ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS - Answered by 14 February 2006
16 August 2005
14. Indigenous Policy - Reporting
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. Could you please give an insight as to what is happening in the area of Indigenous Policy?
2. How many staff are currently employed to carry out the functions of Indigenous Policy?
3. What was the staffing level at 1 July 2004?
4. Can you please detail the positions allocated in Indigenous Policy?
5. Detail expenditure for the area of Indigenous Policy on reports produced that have either been outsourced or produced internally including:
(a) what was the purpose of the reports;
ANSWER
1. Please see the Department of the Chief Minister Annual Report 2004-05.
2. The Office of Indigenous Policy employs eight staff (one on secondment from the Department of Local Government
Housing and Sport, and one on secondment from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet).
3. As at 1 July 2004, the staffing level was seven staff. This has been subsequently augmented by the secondment of an
officer from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
4. The positions are as follows:
Executive Director (ECO3).
Deputy Director (ECO1).
Principal Policy Adviser (x two) (ECO1).
Intergovernmental Relations Officer (EL1 – Australian government officer).
Either Policy Officer (AO7)/Senior Policy Officer (AO8) (depending on qualifications and experience).
Either Research and Policy Officer (AO5)/Senior Research and Policy Officer (AO6) (depending on
qualifications and experience).
Administrative Support Officer (AO4).
5. No reports as such were produced in 2004-05.
15. Indigenous Policy - Printing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. List all the work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004—05 related to Indigenous Policy?
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to Indigenous Policy in 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. Work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 included printing of the July and December 2004 issues of the Common Ground newspaper, advertising publication of notice in the NT Gazette and the printing of business cards and the Parks Question and Answer booklets.
2. Total cost of work undertaken by the Government Printing Office was $28 560.
A breakdown of these costs is as per Attachment.
16. Common Ground - Publication
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. How many issues of the publication Common Ground were printed in 2004-05 and at what cost?
2. How is editorial comment for Common Ground decided?
3. Are there any articles or photographs that appear in Common Ground provided from the Office of the Chief Minister or her ministers’ offices?
4. What is the circulation of Common Ground (Aboriginal newspaper) and how is it distributed?
5. Provide a breakdown of costs to produce Common Ground.
6. What is the forecast budget for Common Ground?
ANSWER
1. Two issues of Common Ground were printed in 2004-05.
December 2004 $ 9300
2. Editorial comment, such that it is, is given within the message from the Chief Minister that appears on page 2. This is
provided by the Chief Minister’s Office.
3. Occasionally a photograph is supplied by a minister’s office if an event has taken place at a remote location; for example, the
opening of the Kintore Police Station. Text for the Chief Minister’s page 2 column is also supplied (as mentioned above).
4. The current mailing list accounts for distribution of over 8000 copies. Individuals and organisations must either e-mail or fax a written request to be included in the Common Ground mailing list. The remaining copies, 6000 in the Dry Season and around 3000 to 4000 in the Wet, are distributed through a range of local outlets including art centres and galleries, renal centres, hospitals, Aboriginal media centres and local businesses, and at key events and conferences such as the annual show circuit and the Garma Festival.
5. Printing $20 300
Layout, Design $11 500
Writers, proofing $ 6 000
Postage $ 5 600
Supply photos $ 300
17. Indigenous Policy – Advertising and Consultancies
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. How much was spent on behalf of Indigenous Policy on advertising/promotional activities/ videos/DVDs/brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05?
2. Please provide a month-by-month breakdown of spending and projects/programs that this spending was for?
3. Did any consultants employed during 2004-05 undertake work specifically relating to the area of Indigenous Policy?
4. Who were the consultants?
5. What was the nature of each consultancy?
6. List the consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption.
7. In how many and in which consultancies were expressions of interest or tenders called before a person or body was engaged to carry out that promotion?
8. What was the total amount spent on behalf of Indigenous Policy on consultants during 2004-05?
9. Detail how much each consultancy cost?
ANSWER
1. The amount spent by Indigenous Policy on advertising/promotional activities/videos/DVDs/ brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05 was $24 300.
2. See Attachment.
3. Yes.
4. The consultants were Francesca Merlan, Australian National University, IN2IT Consulting and James Cook University.
5. The nature of these consultancies were:
Assessment report Wakay/Alywarra Report Land Claim
Recovery costs for Wadeye Region as part of the Opportunity Cost Study
Indigenous Policy Statement Chief Executives workshop
Part 2 Baseline Profiles of Thamarrurr.
6. James Cook University – Professor Owen Stanley was the only suitable consultant for this project.
7. IN2IT Consulting was selected from a panel which went to public tender.
8. The total amount spent on behalf of Indigenous Policy to consultants during the 2004-05 period was $29 500.
9. Total costs for each consultancy are as follows:
Francesca Merlan $ 4000
Australian National University $ 1500
IN2IT Consulting $ 4000
James Cook University $ 20 000
18. Indigenous Policy - Promotions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1 Was any money spent in Indigenous Policy on the 2005-06 post-budget promotion campaign?
2. If so, how much was spent on print media?
3. How much was spent on electronic media?
4. How much was spent on brochure production and direct mail?
5. How much was spent on DVD/CD production?
ANSWER
1. No.
19. Territory Development
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. The budget estimate for Territory Development in 2004-05 was $6.856m. Why the cut of almost $0.5m to the 2005-06 budget?
2. Could you please give an insight as to what is happening in the area of Territory Development?
3. Detail the development projects that the office has had carriage of in 2004-05 and the projects forecast for 2005-06.
ANSWER
1. The decrease from the 2004-05 estimate to the 2005-06 budget of $0.5m is mainly the result of the one-off project funding
during 2004-05, offset by full-year funding of the Alcan position in Gove.
2. Revised agency arrangements in July 2005 resulted in the transfer of the Economic Development Strategy, Innovation
and Knowledge Economy and Tourism Infrastructure functions of the Office of Territory Development to the new
Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development.
3. The attached tables detail projects within the Office of Territory Development during 2004-05.
23. Territory Development - Staffing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How many staff were employed in the Office of Territory Development at 1 July 2004?
2. How many are currently employed in the Office of Territory Development and detail their positions?
ANSWER
1. Number of staff employed in the Office of Territory Development at July 1 2004 was 18.
2. Revised agency arrangements in July 2005 resulted in the transfer of the Economic Development Strategy, Innovation
and Knowledge Economy and Tourism Infrastructure functions to the new Department of Business, Economic and
Regional Development. At that time, the Office of Territory Development ceased to exist. At the time of restructuring,
the Office of Territory Development had 20 staff made up of the following positions:
Executive Director
Director Petroleum Developments
Director Investment Attraction
Director Innovation and Knowledge Economy
Assistant Director Petroleum Developments
Assistant Director Business Developments
Principal Advisor Research and Innovation
Director Business Case Developments
Senior Project Officer Petroleum Developments (two)
Project Officer Petroleum Developments
Project Officer Business Developments
Project Officer Innovation and Knowledge Economy (two)
Executive Officer NT Research and Innovation Board
Coordinator Alcan G3 Expansion Project
Office Manager
Administrative Officer (three)
25. Territory Development - Printing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 that related to the Office of Territory Development.
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to the Office of Territory Development in 2004-05?
ANSWER
The answers to questions 1 and 2 have been compiled and provided in the table in the Attachment.
26. Territory Development – Advertising Expenditure
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much was spent on behalf of the Office of Territory Development on advertising/ promotional activities/videos/DVDs/brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05?
2. Please provide a month-by-month breakdown of spending and projects/programs that this spending was for.
3. Please detail the breakdown on local and interstate expenditure for advertising in question 1.
4. How much has been spent specifically in 2004-05 on promoting the wharf precinct development by way of brochure, electronic media, newspaper advertisement and direct mail?
5. Detail all other expenditure in 2004-05 on promoting the wharf precinct development, eg, how much was spent on public displays in the Darwin Mall, Casuarina and Palmerston?
ANSWER
1. Expenditure on behalf of the Office of Territory Development on advertising/promotional activities/videos/DVDs/brochures
and general printed matter in 2004-05 was $569 708.
2. The attached table provides a month-by-month breakdown of spending and projects/programs that this spending
was for (Attachment A).
3. Refer Attachment B.
4. The Darwin City Waterfront project was a Department of Infrastructure Planning and Environment project and the figures
below have been provided by them. The 2004-05 expenditure promoting the wharf precinct development on brochures was
$78 557, electronic media $12 540, newspaper advertisement $42 912, and for direct mail no figure is available.
$40 401, rental/leasing $71 558, display staff costs $36 039. The display staff costs are for operating the display offices
in the Darwin mall and Casuarina with resources engaged from outside the Department of Infrastructure Planning and
Environment.
27. Territory Development - Consultancies
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What consultants were employed during 2004-05 to undertake work for the Office of Territory Development?
2. What was the nature of each consultancy?
3. List the consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption?
4. In how many and in which consultancies were expression of interest or tenders called before a person or body was engaged to carry out that promotion?
5. What was the total amount spent on behalf of the Office of Territory Development during 2004-05?
6. Detail how much each consultancy cost?
ANSWER
1. Consultants employed in 2004-05 were ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd, AEC Group Pty Ltd, Catalyst Consulting International Pty Ltd,
Dr Peter Whitehead of Charles Darwin University, Professor Stephen Garnett of Charles Darwin University, Gail Humble,
Ian Lovell, Jenkins Advisory Services, KPMG, QS Services, Strategic Design and Development, The Best Conference and
Events Company, Brook Hunt, Bob Collins and Worleyparsons Services.
2. The nature of each of the above consultancies is set out in Attachment A.
3. Consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption were:
(a) ACIL Tasman – Provision of ad hoc policy and industry advice. This certificate of exemption was obtained
for 2003-04 with the final payment falling in 2005-06. Immediate specialist required. ACIL has a Darwin
office with the necessary skills in-house.
ACIL has a Darwin office with the necessary skills in-house.
and background to act as Investment Ambassador.
have the necessary experience and knowledge.
NTG/CDU Partnership Agreement.
Partnership Agreement.
No local consultant with necessary expertise was available.
4. In July 2004, the Chief Minister signed an approval for the Office of Territory Development to invite public tender and appoint
four panels of consultants to provide support and expertise across the many project areas that OTD operates. The panel
contracts commenced on 1 November 2004 for a period of one year with the option to extend for a period of one year at a time,
for two years. The four categories of consultant panels are Project Services, Management Services, Economic and Financial Services and Communications and Marketing Services. Public Tenders were called for the following consultancies:
(a) event organisation and management of international conference ‘Global Freight Connect 2005’. Awarded to
The Best Conference and Events Company;
(b) Gas Industry Attraction and Development study. Awarded to Worleyparsons Services; and
(c) all other consultancies that did not go to public tender or have a certificate of exemption awarded were from the
OTD panel contracts.
6. Detailed costs of each consultancy are shown in Attachment.
32. Territory Development – Darwin Port Authority Relationship
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the relationship between the Office of Territory Development and the Darwin Port Cooperation in developing the AustralAsia Trade Route, and how is that coordinated with the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development and DIPE responsibilities in this area?
ANSWER
The Office of Territory Development no longer exists.
As a result of the ministerial and portfolio changes following the 2005 election, some elements of the former Office of Territory Development and the Trade Group of the former Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development (DBIRD) have been amalgamated into the Trade and Major Projects Division of the Department of the Chief Minister. This complements the Chief Minister’s role as Minister for Asian Relations and Trade.
The development of the AustralAsia Trade Route continues to be coordinated by a whole-of-government task force chaired by the Department of the Chief Minister. This task force consists of senior representatives from the following agencies:
Department of the Chief Minister (Chair);
Darwin Port Corporation;
Land Development Corporation;
Department of Business, Economic and Resource Development (DBERD);
Department of Planning and Infrastructure;
NT Treasury; and
Department of Justice.
35. Territory Development – East Arm Port Performance
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. From a strategic perspective, how would you view the performance of Darwin port as a competitive port in establishing Darwin as the gateway to Asia? What is the cost per container across the port?
2. How does the East Arm Port benchmark competitively if you were looking to ship through Darwin port?
3. What is the extent of the problems at the East Arm Port which resulted in the closing of an extended section recently?
ANSWER
1. The Northern Territory government has made a substantial commitment to developing the Port of Darwin and the
AustralAsia Railway as critical nodal points in the development of an alternative trade route for Territory and Australian trade
with Asia. The AustralAsia Trade Route is in the embryonic stage of development and provides an alternative to the traditional logistics channels for importers and exporters that can realise the value of the transit time savings possible by utilising the port
of Darwin as the gateway. From a strategic perspective, the port of Darwin is an integral link in the strategic development of
the AustralAsia Trade Route. It is one of the few greenfields port developments being undertaken in Australia. It provides
a congestion free alternative to the southern Australian ports.
2. Importers and exporters negotiate container freight rates with individual shipping companies.
3. The current structural issues at East Arm Wharf apply to Stage 1 that was completed in December 1999. On the 3 June 2005, DPC isolated Chainage 0 to 50 m of wharf, following the discovery of a broken tie rod. This area was limited to light loads. GHD, design engineers, were consulted and BMT JV advised the broken tie rod was to be shipped interstate for metallurgical testing.
On the 14 June 05, a limited inspection by DPI identified a further five tie rods may have failed.
DPI advised DPC to remove all vessels and operations from Stage 1.
On 17 June 2005, DPC established a precautionary closure of the 490 m Stage 1 wharf whilst investigations and the appropriate course of action is determined.
Stage 1 will be re-opened in mid-October (subject to certain loading requirements) as engineering assessments are completed.
36. Darwin City Waterfront – Asset Ownership
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. The waterfront site will remain under the ownership of the Northern Territory government and be handed to the developer as freehold as the project is developed. What is the agreed process for handover of parcels of land for the waterfront development?
2. What agreements are in place for how these assets will be maintained and by whom?
ANSWER
1. Darwin Convention and Exhibition Centre (DCEC):
Hospitality Precinct:
Residential Stage 1 and 2:
2. Public assets including any assets provided by the private sector and vested in the Territory will be owned and maintained by the relevant statutory authority. The mechanism to achieve this is via the Concession Deed and/or particular Project Delivery Deed which sets forth in detail which bodies are responsible for the management and maintenance of the various areas within the total site.
37. AustralAsia Railway – Draw Down Money
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
1. In terms of the draw down of monies for the railway, has all the money that can be drawn down for the railway been drawn down? If not, what remains to be drawn down, or possibly drawn down?
2. Where does that money appear in the budget papers?
ANSWER
1. All the government money that can be drawn down for the railway has been drawn down.
2. Budget Paper No 3, Page 40, Page 77.
38. AustralAsia Railway – Contingent Equity
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
1. What are the circumstances in which the contingent equity would be drawn down?
2. Are you able to say whether or not any of the contingent equity from the operators has been called in 2004-05?
ANSWER
Both these questions refer to matters which are the subject of commercial-in-confidence arrangements.
39. AustralAsia Railway – Freight Loads
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
Is the railway performing to forecasts in terms of its freight loads?
ANSWER
Freight loads continue to perform well having captured more than 80% of the contestable domestic freight market.
40. AustralAsia Railway - Subsidies
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
Are there government monies going into the railway in other forms that could be seen by some as subsidies?
ANSWER
No.
41. AustralAsia Railway – Railway Stations
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
1. During the election campaign, $740 000 was promised to upgrade the Alice Springs railway station. Detail the breakdown of costs and government contribution to this upgrade and when will work begin?
2. Are any upgrades planned for other railway stations along the route between Alice Springs and Darwin? If so, when will work commence?
ANSWER
1. The Chief Minister’s media release on 9 June 2005 stated that $740 000 is to be spent on upgrading the Alice Springs Railway Station. Two projects will be undertaken with this funding.
2. There are no other upgrades planned for railway stations in the Northern Territory. The stations are relatively new and do not require any capital expenditure at this stage. Routine maintenance of the stations will continue on an ongoing basis.
42. Chief Minister – Executive Support
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. The budget estimate for Support to Executive, Ministers and Leader of the Opposition in 2004-05 was $17.701m, for 2005-06 it is $17.791m; why the variation?
2. What was the cost of maintaining eight ministerial offices and the Leader of the Opposition’s office in 2004-05, and what is the forecast for 2005-06?
3. Given the speculation of your ministry increasing to nine, will there be a further increase in the budget estimate for 2005-06?
ANSWER
1. The variance of $0.09m budget between 2005-06 and 2004-05 is the result of additional funding provided for the 3% EBA
salary increase, offset by the 1% productivity dividend, 0.5% CPI reduction and savings achieved from the new government messaging contract, which were applied across the agency.
2. The cost of maintaining eight ministerial offices and the Leader of the Opposition’s office in 2004-05 was $13 242 501. The
budget estimate for 2005-06 as appearing in the budget papers was $11.979m.
3. There will be an increase in the budget estimate for 2005-06 as a result of the appointment of a ninth minister.
43. Government Limousines
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How many times in 2004-05 did you make use of government-chauffeured limousines?
2. Did you use government-chauffeured limousines to transport any of your family members on non-government business (eg, to school, church or sporting events) during 2004-05?
3. Did you allow any of your staff members to use government-chauffeured limousines to transport any of your family members on non-government business (eg, to school, church or sporting events) during 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. 554 times.
2. This was done on occasions where required for efficient use of ministerial time, consistent with longstanding practice over
many years and previous NT governments.
3. As above.
44. Chief Minister – Interstate Travel with Associated Staff
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all interstate trips taken by you as Chief Minister in 2004-05.
2. Detail the purpose of each interstate trip taken by you as Chief Minister.
3. Detail the duration of each trip taken by you as Chief Minister.
4. Detail the costs you incurred on each interstate trip.
5. Detail outcomes achieved from each interstate trip.
6. List all ministerial staff who accompanied you on all interstate trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
7. Detail the costs incurred by the ministerial staff on each interstate trip in 2004-05.
8. List all departmental staff who accompanied you on all interstate trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
9. Detail the costs incurred by departmental staff accompanying you on each interstate trip.
10. List any non-government citizens who accompanied you on any interstate trips who government paid partial or full travel and accommodation costs for.
ANSWER
Refer to attachment.
46. Chief Minister - Overseas Travel with Associated Staff
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. Would you please list all overseas trips taken by you as Chief Minister in 2004-05?
2. Would you detail the purpose of each overseas trip taken by you as Chief Minister?
3. Would you detail the duration of each overseas trip taken by you as Chief Minister?
4. Please detail the costs you incurred on each overseas trip.
5. Will you please provide the detail on outcomes achieved from each overseas trip?
6. List all ministerial staff who accompanied you on all overseas trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
7. Detail the costs incurred by the ministerial staff on each overseas trip in 2004-05.
8. List all departmental staff who accompanied you on all overseas trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
9. Detail the costs incurred by departmental staff accompanying you on each overseas trip.
10. List any non-government citizens who accompanied you on any overseas trip who government paid partial or full travel and accommodation costs for.
ANSWER
Refer to attachment.
48. Official Hospitality
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much did you spend on official hospitality outside of Parliament House during 2004-05?
2. How many taxpayer-funded functions did you host in Parliament House during 2004-05?
3. List the Parliament House functions you hosted and how much each function cost.
4. How many of the functions did you host that were costed to the Protocol budget?
ANSWER
1. $220 046.
3. See attachment.
4. All functions organised by Protocol are costed to the Protocol budget.
49. Chief Minister – Car and Boat Hire and Air Charters
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much did you spend on hire cars or limousines in 2004-05 in the performance of your official duties?
2. How much did you spend on private air charter in 2004-05 in the performance of your official duties?
3. How much did you spend on private boat hire in 2004-05 in the performance of your official duties?
ANSWER
1. Total expenditure on hire cars in 2004-05: $5252.
2. Total expenditure on private air charters in 2004-05: $12 215.
3. Total expenditure on private boat hire in 2004-05: Nil.
50. Office of Chief Minister – Office Budget
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What was your office budget for 2004-05?
2. What did you spend in 2004-05?
3. What is the budget for the Office of the Chief Minister in 2005-06?
ANSWER
1. My office budget for 2004-05 was $4.413m.
2. The expenditure for my office in 2004-05 was $4.883m.
3. The 2005-06 budget for the Office of the Chief Minister is currently $4.439m.
53. Office of Chief Minister – Government Printing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 that related to the Office of the Chief Minister.
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to the Office of the Chief Minister in 2004-05?
ANSWER
Attachment A details the work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05, including the costs and dates of completion, that relate to the Office of the Chief Minister.
56. Office of Chief Minister – Consultancies
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What consultants were employed during 2004-05 to undertake work for the Office of the Chief Minister?
2. What was the nature of each consultancy?
3. List the consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption.
4. In how many and in which consultancies were expressions of interest or tenders called before a person or body was engaged to carry out that promotion?
5. What was the total amount spent on behalf of the Office of the Chief Minister during 2004-05?
6. Detail how much each consultancy cost.
ANSWER
1. No consultants were employed during 2004-05 to undertake work for the Office of the Chief Minister.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. Not applicable.
6. Not applicable.
59. Office of Chief Minister – New Office Equipment
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What was your office expenditure on new office equipment in 2004-05? Detail items purchased.
ANSWER
In 2004-05 it was $14 685 to purchase a paper/envelope folding machine.
The Office of Central Australia also purchased a paper/envelope folding machine for $15 100 during 2004-05.
60. Office of Chief Minister – Lost Property
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Was any government property lost or stolen from your office in 2004-05? If so, please detail items and their value.
ANSWER
No government property was lost or stolen from the Office of the Chief Minister in 2004-05.
64. Office of Chief Minister – Awards
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Detail expenditure in 2004-05 on behalf of the Chief Minister and by the agency on sponsoring awards, including cost, the nature and the subject?
ANSWER
Expenditure in 2004-05 on behalf of the Chief Minister and by the agency on sponsoring awards was $120 109.
The attachment provides full details of these sponsoring awards, including cost, the nature and subject.
68. Women’s Advancement - Reports
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Detail expenditure for Women’s Advancement on reports produced that have been either outsourced or produced internally, including;
ANSWER
This answer assumes the question is directed to reports produced in 2004-05 financial year. One report was produced for Women’s Advancement in 2004-05, Review of Employment and Industrial Relations Advisory Services to Working Women in The Northern Territory.
(a) The report reported on a review of the provision of support, advocacy, legal and other services to working
women in the Northern Territory including those employed under Community Development Employment
Projects (CDEP) taking into account the Northern Territory’s unique population and geography.
exercise and consultation with 46 organisations throughout the Northern Territory via phone or in person.
All Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal legal aid services were consulted via survey as were women employed
under CDEP and the Darwin Regional CDEP grantee organisation.
with this report are part of the operational costs for the Office of Women’s Policy.
Department of Employment, Education and Training, both departments having responsibility for employment
matters. The report has also been forwarded to the Working Women’s Centre and the results were taken
into consideration in considering a funding request for recurrent funding from the Working Women’s Centre.
69. Women’s Advancement – Government Printing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 that related to Women’s Advancement.
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to Women’s Advancement in 2004-05?
ANSWER
All Government Printing Office work for the Office of Women’s Policy in 2004-05, including cost and date of work performed is listed in the attachment.
70. Women’s Advancement – Advertising and Promotions
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much was spent on behalf of Women’s Advancement on advertising/promotional activities/videos/DVDs/brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05?
2. Would you kindly provide a month-by-month breakdown on spending and projects/programs that this spending was for?
ANSWER
A total of $31 887.47 was spent on marketing and promotion by the Office of Women’s Policy in 2004-05.
The projects/programs for which these monies were expended included promotion of the Women’s Register, Alicia Johnson Memorial Lecture, Chief Minister’s Study Award, and Tribute to Northern Territory Women. This does not include publication of documents such as the Domestic Violence Legal Fact Sheets and Alicia Johnson Memorial Lecture speeches.
The monthly breakdown is as follows:
* The amount for April 2005 largely represents payment of marketing and promotional expenses associated with the Tribute to Northern Territory Women activities which occurred in March 2005.
72. Women’s Advancement – Focus Groups
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How many public focus groups were conducted under the area of Community Engagement for Women’s Advancement in 2004-05?
2. When were they held and what was the nature of each focus group?
3. What was the cost to conduct these focus groups?
4. If focus group participants were paid to attend, how much were they paid?
5. Where can members get the details and findings of these publicly-funded focus groups?
ANSWER
1. No focus groups (public or private) were held for Women’s Advancement in 2004-05. Public meetings that were conducted
under the area of Community Engagement for Women’s Advancement included the Community Cabinet Women’s Forums.
2. Community Cabinet Women’s Forums provide an opportunity to talk with the Chief Minister, Clare Martin, minister Marion Scrymgour, government departments and other women about local issues. Women’s forums are also structured to provide information or training sessions on a case-by-case basis. Locations of Community Cabinet Women’s Forums held in 2004-05 were:
Jabiru (26 July 2004)
Nhulunbuy (9 August 2004)
Tennant Creek (30 August 2004)
Darwin (23 October 2004)
Humpty Doo (25 October 2004)
Daly River (22 November 2004)
Batchelor (7 March 2005)
Ntaria (8 April 2005)
Alice Springs (23 May 2004)
4. No participants were paid to attend Community Cabinet Women’s Forums.
5. Feedback from the women’s forums are available on the Community Cabinet web site (
posted to all participants after each event.
76. BassintheGrass
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What was the cost to government to stage BassintheGrass?
ANSWER
Government provided a grant of $250 000 to the Major Events Company for each of the BassintheGrass concerts staged during 2004-05 (being the concert held in July 2004 and the one held in June 2005); that is, a total of $500 000 in grant funding for the 2004-05 year.
80. Solicitor for the Northern Territory – Lawyer Staffing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. How many lawyers are employed at the Solicitor for the Northern Territory?
2. How many were employed in 2003-04 and how many in 2002-03?
ANSWER
1. As at November 2005, legal practitioners authorised to act in the name of the Solicitor for the NT (SFNT) numbered 37, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department of Justice.
82. Instructions Outsourced
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
For Agency Legal Services, there are 1000 instructions outsourced. Are they files outsourced to private firms in accordance with tenders?
ANSWER
Eighty-nine per cent of the files were outsourced to private firms in accordance with tenders.
The remainder were matters outsourced to private practitioners on an ad hoc basis after approval of a delegated officer had been obtained and Procurement Review Board guidelines had been met.
83. Director of Public Prosecutions – Average Cost per Completed Matter
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. In last year’s budget papers, more details were provided and, therefore, more details were made available to Territorians. In particular, last year, you included the ‘average cost per completed matter and per client’. Why have they not been included this year?
2. Last year, the average cost per completed matter was $6209. What is it this year?
3. Last year, the average cost per client was $1192. What is it this year?
ANSWER
As advised in the 2005-06 Budget Paper No 3, (p 5) during the 2004-05 year, the Northern Territory Treasury reviewed the measures of output delivery used by agencies and decided there were ‘inherent limitations on unit cost measures due to significant levels of fixed costs, short-term fluctuations in activity, and the aggregation of sub-outputs into output measures’.
Consequently, from 2005-06, agencies are not required to measure unit cost and this is why ‘average cost per lodgement’ does not appear in the 2005-06 budget.
The average cost per completed matter in 2004-05 was $7240.
The average cost per client was $1235.
87. Briefing of Private Counsel
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. What professional fees were paid by the Director of Public Prosecutions briefing private counsel based in the Northern Territory in 2004-05, and please name each counsel?
2. Please provide the same for interstate counsel?
ANSWER
1. Attachment A identifies professional fees paid by the DPP briefing private counsel based in the NT in 2004-05, and names
each counsel.
2. The ODPP did not engage any private interstate counsel in the 2004-05 financial year.
88. Court Services Budget
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. Please explain what has happened to the Court Services budget given the following:
2. There has been an increase of less than $1m. Why has there been an increase?
ANSWER
1. The amount actually spent by 30 June 2005 was $27.276m. The budget of $24.672m was the original budget. The difference is a combination of unexpected legal costs and other activity driven operational costs plus back pay and pay increases to the judiciary and the magistracy.
2. The increase consists of:
parameters;
internal adjustments reflecting charges in Department of Justice corporate arrangements which will have a nil nett effect.
93. Tourism - Market Share
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
What is the current ‘share of voice’, within Australia, that the Northern Territory enjoys in the competitive tourism sector?
ANSWER
In 2004-05, $350m was spent on tourism advertising in Australia.
Of this spend; approximately $4.8m was spent by the NT Tourist Commission marketing the Northern Territory as a destination and $45m was spent by all domestic Government Tourism Offices (GTO) promoting destinations in 2004-05, giving the NT Tourist Commission a share of 10.5%.
95. Tourism - Advertising Campaign Effectiveness
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
What is the measured level of effectiveness (recall etcetera) of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission advertising campaign?
ANSWER
With the launch of the Share Our Story campaign, 34% of respondents in the target markets recalled seeing advertising for the Northern Territory unprompted1, a very strong result in comparison to other states and territories (refer to Figure 1 in attachment).
Prompted awareness2 of Northern Territory advertising was strong for most advertisements (refer to Figure 2 in attachment). Although the Share Our Story campaign results were lower than the previous It’ll Never, Never Leave You campaign, these results actually show a positive response to the campaign in the context of a lower media weight than for previous campaigns.
Importantly, the Share Our Story campaign was also effective in creating a positive disposition for travellers to visit the Northern Territory, as indicated by the measure of ‘persuasion’. The majority of travellers who saw the Share Our Story advertising indicated the advertisements increased their interest in visiting the Northern Territory (refer to Figure 3 in attachment).
97. Northern Territory Tourist Commission - Market Presence
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
From a tourism industry perspective, the profile of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission has declined dramatically in the last three years since the withdrawal of its presence from the key domestic source markets. What is government’s strategy to address this obvious lack of engagement with the travel distribution network and interaction with key strategic partners on a regular enough basis?
ANSWER
The global tourism sector has changed dramatically in recent years with major changes affecting the role of the distribution network. The consolidation of wholesalers, the rationalisation of retail networks, the vertical integration of travel businesses and the rise of the Internet has impacted on the strategies the NT Tourist Commission now uses to engage and interact with the distribution network and strategic partners.
The commission’s strategies employed to engage the travel distribution network differ from those employed by the organisation a couple of years ago; all activity is geared to respond to market changes while retaining the strong presence and high impact of the Northern Territory in key domestic source markets. The commission’s efforts are strengthened and complemented by the presence of the Northern Territory government’s profitable tourism wholesaler in the domestic market, who specifically packages, distributes and sells Northern Territory tourism products through established retail networks.
Following are some of the strategies which are employed by the NT Tourist Commission to strengthen the destination’s engagement with the distribution network (wholesalers and retailers) in the domestic market:
Schedule of destination training targeting major wholesale and retail chains. This training is undertaken on
a regular cycle, showcasing and providing detailed information about the Northern Territory’s destinations,
experiences and roducts.
to sell the Northern Territory and opportunities for joint activity such as cooperative advertising at the local
regional level.
A program of familiarisation and retailer educational tours aimed at bringing front-line retail staff to the Northern
Territory to better equip them to sell the ‘Northern Territory experience’.
numbers of retail agents are trained.
Schedule of cooperative promotional activities undertaken on a state-by-state level with key retail networks and chains.
and retail partners, particular in support of retailer advertising programs.
The NT Tourist Commission also works very closely with Territory Discoveries to enhance our collective effort in marketing and selling Northern Territory tourism products. Some of the specific strategies include:
Schedule of state-based promotions with Territory Discoveries sales staff conducted in all capital cities and key
regional centres, including tailored Northern Territory consumer travel expo events held with retail partners
(eg RACQ, NRMA and Jetset), and the development of innovative marketing campaigns.
Cooperative advertising campaigns undertaken in key national markets.
Inclusion as preferred commercial partner in consumer direct promotions, such as a joint sponsorship of an
indigenous art exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales which saw Territory Discoveries providing
packages targeted at the art gallery’s exclusive member database and paid exhibition visitors.
Referral of business leads where the Trade and Consumer Unit has had a request for a consumer destination
presentation but sees an opportunity for Territory Discoveries to provide both a destination overview and a
business pitch.
102. Airline Subsidies – Effect on Tourism
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
1. Was the $4m subsidy to Virgin Blue Airlines a good investment?
2. Are you planning any more good investments?
3. Has your government provided any subsidies to private charter flights to the Northern Territory?
4. Did your government provide any financial assistance to the two charter flights from Japan to Alice Springs earlier this year?
ANSWER
1. Based on a 70% load factor and, assuming that 60% of traffic is incremental interstate and international business, Virgin Blue services have provided an estimated return to the Northern Territory economy of over $30m annually since commencement in December 2001.
2. The Northern Territory government continues to work with various domestic and international airlines in an effort to boost air capacity and visitation into the Northern Territory.
3. The Northern Territory government has not provided subsidies to private charter flights.
103. Indigenous Housing – Federal Government Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How much is the Northern Territory government receiving from the federal government for indigenous housing?
2. How much is the federal government providing for servicing housing and essential services to small and medium-sized remote communities?
3. How much has been provided by the federal government for housing and related infrastructure?
ANSWER
1. Total federal government funding received by the Northern Territory government in 2004-05 was $41 679 000. This comprised:
Aboriginal Rental Housing Program
The Territory funds essential services provision (power, water and sewerage) to 72 major communities
(Attachment A), which is approximately 80% of NT remote indigenous communities population. In addition,
the Territory funds the provision of power and water in 28 outstations and water only in a further four
outstations, through historical and exceptional arrangements with the Australian government.
smaller communities (approximately 20% of NT remote indigenous community’s population).
Questions relating to federal government policy and funding should be referred to my federal counterpart.
The Australian government provides in the order of $60m per annum to Australian government-funded
NT communities.
104. Indigenous Housing – NT Government Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How much did the Northern Territory government put into Indigenous Housing in 2004-05?
2. Why is it so little?
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05, the NT government allocated $24.39m to indigenous housing consisting of $19.69m in Commonwealth/State
Housing Agreement allocations to the NT, and $4.7m in Territory appropriations.
2. The NT contributes 58% of the IHANT budget. In addition, since in excess of 25% of public housing tenants are indigenous
citizens, over one-quarter of the Community Service Obligation contributions to Territory Housing contribute to addressing indigenous housing needs.
105. Aboriginal Rental Housing Program
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
How much is the Northern Territory government carrying forward in funds from the Aboriginal Rental Housing Program in 2004-05?
ANSWER
$18 262 392.
A major contributing factor to the cash carry over was the fact that the Australian government provided $13 623 841 to the NT in late June 2004. These funds comprised:
Additional untied
Purchase of housing
106. Public Housing - Evictions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How many evictions in public housing have there been in the Northern Territory in 2004-05?
2. Provide a breakdown for each town and city.
3. How many of these eviction matters went to court?
4. Provide a breakdown or each town and city of eviction matters that went to court.
5. How many people were ordered by courts to be evicted?
6. Provide a breakdown for each town and city for those people ordered by courts to be evicted.
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05 a total of 34 public housing evictions occurred in the Northern Territory.
2. Please see the table below for the regional breakdown:
3. Three eviction matters went to court.
4. All three evictions were in the Darwin/Casuarina/Palmerston area.
5. Three tenants were evicted. Territory Housing does not have record of the total numbers of people affected by the evictions.
6. See answer to Question 4.
107. Public Housing - Rental Debt
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. What is the level of debt owed to Territory Housing in rental arrears?
2. Why are rental arrears not included in the budget papers?
ANSWER
1. As at 31 July 2005, a total of $1.8m was owed to Territory Housing for public housing rental arrears, including ceased tenancies.
2. The level of Territory Housing’s debtors is not specifically disclosed in 2005-06 Budget Paper No 3 (BP3). However, reducing
rental arrears is a priority of Territory Housing. Accordingly, public housing rental arrears are identified as a performance
measure in BP3 (page 205).
108. Public Housing – Repairs and Maintenance
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
What is the total cost for public housing repairs and maintenance in 2004-05, and why is there no reference to this in the budget papers?
ANSWER
Repairs and maintenance has always been included in Territory Housing’s budget estimates. Specifically, estimates for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 years are provided in Budget Paper No 4 (pages 11, 37 and 38) and in Budget Paper No 3 (page 208).
The 2004-05 expenditure figures are estimates only, as they do not include any late budget adjustments that may be required as part of the year end processes. These adjustments are often not known until after the budget papers are published.
In terms of total expenditure on public housing, the unaudited figures at 30 June 2005 are:
$18.4m spent on repairs and maintenance; and
109. Public Housing – Bad Tenants
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How many complaints were received across the Northern Territory about public housing bad tenants in 2004—05?
2. What was the cost of dealing with them? What actions were taken?
ANSWER
Noise and nuisance/antisocial behaviour complaints:
For the period July 2004 to June 2005, the Client Relations Officer for Territory Housing received a total of 70 complaints relating to noise and nuisance and antisocial behaviour by public housing tenants across the NT. However, Territory Housing Area Offices reported that they receive the following per week:
All complaints are addressed in line with the Territory Housing Operational Policy Manual, Section 11.5, ‘Good Neighbour Policy’. Territory Housing staff address complaints in a number of ways, depending on the seriousness, frequency and type of the complaint.
Action undertaken by TH may include:
issuing a verbal warning;
Community Justice, financial counselling and a range of other support services.
Generally, tenants who are the subject of serious, frequent or ongoing complaints have vacated their public housing dwelling before the matter has progressed to court.
Costs of dealing with complaints are subsumed within Territory Housing’s tenancy management operational costs, and are not separately identified.
112. Export Market Multiplier Factor
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Austrade has publicly supported its claim that the multiplier factor of export assistance grants from its Export Market Development Grants Scheme is in the order of $12 of export value for every $1 of EMDG grant. What is the equivalent effectiveness benchmark for TSS?
ANSWER
Austrade’s claim of $12 of export value for every $1 of EMDG grant was made as part of a formal evaluation study of the scheme undertaken in 2000.
The claim was made at a time when the scheme’s impact on export revenue was being discussed.
Subsequent to the claim, the Australian parliament agreed that under the provisions of the Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2003 the EMDG scheme is not explicitly about export impact. It is about assisting firms into foreign markets through export marketing and promotion.
The Territory’s Trade Support Scheme is designed to assist Territory businesses which do not qualify or do not wish to apply for EMDG to undertake export marketing activities.
TSS has been tested against Australia’s obligations to the WTO and was found to not be in conflict with those obligations.
The effectiveness of TSS is not tied to the achievement of export revenue.
To measure the effectiveness of TSS against export value is wrong and in breach of Australia’s obligations to the WTO.
A measure of effectiveness for TSS has been the uptake of the scheme since its inception. To October 2005, 250 applications have been received for TSS. That is 250 new trade and export opportunities being worked on.
TSS has also been effective in encouraging businesses from all industry sectors of the Northern Territory to apply for assistance. The primary industries, services and tourism sectors have been the highest utilisers of TSS.
116. Trade Links - Development
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for BUSINESS, ECONOMIC and RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
1. How many international trips were taken by members of this government in 2004-05 in the hope of forging new trade links?
2. What was the number of trips in 2003-04?
3. Please provide a cost breakdown of each trip, an itinerary and the job positions of those who travelled with the minister.
4. Please provide details of any consultants taken on these trips.
5. Please provide a list of all expenses incurred while on these trips.
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05, six international missions were led by ministers of this government and a further 12 were undertaken by senior departmental staff with industry delegations.
2. This compares to five ministerial-led delegations and eight departmental-led delegations in 2003-04.
3. A detailed cost breakdown for each trip, along with the details of those travelling with the various ministers, was provided to the Estimates Committee.
4. No paid consultants were taken on trade missions. All industry delegates, where applicable, had the option of accessing assistance through the Trade Support Scheme.
5. A full and detailed list of expenses incurred during market visits was provided to Estimates Committee.
117. International Territory Business Centres
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What are the costs of the three International Territory Business Centres?
2. How many people do they see per day?
3. How many new trade opportunities have they secured?
4. How many new trade agreements were signed last year, 2004-05; and the year before, 2003-04?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory government currently manages three representative offices – in Jakarta (Indonesia), (Manila) the Philippines, and (Dili) East Timor. All three offices are now the responsibility of the Department of the Chief Minister.
Drs Frans Seda is based in Jakarta,
Mr and Mrs Charles and Violy Searby are based in Manila.
Mr Mike Gallagher is the Northern Territory representative in Dili.
The representatives in Jakarta and Manila are employed under contract while the Dili representative is under a direct controlled arrangement through the Department of the Chief Minister.
The representatives and their offices are valuable in fostering the Territory’s trade, social and economic links with the national and regional governments, as well as facilitating trade and investment opportunities in those countries. The Northern Territory international offices provide the following services:
1. Official representation of the Northern Territory in the abovementioned countries (including an office facility).
2. Assist with obtaining access to key government and business people, as well as to provide strategic and general information.
3. Identify and assist in the development of trade and investment opportunities for Territory businesses. (This has resulted in
a number of NT businesses having success in Indonesia and the Philippines).
4. Provide support for Territory business delegations, promotions and trade events.
5. Assist with approvals for country entry and other such processes.
6. Identify and engage experts for specialised tasks.
7. Provide regular reports of activities and outcomes in those countries.
8. Act as liaison between Australian diplomatic and trade staff or government officials as required.
Assistance with the Chief Minister’s visit to Indonesia.
Facilitate meetings at senior levels in the Indonesian government for the proposed memorandum of
cooperation on the Abadi field.
Assistance in the Senior Trade Official meetings in Indonesia, and is instrumental in guiding discussion
on cattle and buffalo protocols.
The Philippines Representative Office:
Continue with work on the reintroduction of cattle programs in the Philippines.
Worked with Territory businesses dealing in small goods, building products to education providers,
by introducing Territory firms to business opportunities in those areas.
Provide information on trade opportunities for Territory businesses regularly.
Promote the new mining laws in the Philippines for Territory companies.
Provide support for Northern Territory participation in BIMP-EAGA activities such as trade events,
marketing visits and political contacts.
Total expenses for the East Timor office for the FY 2004-05 amounted to $231 144.
The cost for the representative offices in Indonesia and the Philippines amounted to $278 000, for the same period.
No specific trade agreements as such have been signed in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 years; however, a Friendship Province Agreement was entered into as an extension of a previous agreement with the Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China on 29 October 2004 and this agreement includes reference to trade.
126. Trade Strategy
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Your government’s trade strategy sets a target of 50 000 containers per year (or equivalent) by 2007 for land bridge trade across the Port of Darwin. Detail, by year, what has been achieved over the past four years.
ANSWER
It is important to note that the rail operations only commenced in January 2004, with international operations only really commencing around June 2004. To date, FreightLink have advised they have moved in excess of 1300 containers of land bridge freight – essentially via trial shipments. A key focus of the AustralAsia Trade Route strategy is to facilitate more regular shipping services; for example, a direct Surabaya/Darwin service could potentially deliver in excess of 7000 import land bridge containers per annum consisting solely of paper products. A joint trial by Swires and Toll in September is targeting this market.
In addition, the Northern Territory government has actively being pursuing the development of new bulk mineral exports via the East Arm Port including the provision of new bulk handling facilities. The equivalent tonnage of 600 000 tonnes per annum manganese exports to China will equate to approximately 30 000 containers per year.
134. Acute Services Budget
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why was there a blow-out of $14m in Acute Services?
ANSWER
The 2004-05 opening budget for Acute Services was $357.8m as compared to the closing estimate of $371.1m. The following details why the budget for Acute Services increased by $13.3m during the financial year.
$4.3m additional services provided on a fee-for-service basis. This included $1.1m Department of
Veterans Affairs, $960 000 various projects at Royal Darwin Hospital, $616 000 MACA (TIO), $876 000
patient services revenue and $735 000 DCIS services charges.
$100 000 Radiation Oncology Services, $60 000 Community Midwifery Program.
costs to best reflect output consumption and to meet service demands.
139. Royal Darwin Hospital – Emergency Department
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
In March this year, a nurse at Royal Darwin Hospital wrote to the Chief Minister to highlight her ‘extreme concerns’ about the Emergency Department. She wrote that ‘what is really needed is an urgent increase in funding for the entire hospital …’ and that ‘increasing bed numbers needs to occur now’. She also wrote that nurses are concerned that an ‘unavoidable death’ would occur unless action was taken.
What actions have been taken to address these issues of concern?
ANSWER
Two key initiatives have commenced to ease the pressure on the Emergency Department (ED) staff, reduce patient wait times and free up beds in Royal Darwin Hospital. These are the expansion of Hospital in the Home, and the introduction of a Discharge Lounge.
140. Royal Darwin Hospital – Nurse Shortages
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Health budget appears to have done nothing to address the ongoing concerns of nurses at Royal Darwin Hospital, nor does it acknowledge, let alone seek to address, the shortages of nurses in our hospitals.
Why have you ignored the nurses, and what do you say to Territorians like the Minister for Family and Community Services who have to wait up to 24 hours to be attended to when they present to Accident and Emergency?
ANSWER
This government has worked very hard to address the nursing shortage, a shortage which has not only affected the Northern Territory, but is acknowledged Australia-wide.
In 2001, a commitment was made to create 75 new hospital nurse positions. This was exceeded with over 100 extra nurses in the Northern Territory – both within and outside our public hospitals. In 2005, a further commitment has been made to increase nursing numbers in Acute Care by a further 75 from 2005 to 2009.
While I cannot comment on specific cases, over the past 12 months, the hospital has regularly experienced ‘access block’ in the Emergency Department (ED). This is a national phenomenon, which is manifested by an inability to move presenting patients requiring admission to a bed within the hospital. During their time in the ED, patients are, of course, treated and afforded first-rate care by medical and nursing staff in that area. Other very important initiatives include the expansion of Hospital in the Home, and the introduction of a Discharge Lounge.
141. Community Health Services – Cut to Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why have you cut funding to Community Health Services by $6m, and do you admit you have failed to reduce the burden of ill-health and the need for hospitalisation for Territorians?
ANSWER
While there is a $5.467m decrease in the Community Health Services output budget, there has been a considerable review in the way the costs were mapped to the output groups, thereby resulting in an increase in the Admitted Patient Services output. With carry overs, cancellation of Commonwealth funded programs and additional new Commonwealth funded programs, there has, in effect, been no significant change.
142. Midwives
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. Detail how many midwives were employed in Northern Territory hospitals as at 1 July 2004 and provide their locations.
2. Detail how many midwives were employed in Northern Territory hospitals as at 1 July 2005 and provide their locations.
ANSWER
See attachment.
143. Northern Territory Hospitals – General Bed Capacity
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
In the Northern Territory election, your government promised extra funding for more general beds in Northern Territory hospitals.
Please detail how many extra beds there will be, the cost to provide these beds, a breakdown by hospitals, and when the program of extra beds will be implemented.
ANSWER
During the 2005 election, 24 additional beds were promised for each of Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital, to be phased in over the current term of government.
145. Hospital Performance Benchmarks
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Please provide the details of how Northern Territory hospitals meet or do not meet the accepted benchmarks for treatment within the specific performance levels for each category.
ANSWER
The 2004-05 Northern Territory hospital performance benchmarks for elective surgery waiting list, Emergency Department and admitted patient average length of stay are as given below.
For the 2004-05 period, the percentage of patients admitted from the elective surgery waiting list within their urgency category time limit are given in Table 1 in attachment.
For the 2004-05 period, the percentage of Emergency Department patients treated within the limit for their allocated triage category are given in Table 2 in attachment.
Admitted patient average length of stay:
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Acute Services has risen from a base of $272m to $371m since 2001. What performance measures are in place to determine the need to increase this funding level and the success of that funding increase?
ANSWER
In 2002-03, the opening budget for Acute Services was $272m as compared to the closing estimate of $371m for 2004-05.
Since 2002-03, $20m of Patient Retrieval and Travel Services are now identified as Acute Services expenditure. $24m was provided for standard wage and price increase adjustments, including funding requirements under revised awards for nursing, doctors and administrative staff, and $11m relates to the introduction of notional Department of Corporate Information Services charges, previously not charged.
Indicators are in place to record and monitor hospital performance. These indicators are required for national reporting requirements such as the Report on Government Services, the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) Annual Report and are also used internally within DHCS.
The indicators reported within the 2004-05 DHCS Annual Report are as per Attachment.
A snapshot comparing jurisdictional hospital performance was published in The State of Our Public Hospitals, June 2005 report. This snapshot highlights the workload of the NT public hospitals and our level of performance compared with other jurisdictions.
150. Abortions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Please provide the number of abortions performed in Northern Territory hospitals in 2004-05 and the average cost per abortion.
ANSWER
The total number of medical abortions performed in NT hospitals in 2004-05 was 905 and the average cost per medical abortion was $1577.
151. Oncology Unit
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
There were a number of initiatives the government promised during the 2001 election for cancer sufferers and terminally-ill people. Those promises were not met, but have been promised again four years later.
What is the status of your oncology unit promise?
ANSWER
The request for proposals from organisations interested in establishing a radiotherapy facility in Darwin was advertised nationally and closed on 3 August 2005. Responses are currently being considered, taking into account suggested models for establishing radiotherapy services in Darwin and enhancing and consolidating existing arrangements of support services.
Proposed models will be developed in consultation with the Australian government Department of Health and Ageing for consideration by Cabinet.
152. Community Health Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why has the 2005-06 budget for Community Health Services been cut by $5.467m?
ANSWER
While there is a $5.467m decrease in the Community Health Services output budget, there has been a considerable review in the way the costs were mapped to the output groups, thereby resulting in an increase in the Admitted Patient Services output.
With carry overs, cancellation of Commonwealth funded programs and additional new Commonwealth funded programs, there has, in effect, been no significant change.
153. Dental Health Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. How is the lack of public dentists in the Northern Territory affecting the government’s ability to deliver service in the area of oral health?
2. How many dentists are currently operating at the Darwin and Alice Springs Dental Clinics and does this meet the full needs of the clinics?
3. Detail the number of full-time public dentists operating in Territory centres other than Darwin and Alice Springs Dental Clinics.
4. Did the government undertake any recruitment campaigns amongst graduates and experienced dentists in 2004-05? If so, what was the outcome and how many dentists were recruited?
5. Who is providing the children’s dental service for 2005-06 and how many of the positions are filled?
6. How does this compare to 2003-04?
7. Please detail how many dental therapists are employed by the Department of Health by town centre.
8. Are all the Northern Territory’s dental therapist positions filled?
9. Are all of the Northern Territory’s technician support positions filled?
10. Are all of the Oral Health Service administrative support positions currently filled?
11. What are the Darwin and Palmerston clinics’ waiting times for general treatment?
12. In Katherine, Alice Springs, Gove and Tennant Creek, what is the waiting time for general treatment?
13. Are private dentists used to help reduce these waiting times. If so, what is the hourly rate they are paid at?
14. What does the practice which actually provides you with the private dental sessions receive by way of remuneration?
ANSWER
1. Oral Health Services NT has achieved positive results in the recruitment and retention of dentists through an active recruitment campaign and new competitive salary rates. The number of dentists has increased over the past six months to almost full staffing. Two previous part-time staff have elected to take up full-time positions. Some positions are filled with temporary staff. Oral Health Services NT continues to actively promote and advertise positions to attract long-term staff. There have been a number of recent resignations and this will have an immediate impact on activity levels and waiting times. These positions, as well as other positions filled by temporary staff, are currently being advertised nationally and in New Zealand.
2. There are 10 dentist positions based in Darwin. All these positions have dentist against them in either a permanent, part-time, casual or private contract basis.
3. Gove: There is one full-time position for Gove. Public dental services are contracted to the private dental practice based in Gove. The public dental services provided in this region are equal to 0.9 of a full-time position.
4. A targeted recruitment campaign was devised to encourage dentists to come and work in the Northern Territory in 2004.
A ‘road show’ to every Australian dental school in 2004 attracted expressions of interest from final year students who are interested in working in both the Top End and in Central Australia.
A dentist from the UK commenced work in Alice Springs in February 2005 for 12 months.
5. Top End:
Dental therapist teams comprising a dental therapist and a dental assistant deliver dental services to infants, preschool and primary school students across the Top End.
Central Australia:
Dental therapist teams deliver dental services to infants, preschool and primary school students in Alice Springs and some rural communities.
6. An additional dental therapist team, based in Nhulunbuy, has been funded from 2005-06.
7. See attachment.
8. Yes.
9. All positions in the technical stream are filled.
10. All positions in the administration stream are filled.
11. See attachment.
12. See attachment.
13. The private dental practice in Gove is contracted to provide public dental services. There is no waiting time for public dental treatment is Gove. The contract rate is confidential.
14. This information is contained in the confidential agreements.
154. Mobile Dialysis Units
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
What is the status of the use of mobile dialysis units across the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory is using dedicated, transportable renal dialysis facilities. These facilities are not ‘mobile’ but can be relocated. Relocatable facilities are freestanding, un-staffed, clean and safe facilities to carry out haemodialysis and store consumables. The facility can be relocated to another community if the number of people requiring dialysis in the first community decreases through natural attrition. These facilities are currently located at Galiwinku, Maningrida, Warruwi, and plans are being made for Belyuen community.
155. Royal Darwin Hospital - Hospice
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. What are the construction costs and staffing levels for the hospice at Royal Darwin Hospital?
2. What are the costs for furnishing the hospice?
3. Does funding for the hospice include furnishings such as curtains, cutlery, crockery and TV sets?
ANSWER
1. The construction costs allocated for the hospice are $4.25m. The hospice is staffed for 23 full-time equivalent staff.
2. $240 000 has been allocated for furnishing the hospice.
3. This funding does include furnishings such as curtains, cutlery, crockery and TV sets.
156. Government and Non-government Managed Community Health Centres
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Could you explain what non-government and government-managed rural health community centres are, and how many of each there are and who funds them?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory government (NTG) manages 62 remote/rural community health centres within the Northern Territory. These centres are staffed by employees of the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) and, in most cases, the buildings are owned, and operational costs are covered by, the NTG.
In addition, there are 31 health centres in communities within the Northern Territory which are managed by non-government organisations (NGO). Where a health centre is managed by an NGO, it may also have DHCS nursing staff contracted to the organisation, and may also receive additional funding to employ staff or special purpose grant funding. These organisations include Katherine West Health Board, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Sunrise Health Service, and Anyinginyi Congress. These organisations are co-funded by the Australian government through funding bodies such as the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, the NTG and through their organisations.
Non-government managed health clinics have occurred where an Aboriginal organisation and the community decided to manage or auspice their own health service.
DHCS is involved in all community health centres throughout the Northern Territory in some way, through staffing, management, funding or grant funding.
157. Preventable Chronic Diseases
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
How much money will be spent on the government’s Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy in 2005-06 and how does the amount compare to what was spent in 2004-05?
ANSWER
Expenditure 2004-05 $8.316m
Allocation 2005-06 $8.884m
Additional Australian government funding is expected in 2005-06 but does not yet appear in the allocation.
159. Community Health Services – Budget 2005-06
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Community Health Services has been cut in the 2005-06 budget by nearly $6m. These services are aimed at improving health through education and development, prevention and early intervention. The outcome for these services is, according to Budget Paper No 3 at page 125, ‘that the burden of ill-health in the community and the need for hospitalisation are reduced’.
More people are estimated to be admitted into Northern Territory hospitals in the next financial year, based on estimates in the budget.
Why have you cut funding to Community Health Services by $6m, and do you admit you have failed to reduce the burden of ill-health and the need for hospitalisation for Territorians?
ANSWER
While there is a $5.467m decrease in the Community Health Services output budget, there has been a considerable review in the way the costs were mapped to the output groups, thereby resulting in an increase in the Admitted Patient Services output.
With carry overs, cancellation of Commonwealth funded programs and additional new Commonwealth funded programs, there has, in effect, been no significant change.
160. Dengue Mosquito Outbreak and Vaccine Distribution
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. The dengue mosquito outbreak in Tennant Creek was of great concern in the earlier part of 2004-05. Have the programs put in place completely eradicated the dengue mosquitoes in Tennant Creek?
2. What is the number of vaccines to be distributed by the department in 2004-05 to place like community health centres and GPs, and how do you determine the number of vaccines that will be required?
ANSWER
1. The dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti was discovered in Tennant Creek in February 2004. An initial survey and control program conducted by Department of Health and Community Services in 2004 inspected 1100 properties and found 89 of these breeding Aedes aegypti. The initial control program dramatically reduced the numbers of Aedes aegypti.
2. Currently there is no available vaccine against the dengue virus. The eradication of the mosquito in Tennant Creek and continued vigilance, surveillance and control programs to keep the dengue mosquito out of the NT will prevent outbreaks of dengue disease in the NT.
161. Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. How much money will be spent on the government’s Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy in 2005-06 and how does the amount compare to what was spent in 2004-05?
2. Detail the programs that make up the strategy and their allocation. Detail the program outcomes for 2004-05.
ANSWER
1. Expenditure 2004-05 $8.316m
2. See attachment.
162. HIV/AIDS
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. How much is being spent on the HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Program in 2004-05 and how will this money be spent? Will it be spent in line with the recommendations of the Bansemer Review?
2. How many HIV-positive reports were there in the Northern Territory in 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. The total expenditure across the Northern Territory in 2004-05 in the HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Program, now known as the Sexual Health/Blood Borne Viruses Unit (SHBBV Unit), was $4 571 027.
2. HIV positive reports in the Northern Territory:
163. STD Rates in the Northern Territory
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. Was there any reduction in the STD rates in the Northern Territory in 2004-05?
2. Is the measured incidence of notifiable diseases – bacterial and sexually-transmitted diseases – going up?
ANSWER
See attachment.
168. Health – Budget Promotion
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. Was any money spent by the Department of Health on the 2005-06 post-budget promotion campaign?
2. If so, how much was spent on print media?
3. How much was spent on electronic media?
4. How much was spent on brochure production and direct mail?
5. How much was spent on DVD/CD production?
ANSWER
Nil.
Any budget 2005-06 items were included in general departmental promotional activity about services and health promotion.
169. Health - Reports Produced
1. Detail expenditure for your department in 2004-05 on reports produced that have been either outsourced or produced internally.
2. What was the purpose of the reports?
3. Who or what organisation prepared the reports?
4. What was the cost of the report?
5. Which reports have been tabled in parliament?
6 What has been the outcome of those reports?
ANSWER
1.
Katherine Regional Plan.
Central Australian Regional Plan.
2.
Each Regional Plan, Katherine, Central Australian and East Arnhem, is a blueprint for that area in providing health and community services.
3. The Department of Health and Community Services.
4.
Katherine Regional Plan - 750 copies costing $3458.
DHCS Annual Report 2003-04 - 1000 copies costing $19 232.
6. All reports were distributed to interested individuals and agencies and listed on the DHCS Intranet web site.
171. Office of Chief Minister – Ministerial Office Budget
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the budget for your ministerial office in 2004-05?
ANSWER
The budget of the Minister for Health for 2004-05 was $0.989m.
184. Police Aircraft Servicing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
What servicing arrangements are in place for the maintenance of Northern Territory Police aircraft? Is there any compelling reason that maintenance work would be carried out on police aircraft interstate rather than with Northern Territory companies?
ANSWER
The service contract for the Pilatus PC-12 police aircraft was recently held by a Northern Territory business operator, who did not renew the contract which concluded on 31 May 2005.
Following a request for new tenders in March 2005, it emerged that no operators in the Northern Territory who tendered for this work could offer factory-trained staff at the time. Due to the important specialist support role provided by the police aircraft, immediate alternate servicing arrangements were required to prevent the possibility of the aircraft becoming grounded through a lack of maintenance.
Routine maintenance on both police aircraft is carried out in Alice Springs at the Police Air Section’s leased hangar by a factory-trained engineer based in Alice Springs in conjunction with factory-trained staff from a South Australian operator. Non-routine maintenance is carried out in Alice Springs by this Alice Springs-based engineer, whilst non-routine maintenance is carried out in Darwin by SAE Aircraft Engineering and Total Avionics Services. Both are Northern Territory-based business operators; however, neither operator in Darwin employs factory-trained staff. This deficiency was overcome however, by consultation with the South Australian operator who has two qualified staff and use of the Pilatus factory representative, if required.
Whenever an aircraft maintenance task exceeds the capability of both Northern Territory options, the police aircraft is flown to Adelaide to the home base of the aircraft’s distributor, Pilatus Australia. This has the added advantage of maintenance being conducted close to vital spare parts, and close to the Pilatus Factory Engineering and Technical Representative.
Until permanent tender arrangements that include provision of trained staff, the continued airworthiness and safe operation of the police aircraft is best achieved through the use of trained engineers who, unfortunately, may not be based in the Northern Territory. It is estimated that each police aircraft may be required to travel to Adelaide once a year for routine maintenance under this temporary servicing arrangement.
It is hoped that permanent tender arrangements using an NT operator can be achieved in the near future. The NT Police supports the use of local business operators wherever possible; however, in this instance, it must be balanced against the best maintenance achievable and the safest operation possible of these two valuable and essential assets.
NTPFES is in the process of obtaining approval to decline tenders, and a new specification will be developed in the near future and advertised accordingly.
185. Papunya Investigation
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
An investigation is currently under way into the misappropriation of funds and property at the Aboriginal community of Papunya.
Have Northern Territory Police been involved in any forms of investigations into monies or property gone missing from Papunya during 2004-05?
ANSWER
For the period 2004-05, there were 16 reported stealing incidents reported to Papunya police. The majority of incidents were minor in nature such as stealing petrol from vehicles. Four of these incidents involved Papunya Council, and details are as follows:
The stealing of an envelope containing $2642 cash in March 2005 from the front counter area of the Papunya Council Office. No suspect identified.
The stealing of Community Development Employment Program wages of $2904 in December 2004 from the cash tin. No suspect identified.
Two matters involved the former Office Manager of Mt Liebig Community underpaying travel allowance to council members, and removal of council property when leaving the community. The matters are still under investigation.
The most recent complaint arose on Thursday, 1 September 2005, when a complaint was received alleging property belonging to the Lyappa Social Club Incorporated (Papunya Store and Social Club) had been unlawfully disposed of. NT Police are currently investigating this claim.
188. Traffic Infringement Notices
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
1. Could you advise how many traffic infringement notices for speeding have been issued on a year-to-year basis over the past three years, and what the income from those was on a year-to-year basis over the last three years?
2. Have you recorded any traffic infringements in the period 2004-05?
3. Could you advise how many traffic infringement notices for other than speeding have been issued on a year-to-year basis over the last three years?
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05, 24 813 speeding offences were dealt with through the issue of traffic infringement notices. This represents a 13% reduction when compared to the 2003-04 figure of 28 551. In 2002-03, there were 34 414 speeding offences. Based on data supplied by the Fines and Recovery Unit, $2 823 122, $3 701 315 and $3 542 378 were received for financial years 2004-05, 2003-04 and 2002-03 respectively. These amounts account for camera, traffic and traffic offence infringement types, and exclude those infringement notices with a ‘withdrawn’ status.
2. Answered above and below.
3. In 2004-05, 9203 offences were dealt with through the issue of traffic infringement notices that were for offences other than speeding offences. In 2003-04 there were 9876, and in 2002-03 there were 7656.
189. Road Safety Strategies
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
You spent a small fortune boasting you were recruiting more police. What educational strategies were implemented in 2004-05 to educate drivers on better road safety and to help save lives on our roads?
ANSWER
The Road Safety Division continues to coordinate Territory-wide road safety campaigns. These are normally associated with major public events such as Christmas, Easter, and back to school, with localised enforcement operations being conducted on a regional level and timed to correspond with local events when large numbers of people can be expected on our roads, such a regional shows, V8 Supercars, Adelaide River Races, Camel Cup, Henley-on-Todd and Darwin Cup.
The Lasseter Highway Speed Enforcement Program has significantly impacted on the reduction of accidents and road injuries occurring in the southern region of the Territory since its inception on 17 December 2001. The program is now in its fourth year of operation, and compared to the average of the three years before commencing the program, statistics show a 50% reduction in fatal accidents, 60% reduction in serious injured accidents, and a 60% reduction in minor injury accidents. The successful trial of the speed restrictions coupled with active enforcement remains a consideration on other roads where speed is a continuing factor in fatal and injury-related crashes.
Speed cameras continue to be one of the most effective methods of reducing speed-related crashes in monitored areas. The decline in offences detected can be largely attributed to an increased proactive policing presence on Territory roads and greater compliance by motorists. The public are also aware of targeted speed camera hot spots and are complying with road rules at those hot spots at greater levels than in previous years.
The Northern Territory Police Force, in conjunction with the Road Safety Division, also commenced the Beat the Heat initiative to encourage young drivers to stop the dangerous practice of illegal street racing on public streets, and encourage them to undertake this activity in a safe and controlled environment at organised motor racing events. The program is linked to both Road Safety and Crime Prevention Strategies and has proven popular with both young drivers and police.
The Look After Your Mates Aboriginal Road Safety Program was developed in 2003 using a community approach, and included the three major elements of road safety; that is, education, engineering and enforcement. The theme Look After Your Mates uses family bond as a motivation factor to increase community road safety awareness.
All police stations are required to develop and implement local Aboriginal road safety action plans and report back to the Road Safety Division on a monthly basis. The Look After Your Mates Program utilises Aboriginal Community Police Officers and Remote Area Patrols and Night Patrols to promote Aboriginal road safety at a local level by targeting non-wearing of seat belts, overcrowding, alcohol-related driving offences, grog runners, unroadworthy vehicles (life endangering defects), and pedestrians.
196. Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services – Office Budget
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the minister’s office budget for 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. The 2004-05 budget for the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services was $1.087m.
197. Police, Fire and Emergency Services – Travel Expenditure 2004-05
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
What was your expenditure on interstate and overseas travel during 2004-05?
ANSWER
Total expenditure in 2004-05 for this portfolio was:
Interstate travel $8133.
202. Health and Community Services – Complaints Lodged
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The 2003-04 Health and Community Services Complaints Commission’s Annual Report lists, on page 126, a table of the number of complaints against each government agency.
Your Department of Family and Community Services has seen a steady increase in the number of complaints lodged with the Commission over the past three reported years.
2001-02 26
2002-03 30
2003-04 48
The trend is obvious and the growth significant.
1. What sort of things are people complaining about?
2. Why is the number of complaints going up?
3. What is being done to address this situation?
ANSWER
The Department of Health and Community Services have been unable to locate the data provided above at the source identified. Included for confirmation is a copy of the covering page of the annual report (Attachment A), page 126 (Attachment B) and Appendix 8 ‘Index of Tables’ (Attachment C, D).
1. Without access to the data it is not possible to respond to this question.
203. Housing Modifications for People with a Disability
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
I am advised (IDA) that the Housing Department has the funding to modify houses/units for people with a disability, but as there is only one OT in the DHCS allocated to this job (to do the assessments of client/home) and he/she cannot cope with the workload, there is a hefty wait for modifications.
What is being done to address this problem?
ANSWER
All occupational therapists are trained in the assessment of people who have a disability either short or long term, and in the prescription of equipment and environmental modifications to enable the individual to actively participate in all aspects of their life.
There are currently 34 occupational therapy positions within the Department of Health and Community Services providing services to meet the wide range of needs for their clients of all age groups, which includes assessments and prescriptions for house modifications. These positions are located in multidisciplinary teams focusing on particular regions and age groups. Where vacancies arise, every effort is made to support the work from therapists managed in other teams.
There are also non-government sector, private and Australian government occupational therapists who provide this service in the areas of children’s services, adult acute care, adult rehabilitation and workers compensation.
205. Frail and Aged – TIME Scheme
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
I am advised that some people are stuck in hospital longer than is needed because requests to the TIME Scheme for equipment get held up. Apparently, certain requests have to be considered by a committee that only meets monthly.
What can you do to alleviate the delay in supply of equipment to the elderly under the TIME Scheme?
ANSWER
The Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment (TIME) Scheme is managed to minimise delays for people requiring equipment to return home.
Standard items that are held in stock are provided immediately on discharge, while items requiring supply from interstate are usually provided within two weeks. Short-term loan equipment is also available.
Non-standard items are reviewed by a Prescriptions Committee. These are either highly specialised items or equipment requiring modifications to meet specific needs. The Prescriptions Committee meets weekly to approve such purchases to expedite processing of requests.
Many of these items are required to be ordered from interstate and can be subject to longer delays in supply. Where lengthy delays may occur, temporary options are considered provided they do not compromise client safety.
206. Disability Services - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The NT Council of Social Services met with representatives from your department in an effort to lobby for improvements in government spending and direction. One of their concerns expressed at this meeting was the high need for growth funds in the area of disability services. I quote ‘availability of services to clients is decreasing and cost of equipment items are increased. Need to increase funds to the TIME Scheme’.
1. Why is it, according to NTCOSS, that the availability of services to clients is going down and when the cost of equipment is increasing?
2. What will you do to stop this service from deteriorating further this financial year?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory government provides equipment such as wheelchairs to Territorians with disabilities under the Territory Independence Mobility Equipment Scheme (TIMES).
The 2005-06 funding allocation for the scheme was 10% more than the 2004-05 allocation (from $1 013 000 for 2004-05 to $1 116 496 for 2005-06) and there has been no reduction of funds or services for people with disabilities.
207. Frail and Aged Services - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
I have met with representatives of a number of non-government organisations providing services to frail aged people and people with a disability. They have expressed their concern about the lengthening delay in being advised each financial year as to whether or not their application for HACC (Home and Community care) funding had been approved. Last year, the advice did not come through until November.
Given the struggle NGOs have in providing their service, why does it take so long for them to find out how much money they will get – half the year is nearly gone by the time they find out?
ANSWER
Funding for services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program is provided on both a recurrent and one-off basis.
Services funded on a recurrent basis are generally funded under a three-year service agreement between the organisation and the service provider and have continuity of funding guaranteed for the life of the service agreement, subject to satisfactory delivery of that service as per the terms of the agreement.
Recurrent funding for new or expanded HACC service, or one-off funding for a time limited HACC project is granted via a grants funding round each year. The Northern Territory HACC Plan, which determines the priority areas for the allocation of these funds, is drafted in July each year. Advertisements calling for applications for the HACC funding round are placed in newspapers across the Northern Territory in August or September each year.
After the application deadline, a funding panel assesses all received submissions. Once the panel has assessed all submissions, panel recommendations are forwarded to the Northern Territory Minister for Family and Community Services, via the Department of Health and Community Services and then to the Australian government’s minister for Ageing, via their Department of Health and Ageing.
A joint announcement regarding the outcomes of the funding round is made by the Minister for Family and Community Services and the Australian government’s minister for Ageing, usually in November each year.
208. Disability Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
In the past, nurses from community health centres would do things like change catheters in the home and cut toe nails.
Why is this service, currently being provided by your department to people with a disability, being curtailed?
ANSWER
Community Health clients with continence issues are regularly assessed and monitored. The services received by individual clients are in accordance with their care regime, which includes changing catheters. This service is unchanged.
With regard to the cutting of toe nails, this service has not been provided by Community Health nurses for many years. Community Health nurses assess their clients and eligible clients are referred to podiatry services as required.
In addition, where appropriate, Aged and Disability Services facilitate private nursing services to provide foot care services for aged and/or disabled clients.
209. FACS Review
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
A review of the current problems was conducted in August – November last year.
2. If not, why not?
3. Are any improvements in service to people with a disability expected?
ANSWER
A review into the workplace at Casuarina and Palmerston took place over Christmas and January 2005 with the full support and participation of staff at all levels.
1. The review was internal and the report has been released to staff.
2. The report was commissioned to address the stress and other concerns raised by staff. The report has been released to staff and staff are participating in the development of implementation strategies to address the issues identified through the review.
3. Yes. Services to people with a disability continue to be expanded, but not as a result of this review into departmental workplace issues.
210. Carpentaria Disability Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. What went wrong with Carpentaria Disability Services? (IDA advise: service agreement should have been monitored and followed up. This does not happened – same happens with other NGOs).
2. What are you going to change to prevent a re-occurrence of this problem?
ANSWER
On 29 September 2004, Carpentaria Disability Services (CDS) held its annual general meeting. At this meeting, concerns were raised by some CDS members regarding CDS’ governance, financial accountability, service quality and the sale of property.
Subsequent to this meeting, various CDS members raised concerns with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs. In response to these concerns, the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs authorised an investigation under the Associations Act on 18 October 2004. The investigation subsequently found several issues of concern regarding the association’s governance and financial affairs. The Commissioner of Consumer Affairs appointed a Statutory Manager, Mr Iain Summers, on 6 December 2004 for an initial period of three months. A new Board of CDS was elected by members on 20 April 2005, and statutory management ceased on 27 April 2005.
In response to other complaints, the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) advised CDS on 22 October 2004 that a separate independent service review would occur.
In November 2004, DHCS employed a consultant to undertake an independent review with CDS regarding service quality and communication issues.
DHCS is providing ongoing support to CDS to improve service quality and financial management.
DHCS has made arrangements to assist CDS to service its accrued debt by approving a loan to be secured against the organisation’s property at Tiwi. This loan may be converted to a grant some time after 12 months, if CDS is performing satisfactorily.
DHCS, NT Treasury and CDS have set up a monitoring group to monitor CDS’ service and financial performance.
DHCS regularly monitors the performance of all funded organisations via annual audited financial statements, half-yearly performance reports and financial reports, and through meetings between departmental staff and the funded organisations.
Issues of governance and broader financial accountability are matters for the respective boards or governing bodies of organisations to oversee.
211. Mental Health Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
On 12 October last year, you launched Mental Health Week in Raintree Park – remember the snakes and ladders game? You said in your speech that, since coming to office, Labor had increased funding to mental health by 90%.
1. How is that calculated (A: Green CLP BB compared to 2004-05 budget)?
2. How does the change to accrual accounting which has occurred during this time impact on the figures?
3. So, by including the bookwork changes caused by the change to accrual accounting in your claim of an increase of 90% - is this increase claim a deliberate attempt to mislead people?
4. If you claim it is true to say you have nearly doubled expenditure on mental health services in three years – a 90% increase – then why have you not reported outputs increased significantly more than reflected in the outputs reported below:
ANSWER
1. 2001-02 BP3 Mental Health Services published a budget of $13 552m.
2. The 2001-02 budget figure has been calculated on a cash basis capturing only direct costs. The 2004-05 budget figure is based on an accrual basis. The budget figure incorporates both direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs for 2004-05 include Corporate and Divisional overheads, charges for DCIS services and depreciation costs.
3. As is appropriate when referring to budget figures, the government will use the figures published in the budget papers. These figures demonstrate a 90% increase and were not misleading.
4. It has never been government policy that increases in mental health spending should result in an equivalent increase in mental health in-patients. The government does not measure mental health and wellbeing by the number of in-patients.
212. Mental Health Services – Output Program
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
In Budget Paper No 3, 2004-05, p132, the following budget highlight appeared:
The 2004-05 mental health budget has funding to address increasing demand for essential community-based mental health services. A four-year program to reform mental health services commenced in 2003-04 with $2m spent in that year and increasing to $4.6m in 2004-05.
1. Given that we are now half-way through your program of reform, what changes have been made to the delivery of mental health services?
2. What outputs were achieved this financial year for the additional $4.6m, which I gather was attached to the reform outcomes?
ANSWER
1. The following changes have been made to the delivery of mental health services:
creating a ‘sub-acute’ specialist support capacity to work with the non-government sector to ensure appropriate clinical support to new community based services.
30% increase in hospital separations (from 1196 in 2003-04 to 1554 in 2004-05);
20% increase in numbers of individuals seen (from 3903 in 2003-04 to 4696 in 2004-05); and
20% increase in individual occasions of service (from 42 911 in 2003-04 to 51 142 in 2004-05.
213. Mental Health Courses
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
On 18 February 2005, in a press release titled ‘Nurse Recruitment Campaign’, minister Toyne talked about how ‘courses including Mental Health … will be offered to nurses … for the first time in 2005’.
Could you provide details on this course?
ANSWER
The course referred to in minister Toyne’s press release is the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health, which commenced at Charles Darwin University (CDU) in March 2005.
The course provides graduates with a comprehensive and advanced level of knowledge to safely and competently practice in diverse settings.
The course is divided into nursing and allied health streams and participants may study areas such as mental health, renal health and alcohol and other drugs.
Prior to the commencement of this course, students undertaking study in this field had to enrol in courses available interstate. So far, 17 students have enrolled in this course, 15 of these being Northern Territory nurses.
The support scheme for nurses studying at CDU referred to in the media release is the Department of Health and Community Services’ Study Assistance Grants. These grants provide assistance to people in the Northern Territory Health and Community Services industry to develop skills and obtain qualifications. This study assistance is targeted towards current skills gaps in health and community services, particularly nursing.
Nurses and allied health staff employed in Mental Health Services are encouraged and supported financially to undertake postgraduate study at CDU or, if they choose to do so, at other institutions around Australia offering similar courses.
215. Mental Health Act - Review
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal raises concerns in his annual report for 2003-04 about how long it is taking for the review of the Mental Health Act to be completed and draft legislation presented.
When will we see the draft changes?
ANSWER
It is anticipated the draft amendment bill will be circulated for further public consultation in January 2006. It is anticipated Cabinet will consider the draft bill in May 2006. It is our intention to then introduce the bill in the Legislative Assembly in June 2006.
216. Tiwi Islands – Petrol Sniffing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
On 25 May 2005, you raised concerns in the media (ABC radio) regarding the arrival of petrol sniffing on the Tiwi Islands. This is a sad development.
Given that the Volatile Substances Act now exists:
ANSWER
On the Tiwi Islands a small number of young people are sometimes involved in petrol sniffing and there appears to be a relationship between the supply of cannabis and ‘sniffing’ – when cannabis is more readily available sniffing by these young people decreases and when it is more scarce some choose to sniff.
Centacare NT provides its Family Coping Strategy on the islands, which is supported by the Department of Health and Community Services’ Alcohol and Other Drugs Program, Community Education and Training Team. This strategy is responsive to the needs of the community and is flexible in that it can target those substances which are causing problems – including volatile substances. Families and the person ‘sniffing’ are referred to participate in this program from the clinic, mental health team and other community people. The Family Coping Strategy strengthens the family to decrease harm for all the family members, provides skills to manage the problems, and assists the sniffing family member to move away from substance misuse.
This approach, which focuses on the family and provides support over the longer term, is particularly appropriate as sniffing is episodic and involves a relatively small number of people.
The Department of Health and Community Services is working with other government bodies and community agencies to develop the regulatory, administrative provisions and service systems which are required under or will otherwise support, the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act. When these are in place the Tiwi Islands and other communities will have further tools to respond to petrol sniffing.
217. Anti-smoking Programs
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. Are calls to the Quit Line from the Northern Territory being monitored? If so, how do the numbers compare over the past few years?
2. I noted that the only media Quit Smoking as a New Year’s resolution received this year was an article about you quitting. When I was a Quit Smoking health promotion officer in the mid-1990s, we would run a media campaign in the lead-up to New Years Eve promoting the Quit Line. Calls to the help line would then go up dramatically.
4. The only print advertisement I could find was this one inserted on 25 May in the Suburban. It has a big photo of minister Toyne on it with the words: ’Choose a healthier lifestyle on World No Tobacco Day.’
6. How are people assisted/facilitated to quit smoking in Central Australia?
ANSWER
Calls to the Northern Territory Quitline have been monitored since January 2003 and the volume of calls has increased every year. In 2003, the NT Quitline received 757 calls, in 2004, 1045 calls and from 1 January to 30 June 2005, 636 calls have been recorded.
The Northern Territory was unable to run a dedicated New Years Quit campaign for 2005 promoting the Quitline as the Department of Health and Community Services’ Alcohol and Other Drugs Program was tendering for a new Quitline service. The tender specifications were developed to ensure a better telephone counselling service for people seeking help to quit smoking. The tender process was completed in April 2005 in time for the World No Tobacco Day 2005 campaign.
An article in the NT News on 4 March 2004had a significant impact on calls to the Quitline, comparable to the impact of a media campaign. The day the article, about the previous Minister for Family and Community Services, Ms Marion Scrymgour MLA, quitting smoking was printed, eight people called the Quitline. The following day, 12 people called; the day a member of the public wrote to the NT News to congratulate the previous minister, a further 12 people called the Quitline.
The operational budget for the Northern Territory Quit Program is calculated at approximately $2.40 per head of population (based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics population statistics as at December 2004). However, the operational budget is not regionally separated as running a media campaign, distributing leaflets, training staff etcetera is done as Territory wide initiatives, not regional initiatives.
The department planned to focus on workplace initiatives to support the World No Tobacco Day this year, based on the national and international evidence supporting the fact that unpaid media (true human interest stories) generate more quit attempts than paid media advertising. The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program ran three Quit groups in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day. The media showed interest in photo opportunities to further promote workplace Quit groups. An article was printed in the NT News on 2 June 2005 resulting in a further nine calls to the Quitline compared to the 11 received on 31 May 2005. A further article published in the June 2005 Chronicle regarding workplace quit groups and promoting the new Quitline number 13 QUIT resulted in again, a further 11 calls to the Quitline. Since the launch of the workplace Quit groups and the publication of an advertising flyer, a further three groups have been successfully completed with a group at Palmerston High School due to commence in the near future.
Two staff of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Central Australia (ADSCA) who are experienced in working with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal smokers, are trained as quit educators and facilitators for the region. These staff are in process of achieving train the trainer status to broaden the skill base of other agencies in the region to deliver Quit education and facilitation of Quit groups. This is consistent with outcomes of the consultation process, involving a range of internal and external stakeholders, currently under way across the Northern Territory to develop a Tobacco Strategy and Action Plan to work more collaboratively with non-government organisations and other government programs to effectively deliver accredited Quit education and facilitation on a larger scale.
Clients in Central Australia may access counselling support via the Quitline that refers callers, upon request, to identified staff at the Alcohol and Drug Service Central Australia (ADSCA) to arrange face-to-face quit counselling. In addition, ADSCA identifies tobacco awareness and cessation as a priority in health promotion and brief intervention activities in the region to communities. Individuals including in-patients at the Alice Springs Hospital and specific groups such as remote women's and men's groups throughout the region, where individuals are provided with immediate tobacco cessation information and advice and can also be referred to the ADSCA for quit counselling on request.
218. Ecstasy Use by Children Survey
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Earlier this year, you had fliers displayed in the Darwin area inviting people, including children aged as young as 16, to volunteer to be interviewed about their ecstasy use and to be paid $30 for their time.
1. Is it not the case that by paying $30 you are providing money which would well be used to purchase more drugs by these young people;
2. why did you not use something like movie passes;
3. how reliable do you think any findings of this survey will be, given that anyone could make up an ecstasy story to get the loot; and
4. how many people have been paid $30? How many were 16, 17?
ANSWER
The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) consists of two research projects. The Injecting Drug Users (IDU) survey and the Party Drug Initiative (PDI). Both are national studies funded by the Australian government Department of Health and Ageing and coordinated by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and both use the same methodology.
The IDRS IDU commenced a trial of the methodology in New South Wales in 1996. After the successful piloting of the methodology, it was expanded to three states (NSW, VIC and SA) in 1997 and has been conducted nationally, including in the Northern Territory, since 2000.
In 2000-01, the IDRS was expanded to include the Party Drug Initiative (PDI) to monitor ecstasy and related drugs (ERDs) markets in Australia. ERDs cover a range of drugs including ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, GHB and ketamine. In 2000-01, a trial was conducted (funded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund) to assess the feasibility of monitoring ERDs markets. The research was conducted in NSW, QLD and SA. The trial concluded that it was feasible to monitor these markets and in 2003 funding was granted to expand the study to monitor ERDs markets in every state and territory across Australia.
There is currently no other system in place in Australia to monitor trends in ecstasy and related drug markets. It has been established as a unique data source on a relatively hidden population. The methodology includes interviewing a sentinel group of ecstasy and related drug users defined by their regular ecstasy, interviewing Key Experts (KE) people that have contact with party drug users through their employment and collation of indicator data such as accident and emergency statistics and purity of seizures will also be analysed.
As well as providing the only data from ecstasy and other drug users on these drug markets in a timely manner, the project uses existing data sources to integrate available information in an attempt to provide the best picture possible of various party drug markets across the country.
Overall the PDI provides information on patterns of party drug use, the harms associated and information on the price, purity and availability of ecstasy (MDMA) and related drugs. These drugs are associated with both acute and long-term harms, yet many users do not come to the obvious attention of treatment providers or law enforcement personnel.
1. Accessing ecstasy and other related drug users group can be difficult since they are not readily accessible from such agencies as treatment providers or needle and syringe programs, as is the case for the existing IDRS. Furthermore, although involved in illegal activities, they generally do not come into contact with law enforcement personnel. Party drug users are recruited through advertising in entertainment magazines and shops, are screened over the phone and then individual interviews are scheduled.
2. The PDI is conducted in the capital city of each state and territory using a methodology developed by NDARC and applied identically in each location to ensure comparability of results. Individual jurisdictions cannot change the methodology or content of the study which is why we cannot ‘use something like movie passes’ to reimburse participants for the time and travel costs incurred by their participation in the study.
3. To examine the reliability of the findings, NDLERF funded a two-year trial of the feasibility of monitoring party drug use in NSW and QLD, using the existing IDRS methodology in 2000-01. The trial concluded that it was feasible to monitor party drug use and that important information from this monitoring system was generated in the form of information about price, purity and availability of a range of drugs, emerging trends in drug use among regular party drug users, and information on patterns of use over time among this group. Monitoring patterns of use and the associated harms is important to provide further information on the effect drug use has on individuals and the community.
4. In 2003, 104 Regular Ecstasy Users (REU’s) participated in the survey, none were 16 years and only one was 17 years old. In 2004, there were 74 REU’s, three were 16 years old and four were 17 years old. In the current year, there were 86 REU’s who participated in the survey, none were 16 years old and five were 17 years old.
219. Alcohol and Other Drugs - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Last year, during the Estimates Committee hearing, we established that there had been seven directors of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Program since 2002, up to and including Nick Gill. I do not know how many more have stepped in since Nick had to step aside, however, all up, it is a lot of change at the top.
1. To what extent has all this change contributed to the Alcohol and Other Drugs Program being unable to spend its allocated funding? (Specifically, Budget Paper No 3, p123, advises that there will be a carry forward of $2.1m into 2005-06).
2. What services were not delivered as planned during 2004-05?
ANSWER
There has been continuity in the position Director of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Program (AODP) since October 2004 and the position has been successfully recruited to.
Decisions about carry forwards are not influenced by vacancy rates in the public service and there are very specific criteria set by NT Treasury stipulating what is able to be carried forward..
The $2.1m relates to Australian government’s Illicit Drug Diversion funds ($1.2m). The AODP received two payments in 2004-05 because of the timing of the negotiations for the new agreement with the Australian government. The remaining $945 000 relates to funding for remote services for people with petrol sniffing problems, which were committed but were still being negotiated with the community or service provider at the end of the financial year. These funds have since been allocated.
220. Alcohol and Other Drugs – After Hours Service, Alice Springs
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
During the past year in Alice Springs, the Alcohol and Other Drugs service has ceased to provide an after hours services or home visits.
Given Alice Springs does not have an NGO service like Banyan House in Darwin, how can you justify this contraction of service?
ANSWER
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program ceased the on-call medical arrangement in July 2004 because it was determined to be unsafe for staff and ineffective for clients. This model of operation was replaced by a planned approach to client care. Rather than managing intoxication or sudden withdrawal, the new model provides more intensive support to clients to manage and overcome their drug problems and to change drug-taking behaviour through treatment and counselling.
Clients are required to make an appointment for assessment and this is matched to an appropriate treatment regime. By requiring clients to make an appointment they are more likely to be motivated and take a greater responsibility for their treatment. This model is consistent with the evidence about effective service delivery and in line with current standards of practice.
This is not a contraction of service. The changes have enabled the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Central Australia (ADSCA) to increase its support to clients during the day resulting in increased client numbers overall and, in particular, clients on the opiate pharmacotherapy program. It has also enabled the service to provide outreach clinical support through non-government alcohol, other drug treatment providers and medical services in Alice Springs. ADSCA has also increased its capacity to provide psychosocial counselling to clients, which is an important adjunct to the medical management of people with drug dependencies.
The availability of residential rehabilitation services (such as Banyan House) would have limited impact on people seeking ‘home visits’ because residential rehabilitation services need to impose some entrance criteria in the interests of safety. These criteria would normally exclude people who have not successfully completed withdrawal, who have complex co-existing disorders, and who do not wish to participate in treatment.
222. School Drug Education Positions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
During the mid-1990s, the Northern Territory government funded three education positions in the Department of Education specifically for the development and facilitation of drug education programs in the Northern Territory. Now there is only one position and that position is funded by the federal government.
Given the accepted need to prevent drug use uptake through early strategies like education, and government dismantling of the DARE program, what are you doing to help teachers incorporate sound drug education in their programs?
ANSWER
The Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) is currently providing intensive professional learning for teachers in all schools across the Northern Territory to ensure each school has in place and is implementing a current school drug education policy. This initiative is underpinned by the provision of the recommended Western Australian drug education support materials and the Northern Territory developed Indigenous Drug Education Support Materials (IDESMs) to schools. These resources have been linked to outcomes in the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) to enable teachers to develop appropriate units of work that meet NT Learning Outcomes. These resources are to be housed on Explore NT and will be electronically available to all teachers.
Australian government funding, through the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) funds the current drug education position based within Health Promoting Schools NT at DEET Curriculum Services. That officer is responsible for supporting the professional learning of teachers and school-based police officers to ensure that they have the skills to deliver their relevant drug education programs. The Western Australian program and the IDESMs are supported by the DEST drug education resources provided through the Resilience Education and Drug Information (REDI) initiative, Cannabis and Consequences and Rethinking Drinking You’re in Control. The 7 Core Themes is a new drug education resource developed by the Drug Education Officer for school-based police officers to deliver. This course is designed to value add to the units of work that teachers develop, implement and assess linking to appropriate outcomes in the NTCF. Funding of $531 911 will be received during the 2004-05 to 2007-08 quadrennium to cover the delivery of professional learning to teachers and fund the position of the Drug Education Officer.
The NT has received additional funds through the DEST Peer Forums funding initiative. A total of $519 800 will be received during the 2005-05 to 2007-08 quadrennium to ensure that teachers and facilitators are skilled to assist students in this initiative. All schools will receive a once-off grant of $600 during this period. The Drug Education Officer assists schools in identifying the forum they wish to run and train teachers or facilitators in schools to assist in this initiative. The forums must be organised and carried out by the students and are aimed at informing their peers and wider community on drug-related issues.
The National School Drug Education Strategy: Indigenous Rural and Remote Initiative is providing $100 000 from 2004-05 to 2007-08. Under this initiative, schools which fulfil the requirements are invited to apply for a grant that builds upon an existing DEST or DEET drug education related initiative. The Drug Education Officer will call for grant submissions, and assist schools in implementing their initiative made possible through the grant. These submissions will be linked to NTCF outcomes to demonstrate student learning which can be measured by collecting evidence through student work samples.
223. Community Patrols - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Currently, the Community Patrols and the sobering-up shelter in Darwin do not operate on Sundays. Why doesn’t your program fund this service seven days a week?
ANSWER
The law and order component of the Community Patrols have been transferred to the Northern Territory Police. They provide a 24-hour service 7 days a week. The social programs component is now conducted by Larrakia Nation. This service transfers itinerants to a range of social services and operates from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday in line with the operating hours of the majority of services.
The key determinant of the type of services the sobering-up shelter provides is service demand. The majority of takeaway liquor outlets in Darwin are restricted from trading on Sundays and this directly impacts on the level of public intoxication and, subsequently, the demand for the service.
The Northern Territory government has increased funding for Mission Australia to extend the shelter’s hours of operation. Based on demand, Mission Australia determined to extend the shelter hours from 4 pm to 2 am Monday to Friday rather than open on Sundays.
224. Banyan House Rehabilitation Centre
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
An article in a DHCS newsletter earlier this year advised that Banyan House was seeking funding for an upgrading of their rehabilitation centre.
1. Can you advise whether or not this upgrade is to be funded?
2. If not, why not?
ANSWER
The Banyan House upgrade is currently on the Department of Health and Community Services’ forward works proposal list for $2.5m.
227. Indigenous Tourism Potential
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
1. What potential indigenous tourism opportunities have been identified to date through the Indigenous Tourism Development strategy?
2. How will you assess the potential of each proposal?
3. What back-up support will the NTTC provide in nurturing this developing industry?
ANSWER
The NT Tourist Commission’s Indigenous Tourism Development Unit has identified/assessed over 40 indigenous tourism opportunities throughout the Northern Territory in the last six months.
Many of these are in the concept stage. Approximately 10 are in the development phase and several are now operational.
Due to commercial-in-confidence considerations the Indigenous Tourism Development Unit cannot release the names of the developing businesses. However, it can advise that the products range from small-scale walking tours to joint venture resort development opportunities, across the Northern Territory.
The Indigenous Tourism Development Unit receives approximately two inquiries from traditional land owners or possible joint venture partners each week inquiring about tourism and the opportunities available.
In assessing potential enterprises, the Indigenous Tourism Development Unit uses a number of different methods to determine the feasibility of the project. The path taken is usually determined by the knowledge level of the proponent and the scale of the proposed business.
The indigenous unit has presented to a number of community councils on tourism, conducted a number of ‘on country’ participatory planning workshops for groups looking at tourism opportunities, and worked one-on-one with proponents to develop products. In larger projects the indigenous unit has brought in external expertise to work with the proponents.
The commission’s Indigenous Tourism Development Unit is resourced by four development staff and a manager. This is the largest commitment the NT Tourist Commission has ever had in developing indigenous tourism in the Northern Territory. The unit will continue to work through all phases of development, from the concept stage through development to the operational business, to ensure indigenous Territorians are a large part of our tourism industry.
The unit is also working on a number of other projects that support the indigenous tourism industry. These include support for the development and delivery of the ‘Welcome to Country’ signage program across the Northern Territory, delivery of workshops on linking the arts with tourism, and a program to have more indigenous Territorians working in the mainstream tourism industry.
The NT Tourist Commission’s marketing team has also altered the way the Northern Territory is promoted worldwide, now overlaying the wonderful natural environment with a strong cultural message.
The integration of the NT Tourist Commission with the Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development has identified opportunities for a closer working relationship which can offer benefits to the tourism industry and the wider economy as a whole.
Joint approaches have already commenced in the following areas:
1. Indigenous economic development - meeting with the Indigenous Land Corporation to explore how they can support new tourism ventures in the Northern Territory, building on the model already established by the Northern Territory government with pastoral enterprise development.
231. Calypsonet Booking System
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
1. When was the new booking system, Calypsonet, introduced? I heard the Auditor-General say earlier tonight that an audit had been completed. How effective is the system?
2. How do international enquiries access this booking system?
3. What percentage of international enquiries come through this booking system?
ANSWER
1. CalypsoNet is Territory Discoveries on-line booking system for travel agents. It was introduced to agents in July 2004. From July 2004 to June 2005 it generated just over $730 000 in gross bookings.
2. If a travel agent in New Zealand or Singapore wants to make bookings with Territory Discoveries they can log into the CalypsoNet booking system (via the web) and make a booking from start to end. The other option for international agents is to call or e-mail the TD call centre based in Alice Springs
3. The ability to make international bookings on CalypsoNet is only available to travel agents in New Zealand and Singapore. All international bookings via CalypsoNet are from New Zealand and total bookings from New Zealand were 3% of gross earnings on 2004-05. From this CalyspoNet on-line bookings were under 1% of total earnings.
237. Environment and Heritage – Repairs and Maintenance
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Budget Paper No 4, p 44, Repairs and Maintenance expenses for Environment and Heritage are allocated $1m for the 2005-06 budget year.
What type of repairs and maintenance are you anticipating?
ANSWER
See attachment.
Breakdown of total cost of work undertaken by the Government Printing Office
No 17 ATTACHMENT
No19 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
No19 ATTACHMENT
Page 2
No 25 ATTACHMENT
Local advertising expenditure for 2004-05 was $22 065 and interstate expenditure in 2004-05 was $146 392, totalling $168 457.
No 27 ATTACHMENT
No 46 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
No 46 ATTACHMENT
Page 2
11
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 64 ATTACHMENT
No 87 ATTACHMENT
Note: NT practitioners conducted all external briefings.
No 95 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
Figure 1: Unprompted Awareness, 25 April 2005 to 22 May 2005
Base: (Wave 3, Phase 2 2005) Total Sample, n=501
*without being aided or prompted with the NT or any other destination
Figure 2: Prompted Awareness (Share Our Story campaign shown in patterned shades)
Base: Total recognised each in the targeted mediums/market. WAVE 3 total samples, Phase 1 (n=250); Phase 2 (n=501); Phase 3 (n=581)
Base: Consume targeted media relevant to specific executions AND aware of advertising; WAVE 3, Phase 3, 2005, Share Our Story TVC (n=50), Booklet Insert (n=59). WAVE 3, Phase 2 2005; Tactical Advertising (n=61), Alice Advertorials (n=75). Average WAVE 3 Phases 2 & 3, Branding Advertising (n=153), Online Advertisements (n=194)
No 103 ATTACHMENT
Pages 1 to 2
REMOTE INDIGENOUS UTILITY SERVICES
(POWER, WATER AND SEWERAGE)
TERRITORY FUNDED COMMUNITIES
No 142 ATTACHMENT
The following numbers of midwives were employed at the given locations as at 1 July 2004:
Royal Darwin Hospital 66 (56.4 FTE*)
Alice Springs Hospital 63
Tennant Creek Hospital 3
Gove District Hospital 14
Katherine District Hospital 14 (13.5 FTE)
The following numbers of midwives were employed at the given locations as at 1 July 2005:
Royal Darwin Hospital 71 (58.44 FTE)
Alice Springs Hospital 56
Tennant Creek Hospital 4
Gove District Hospital 14
Katherine District Hospital 12 (11.5 FTE)
Notes:
1. Every nurse who is a qualified midwife has been counted, not just those who are working in a maternity ward. For example, at Alice Springs Hospital, approximately half the midwives were stationed outside a maternity ward on both the given dates.
* FTE = full-time equivalent
No 145 ATTACHMENT
Elective Surgery Waiting List - % Admitted within Urgency Category Time Limits
Table 1
Emergency Department - % Treated Within Triage Category Waiting Time Limits
Table 2
No 149 ATTACHMENT
Admitted Patient Services:
Admitted Patient Services:
Question 7:
Please detail how many dental therapists are employed by the Department of Health by town centre.
ANSWER
Darwin 11
Question 11:
What are the Darwin and Palmerston clinics’ waiting time for general treatment?
ANSWER
Darwin Dental Clinic, September 2005 20.8 months (34 months in January 2005)
Question 12:
In Katherine, Alice Springs, Gove and Tennant Creek what is the waiting time for general treatment?
ANSWER
Katherine Dental Clinic 6 months (Nil in January 2005)
No 161 ATTACHMENT
Grants to predominantly Darwin and Alice Springs urban-based non-government organisations (such as Healthy Living NT/Diabetes Australia NT) do not appear in the above program allocations. DHCS funding to Healthy Living NT/Diabetes Australia NT in 2004-05 and 2005-06 is $599 000 pa.
Figure: Rates of notifiable STIs, NT, 2000-04
The following table provides information about the proposed scope of works for 2005-06. The final program is subject to change depending on final tender prices:
14. Indigenous Policy - Reporting
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. Could you please give an insight as to what is happening in the area of Indigenous Policy?
2. How many staff are currently employed to carry out the functions of Indigenous Policy?
3. What was the staffing level at 1 July 2004?
4. Can you please detail the positions allocated in Indigenous Policy?
5. Detail expenditure for the area of Indigenous Policy on reports produced that have either been outsourced or produced internally including:
(a) what was the purpose of the reports;
ANSWER
1. Please see the Department of the Chief Minister Annual Report 2004-05.
2. The Office of Indigenous Policy employs eight staff (one on secondment from the Department of Local Government
Housing and Sport, and one on secondment from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet).
3. As at 1 July 2004, the staffing level was seven staff. This has been subsequently augmented by the secondment of an
officer from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
4. The positions are as follows:
Executive Director (ECO3).
Deputy Director (ECO1).
Principal Policy Adviser (x two) (ECO1).
Intergovernmental Relations Officer (EL1 – Australian government officer).
Either Policy Officer (AO7)/Senior Policy Officer (AO8) (depending on qualifications and experience).
Either Research and Policy Officer (AO5)/Senior Research and Policy Officer (AO6) (depending on
qualifications and experience).
Administrative Support Officer (AO4).
5. No reports as such were produced in 2004-05.
15. Indigenous Policy - Printing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. List all the work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004—05 related to Indigenous Policy?
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to Indigenous Policy in 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. Work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 included printing of the July and December 2004 issues of the Common Ground newspaper, advertising publication of notice in the NT Gazette and the printing of business cards and the Parks Question and Answer booklets.
2. Total cost of work undertaken by the Government Printing Office was $28 560.
A breakdown of these costs is as per Attachment.
16. Common Ground - Publication
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. How many issues of the publication Common Ground were printed in 2004-05 and at what cost?
2. How is editorial comment for Common Ground decided?
3. Are there any articles or photographs that appear in Common Ground provided from the Office of the Chief Minister or her ministers’ offices?
4. What is the circulation of Common Ground (Aboriginal newspaper) and how is it distributed?
5. Provide a breakdown of costs to produce Common Ground.
6. What is the forecast budget for Common Ground?
ANSWER
1. Two issues of Common Ground were printed in 2004-05.
- The cost to print Common Ground at the Government Printing Office was:
December 2004 $ 9300
2. Editorial comment, such that it is, is given within the message from the Chief Minister that appears on page 2. This is
provided by the Chief Minister’s Office.
- In establishing the content of the newspaper, a draft story list is produced by the Office of Indigenous Policy based on NTG media releases, releases from other organisations, news items and stories as suggested by indigenous organisations, communities or individuals. This list is then distributed to NTG Communications Directors for refining and appropriate distribution.
3. Occasionally a photograph is supplied by a minister’s office if an event has taken place at a remote location; for example, the
opening of the Kintore Police Station. Text for the Chief Minister’s page 2 column is also supplied (as mentioned above).
4. The current mailing list accounts for distribution of over 8000 copies. Individuals and organisations must either e-mail or fax a written request to be included in the Common Ground mailing list. The remaining copies, 6000 in the Dry Season and around 3000 to 4000 in the Wet, are distributed through a range of local outlets including art centres and galleries, renal centres, hospitals, Aboriginal media centres and local businesses, and at key events and conferences such as the annual show circuit and the Garma Festival.
5. Printing $20 300
Layout, Design $11 500
Writers, proofing $ 6 000
Postage $ 5 600
Supply photos $ 300
- Total for 2004-05 $ 43 700.
17. Indigenous Policy – Advertising and Consultancies
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1. How much was spent on behalf of Indigenous Policy on advertising/promotional activities/ videos/DVDs/brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05?
2. Please provide a month-by-month breakdown of spending and projects/programs that this spending was for?
3. Did any consultants employed during 2004-05 undertake work specifically relating to the area of Indigenous Policy?
4. Who were the consultants?
5. What was the nature of each consultancy?
6. List the consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption.
7. In how many and in which consultancies were expressions of interest or tenders called before a person or body was engaged to carry out that promotion?
8. What was the total amount spent on behalf of Indigenous Policy on consultants during 2004-05?
9. Detail how much each consultancy cost?
ANSWER
1. The amount spent by Indigenous Policy on advertising/promotional activities/videos/DVDs/ brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05 was $24 300.
2. See Attachment.
3. Yes.
4. The consultants were Francesca Merlan, Australian National University, IN2IT Consulting and James Cook University.
5. The nature of these consultancies were:
Assessment report Wakay/Alywarra Report Land Claim
Recovery costs for Wadeye Region as part of the Opportunity Cost Study
Indigenous Policy Statement Chief Executives workshop
Part 2 Baseline Profiles of Thamarrurr.
6. James Cook University – Professor Owen Stanley was the only suitable consultant for this project.
7. IN2IT Consulting was selected from a panel which went to public tender.
8. The total amount spent on behalf of Indigenous Policy to consultants during the 2004-05 period was $29 500.
9. Total costs for each consultancy are as follows:
Francesca Merlan $ 4000
Australian National University $ 1500
IN2IT Consulting $ 4000
James Cook University $ 20 000
18. Indigenous Policy - Promotions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
1 Was any money spent in Indigenous Policy on the 2005-06 post-budget promotion campaign?
2. If so, how much was spent on print media?
3. How much was spent on electronic media?
4. How much was spent on brochure production and direct mail?
5. How much was spent on DVD/CD production?
ANSWER
1. No.
19. Territory Development
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. The budget estimate for Territory Development in 2004-05 was $6.856m. Why the cut of almost $0.5m to the 2005-06 budget?
2. Could you please give an insight as to what is happening in the area of Territory Development?
3. Detail the development projects that the office has had carriage of in 2004-05 and the projects forecast for 2005-06.
ANSWER
1. The decrease from the 2004-05 estimate to the 2005-06 budget of $0.5m is mainly the result of the one-off project funding
during 2004-05, offset by full-year funding of the Alcan position in Gove.
2. Revised agency arrangements in July 2005 resulted in the transfer of the Economic Development Strategy, Innovation
and Knowledge Economy and Tourism Infrastructure functions of the Office of Territory Development to the new
Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development.
3. The attached tables detail projects within the Office of Territory Development during 2004-05.
23. Territory Development - Staffing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How many staff were employed in the Office of Territory Development at 1 July 2004?
2. How many are currently employed in the Office of Territory Development and detail their positions?
ANSWER
1. Number of staff employed in the Office of Territory Development at July 1 2004 was 18.
2. Revised agency arrangements in July 2005 resulted in the transfer of the Economic Development Strategy, Innovation
and Knowledge Economy and Tourism Infrastructure functions to the new Department of Business, Economic and
Regional Development. At that time, the Office of Territory Development ceased to exist. At the time of restructuring,
the Office of Territory Development had 20 staff made up of the following positions:
Executive Director
Director Petroleum Developments
Director Investment Attraction
Director Innovation and Knowledge Economy
Assistant Director Petroleum Developments
Assistant Director Business Developments
Principal Advisor Research and Innovation
Director Business Case Developments
Senior Project Officer Petroleum Developments (two)
Project Officer Petroleum Developments
Project Officer Business Developments
Project Officer Innovation and Knowledge Economy (two)
Executive Officer NT Research and Innovation Board
Coordinator Alcan G3 Expansion Project
Office Manager
Administrative Officer (three)
25. Territory Development - Printing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 that related to the Office of Territory Development.
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to the Office of Territory Development in 2004-05?
ANSWER
The answers to questions 1 and 2 have been compiled and provided in the table in the Attachment.
26. Territory Development – Advertising Expenditure
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much was spent on behalf of the Office of Territory Development on advertising/ promotional activities/videos/DVDs/brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05?
2. Please provide a month-by-month breakdown of spending and projects/programs that this spending was for.
3. Please detail the breakdown on local and interstate expenditure for advertising in question 1.
4. How much has been spent specifically in 2004-05 on promoting the wharf precinct development by way of brochure, electronic media, newspaper advertisement and direct mail?
5. Detail all other expenditure in 2004-05 on promoting the wharf precinct development, eg, how much was spent on public displays in the Darwin Mall, Casuarina and Palmerston?
ANSWER
1. Expenditure on behalf of the Office of Territory Development on advertising/promotional activities/videos/DVDs/brochures
and general printed matter in 2004-05 was $569 708.
| Advertising | $168 457 |
| Promotional Activities | $204 113 |
| Videos | $0 |
| DVDs | $ 68 624 |
| Brochures | $125 162 |
| General Printed Matter | $ 3 352 |
| Total | $569 708 |
2. The attached table provides a month-by-month breakdown of spending and projects/programs that this spending
was for (Attachment A).
3. Refer Attachment B.
4. The Darwin City Waterfront project was a Department of Infrastructure Planning and Environment project and the figures
below have been provided by them. The 2004-05 expenditure promoting the wharf precinct development on brochures was
$78 557, electronic media $12 540, newspaper advertisement $42 912, and for direct mail no figure is available.
$40 401, rental/leasing $71 558, display staff costs $36 039. The display staff costs are for operating the display offices
in the Darwin mall and Casuarina with resources engaged from outside the Department of Infrastructure Planning and
Environment.
27. Territory Development - Consultancies
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What consultants were employed during 2004-05 to undertake work for the Office of Territory Development?
2. What was the nature of each consultancy?
3. List the consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption?
4. In how many and in which consultancies were expression of interest or tenders called before a person or body was engaged to carry out that promotion?
5. What was the total amount spent on behalf of the Office of Territory Development during 2004-05?
6. Detail how much each consultancy cost?
ANSWER
1. Consultants employed in 2004-05 were ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd, AEC Group Pty Ltd, Catalyst Consulting International Pty Ltd,
Dr Peter Whitehead of Charles Darwin University, Professor Stephen Garnett of Charles Darwin University, Gail Humble,
Ian Lovell, Jenkins Advisory Services, KPMG, QS Services, Strategic Design and Development, The Best Conference and
Events Company, Brook Hunt, Bob Collins and Worleyparsons Services.
2. The nature of each of the above consultancies is set out in Attachment A.
3. Consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption were:
(a) ACIL Tasman – Provision of ad hoc policy and industry advice. This certificate of exemption was obtained
for 2003-04 with the final payment falling in 2005-06. Immediate specialist required. ACIL has a Darwin
office with the necessary skills in-house.
ACIL has a Darwin office with the necessary skills in-house.
and background to act as Investment Ambassador.
have the necessary experience and knowledge.
NTG/CDU Partnership Agreement.
Partnership Agreement.
No local consultant with necessary expertise was available.
4. In July 2004, the Chief Minister signed an approval for the Office of Territory Development to invite public tender and appoint
four panels of consultants to provide support and expertise across the many project areas that OTD operates. The panel
contracts commenced on 1 November 2004 for a period of one year with the option to extend for a period of one year at a time,
for two years. The four categories of consultant panels are Project Services, Management Services, Economic and Financial Services and Communications and Marketing Services. Public Tenders were called for the following consultancies:
(a) event organisation and management of international conference ‘Global Freight Connect 2005’. Awarded to
The Best Conference and Events Company;
(b) Gas Industry Attraction and Development study. Awarded to Worleyparsons Services; and
(c) all other consultancies that did not go to public tender or have a certificate of exemption awarded were from the
OTD panel contracts.
6. Detailed costs of each consultancy are shown in Attachment.
32. Territory Development – Darwin Port Authority Relationship
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the relationship between the Office of Territory Development and the Darwin Port Cooperation in developing the AustralAsia Trade Route, and how is that coordinated with the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development and DIPE responsibilities in this area?
ANSWER
The Office of Territory Development no longer exists.
As a result of the ministerial and portfolio changes following the 2005 election, some elements of the former Office of Territory Development and the Trade Group of the former Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development (DBIRD) have been amalgamated into the Trade and Major Projects Division of the Department of the Chief Minister. This complements the Chief Minister’s role as Minister for Asian Relations and Trade.
The development of the AustralAsia Trade Route continues to be coordinated by a whole-of-government task force chaired by the Department of the Chief Minister. This task force consists of senior representatives from the following agencies:
Department of the Chief Minister (Chair);
Darwin Port Corporation;
Land Development Corporation;
Department of Business, Economic and Resource Development (DBERD);
Department of Planning and Infrastructure;
NT Treasury; and
Department of Justice.
35. Territory Development – East Arm Port Performance
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. From a strategic perspective, how would you view the performance of Darwin port as a competitive port in establishing Darwin as the gateway to Asia? What is the cost per container across the port?
2. How does the East Arm Port benchmark competitively if you were looking to ship through Darwin port?
3. What is the extent of the problems at the East Arm Port which resulted in the closing of an extended section recently?
ANSWER
1. The Northern Territory government has made a substantial commitment to developing the Port of Darwin and the
AustralAsia Railway as critical nodal points in the development of an alternative trade route for Territory and Australian trade
with Asia. The AustralAsia Trade Route is in the embryonic stage of development and provides an alternative to the traditional logistics channels for importers and exporters that can realise the value of the transit time savings possible by utilising the port
of Darwin as the gateway. From a strategic perspective, the port of Darwin is an integral link in the strategic development of
the AustralAsia Trade Route. It is one of the few greenfields port developments being undertaken in Australia. It provides
a congestion free alternative to the southern Australian ports.
- NTG representatives are working in conjunction with FreightLink and other stakeholders to increase shipping services into Darwin and encourage third party logistics providers to consider Darwin as a gateway for their Australian businesses. This all goes to building critical mass and momentum in the development and recognition of the port of Darwin as Australia's Asia gateway.
2. Importers and exporters negotiate container freight rates with individual shipping companies.
- The container freight rates are constructed by shipping companies after taking into consideration fixed and variable costs for running the service including vessel charter costs, bunkers, equipment hire, wages and insurances as well as port costs and, finally, a commercial consideration on what the trade will pay. A recent exercise conducted by the DPC and Chief Minister’s Department benchmarked the port of Darwin port costs against Adelaide, Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane for the import of standard 20 foot shipping containers from Asia to Darwin.
- The port comparison survey revealed a total cost differential of only $31/standard container between the most competitive port being Melbourne and the fourth ranked Darwin, with Fremantle being the highest cost. The total port costs as a percentage of the sea freight rate revealed Melbourne was 8% with Darwin contributing 10% behind the highest, being Adelaide contributing 11%.
- Currently importers and exporters using the southern capital ports are enjoying the lowest prevailing sea freight rates available, due to shipping lines over-tonnaging the major trades servicing Australia and the collapsing northbound trade and a booming southbound trade.
The anticipated growth in trade from the operation of the AustralAsia Railway and oil and gas developments may see trade levels attain a critical mass that attracts expanded regional shipping services and affords greater economies of scale which should put greater downward pressure on local freight rates.
3. The current structural issues at East Arm Wharf apply to Stage 1 that was completed in December 1999. On the 3 June 2005, DPC isolated Chainage 0 to 50 m of wharf, following the discovery of a broken tie rod. This area was limited to light loads. GHD, design engineers, were consulted and BMT JV advised the broken tie rod was to be shipped interstate for metallurgical testing.
On the 14 June 05, a limited inspection by DPI identified a further five tie rods may have failed.
DPI advised DPC to remove all vessels and operations from Stage 1.
On 17 June 2005, DPC established a precautionary closure of the 490 m Stage 1 wharf whilst investigations and the appropriate course of action is determined.
Stage 1 will be re-opened in mid-October (subject to certain loading requirements) as engineering assessments are completed.
36. Darwin City Waterfront – Asset Ownership
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. The waterfront site will remain under the ownership of the Northern Territory government and be handed to the developer as freehold as the project is developed. What is the agreed process for handover of parcels of land for the waterfront development?
2. What agreements are in place for how these assets will be maintained and by whom?
ANSWER
1. Darwin Convention and Exhibition Centre (DCEC):
- The DCEC and public domain remain under the ownership of the Territory.
Hospitality Precinct:
- The hospitality precinct (hotel/restaurant) is granted to the Developer under a development lease. When all conditions under the development lease have been met the lessee (developer) progressively surrenders the lease and an estate in fee simple (freehold) title is granted.
- Title to the ‘further accommodation site’ (adjacent the hotel) only would be granted to the developer on completion of the ‘further accommodation’ or when it pays for the land in full.
Residential Stage 1 and 2:
- The Territory remains the owner of the residential land. The developer subdivides the land and builds the residential properties under licence to the Territory and arranges sales and contracts with purchasers. On completion of all arrangements by the developer the Territory is a party to the contracts of sale to end purchasers.
2. Public assets including any assets provided by the private sector and vested in the Territory will be owned and maintained by the relevant statutory authority. The mechanism to achieve this is via the Concession Deed and/or particular Project Delivery Deed which sets forth in detail which bodies are responsible for the management and maintenance of the various areas within the total site.
37. AustralAsia Railway – Draw Down Money
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
1. In terms of the draw down of monies for the railway, has all the money that can be drawn down for the railway been drawn down? If not, what remains to be drawn down, or possibly drawn down?
2. Where does that money appear in the budget papers?
ANSWER
1. All the government money that can be drawn down for the railway has been drawn down.
2. Budget Paper No 3, Page 40, Page 77.
38. AustralAsia Railway – Contingent Equity
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
1. What are the circumstances in which the contingent equity would be drawn down?
2. Are you able to say whether or not any of the contingent equity from the operators has been called in 2004-05?
ANSWER
Both these questions refer to matters which are the subject of commercial-in-confidence arrangements.
39. AustralAsia Railway – Freight Loads
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
Is the railway performing to forecasts in terms of its freight loads?
ANSWER
Freight loads continue to perform well having captured more than 80% of the contestable domestic freight market.
40. AustralAsia Railway - Subsidies
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
Are there government monies going into the railway in other forms that could be seen by some as subsidies?
ANSWER
No.
41. AustralAsia Railway – Railway Stations
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for the AUSTRALASIA RAILWAY
1. During the election campaign, $740 000 was promised to upgrade the Alice Springs railway station. Detail the breakdown of costs and government contribution to this upgrade and when will work begin?
2. Are any upgrades planned for other railway stations along the route between Alice Springs and Darwin? If so, when will work commence?
ANSWER
1. The Chief Minister’s media release on 9 June 2005 stated that $740 000 is to be spent on upgrading the Alice Springs Railway Station. Two projects will be undertaken with this funding.
- The first project, worth $340 000, will upgrade the Alice Springs Railway Station Terminal. The Northern Territory government is providing 50% of the funding, with Great Southern Railways contributing the other 50%. The contract for the works was awarded to Alice Springs-based company, Centralian Construction Management Pty Ltd, and works commenced in early October 2005. The project is on track to be finished in early December 2005. Additionally, Alice Springs Town Council have made a commitment to the project and will be resurfacing the platform area in the last week of November 2005.
- The second project, valued at $400 000, is a commitment to the construction of a new walking path and replacement of part of the boundary fence at the station. This commitment is to be fully funded by the Northern Territory government and will be considered during the forthcoming annual budget process for future programming.
2. There are no other upgrades planned for railway stations in the Northern Territory. The stations are relatively new and do not require any capital expenditure at this stage. Routine maintenance of the stations will continue on an ongoing basis.
42. Chief Minister – Executive Support
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. The budget estimate for Support to Executive, Ministers and Leader of the Opposition in 2004-05 was $17.701m, for 2005-06 it is $17.791m; why the variation?
2. What was the cost of maintaining eight ministerial offices and the Leader of the Opposition’s office in 2004-05, and what is the forecast for 2005-06?
3. Given the speculation of your ministry increasing to nine, will there be a further increase in the budget estimate for 2005-06?
ANSWER
1. The variance of $0.09m budget between 2005-06 and 2004-05 is the result of additional funding provided for the 3% EBA
salary increase, offset by the 1% productivity dividend, 0.5% CPI reduction and savings achieved from the new government messaging contract, which were applied across the agency.
2. The cost of maintaining eight ministerial offices and the Leader of the Opposition’s office in 2004-05 was $13 242 501. The
budget estimate for 2005-06 as appearing in the budget papers was $11.979m.
3. There will be an increase in the budget estimate for 2005-06 as a result of the appointment of a ninth minister.
43. Government Limousines
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How many times in 2004-05 did you make use of government-chauffeured limousines?
2. Did you use government-chauffeured limousines to transport any of your family members on non-government business (eg, to school, church or sporting events) during 2004-05?
3. Did you allow any of your staff members to use government-chauffeured limousines to transport any of your family members on non-government business (eg, to school, church or sporting events) during 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. 554 times.
2. This was done on occasions where required for efficient use of ministerial time, consistent with longstanding practice over
many years and previous NT governments.
3. As above.
44. Chief Minister – Interstate Travel with Associated Staff
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all interstate trips taken by you as Chief Minister in 2004-05.
2. Detail the purpose of each interstate trip taken by you as Chief Minister.
3. Detail the duration of each trip taken by you as Chief Minister.
4. Detail the costs you incurred on each interstate trip.
5. Detail outcomes achieved from each interstate trip.
6. List all ministerial staff who accompanied you on all interstate trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
7. Detail the costs incurred by the ministerial staff on each interstate trip in 2004-05.
8. List all departmental staff who accompanied you on all interstate trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
9. Detail the costs incurred by departmental staff accompanying you on each interstate trip.
10. List any non-government citizens who accompanied you on any interstate trips who government paid partial or full travel and accommodation costs for.
ANSWER
Refer to attachment.
46. Chief Minister - Overseas Travel with Associated Staff
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. Would you please list all overseas trips taken by you as Chief Minister in 2004-05?
2. Would you detail the purpose of each overseas trip taken by you as Chief Minister?
3. Would you detail the duration of each overseas trip taken by you as Chief Minister?
4. Please detail the costs you incurred on each overseas trip.
5. Will you please provide the detail on outcomes achieved from each overseas trip?
6. List all ministerial staff who accompanied you on all overseas trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
7. Detail the costs incurred by the ministerial staff on each overseas trip in 2004-05.
8. List all departmental staff who accompanied you on all overseas trips taken by you as minister in 2004-05.
9. Detail the costs incurred by departmental staff accompanying you on each overseas trip.
10. List any non-government citizens who accompanied you on any overseas trip who government paid partial or full travel and accommodation costs for.
ANSWER
Refer to attachment.
48. Official Hospitality
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much did you spend on official hospitality outside of Parliament House during 2004-05?
2. How many taxpayer-funded functions did you host in Parliament House during 2004-05?
3. List the Parliament House functions you hosted and how much each function cost.
4. How many of the functions did you host that were costed to the Protocol budget?
ANSWER
1. $220 046.
3. See attachment.
4. All functions organised by Protocol are costed to the Protocol budget.
49. Chief Minister – Car and Boat Hire and Air Charters
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much did you spend on hire cars or limousines in 2004-05 in the performance of your official duties?
2. How much did you spend on private air charter in 2004-05 in the performance of your official duties?
3. How much did you spend on private boat hire in 2004-05 in the performance of your official duties?
ANSWER
1. Total expenditure on hire cars in 2004-05: $5252.
2. Total expenditure on private air charters in 2004-05: $12 215.
3. Total expenditure on private boat hire in 2004-05: Nil.
50. Office of Chief Minister – Office Budget
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What was your office budget for 2004-05?
2. What did you spend in 2004-05?
3. What is the budget for the Office of the Chief Minister in 2005-06?
ANSWER
1. My office budget for 2004-05 was $4.413m.
2. The expenditure for my office in 2004-05 was $4.883m.
3. The 2005-06 budget for the Office of the Chief Minister is currently $4.439m.
53. Office of Chief Minister – Government Printing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 that related to the Office of the Chief Minister.
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to the Office of the Chief Minister in 2004-05?
ANSWER
Attachment A details the work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05, including the costs and dates of completion, that relate to the Office of the Chief Minister.
56. Office of Chief Minister – Consultancies
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What consultants were employed during 2004-05 to undertake work for the Office of the Chief Minister?
2. What was the nature of each consultancy?
3. List the consultancies awarded by certificate of exemption.
4. In how many and in which consultancies were expressions of interest or tenders called before a person or body was engaged to carry out that promotion?
5. What was the total amount spent on behalf of the Office of the Chief Minister during 2004-05?
6. Detail how much each consultancy cost.
ANSWER
1. No consultants were employed during 2004-05 to undertake work for the Office of the Chief Minister.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. Not applicable.
6. Not applicable.
59. Office of Chief Minister – New Office Equipment
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What was your office expenditure on new office equipment in 2004-05? Detail items purchased.
ANSWER
In 2004-05 it was $14 685 to purchase a paper/envelope folding machine.
The Office of Central Australia also purchased a paper/envelope folding machine for $15 100 during 2004-05.
60. Office of Chief Minister – Lost Property
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Was any government property lost or stolen from your office in 2004-05? If so, please detail items and their value.
ANSWER
No government property was lost or stolen from the Office of the Chief Minister in 2004-05.
64. Office of Chief Minister – Awards
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Detail expenditure in 2004-05 on behalf of the Chief Minister and by the agency on sponsoring awards, including cost, the nature and the subject?
ANSWER
Expenditure in 2004-05 on behalf of the Chief Minister and by the agency on sponsoring awards was $120 109.
The attachment provides full details of these sponsoring awards, including cost, the nature and subject.
68. Women’s Advancement - Reports
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Detail expenditure for Women’s Advancement on reports produced that have been either outsourced or produced internally, including;
(a) what was the purpose of the reports;
(b) who or what organisation prepared the reports;
(c) what was the cost of the report;
(d) has the report or reports been tabled in parliament; and
(e) what has been the outcome of those reports?
ANSWER
This answer assumes the question is directed to reports produced in 2004-05 financial year. One report was produced for Women’s Advancement in 2004-05, Review of Employment and Industrial Relations Advisory Services to Working Women in The Northern Territory.
(a) The report reported on a review of the provision of support, advocacy, legal and other services to working
women in the Northern Territory including those employed under Community Development Employment
Projects (CDEP) taking into account the Northern Territory’s unique population and geography.
exercise and consultation with 46 organisations throughout the Northern Territory via phone or in person.
All Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal legal aid services were consulted via survey as were women employed
under CDEP and the Darwin Regional CDEP grantee organisation.
with this report are part of the operational costs for the Office of Women’s Policy.
Department of Employment, Education and Training, both departments having responsibility for employment
matters. The report has also been forwarded to the Working Women’s Centre and the results were taken
into consideration in considering a funding request for recurrent funding from the Working Women’s Centre.
69. Women’s Advancement – Government Printing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. List all work undertaken by the Government Printing Office in 2004-05 that related to Women’s Advancement.
2. What were the costs and dates of completion of work performed by the Government Printing Office that related to Women’s Advancement in 2004-05?
ANSWER
All Government Printing Office work for the Office of Women’s Policy in 2004-05, including cost and date of work performed is listed in the attachment.
70. Women’s Advancement – Advertising and Promotions
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How much was spent on behalf of Women’s Advancement on advertising/promotional activities/videos/DVDs/brochures and general printed matter in 2004-05?
2. Would you kindly provide a month-by-month breakdown on spending and projects/programs that this spending was for?
ANSWER
A total of $31 887.47 was spent on marketing and promotion by the Office of Women’s Policy in 2004-05.
The projects/programs for which these monies were expended included promotion of the Women’s Register, Alicia Johnson Memorial Lecture, Chief Minister’s Study Award, and Tribute to Northern Territory Women. This does not include publication of documents such as the Domestic Violence Legal Fact Sheets and Alicia Johnson Memorial Lecture speeches.
The monthly breakdown is as follows:
| Month | Amount ($) |
| July | 0.00 |
| August | 0.00 |
| September | 5 298.04 |
| October | 5 032.58 |
| November | 772.45 |
| December | 4 197.87 |
| January | 1 337.00 |
| February | 38.54 |
| March | 76.41 |
| April | 11 097.39* |
| May | 1 713.35 |
| June | 2 323.84 |
* The amount for April 2005 largely represents payment of marketing and promotional expenses associated with the Tribute to Northern Territory Women activities which occurred in March 2005.
72. Women’s Advancement – Focus Groups
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. How many public focus groups were conducted under the area of Community Engagement for Women’s Advancement in 2004-05?
2. When were they held and what was the nature of each focus group?
3. What was the cost to conduct these focus groups?
4. If focus group participants were paid to attend, how much were they paid?
5. Where can members get the details and findings of these publicly-funded focus groups?
ANSWER
1. No focus groups (public or private) were held for Women’s Advancement in 2004-05. Public meetings that were conducted
under the area of Community Engagement for Women’s Advancement included the Community Cabinet Women’s Forums.
2. Community Cabinet Women’s Forums provide an opportunity to talk with the Chief Minister, Clare Martin, minister Marion Scrymgour, government departments and other women about local issues. Women’s forums are also structured to provide information or training sessions on a case-by-case basis. Locations of Community Cabinet Women’s Forums held in 2004-05 were:
Jabiru (26 July 2004)
Nhulunbuy (9 August 2004)
Tennant Creek (30 August 2004)
Darwin (23 October 2004)
Humpty Doo (25 October 2004)
Daly River (22 November 2004)
Batchelor (7 March 2005)
Ntaria (8 April 2005)
Alice Springs (23 May 2004)
4. No participants were paid to attend Community Cabinet Women’s Forums.
5. Feedback from the women’s forums are available on the Community Cabinet web site (
posted to all participants after each event.
76. BassintheGrass
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What was the cost to government to stage BassintheGrass?
ANSWER
Government provided a grant of $250 000 to the Major Events Company for each of the BassintheGrass concerts staged during 2004-05 (being the concert held in July 2004 and the one held in June 2005); that is, a total of $500 000 in grant funding for the 2004-05 year.
80. Solicitor for the Northern Territory – Lawyer Staffing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. How many lawyers are employed at the Solicitor for the Northern Territory?
2. How many were employed in 2003-04 and how many in 2002-03?
ANSWER
1. As at November 2005, legal practitioners authorised to act in the name of the Solicitor for the NT (SFNT) numbered 37, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department of Justice.
- In 2003-04, 38 legal practitioners were authorised to act in the name of the SFNT, including the CEO.
In 2002-03, 39 legal practitioners were authorised to act in the name of the SFNT, including the CEO.
- The names of legal practitioners authorised to act in the name of the SFNT are published in the NT government Gazette from time to time.
82. Instructions Outsourced
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
For Agency Legal Services, there are 1000 instructions outsourced. Are they files outsourced to private firms in accordance with tenders?
ANSWER
Eighty-nine per cent of the files were outsourced to private firms in accordance with tenders.
The remainder were matters outsourced to private practitioners on an ad hoc basis after approval of a delegated officer had been obtained and Procurement Review Board guidelines had been met.
83. Director of Public Prosecutions – Average Cost per Completed Matter
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. In last year’s budget papers, more details were provided and, therefore, more details were made available to Territorians. In particular, last year, you included the ‘average cost per completed matter and per client’. Why have they not been included this year?
2. Last year, the average cost per completed matter was $6209. What is it this year?
3. Last year, the average cost per client was $1192. What is it this year?
ANSWER
As advised in the 2005-06 Budget Paper No 3, (p 5) during the 2004-05 year, the Northern Territory Treasury reviewed the measures of output delivery used by agencies and decided there were ‘inherent limitations on unit cost measures due to significant levels of fixed costs, short-term fluctuations in activity, and the aggregation of sub-outputs into output measures’.
Consequently, from 2005-06, agencies are not required to measure unit cost and this is why ‘average cost per lodgement’ does not appear in the 2005-06 budget.
The average cost per completed matter in 2004-05 was $7240.
The average cost per client was $1235.
87. Briefing of Private Counsel
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. What professional fees were paid by the Director of Public Prosecutions briefing private counsel based in the Northern Territory in 2004-05, and please name each counsel?
2. Please provide the same for interstate counsel?
ANSWER
1. Attachment A identifies professional fees paid by the DPP briefing private counsel based in the NT in 2004-05, and names
each counsel.
2. The ODPP did not engage any private interstate counsel in the 2004-05 financial year.
88. Court Services Budget
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
1. Please explain what has happened to the Court Services budget given the following:
- (a) the budget in 2004-05 was $24.672m;
(b) the estimate for 2004-05 was $26.639m;
(c) this year’s budget is $25.505m, and
(d) how much has actually been spent by 30 June 2005?
2. There has been an increase of less than $1m. Why has there been an increase?
ANSWER
1. The amount actually spent by 30 June 2005 was $27.276m. The budget of $24.672m was the original budget. The difference is a combination of unexpected legal costs and other activity driven operational costs plus back pay and pay increases to the judiciary and the magistracy.
2. The increase consists of:
parameters;
internal adjustments reflecting charges in Department of Justice corporate arrangements which will have a nil nett effect.
93. Tourism - Market Share
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
What is the current ‘share of voice’, within Australia, that the Northern Territory enjoys in the competitive tourism sector?
ANSWER
In 2004-05, $350m was spent on tourism advertising in Australia.
Of this spend; approximately $4.8m was spent by the NT Tourist Commission marketing the Northern Territory as a destination and $45m was spent by all domestic Government Tourism Offices (GTO) promoting destinations in 2004-05, giving the NT Tourist Commission a share of 10.5%.
95. Tourism - Advertising Campaign Effectiveness
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
What is the measured level of effectiveness (recall etcetera) of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission advertising campaign?
ANSWER
With the launch of the Share Our Story campaign, 34% of respondents in the target markets recalled seeing advertising for the Northern Territory unprompted1, a very strong result in comparison to other states and territories (refer to Figure 1 in attachment).
Prompted awareness2 of Northern Territory advertising was strong for most advertisements (refer to Figure 2 in attachment). Although the Share Our Story campaign results were lower than the previous It’ll Never, Never Leave You campaign, these results actually show a positive response to the campaign in the context of a lower media weight than for previous campaigns.
- 1 Respondents are not aided or prompted by mentions of the NT or any other destination.
2 Respondents are read a description of each advertisement.
Importantly, the Share Our Story campaign was also effective in creating a positive disposition for travellers to visit the Northern Territory, as indicated by the measure of ‘persuasion’. The majority of travellers who saw the Share Our Story advertising indicated the advertisements increased their interest in visiting the Northern Territory (refer to Figure 3 in attachment).
97. Northern Territory Tourist Commission - Market Presence
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
From a tourism industry perspective, the profile of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission has declined dramatically in the last three years since the withdrawal of its presence from the key domestic source markets. What is government’s strategy to address this obvious lack of engagement with the travel distribution network and interaction with key strategic partners on a regular enough basis?
ANSWER
The global tourism sector has changed dramatically in recent years with major changes affecting the role of the distribution network. The consolidation of wholesalers, the rationalisation of retail networks, the vertical integration of travel businesses and the rise of the Internet has impacted on the strategies the NT Tourist Commission now uses to engage and interact with the distribution network and strategic partners.
The commission’s strategies employed to engage the travel distribution network differ from those employed by the organisation a couple of years ago; all activity is geared to respond to market changes while retaining the strong presence and high impact of the Northern Territory in key domestic source markets. The commission’s efforts are strengthened and complemented by the presence of the Northern Territory government’s profitable tourism wholesaler in the domestic market, who specifically packages, distributes and sells Northern Territory tourism products through established retail networks.
Following are some of the strategies which are employed by the NT Tourist Commission to strengthen the destination’s engagement with the distribution network (wholesalers and retailers) in the domestic market:
Schedule of destination training targeting major wholesale and retail chains. This training is undertaken on
a regular cycle, showcasing and providing detailed information about the Northern Territory’s destinations,
experiences and roducts.
to sell the Northern Territory and opportunities for joint activity such as cooperative advertising at the local
regional level.
A program of familiarisation and retailer educational tours aimed at bringing front-line retail staff to the Northern
Territory to better equip them to sell the ‘Northern Territory experience’.
numbers of retail agents are trained.
Schedule of cooperative promotional activities undertaken on a state-by-state level with key retail networks and chains.
and retail partners, particular in support of retailer advertising programs.
The NT Tourist Commission also works very closely with Territory Discoveries to enhance our collective effort in marketing and selling Northern Territory tourism products. Some of the specific strategies include:
Schedule of state-based promotions with Territory Discoveries sales staff conducted in all capital cities and key
regional centres, including tailored Northern Territory consumer travel expo events held with retail partners
(eg RACQ, NRMA and Jetset), and the development of innovative marketing campaigns.
Cooperative advertising campaigns undertaken in key national markets.
Inclusion as preferred commercial partner in consumer direct promotions, such as a joint sponsorship of an
indigenous art exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales which saw Territory Discoveries providing
packages targeted at the art gallery’s exclusive member database and paid exhibition visitors.
Referral of business leads where the Trade and Consumer Unit has had a request for a consumer destination
presentation but sees an opportunity for Territory Discoveries to provide both a destination overview and a
business pitch.
102. Airline Subsidies – Effect on Tourism
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
1. Was the $4m subsidy to Virgin Blue Airlines a good investment?
2. Are you planning any more good investments?
3. Has your government provided any subsidies to private charter flights to the Northern Territory?
4. Did your government provide any financial assistance to the two charter flights from Japan to Alice Springs earlier this year?
ANSWER
1. Based on a 70% load factor and, assuming that 60% of traffic is incremental interstate and international business, Virgin Blue services have provided an estimated return to the Northern Territory economy of over $30m annually since commencement in December 2001.
Investment in Virgin Blue services was driven by a need to introduce lower fares and a greater number of flights into the Territory and provided the Northern Territory with further competition in the domestic airline market. The signing of a Heads of Agreement document with Virgin Blue came two weeks prior to the collapse of Ansett, and the commencement of services came in a time when Qantas was the only significant provider of interstate air services into the Northern Territory.
2. The Northern Territory government continues to work with various domestic and international airlines in an effort to boost air capacity and visitation into the Northern Territory.
- Cooperative marketing funds and in-kind support may be provided initially to an airline to assist the Northern Territory’s competitiveness in attracting airlines. Ongoing cooperative funds are available to airline partners and are usually tied to packages highlighting ground product in the Northern Territory.
3. The Northern Territory government has not provided subsidies to private charter flights.
To attract private charter flights, government works with wholesalers in market and may provide cooperative marketing funds to advertise in relevant markets to drive consumer bookings.
- Both charters in April/May this year were fully booked with a total of 720 passengers spending three days in the Centre.
103. Indigenous Housing – Federal Government Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How much is the Northern Territory government receiving from the federal government for indigenous housing?
2. How much is the federal government providing for servicing housing and essential services to small and medium-sized remote communities?
3. How much has been provided by the federal government for housing and related infrastructure?
ANSWER
1. Total federal government funding received by the Northern Territory government in 2004-05 was $41 679 000. This comprised:
Aboriginal Rental Housing Program
- (ARHP) $19 690 000
- (The NT provides this additional funding allocation to the provision of its ARHP entitlement that it receives
through the CSHA).
- (The CHIP funding is provided directly into the IHANT account)
With regard to essential services the following is provided:
The Territory funds essential services provision (power, water and sewerage) to 72 major communities
(Attachment A), which is approximately 80% of NT remote indigenous communities population. In addition,
the Territory funds the provision of power and water in 28 outstations and water only in a further four
outstations, through historical and exceptional arrangements with the Australian government.
smaller communities (approximately 20% of NT remote indigenous community’s population).
Questions relating to federal government policy and funding should be referred to my federal counterpart.
The Australian government provides in the order of $60m per annum to Australian government-funded
NT communities.
104. Indigenous Housing – NT Government Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How much did the Northern Territory government put into Indigenous Housing in 2004-05?
2. Why is it so little?
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05, the NT government allocated $24.39m to indigenous housing consisting of $19.69m in Commonwealth/State
Housing Agreement allocations to the NT, and $4.7m in Territory appropriations.
2. The NT contributes 58% of the IHANT budget. In addition, since in excess of 25% of public housing tenants are indigenous
citizens, over one-quarter of the Community Service Obligation contributions to Territory Housing contribute to addressing indigenous housing needs.
105. Aboriginal Rental Housing Program
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
How much is the Northern Territory government carrying forward in funds from the Aboriginal Rental Housing Program in 2004-05?
ANSWER
$18 262 392.
A major contributing factor to the cash carry over was the fact that the Australian government provided $13 623 841 to the NT in late June 2004. These funds comprised:
Additional untied
- funding $8 593 841
Purchase of housing
- (Yilli Rreung) $1 500 000
- (Alice Springs) $2 030 000
106. Public Housing - Evictions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How many evictions in public housing have there been in the Northern Territory in 2004-05?
2. Provide a breakdown for each town and city.
3. How many of these eviction matters went to court?
4. Provide a breakdown or each town and city of eviction matters that went to court.
5. How many people were ordered by courts to be evicted?
6. Provide a breakdown for each town and city for those people ordered by courts to be evicted.
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05 a total of 34 public housing evictions occurred in the Northern Territory.
2. Please see the table below for the regional breakdown:
| Region | 2004-05 |
| Alice Springs | 5 |
| Katherine | 5 |
| Tennant Creek | 0 |
| Nhulunbuy | 0 |
| Darwin/Casuarina/ Palmerston | 24 |
| TOTAL | 34 |
3. Three eviction matters went to court.
4. All three evictions were in the Darwin/Casuarina/Palmerston area.
5. Three tenants were evicted. Territory Housing does not have record of the total numbers of people affected by the evictions.
6. See answer to Question 4.
107. Public Housing - Rental Debt
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. What is the level of debt owed to Territory Housing in rental arrears?
2. Why are rental arrears not included in the budget papers?
ANSWER
1. As at 31 July 2005, a total of $1.8m was owed to Territory Housing for public housing rental arrears, including ceased tenancies.
2. The level of Territory Housing’s debtors is not specifically disclosed in 2005-06 Budget Paper No 3 (BP3). However, reducing
rental arrears is a priority of Territory Housing. Accordingly, public housing rental arrears are identified as a performance
measure in BP3 (page 205).
The ‘Total rent collected as a percentage of total rent charged’ performance measure reflects tenant rental arrears as a percentage of the total amount of rent charged/rent collected under the public housing business line.
- While it is difficult to provide specific details in financial terms in BP3, an estimate for outstanding debtors that incorporates rental arrears is provided in the Statement of Financial Position (page 209). More detailed information on outstanding debts is published in the department’s annual report.
108. Public Housing – Repairs and Maintenance
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
What is the total cost for public housing repairs and maintenance in 2004-05, and why is there no reference to this in the budget papers?
ANSWER
Repairs and maintenance has always been included in Territory Housing’s budget estimates. Specifically, estimates for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 years are provided in Budget Paper No 4 (pages 11, 37 and 38) and in Budget Paper No 3 (page 208).
The 2004-05 expenditure figures are estimates only, as they do not include any late budget adjustments that may be required as part of the year end processes. These adjustments are often not known until after the budget papers are published.
In terms of total expenditure on public housing, the unaudited figures at 30 June 2005 are:
$18.4m spent on repairs and maintenance; and
109. Public Housing – Bad Tenants
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HOUSING
1. How many complaints were received across the Northern Territory about public housing bad tenants in 2004—05?
2. What was the cost of dealing with them? What actions were taken?
ANSWER
Noise and nuisance/antisocial behaviour complaints:
For the period July 2004 to June 2005, the Client Relations Officer for Territory Housing received a total of 70 complaints relating to noise and nuisance and antisocial behaviour by public housing tenants across the NT. However, Territory Housing Area Offices reported that they receive the following per week:
| Darwin: | an average of 20 to 25 per week. Approaches mostly come by phone contact. |
| Casuarina: | an average of 25 to 35 per week. Approaches come via phone contact, representation at the counter or through written correspondence. |
| Palmerston: | an average of 24 per week. Most approaches made by phone and mail. |
| Alice Springs: | an average of five a week. |
| Katherine: | an average of two to three per week, with approaches made at the counter. |
| Nhulunbuy: | an average of two a week, mainly by phone contact. |
All complaints are addressed in line with the Territory Housing Operational Policy Manual, Section 11.5, ‘Good Neighbour Policy’. Territory Housing staff address complaints in a number of ways, depending on the seriousness, frequency and type of the complaint.
Action undertaken by TH may include:
issuing a verbal warning;
Community Justice, financial counselling and a range of other support services.
Generally, tenants who are the subject of serious, frequent or ongoing complaints have vacated their public housing dwelling before the matter has progressed to court.
Costs of dealing with complaints are subsumed within Territory Housing’s tenancy management operational costs, and are not separately identified.
112. Export Market Multiplier Factor
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Austrade has publicly supported its claim that the multiplier factor of export assistance grants from its Export Market Development Grants Scheme is in the order of $12 of export value for every $1 of EMDG grant. What is the equivalent effectiveness benchmark for TSS?
ANSWER
Austrade’s claim of $12 of export value for every $1 of EMDG grant was made as part of a formal evaluation study of the scheme undertaken in 2000.
The claim was made at a time when the scheme’s impact on export revenue was being discussed.
Subsequent to the claim, the Australian parliament agreed that under the provisions of the Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2003 the EMDG scheme is not explicitly about export impact. It is about assisting firms into foreign markets through export marketing and promotion.
The Territory’s Trade Support Scheme is designed to assist Territory businesses which do not qualify or do not wish to apply for EMDG to undertake export marketing activities.
TSS has been tested against Australia’s obligations to the WTO and was found to not be in conflict with those obligations.
The effectiveness of TSS is not tied to the achievement of export revenue.
To measure the effectiveness of TSS against export value is wrong and in breach of Australia’s obligations to the WTO.
A measure of effectiveness for TSS has been the uptake of the scheme since its inception. To October 2005, 250 applications have been received for TSS. That is 250 new trade and export opportunities being worked on.
TSS has also been effective in encouraging businesses from all industry sectors of the Northern Territory to apply for assistance. The primary industries, services and tourism sectors have been the highest utilisers of TSS.
116. Trade Links - Development
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for BUSINESS, ECONOMIC and RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
1. How many international trips were taken by members of this government in 2004-05 in the hope of forging new trade links?
2. What was the number of trips in 2003-04?
3. Please provide a cost breakdown of each trip, an itinerary and the job positions of those who travelled with the minister.
4. Please provide details of any consultants taken on these trips.
5. Please provide a list of all expenses incurred while on these trips.
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05, six international missions were led by ministers of this government and a further 12 were undertaken by senior departmental staff with industry delegations.
- Each of these visits was successful in building stronger relationships in the region and missions to areas such as eastern Indonesia, Sabah, Brunei and Germany have already shown results with Territory firms either picking up contracts or currently bidding for work.
2. This compares to five ministerial-led delegations and eight departmental-led delegations in 2003-04.
3. A detailed cost breakdown for each trip, along with the details of those travelling with the various ministers, was provided to the Estimates Committee.
4. No paid consultants were taken on trade missions. All industry delegates, where applicable, had the option of accessing assistance through the Trade Support Scheme.
5. A full and detailed list of expenses incurred during market visits was provided to Estimates Committee.
117. International Territory Business Centres
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What are the costs of the three International Territory Business Centres?
2. How many people do they see per day?
3. How many new trade opportunities have they secured?
4. How many new trade agreements were signed last year, 2004-05; and the year before, 2003-04?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory government currently manages three representative offices – in Jakarta (Indonesia), (Manila) the Philippines, and (Dili) East Timor. All three offices are now the responsibility of the Department of the Chief Minister.
Drs Frans Seda is based in Jakarta,
- Drs Budi Haliman is a consultant to
Drs Seda.
Mr and Mrs Charles and Violy Searby are based in Manila.
Mr Mike Gallagher is the Northern Territory representative in Dili.
The representatives in Jakarta and Manila are employed under contract while the Dili representative is under a direct controlled arrangement through the Department of the Chief Minister.
The representatives and their offices are valuable in fostering the Territory’s trade, social and economic links with the national and regional governments, as well as facilitating trade and investment opportunities in those countries. The Northern Territory international offices provide the following services:
1. Official representation of the Northern Territory in the abovementioned countries (including an office facility).
2. Assist with obtaining access to key government and business people, as well as to provide strategic and general information.
3. Identify and assist in the development of trade and investment opportunities for Territory businesses. (This has resulted in
a number of NT businesses having success in Indonesia and the Philippines).
4. Provide support for Territory business delegations, promotions and trade events.
5. Assist with approvals for country entry and other such processes.
6. Identify and engage experts for specialised tasks.
7. Provide regular reports of activities and outcomes in those countries.
8. Act as liaison between Australian diplomatic and trade staff or government officials as required.
- Some recent examples of the assistance provided by the representative offices are as follows:
Assistance with the Chief Minister’s visit to Indonesia.
Facilitate meetings at senior levels in the Indonesian government for the proposed memorandum of
cooperation on the Abadi field.
Assistance in the Senior Trade Official meetings in Indonesia, and is instrumental in guiding discussion
on cattle and buffalo protocols.
The Philippines Representative Office:
Continue with work on the reintroduction of cattle programs in the Philippines.
Worked with Territory businesses dealing in small goods, building products to education providers,
by introducing Territory firms to business opportunities in those areas.
Provide information on trade opportunities for Territory businesses regularly.
Promote the new mining laws in the Philippines for Territory companies.
Provide support for Northern Territory participation in BIMP-EAGA activities such as trade events,
marketing visits and political contacts.
- The costs of the offices are as follows:
Total expenses for the East Timor office for the FY 2004-05 amounted to $231 144.
The cost for the representative offices in Indonesia and the Philippines amounted to $278 000, for the same period.
No specific trade agreements as such have been signed in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 years; however, a Friendship Province Agreement was entered into as an extension of a previous agreement with the Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China on 29 October 2004 and this agreement includes reference to trade.
126. Trade Strategy
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Your government’s trade strategy sets a target of 50 000 containers per year (or equivalent) by 2007 for land bridge trade across the Port of Darwin. Detail, by year, what has been achieved over the past four years.
ANSWER
It is important to note that the rail operations only commenced in January 2004, with international operations only really commencing around June 2004. To date, FreightLink have advised they have moved in excess of 1300 containers of land bridge freight – essentially via trial shipments. A key focus of the AustralAsia Trade Route strategy is to facilitate more regular shipping services; for example, a direct Surabaya/Darwin service could potentially deliver in excess of 7000 import land bridge containers per annum consisting solely of paper products. A joint trial by Swires and Toll in September is targeting this market.
In addition, the Northern Territory government has actively being pursuing the development of new bulk mineral exports via the East Arm Port including the provision of new bulk handling facilities. The equivalent tonnage of 600 000 tonnes per annum manganese exports to China will equate to approximately 30 000 containers per year.
134. Acute Services Budget
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why was there a blow-out of $14m in Acute Services?
ANSWER
The 2004-05 opening budget for Acute Services was $357.8m as compared to the closing estimate of $371.1m. The following details why the budget for Acute Services increased by $13.3m during the financial year.
$4.3m additional services provided on a fee-for-service basis. This included $1.1m Department of
Veterans Affairs, $960 000 various projects at Royal Darwin Hospital, $616 000 MACA (TIO), $876 000
patient services revenue and $735 000 DCIS services charges.
$100 000 Radiation Oncology Services, $60 000 Community Midwifery Program.
costs to best reflect output consumption and to meet service demands.
139. Royal Darwin Hospital – Emergency Department
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
In March this year, a nurse at Royal Darwin Hospital wrote to the Chief Minister to highlight her ‘extreme concerns’ about the Emergency Department. She wrote that ‘what is really needed is an urgent increase in funding for the entire hospital …’ and that ‘increasing bed numbers needs to occur now’. She also wrote that nurses are concerned that an ‘unavoidable death’ would occur unless action was taken.
What actions have been taken to address these issues of concern?
ANSWER
Two key initiatives have commenced to ease the pressure on the Emergency Department (ED) staff, reduce patient wait times and free up beds in Royal Darwin Hospital. These are the expansion of Hospital in the Home, and the introduction of a Discharge Lounge.
140. Royal Darwin Hospital – Nurse Shortages
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Health budget appears to have done nothing to address the ongoing concerns of nurses at Royal Darwin Hospital, nor does it acknowledge, let alone seek to address, the shortages of nurses in our hospitals.
Why have you ignored the nurses, and what do you say to Territorians like the Minister for Family and Community Services who have to wait up to 24 hours to be attended to when they present to Accident and Emergency?
ANSWER
This government has worked very hard to address the nursing shortage, a shortage which has not only affected the Northern Territory, but is acknowledged Australia-wide.
In 2001, a commitment was made to create 75 new hospital nurse positions. This was exceeded with over 100 extra nurses in the Northern Territory – both within and outside our public hospitals. In 2005, a further commitment has been made to increase nursing numbers in Acute Care by a further 75 from 2005 to 2009.
While I cannot comment on specific cases, over the past 12 months, the hospital has regularly experienced ‘access block’ in the Emergency Department (ED). This is a national phenomenon, which is manifested by an inability to move presenting patients requiring admission to a bed within the hospital. During their time in the ED, patients are, of course, treated and afforded first-rate care by medical and nursing staff in that area. Other very important initiatives include the expansion of Hospital in the Home, and the introduction of a Discharge Lounge.
141. Community Health Services – Cut to Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why have you cut funding to Community Health Services by $6m, and do you admit you have failed to reduce the burden of ill-health and the need for hospitalisation for Territorians?
ANSWER
While there is a $5.467m decrease in the Community Health Services output budget, there has been a considerable review in the way the costs were mapped to the output groups, thereby resulting in an increase in the Admitted Patient Services output. With carry overs, cancellation of Commonwealth funded programs and additional new Commonwealth funded programs, there has, in effect, been no significant change.
142. Midwives
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. Detail how many midwives were employed in Northern Territory hospitals as at 1 July 2004 and provide their locations.
2. Detail how many midwives were employed in Northern Territory hospitals as at 1 July 2005 and provide their locations.
ANSWER
See attachment.
143. Northern Territory Hospitals – General Bed Capacity
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
In the Northern Territory election, your government promised extra funding for more general beds in Northern Territory hospitals.
Please detail how many extra beds there will be, the cost to provide these beds, a breakdown by hospitals, and when the program of extra beds will be implemented.
ANSWER
During the 2005 election, 24 additional beds were promised for each of Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital, to be phased in over the current term of government.
145. Hospital Performance Benchmarks
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Please provide the details of how Northern Territory hospitals meet or do not meet the accepted benchmarks for treatment within the specific performance levels for each category.
ANSWER
The 2004-05 Northern Territory hospital performance benchmarks for elective surgery waiting list, Emergency Department and admitted patient average length of stay are as given below.
For the 2004-05 period, the percentage of patients admitted from the elective surgery waiting list within their urgency category time limit are given in Table 1 in attachment.
For the 2004-05 period, the percentage of Emergency Department patients treated within the limit for their allocated triage category are given in Table 2 in attachment.
Admitted patient average length of stay:
- There has been a 2% reduction in average length of stay and a 10.1% increase in same day separations over the 2004-05 financial year.
These figures are consistent with national trends. Nationally, there has been a 2.9% reduction in average length of stay and a 4% increase in same day separations over the 2002-03 and 2003-04 period.
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Acute Services has risen from a base of $272m to $371m since 2001. What performance measures are in place to determine the need to increase this funding level and the success of that funding increase?
ANSWER
In 2002-03, the opening budget for Acute Services was $272m as compared to the closing estimate of $371m for 2004-05.
Since 2002-03, $20m of Patient Retrieval and Travel Services are now identified as Acute Services expenditure. $24m was provided for standard wage and price increase adjustments, including funding requirements under revised awards for nursing, doctors and administrative staff, and $11m relates to the introduction of notional Department of Corporate Information Services charges, previously not charged.
Indicators are in place to record and monitor hospital performance. These indicators are required for national reporting requirements such as the Report on Government Services, the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) Annual Report and are also used internally within DHCS.
The indicators reported within the 2004-05 DHCS Annual Report are as per Attachment.
A snapshot comparing jurisdictional hospital performance was published in The State of Our Public Hospitals, June 2005 report. This snapshot highlights the workload of the NT public hospitals and our level of performance compared with other jurisdictions.
150. Abortions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Please provide the number of abortions performed in Northern Territory hospitals in 2004-05 and the average cost per abortion.
ANSWER
The total number of medical abortions performed in NT hospitals in 2004-05 was 905 and the average cost per medical abortion was $1577.
151. Oncology Unit
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
There were a number of initiatives the government promised during the 2001 election for cancer sufferers and terminally-ill people. Those promises were not met, but have been promised again four years later.
What is the status of your oncology unit promise?
ANSWER
The request for proposals from organisations interested in establishing a radiotherapy facility in Darwin was advertised nationally and closed on 3 August 2005. Responses are currently being considered, taking into account suggested models for establishing radiotherapy services in Darwin and enhancing and consolidating existing arrangements of support services.
Proposed models will be developed in consultation with the Australian government Department of Health and Ageing for consideration by Cabinet.
152. Community Health Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why has the 2005-06 budget for Community Health Services been cut by $5.467m?
ANSWER
While there is a $5.467m decrease in the Community Health Services output budget, there has been a considerable review in the way the costs were mapped to the output groups, thereby resulting in an increase in the Admitted Patient Services output.
With carry overs, cancellation of Commonwealth funded programs and additional new Commonwealth funded programs, there has, in effect, been no significant change.
153. Dental Health Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. How is the lack of public dentists in the Northern Territory affecting the government’s ability to deliver service in the area of oral health?
2. How many dentists are currently operating at the Darwin and Alice Springs Dental Clinics and does this meet the full needs of the clinics?
3. Detail the number of full-time public dentists operating in Territory centres other than Darwin and Alice Springs Dental Clinics.
4. Did the government undertake any recruitment campaigns amongst graduates and experienced dentists in 2004-05? If so, what was the outcome and how many dentists were recruited?
5. Who is providing the children’s dental service for 2005-06 and how many of the positions are filled?
6. How does this compare to 2003-04?
7. Please detail how many dental therapists are employed by the Department of Health by town centre.
8. Are all the Northern Territory’s dental therapist positions filled?
9. Are all of the Northern Territory’s technician support positions filled?
10. Are all of the Oral Health Service administrative support positions currently filled?
11. What are the Darwin and Palmerston clinics’ waiting times for general treatment?
12. In Katherine, Alice Springs, Gove and Tennant Creek, what is the waiting time for general treatment?
13. Are private dentists used to help reduce these waiting times. If so, what is the hourly rate they are paid at?
14. What does the practice which actually provides you with the private dental sessions receive by way of remuneration?
ANSWER
1. Oral Health Services NT has achieved positive results in the recruitment and retention of dentists through an active recruitment campaign and new competitive salary rates. The number of dentists has increased over the past six months to almost full staffing. Two previous part-time staff have elected to take up full-time positions. Some positions are filled with temporary staff. Oral Health Services NT continues to actively promote and advertise positions to attract long-term staff. There have been a number of recent resignations and this will have an immediate impact on activity levels and waiting times. These positions, as well as other positions filled by temporary staff, are currently being advertised nationally and in New Zealand.
- Oral Health Services NT has had an increase in activity over the past 12 months, which is directly linked to the increase in dentists employed.
2. There are 10 dentist positions based in Darwin. All these positions have dentist against them in either a permanent, part-time, casual or private contract basis.
- All five dentist positions in Alice Springs are currently filled by permanent and temporary staff.
- There has been a reduction in waiting times at both Darwin and Alice Springs clinics.
3. Gove: There is one full-time position for Gove. Public dental services are contracted to the private dental practice based in Gove. The public dental services provided in this region are equal to 0.9 of a full-time position.
- Katherine: There is one full-time position based in Katherine. This position services Katherine and surrounding remote communities that are not part of the Katherine West Health Board.
- The permanent public dentist based in Katherine resigned in July 2005. The position has been filled with a locum dentist to the end of November 2005. A national recruitment campaign is under way to recruit a long-term dentist to this position.
- Tennant Creek: In the past, public dental services have been contracted to the private dentist service in Tennant Creek. The private dentist left in January 2005. National advertising to attract another private dentist to Tennant Creek has not been successful to date. Department of Health and Community Services staff from Alice Springs currently provide a visiting service. The dentist employed by Anyinginyi Congress in Tennant Creek provides emergency services.
4. A targeted recruitment campaign was devised to encourage dentists to come and work in the Northern Territory in 2004.
A ‘road show’ to every Australian dental school in 2004 attracted expressions of interest from final year students who are interested in working in both the Top End and in Central Australia.
- These initiatives have had some success:
A dentist from the UK commenced work in Alice Springs in February 2005 for 12 months.
5. Top End:
Dental therapist teams comprising a dental therapist and a dental assistant deliver dental services to infants, preschool and primary school students across the Top End.
Central Australia:
Dental therapist teams deliver dental services to infants, preschool and primary school students in Alice Springs and some rural communities.
6. An additional dental therapist team, based in Nhulunbuy, has been funded from 2005-06.
7. See attachment.
8. Yes.
9. All positions in the technical stream are filled.
10. All positions in the administration stream are filled.
11. See attachment.
12. See attachment.
13. The private dental practice in Gove is contracted to provide public dental services. There is no waiting time for public dental treatment is Gove. The contract rate is confidential.
- A private dentist is contracted to provide general dental services from Darwin Dental Clinic. This service treats clients from the general waiting list. The contract rate is confidential.
- The Night and Day Dental Clinic in Casuarina and Dr Mario Carusi in Katherine provides emergency after hours treatment for public dental clients. These services do not impact on the general waiting lists. The contract rate is confidential.
- The Smith Street Dental Surgery is contracted to supply dental services to Port Keats. The contract rate is confidential.
14. This information is contained in the confidential agreements.
154. Mobile Dialysis Units
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
What is the status of the use of mobile dialysis units across the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory is using dedicated, transportable renal dialysis facilities. These facilities are not ‘mobile’ but can be relocated. Relocatable facilities are freestanding, un-staffed, clean and safe facilities to carry out haemodialysis and store consumables. The facility can be relocated to another community if the number of people requiring dialysis in the first community decreases through natural attrition. These facilities are currently located at Galiwinku, Maningrida, Warruwi, and plans are being made for Belyuen community.
155. Royal Darwin Hospital - Hospice
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. What are the construction costs and staffing levels for the hospice at Royal Darwin Hospital?
2. What are the costs for furnishing the hospice?
3. Does funding for the hospice include furnishings such as curtains, cutlery, crockery and TV sets?
ANSWER
1. The construction costs allocated for the hospice are $4.25m. The hospice is staffed for 23 full-time equivalent staff.
2. $240 000 has been allocated for furnishing the hospice.
3. This funding does include furnishings such as curtains, cutlery, crockery and TV sets.
156. Government and Non-government Managed Community Health Centres
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Could you explain what non-government and government-managed rural health community centres are, and how many of each there are and who funds them?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory government (NTG) manages 62 remote/rural community health centres within the Northern Territory. These centres are staffed by employees of the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) and, in most cases, the buildings are owned, and operational costs are covered by, the NTG.
In addition, there are 31 health centres in communities within the Northern Territory which are managed by non-government organisations (NGO). Where a health centre is managed by an NGO, it may also have DHCS nursing staff contracted to the organisation, and may also receive additional funding to employ staff or special purpose grant funding. These organisations include Katherine West Health Board, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Sunrise Health Service, and Anyinginyi Congress. These organisations are co-funded by the Australian government through funding bodies such as the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, the NTG and through their organisations.
Non-government managed health clinics have occurred where an Aboriginal organisation and the community decided to manage or auspice their own health service.
DHCS is involved in all community health centres throughout the Northern Territory in some way, through staffing, management, funding or grant funding.
157. Preventable Chronic Diseases
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
How much money will be spent on the government’s Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy in 2005-06 and how does the amount compare to what was spent in 2004-05?
ANSWER
Expenditure 2004-05 $8.316m
Allocation 2005-06 $8.884m
Additional Australian government funding is expected in 2005-06 but does not yet appear in the allocation.
159. Community Health Services – Budget 2005-06
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Community Health Services has been cut in the 2005-06 budget by nearly $6m. These services are aimed at improving health through education and development, prevention and early intervention. The outcome for these services is, according to Budget Paper No 3 at page 125, ‘that the burden of ill-health in the community and the need for hospitalisation are reduced’.
More people are estimated to be admitted into Northern Territory hospitals in the next financial year, based on estimates in the budget.
Why have you cut funding to Community Health Services by $6m, and do you admit you have failed to reduce the burden of ill-health and the need for hospitalisation for Territorians?
ANSWER
While there is a $5.467m decrease in the Community Health Services output budget, there has been a considerable review in the way the costs were mapped to the output groups, thereby resulting in an increase in the Admitted Patient Services output.
With carry overs, cancellation of Commonwealth funded programs and additional new Commonwealth funded programs, there has, in effect, been no significant change.
160. Dengue Mosquito Outbreak and Vaccine Distribution
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. The dengue mosquito outbreak in Tennant Creek was of great concern in the earlier part of 2004-05. Have the programs put in place completely eradicated the dengue mosquitoes in Tennant Creek?
2. What is the number of vaccines to be distributed by the department in 2004-05 to place like community health centres and GPs, and how do you determine the number of vaccines that will be required?
ANSWER
1. The dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti was discovered in Tennant Creek in February 2004. An initial survey and control program conducted by Department of Health and Community Services in 2004 inspected 1100 properties and found 89 of these breeding Aedes aegypti. The initial control program dramatically reduced the numbers of Aedes aegypti.
As of November 2005, there had been no new detections in the previous 42 weeks of Aedes aegypti in Tennant Creek.
2. Currently there is no available vaccine against the dengue virus. The eradication of the mosquito in Tennant Creek and continued vigilance, surveillance and control programs to keep the dengue mosquito out of the NT will prevent outbreaks of dengue disease in the NT.
161. Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. How much money will be spent on the government’s Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy in 2005-06 and how does the amount compare to what was spent in 2004-05?
2. Detail the programs that make up the strategy and their allocation. Detail the program outcomes for 2004-05.
ANSWER
1. Expenditure 2004-05 $8.316m
- Allocation 2005-06 $8.884m
- Additional Australian government funding is expected in 2005-06 but does not yet appear in the allocation.
2. See attachment.
162. HIV/AIDS
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. How much is being spent on the HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Program in 2004-05 and how will this money be spent? Will it be spent in line with the recommendations of the Bansemer Review?
2. How many HIV-positive reports were there in the Northern Territory in 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. The total expenditure across the Northern Territory in 2004-05 in the HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Program, now known as the Sexual Health/Blood Borne Viruses Unit (SHBBV Unit), was $4 571 027.
- The Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) has addressed the areas of concern identified in the Bansemer Review by strengthening existing projects and developing new responses.
2. HIV positive reports in the Northern Territory:
| Period | No of cases |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 year to date | 4 |
| 2004-05 financial year | 3 |
163. STD Rates in the Northern Territory
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. Was there any reduction in the STD rates in the Northern Territory in 2004-05?
2. Is the measured incidence of notifiable diseases – bacterial and sexually-transmitted diseases – going up?
ANSWER
See attachment.
168. Health – Budget Promotion
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
1. Was any money spent by the Department of Health on the 2005-06 post-budget promotion campaign?
2. If so, how much was spent on print media?
3. How much was spent on electronic media?
4. How much was spent on brochure production and direct mail?
5. How much was spent on DVD/CD production?
ANSWER
Nil.
Any budget 2005-06 items were included in general departmental promotional activity about services and health promotion.
169. Health - Reports Produced
1. Detail expenditure for your department in 2004-05 on reports produced that have been either outsourced or produced internally.
2. What was the purpose of the reports?
3. Who or what organisation prepared the reports?
4. What was the cost of the report?
5. Which reports have been tabled in parliament?
6 What has been the outcome of those reports?
ANSWER
1.
Katherine Regional Plan.
Central Australian Regional Plan.
2.
Each Regional Plan, Katherine, Central Australian and East Arnhem, is a blueprint for that area in providing health and community services.
3. The Department of Health and Community Services.
4.
Katherine Regional Plan - 750 copies costing $3458.
DHCS Annual Report 2003-04 - 1000 copies costing $19 232.
6. All reports were distributed to interested individuals and agencies and listed on the DHCS Intranet web site.
- Departmental publications are listed on the DHCS web site www.nt.gov.au/health/publications.
171. Office of Chief Minister – Ministerial Office Budget
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the budget for your ministerial office in 2004-05?
ANSWER
The budget of the Minister for Health for 2004-05 was $0.989m.
184. Police Aircraft Servicing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
What servicing arrangements are in place for the maintenance of Northern Territory Police aircraft? Is there any compelling reason that maintenance work would be carried out on police aircraft interstate rather than with Northern Territory companies?
ANSWER
The service contract for the Pilatus PC-12 police aircraft was recently held by a Northern Territory business operator, who did not renew the contract which concluded on 31 May 2005.
Following a request for new tenders in March 2005, it emerged that no operators in the Northern Territory who tendered for this work could offer factory-trained staff at the time. Due to the important specialist support role provided by the police aircraft, immediate alternate servicing arrangements were required to prevent the possibility of the aircraft becoming grounded through a lack of maintenance.
Routine maintenance on both police aircraft is carried out in Alice Springs at the Police Air Section’s leased hangar by a factory-trained engineer based in Alice Springs in conjunction with factory-trained staff from a South Australian operator. Non-routine maintenance is carried out in Alice Springs by this Alice Springs-based engineer, whilst non-routine maintenance is carried out in Darwin by SAE Aircraft Engineering and Total Avionics Services. Both are Northern Territory-based business operators; however, neither operator in Darwin employs factory-trained staff. This deficiency was overcome however, by consultation with the South Australian operator who has two qualified staff and use of the Pilatus factory representative, if required.
Whenever an aircraft maintenance task exceeds the capability of both Northern Territory options, the police aircraft is flown to Adelaide to the home base of the aircraft’s distributor, Pilatus Australia. This has the added advantage of maintenance being conducted close to vital spare parts, and close to the Pilatus Factory Engineering and Technical Representative.
Until permanent tender arrangements that include provision of trained staff, the continued airworthiness and safe operation of the police aircraft is best achieved through the use of trained engineers who, unfortunately, may not be based in the Northern Territory. It is estimated that each police aircraft may be required to travel to Adelaide once a year for routine maintenance under this temporary servicing arrangement.
It is hoped that permanent tender arrangements using an NT operator can be achieved in the near future. The NT Police supports the use of local business operators wherever possible; however, in this instance, it must be balanced against the best maintenance achievable and the safest operation possible of these two valuable and essential assets.
NTPFES is in the process of obtaining approval to decline tenders, and a new specification will be developed in the near future and advertised accordingly.
185. Papunya Investigation
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
An investigation is currently under way into the misappropriation of funds and property at the Aboriginal community of Papunya.
Have Northern Territory Police been involved in any forms of investigations into monies or property gone missing from Papunya during 2004-05?
ANSWER
For the period 2004-05, there were 16 reported stealing incidents reported to Papunya police. The majority of incidents were minor in nature such as stealing petrol from vehicles. Four of these incidents involved Papunya Council, and details are as follows:
The stealing of an envelope containing $2642 cash in March 2005 from the front counter area of the Papunya Council Office. No suspect identified.
The stealing of Community Development Employment Program wages of $2904 in December 2004 from the cash tin. No suspect identified.
Two matters involved the former Office Manager of Mt Liebig Community underpaying travel allowance to council members, and removal of council property when leaving the community. The matters are still under investigation.
The most recent complaint arose on Thursday, 1 September 2005, when a complaint was received alleging property belonging to the Lyappa Social Club Incorporated (Papunya Store and Social Club) had been unlawfully disposed of. NT Police are currently investigating this claim.
188. Traffic Infringement Notices
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
1. Could you advise how many traffic infringement notices for speeding have been issued on a year-to-year basis over the past three years, and what the income from those was on a year-to-year basis over the last three years?
2. Have you recorded any traffic infringements in the period 2004-05?
3. Could you advise how many traffic infringement notices for other than speeding have been issued on a year-to-year basis over the last three years?
ANSWER
1. In 2004-05, 24 813 speeding offences were dealt with through the issue of traffic infringement notices. This represents a 13% reduction when compared to the 2003-04 figure of 28 551. In 2002-03, there were 34 414 speeding offences. Based on data supplied by the Fines and Recovery Unit, $2 823 122, $3 701 315 and $3 542 378 were received for financial years 2004-05, 2003-04 and 2002-03 respectively. These amounts account for camera, traffic and traffic offence infringement types, and exclude those infringement notices with a ‘withdrawn’ status.
2. Answered above and below.
3. In 2004-05, 9203 offences were dealt with through the issue of traffic infringement notices that were for offences other than speeding offences. In 2003-04 there were 9876, and in 2002-03 there were 7656.
189. Road Safety Strategies
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
You spent a small fortune boasting you were recruiting more police. What educational strategies were implemented in 2004-05 to educate drivers on better road safety and to help save lives on our roads?
ANSWER
The Road Safety Division continues to coordinate Territory-wide road safety campaigns. These are normally associated with major public events such as Christmas, Easter, and back to school, with localised enforcement operations being conducted on a regional level and timed to correspond with local events when large numbers of people can be expected on our roads, such a regional shows, V8 Supercars, Adelaide River Races, Camel Cup, Henley-on-Todd and Darwin Cup.
The Lasseter Highway Speed Enforcement Program has significantly impacted on the reduction of accidents and road injuries occurring in the southern region of the Territory since its inception on 17 December 2001. The program is now in its fourth year of operation, and compared to the average of the three years before commencing the program, statistics show a 50% reduction in fatal accidents, 60% reduction in serious injured accidents, and a 60% reduction in minor injury accidents. The successful trial of the speed restrictions coupled with active enforcement remains a consideration on other roads where speed is a continuing factor in fatal and injury-related crashes.
Speed cameras continue to be one of the most effective methods of reducing speed-related crashes in monitored areas. The decline in offences detected can be largely attributed to an increased proactive policing presence on Territory roads and greater compliance by motorists. The public are also aware of targeted speed camera hot spots and are complying with road rules at those hot spots at greater levels than in previous years.
The Northern Territory Police Force, in conjunction with the Road Safety Division, also commenced the Beat the Heat initiative to encourage young drivers to stop the dangerous practice of illegal street racing on public streets, and encourage them to undertake this activity in a safe and controlled environment at organised motor racing events. The program is linked to both Road Safety and Crime Prevention Strategies and has proven popular with both young drivers and police.
The Look After Your Mates Aboriginal Road Safety Program was developed in 2003 using a community approach, and included the three major elements of road safety; that is, education, engineering and enforcement. The theme Look After Your Mates uses family bond as a motivation factor to increase community road safety awareness.
All police stations are required to develop and implement local Aboriginal road safety action plans and report back to the Road Safety Division on a monthly basis. The Look After Your Mates Program utilises Aboriginal Community Police Officers and Remote Area Patrols and Night Patrols to promote Aboriginal road safety at a local level by targeting non-wearing of seat belts, overcrowding, alcohol-related driving offences, grog runners, unroadworthy vehicles (life endangering defects), and pedestrians.
196. Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services – Office Budget
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the minister’s office budget for 2004-05?
ANSWER
1. The 2004-05 budget for the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services was $1.087m.
197. Police, Fire and Emergency Services – Travel Expenditure 2004-05
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
What was your expenditure on interstate and overseas travel during 2004-05?
ANSWER
Total expenditure in 2004-05 for this portfolio was:
Interstate travel $8133.
202. Health and Community Services – Complaints Lodged
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The 2003-04 Health and Community Services Complaints Commission’s Annual Report lists, on page 126, a table of the number of complaints against each government agency.
Your Department of Family and Community Services has seen a steady increase in the number of complaints lodged with the Commission over the past three reported years.
2001-02 26
2002-03 30
2003-04 48
The trend is obvious and the growth significant.
1. What sort of things are people complaining about?
2. Why is the number of complaints going up?
3. What is being done to address this situation?
ANSWER
The Department of Health and Community Services have been unable to locate the data provided above at the source identified. Included for confirmation is a copy of the covering page of the annual report (Attachment A), page 126 (Attachment B) and Appendix 8 ‘Index of Tables’ (Attachment C, D).
1. Without access to the data it is not possible to respond to this question.
- The comprehensive analysis of complaints data required to provide an absolute response in relation to this question would be extremely costly and difficult to manage due to the diverse work areas of my portfolio and established national reporting requirements.
- Without commenting on the source data, the Family and Children’s Services Program are anecdotally aware of a number of factors that may be contributing to the apparent increase in complaints:
- Many of the factors outlined above as anecdotally contributing to the apparent increase in complaints received against the department are related to improved processes and transparency of the agency; this should be supported as it indicates adherence to the basic tenets of good governance.
In analysing complaints data, caution should be used as many of the areas covered within the Family and Community Services portfolio are contentious and emotive and are therefore more likely to attract complaints.
203. Housing Modifications for People with a Disability
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
I am advised (IDA) that the Housing Department has the funding to modify houses/units for people with a disability, but as there is only one OT in the DHCS allocated to this job (to do the assessments of client/home) and he/she cannot cope with the workload, there is a hefty wait for modifications.
What is being done to address this problem?
ANSWER
All occupational therapists are trained in the assessment of people who have a disability either short or long term, and in the prescription of equipment and environmental modifications to enable the individual to actively participate in all aspects of their life.
There are currently 34 occupational therapy positions within the Department of Health and Community Services providing services to meet the wide range of needs for their clients of all age groups, which includes assessments and prescriptions for house modifications. These positions are located in multidisciplinary teams focusing on particular regions and age groups. Where vacancies arise, every effort is made to support the work from therapists managed in other teams.
There are also non-government sector, private and Australian government occupational therapists who provide this service in the areas of children’s services, adult acute care, adult rehabilitation and workers compensation.
205. Frail and Aged – TIME Scheme
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
I am advised that some people are stuck in hospital longer than is needed because requests to the TIME Scheme for equipment get held up. Apparently, certain requests have to be considered by a committee that only meets monthly.
What can you do to alleviate the delay in supply of equipment to the elderly under the TIME Scheme?
ANSWER
The Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment (TIME) Scheme is managed to minimise delays for people requiring equipment to return home.
Standard items that are held in stock are provided immediately on discharge, while items requiring supply from interstate are usually provided within two weeks. Short-term loan equipment is also available.
Non-standard items are reviewed by a Prescriptions Committee. These are either highly specialised items or equipment requiring modifications to meet specific needs. The Prescriptions Committee meets weekly to approve such purchases to expedite processing of requests.
Many of these items are required to be ordered from interstate and can be subject to longer delays in supply. Where lengthy delays may occur, temporary options are considered provided they do not compromise client safety.
206. Disability Services - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The NT Council of Social Services met with representatives from your department in an effort to lobby for improvements in government spending and direction. One of their concerns expressed at this meeting was the high need for growth funds in the area of disability services. I quote ‘availability of services to clients is decreasing and cost of equipment items are increased. Need to increase funds to the TIME Scheme’.
1. Why is it, according to NTCOSS, that the availability of services to clients is going down and when the cost of equipment is increasing?
2. What will you do to stop this service from deteriorating further this financial year?
ANSWER
The Northern Territory government provides equipment such as wheelchairs to Territorians with disabilities under the Territory Independence Mobility Equipment Scheme (TIMES).
The 2005-06 funding allocation for the scheme was 10% more than the 2004-05 allocation (from $1 013 000 for 2004-05 to $1 116 496 for 2005-06) and there has been no reduction of funds or services for people with disabilities.
207. Frail and Aged Services - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
I have met with representatives of a number of non-government organisations providing services to frail aged people and people with a disability. They have expressed their concern about the lengthening delay in being advised each financial year as to whether or not their application for HACC (Home and Community care) funding had been approved. Last year, the advice did not come through until November.
Given the struggle NGOs have in providing their service, why does it take so long for them to find out how much money they will get – half the year is nearly gone by the time they find out?
ANSWER
Funding for services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program is provided on both a recurrent and one-off basis.
Services funded on a recurrent basis are generally funded under a three-year service agreement between the organisation and the service provider and have continuity of funding guaranteed for the life of the service agreement, subject to satisfactory delivery of that service as per the terms of the agreement.
Recurrent funding for new or expanded HACC service, or one-off funding for a time limited HACC project is granted via a grants funding round each year. The Northern Territory HACC Plan, which determines the priority areas for the allocation of these funds, is drafted in July each year. Advertisements calling for applications for the HACC funding round are placed in newspapers across the Northern Territory in August or September each year.
After the application deadline, a funding panel assesses all received submissions. Once the panel has assessed all submissions, panel recommendations are forwarded to the Northern Territory Minister for Family and Community Services, via the Department of Health and Community Services and then to the Australian government’s minister for Ageing, via their Department of Health and Ageing.
A joint announcement regarding the outcomes of the funding round is made by the Minister for Family and Community Services and the Australian government’s minister for Ageing, usually in November each year.
208. Disability Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
In the past, nurses from community health centres would do things like change catheters in the home and cut toe nails.
Why is this service, currently being provided by your department to people with a disability, being curtailed?
ANSWER
Community Health clients with continence issues are regularly assessed and monitored. The services received by individual clients are in accordance with their care regime, which includes changing catheters. This service is unchanged.
With regard to the cutting of toe nails, this service has not been provided by Community Health nurses for many years. Community Health nurses assess their clients and eligible clients are referred to podiatry services as required.
In addition, where appropriate, Aged and Disability Services facilitate private nursing services to provide foot care services for aged and/or disabled clients.
209. FACS Review
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
A review of the current problems was conducted in August – November last year.
2. If not, why not?
3. Are any improvements in service to people with a disability expected?
ANSWER
A review into the workplace at Casuarina and Palmerston took place over Christmas and January 2005 with the full support and participation of staff at all levels.
1. The review was internal and the report has been released to staff.
2. The report was commissioned to address the stress and other concerns raised by staff. The report has been released to staff and staff are participating in the development of implementation strategies to address the issues identified through the review.
3. Yes. Services to people with a disability continue to be expanded, but not as a result of this review into departmental workplace issues.
210. Carpentaria Disability Services
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. What went wrong with Carpentaria Disability Services? (IDA advise: service agreement should have been monitored and followed up. This does not happened – same happens with other NGOs).
2. What are you going to change to prevent a re-occurrence of this problem?
ANSWER
On 29 September 2004, Carpentaria Disability Services (CDS) held its annual general meeting. At this meeting, concerns were raised by some CDS members regarding CDS’ governance, financial accountability, service quality and the sale of property.
Subsequent to this meeting, various CDS members raised concerns with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs. In response to these concerns, the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs authorised an investigation under the Associations Act on 18 October 2004. The investigation subsequently found several issues of concern regarding the association’s governance and financial affairs. The Commissioner of Consumer Affairs appointed a Statutory Manager, Mr Iain Summers, on 6 December 2004 for an initial period of three months. A new Board of CDS was elected by members on 20 April 2005, and statutory management ceased on 27 April 2005.
In response to other complaints, the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) advised CDS on 22 October 2004 that a separate independent service review would occur.
In November 2004, DHCS employed a consultant to undertake an independent review with CDS regarding service quality and communication issues.
DHCS is providing ongoing support to CDS to improve service quality and financial management.
DHCS has made arrangements to assist CDS to service its accrued debt by approving a loan to be secured against the organisation’s property at Tiwi. This loan may be converted to a grant some time after 12 months, if CDS is performing satisfactorily.
DHCS, NT Treasury and CDS have set up a monitoring group to monitor CDS’ service and financial performance.
DHCS regularly monitors the performance of all funded organisations via annual audited financial statements, half-yearly performance reports and financial reports, and through meetings between departmental staff and the funded organisations.
Issues of governance and broader financial accountability are matters for the respective boards or governing bodies of organisations to oversee.
211. Mental Health Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
On 12 October last year, you launched Mental Health Week in Raintree Park – remember the snakes and ladders game? You said in your speech that, since coming to office, Labor had increased funding to mental health by 90%.
1. How is that calculated (A: Green CLP BB compared to 2004-05 budget)?
2. How does the change to accrual accounting which has occurred during this time impact on the figures?
3. So, by including the bookwork changes caused by the change to accrual accounting in your claim of an increase of 90% - is this increase claim a deliberate attempt to mislead people?
4. If you claim it is true to say you have nearly doubled expenditure on mental health services in three years – a 90% increase – then why have you not reported outputs increased significantly more than reflected in the outputs reported below:
- (i) Total (MH) in-patient separations for the NT:
- 1. 2000-02 p110 883
2. 2003-04 p132 1196
- (ii) Total NT mental health population (hospital and community)
- 3. 2000-01 p110 3664
4. 2003-04 p132 4829?
ANSWER
1. 2001-02 BP3 Mental Health Services published a budget of $13 552m.
- 2004-05 BP3 Mental Health Services published a budget of $25 750m.
Based on these figures the Mental Health Services budget has increased by 90%.
2. The 2001-02 budget figure has been calculated on a cash basis capturing only direct costs. The 2004-05 budget figure is based on an accrual basis. The budget figure incorporates both direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs for 2004-05 include Corporate and Divisional overheads, charges for DCIS services and depreciation costs.
3. As is appropriate when referring to budget figures, the government will use the figures published in the budget papers. These figures demonstrate a 90% increase and were not misleading.
4. It has never been government policy that increases in mental health spending should result in an equivalent increase in mental health in-patients. The government does not measure mental health and wellbeing by the number of in-patients.
212. Mental Health Services – Output Program
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
In Budget Paper No 3, 2004-05, p132, the following budget highlight appeared:
The 2004-05 mental health budget has funding to address increasing demand for essential community-based mental health services. A four-year program to reform mental health services commenced in 2003-04 with $2m spent in that year and increasing to $4.6m in 2004-05.
1. Given that we are now half-way through your program of reform, what changes have been made to the delivery of mental health services?
2. What outputs were achieved this financial year for the additional $4.6m, which I gather was attached to the reform outcomes?
ANSWER
1. The following changes have been made to the delivery of mental health services:
- Increased services to rural and remote communities including:
Increased Child and Adolescent Services including:
- Expansion of Acute Assessment and After-hours services by:
creating a ‘sub-acute’ specialist support capacity to work with the non-government sector to ensure appropriate clinical support to new community based services.
- Increasing community-based support and rehabilitation services provided by NGOs in Darwin and Alice Springs including:
- Improvements in safety and quality of mental health services including:
30% increase in hospital separations (from 1196 in 2003-04 to 1554 in 2004-05);
20% increase in numbers of individuals seen (from 3903 in 2003-04 to 4696 in 2004-05); and
20% increase in individual occasions of service (from 42 911 in 2003-04 to 51 142 in 2004-05.
- These outputs do not include service activity in the non-government sector which received a substantial funding increase during this period.
- In addition, $898 184 of the new funding has been allocated recurrently to replace funding previously provided by the Australian Government and would not have resulted in any increased output activity.
213. Mental Health Courses
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
On 18 February 2005, in a press release titled ‘Nurse Recruitment Campaign’, minister Toyne talked about how ‘courses including Mental Health … will be offered to nurses … for the first time in 2005’.
Could you provide details on this course?
ANSWER
The course referred to in minister Toyne’s press release is the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health, which commenced at Charles Darwin University (CDU) in March 2005.
The course provides graduates with a comprehensive and advanced level of knowledge to safely and competently practice in diverse settings.
The course is divided into nursing and allied health streams and participants may study areas such as mental health, renal health and alcohol and other drugs.
Prior to the commencement of this course, students undertaking study in this field had to enrol in courses available interstate. So far, 17 students have enrolled in this course, 15 of these being Northern Territory nurses.
The support scheme for nurses studying at CDU referred to in the media release is the Department of Health and Community Services’ Study Assistance Grants. These grants provide assistance to people in the Northern Territory Health and Community Services industry to develop skills and obtain qualifications. This study assistance is targeted towards current skills gaps in health and community services, particularly nursing.
Nurses and allied health staff employed in Mental Health Services are encouraged and supported financially to undertake postgraduate study at CDU or, if they choose to do so, at other institutions around Australia offering similar courses.
215. Mental Health Act - Review
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal raises concerns in his annual report for 2003-04 about how long it is taking for the review of the Mental Health Act to be completed and draft legislation presented.
When will we see the draft changes?
ANSWER
It is anticipated the draft amendment bill will be circulated for further public consultation in January 2006. It is anticipated Cabinet will consider the draft bill in May 2006. It is our intention to then introduce the bill in the Legislative Assembly in June 2006.
216. Tiwi Islands – Petrol Sniffing
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
On 25 May 2005, you raised concerns in the media (ABC radio) regarding the arrival of petrol sniffing on the Tiwi Islands. This is a sad development.
Given that the Volatile Substances Act now exists:
- (a) how has banning the sniffing of petrol at this community been enforced; and
(b) what programs and facilities have you put in place to support the intention of parliament in passing this act?
ANSWER
On the Tiwi Islands a small number of young people are sometimes involved in petrol sniffing and there appears to be a relationship between the supply of cannabis and ‘sniffing’ – when cannabis is more readily available sniffing by these young people decreases and when it is more scarce some choose to sniff.
Centacare NT provides its Family Coping Strategy on the islands, which is supported by the Department of Health and Community Services’ Alcohol and Other Drugs Program, Community Education and Training Team. This strategy is responsive to the needs of the community and is flexible in that it can target those substances which are causing problems – including volatile substances. Families and the person ‘sniffing’ are referred to participate in this program from the clinic, mental health team and other community people. The Family Coping Strategy strengthens the family to decrease harm for all the family members, provides skills to manage the problems, and assists the sniffing family member to move away from substance misuse.
This approach, which focuses on the family and provides support over the longer term, is particularly appropriate as sniffing is episodic and involves a relatively small number of people.
The Department of Health and Community Services is working with other government bodies and community agencies to develop the regulatory, administrative provisions and service systems which are required under or will otherwise support, the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act. When these are in place the Tiwi Islands and other communities will have further tools to respond to petrol sniffing.
217. Anti-smoking Programs
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. Are calls to the Quit Line from the Northern Territory being monitored? If so, how do the numbers compare over the past few years?
2. I noted that the only media Quit Smoking as a New Year’s resolution received this year was an article about you quitting. When I was a Quit Smoking health promotion officer in the mid-1990s, we would run a media campaign in the lead-up to New Years Eve promoting the Quit Line. Calls to the help line would then go up dramatically.
(a) why wasn’t such a campaign run this year, given that smoking rates in the Territory remain the highest in the country; and
(b) what is the operational budget for the Quit program in the Darwin area?
4. The only print advertisement I could find was this one inserted on 25 May in the Suburban. It has a big photo of minister Toyne on it with the words: ’Choose a healthier lifestyle on World No Tobacco Day.’
- (a) Why was there no mention of when World No Tobacco Day was; and
(b) why was no advice given as to how someone could choose a healthier lifestyle?
6. How are people assisted/facilitated to quit smoking in Central Australia?
ANSWER
Calls to the Northern Territory Quitline have been monitored since January 2003 and the volume of calls has increased every year. In 2003, the NT Quitline received 757 calls, in 2004, 1045 calls and from 1 January to 30 June 2005, 636 calls have been recorded.
The Northern Territory was unable to run a dedicated New Years Quit campaign for 2005 promoting the Quitline as the Department of Health and Community Services’ Alcohol and Other Drugs Program was tendering for a new Quitline service. The tender specifications were developed to ensure a better telephone counselling service for people seeking help to quit smoking. The tender process was completed in April 2005 in time for the World No Tobacco Day 2005 campaign.
An article in the NT News on 4 March 2004had a significant impact on calls to the Quitline, comparable to the impact of a media campaign. The day the article, about the previous Minister for Family and Community Services, Ms Marion Scrymgour MLA, quitting smoking was printed, eight people called the Quitline. The following day, 12 people called; the day a member of the public wrote to the NT News to congratulate the previous minister, a further 12 people called the Quitline.
The operational budget for the Northern Territory Quit Program is calculated at approximately $2.40 per head of population (based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics population statistics as at December 2004). However, the operational budget is not regionally separated as running a media campaign, distributing leaflets, training staff etcetera is done as Territory wide initiatives, not regional initiatives.
The department planned to focus on workplace initiatives to support the World No Tobacco Day this year, based on the national and international evidence supporting the fact that unpaid media (true human interest stories) generate more quit attempts than paid media advertising. The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program ran three Quit groups in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day. The media showed interest in photo opportunities to further promote workplace Quit groups. An article was printed in the NT News on 2 June 2005 resulting in a further nine calls to the Quitline compared to the 11 received on 31 May 2005. A further article published in the June 2005 Chronicle regarding workplace quit groups and promoting the new Quitline number 13 QUIT resulted in again, a further 11 calls to the Quitline. Since the launch of the workplace Quit groups and the publication of an advertising flyer, a further three groups have been successfully completed with a group at Palmerston High School due to commence in the near future.
Two staff of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Central Australia (ADSCA) who are experienced in working with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal smokers, are trained as quit educators and facilitators for the region. These staff are in process of achieving train the trainer status to broaden the skill base of other agencies in the region to deliver Quit education and facilitation of Quit groups. This is consistent with outcomes of the consultation process, involving a range of internal and external stakeholders, currently under way across the Northern Territory to develop a Tobacco Strategy and Action Plan to work more collaboratively with non-government organisations and other government programs to effectively deliver accredited Quit education and facilitation on a larger scale.
Clients in Central Australia may access counselling support via the Quitline that refers callers, upon request, to identified staff at the Alcohol and Drug Service Central Australia (ADSCA) to arrange face-to-face quit counselling. In addition, ADSCA identifies tobacco awareness and cessation as a priority in health promotion and brief intervention activities in the region to communities. Individuals including in-patients at the Alice Springs Hospital and specific groups such as remote women's and men's groups throughout the region, where individuals are provided with immediate tobacco cessation information and advice and can also be referred to the ADSCA for quit counselling on request.
218. Ecstasy Use by Children Survey
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Earlier this year, you had fliers displayed in the Darwin area inviting people, including children aged as young as 16, to volunteer to be interviewed about their ecstasy use and to be paid $30 for their time.
1. Is it not the case that by paying $30 you are providing money which would well be used to purchase more drugs by these young people;
2. why did you not use something like movie passes;
3. how reliable do you think any findings of this survey will be, given that anyone could make up an ecstasy story to get the loot; and
4. how many people have been paid $30? How many were 16, 17?
ANSWER
The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) consists of two research projects. The Injecting Drug Users (IDU) survey and the Party Drug Initiative (PDI). Both are national studies funded by the Australian government Department of Health and Ageing and coordinated by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and both use the same methodology.
The IDRS IDU commenced a trial of the methodology in New South Wales in 1996. After the successful piloting of the methodology, it was expanded to three states (NSW, VIC and SA) in 1997 and has been conducted nationally, including in the Northern Territory, since 2000.
In 2000-01, the IDRS was expanded to include the Party Drug Initiative (PDI) to monitor ecstasy and related drugs (ERDs) markets in Australia. ERDs cover a range of drugs including ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, GHB and ketamine. In 2000-01, a trial was conducted (funded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund) to assess the feasibility of monitoring ERDs markets. The research was conducted in NSW, QLD and SA. The trial concluded that it was feasible to monitor these markets and in 2003 funding was granted to expand the study to monitor ERDs markets in every state and territory across Australia.
There is currently no other system in place in Australia to monitor trends in ecstasy and related drug markets. It has been established as a unique data source on a relatively hidden population. The methodology includes interviewing a sentinel group of ecstasy and related drug users defined by their regular ecstasy, interviewing Key Experts (KE) people that have contact with party drug users through their employment and collation of indicator data such as accident and emergency statistics and purity of seizures will also be analysed.
As well as providing the only data from ecstasy and other drug users on these drug markets in a timely manner, the project uses existing data sources to integrate available information in an attempt to provide the best picture possible of various party drug markets across the country.
Overall the PDI provides information on patterns of party drug use, the harms associated and information on the price, purity and availability of ecstasy (MDMA) and related drugs. These drugs are associated with both acute and long-term harms, yet many users do not come to the obvious attention of treatment providers or law enforcement personnel.
1. Accessing ecstasy and other related drug users group can be difficult since they are not readily accessible from such agencies as treatment providers or needle and syringe programs, as is the case for the existing IDRS. Furthermore, although involved in illegal activities, they generally do not come into contact with law enforcement personnel. Party drug users are recruited through advertising in entertainment magazines and shops, are screened over the phone and then individual interviews are scheduled.
People participating in the ecstasy user interviews are reimbursed $30 for time and travel costs incurred by their participation in the study. As with the main IDRS, this study targets a hidden population and participant payment broadens the sample by obtaining interviews from people that may not otherwise be accessed. Payment is an established practice in the drug and alcohol field in Australia and internationally. Payment of participants has occurred in Australia since the 1980s and has occurred in the IDRS in NSW since 1996 and nationally, including in the NT, since 2000.
- Studies show that participation in research into illicit drugs is rarely motivated by economic gain alone and, given the relatively small size of the payment and the confidentiality provisions that apply, payment in this instance is considered acceptable (Fry and Dwyer 2001).
- In the current year, 74% of participants stated they used money from paid employment to purchase their ecstasy and 35% used government allowances (Centrelink payments).
2. The PDI is conducted in the capital city of each state and territory using a methodology developed by NDARC and applied identically in each location to ensure comparability of results. Individual jurisdictions cannot change the methodology or content of the study which is why we cannot ‘use something like movie passes’ to reimburse participants for the time and travel costs incurred by their participation in the study.
3. To examine the reliability of the findings, NDLERF funded a two-year trial of the feasibility of monitoring party drug use in NSW and QLD, using the existing IDRS methodology in 2000-01. The trial concluded that it was feasible to monitor party drug use and that important information from this monitoring system was generated in the form of information about price, purity and availability of a range of drugs, emerging trends in drug use among regular party drug users, and information on patterns of use over time among this group. Monitoring patterns of use and the associated harms is important to provide further information on the effect drug use has on individuals and the community.
- The two-year PDI national trial has shown that ecstasy and other drug markets can be adequately assessed in all states and territories using this methodology. The national PDI has provided jurisdiction specific information as well as informing us of the similarities and differences between jurisdictions. The benefits of monitoring drug markets over time has been demonstrated by the IDRS and the continuation of this data collection is likely to also show significant benefits.
- The party drugs feasibility trial was conducted to determine whether the methodology proposed would be successful in monitoring ecstasy and other related drug markets. The trial found that the results of the quantitative survey of regular ecstasy users validated the choice of this population as the appropriate sentinel group to examine party drug markets.
4. In 2003, 104 Regular Ecstasy Users (REU’s) participated in the survey, none were 16 years and only one was 17 years old. In 2004, there were 74 REU’s, three were 16 years old and four were 17 years old. In the current year, there were 86 REU’s who participated in the survey, none were 16 years old and five were 17 years old.
- Ethical concerns such as age of participants are covered in ethics applications each year. Ethics approval for the study is granted nationally every year by the UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee and jurisdictionally by the relevant bodies. In the Northern Territory the Top End Human Research Ethics Committee of Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services and Menzies School of Health Research has granted approval for this study to be conducted in Darwin.
219. Alcohol and Other Drugs - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Last year, during the Estimates Committee hearing, we established that there had been seven directors of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Program since 2002, up to and including Nick Gill. I do not know how many more have stepped in since Nick had to step aside, however, all up, it is a lot of change at the top.
1. To what extent has all this change contributed to the Alcohol and Other Drugs Program being unable to spend its allocated funding? (Specifically, Budget Paper No 3, p123, advises that there will be a carry forward of $2.1m into 2005-06).
2. What services were not delivered as planned during 2004-05?
ANSWER
There has been continuity in the position Director of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Program (AODP) since October 2004 and the position has been successfully recruited to.
Decisions about carry forwards are not influenced by vacancy rates in the public service and there are very specific criteria set by NT Treasury stipulating what is able to be carried forward..
The $2.1m relates to Australian government’s Illicit Drug Diversion funds ($1.2m). The AODP received two payments in 2004-05 because of the timing of the negotiations for the new agreement with the Australian government. The remaining $945 000 relates to funding for remote services for people with petrol sniffing problems, which were committed but were still being negotiated with the community or service provider at the end of the financial year. These funds have since been allocated.
220. Alcohol and Other Drugs – After Hours Service, Alice Springs
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
During the past year in Alice Springs, the Alcohol and Other Drugs service has ceased to provide an after hours services or home visits.
Given Alice Springs does not have an NGO service like Banyan House in Darwin, how can you justify this contraction of service?
ANSWER
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program ceased the on-call medical arrangement in July 2004 because it was determined to be unsafe for staff and ineffective for clients. This model of operation was replaced by a planned approach to client care. Rather than managing intoxication or sudden withdrawal, the new model provides more intensive support to clients to manage and overcome their drug problems and to change drug-taking behaviour through treatment and counselling.
Clients are required to make an appointment for assessment and this is matched to an appropriate treatment regime. By requiring clients to make an appointment they are more likely to be motivated and take a greater responsibility for their treatment. This model is consistent with the evidence about effective service delivery and in line with current standards of practice.
This is not a contraction of service. The changes have enabled the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Central Australia (ADSCA) to increase its support to clients during the day resulting in increased client numbers overall and, in particular, clients on the opiate pharmacotherapy program. It has also enabled the service to provide outreach clinical support through non-government alcohol, other drug treatment providers and medical services in Alice Springs. ADSCA has also increased its capacity to provide psychosocial counselling to clients, which is an important adjunct to the medical management of people with drug dependencies.
The availability of residential rehabilitation services (such as Banyan House) would have limited impact on people seeking ‘home visits’ because residential rehabilitation services need to impose some entrance criteria in the interests of safety. These criteria would normally exclude people who have not successfully completed withdrawal, who have complex co-existing disorders, and who do not wish to participate in treatment.
222. School Drug Education Positions
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
During the mid-1990s, the Northern Territory government funded three education positions in the Department of Education specifically for the development and facilitation of drug education programs in the Northern Territory. Now there is only one position and that position is funded by the federal government.
Given the accepted need to prevent drug use uptake through early strategies like education, and government dismantling of the DARE program, what are you doing to help teachers incorporate sound drug education in their programs?
ANSWER
The Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) is currently providing intensive professional learning for teachers in all schools across the Northern Territory to ensure each school has in place and is implementing a current school drug education policy. This initiative is underpinned by the provision of the recommended Western Australian drug education support materials and the Northern Territory developed Indigenous Drug Education Support Materials (IDESMs) to schools. These resources have been linked to outcomes in the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) to enable teachers to develop appropriate units of work that meet NT Learning Outcomes. These resources are to be housed on Explore NT and will be electronically available to all teachers.
Australian government funding, through the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) funds the current drug education position based within Health Promoting Schools NT at DEET Curriculum Services. That officer is responsible for supporting the professional learning of teachers and school-based police officers to ensure that they have the skills to deliver their relevant drug education programs. The Western Australian program and the IDESMs are supported by the DEST drug education resources provided through the Resilience Education and Drug Information (REDI) initiative, Cannabis and Consequences and Rethinking Drinking You’re in Control. The 7 Core Themes is a new drug education resource developed by the Drug Education Officer for school-based police officers to deliver. This course is designed to value add to the units of work that teachers develop, implement and assess linking to appropriate outcomes in the NTCF. Funding of $531 911 will be received during the 2004-05 to 2007-08 quadrennium to cover the delivery of professional learning to teachers and fund the position of the Drug Education Officer.
The NT has received additional funds through the DEST Peer Forums funding initiative. A total of $519 800 will be received during the 2005-05 to 2007-08 quadrennium to ensure that teachers and facilitators are skilled to assist students in this initiative. All schools will receive a once-off grant of $600 during this period. The Drug Education Officer assists schools in identifying the forum they wish to run and train teachers or facilitators in schools to assist in this initiative. The forums must be organised and carried out by the students and are aimed at informing their peers and wider community on drug-related issues.
The National School Drug Education Strategy: Indigenous Rural and Remote Initiative is providing $100 000 from 2004-05 to 2007-08. Under this initiative, schools which fulfil the requirements are invited to apply for a grant that builds upon an existing DEST or DEET drug education related initiative. The Drug Education Officer will call for grant submissions, and assist schools in implementing their initiative made possible through the grant. These submissions will be linked to NTCF outcomes to demonstrate student learning which can be measured by collecting evidence through student work samples.
223. Community Patrols - Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Currently, the Community Patrols and the sobering-up shelter in Darwin do not operate on Sundays. Why doesn’t your program fund this service seven days a week?
ANSWER
The law and order component of the Community Patrols have been transferred to the Northern Territory Police. They provide a 24-hour service 7 days a week. The social programs component is now conducted by Larrakia Nation. This service transfers itinerants to a range of social services and operates from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday in line with the operating hours of the majority of services.
The key determinant of the type of services the sobering-up shelter provides is service demand. The majority of takeaway liquor outlets in Darwin are restricted from trading on Sundays and this directly impacts on the level of public intoxication and, subsequently, the demand for the service.
The Northern Territory government has increased funding for Mission Australia to extend the shelter’s hours of operation. Based on demand, Mission Australia determined to extend the shelter hours from 4 pm to 2 am Monday to Friday rather than open on Sundays.
224. Banyan House Rehabilitation Centre
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
An article in a DHCS newsletter earlier this year advised that Banyan House was seeking funding for an upgrading of their rehabilitation centre.
1. Can you advise whether or not this upgrade is to be funded?
2. If not, why not?
ANSWER
The Banyan House upgrade is currently on the Department of Health and Community Services’ forward works proposal list for $2.5m.
227. Indigenous Tourism Potential
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
1. What potential indigenous tourism opportunities have been identified to date through the Indigenous Tourism Development strategy?
2. How will you assess the potential of each proposal?
3. What back-up support will the NTTC provide in nurturing this developing industry?
ANSWER
The NT Tourist Commission’s Indigenous Tourism Development Unit has identified/assessed over 40 indigenous tourism opportunities throughout the Northern Territory in the last six months.
Many of these are in the concept stage. Approximately 10 are in the development phase and several are now operational.
Due to commercial-in-confidence considerations the Indigenous Tourism Development Unit cannot release the names of the developing businesses. However, it can advise that the products range from small-scale walking tours to joint venture resort development opportunities, across the Northern Territory.
The Indigenous Tourism Development Unit receives approximately two inquiries from traditional land owners or possible joint venture partners each week inquiring about tourism and the opportunities available.
In assessing potential enterprises, the Indigenous Tourism Development Unit uses a number of different methods to determine the feasibility of the project. The path taken is usually determined by the knowledge level of the proponent and the scale of the proposed business.
The indigenous unit has presented to a number of community councils on tourism, conducted a number of ‘on country’ participatory planning workshops for groups looking at tourism opportunities, and worked one-on-one with proponents to develop products. In larger projects the indigenous unit has brought in external expertise to work with the proponents.
The commission’s Indigenous Tourism Development Unit is resourced by four development staff and a manager. This is the largest commitment the NT Tourist Commission has ever had in developing indigenous tourism in the Northern Territory. The unit will continue to work through all phases of development, from the concept stage through development to the operational business, to ensure indigenous Territorians are a large part of our tourism industry.
The unit is also working on a number of other projects that support the indigenous tourism industry. These include support for the development and delivery of the ‘Welcome to Country’ signage program across the Northern Territory, delivery of workshops on linking the arts with tourism, and a program to have more indigenous Territorians working in the mainstream tourism industry.
The NT Tourist Commission’s marketing team has also altered the way the Northern Territory is promoted worldwide, now overlaying the wonderful natural environment with a strong cultural message.
The integration of the NT Tourist Commission with the Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development has identified opportunities for a closer working relationship which can offer benefits to the tourism industry and the wider economy as a whole.
Joint approaches have already commenced in the following areas:
1. Indigenous economic development - meeting with the Indigenous Land Corporation to explore how they can support new tourism ventures in the Northern Territory, building on the model already established by the Northern Territory government with pastoral enterprise development.
231. Calypsonet Booking System
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
1. When was the new booking system, Calypsonet, introduced? I heard the Auditor-General say earlier tonight that an audit had been completed. How effective is the system?
2. How do international enquiries access this booking system?
3. What percentage of international enquiries come through this booking system?
ANSWER
1. CalypsoNet is Territory Discoveries on-line booking system for travel agents. It was introduced to agents in July 2004. From July 2004 to June 2005 it generated just over $730 000 in gross bookings.
An audit was completed on Territory Discoveries booking system CalypsoNet. The audit highlighted some backend operational areas that needed attention. An action plan is currently in place and will be finalised over the next few months.
Overall the reservation system is running very well; it is a comprehensive wholesale booking system that is used by other state tourism bodies (Tassie Tourism) and large wholesalers such as Qantas Holidays, AAT Kings, Gulliver’s Pacific, Spree Holidays and many more.
2. If a travel agent in New Zealand or Singapore wants to make bookings with Territory Discoveries they can log into the CalypsoNet booking system (via the web) and make a booking from start to end. The other option for international agents is to call or e-mail the TD call centre based in Alice Springs
3. The ability to make international bookings on CalypsoNet is only available to travel agents in New Zealand and Singapore. All international bookings via CalypsoNet are from New Zealand and total bookings from New Zealand were 3% of gross earnings on 2004-05. From this CalyspoNet on-line bookings were under 1% of total earnings.
237. Environment and Heritage – Repairs and Maintenance
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Budget Paper No 4, p 44, Repairs and Maintenance expenses for Environment and Heritage are allocated $1m for the 2005-06 budget year.
What type of repairs and maintenance are you anticipating?
ANSWER
See attachment.
No 15 ATTACHMENT
Breakdown of total cost of work undertaken by the Government Printing Office
| Costs | Amount | Month |
| Common Ground newspaper | $20 000 | July and December 2004 |
| Parks QA booklets | $ 7 500 | February 2005 |
| Business Cards | $ 1 000 | December 2004 and March 2005 |
| Publication of notices | $ 60 | June and September 2004 |
No 17 ATTACHMENT
| Photography and supplies | August 2004 | $ 300 |
| Publication of notice, film and processing | September 2004 | $ 1 200 |
| Film and processing | October 2004 | $ 100 |
| Film and processing | November 2004 | $ 550 |
| Creditor’s accrual and film processing | January 2005 | $ 7 600 |
| Processing to CD | February 2005 | $ 400 |
| Purchase of Canon EOS digital camera | March 2005 | $ 3 000 |
| Digital camera with printer and filter | April 2005 | $ 600 |
| Design Layout ‘Overarching Agreement’ | May 2005 | $ 400 |
| Photography at Fogg Dam, travel and filming | June | $ 7 000 |
| Total |  | $ 21 150 |
- * The discrepancy between the actual amount spent and the amount detailed above is directly related to the publication Common Ground. These expenses have been outlined in the answer to Written Question 16.
No19 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
| ALCAN G3 Expansion | Facilitation of the $2.0bn expansion of the existing alumina refinery in Gove. |
| Blacktip Gas Project | Taskforce leadership and facilitation of the project. |
| Trans-Territory Pipeline | Taskforce leadership and facilitation of the project. |
| Darwin Helium Plant | On going facilitation of the $33m helium plant proposed for Darwin’s Wickham Point. |
| Downstream Gas-Based Manufacturing Study | Major economic study of the key parameters associated with a diversity of possible projects arising out of Timor Sea gas projects. |
| Construction Costs Study | Update study into the cost competitiveness of Darwin as a location for major capital projects. |
| SEAAOC 2005 | Jointly hosted another successful conference focused on oil issues in the region. |
| Thailand Study Mission | Chief Minister’s mission to Thailand to inspect gas and petrochemical products. |
| Japan Visit | Chief Minister’s visit to Japan to continue the development of relationships with key petroleum and petrochemical firms. |
| International Shipping Links | Participation in negotiations between shipping lines and freight forwarders on new shipping services. Hai Win trial shipments – Nov 2004 and March 2005 |
| Bootu Creek Mine | Coordination of development of the $11m bulk materials handling facility at East Arm. |
| Tsunami Relief Efforts | Coordinated and funded NT government assistance to the tsunami relief efforts by the Territory community including: the purchase and provision of 11 containers to move the donated relief aid to Sri Lanka and Indonesia; the funding of shipping costs for moving the aid from Singapore to Sri Lanka; the engagement of professional freight forwarding expertise to assist the Territory volunteers; and volunteer efforts of staff to assist in the packing of the containers. |
| Supply Chain Studies | Australian Wine Exports Mining and Chemical Reagents Apparel and Footwear Imports Automotive and Tyre Industry Workshop |
| Skilled Recruitment Campaign (Stage 2 underway) | Promotion of the employment opportunities in the Territory to key markets in Australia and New Zealand. |
| Katherine Investment Attraction Strategy (underway) | Formalising an investment strategy focused on Katherine and immediate environs. |
| New Tourism Resort | Facilitation of $10m Voyages Wildman River Resort. |
| Establishment of NT Research and Innovation Board | New board established (predominantly private sector) to advise on Tropical/ Desert Knowledge and grants from $1m fund. |
| Innovation Fund | Grant offers made to 16 projects. |
| Innovation Awards | Inaugural Awards for Science and Innovation established. |
| Leadership in Desert Knowledge CRC | Convene the governance theme for the CRC. |
No19 ATTACHMENT
Page 2
- The table below lists projects planned in the Office of Territory Development for 2005-06 prior
to the July revised agency arrangements.
| Blacktip Gas Project | Work with joint venture on new options for field developments. |
| Trans-Territory Pipeline | Work with Alcan to capture the key project elements for a future project and undertake an orderly winding down of facilitation efforts. |
| Alcan G3 SIA | Manage the issues associated with development of social impact management plans for the G3 Expansion project. |
| Tourism Infrastructure | Lead the Tourism Infrastructure Task Force with a focus on opportunities for private sector investment. |
| Defence | Participation in the Defence Task Force |
| Downstream Gas | Lead the Downstream Gas Working Group established by the Onshore Gas Task Force. |
| Helium Plant | Facilitation of the $33m helium plant planned for Wickham Point. |
| Indonesia MOC | Negotiation of a memorandum of cooperation with the government of Indonesia on energy projects in the region. |
| Construction Cost Study | A new consultancy to update the 2001 study now that two real world projects are under way. |
| Downstream Gas-Based Manufacturing | A significant consultancy to identify the key economic drivers and impediments to establishing a downstream based industry in the Territory. |
| New Shipping Services | Promoting and facilitating the establishment of new shipping services to the Territory based around the rail and port facilities |
| Freight Flow Studies | Undertaking supply chain studies to identify new trade opportunities for the Territory, including chemical reagents, apparel and textiles, the needs of Big W (Woolworths) and freight flows from Vietnam to Australia. |
| Darwin Business Park | Encouraging and negotiating with prospective investors in the park |
| Katherine Freight Terminal | Facilitating new cold store investments by major Freight Forwarders at the Katherine rail head. |
| Bootu Creek | Coordination of the development of new bulk materials handling facilities at East Arm. |
| Global Freight Connect | Development and hosting of the 2005 Global Freight Connect Conference in October. |
| Katherine Investment Attraction Study | A study into the key investment opportunities in the region. |
| Tropical Knowledge | Support for the collaborative agreement with QLD and WA, the Seniors Officers Group, North Australian Infectious Diseases Alliance, Tropical Rivers Environmental Project and collaboration between CRC’s based in the north. |
| Desert Knowledge | Support to the Southern Region on the arrangements for Desert Knowledge Australia. Theme leadership on Governance and coordination of across Government participation and commitment to the Desert Knowledge CRC. |
| NTRIB | Support the operations of the board including the administration of the Innovation Fund grants program. |
No 25 ATTACHMENT
| Work Undertaken | Cost $ | Completion Dates |
| AustralAsia Trade Route Brochure | 2 782 | 08/10/2004 |
| AustralAsia Trade Route Brochure update | 4 940 | 16/12/2004 |
| Business Cards | 549 | 30/06/2004 |
| Business Cards | 611 | 07/12/2004 |
| Business Cards | 696 | 22/12/2004 |
| Business Cards | 520 | 25/04/2005 |
| Business Cards | 612 | 24/06/2005 |
| Economic Development Overview Document | 9 480 | 16/12/2004 |
| EDS Document | 27 447 | 14/02/2005 |
| Fresh Lifestyle Book | 12 491 | 23/02/2005 |
| Government Directories | 145 | 13/09/2004 |
| Investors Infosheet | 2 074 | 25/03/2005 |
| Major Developments Brochure | 5 135 | 16/12/2004 |
| Major Developments Brochure Reprint | 3 687 | 04/03/2005 |
| NT Research & Innovation Awards Programs | 928 | 31/05/2005 |
| Territory Envelopes | 1 501 | 18/03/2005 |
| Territory Envelopes Reprint | 1 418 | 25/05/2005 |
| Territory Postcards | 1 180 | 07/07/2004 |
| Territory Postcards | 2 209 | 01/04/2005 |
| Territory Postcards | 3 251 | 20/06/2005 |
| Territory Presentation Folders | 8 727 | 17/03/2005 |
| Territory Presentation Folders Reprints | 9 377 | 16/05/2005 |
| Timor Sea Gas Brochure | 3 921 | 12/12/2004 |
| Timor Sea Gas Brochure Japanese Translation | 3 099 | 07/12/2004 |
| Timor Sea Gas Brochure Update | 4 327 | 27/06/2005 |
| Trade Route Strategy Book | 4 548 | 20/04/2005 |
| Total Government Printing Office | $115 655 | |
No 26 ATTACHMENT B
Local advertising expenditure for 2004-05 was $22 065 and interstate expenditure in 2004-05 was $146 392, totalling $168 457.
| Local Advertising | Interstate Recruitment Campaign Stage 1 | $ 10 709 |
| NT Research & Innovation Awards | $ 3 999 |
| NT Research & Innovation Board | $ 184 |
| SEAAOC | $ 5 265 |
| Service and Suppliers Directory | $ 1 600 |
| Woodside 50th Anniversary | $ 308 |
| Total | $ 22 065 |
| Interstate Advertising | AustralAsia Trade Route | $ 10 318 |
| Interstate Recruitment Campaign Stage 1 | $126 427 |
| NT Feature Special Report | $ 7 091 |
| Woodside 50th Anniversary | $ 2 556 |
| Total | $146 392 |
No 27 ATTACHMENT
| ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd | Ad hoc industry policy advice, economic policy advice and urgent econometric modelling. | $ 5 047 |
| ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd | Professional fees relating to pre-feasibility studies for Gove indigenous businesses. | $ 6 775 |
| ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd | Workshop on analysis of gas procurement options. | $ 31 379 |
| ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd | NT Construction costs study | $ 61 002 |
| ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd | Economic impact study of a proposed discount airline service. | $ 24 498 |
| AEC Group Limited | Katherine Region Investment Attraction Strategy. | $ 13 260 |
| Bob Collins | Senior Advisory Services (final administrative costs relating to 2003-04 consultancy services) | $ 3 278 |
| Brook Hunt | Zinc Market Assessment. (Actual cost was $61 000 and paid for by DBIRD. Cost to DCM/OTD was $0) | $ 0 |
| Catalyst Consulting International Pty Ltd | Event coordination and management for the NT Research and Innovation Awards ceremony. | $ 6 818 |
| Charles Darwin University | Project Manager for Research and Innovation | $ 45 000 |
| Charles Darwin University | Tropical Research Capacity Mapping Exercise. | $ 13 636 |
| Gail Humble | Preparation and conduct Desert Knowledge workshop with post-workshop consultation. | $ 3 679 |
| Ian Lovell | Facilitation of Australian Automotive Products and Tyre Industry workshop. | $ 2 350 |
| Jenkins Advisory Services | Power and Water Corporation Gas Strategy Report. | $ 15 254 |
| KPMG | Tourism infrastructure/tourism investment submission. | $ 15 909 |
| QS Services | Review report on bulk liquids terminal report from KBR and Worley. | $ 1 630 |
| Strategic Design and Development Pty Ltd | Supply chain study for wine export through Darwin. | $ 36 150 |
| Strategic Design and Development Pty Ltd | Feasibility study for textile industry including apparel and footwear. | $ 25 775 |
| The Best Conference & Events Company | Event organisation and management of the International Conference ‘Global Freight Connect 2005’. | $ 5 824 |
| Worleyparsons Services | Provide advice on the bulk liquids terminal and associated pipelines at East Arm Port. | $ 11 211 |
| Worleyparsons Services | Gas industry attraction and development. | $180 000 |
Total Consultants Fees 2004-05 | $508 476 | |
No 44 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
Page 1
| Question No | |
| 1. | DestinationSydney |
| 2. | Purpose of trip-Tourism Ministers Council |
| 3. | Duration of trip-29-30 July 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred-$2650 |
| 5. | Outcomes achieved-Tourism development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff-Senior ministerial adviser |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost-$2089 |
| 8. | Departmental staff-Nil |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff-Nil |
| 10. | non-government citizens-Nil |
| Question No | |
| 1. | DestinationAdelaide |
| 2. | Purpose of trip-South Australia press club and other meetings |
| 3. | Duration of trip-3-5 November 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred-$3836 |
| 5. | Outcome-Trade corridor development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff-Media adviser |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost-$2597 |
| 8. | Departmental staff-Chief Executive Department of the Chief Minister Director Business Developments (AustralAsia Trade Route) |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff-$5672 |
| 10. | non-government citizens-Nil |
| Question No | |
| 1. | DestinationSydney |
| 2. | Purpose of trip-Tourism and Transport Forum |
| 3. | Duration of trip-8-9 December 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred-$3076 |
| 5. | Outcome-Tourism and transport development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff-Senior ministerial adviser |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost-$2684 |
| 8. | Departmental staff-Chief Executive Department of the Chief Minister |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff-$2615 |
| 10. | non-government citizens-Nil |
No 44 ATTACHMENT
Page 2
Page 2
| Question No | | | |
| 1. | Destination | | Adelaide |
| 2. | Purpose of trip | - | Tourism meetings – various |
| 3. | Duration of Trip | - | 19-21 December 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred | - | $2905 |
| 5. | Outcome | - | Tourism development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff | - | Nil |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost | - | Nil |
| 8. | Departmental staff | - | Chief Executive Department of the Chief Minister |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff | - | $3064 |
| 10. | non-government citizens | - | Nil |
| Question No | | | |
| 1. | Destination | | Adelaide |
| 2. | Purpose of trip | - | Meeting with Freightlink/GSR/TOLL |
| 3. | Duration of trip | - | 16-17 March 2005 |
| 4. | Cost incurred | - | $3713 |
| 5. | Outcome | - | AustralAsia Railway development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff | - | Media adviser |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost | - | $2808 |
| 8. | Departmental staff | - | Chief Executive Department of the Chief Minister |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff | - | $2914 |
| 10. | non-government citizens | - | Nil |
| Question No | | | |
| 1. | Destination | | Sydney |
| 2. | Purpose of trip | - | Tourism development meetings |
| 3. | Duration of trip | - | 3-4 April 2005 |
| 4. | Cost incurred | - | $3348 |
| 5. | Outcome | - | Tourism development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff | - | Chief of Staff |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost | - | $3500 |
| 8. | Departmental staff | - | Chief Executive Department of the Chief Minister |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff | - | $3080 |
| 10. | non-government citizens | - | Nil |
No 44 ATTACHMENT
Page 3
Page 3
| Question No | | | |
| 1. | Destination | | Sydney |
| 2. | Purpose of trip | - | Waterfront meetings |
| 3. | Duration of trip | - | 21-22 April 2005 |
| 4. | Cost incurred | - | $2870 |
| 5. | Outcome | - | Darwin City Waterfront |
| 6. | Ministerial staff | - | A/Deputy Chief of Staff |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost | - | $2658 |
| 8. | Departmental staff | - | Nil |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff | - | Nil |
| 10. | non-government citizens | - | Nil |
No 46 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
| Question No | |
| 1. | Destination-Thailand and Singapore |
| 2. | Purpose of trip-Meet with LNG gas customers and view related projects |
| 3. | Duration of trip-19 to 23 July 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred-$6534 |
| 5. | Outcome-Gas prospects development |
| 6. | Ministerial staff-Nil |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost-Nil |
| 8. | Departmental staff-Chief Executive of the Department of the Chief Minister Executive Director, Office of Territory Development Assistant Director - Petroleum Development |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff-$15 704 |
| 10. | non-government citizens-Nil |
| Question No | |
| 1. | Destination-Malaysia |
| 2. | Purpose of trip-Attend Sabah International EXPO |
| 3. | Duration of trip-07 to 10 September 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred-$5000 |
| 5. | Outcome-Territory promotion |
| 6. | Ministerial staff-Ministerial adviser |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost-$4856 |
| 8. | Departmental staff-Nil |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff-Nil |
| 10. | non-government citizens-Nil |
No 46 ATTACHMENT
Page 2
| Question No | |
| 1. | Destination-Japan |
| 2. | Purpose of trip-Business trip to Japan for tourism, oil and gas. |
| 3. | Duration of trip-14 to 19 November 2004 |
| 4. | Cost incurred-$12 238 |
| 5. | Outcome-Development of Territory tourism and petroleum prospects |
| 6. | Ministerial staff-Ministerial adviser |
| 7. | Ministerial staff cost-$10 676 |
| 8. | Departmental staff-Chief Executive of the Department of the Chief Minister |
| 9. | Cost incurred by departmental staff-$9113 |
| 10. | non-government citizens-Nil |
11
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 48 ATTACHMENT A
No 53 ATTACHMENT A
2004-05 WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
OFFICE OF CHIEF MINISTER
OFFICE OF CHIEF MINISTER
| DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT | DATE |
| PRESENTATIONAL CHEQUES | 616.36 | 27 September 2004 |
616.36 | ||
| NTG DIRECTORIES | 218.18 | 08 October 2004 |
218.18 | ||
| BUSINESS CARDS | 307.76 | 05 July 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 307.75 | 02 September 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 159.14 | 28 September 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 310.00 | 06 October 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 215.62 | 05 November 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 226.36 | 15 November 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 1 232.49 | 06 December 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 226.36 | 08 December 2004 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 247.27 | 12 January 2005 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 211.82 | 14 January 2005 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 226.36 | 17 January 2005 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 226.53 | 27 January 2005 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 310.42 | 09 March 2005 |
| BUSINESS CARDS | 242.73 | 18 April 2005 |
4 450.61 | ||
| CARDS | 813.45 | 29 December 2004 |
| CARDS | 2 075.46 | 12 January 2005 |
| CARDS | 1 097.27 | 17 January 2005 |
| CARDS AND ENVELOPES | 1 680.00 | 31 May 2005 |
5 666.18 | ||
| CHIEF MINISTER NOTE PADS | 612.66 | 17 January 2005 |
| COPIES OF ANNUAL REPORTS | 1 341.78 | 14 October 2004 |
1 954.44 | ||
| STATIONERY & ENVELOPES | 3 034.31 | 05 July 2004 |
| STATIONERY & ENVELOPES | 237.31 | 23 December 2004 |
| STATIONERY & ENVELOPES | 799.09 | 06 December 2004 |
| STATIONERY & ENVELOPES | 1 488.18 | 27 January 2005 |
| STATIONERY & ENVELOPES | 975.45 | 14 March 2005 |
| STATIONERY & ENVELOPES | 547.00 | 14 June 2005 |
7 081.34 | ||
| TOTAL | 19 987.11 |
No 64 ATTACHMENT
Department of the Chief Minister SPONSORSHIP AWARDS AS AT 30 JUNE 2005
Organisation / Individual | Grant Type | Activity | Amount $ |
| Mrs Raelene Ann Rosas | Chief Minister’s Study Award | Tertiary | 3 500 |
| Ms Sarah Jane Debney | Chief Minister’s Study Award | Tertiary | 3 400 |
| Mrs Anna Montgomery | Chief Minister’s Study Award | Vocational | 2 000 |
| Ms Renae McGarvie | Chief Minister’s Study Award | Tertiary | 1 400 |
| Ms Frances Turner | Chief Minister’s Study Award | Tertiary | 4 000 |
| Awards Australia Pty Ltd | NT Young Achiever Awards | Sponsorship of Chief Minister's Excellence in Youth Leadership Awards | 10 000 |
| Fred's Pass Reserve Management Board Inc | Rural Young Achiever Award | Freds Pass Show Green Ribbon Sponsorship 2005 | 1 000 |
| Africa-Australian Friendship Organisation | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Drumming and cultural dance training sessions, mainly targeted at youth within the community | 10 000 |
| Asia Pacific Cultural Village Association | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Preparation for six Educational Resource booklets | 10 000 |
| Ausdance NT Inc | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Cultural study through dance | 10 000 |
| Satun Bulan Theatre Company (NT Writers Centre) | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Bicultural, Indonesian-Australian artistic project, Katakan Padaku | 13 159 |
| Sri Lankan Australian Friendship Association | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Invite dancers and drummer, choreographer from Sri Lanka | 20 000 |
| Tamil Society of the Northern Territory Inc | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Learning classical Indian drumming and conducting workshops in Darwin | 10 000 |
| Italingua NT Inc | Cultural and Linguistic Awards | Two linguistic and cultural proficiency scholarships for Italian teachers to study in Italy | 5 000 |
| Filipino Australian Association NT | Charles See Kee Awards | 500 | |
| Mindil Beach Sunset Market | Charles See Kee Awards | 1 000 | |
| Mr John Rivas | Charles See Kee Awards | 500 | |
| Ms Alice Chang | Charles See Kee Awards | 500 | |
| Curby's Trophies | Charles See Kee Awards | 600 | |
| Royal Agricultural Society | 2005 Steward of the Year | 300 | |
| R Rafiudeen | Award most outstanding student | 1 000 | |
| A Buckland | Award most outstanding student | 1 000 | |
| K McDougall | Award most outstanding student | 1 000 | |
| Australian Institute of Management | 2005 Management Excellence Awards | 8 000 | |
| R Meldrum | 2005 Chief Minister’s Science Award | 1 000 | |
| R Tinkham | 2005 Chief Minister’s CDU Tourism Award | 250 | |
| Charles Darwin University | Chief Minister’s Award for Science | 1 000 | |
| TOTAL: | $120 109 |
No 69 ATTACHMENT
| Print job | Cost ($) | Date |
| Discussion paper – Peak Council Review | 829.38 | 9 July 2004 |
| Tribute to Northern Territory Women poster – Chin | 246.10 | 14 July 2004 |
| Speaking of Women – newsletter No 3 | 3 502.50 | 19 July 2004 |
| Alicia Johnson Memorial Lecture 2003 | 3 017.83 | 13 October 2004 |
| Women’s Register – application form | 1 940.68 | 27 October 2004 |
| Domestic Violence Legal Fact Sheets – four kinds | 4 369.26 | 15 February 2005 |
| Business cards | 85.00 | 11 March 2005 |
| Tribute to Northern Territory Women posters – five kinds | 877.00 | 11 March 2005 |
| Alicia Johnson Memorial Lecture 2004 | 2 459.51 | 31 March 2005 |
| Business cards | 88.00 | 15 April 2005 |
| Business cards | 75.00 | 29 May 2005 |
| Domestic Violence Legal Fact Sheets – four kinds | 3 141.34 | 30 May 2005 |
| TOTAL | 21 631.60 | 2004-05 |
No 87 ATTACHMENT
Name | DATE PAID | NT External Counsel (pre GST) |
| Peter Xavier Elliott | 26/07/2004 | $10 500.00 |
| Lyn McDade | 26/07/2004 | $ 2 400.00 |
| Mark Johnson | 16/07/2004 | $ 1 000.00 |
| Ward Keller | 18/08/2004 | $ 881.60 |
| Peter Xavier Elliott | 18/08/2004 | $ 1 250.00 |
| Mark Johnson | 23/08/2004 | $ 4 250.00 |
| John B Lawrence | 07/09/2004 | $ 4 500.00 |
| Mark Hunter | 07/09/2004 | $ 1 803.00 |
| Lyn McDade | 07/09/2004 | $ 6 000.00 |
| Ward Keller | 01/10/2004 | $ 1 676.00 |
| Mark Johnson | 27/10/2004 | $ 8 250.00 |
| Mark Johnson | 27/10/2004 | $ 800.00 |
| John B Lawrence | 12/10/2004 | $ 1 500.00 |
| John Tippett QC | 23/12/2004 | $ 1 000.00 |
| Tom Berkely | 14/01/2005 | $ 425.00 |
| Lyn McDade | 24/01/2005 | $ 975.00 |
| Gerard Bryant | 12/04/2005 | $ 850.00 |
| Gerard Bryant | 22/04/2005 | $ 1 700.00 |
| Tom Berkely | 23/05/2005 | $ 1 700.00 |
| Mark Johnson | 02/06/2005 | $ 850.00 |
| Lyn McDade | 02/06/2005 | $ 850.00 |
| Total paid in 2004/05 | | $53 160.60 |
No 95 ATTACHMENT
Page 1
Figure 1: Unprompted Awareness, 25 April 2005 to 22 May 2005
Base: (Wave 3, Phase 2 2005) Total Sample, n=501
*without being aided or prompted with the NT or any other destination
Figure 2: Prompted Awareness (Share Our Story campaign shown in patterned shades)
Base: Total recognised each in the targeted mediums/market. WAVE 3 total samples, Phase 1 (n=250); Phase 2 (n=501); Phase 3 (n=581)
No 95 ATTACHMENT
Page 2
Figure 3: Persuasion of Share Our Story Advertisement typesPage 2
Base: Consume targeted media relevant to specific executions AND aware of advertising; WAVE 3, Phase 3, 2005, Share Our Story TVC (n=50), Booklet Insert (n=59). WAVE 3, Phase 2 2005; Tactical Advertising (n=61), Alice Advertorials (n=75). Average WAVE 3 Phases 2 & 3, Branding Advertising (n=153), Online Advertisements (n=194)
No 103 ATTACHMENT
Pages 1 to 2
REMOTE INDIGENOUS UTILITY SERVICES
(POWER, WATER AND SEWERAGE)
TERRITORY FUNDED COMMUNITIES
| COMMUNITY | REGION | SERVICE PROVIDED |
| Acacia Larrakeyah | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Ali Curung | Barkly | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Alpurrurulam | Barkly | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Amanbidji | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Amoonguna | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Ampilatwatja | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Angurugu | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Areyonga | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Atitjere | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Barunga | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Belyuen | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Beswick | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Binjari | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Bulla | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Bulman | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Canteen Creek | Barkly | Power and Water |
| Daguragu | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Engawala | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Finke | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Galiwinku | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Gapuwiyak | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Gunbalanya | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Gunyangara | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Haasts Bluff | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Hermannsburg | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Imangara | Barkly | Power and Water |
| Imanpa | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Jilkminggan | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Kalkarindji | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Kaltukatjara | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Kintore | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Kybrook Farm | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Lajamanu | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Laramba | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Maningrida | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Manyallaluk | Katherine | Power and Water |
| Milikapiti | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Milingimbi | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Milyakburra | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Minjilang | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Minyerri | Katherine | Power and Water |
| Mt Liebig | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Nauiyu | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Nguiu | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Ngukurr | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Nturiya | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Numbulwar | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Nyirripi | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Palumpa | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Papunya | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Peppimenarti | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Pigeon Hole | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Pirlangimpi | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Pmara Jutunta | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Ramingining | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Rittarangu | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Robinson River | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Santa Teresa | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Tara | Barkly | Power and Water |
| Titjikala | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Umbakumba | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Wadeye | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Wallace Rockhole | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Warruwi | Darwin | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Weemol | Darwin | Power and Water |
| Willowra | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Wilora | Alice Springs | Power and Water |
| Wutunugurra | Barkly | Power and Water |
| Yarralin | Katherine | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Yirrkala | East Arnhem | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Yuelamu | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
| Yuendumu | Alice Springs | Power, Water and Sewerage |
No 142 ATTACHMENT
The following numbers of midwives were employed at the given locations as at 1 July 2004:
Royal Darwin Hospital 66 (56.4 FTE*)
Alice Springs Hospital 63
Tennant Creek Hospital 3
Gove District Hospital 14
Katherine District Hospital 14 (13.5 FTE)
The following numbers of midwives were employed at the given locations as at 1 July 2005:
Royal Darwin Hospital 71 (58.44 FTE)
Alice Springs Hospital 56
Tennant Creek Hospital 4
Gove District Hospital 14
Katherine District Hospital 12 (11.5 FTE)
Notes:
1. Every nurse who is a qualified midwife has been counted, not just those who are working in a maternity ward. For example, at Alice Springs Hospital, approximately half the midwives were stationed outside a maternity ward on both the given dates.
* FTE = full-time equivalent
No 145 ATTACHMENT
Elective Surgery Waiting List - % Admitted within Urgency Category Time Limits
Table 1
| Urgency Category | Category Time Limit (days) | % Admitted Within Category Time Limit |
| Category 1 (Urgent) | 30 | 83% |
| Category 2 (Semi-urgent) | 90 | 68% |
| Category 3 (Non-urgent) | 365* | 83% |
- * This limit has been imposed by the DHCS. The national limit is not an absolute figure and is defined as ‘admission at some time in the future’.
Emergency Department - % Treated Within Triage Category Waiting Time Limits
Table 2
| ATS CATEGORY | TREATMENT ACUITY
(Maximum waiting time) | % TREATED WITHIN LIMIT – NT HOSPITALS | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR THRESHOLD |
| ATS 1 | Immediate | 100% | 100% |
| ATS 2 | 10 minutes | 61% | 80% |
| ATS 3 | 30 minutes | 61% | 75% |
| ATS 4 | 60 minutes | 55% | 70% |
| ATS 5 | 120 minutes | 87% | 70% |
No 149 ATTACHMENT
Admitted Patient Services:
- Hospital Activity Model weighted inlier equivalent separations (WIES)
Non-acute bed days
Beds accredited by the Australian Council on Health Standards
Elective surgery waiting times
Output costs
Growth in Acute Inpatient WIES
Inpatient WIES compared with hospital expenditure, 2000-01 to 2004-05
Acute Inpatient Activity – WIES by Indigenous Status, 2004-05
Major Diagnostic Categories – Non Indigenous, 2003-04 and 2004-05
Major Diagnostic Categories Indigenous, 2003-04 and 2004-05
Average length of stay excluding same day, 2004-05
Same day renal treatment
Same day renal treatments, 1995-96 to 2004-05
Admitted Patient Services:
- Non-admitted specialist clinic occasions of service
Emergency Department attendances
Hospitals providing 24 hour access to emergency department
Emergency Department waiting times
Non-admitted specialist clinic OOS – all NT hospitals 2000-01 to 2004-05
Emergency attendances – all NT hospitals 2000-01 to 2004-05
No 153 ATTACHMENT
Question 7:
Please detail how many dental therapists are employed by the Department of Health by town centre.
ANSWER
Darwin 11
Question 11:
What are the Darwin and Palmerston clinics’ waiting time for general treatment?
ANSWER
Darwin Dental Clinic, September 2005 20.8 months (34 months in January 2005)
Question 12:
In Katherine, Alice Springs, Gove and Tennant Creek what is the waiting time for general treatment?
ANSWER
Katherine Dental Clinic 6 months (Nil in January 2005)
No 161 ATTACHMENT
| PROGRAM | EXPENDITURE 2004-05 | *ALLOCATION 2005-06 |
| Preventable Chronic Disease | $2 713 K | $2 654 K |
| Nutrition/Phys Activity | $2 426 K | $2 278 K |
| Maternal/Child Health | $3 177 K | $3 952 K |
| TOTAL | $8 316 K | $8 884 K |
- * Additional Commonwealth funding for the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program and the PCD Program is expected in 2005-06 but does not yet appear in the allocation.
Grants to predominantly Darwin and Alice Springs urban-based non-government organisations (such as Healthy Living NT/Diabetes Australia NT) do not appear in the above program allocations. DHCS funding to Healthy Living NT/Diabetes Australia NT in 2004-05 and 2005-06 is $599 000 pa.
No 163 ATTACHMENT
| Table: Number and annualised rate of notifiable STIs for the first half of the year, NT, 2004-2005 |
| QuarterGonorrhoeaChlamydiaSyphilisTrichomoniasis |
| CasesRateCasesRateCaseRateCaseRate |
| 2005 |
| Jan-Mar443874.0386761.64486.8168331.5 |
| Apr-Jun5581100.9477941.168134.2179353.2 |
| Total1001987.5863851.4112110.5347342.3 |
| 2004 |
| Jan-Mar376752.3379758.367134.1179358.2 |
| Apr-Jun452904.4448896.485170.1115230.1 |
| Total828828.4827827.4156156.1294294.1 |
Figure: Rates of notifiable STIs, NT, 2000-04
No 202 ATTACHMENT A
No 202 ATTACHMENT B
No 202 APPENDIX C
No 202 ATTACHMENT D
No 237 ATTACHMENT
No 202 ATTACHMENT B
No 202 APPENDIX C
No 202 ATTACHMENT D
No 237 ATTACHMENT
The following table provides information about the proposed scope of works for 2005-06. The final program is subject to change depending on final tender prices:
| NT Government Heritage Assets Repairs and Maintenance Program:
Projects funded 2005-06 |
| ProjectDescription of Work |
| Darwin Region |
| Cape Don Lighthouse Precinct, Cobourg PeninsulaRepairs to buildings |
| Former RAAF Explosive Stores, Charles Darwin National Park Repairs and repainting |
| Lyons Cottage, Darwin Repainting |
| Katherine Region |
| Adelaide River Railway Siding Precinct Repairs to buildings and bridge |
| Bullita Station Precinct Timber CreekRepairs to buildings and stockyards |
| Elsey Memorial CemeteryRepairs to fence and sign |
| Katherine River BridgeRepainting |
| Barkly/Tennant Creek Region |
| Bonney Well Repairs to windmill, water troughs and stone well |
| Tennant Creek Telegraph StationRepairs to stone buildings. |
| Barrow Creek Telegraph StationRepairs to stone building |
| Alice Springs Region |
| Arltunga Police Station and Government BatteryRepairs to stone buildings |
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016