and the Internet is one of the Henderson government’s Territory 2030 targets. This $75m infrastructure project is one of many major projects under way which will improve the lives of people living in the Territory. As a bush member, I understand the importance of the investment in communication technology and the benefits it can bring to remote areas of the Territory.
It was with great joy I listened to the member for Arnhem and her memories of the radio telephone. I remember my first contact with the radio telephone, and thinking how sophisticated that technology was because I was operating a HF radio. I will never forget the call sign of the HF radio I was operating, which is embedded into my psyche - Victor Zulu Eight Charlie X-ray, Epenarra School. We had a network of schools across the southern region that communicated via this technology, which I found fascinating, appropriate, and matched the setting of a remote area silver bullet school on the Frew River many moons ago. I also remember my first trip to Borroloola witnessing this advanced communication technology, the radio telephone. I thought our system in the bush, the HF radio, was far superior because I definitely did not enjoy sitting in front of the radio telephone and watching a small red light turn to green when it was my opportunity to jump on board to gain access - but there was no guarantees.
I also remember, with fondness, introducing the HF radio network to the old men and, through the assistant teacher, the old ladies of the community. It was an example of how communication is so important in our communities and our society, and relates to all aspects of our lives. The first few sessions on HF radio when VJY made the frequency clear after 5 pm, gave a small window of opportunity to talk to communities. I instigated a project where members of the community could talk to other communities to share knowledge and information. It was a wonderful experience teaching the old people about this technology, and then witnessing their communication with countrymen from Murray Downs, and even as far south as the Sandover in those days.
Two like minded schools were also willing to have old people participate in this communication, and I still use it to this day. It was very interesting when the conversation was opened in language, and the traditional language came back through the radio waves, the person who opened the conversation would inquire: ‘Who are you?’ It became quite a fun time when ‘Who are you?’ would identify themselves on the other end, and the crowd gathered around the HF set would burst into laughter and enjoy the communication taking place. They are very fond memories.
We ramped that up to conduct quite integral communication lines between communities about educational projects, what the schools were doing, what the communities were doing, about people travelling back and forward. I would reflect on how that would occur in traditional days and was still done, to a large degree, in the early 1980s in remote parts of the Barkly, based on ceremonial law; people reading the seasons, people acting on traditional calendars, and only brought into the modern world when a visitor would appear. The HF radio days were wonderful days. People call it very primitive technology; however, for the communities it serviced, it was our lifeline in early communications.
I also remember moving to the next level of communications with satellite phones, and seeing how incredible they were and how up-market that technology was, then witnessing the idiosyncrasies and limitations to satellite communications.
The minister has brought this statement forward and is focused on fibre links, which is a new age in information technology and communication, a new age for knowledge sharing and for delivering real benefits to Territorians no matter where they live; in the urban networks or in the remotest parts of the Territory.
This statement is about delivering faster and more efficient access to government information and services through such facilities. A simple example in one of my portfolio areas is the road report website - important information at your fingertips for all Territorians. The days of a school teacher bogged on the side of the road for days is no longer necessary, where it was try your luck and see if you could get to town for that important meeting or shopping expedition. Now, with improved information technology, we can not only keep Territorians safer, we can deliver more efficient outcomes as well.
This is important for business and doing business with the government. Territorians will have improved telecommunication access in remote areas which reduces risks associated with working in remote locations and improves the ability of officers from the Department of Construction and Infrastructure, indeed any department, to report incidents and initiate repair work on government assets in remote locations.
Government’s new asset management system is designed to achieve the maximum benefit from the new Fiberlink and utilise the full capabilities of the information and communications technology. Fiberlink will assist government to increase productivity and reduce response times; have the ability to access information about works required, or under way, within a geographic location, and increase efficiency and effectiveness of budgeted monies through opportunities to bundle repairs and maintenance works. Businesses will have timely and efficient access to facilities such as tenders online, which improves opportunities for companies outside major regional centres to tender for works. This also delivers on our commitment to invest in the regions with better information access set to result in increasing numbers of potential tenderers and the level of competition in the marketplace. Increased competition will benefit all Territorians.
The government has fast-tracked land release in 2009-10 to meet the needs of our growing population. My department will continue to ensure our land developments can be held up as examples of how to build an environmentally sustainable future. Weddell will be a world-class, green city and a smart city. Our new suburbs of Bellamack and Johnston include fibre to the home technology - this investment is under way now. As the new suburbs are built, the new technology is being put in the ground and will deliver dividends in the future as families receive better access to information tools, and much faster and more reliable Internet speeds. Home businesses will also grow with the Internet services available to homes at speeds normally only found in the central business districts in large cities.
One of the Henderson government’s Territory 2030 targets is expanding the education and training opportunities available to prisoners in our prison system, to increase literacy and numeracy, to reduce the rate of recidivism, and to create opportunities for life outside prison. Our new era in Corrections focuses government on stopping the cycle of recidivism, and providing the right learning and training environment to help those in custody have the best chance of a successful future through education. We are investing in our education and training facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs, and the new prison to be built in Darwin will provide even better communications technology, delivering better outcomes for rehabilitation, education, and prisoners returning to the community.
In relation to Arts and Museums, high speed broadband will open up opportunities for artists throughout the Territory to utilise this technology to share their art with the world. It will create e-Business opportunities and give artists the ability to showcase their talent to the world. We are talking about global markets; we are talking about art and music, culture and heritage. Already in Tennant Creek, a regional area of the Northern Territory, the Barkly Regional Arts Organisation, the Winanjjikari Music Centre, are already exploring this incredible market opportunity of sending the art product around the world, and artists are very excited about the opportunities. These opportunities will only grow with improved ICT hardware, improved speed and improved connectivity.
Access to high speed broadband will enable Territorians living in remote and smaller regional centres to access information and facilities such as online banking, and enjoy the benefits of Internet services currently available to people who reside in our major centres. Distance will no longer be a barrier to doing business with remote and regional centres, with improved opportunities to grow Territory businesses in remote communities through e-Business. This investment will have a positive impact on all areas of our community, from schools and health services to environmental management and employment opportunities.
Improving the sharing of information across the Territory through Internet and videoconferencing facilities will reduce the amount of travel time necessary, and will improve the conducting of business and attending training, giving people more time to pursue other activities. Videoconferencing can significantly improve the effectiveness of communications with remote and regional Territorians by adding the visual component and creating a more inclusive, productive environment.
As the member for Barkly, I am only too familiar with the amount of time it takes to commute to important meetings with constituents, or in my ministerial capacity. I am looking forward to this technology enabling me to work remotely within the electorate. Currently there are great examples of technology providing this opportunity: remote connections to Cabinet meetings; remote connections with the Department of Justice without courts; opportunities improved ICT presents for community corrections and managing clients in a community correctional environment; reduced travel; reduced paper usage; increased e-Business; and an increased number of Territorians accessing online services will benefit the environment by decreasing the level of carbon emissions. The opportunity for Territorians to reduce the impact on the environment with the option to receive electronic information by e-mail instead of paper based information is credible.
Remote students at all levels will be able to take advantage of online learning opportunities, expanding the world for students in primary and secondary schools and opening doors for adults in remote locations to participate in tertiary education. Access to information is access to education.
In a concluding reflection, I would like to mention the Borroloola Community Education Centre and the innovative project we engaged in with Glamorgan School under a Telstra IT project. That was in 1996, and very much an exploration between Borroloola and Toorak on chat rooms. The Grade 5 and 6 students from the Borroloola Community Education Centre developed their first engagement with a modern IT system via chat rooms, met students who were growing up in a fast paced modern city in Victoria, Melbourne, and exchanged project work through the Telstra learner project, which facilitated excursions with not only Borroloola students travelling to Melbourne and being hosted by Geelong Grammar, Glamorgan campus, also the Glamorgan students travelling to Borroloola and being hosted in the fabulous gulf country, including a major excursion to Vanderlin Island.
It was early technology and was rather cumbersome. When we see this statement and the Henderson government delivering ICT technology across the Territory towards 2030, projects like that will be streamlined and the educational outcomes associated with creating a real world vision for our students in remote areas will become very much the norm, and I look forward to it.
In conclusion, we have come a very long way with our information and communication technology over the past decade. We have an exciting future in the Territory, and it is not just about roads, bridges and buildings, it is about investing in a smart Territory. It is about investing in new technology, driving innovation in the bush, building better and faster communication channels for sharing information, ideas and education. The flagship projects the minister detailed in his statement, the fibre link across Arnhem Land and Nextgen construction of a 3500 km fibre network from Brisbane to Darwin, going right through Tennant Creek, and the growth of our world-class, online patient information system show we are heading in the right direction.
Madam Speaker I thank the minister for bringing on this statement.
Mr GUNNER (Fannie Bay): Madam Speaker, I support the statement of a minister who has formed a partnership with the Australian government and the private sector to make a significant difference to the future of the Territory. The significance of 2300 km of fibre-optic cabling cannot be underestimated. Fibre-optic communications have revolutionised telecommunications; it has played, and is playing, a major role in the information age. It has huge advantages over electrical transmissions, and is the obvious, logical replacement to the copper wire communications.
An investment in fibre-optics will pay off today, and continue to pay off into the future, especially for the Territory with our huge distances. Optical fibre has large advantages over existing copper wire in long distance and high-demand applications. There is no doubt 2300 km is a long distance. This investment will open up the Territory in ways we can guess, but cannot know for sure. The ceiling of what can be achieved and delivered with this technology is not known yet; it has amazing potential. As a measure of the power of technology and the invention and innovation of Territorians, we will find ways to make this work for us we have not thought of yet.
The significance of this investment has historical parallels for the Territory. Growing up in Alice, I spent time at the Old Telegraph Station. I am sure members are aware of the importance of the Australian Overland Telegraph line – 3200 km of telegraph line which connected Darwin with the world - the member for Johnston referred to it in his contribution to this debate. The line was completed in 1872; one of the great engineering feats. Distance and terrain were conquered in completing the line, and the consequences of the line were to permanently defy the handicaps of distance and terrain for many people living in the Territory. The first message along the line was:
- We have this day, within two years, completed a line of communication two thousand miles long through the very centre of Australia, until a few years ago a terra incognita believed to be a desert.
Having the ability to reliably transfer huge amounts of data over long distances quickly will allow the Territory to compete internationally, where there are benefits we cannot predict. Businesses in my electorate already rely on technology to base their operations in Darwin. I am talking principally about the betting operations of Brett Dixon House at the Turf Club. I was there one Saturday about a month ago and watched in wonderment. It is an amazing operation. They had about 50 people with headsets talking to people from all around the world. They had televisions set up, I saw uninterrupted power supplies, their back-up data; they back up to the cloud - they back up live to Sydney. It is an amazing operation which they operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Technology allows them to set up here and they can choose Darwin as home - they do not have to be located in Sydney or Melbourne. We need to be flexible and competitive in the Territory so they do not leave, and that is a challenge we have risen to as a government. They are not the only industry; I know other companies based in the Territory rather than elsewhere; technology has allowed them to make that decision. The 2300 km of fibre-optic cabling will make that decision easier in the future. How we do business is changing; how we live our lives is changing; technology is making things possible, practical, accessible and cheap so new options are available to people.
Teleconferencing is a great example of something which was limited in its applicability and breadth, and has now become accepted as an everyday application. I have used teleconferencing and, with current technology and new technologies emerging all the time, teleconferencing is very good, and will only get better and easier. Last year I used Skype in Darwin to present a volunteer award to someone in Alice Springs. I know a family who, because of the birth of a child, cannot attend a family wedding overseas. They are having the wedding Skyped to them in Darwin. All you need is the Internet, a laptop and a webcam. That is the power of modern technology - you can be connected around the world.
The minister for Education put this IT debate in context when he talked about the Territory having a population the size of Geelong living in an area the size of France, with about 600 communities, and the ongoing innovation in ICT having a significant implication for schools. The old tyranny of distance clich as an excuse for non-delivery of services is challenged as technology improves at an exponential rate. However, the demography of the Territory demands application of new technologies to deliver education services. That applies across a whole range of things in the Territory. We did have the tyranny of distance. With the power of technology, that can be conquered and is no longer an excuse for not delivering good services; it is something to which we should apply ourselves.
The local ICT industries realise the opportunities and challenges they are facing and, picking up on the points made by the Business minister, the local ICT industry has developed a web portal competing for business. They realise they need more ICT professionals, and have formed a partnership with Charles Darwin University from 2011 to ensure we have home-grown ICT professionals with a specialised Bachelor of Information Technology. That is a sign of confidence in the future of the ICT industry in the Territory, and something we all welcome.
There are things we need to do as a government when it comes to ICT - one of the biggest was mentioned by the minister for Business: his vision for one portal through which business can access information electronically such as regulations and assistance programs from all governments, including the Northern Territory and Commonwealth. Transacting electronically with government will impact on business.
The second part of that vision is an integrated Northern Territory government back end for licensing and regulation, which eliminates duplication and optimises the use of a common system. The advantage to business would be one portal could provide access to all information on government regulations and programs impacting on business; for example, licensing, planning, taxation, grant assistance, training programs, workforce, attraction programs and government procurement. This is the important part, minister: it should eliminate the requirement to provide the same information to multiple government bodies, which is often cursed. The potential to provide government regulations and licensing arrangements would be very welcomed, and would be a significant achievement.
It has been the ambition of many people over many years to achieve a paperless office. I believe we are closer to achieving that than ever before; it has been talked about a great deal, and sometimes we seem to be getting further and further away from it. In his statement, the minister touched on the electronic invoice management system which is currently being implemented, which will go a long way to reducing paper. The figures in the minister’s statement were 15 000 purchasing papers per month; 4000 recruitment-related papers per month - huge figures - and there are other figures also. A huge amount of paper is produced in government. I believe, as Smart Phones get smarter, and iPhones are handy, the paperless office gets closer. From discussions with IT professionals, they believe it is through tablet PCs, like the iPad, we might finally achieve a paperless office; which was first promised by the humble desktop PC. We are getting closer to achieving it.
I believed it was possible when I held my first Kindle. I do not know if other members have seen a Kindle; it is the e-book reader Amazon uses. The problem I have always had with moving away from paper is screens are not easy on the eye. The Kindle is amazingly easy to read; I believe it is as easy as reading printed material.
The advancement of new technology is amazing and new barriers are constantly being broken. The laying of 2300 km of fibre-optic cabling means the Territory will have the underlying infrastructure to take advantage of new breakthroughs, and entrepreneurs and innovators in the Territory can compete and sell their services and information to the world. That is a significant achievement, and I commend the minister on achieving that partnership.
Madam Speaker, I support this statement and commend it to the House.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Madam Speaker, I support the minister’s statement. The critical importance and reliance we, as Territorians, have upon information and communication technology can never be underestimated. It is never truer than for those of us who live, work and raise our families in very remote and isolated parts of the Territory. The enormous role information communication technology plays in our lives, and lives of people in remote areas, was highlighted poignantly at Yirrkala in my electorate in North East Arnhem Land on 24 March.
It was the day the philanthropic organisation, One Laptop per Child, handed over 200 of its XO educational devices, compact laptops, in white and lime green colours; designed for harsh environments, they are almost indestructible. Over the next 12 months the One Laptop Per Child program will deliver 15 000 of these XO laptops to remote schools across the inland and the north, and it is anticipated by the time the program is completed in 2014, 400 000 laptops will be distributed - one for every child aged from four to 15-years in regional and remote areas.
The significance of this event was not lost on anyone from traditional owners to the national media, as well as three of the country’s big corporate players - Telstra, News Limited and the Commonwealth Bank - and it was not lost on the elected representatives of government at Territory and federal level who were there. On that note, as the minister said at the outset, I too wish to acknowledge that some of our recent achievements have come about because of our partnerships with the private sector. At the Yirrkala event, senior Rirratjingu man and traditional owner, Djuwalpi Marika, stated, and I quote:
- Education is power. The laptop can be a bridge between cultures.
Also addressing the large crowd at Yirrkala School was Mandawuy Yunupingu, former Australian of the Year, and a much respected former principal of Yirrkala School in the early 1990s. Mandawuy left his position at Yirrkala School when, as lead singer of the band, Yothu Yindi, he toured the world. Of the many hit albums and songs they had was one called Information Superhighway. At the event, overcome by emotion as he spoke, he recalled his Yothu Yindi song and the sentiments it contained and recognised the importance of the future of his children and grandchildren, and how technology and laptops are part of that future.
The federal Minister for Employment Participation, Mark Arbib, said:
- It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Melbourne or Yirrkala, you should have the same opportunities.
News Limited’s Chief Executive, John Hartigan, said:
- Walk into the classroom, they’re already using the laptops. Here we are, in the middle of Arnhem Land, handing out laptops to children who will now have a wider window on the world. If you think of the disadvantage here, this has totally changed the opportunities for them.
Our own Education minister said:
- The Smart Territory strategy being delivered by the Territory government as part of the 2030 Plan targets quality partnerships such as the one with OLPC to help achieve better learning outcomes for students.
My colleague, the member for Arnhem, is correct when she says our young people possess an incredible aptitude for picking up new technologies. This government also recognises students in remote areas need the necessary infrastructure from which to work with their laptops. The member for Macdonnell was quite right last week in Question Time to ask what the government was doing for students at the school at Hermannsburg who need new classroom space. The response the government would be delivering $1.25m for that community is fantastic news for the local member, the community, families, students and teachers.
I am pleased to see Budget 2010-11 also commits $300 000 for three homeland learning centres - $300 000 for each one- at Rurangala, Birany Birany, and Mirrnatja in North East Arnhem Land. This is the type of investment never made by the CLP in its 26 years in the bush. Small wonder we did not see an Indigenous student from a remote area complete school to Year 12 level - if it was out of Darwin, it was out of sight.
This government, since 2001, has invested heavily in education infrastructure and additional teachers, and will continue to do so for the benefit of all Territorian students, including those who live in remote areas.
I have spoken about the launch of One Laptop per Child at Yirrkala, and a key element which makes that technology possible is access to the Internet - high speed at that. People across Arnhem Land from Jabiru to Nhulunbuy, and places in between, have benefited enormously from the Telstra fibre-optic cable project which was completed in December last year. This project is yet another prime and successful example of the Henderson government working in partnership with the private sector and, on this occasion, with traditional owners as well
With a total investment of approximately $34m, the partnership was led by Telstra. Rio Tinto Alcan Gove came on board so their business systems needs could be met, and it also delivered broadband to the homes of their employees, who make up around 50% of Nhulunbuy’s population, and it delivered broadband to every resident in Nhulunbuy; so it was not only Rio Tinto Alcan employees who benefited from it.
The other crucial partner in this project was the Northern Land Council. Clearly, with fibre-optic cable to be laid the 800 km or so between Jabiru and Nhulunbuy, there had to be very close consultation with traditional owners the length and breadth of the corridor to ensure access did not encroach upon or disturb sacred sites or areas of cultural importance or significance.
The project was delivered with remarkable speed, a credit to all parties involved. For peoples’ lives, businesses and delivery of government services, I can truly say it has been transformational. As the minister said, Gove District Hospital now has reliable access to the online patient system for the first time which allows ease and speed of access to a Territory-wide system.
The CEO of Telstra, Mr David Thodey, made the trip to Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala for the One Laptop per Child launch. It was his first visit to the region and, I believe, an eye-opener to see, firsthand, where some of Telstra’s most remote customers live, work and run businesses. Unfortunately, wet weather made it impossible for him to travel to one of the Layna homelands; nevertheless, he managed to fill in a busy day. What struck me was how genuinely interested he was to speak with people and understand the telecommunication shortfalls that exist for Telstra customers; and Gove people are certainly never backward in coming forward.
I would like to see some of the other CEOs from big corporations in Australia who do business in the Gove region - Westpac, Woolworths, Qantas - making a trip to the coalface to chat with consumers and find out what people think. It certainly would not go astray.
I mentioned what the fibre-optic cable project has meant for Gove hospital; the benefits are there for education and business in overcoming the tyranny of distance. For our regional development, delivering on the commitments of A Working Future policy in connecting our Territory growth towns, several of which are located in the region, it is essential. For every Territorian who lives out that way, access to world-class information and communications technology is essential in providing the platform to deliver it across the board.
People in my electorate have more opportunities now to embrace eLearning without having to leave their communities, and for Yolngu people, this is especially important. It allows them to stay on country yet be connected with a classroom and teacher hundreds of kilometres away. It removes the cost and logistics associated with travelling for study and, in that same vein, Charles Darwin University launched last year its very successful Teaching from Country program which sees Yolngu lecturers involved with the Yolngu studies courses including the Bachelor degree, literally teach from their country in real time with the use of Skype.
My constituent, Dhanggal Gurruwiwi, a respected senior woman and linguist, translator and artist, first told me of this program. She is able to lecture from her home at Birritjimi, near Nhulunbuy, while her students might be in Darwin or Tokyo. It is, in fact, the reverse of remote learning and, by all accounts, working well. Its success is entirely reliant on the information and communications technology which support it. From what I have read on their website, there is a high level of interest in Germany to tap into these academic courses.
Our modern day reliance on the information superhighway, as Mandawuy Yunupingu sang about, extends very much to the business world. The Department of Regional Development has delivered two grants recently which will see the overhaul of the websites for the East Arnhem Land Tourist Association and also for Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre at Yirrkala. East Arnhem Land does have a growing niche tourist market for people looking for some of the world’s best blue water fishing, or just good old fashioned four-wheel driving and camping experiences, or perhaps a cultural eco-tour experience rich in Indigenous knowledge and culture. The latter has grown considerably over the last three to four years with homelands atBawaka, Nyinyikay, Marparu and Yilpara moving into this market. While they are hard to get to places, they are not hard to find on the Internet and the more information we can capture and make available on the East Arnhem Land Tourist Association website, the better for customers and business operators.
In that vein, I acknowledge the Tourism minister’s ongoing funding for the Yolngu Tourism Hub which is providing backroom support to tourism businesses operating in homelands with great success. It is these kinds of ventures which A Working Future policy seeks to embrace: peoples’ participation in the economic activity of their community. I have heard time and time again from my electorate, from Yolngu people who seek opportunities to be actively engaged in the working life of their community, and I know for the homelands tourism businesses I am familiar with, the rewards are rich and not only in the monetary sense.
There are women, in particular, who gain enormous satisfaction and pride from hosting people on their country, on their community and being able to teach the visitors about their culture, language, and way of life. Their visitors go away with a life-changing experience and new and firsthand insights into Indigenous culture, vowing to return and passing on their recommendations to friends and family. This is all made possible because of the ICT platform which supports it.
The minister is quite right when he says this government has worked hard to ensure that jobs, economic opportunity, and community development are delivered to Territorians through investment in information and communications technology in the Territory. This is so important for Territorians in remote and isolated areas. The $49 000 made available to Buku-Larrnggay at Yirrkala will allow them to overhaul their website and build their capacity to manage online sales, as well as provide access to the enormous archives they hold in images, stories, and music. It is one of the most successful Indigenous art galleries in Australia, and the most successful art gallery in remote Australia. Established in the mid-1970s, it boasts the works of Yirrkala and homeland artists, many of whom are multi-award winners and recognised nationally and internationally for their works in a variety of mediums. These artists have displayed their works in galleries here and overseas, and will continue to do so. With the ICT platform of their new website they will have the capacity for buyers, and those interested in learning more about Yirrkala and its proud tradition of art, to come to Yirrkala online.
The minister detailed the green benefits information and communications technologies, and associated technology, allows us; something he has a vested interested in, not only as minister for ICT, but as minister for the Environment. The growing capacity for electronic workflow to take over from the paper trail of hard copy is not to be underestimated. This is a subject the Country Liberals are keenly interested in, as per last year’s estimates week, where they had a set of generic questions for each minister of how their agencies were working to reduce the carbon footprint associated with government administration.
As a member of the Legislative Assembly, my administrative dealings are largely electronic - bookings for travel, e-tickets, advice and confirmation of bookings, payments - all conducted via e-mail making the whole process more efficient, more timely, and easily tracked. It means not only reduction in use of paper and costs, but frees up time and resources to do other things. I noticed last week in the Chamber members’ copies of Hansard from Question Time arriving electronically, reducing paper wastage. I note the Chief Minister’s comment that we need to be as paperless as possible; perhaps there is more room to use electronic mail as opposed to hard copy.
Regarding paper wastage, the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee, in the early days of this parliamentary session, made a decision to reduce paper and printing by having all documents e-mailed as PDF files to members. With piles of documents in colour-coded manila folders for each of the five committees of which I am a member, I can attest to the fact the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee has dramatically less paperwork associated with it.
The types of efficiencies ICT affords us can be far-reaching. This morning I received an e-mail from Nhulunbuy High School asking parents to provide an update of their contact details ahead of the implementation and roll-out of the mobile phone short message service, or SMS, on 31 May. This system, which is in place at other schools around the Territory, and in other states, is part of a bid to notify parents of unexplained absences from school and will improve the ability of schools to communicate with parents in a fashion which is discreet and unobtrusive, fast and efficient and, importantly, cost-effective, while also freeing up the time and resources of school staff who are not tied to a phone contacting individual parents. Not all families will have mobile phones and, in those circumstances, Nhulunbuy High School, like other schools, will continue with other means of communication such as landlines and sending letters home. It remains an important step in the right direction towards ensuring on a school day students are where they should be - at school - unless they are unwell, or their absence is explained or justified, in the knowledge for students to be successful at school, they must attend regularly.
Another example of a significant breakthrough where the development and implementation of successful technology has delivered benefits to the North East Arnhem region is the takeaway liquor permit system which came into effect in March 2008. It is a system modelled on one in place on Groote Eylandt and driven at grassroots level by the community, led by a group of senior women from Yirrkala who appealed to key community stakeholders and leaders to work with them to devise a system to reduce the damage and dysfunction brought about by alcohol abuse - quite simply by restricting access to alcohol. The strategy, which was devised over three years, was agreed to and wholeheartedly supported by this government, which made the investment through the Department of Justices’ Alcohol Strategy Division.
The permit system means any person living in the region, or visiting the region, must obtain a permit to purchase liquor from takeaway outlets. It seemed onerous to some at the start, but is now accepted as part and parcel of living in Nhulunbuy. The success of the system has hinged entirely upon specially developed communications information technology which captures, electronically, all permit holders at specially installed terminals at the four or five takeaway stores at the point of purchase, and which verifies the purchaser is a permit holder; and lines up with photo ID which appears on the screen so the salesperson can match up the two. Currently, we have 8010 active permit holders, and 48 permits revoked.
The system also highlights whether the permit holder is currently on permit revocation because they have been in breach of their permit, or whether they are on a restricted permit. Not everyone on a restricted permit is because they have been in breach, some people voluntarily, from both the Indigenous and the non-Indigenous community, impose their own restriction on the permit. A permit holder might be on conditions which dictate the volume of the purchase is six cans of light beer per day, or it could be a 12-pack of medium strength beer per day.
This system was purpose-built for the Nhulunbuy region, being the only place on the mainland where liquor can be purchased. Retailers commented how helpful the IT people had been in installing and testing the system and, as people find new and creative ways of trying to bypass the system, the IT people are brought back in. For instance, there was a discovery early on that some permit holders on a restriction would visit each of the liquor outlets in the space of a day taking up their restricted allocation and, having done it several times, were obviously breaching the system. That has been addressed and now a retailer can see if a purchase has already been made that day.
This successful technology has seen a dramatic reduction in antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related crime. We heard the Treasurer, in her Budget speech today, say, 59% of crime in the Territory is alcohol-related, and alcohol abuse costs the Northern Territory approximately $642m a year. Statistics released by the Justice minister and Attorney-General in March this year showed assaults had dropped by 38% in Nhulunbuy in 2009. This, I would say, is directly linked to a successful takeaway liquor permit system, supported by an effective night patrol operated by the East Arnhem Shire, and an increase in effective policing.
This government has invested heavily in state-of-the-art information communication technology and will continue to do so for the benefit of all Territorians however, the needs are none so great than those of us who are living and work in remote areas.
Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his hard work and commitment in this area, and I commend the statement to the House.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, it is amazing to hear how the plight of Aboriginal people in the communities is a result of the failure of the CLP to invest in information technology; the lack of CLP investment in information technology has brought about the plight of Aboriginal people in communities across the Northern Territory. It would not have anything to do with the fact that, 10 years ago, or even five years ago, we did not have this technology; 15 years ago it was essentially non-existent. It would not have anything to do with the fact there is not a house for them to plug their computer into. It would not have anything to do with that? No, again, it is all the CLP’s fault and, I am sure it has been said during the debate, it is probably John Howard’s fault. The reason we have not invested in information technology; all the woes of the Northern Territory are the fault of the CLP, and the heavy investment by the Labor government is the reason we are seeing all these wonderful successes, according to members opposite, to do with alcohol policy and the like.
This statement is another political propaganda puff piece put out to fill up time and waste the time of this parliament, to sit here at 7 pm and debate a 16-page document the first half of which is repetitive. It says we have a 3500 km fibre link from Brisbane to Darwin. It mentions construction of fibre cables and electronics will add 200 jobs to the NT. The minister said we worked hard - this government has lobbied long and hard in Canberra. He says it again; we have worked hard to secure this investment from the federal government. In 2009 this government successfully lobbied the Australian government and, in the next paragraph on page six of this 16-page document: ‘I am delighted to report that after many months of concerted lobbying and meetings with the federal minister ...’. He said that four times in the first few pages; he mentioned again the 200 jobs, the 760 km fibre link which will connect Alice Springs and Darwin. We have a very repetitive document from the minister. The first six or seven pages are repeating what he said on the first page; then it goes on for a paltry seven or eight more pages.
I draw your attention to the title: Delivering World-Class Information and Communications Technology for all Australians. This is not world-class technology; this is ancient technology. This is like investing in Betacam; this is like investing in steam engines. Fibre-optic is not the future - satellite is the future. This government crows about a National Broadband Network, we are going to dig up all the lines and cables again, we are going to re-lay them with fibre-optic cables; meanwhile, Territorians and Australians are paying through the teeth for mobile satellite technology. Where is the investment by the Australian government and the Northern Territory government, who worked so hard to lobby the federal government to provide world-class information communications technology for all Territorians? Where is the push to invest in wireless and satellite technology? That is the future. The future is the iPhone.
The iPhone is infant or embryonic. It is the start of this technology. You will not recognise today’s iPhone in five years time. The iPhone today can already provide you with: satellite technology, Internet, telephone calls, everything, in one little handset. If you look at the advancement of technology in the last five, 10 years to where we are today, you can only imagine where it is going to be in five or 10 years. Where is the investment in that? The future is not in broadband technology, it is not in physical cables under the ground; it is in satellite technology up there in space.
Wireless technology and satellite - that is the future - that is how we link up and bring the Territory together; that is how we provide all children with a laptop. As the member for Fong Lim stated, a laptop is a portable device, it is something you can take with you, it is something you can access the Internet with anywhere at anytime. We cannot do that in the Northern Territory. You leave Alice Springs, 10 km out of town, it has gone - the 3G service, the Telstra service - completely gone; and Optus service is less than any Telstra service across the Northern Territory.
The future is not in physical cables under the ground; the future is in wireless technology. Where is the government’s commitment to that? Where is the minister’s commitment to going in for Territorians? As he said: ‘I have worked hard to secure this investment from the federal government’. He also says: ‘… successfully lobbied the Australian government’. I believe, minister, you have come up short-changed, because the future of technology is up there; it is not on the ground, and we are going to see this happen much sooner than we think.
Broadband will be obsolete - it is like Betacam. It is like providing everyone with a Beta tape recorder - a Beta VCR. It will all be wireless technology. At the moment we have telecommunications companies crowing about how they provide service coverage to 95% of the country. It is absolutely rubbish and it is spin. They are providing services to 95% of the population, and that leaves us out because we make up a fraction of the Australian population. ITC services are not rolled out comprehensively across the Northern Territory, therefore not providing the services to the communities you are talking about, or even to our major towns across the Northern Territory.
You could perhaps understand the minister saying: ‘We are delivering world-class information’. He could be forgiven for not being right across it, or trying to put his best foot forward and say: ‘I am trying to get on the front foot here when it comes to information technology’. The person you cannot forgive is the Prime Minister - the Prime Minister with billions of dollars, is it $40bn?
A member: $43bn.
Mr CONLAN: $43bn of taxpayers’ money into a program which will be obsolete in five years. There is no doubt about it; London to a brick, this technology will be obsolete in five years. Look at the progress made in IT in the last 10 years - the last 15 years. Fifteen years ago people did not even have e-mail, apart from maybe one or two who could afford it. Five years ago, people were starting to be use mobile phones; now everyone has a mobile phone. The statistics are 10 years ago, 3% of households were without a landline; 10 years later, 10% of households do not have a landline. People are substituting their landline for mobile phone technology. The government should be investing in that; the Rudd government should be investing in wireless technology …
Mr Tollner: The previous government wanted to.
Mr CONLAN: The previous government wanted to; the previous government was limited by the technology itself. It is like saying it is Bob Menzies’ fault because he did not invest in broadband; the thing did not exist. We are in 2010, and this technology is with us. The government should be investing in wireless technology, in satellite technology, to make that cheaper and more accessible for Territorians. If I ring someone on a mobile phone and get their voice message, I pay for that and they pay to access it. We have spent $5 or $10 and no one has spoken to anyone. It is absurd. The cost of mobile and satellite technology has to come down, and there is no reason why it cannot come down.
The satellite phone - what a scam that is! There is no reason why we cannot be accessing the same services on a mobile phone. If we had a Territory government with vision and backbone that could stand up to the federal minister, could even stand up to the Prime Minister, then maybe we would be somewhere down the track.
That is the future; there is no doubt about it - broadband and cables. The hard wire you plug into the back of your computer at home will be gone. I do not see anyone denying that, yet, we crow about this statement, how wonderful and visionary it is; he is delivering world-class information and communications technology for all Territorians. Well, it is absolute rubbish! It is just another puff piece.
Look at the Notice Paper, there is not much for the government today. Look at the bills by the opposition - can we not get through some of that? What is wrong with that? Why can we not debate some real issues and give Territorians value for money in this parliament, which is so expensive? The last call was $7000 an hour or something similar. We have another propaganda puff piece which has just about taken the cake. I believe there is another one on the way that might win the award for the greatest propaganda puff piece the government has put out thus far. I say, thus far …
Mr Hampton: What is it?
Mr CONLAN: It is on the Notice Paper, minister; read it. No, it is not on the Notice Paper? I believe it is coming on. Yes, that is good.
There is a line: across the world in the last decade we have seen an extraordinary growth in our use of information and communications technology. That should have given you a clue we are not heading down the right path with the NBN. I agree with this line: Information technology has created new economic opportunities, opened up new social vistas, and made it possible to maintain our environmental security in ways we have never been able to do before. Absolutely! Of course it has. Everyone in here has a computer. Everyone is using mobile phone technology. The iPhone, and variations thereof into the future, is where it is at. It is not in physical cables from under the ground you plug into the back of your computer. That is not going to help people in remote communities, particularly people who do not have a home, particularly people who live in overcrowded and despairing conditions in remote communities in the Northern Territory, which we all know all too well and talk about almost on a daily basis in this parliament.
Wireless technology, mobile phone technology, is the future, not the National Broadband Network. $43bn into this program is an obscene spend of taxpayers’ money to invest in something which will be obsolete in five years time.
Mr Tollner: More than the book value of the whole of Telstra.
Mr CONLAN: More than the book value of the whole of Telstra, I have just been informed. That is absolutely staggering. The only thing saving us from this is whether Kevin 07 can roll this out. This is going to be the big test; whether he can do it. He does not come with very good form. The cracks are starting to appear; we have seen it.
The shine is starting to come off the Prime Minister; people are starting to see through him. Hard core Labor people, dyed-in-the-wool Labor supporters, people who could not wait to see the back of John Howard and voted for a Labor Prime Minister are now saying: ‘Oh, my goodness, what is going on?’ We are seeing the cracks because of the failure of this Prime Minister to roll out his promises. The only thing saving this country, and $43bn of taxpayers’ money, is the Prime Minister is so inept he probably will not roll it out. One can only hope this does not happen. How much money will they spend and consume in administration costs getting this off the ground? We have seen it with SIHIP; the cost is absolutely enormous. Let us hope we do not see enormous chunks of this $43bn rolled out in administration costs - that is a waste of money. This is probably the greatest waste of money we have seen in a long, long time, in federal government initiatives, because it is not the future.
It is disappointing to see the Territory minister supporting the National Broadband Network so wholeheartedly, and not lobbying his Labor colleagues in Canberra for a program which is truly visionary and will deliver world-class information communications technology for all Territorians - and not just Territorians, all Australians. We need to be driving the cost of wireless and satellite technology down so it is affordable, because at the moment prices are absolutely through the roof, and unnecessarily so. We are paying way too much for our mobile phone technology and our wireless capacity. Data charges are through the roof, they are exorbitant and they should not need to be.
The government has an opportunity to drive this technology down and make it accessible to every single Australian. The only thing holding it up is the amount of money being generated each time we make a phone call, each time we leave a voice message, each time we download a webpage - someone pays for that. If I go on the member for Stuart’s web page, I am paying for that; I am paying to download that. Do you know that? When I click on that web page I pay for it, and you pay as well. Someone has to pay for it.
The real challenge is to drive those costs down so we can truly have a world-class information and communications system for all Territorians, and all Australians. This is disappointing. I believe it lacks vision, it is not the future, and we have seen, at great expense to the Territory taxpayer, the minister with yet another propaganda political puff piece.
Mr HAMPTON (Information, Communications and Technology Policy): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution to this very important statement. In doing so, I say the member for Greatorex has an absolute cheek to say talking about such an important issue as ICT is a waste of parliamentary time. This is the party which shut down parliament early last Thursday. They could not come into this House …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, they could not come into this House and talk about the MPI last Thursday, so we adjourned the House at 7 pm. They can say what they want, but last Thursday they had the opportunity to talk about the very important issue of housing affordability, and they could not be bothered turning up. It is an absolute shame.
I thank all members for their contribution to the ICT statement. It is a subject not talked about too often in this House. Going back to Hansard, the last statement was in 2003 by the then minister, Dr Peter Toyne, who spoke about communications technology, particularly to remote communities. That is almost seven years ago, and I believe it is very timely we discuss ICT now.
Seven years is a long wait to talk about such an important subject, particularly when we are on the cusp of some very exciting things happening in remote communities with A Working Future policy and the budget. We are spending just under $1bn in remote communities and growth towns. A very important part in breaking down the electronic divide which exists in the Northern Territory is information and communications technology.
I thank all members for their contributions. There is a real comparison between government and opposition on this subject. My colleagues on this side of the House were able to give articulate and clear examples of the benefits of ICT, particularly my bush colleagues, who have a great deal of experience in remote regions. The opposition clearly do not get out to the remote communities enough. I do not know the last time the member for Braitling went to a remote community, or the member for Greatorex, to see the benefits of ICT. The benefits my colleague, the member for Nhulunbuy talked about with the 800 km of fibre this government worked alongside Rio Tinto Alcan, Telstra, the Northern Land Council to put in the ground - and we are now seeing the benefits. The member for Nhulunbuy very articulately gave clear, practical examples of what that investment is reaping. In education, she talked about the One Laptop per Child program and those executives on the ground seeing their investment and the return they are getting.
Communications is a subject we do not talk about often enough in this parliament. This government has certainly grasped with both hands the real opportunities ICT is bringing to the Northern Territory. We have a great opportunity to be world leaders in ICT, and one example is e-Health as my colleague, the Minister for Health, discussed in his contribution; e-Health records - electronic health records. The Chief Minister also touched on that, and the idea of Territorians having an electronic health card. The Chief Minister thanked the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory. There is such importance in dealing with chronic health, with renal problems, diabetes, kidney disease. We know many Indigenous people are mobile - they move around within cultural and language regions. We know the benefit this type of infrastructure has provided with the ability to track those patients, no matter where they are in the Northern Territory, whether it is Darwin, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alice Springs, Lajamanu or Yuendumu, and when they require medical attention those records are there for the medical practitioner, wherever they are.
The Minister for Health mentioned TeleHealth. Under the e-Health e-Towns program, this type of infrastructure will enable us, and practitioners using a range of technologies, to assist those patients, particularly those with chronic health issues.
That is another example of why, on this side of the House, we support the ICT infrastructure investment we see coming into the Territory. $75m, and I cannot believe we have a conservative group of people opposite who do not believe in competition; they do not believe in bringing prices down …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Drysdale! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HAMPTON: I cannot believe members on the other side do not believe in competition, and they clearly do not understand the NBN. The member for Greatorex is banging on about fibre; the NBN is not only about optical fibre put into the ground. It is about satellite and it is about wireless technology. They do not understand the NBN. $75m in economic opportunity; $75m in savings to Territorians for their broadband services and the conservatives do not believe in that - they are against it.
The Minister for Health, and minister for Primary Industry, was able to give clear, practical examples of the benefits investment into IT infrastructure can bring. In the mining industry, my colleague mentioned the IT infrastructure. The Northern Territory can deliver many web-based applications for people in China to plug into computers via the network and gain information about investment in the Northern Territory. They can be sitting in Shandong, as the minister said, and find everything they need to know about the Tanami - prospects in the Tanami, geological surveys, and all the information they need about mineral resources in the middle of Australia.
In the primary industry area, he was able to give practical examples of how IT infrastructure can change how primary industries deliver and do their work on the ground. I read some time ago about a constituent of mine, Roy Chisholm, who went to South America, and was able to monitor his bores on Napperby Station from South America through IT. The sky is the limit with regard to IT and how it can be used, whether it is in the mining industry, the pastoral industry, or e-Health.
I thank the Chief Minister. I know he is passionate about IT; he was the minister before me and I thank him for handing over this very exciting portfolio. Things have moved on over the last few years and we have done very well with IT infrastructure and the East Arnhem project – 800 km of optical fibre going through to Nhulunbuy, as well as the second competitive fibre link we will have in the Territory. Things have moved on, and I thank the Chief Minister for his guidance and direction particularly in relation to this portfolio.
I thank the member for Fannie Bay, and my colleague, the Minister for Indigenous Development, for their contributions. One of the things which came out clearly in the member for Fannie Bay’s contribution was the need to cut red tape. With regard to e-Government, the Chief Minister talked about his vision when he was the minister in improving e-Government services to all Territorians with e-forms and cutting back on red tape as a very important part of this government’s agenda on ICT.
My colleague, the member for Barkly, relayed some very good stories of his days as a teacher in the wild, wild Barkly region, particularly the use of the old HF radio communication technology. Things have changed since the days of the old HF radio. We now have virtual classrooms; all down to improvements in technology whether it is through fibre, or wireless, and satellite technology. Thank you for your contribution. The words which really came home to me - and they have not changed from your days in the classroom and the old ways of communicating - were the sharing of knowledge and information. That is really what ICT is all about; sharing knowledge and information between people. I know people along the Sandover who still use HF radio-type communication; they find it easier and reliable. With the virtual classrooms teachers have to deal with now, that philosophy has not changed - the value of communication with regard to sharing knowledge and information.
I, like most Territorians, welcome the value of this investment in the Northern Territory for our businesses, our families, and the environment. It is quite clear the opposition does not share this value; they are certainly against $75m of new investment in the Territory, and they clearly do not understand what the NBN is all about. It is about better health, education, and job outcomes for Territorians.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: The member for Drysdale clearly embarrassed himself during his contribution. It was an absolute pleasure having representatives from Nextgen in my office listening to the member embarrassing himself. You should be totally ashamed of yourself, member for Drysdale.
Mr Bohlin: When are you going to tell us about the life-threatening positions plaguing you?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, cease interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: One of the questions you did have, member for Drysdale, was when will we received the optic fibre coverage. I am pleased to tell you, 100% of Territorians will get NBN; 90% will get fibre, and those who do not get fibre will get wireless or satellite technology. That is what the NBN is; it is not just about fibre. How will the fibre be delivered to Territory homes? Usually by a backhoe digging the trenches is the best practice for most utilities these days.
The other question you had, member for Drysdale, was the impact of the roll-out on householders in the main centres? The answer to that question is: the same as for those in regional areas - lower prices, better reliability, and superior data transfers up to 1 GB in the years to come. It was great to have those people up there listening to what you said about them and the whole project.
Regarding other members’ contributions, colleagues on this side mentioned many easy and practical examples of what the ICT infrastructure will do. For me, as a bush member, I see many of my constituents in their local council offices, the local library, using Internet banking services; Internet cafes are popping up everywhere in the bush. A satellite phone is something I rely on heavily when I am travelling around the Territory and, in the meetings I have with parents from the Isolated Parents Association, technology is very important to them and their children’s education, as well as those parents who access School of the Air.
There is probably much more I can say about ICT. We support it and are genuinely interested in bringing down the electronic divide which exists in Aboriginal centres in the bush. I thank colleagues for their contributions.
This government is proud of what we are delivering in ICT. The Arnhem fibre project is the broadband backbone for the Northern Territory to bring down prices, bring competition in, which is great - I cannot believe conservatives do not agree with that – and the digital regions program. These are three very important ICT projects this government has been able to secure and, in many ways, will be delivering outcomes for Territorians.
Madam Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
TABLED PAPER
Remuneration Tribunal Determination - Interstate Travel - Member for Brennan
Remuneration Tribunal Determination - Interstate Travel - Member for Brennan
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I table the member for Brennan’s interstate study travel report pursuant to paragraph 3.15 of the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No 1 of 2009. As members would be aware, the disallowance period for the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No 1 of 2009 expires today, 4 May 2010. I remind members that, pursuant to Paragraphs 3.15 and 4.2 of that Determination:
- Members shall, within 30 days of completing travel within Australia or overseas, present to me a report for tabling in the Assembly.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Answers to Questions
Answers to Questions
Madam SPEAKER: Before calling on the statement, I would like to make a comment on something which happened earlier in the House.
Members will recall, at the conclusion of Question Time today, I undertook to provide an explanation and considered opinion on a ruling I gave in respect of points of order made by the member for Port Darwin and the member for Fong Lim in respect of an answer given by the Treasurer, to a question from the member for Port Darwin on the Power and Water Corporation.
Members will recall in response to the initial point of order by the member for Port Darwin in which he indicated he required a yes or no answer, I ruled there was no point of order. This ruling was based on the well-established practice in this Assembly, and other Australian and overseas parliaments, that a minister cannot be required to answer questions in a specific way.
In particular, I refer members to the following extract from the House of Representatives Practice 5th Edition at page 553:
- Even though a question may invite a ‘yes or no’ answer, Members cannot demand that an answer be in such terms.
Mr Elferink: That is not a correct interpretation, Madam Speaker. You are wrong, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Achievements in Developing and Progressing
Women’s Policy in the Northern Territory
Achievements in Developing and Progressing
Women’s Policy in the Northern Territory
Ms McCARTHY (Women’s Policy): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to report on key achievements of our government, working both locally and nationally, in developing and progressing the wellbeing of women across the Northern Territory. Nationally, I am working with my ministerial colleagues at the Commonwealth’s States, Territories and New Zealand Ministers’ Conference on the Status of Women, where we have identified four key national priorities for women: women’s economic security; women’s safety; women’s leadership; and women and social inclusion.
The Northern Territory, through this and other national forums, has made a strong contribution to the development of national policies, particularly as it applies to women in regional and remote settings and, of course, issues of concern to Indigenous women. In respect to Indigenous women’s policy issues, I would like to specifically acknowledge the work of our delegates to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gathering, Joy Cardona, Ngaree Ah Kit, Moogie Patu and Susan Murray, who are working with women across the Territory to have a strong voice in identifying and informing policy priorities for local Indigenous women.
At the local level, our then Minister for Women’s Policy, Marion Scrymgour launched, in March 2008, our own Northern Territory road map for progressing issues important to women in the Northern Territory, a plan titled Building on our Strengths: A Framework for Action for Women in the Northern Territory 2008-12. This plan was built on information collated from Community Cabinet Women’s Forums held from 2003 to 2007 in urban, rural and remote communities across the Territory, and sets out key actions in five key priority areas: Health and Wellbeing; Safety; Economic Security; Leadership and Participation; and Life Balance.
Members will recall in February this year I tabled a progress report outlining our work and achievements under that plan. I would like to record my thanks to the hard-working staff of the Office of Women’s Policy for maintaining momentum and taking that work forward.
One key area of national women’s policy is economic security, and the Northern Territory government is keenly focused on supporting policies aimed at greater economic security for all women. At the national level, we have joined other jurisdictions in lobbying and working for pay equity for Australian women, and I am pleased this joint work resulted, last year, in a review of women’s pay equity issues by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment and Workplace Relations.
The Standing Committee’s report, Making it Fair: Pay equity and associated issues related to increasing female participation in the workforce, outlined 63 recommendations to progress equity issues including: industrial relations legislative reforms, the establishment of gender pay units, improved data collection, monitoring and research, and strengthening of the national Office for the Status of Women.
Later this year, there will also be a landmark industrial relations case led by the Australian Services Union, seeking national pay equity under the new Fair Work Act. Women comprise a significant cohort of employees in the community sector and this campaign provides a real opportunity to progress pay equity based on principles of ‘like pay for like work’, irrespective of gender or the history of an industry. In the Territory, the Office of Women’s Policy has undertaken our own research into pay gaps in the Northern Territory and underlying causes.
Since 1994, the pay gap in the Northern Territory has fluctuated between 12% and 22%, and currently sits at 14% for ordinary time earnings. For total earnings, however, the pay gap is closer to 19%. This suggests men have a greater capacity to work longer hours than women, as women take up the burden of family care and responsibilities. The main occupation groups contributing to the pay gap are trades and technical, with some occupations seeing a pay gap of over $700 per week. Continuing pay gaps have a significant impact on women and their financial security now and well into retirement. Addressing issues of pay equity and workforce participation will continue as a priority for our government to improve economic security and wellbeing for all Territory women.
Another key area where we contribute to national policy is our support for a national paid parental leave scheme. The proposed Australian government’s model is a first step; however, we recognise issues such as payment of superannuation contributions and full remuneration of salary while on paid maternity leave are still vital to many women to help ensure their long-term economic security. In 2008, the Northern Territory government made a submission to the Australian government’s Productivity Commission inquiry, Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave, into paid parental leave and support for parents with newborn children, highlighting the need to ensure Aboriginal women on CDEP, and similar programs, were eligible to receive payment under a national paid maternity leave scheme; recognition of Aboriginal family rearing practices; the need for flexibility in the system to include grandparents as alternate partners for single women; the need for the scheme to stand alone, not piggyback onto employers’ arrangements; and the requirement for evaluation, monitoring and reporting of outcomes under a national paid parental leave scheme with links to the national indicators on the status of women.
In the Northern Territory, the unemployment rate for women has dropped from 4.9% in January 2000 to 3.5% in January 2010. This reflects a trend of decline in overall unemployment rates for the Northern Territory over the last decade. Over the same period, participation rates for women increased from 63.1% in January 2000 to 68.8% in January 2010, with 54 900 women participating in the Northern Territory workforce; 39 000 or 71.4% of those female workers are engaged in full-time employment. The Northern Territory government is committed to building on this progress.
In the area of women’s safety, we progressed real action under the national priority of women’s safety including strong participation on the National Safety Task Force in developing a national plan to address violence against women. Our government has also delivered a number of very important initiatives in relation to domestic and family violence over the past 10 years. There has been a special focus on community education and, most importantly, community action through activities such as the Let’s Stop it Now campaign, the Aboriginal All Stars television campaign, and the Be Someone campaign. The Be Someone campaign, currently running across the NT on television and in newspapers, informs the community about mandatory reporting of domestic and family violence, and challenges us all to take a stand and report family violence when we see or hear it.
I add a commendation to Charlie King and the Strong Men’s Group who contribute to the message to support women and children across the Northern Territory with the No More campaign - No More meaning ‘no more’ to family and domestic violence, a campaign which has carried across the Northern Territory into the states, and seen Charlie King as an ambassador in the White Ribbon Day campaign.
Our government is proud of the groundbreaking steps it has taken in the area of domestic and family violence policy, including the introduction of mandatory reporting of serious harm from domestic violence, an important measure no other jurisdiction in Australia has yet matched. Along with this legislative change is our commitment of $15m over three years to improve family violence service provision, data collection and community education in the Northern Territory. We are also committed to local on-ground support for victims of violence, and the Northern Territory government has worked with the Australian government to establish and operate 20 safe places in 15 of our remote communities, plus safe places in Alice Springs and Darwin.
These safe places provide increased safety options, particularly in remote communities, by providing safe houses for women and children, and cooling off places for men and young people. They employ local people and are more than crisis accommodation service; they serve as a hub for family violence education and intervention in each community.
As part of our general community education activities, the Northern Territory government has also been a proud and strong advocate of White Ribbon Day, a day to promote the elimination of violence against women. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is marked on 25 November each year and originated from a United Nations resolution calling on governments across the world to organise activities to raise public awareness of violence against women. It is the largest campaign in the world involving men in the struggle to end violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon on the day signifies a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. The Office of Women’s Policy has a strong partnership with the White Ribbon Foundation and coordinates the campaign across the Northern Territory.
High profile male ambassadors including politicians, sportsmen and media personalities are recruited across Australia to assist in planning and promoting the day. In the Territory we have 36 White Ribbon Day ambassadors, and they demonstrate leadership and support in addressing violence against women.
Years ago, women comprised only 26% of the membership of government boards and committees in the area of leadership. In 2009 this percentage increased to 34%, and we will continue to build on this improvement. In the local government sector, I am pleased to report especially in this, the Year of Women in Local Government, 37% of elected representatives are women - higher than any other jurisdiction in Australia. In addition, a quarter of our mayors or shire presidents are women, and 20% of our local government CEOs are women.
Whilst improvements have been made, there is certainly a long way to go to achieve equal representation for women in decision-making; our government is committed to achieving further progress in this area. The Office of Women’s Policy will be developing a new action plan for the Territory government designed to target boards and committees to raise awareness and gain support across government to reach the desired equitable representation of 50% men and 50% women reflecting the Territory’s population on all government boards and committees.
In addition, the Territory government continues to target women for participation in leadership roles. This year a new online website was developed, the Northern Territory’s Women’s Register, enabling women to manage their own details of experience, interest and availability for board positions. The new website enables all government boards and committees, private sector boards, and community boards to bring vacancies to the attention of interested women. Participating contributors can then be provided with contact details of the women who meet criteria for the vacancies.
The Chief Minister’s Study Scholarships for Women was introduced in 2001 as a key opportunity to support excellence and leadership potential of women undertaking study. The aim of the scholarships is to encourage women to undertake education and training to enhance their employment, general life outcomes and, ultimately, to improve women’s economic security. The scholarships also target disadvantaged women who would not be able undertake further study without assistance.
During the period 2002 to 2010 a total of 18 scholarships have been awarded. Scholarships are awarded to higher education students and Vocational Educational and Training students. In 2007, a review was conducted of the scholarship and, from this review, a partnership between Office of Women’s Policy and Charles Darwin University was established, enabling Charles Darwin University to administer the Chief Minister’s Study Scholarships. The review included changing the name of the scholarship, restructuring funding arrangements, and offering two VET scholarships.
The Chief Minister’s Higher Education Study Scholarship for women undertaking graduate studies is $15 000, with a laptop computer valued at $1200. There are two Chief Minister’s VET Study Scholarships for women valued at $2000. Students from various regions have received the scholarships, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alyangula and Nhulunbuy. Recipients of the scholarships have studied, or are studying, a wide range of subjects and gaining diverse qualifications, including education, finance, beauty therapy, human resources, conservation, land management, and Indigenous health studies.
The Tribute to Northern Territory Women established by our government in 2003 is another important opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in Territory life. The tribute is an annual award which recognises, celebrates, and commemorates the achievements of women who have made, or are making, a significant contribution for women in their community. Each year, nominations are called from organisations and members of the public for women who have made, or are making, a significant contribution over and above their paid work, to the Territory.
Some notable recipients include Eliza Tuckwell, born in London in 1836, who came to Australia as a young, single woman, then married and lived in the Northern Territory until her death in 1921, aged 85. Eliza was awarded a Pioneer Woman Tribute in 2008, which recognised the challenges she overcame, and her involvement and contribution to the Northern Territory community. She was one of the first women in Australia eligible to vote in 1895, and one of the first Territory women to own her own business and pay taxes and rates in her own right. Eliza Tuckwell was renowned for standing up for herself. She was certainly an early role model for women in the Territory, and made her point of view clear to the appropriate authorities whenever she felt it necessary. She paved the way for other women to stand up for their rights.
Another Northern Territory woman, Barbara James, came to Darwin in the 1960s and worked in various fields including journalism, as an author, historian, activist and advocate. Eileen Cummings, born in central Arnhem Land and a member of the Stolen Generations, has the distinction of being the first qualified Aboriginal teacher in the Territory. She has also dedicated much of her work and life to addressing Aboriginal community issues, and is a well-known and respected Aboriginal woman. Yananymul Mununggurr, an inspirational Yolngu woman from Arnhem Land, joined Laynhapuy Homelands Association as a CDEP worker in 1990, and has since worked her way up through the organisation to the position of Executive Officer in 2006.
On 8 March this year, I was proud to announce the recipients of the 2010 Tributes, bringing the total number of Territory women recognised to 50. One of the women recognised was Daniela Mattiuzzo. Daniela, born and bred in the Territory, joined the Northern Territory Police Force in 1985 at the tender age of 16. She is the youngest police officer to have ever graduated as a constable. Daniela has lived in Katherine since 1988 and been heavily involved in the community, including nine years as the school-based police officer for Katherine schools. She has also been instrumental in supporting the work of Katherine Neighbourhood Watch, the Northern Territory Road Safety Council and the YWCA.
Other women recognised in this year’s Tribute to Territory Women include:
Sharon Kimberly, for her achievements as a business woman and her commitment to empowering Territory women and young people;
Dr Sadhana Mahajani, for her long-term dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Territorians;
Beverley Ratahi, for her contribution as a volunteer and her commitment to caring for Territory wildlife; and
Pioneer Territory woman, Granny Lum Loy, for her contribution as a Territory pioneer, matriarch, entrepreneur and inspirational role model.
In 2009, the government introduced the International Women’s Day Grants program to support local organisations holding events across the Territory to celebrate International Women’s Day. In 2010, 17 organisations were funded to acknowledge and celebrate International Women’s Day, with events in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Timber Creek, Lajamanu, Nhulunbuy and the Tiwi Islands. Over the last two years a variety of activities and events have been held to celebrate International Women’s Day, including luncheons, a motor trades forum, film evenings, walks, first aid courses, bush tucker days, and women’s fishing competitions.
An important priority has been our day-to-day work to advance policy which engenders greater social inclusion for all women in the Territory. A key component of our women’s policy platform is the implementation and use of gender analysis in policy development and review by all government departments. This will be a focus for future policy development to ensure women, as well as men, have the opportunity to engage in the economic development of the Northern Territory.
One exciting part of my work, both as Minister for Women’s Policy and for Regional Development, is the opportunity to work with my colleagues in advancing the interests of Territory women under the banner of A Working Future policy initiatives. This is a transformational work, taking on the challenge of years of neglect and building strong prosperous growth towns for all residents of the regions across the Northern Territory. A Working Future is not just about planning and infrastructure, it is about families and family wellbeing. It is important for all us to get this right, and a key to that success is working with local people for local implementation plans; plans that will be built by the people; plans that identify the gaps and local people’s priorities. I am especially pleased our work to develop local implementation plans is providing opportunities for local women in and around our 20 growth towns to contribute.
I would also like to acknowledge the role of the Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Advisory Council, Bess Price, for her contribution to government policy making generally, and to A Working Future. Bess is well-known for her advocacy of women’s issues and strong action in relation to safety for women, and represents those views at a national forum.
All members of the IAAC make an important contribution to women’s policy and my thinking on it, and our broader work under the banner of A Working Future to improve day-to-day life for Indigenous Territorians.
I close this statement by acknowledging a very important event next year, the celebration of 100 years of International Women’s Day. On 8 March next year, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day with a Northern Territory theme of ‘Celebrating our Past, Planning for the Future’. A new information website for women is being created to celebrate this event and inform Territory women on their history, their achievements, their rights and the history of the women’s movement in achieving these rights. We will also inform on future opportunities and allow Territory women to keep us up-to-date with Territory, national and international events and developments in relation to women.
It is intended there will be a Centenary of Territory Women celebrating 100 of our greatest female achievers over the last century, and a facility to allow Territorians to share their stories of Territory women who have been inspirational to them.
The Office of Women’s Policy website will also act as a portal for merchandise, distribution of education materials on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW - and other relevant human rights treaties and how these directly impact on women in the Northern Territory.
There will be many opportunities to celebrate the Territory we enjoy today, with a particular focus on women, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who have achieved much and have often been overlooked in the telling of the history of the Northern Territory.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the minister for her statement, and while it contains much good information, I believe there are some glaring areas of omission. The same information could have been contained in half the pages, and removed the repetitious nature of the statement. Talk is cheap, action costs more - this statement does not contain much strong talk on action at all. I am not convinced the statement addresses all the issues in the community confronting women.
First, I comment on the title ‘Progressing Women’s Policy’. Having clear and concise policy is important, and it is from this position one moves on to strategies, then to actual actions. This statement fails to give clear strategies to address many issues facing women today, nor does it articulate any actions. Moreover, the statement does not demonstrate how it is going to judge outcomes achieved.
This statement contains many references to meetings, forums and conferences, but no solid information on outcomes achieved on the ground for issues affecting women - and I mean all women. The statement references Aboriginal women and women in regional and remote settings, which is appropriate; however, no reference at all to youth and young women from high school age into early twenties. This is an important age group for a range of reasons, and this statement does not have any plans or actions proposed to deal with issues confronting young women. Where are the plans or actions to address the growing number of homeless youth, or the personal safety of young girls and women?
Second, the reference to workforce participation claims unemployment has dropped from 4.9% to 3.5% over the last 10 years, and participation has gone from 63.1% to 68.8% currently. I am sure these figures have nothing to do with this Labor government or any of its actions; rather, the figures attributed are due to structural changes within the economy and the workforce. Why is there no reference in the statement to women in senior positions in the public sector, from A08 upwards? I suggest it is because the figure for women in senior positions is not great. I am the first to say people should secure jobs and positions on their merit, not because of gender; however, this Labor government makes a big play of equality and balance not supported by hard cold facts and figures. The latest figures I could secure show as of June 2008, women made up 62.3% of the total numbers in the public sector. However, women in executive positions - EO1 to EO6 - are sitting at a low number of 37%.
If we look at agencies, the best performers in employing women are the Office of the Ombudsman with around 80%, followed by the health system, and the teaching and education system at approximately 75%. The latter two agencies should not be a surprise given the number of women in the teaching and nursing world. The worst performer in the government sector for employing women is the Port Corporation, closely followed by the Power and Water Corporation - both around 25%.
The government will be wondering where I get these figures from; I direct them to their own website and the report from the Office of the Public Employment Commissioner.
I could speculate if these two agencies, Power and Water Corporation and the Port Authority, employed more women, particularly in senior positions, we would not have the problems with these agencies and their activities. I wonder if either of these agencies employs people in the roles of environmental assessment and compliance; I suspect they do not, and I would like to be proven wrong on this point. If the Port Corporation had senior women in environmental science in their organisation, the issues of reporting and compliance may not have occurred.
In the area of workforce participation, there is talk of developing effective strategies to improve the equitable participation of young women in the workforce - sounds good in theory – however, more talk on wanting to, no detail on what has been achieved.
I move to the serious issue of domestic violence and the new legislation on reporting domestic violence. Minister, how many cases have been reported? Are there any changes for the better, or is the situation getting worse? Sadly, I suspect the situation is getting worse, based on my talks with NGOs. Where is this government’s commitment to more safe house and emergency accommodation such as provided by Dawn House? I see nothing in this statement or in the budget.
Last week I spoke on the increasing problem in the rural area of domestic violence and drug use and abuse. I read nothing about services to the rural area, or the greater rural area, in the Top End or elsewhere in the Territory. The statement talks about data collection, but gives no details of what is collected, how it is collected, or what will be done with the information once collected.
Women’s leadership is an important area; however, I see no leadership in any part of this statement. I see no reference to encouraging women in business; indeed, this Labor government did away with the Business Women’s Consultative Council – that is how much they thought of encouraging women into business enterprises or starting their own business - it is almost as if women and business do not rate in this statement. Where is there reference to the level of women in local government? The numbers are good, however they have nothing to do with this Labor government, its policies or work programs. There is no reference to the large number of women in small business who have little ideas, a little capital and set up a business such as gardening, house cleaning, running a smoko van, or a courier business. Why have they not been mentioned or congratulated for their initiative and hard work?
Getting women into leadership roles is not about setting up websites the government wants - websites for women’s register, websites for celebration days and websites for almost everything. This technology is important, however, it does not help women in the bush who are flat out getting decent IT services such as a reliable telephone service, let alone access to the website and the Internet.
What happened to the old-fashioned face-to-face sessions, or visiting women and getting to understand their issues on the ground? I read nothing about women in agriculture or horticulture; I read nothing about working women in the bush. This statement brings no comfort to women other than those in need. I take nothing away from the importance of support services for women in need. Goodness knows, this government has let them down badly with low levels of support in areas of crisis accommodation and mental health. In fact, I read nothing in this statement on mental health, which I will come to.
A member: You do not want it in your area!
Ms PURICK: First, where is the minister’s plan or vision for flexible working hours to accommodate working families and working women? Leadership is all fine and good - if women have aspirations to go bigger and better or higher and higher, that is good; however, not everyone will be a leader. Many will be content to work and live in an average, ordinary way. Why are these women not mentioned? What about their needs and wants in achieving a balanced life?
There is no reference to the provision of flexible working hours and how that benefits families and society as a whole. I read nothing of any program for the public sector, which I thought would have been the minister’s priority, to show they are serious about recruiting and retaining women in the workforce, if they want to be in the workforce. I read nothing about the government’s intention to address the employment issue of fly in/fly out and how it is changing the face of employment in the bush, and the impact on women entering this kind of employment. I read nothing about encouraging women into the non-traditional areas of employment such as the mining industry or the agricultural and pastoral industry; I see no reference to this government working with industry groups to encourage more women into these industries, or any joint programs.
On the government’s own admission there is a growing need for mental health support services, yet I see nothing in this statement remotely connected to mental health for women. This is a terrible situation which goes to the core of this government’s failure to plan or even acknowledge the growing issues associated with mental health. We know the number of people with mental health issues presenting to agencies is growing alarmingly. The number of people in need of support from NGOs is growing, and we know there are many problems associated with young mothers.
Often women with children have difficulties juggling their families and their lives. They often let things associated with their personal lives slip by the wayside, such as regular Pap tests or other much advised health checks. Why has the government not thought about having a women’s health nurse in health clinics so when the mother presents at the clinic, it is a one-stop shop for mother and child? Not a big cost, I do not believe, and would be such a good and much needed service, especially for women in the bush who come to town for healthcare services.
Another deficiency in the statement is no reference to seniors; the majority of whom we know to be women. No reference to health and aged care services required to meet the challenges of our ageing population, particularly for women in the bush and on pastoral stations. I feel this government places all seniors in one camp; all seniors are the same regardless of any other aspect of their life. I live next door to a very senior senior, and have a senior person across the road from me, both of them still contributing to the community, with aspirations the same as younger people in their 30s, 40s or 50s. Why is there no mention or reference to seniors or senior women and what they want from government and the community?
Contained in the statement are names of women who have achieved good things, and they are to be congratulated - I congratulate them. In particular, I congratulate Beverley Ratahi who received a Tribute to NT Women Award recently. Beverley lives in my electorate, and is truly an inspiration to all of us. Beverly is the mother of four children, is Chairman of the Bees Creek Primary School, a member of the Taminmin College, as well as holding down a job in the Commonwealth government. Beverly should be congratulated as she goes about her life with zest and enthusiasm; I see her children regularly and they are happy, healthy and well-adjusted children; and her husband, Peter, is a tremendous support to her, and in the work she does with schools and the education community generally.
While I take nothing away from the women mentioned in the statement, I wonder why other notable women are not mentioned for their pioneering contribution to the Territory. What about Jessie Litchfield and Christa Roderick, Marshall Perron’s grandmother and mother - both terrific contributors to our Territory’s quality of life? Jessie Litchfield was a stringer for the Sydney Morning Herald before it was common for women to be in journalism. What about the relatives of Meredith Robson and her late mother, Patsy Garling, who are buried in the old Goyder cemetery? They, too, were pioneering women. What about Nancy Giese and her contribution as Chancellor of the university for many years. What about Kath Yates, a well-known name in the rural area, and her family’s contribution to opening up Howard Springs and the rural area. And, of course, the well-known and much-loved Doris Barden, who did more for water skiing than any other woman, and well ahead of her time in business with her husband, Roy.
This statement does not go near enough in the area of women’s policy or a vision for new initiatives. It is completely denuded of anything associated with women in business, and lacks substantial detail as to hardcore facts and figures. It is disappointing the statement is released on budget day, where it will be hidden away in the media-hype over the budget.
The minister, and this government, are not serious about women’s issues and have done them a great disservice. I suggest the minister go back to the drawing board and come up with some real initiatives, actions, and plans which deliver results for all women, not just minority groups, and demonstrate their seriousness by committing real dollars to mental health and women in the bush.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I give this statement a mark of five out of 10.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Deputy Speaker, I share the view of my colleague, the member for Goyder, about the timing of this statement. On budget day, I am not sure how much more cynical a government can get when it comes to women’s policy - pretty cynical. It really speaks volumes about this government and women’s policy.
With the assistance of staff in the Legislative Assembly, who I asked this morning to advise - because I thought this was the first statement I have seen since being in this House on the subject - of all ministerial statements made in parliament since Labor’s first term. This is the first one. Of all ministerial statements in the Ninth Assembly, not one on women’s policy; of all 81 ministerial statements in the Tenth Assembly, not one on women’s policy; the Eleventh Assembly, 25 statements so far, not one on women’s policy. What a good bunch of feminists you are in the Australian Labor Party! Those of you, particularly the more disingenuous women on the other side, with hand on heart, say how good it is the Australian Labor Party Northern Territory Branch has a reasonable number of women; yet, as a group you are dreadful on women’s policy, as was your former Chief Minister.
I remember saying it was a big call to say Clare Martin was the worst minister for women’s policy the Territory had ever seen. It is not for me to apologise for some of the blokey behaviour of the CLP over the years, however we had better ministers for women’s policy than Clare Martin ever was. There is ample evidence to support the proposition. This government had the first woman Chief Minister in the Territory’s history - great achievement, does not matter what side of politics she was on - I thought it was terrific. The Northern Territory - classic cowboy country – a woman Chief Minister. What did the woman Chief Minister do? She got rid of the Women’s Advisory Council, she abolished the Business Women’s Consultative Council, and she restructured the budget books.
The CLP had a specific publication which accompanied budgets called Women in the Budget. It was about Territory women, and provided details of where women were up to across the agencies, the level at which they were employed and, from memory, a statistical analysis. This Labor government, with so many women in it, got rid of that publication. Where do you people get off?
The Women’s Information Centre in Alice Springs, one of the last bastions of an information centre for women, is a shadow of its former self; it has been completely restructured. It used to be a great service for women in Alice Springs where they could use all the services provided; it had a fantastic library service and a person to deal with a range of women’s issues, everything from health to legal issues, and it acted as a general referral centre. It is now buried deep within the Health department and, I do not believe it is even called the Women’s Information Centre anymore.
Shame on you, particularly Labor women! My colleague, the member for Greatorex, called this statement a puff piece; he was not wrong. Apart from the absence of apostrophes and commas, you would have thought there would be someone able to type women’s with an apostrophe S. It was not one typo; it was throughout. I nearly slid off my chair when I saw an apostrophe in the word women’s. How seriously do you people take this? Not seriously at all.
It is called Achievements in Developing and Progressing Womens - no apostrophe - Policy in the Northern Territory; I believe women of the Northern Territory would like to have seen, after eight-and-a-half long years, a statement about outcomes not policy - outcomes. Progressing Womens - no apostrophe - Policy in the Northern Territory is well and good, however it is the outcome, I believe, women of the Territory are keen to see.
My colleague, the member for Goyder said websites are well and good, but it is a long way from getting better outcomes for women. I noticed the sheer gutlessness of this minister, not known for her political courage, not to refer in the statement to the damning and awful statistics of women as the victims of violence.
Let us go back to a media release issued by the Attorney-General on 31 March, where she says:
- There was a 25 per cent increase in the number of domestic violence related assaults last year in line with the introduction of mandatory reporting with 53 per cent of all assaults reported domestic violence related.
Under this government you have seen, on a quarter-on-quarter comparison, a 25% increase in domestic violence, and 53% of all assaults are domestic violence. Yet, the minister introduces this long-awaited statement and merely glosses over violence against women.
As we saw last week, maybe there is a problem deep within government when it comes to violence against women - yes, I am referring to you, member for Johnston - but when the minister says she is pleased with this and pleased with that, how can any minister for Women’s Policy, in any jurisdiction, be remotely satisfied things are going well when it comes to the issue of safety and women?
It is all well and good for this minister to have pages of her statement congratulating those women in the Territory who have done well by achieving various awards. I would have liked to see much more information about what government is doing to address the culture of violence and intimidation prolific in the Territory. I am aghast - although I should not be all that surprised - this government has been so utterly appalling when it comes to women’s policy.
Pay equity is fine. The minister is participating in a national dialogue, national forums; well, good on you, yes, they are important issues. However, I do not believe it is enough to simply gloss over violence against women. If that is not one of the most serious issues in this jurisdiction, I do not know what is. When the minister does talk about domestic violence, she seems to speak proudly of government initiatives in that area. I have the domestic violence strategies: I have one released in December 2002, and I have the next one released by the member for Arafura and all they are is promises upon promises packaged in little glossies.
I will get back to the strategies shortly. When the minister referred to mandatory reporting of domestic violence, she did not talk about problems with the relevant legislation debated in parliament in February 2009.
Let me remind members of the opposition’s view with respect to the Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Bill. We supported the bill because it was supportable. However, I said on 18 February and I quote:
- But the bill is a missed opportunity. It does not match the initial intention of government - it is disappointing. It is deficient in one area in particular, namely, only acts of serious physical harm must be reported.
I referred to various sections of relevant legislation under the Criminal Code and said, and I quote:
- When scrutinising this bill, as I am obliged to do as shadow Attorney-General, I am compelled to ask why the definition of harm is excluded from this bill? And why has government elected to make it mandatory to report certain types of violence, namely, only violence that endangers or is likely to endanger a person’s life or that is likely to be significant and long-standing, and not other forms of violence, such as those outlined in the Domestic Violence Act and in section 1 (a) of the Criminal Code including harm such as pain, unconsciousness, disfigurement, to mention but a few?
I made the point this government sought to separate the forms of harm - forms of violence against women. The government sought to distinguish between types of violence against women. I said at the time:
- The government seeks to send a message to the community that domestic violence must be reported, but only particular types of domestic violence. What is the justification for this position, and how on earth can it be justified?
What does the minister do? She speaks proudly and blindly of the government’s so-called initiative of mandatory reporting of domestic violence. You sly little buggers, you do not tell the people of the Northern Territory how deficient your legislation is in a number of respects. You do not tell the people of the Northern Territory only some types of violence against women are to be reported. Shame on you - you are the bunch of hypocrites everyone knows you are.
Getting back to the Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence Strategy of December 2002; there are a number of priority actions listed throughout the documentation - throughout the glossies. Interestingly, it says, and I quote:
- The Northern Territory government is committed to reducing the incidents of domestic violence in the Territory.
You have failed. You have utterly failed based on your own Attorney-General’s quotes in a very recent media release: 53% of all assaults reported are domestic violence related. I believe that has gone up significantly over the last few years.
There is reference in one of the documents to production - this is 2002. When I say one of the documents, it is a three-part bundle of documents: the production of annual reports on recorded domestic violence incidents across the Territory. I have not seen such reports produced. All I have seen is one-liners, sometimes two or three-liners in media releases, and statements off-the-cuff by ministers in parliament. I would encourage government to produce annual reports, as it promised, on recorded domestic violence incidents across the Territory.
Another part of a priority action 2002-03 was - I am picking some, there is plenty of information in this – and I quote:
- To monitor and report on the use of interpreters by service providers for court proceedings.
In today’s budget approximately $2.9m was allocated to expand the interpreter service; about time too. I remember the Law Society, and others, screaming from the rooftops in the dying days of the CLP that far more needed to be done in the courts to assist those participating in the justice system, particularly victims. We needed more interpreters; and it was a good call because we did. What has Labor done about it? Not much. I was pleased to see in the budget today some money for interpreters; however for a government which has had a great deal of money, I would have expected to see much more before now.
Many of the priority actions referred to in the domestic violence strategy released in 2002 have not materialised and have not been prioritised by this government. In the area of Aboriginal family violence, so much was promised and so little has been delivered. We have the minister, hand on heart whenever she talks about these issues, saying how awful it is Aboriginal women are subjected to the levels of violence they are. Yes. She is a member of Cabinet; she has the ability to do something about it, yet what we see is a statement on budget day about women, the first one in eight-and-a-half-years, which in so many ways glosses over the issue of violence. I find that appalling.
For those who care about this - and I am sure there are a few around - we are not only disappointed, we speak in fairly unflattering terms about your government and the lack of action in so many areas when it comes to women’s policy which, I note, was held by the Chief Minister in the CLP. A bunch of cowboys some of those in the CLP used to be, however women’s policy was held by the Chief Minister. What have the lefties and feminists on the other side done? Some years ago they gave it to a junior minister; I believe we talked about it at the time. It is now with an inept, incompetent minister who was in charge of the child protection system for a while - and what a disaster that was! She is now responsible for women’s policy, and releases this statement on budget day. What a joke!
I wonder if the Minister for Women’s Policy - not that she works very hard for her ministerial salary - has asked the question of her colleague, the Corrections minister, how many of the recommendations from the Ombudsman’s report, about 2007, have been implemented. Not all of them - there is still a chunk swinging in the breeze, and I am going to ask the minister for Corrections in estimates. I briefly asked questions on that report last year. However, would you not think a Minister for Women’s Policy would refer to that dreadful, damning report by the Ombudsman?
I encouraged the minister for Corrections, when he was relatively new, to read that report. It was shocking! It is a big report worth reading. What does the Minister for Women’s Policy do? She does not want to know about that, or does not think it is important enough to include in her statement; she wants to talk about websites and congratulate some of those women - worthy recipients of various awards - in a statement which could have been so much more. Like this government, you could have been so much more when it comes to advancing the issues of women in the Territory.
I wonder whether the Minister for Women’s Policy has asked if this government might reinstate the Women in the Budget publication. She should ...
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I move an extension of time to enable the member for Araluen to complete her remarks, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you. You are feeling particularly generous today, Chief Minister; that is twice, and we are very grateful to you. Feels like Christmas.
Returning to the statement about ‘womens - no apostrophe repeatedly - policy. Let us talk about sex offender treatment programs. I do not have the figure in front of me - it may be in the document I am working on for Corrections - from memory, last year only a handful of prisoners completed sex offender treatment programs. The evidence - for any doubting Thomas on the other side - is predominately sex offences are committed against women and children. That is the case in the Territory. One wonders whether the Minister for Women’s Policy, in her statement, might have talked about what can be done about sex offenders in the Northern Territory, given so few of them participated in - let alone completed - sex offender treatment programs last year or the year before. If I were Minister for Women’s Policy, I would put that one in the top three of the list. That is a good thing for a Minister for Women’s Policy to look at.
However, we have a puffy statement. My comments should not be construed as not supporting equal pay for women. That is something this government - any government - should pursue. Having come from the private sector, I opened my own legal practice because I was sick of being paid a girl’s salary. I was in an environment where the blokes around me were paid more than I was, and I was unhappy about it. I understand the issue, and it is very important.
The issue of paid parental leave is also important. Workforce participation is important. I believe there are other issues of equal importance which have not been included in this statement. In the Northern Territory, the issue of violence against women has to be at the forefront of the minds of decision-makers; otherwise you should pack up and go home. I do not know what it would be like to sit in government and do so little when it comes to addressing violence against women. If I ever get my go, I can assure members I will try so much harder than those opposite.
The minister, in her statement, has referred to the establishment of safe houses in remote communities. We are supportive of that, however I would have liked to be informed by the statement how many have been established. There are fluffy lines like; ‘we are also committed to local, on-ground support for victims of violence’ and, ‘the Northern Territory government has worked with the Australian government to establish and operate safe places in 15 of our remote communities, plus safe places in Alice Springs and Darwin’. Good on you! How many? How many have you built? Is it like SIHIP? Is it squillions of dollars and not much happening? This is absolute rubbish. The first statement on women’s policy in eight-and-a-bit years, and you do not have the courtesy to tell us how many safe places, you so proudly and repeatedly announce, have been started. Really, spare me!
Women’s leadership: also important, and not an issue which is the province of the Australian Labor Party. The CLP has been in government, and probably in the women and budget publications, women in leadership was discussed. The Women’s Advisory Council many times had workshops on women and leadership. We ran many women in politics seminars. Who does that these days - no one.
The minister referred to Community Cabinets speaking to women. Does that continue? It used to happen; not as much as Labor would have people believe, however occasionally a few of you would turn up to women’s meetings. Does that happen? How many women’s meetings has Cabinet attended in the last 12 months? Would that not be a piece of useful information in the first statement on women’s policy this government has produced? I believe so. I do not believe people would disagree.
This statement is unbelievable. I was quite excited, even though I was hung up on the lack of apostrophes, when I looked at the heading and thought: Oh, great. I read it and I thought: Wow, what a flop. It is sad. Most people in the Chamber know I am not a classic, right wing conservative politician. My friend, the member for Goyder, referred to me last week as the token leftie in our group, and I am. I am one of the old guard who believes feminism is not a dirty word, and when Labor came to office, I was philosophical - Labor deserved to win in 2001 – you had a good woman Chief Minister; you had more women in seats than the CLP ever had. It was not necessarily the saddest of days for people like me, even though I would have liked to have been part of the CLP government. I have watched you, you had such promise; you just did not deliver. I am desperately sad about that. I hope when some of you go to bed tonight, you think: Yeah, I know she is right. I know you believe I am right - but what a shame.
However, if you want to be congratulated - congratulations on a statement produced after eight-and-a-half-years - I expected so much more.
On that somewhat depressing note, I do not believe I can add much more. I look forward to more colourful glossies as the years roll on, and I hope government might turn its collective mind to, in a fair dinkum way, address a range of issues for women; particularly violence against women.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I support the Minister for Women’s Policy statement to the House on developing and progressing women’s policy in the Northern Territory.
Member for Araluen, we on this side of the House miss you. You do not contribute to parliamentary debate as much as you used to. I was very pleased to give you an extension of time, because you throw in some hand grenades - some get close and some miss altogether. It is always interesting when we are debating the member for Araluen, and you have put forward some issues I am sure the minister will deal with in her response; I will try to deal with some of them in my contribution.
To say, in eight-and-a-half years, the Labor government under the former Chief Minister and me have done nothing to advance the status of women in the Northern Territory, it has all gone backwards, we have done nothing to deal with the issues of the abhorrent and totally inexcusable day-to-day tragedy of violence against women in the Northern Territory, is not right.
Your contributions are always challenging, however, I believe acknowledgement of some of the inroads we have made would be appropriate for the quality of this debate. There have been significant inroads, and I will get to the work the police have been doing to combat violence against women across the Northern Territory in my contribution, which has been totally strategic; it has been very well resourced and is making an impact. I would like to see the day when there is no violence committed against anyone in the Northern Territory.
What is happening is certainly inexcusable, and the police are focused on it to a much greater level and extent, both strategically and resource-wise, than they were when we came to government in 2001. This government strongly supports policies aimed at advancing the status of women. Overcoming the social and economic barriers for Territory women will help them achieve equity, improved economic security and independence, and provide the opportunity to be heard. Not only heard, to participate in the decision-making process at all levels of the Territory community. We are working hard to create an environment where women can balance family, work and lifestyle, and be safe.
Although there has been much effort over generations to advance the cause of women, we cannot say today total equality has been achieved between man and women. I find it appalling women today in Australia do not have equality of pay across so many area of our economy. It is inexcusable, and at every level all governments have a responsibility to ensure there is equal pay for equal work across the Territory and Australia; particularly for employers who discriminate against women by not providing them with equal pay and equal conditions men have within the same business. That is inexcusable also.
Employers who participate in those practices should be ashamed of themselves. Women take on the greater share of family and household responsibilities; we all know women are adept at multitasking; we all know women are more likely to be running households at the same time as holding down a job; undertaking caring obligations - many are running their own business as well. More and more women are participating in the Territory workforce, and research undertaken by the Office of Women’s Policy indicates almost 69% of women in January 2010 are engaged in the workforce, of which 71% are working full-time. Women really are a very significant part of the economy of the Northern Territory.
It is also important to have more women participating in leadership roles. Why? Because women bring diversity, a competitive advantage, a new voice, a different perspective, and contrasting experience to decision-making bodies.
I downloaded several episodes of Yes, Minister to keep me awake on a recent flight, and there was one - I urge people to go onto iTunes - I forget which series of Yes, Minister it is - it is when the minister becomes aware of the paucity, before he becomes Prime Minister, of women in senior leadership roles across the public service. He decides to make a difference as Minister for Administrative Affairs and issues a directive: from now on 25% of all Chief Executive positions will be allocated to women; he was going to parachute women in from the corporate side of the economy to vacant positions within the public service, bypass the recruitment and selection process, and bypass the merit principles. He says to Sir Humphrey: ‘This will be done’. Of course, Sir Humphrey and the public service completely outwit him, outfox him, out manoeuvre him, and he slinks away to fight another day having failed to achieve his objectives. This debate has been going on for a long time. I believe that episode was at least 20 years old.
We would all like to see more women in senior leadership roles, not only in the public sector, also the private sector. The glass ceiling is still there, and for many reasons it should be torn down. We all have a responsibility to ensure those glass ceilings are torn down. I refer that episode of Yes, Minister to the member for Araluen - you might have a chuckle at that, because this fight has been going on for a long time. It is also important to have women participating in leadership roles in all areas of our society.
We are attempting to encourage more people to nominate for appointment to boards the Northern Territory government has constituted through the legislative process. I ask all members of this House to encourage skilled, competent women, whom we all know as part of our own networks, to register their interest, on the website, in being appointed to boards. That is a practical thing we can all do, and it is a challenge I will take on. All of us, through our electorates as well as our personal networks, know some magnificent women who would make great contributions to Territory boards, both advisory and statutory. We should all go away from this debate and make a commitment to encourage people to nominate their interests.
The Northern Territory Women’s Register enables women to list their availability for board positions and update their details regarding skills and experiences. It also enables boards to list vacant positions, and provides for an automatic data matching system for women who meet the vacancy criteria. There is a somewhat churlish recognition of websites; this is a practical application of how we can encourage more women to put their names forward.
At the national level, recent research has shown the proportion of women on boards in the top 200 Australian companies has remained stagnant at around 8% since 2002, and there are no women represented on the boards of more than half the top 200 companies. That is an absolute disgrace. Perhaps one of the practical things we could do in the interests of this debate, those of us who may be shareholders in listed companies, is to make representation to the boards we have investments in that we want to see more women on the board of those companies.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, I advise you it is now 9 pm. I can allow you an extension, as is customary, of up to 10 minutes if you wish, or you can continue your remarks at a later hour.
Mr HENDERSON: I do have more to say, Madam Speaker, so I will continue my remarks tomorrow.
Madam SPEAKER: We will adjourn then.
Debate suspended pursuant to Standing Order 41A(c)(v).
ADJOURNMENT
Madam SPEAKER: The Assembly does now adjourn.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I am grateful you are in the Chair as I want to make a couple of comments on the ruling made earlier in relation to the information you gave this House.
The ruling you gave this House was no minister may be asked a yes or no question. I point out that even in your explanation you have not fully or sufficiently addressed the issue. The reference you made to page 553 of House of Representatives Practice does not support that contention at all. You quoted, I believe, this line: ‘even though a question may invite a ‘yes or no’ answer, members cannot demand an answer be given in such terms’.
It was intimated during your explanation that that was the demand I made. I made no such demand. I said: ‘The question, at its simplest, only requires a yes or no answer’. I was saying a yes or no answer would have sufficed; that was the simplest way to deal with the issue at hand. At no point was I demanding a yes or no answer. The contention no minister may be asked a yes or no question is not correct; a question may invite that, however a minister is not limited to answering in those terms.
Whilst I appreciate the argy-bargy, from time to time, makes the House difficult to contain and control, I am concerned the rules of this House occasionally become interpreted in ways which are not entirely appropriate.
Therefore, Madam Speaker, I place on the record my anxiousness to see the rules of this House properly obeyed, and properly and fairly applied.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I recently attended the Young Achiever Awards. This year it was extra special, with Simon Baker-Johns crowned as the Northern Territory Young Achiever for 2010. Simon was recognised for the dedication and support he provides to his mother, Jade, who is legally blind, and his sister, Louisa, who is in a wheelchair. I am proud to say Simon and his sister, Louisa, are both Nakara Primary School students attending Nakara from preschool to Year 7. These fabulous awards recognise the work of youth in our community, many of whom, like Simon, are the real young heroes in our community, who overcome tremendous adversity and still achieve.
Congratulations to Simon and all the 2010 Young Achiever entrants, finalists and winners.
I also congratulate Skevos Lelekis, Marwa Osman, Ilinka Bacev, Maria Tran, Rebecca Clarke and Simone Liddy, the Territory’s first Charles Darwin University pharmacy graduates. These six graduates are the first to complete the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree since it was introduced at CDU in 2006. A special mention goes to Simone Liddy, another talented young woman who attended Nakara Primary and Dripstone High Schools, and is the first Indigenous pharmacy graduate in the Northern Territory.
I also recognise the calibre of the research staff within my department of Resources as highlighted at the recent National Seafood Industry Awards held in Melbourne. The department won national awards in two separate categories, and I congratulate them on this achievement.
First, the Department of Resources’ Aquatic Biosecurity Group, led by Ms Helen Cribb, was the recipient of the Environment Award through the delivery of their aquatic biosecurity program. This program, delivered by her team, helps to protect the Northern Territory’s valuable aquatic resources, habitats and fishing and aquaculture industries from introduced aquatic pests. The Aquatic Biosecurity Program was established following recognition of the vulnerability of the Territory’s waterways to invasion by exotic species, as highlighted by the incursion of the black striped mussel in Darwin marinas. Territorians will remember the confirmation of black striped mussel in Cullen Bay on 1 April - a day renowned for practical jokes. In seeking to guard against another incident of this nature, and to protect our pristine environment, an Aquatic Biosecurity Group has been established, and this award recognises the good work they do.
Second, the department’s Fisheries Indigenous Development Group, led by Robert (Bo) Carne, won the Training Award for their work in delivering certified training in fisheries compliance to the Northern Territory’s Indigenous marine rangers. The delivery of the course was assisted by both the Police Marine Fisheries Enforcement Section and Charles Darwin University. Marine rangers play a vital role as the eyes and ears of the Territory’s remote coastline, and undertake various roles from research, marine pest surveillance, search and rescue, and fishery monitoring. This is a fantastic win for the staff of my department, who were up against a very strong field of contenders from around Australia.
Both Bo and Helen’s groups had previously taken out their respective categories in the Northern Territory’s Seafood Council in Darwin last year. The Northern Territory Seafood Council is gratefully acknowledged for the sponsorship provided to all Territory nominees to attend the national awards. These awards recognise the vital work undertaken by NT Fisheries staff; and it is great to see this work has been acknowledged on the national stage.
I will speak about three employees in my department who have now retired.
Ms Pauline Evans retired on 26 February 2010 after nearly 30 years of service. Pauline commenced work as a Registered Nurse in 1980. She worked at the Tennant Creek Hospital until 1993, when she took study leave and worked in a number of casual positions at Royal Darwin Hospital. In December 1993, Ms Evans transferred to Alice Springs Hospital, and in 1995 she took up a position to implement One Staff, the computerised nurse rostering system. In 1999, she won the position of Nursing Director Information Manager at Alice Springs Hospital. Ms Evans demonstrated an advanced level of specialist expertise in the area of information management in addition to sound management skills. She was especially valued for her good humour and commonsense approach to resolving even the most difficult issues.
I also congratulate Mrs Barbara Dhamany who retired on 19 April 2010 after 38 years of service as an Aboriginal Health Worker. Mrs Dhamany started work in 1972 as an Aboriginal Nursing Aid at Milingimbi. In 1973, she started as an Aboriginal Health Worker at Milingimbi Health Centre, participating in on-the-job training. She commenced basic skills training in 1974, and completed studies in 1975. In the 1990s, she went on to jointly manage the Milingimbi Community Health Centre in conjunction with the Remote Area Nurse. She completed further studies to obtain a Diploma in Health Science, and an Advanced Diploma in Health Science. In 2006, Mrs Dhamany received the Aboriginal Health Worker Award for Excellence, and an award as Aboriginal Health Worker Legend. She has been an important member of the Milingimbi Primary Health Care team, mentoring and supporting her colleagues on cultural safety and protocols. Her love of the work enabled her to fulfil the health needs of her people and contribute to improving Aboriginal health in general.
Ms Margaret Cooper is retiring today after more than 21 years with the Department of Health and Families. Ms Cooper commenced work in 1998 as a Registered Nurse in Tennant Creek. She moved to Katherine and worked tirelessly and professionally for 18 years in the Katherine Centre for Disease Control to provide tuberculosis control measures to the Katherine region. She has contributed to the fight against TB, and seen the fruits of her labour in reduced rates of TB in Katherine over the years. Margaret was also a contributor to the intense disaster response to the Katherine floods, and to local disease control preparedness for conditions such as SARS and, more recently, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic. Throughout her many years with the department, Margaret has provided excellent clinical service and follow-up, and has shown understanding towards her patients and their families.
Pauline, Barbara and Margaret, congratulations on your long careers in the Health department. You have my sincere appreciation for the fantastic work you have done for the Territory community.
Mrs AAGAARD (Nightcliff): Madam Deputy Speaker, tonight I pay tribute to the life of the late Greg Jarvis, Darwin City Council Alderman and Nightcliff constituent, who died suddenly on 1 February 2010.
I was one of several hundred people who attended Greg’s funeral at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral where friends, family and associates travelled from near and far to pay tribute to his life. Greg, who was born in Bowral, NSW, had been a Territorian for the past 35 years, embracing the opportunities and challenges that can be found only in this unique part of Australia.
He is well remembered for his role as a teacher and principal, particularly at Alyangula, Milingimbi, Maningrida, Malak and Moulden Park. Friend and former teaching colleague, Wendy Jordan, told mourners at Greg’s funeral, as Principal of Moulden Primary School, his aim was to earn a reputation for the school as ‘Golden Moulden, the school of happy children’. Ms Jordan said Greg’s positive attitude and unshakable belief in the qualities and abilities of both the staff and students to achieve was integral to the school achieving this goal.
Another speaker, Roslyn Djuwandaynu Wununmurra from Milingimbi spoke of the respect Greg had for all people regardless of their background. Rapid Creek teenager, Max Stretton, recalled his interactions with Greg on the soccer field, and Greg’s ability to inspire young players to great achievements while ensuring they were safe, happy and having fun.
After his retirement from teaching in 2006, Greg worked in my Nightcliff electorate office as a relief officer a couple of times while he explored new opportunities available to him without the constraints of full-time work. He found and embraced those opportunities which came in the form of the Australian Principals Association’s Dare to Lead program, and community work with organisations such as the Melaleuca Refugee Centre.
In 2008, he extended his commitments further with his successful candidacy for the Chan Ward on Darwin City Council. It is pleasing to know Greg’s work towards acknowledgement of the Larrakia people at the beginning of each council meeting was achieved the week before he died.
I extend my deepest sympathy to Greg’s wife, Trish Joy, and his daughter, Thea, on their very sad loss. They may take comfort in the words Greg wrote in 1972:
- If I died tomorrow could I have said I have lived,
I have found satisfaction and understanding,
I have fulfilled the days I have been given - by living.
Tonight I also make special mention of the late Glenda Liddle, a Rapid Creek constituent who lived life quietly and unobtrusively, but who had a deep and lasting impact on the lives she touched. Glenda passed away on 30 November 2009 at the age of 68, after a long fight with ovarian cancer. Glenda’s daughter, Samantha Sabaratnam, described her mother as a truly positive person with a wonderful sense of humour who lived in and enjoyed every moment; a woman who loved connecting with other people, but who had an innate understanding of boundaries which she never encroached.
Glenda spent many years working at the Catholic Diocesan offices, which is where I first had connection with Glenda. She was the person working directly with Bishop Ted Collins and Fr Tim Brennan, and she was always a delight to have contact with. Fr Brennan, unfortunately, could not be at the funeral at St Paul’s Catholic Church; however, he sent a most beautiful eulogy which was read by Fr Vince Carroll, the priest at St Paul’s Catholic Church. Fr Brennan said how grateful he was for the time with Glenda at the Diocesan office after Glenda had been lured from the Nightcliff Parish office. Fr Brennan aptly described Glenda as warm, compassionate, generous and competent, as well as being fun to work with and a great conversationalist.
Glenda grew up in Melbourne and worked for several years on former Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen’s staff when Sir Zelman was Dean of the Law Faculty at Melbourne University. Later she embarked on an adventurous stint as a public service secretary in Papua New Guinea, which is where she met her husband, Peter.
Fr Brennan described Glenda as a great student of life. She also loved learning and, amongst other things, studied Canon Law to enable her to play a part in the Catholic Marriage Tribunal where her warmth, caring, astuteness, insightfulness and discretion were invaluable.
Glenda’s greatest love was for her family - husband Peter, daughters Vanessa, Geraldine and Samantha, and her grandchildren. She showed her feisty spirit and optimism when faced with cancer, gaining extra years amongst her loved ones. Glenda Liddle will be much missed by all who knew her, especially her beloved family through whom her spirit will live on.
I will finish with a poem written by Glenda which was handed out to those of us who attended her beautiful funeral at St Paul’s Catholic Church:
- Make time to be on your own, be calm and quiet,
Listen to God and reach out towards the source of all things you love
We all have a need to write the poem even if it’s only once in our lifetime,
To paint that picture, to be creative,
To live in the moment and enjoy our beautiful surroundings,
Our friends and family.
Vale, Glenda Liddle.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to talk this evening about my visit to the Tiwi Islands, and to acknowledge the traditional owners on the Tiwi, Robert Tipungwuti and Walter and Cyril.
I had the pleasure of being at the full Tiwi Land Council on Friday and was amazed at what these guys are doing. They brought young people to the full Tiwi Land Council and introduced these young people to how the Tiwi Land Council works, and the economic opportunities they have on the island.
I want to take a moment in this House to talk about the Tiwi people; and the fact that they lead. When you compare the things they do on the Tiwi Islands with any remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, I believe they lead and set a very good example to all our remote Aboriginal communities with the economic opportunities they have on the communities, and their nous in talking about economic opportunities for their people, and the dreams these old people have.
The dream to make their community go forward with economic opportunities, with leasing on their land - they were the first community to accept community leasing, and the first community to purchase their own homes on the Tiwi Islands. As a matter of fact, when I was there the first SIHIP house of 15 was handed over to the first owners on the Tiwi Islands. It is an amazing thing to see all this revolutionary, economic opportunity and scope and dream and hope coming out of traditional Yolngu Tiwi people.
They have the college at Pickertaramoor; they have the dream to further the education of Tiwi children which is absolutely fantastic. The college will be officially opened by the Governor-General next weekend, and I hope members of the Northern Territory government are there to acknowledge to the Tiwi people we do believe in education for Indigenous people. It would be nice to see someone there. I believe you have to put your political dislike for the Tiwi people aside and acknowledge these people for their aspirations, their dreams and the hope they have for Tiwi people. They are trying to educate their children; they were the first community to do leasing, the first people to buy their own homes, and they are people giving real hope and aspiration to young leaders, future Tiwis, to take over the Tiwi Land Council, to have that economic dream. Often at the meeting at Pickertaramoor the old people got up, Walter, Cyril, Robert, and said to the young people: you must never be afraid to challenge whitefellas, to challenge governments. You need to make sure your aspirations and dreams are what governments look at.
I believe it is a great opportunity to use these people as an example to all other Territorians in remote Aboriginal communities and say to these other people: If the Tiwi can do it, we can do it.
I would like to place that on record and thank, from the bottom of my heart, the Tiwi Land Council and all the Tiwi elders for having that dream, for having that hope and for having that vision. One of the things I would say is: do not stop dreaming. Do not stop having that hope and do not stop having that vision because that vision, hope and dream is what will drive the Tiwi to eventually, one day, be economically sustainable with their own income, without going cap in hand to governments that despise them for facing the real challenges, trying to challenge government about real economic opportunities; trying to challenge governments about real education.
I would say: do not stop dreaming; do not stop having that vision. Continue to push your children just as you are doing now, to take over the reins from the elders who have led that community to all these positive outcomes.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, I gladly reflect on the weekend just passed in Katherine, in particular, the Katherine Country Music Muster. As usual, it was a terrific event; three days of quintessential country music, and the quality of the artists who came along to the event this year was nothing short of outstanding. The event started on Friday, 30 April, in the afternoon.
The first part of the Music Muster program for the weekend was ‘The Territory Showcase’: a group of homegrown, Territory country music people who came along to perform. I have heard some of these artists play before, and it is terrific to see we have so much musical talent in the Northern Territory. I do not say that lightly, because when you listen you can hear the depth and quality of their music and their singing.
I acknowledge - and I will do this throughout my debate tonight - those who performed, and the people who are big supporters of the Country Music Muster.
The Territory Showcase performers on the night were: a band called Dusty Tracks; Markus Bader; Yuliana Pascoe; Kate Oliver - a local Katherine girl and a fantastic singer; Lee Hubble, also known as ‘The General’; The Bone Collectors, and Marisa Quigley.
Ms Scrymgour: The local member did not sing?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: No. If I could pick up on the interjection from the member for Arafura - country music is not my forte. You never know what you may see throughout the year, however.
Saturday was also an enormous day in Katherine. It started out with the markets in Ryan Park on Saturday morning - great turnout - the best weekend the markets have had. The market has been growing slowly since its inception a little over a year ago. We had 26 stalls this weekend, which is fantastic, because these stalls are now becoming sustainable, and in the Dry Season it will be terrific to see that continue. At the markets was the display of ‘Beaut Utes’. We had a muster of utes, and it was good to see the young fellows putting effort …
Mr Bohlin: And lasses.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: … and lasses, indeed – putting effort and money into hotting up their utes. Some of them were absolutely fantastic.
We then had the cavalcade which went up and down the main street; a collection of the utes, people on horseback, trucks, and the firies did a display as well. The only thing missing was a road train full of cattle; that always adds a little atmosphere to the main street of Katherine. There was a lull in proceedings until the afternoon, and at 3 pm there was a line dancing workshop - I did not get along to the line dancing; again, probably not one of my fortes.
That evening saw the main performance of the weekend. Some the performers who came along were: Keith Jamieson, Daly Stephenson, and Jay Messenger. There was a national song writing competition. Glenys Rae and her Tamworth Playboys also performed on the night, as did Tracey Killeen, Texas Rose, and also Chucks Wagon. At this point I would like to thank the MC for the night, Peter Izod, from Tamworth in New South Wales. He has been around the country music industry for a very long time, and he had nothing but praise for the Katherine Country Music Muster. It impressed him to see a small country town turn out an event of that nature, and be able to put on such talent.
Sunday, the third day, was a family day, and finished with a concert in the evening with The Honky Tonk Angels. Unfortunately, I was out of town on Sunday afternoon, but I would love to have seen Donnella Plane and Amber Joy Poulton performing as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lyn and Patsy Cline. I believe they would have given the original artists a run for their money.
It takes an enormous amount of money, time and effort to put together an event such as the Katherine Country Music Muster - which really was huge – and I acknowledge tonight many of the supporters and sponsors of the event. Thanks to: Southern Cross Television, XXXX Gold, CAAMA Radio, Katherine Toyota, Katherine Times, Katherine Research Station, Mac’s Hire Services, Tourism NT, Transpacific Cleanaway, Regional Territory News, Katherine Community Markets, Katherine Police, Johnny’s Electrics, Top End Mustangs, St Andrew’s Serviced Apartments, Paraway Motel, Willem Westra van Holthe MLA, Bendigo Community Bank, ABC radio, Katherine Community Radio, Katherine Country Club, Katherine Town Council, Katherine Visitor Information Centre, Katherine Crash Repairs, On-Site Refrigeration, Canning Industries Pty Ltd, Power and Water, Trash & Treasure Market Nortonville, Katherine Art Gallery, Katherine Museum & Historical Society, Katherine Sports and Recreation Club, Shady Lane Tourist Park, IBW Crane Hire, D & A Walsh, Edith River Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, Katherine Volunteer Fire Brigade, DJ Hogan Electrical Contractors, Downes Graderway, Hardt Transport, Custom Cabinet’s, Fe’s Variety, Rotary Katherine, Brumby’s Bakery, Jones Meat Mart, Reg Poole, Repco Auto Parts, Top News, and You’re Kidding.
It took a long time to read the list of supporters and sponsors for the Music Muster; it really shows how interested the Katherine community is in this event. To put together a list of sponsors and supporters that long is an outstanding achievement.
That comes back to the organising committee, and I am going to pay a special tribute to those people too. These guys worked for months and months on end, are all volunteers - there are no paid positions; they do this work outside their normal day jobs.
I acknowledge the President of the Katherine Country Music Muster Association, which has been alive now for 11 years - this is the eleventh Country Music Muster in Katherine: President, Kerry Watkins; Vice President, Melanie Reichlmeier; Treasurer, Shirley Canning; Secretary, Katrina Anlezark. Other committee members: Katie Oliver, Sue Moran, Meg Greitz, Lindy Lou Smith, Debbie Smith, Cheryl and Max Holt. There are many others volunteers and supporters, and I want to mention Brian Canning and Donny Walsh, who did much of the heavy lifting work. They had to organise hay bales, the stage, and the heavy infrastructure around the Music Muster. It was fantastic to see them put it together.
The last thing I want to say in relation to the Music Muster is this event is very expensive to run; it costs somewhere in the vicinity of $65 000 just to bring the artists to Katherine. All this money is raised through community sponsorships and donations; and much of the labour is donated by people on the ground. I would like to believe, and I am going to say this in the nicest possible way: for an event of this nature and this size which promotes Katherine as a destination, and as a significant contributor to the economy of Katherine and the Northern Territory, and also the musical and artistic pursuits of the region, the Northern Territory government might like to consider coming on board to sponsor and support the Music Muster in a financial way. There were no applications for a grant on this occasion; however, I would like to believe this event might make it onto the government’s radar as one which needs to be included in the regional events calendar to attract the sort of financial support it deserves.
The people on this committee worked very, very hard and deserve some recognition and support from the Northern Territory government.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr BOHLIN (Drysdale): Madam Deputy Speaker, today I wish to talk on two things. First, an event I attended on Wednesday, 14 April, in Darwin at the Novotel Atrium - the 2010 finalists and announcement of the Barnardos Mother of the Year Awards. Barnardos is an organisation which believes in children; it revolves around the family structure and supports many children throughout Australia.
I, with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Terry Mills MLA, and some other dignitaries attended. The most important dignitaries of the day happened to be three lovely ladies, and the reason they were there was because they are all mothers of special notoriety and, as we know, our mums are very special to us all. I can guarantee you, my mother is fantastic. She was, without a doubt, a big influence in my life as I grew up, through my teenage years, and until I was shuffled off into the Army to learn a trade. It is my mum we telephone and, with Mother’s Day coming up, I believe it is very important we do not forget our mums.
My mother, Dorothy Rae Bohlin, is definitely a special lady to me, and I know my daughter’s mother is special to her. We all have that special lady in our lives and this happens to be one way they can be recognised; and Barnardos really put in a great effort - they put on a fantastic show, in fact.
These three ladies were the finalists for the Northern Territory, and the winner will be our representative in the national finals - and she may well win. I will quickly run through the three ladies’ names, and will then table the document because it will take too long to read.
The first lovely lady is Ann Fleming of Ludmilla. She was nominated by her daughter, Olivia Fleming. The top tip from Ann was: Mum always says to think of others.
The second lovely lady is Michelle Ormsby of Moulden, nominated by her son, James Roberts. Her top tip: just try it - what do you have to lose?
The third lovely mother is Monika Schaefe of Moulden, nominated, by her daughter, Sherrona Schaefe. Her top tip: love and forgive your enemies because life is too short for hatred and bitterness.
I am very pleased to announce to the House, Monika Schaefe was our winner for the Northern Territory’s 2010 Mother of the Year.
A member: Hear, hear!
Mr BOHLIN: Hear, hear, indeed. Monika has had a very hard life, and has helped out many children in Palmerston and beyond. She has many great stories to tell, some of them not enjoyable. She has certainly put in everything for her children, and there were many of her children present at the ceremony. There were children of all ages and, I must say, there were many tears; in fact, there were many tears from all people present. Whether it was their mother who had won or not, it was an emotional time.
Something quite striking were the men who spoke, including the Lord Mayor of Darwin, Graeme Sawyer, and Mr Terry Mills; you could hear a crackle in their voices when they spoke of the importance of their mothers; and it shows men are really affected by their mothers. I know women are just as affected by their mothers; they shape our lives, and I know Monika has shaped many lives.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to table this document.
Leave granted.
Mr BOHLIN: That can be read from here onwards. There is a short description of each mother, which does not go fully into explaining who they are but is a good start. It is fantastic to think Monika will represent not only mothers of the Northern Territory, but the mothers of Palmerston, at our national level.
On Friday before Anzac Day, Palmerston High School had a very efficient, very sombre ceremony conducted by the school, with a very high level of respect. It is something I felt deserved to be mentioned in this House because the quality of the service was equal to any I have seen for a long time.
The introduction was done by one of the great teachers there, Ms Gillian Furness. The school had a catafalque party formed by cadets who are Palmerston High School students. Their Guard Commander was John Pedersen, and the names of the guards in that catafalque party were: Natalia Talbot, Sarah Dunleavy-Gilmore, Nadine Talbot, and Courtney Hall; and the Flag Guard was Richard Farrall.
After the guard was mounted there was an address by Darryl Salathiel, Secretary of the Palmerston RSL. This led to the placing of wreaths and books.
Three elements of the school were represented here: Air Force Cadets from Palmerston High School, whose wreath was presented by Nicholas Drake and Logan Devine; Palmerston High School Student Representative Council, whose wreath was presented by Tegan Gusling and Georgina Snijders; and Palmerston High School Special Education Students, whose wreath was presented by Brandon Edwards and Dion Carthew. Guests were then asked to lay a wreath.
The Ode of Remembrance was read by a lovely lady who, in my time as the member for Drysdale, I have met many times. She always has a great smile, and is Captain of the Palmerston High School’s Student Representative Council, Jessica Butler. I spoke to Jessica’s father, who is a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Australian Army, and he was extremely proud of his daughter and the fact she was speaking on this special day; and rightly so. He was dressed in his parade uniform, and I thank the Defence Force for giving him that extra time to spend with his daughter, because many of our service personnel do not get that time. He was so proud to watch his daughter read out the Ode.
The last post was played by Warrant Officer Class 2, Geoff Carter, who is also an Alderman of Palmerston City Council. Geoff always does a fantastic job.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr BOHLIN: Shortly after, the ceremony was wrapped up by Gillian Furness; and it was a fantastic event. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries were there. The students represented themselves with great dignity, should be proud of their behaviour, and the way they conducted a fantastic service to remember those who have fallen. I have already spoken about Anzac Day; this was the lead up to it. They did themselves proud, they did Palmerston proud, and they did many schools in the Northern Territory proud with the high calibre of this event.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Madam Deputy Speaker, I advise members of a project which is being launched by the Chief Minister and me through schools and school communities in the Northern Territory. This project is called Schools - Our Community Heart.
In the Territory’s remote communities and the towns and suburbs of our city, schools are the glue that binds people together and helps shape a strong sense of local identity. Schools are also important community assets; they have equipment and facilities which can be used to assist in the lifelong learning of the whole community. There are more community groups using schools as places to meet and, in some remote communities, schools are considering plans to teach language and culture after school hours.
The government wants to identify ways in which schools can become even more part of their local areas. That is why we are launching this project, Schools - Our Community Heart. This project is seeking community feedback about the role schools can play after hours in the community, including everything from the use of facilities through to possible after hour’s adult education and training, and more community programs.
A letter is being forwarded tomorrow from the Chief Minister and me to all principals, teachers and school council members and, through them, to parents, advising of the government’s intention to launch this project. A discussion paper on options will follow this letter in the near future. We will be asking people for their input, and respond to the level of involvement each community wants. The government does not intend to impose matters on schools, but we want to work with schools and the community to open up these vital community assets to greater community use. Programs and proposed activities should not have a significant impact on staffing resources at the schools. Schools are already well patronised by the community, but there has not been a formal policy in place to do this in a wide and organised way; and I look forward to hearing from schools.
This is another example of this government’s commitment to improving education outcomes for the broader community, as well as our students. Community engagement is an important part of our Smart Territory strategy to boost education outcomes. This government has a real education policy and plan to help our students achieve, in stark contrast to the CLP’s flimsy education policy and their failure to enter into a constructive and honest debate about improving education in our school communities.
As a local member, and now as Education minister, I value the opportunity to attend school council meetings; I take great interest in these meetings. It was of great concern to me to learn that only last month the member for Sanderson gave a school council totally incorrect and untrue information about the school-based constable program. We all know he has been spreading rumours for a long time in the community about the school-based constable program being axed. That was about 10 years ago; and it is still there.
However, on 13 April, the member for Sanderson took it to a new level at the Sanderson Middle School Council meeting. I am taking this straight from the minutes of the meeting:
- Peter Styles MLA – Informed Council that the new Commissioner of Police was to remove School Based Police Officers from the school and then this would be followed by the removal of the School Nurse program as well.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I table the minutes of the school council meeting which will clearly show this quote to be correct. The draft minutes then state he:
- Offered to conduct a 40 minute power point presentation on the benefits of school based policing if any parties were interested.
Member for Sanderson, that will not be necessary because there is no intention by the government to remove school-based constables at this school or, for that matter, school nurses. Your assertions are untrue.
I am disgusted by the actions of the member for Sanderson and his rumourmongering amongst the Sanderson Middle School community. It is likely he has been doing this at other schools as well.
Member for Sanderson, I have discussed your allegation with both the Police minister and the Health minister, who both inform me there is absolutely no intention to remove school-based constables or school nurses from the school. Moreover, both ministers have discussed these allegations with their CEOs who have confirmed these rumours are untrue. Indeed, I am informed the new Police Commissioner, John McRoberts, is so incensed by the mischievous, incorrect, and misleading statements given to the school council, he will be writing to the school and school-based constables to set the record straight.
The fact is school-based constables will continue to work in and with schools, as will nurses. They play an important role in supporting our students and their families. I have been advised the role of school-based constables will be beefed up and made more effective by changing their reporting structure. School-based constables will be required to report to their local area officer-in-charge, putting them in the front line of policing in their community, and feeding into local intelligence.
The member for Sanderson should contact Sanderson Middle School Council to retract his mischievous statements and misinformation. The member for Sanderson has been caught out for politically-motivated rumourmongering, and needs to make amends to the school, and should also apologise for verballing the Commissioner of Police. He should focus his efforts on working towards solutions to improve our schools, rather than creeping around spreading mistruths for his own political gain.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016