ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS - Answered by 2 May 2006
16 August 2005
65. Legal Expenses Incurred
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What has been the expenditure on legal expenses for the year 2004-05?
2. Please provide details of the nature of the matter or matters dealt with, the amount paid by matter dealt with and the amount of expenditure by firm paid?
ANSWER
1. The expenditure on legal expenses for the Department of the Chief Minister for the year 2004-05 was $200 292.77.
2. Attachment A provides details of the nature of the matter or matters dealt with, the amount paid by matter dealt with and the amount of expenditure by firm paid.
128. Participation and Development Programs
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Please explain the cut of $2.404m in the 2005-06 budget for participation and development programs. In 2004-05, this output area had a budget of $12.798m but blew out by $6m. Why?
ANSWER
The budget was not cut in 2005-06 but, rather, increased significantly over the course of 2004-05 by virtue of a number of one-off Capital Grants. The 2005-06 budget is, in fact, an increase of $3.6m over the initial 2004-05 budget.
The following Capital Grants were approved during the 2004-05 financial year:
129. New Netball Facility
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
1. What are the projected running costs of the new 10 court netball facility and has a business case study been undertaken to determine whether netball can afford the increased recurrent costs of such a facility?
2. How much extra parking will be required to accommodate the new netball facility?
3. What studies have been undertaken into the increased traffic flow that the new netball and soccer facilities will bring to the Marrara precinct?
ANSWER
1. The running costs may be expected to be in the order of $30 000 to $60 000 per annum including operating and maintenance costs. As the facility will be a government asset, the costs to netball will be defined in an agreement with netball for the use of the facility.
2. This will be determined during the design and development consent process.
3. The government, in partnership with the Darwin City Council, has commissioned a traffic planning study for the whole of the Marrara sports precinct to examine traffic flows, traffic management and parking issues.
130. Sports Groups’ Contributions to Construction of Facilities
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Have any sporting groups contributed to the construction of their facilities and, if so, which sporting groups and how much have they contributed?
ANSWER
A number of sporting organisations have contributed to the construction of their facilities, although the input varies. Where an organisation has not requested NTG capital funding for construction, it is not mandatory to inform the NTG of their contribution to the development of their facility. As such, the following list, compiled from information provided by sporting organisations to the NTG since 2003, cannot be comprehensive:
In addition to cash contributions, many organisations make an in-kind contribution to the upgrade or enhancement of their facilities. These may include members’ labour and donations of materials. Such contributions are many and impossible to quantify.
131. Basketball Canteen and Administration Facility
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
On the matter of basketball’s new airconditioned facility, why did the government not complete the canteen and administration facility?
ANSWER
The original brief was for a project budget of $4.3m, being $3m from government and $1.3m from Darwin Basketball Association (DBA).
DBA’s commitment was later reduced to $1m, due in part to a reduction in income from the Casuarina Club.
This reduction in budget, combined with unexpected additional costs in construction, required some cost cutting. In discussing the options with DBA, it was agreed that completion of the stadium itself was paramount, and deletion of the administration building entirely was considered. Ultimately, it was agreed that construction of the administration building would proceed but not the fit-out. This includes the kiosk, which is part of the administration building.
132. Major Sporting Fixtures Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Detail your department’s sponsorship and financial contribution to all major national and international fixtures that were held in the Northern Territory in 2004-05, ie, Netball, AFL, NBL, Rugby, V8 Supercars.
ANSWER
Hockey:
In July 2004 the department provided $5000 to support the costs associated with staging a pre-Olympic Men’s Hockey Tournament in Darwin.
Netball:
The department entered a partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Netball Association to deliver one Commonwealth Bank Trophy Netball game between the AIS Canberra Darters and the Queensland Firebirds. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $56 280.
AFL:
The department has a contract with the AFL that commits the AFL to playing pre-season matches in Alice Springs and Darwin, a Western Bulldogs home and away match in Darwin, team camps in the Northern Territory and, every second year, an Aboriginal All Stars game in Darwin. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $250 000.
NBL:
The department has a contract with the Perth Wildcats basketball club to play one home and away season game in Darwin, as well as conduct clinics in Alice Springs, Darwin and two remote communities. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $60 000.
Rugby:
The department entered a partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Rugby Union to conduct the game between the NT Mosquitoes and the national Samoan team. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $35 000.
V8 Supercars:
This department does not manage the V8 Supercars event in Darwin – it is managed by the Northern Territory Major Events Company.
Cricket:
On 1 July 2005 the test match between Australia and Sri Lanka commenced. The contract with Cricket Australia does not involve a fee to Cricket Australia, but rather in-kind event and facility support. The department expended $75 000 on providing event support to Cricket Australia; this figure excludes the salary costs of the Events Branch staff who provided this support.
133. Major Sporting Fixtures – 2005-06
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Detail which major sporting events have recommitted to play fixtures in the Northern Territory in 2005-06.
ANSWER
Australian Rules Football:
A pre-season match between Western Bulldogs and the Melbourne Demons was held in Darwin on 24 February 2006 and the second pre-season match was held in Alice Springs on the 11 March 2006 featuring West Coast Eagles and Carlton. On 12 August 2006, a home and away match featuring the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will be held in Darwin.
Basketball – Perth Wildcats:
The Perth Wildcats played against the Townsville Crocodiles on 29 January 2006 at Marrara indoor stadium.
Australian Rugby League:
A pre-season match between Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers was held in Alice Springs on Saturday, 18 February 2006.
International Cricket:
International Cricket will begin in Darwin on the 30 June 2006 with a four-day cricket match between Northern Territory and India. On Wednesday, 5 July 2006, Australia A will play New Zealand in a 20/20 competition. On Friday, 7 July 2006, Pakistan will play India in a one-day match, and on Saturday, 8 July, Australia A will play New Zealand in a one-day match. On Sunday, 9 July 2006, Australia A will play Pakistan. The event will culminate in a four-day Cricket International Trophy from Tuesday, 11 July to Friday, 14 July 2006.
Netball:
A round of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy Netball will be held in Darwin on 26 May 2006 where the AIS Canberra Darters will play the Perth Orioles.
65. Legal Expenses Incurred
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
1. What has been the expenditure on legal expenses for the year 2004-05?
2. Please provide details of the nature of the matter or matters dealt with, the amount paid by matter dealt with and the amount of expenditure by firm paid?
ANSWER
1. The expenditure on legal expenses for the Department of the Chief Minister for the year 2004-05 was $200 292.77.
2. Attachment A provides details of the nature of the matter or matters dealt with, the amount paid by matter dealt with and the amount of expenditure by firm paid.
128. Participation and Development Programs
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Please explain the cut of $2.404m in the 2005-06 budget for participation and development programs. In 2004-05, this output area had a budget of $12.798m but blew out by $6m. Why?
ANSWER
The budget was not cut in 2005-06 but, rather, increased significantly over the course of 2004-05 by virtue of a number of one-off Capital Grants. The 2005-06 budget is, in fact, an increase of $3.6m over the initial 2004-05 budget.
The following Capital Grants were approved during the 2004-05 financial year:
| Palmerston Magpie Oval | $2 000 000 |
| Katherine Sports Ground | $ 500 000 |
| Traeger Park | $2 944 000 |
| Gove Country Club | $ 150 000 |
| NT Hockey | $ 300 000 |
| Capital grant to Optus Rugby Park | $ 120 000 |
| Alice Springs Swimming Pool | $ 200 000 |
129. New Netball Facility
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
1. What are the projected running costs of the new 10 court netball facility and has a business case study been undertaken to determine whether netball can afford the increased recurrent costs of such a facility?
2. How much extra parking will be required to accommodate the new netball facility?
3. What studies have been undertaken into the increased traffic flow that the new netball and soccer facilities will bring to the Marrara precinct?
ANSWER
1. The running costs may be expected to be in the order of $30 000 to $60 000 per annum including operating and maintenance costs. As the facility will be a government asset, the costs to netball will be defined in an agreement with netball for the use of the facility.
2. This will be determined during the design and development consent process.
3. The government, in partnership with the Darwin City Council, has commissioned a traffic planning study for the whole of the Marrara sports precinct to examine traffic flows, traffic management and parking issues.
130. Sports Groups’ Contributions to Construction of Facilities
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Have any sporting groups contributed to the construction of their facilities and, if so, which sporting groups and how much have they contributed?
ANSWER
A number of sporting organisations have contributed to the construction of their facilities, although the input varies. Where an organisation has not requested NTG capital funding for construction, it is not mandatory to inform the NTG of their contribution to the development of their facility. As such, the following list, compiled from information provided by sporting organisations to the NTG since 2003, cannot be comprehensive:
| Hockey NT | $36 000 as part of Facility Grant |
| NT Rugby League | $23 000 as part of Facility Grant |
| NT Polocrosse Association | $5000 as part of Facility Grant |
| NT Cricket Association | $7000 as part of Facility Grant |
| Darwin Basketball Association | $665 500 as part of Capital Works Partnership |
In addition to cash contributions, many organisations make an in-kind contribution to the upgrade or enhancement of their facilities. These may include members’ labour and donations of materials. Such contributions are many and impossible to quantify.
131. Basketball Canteen and Administration Facility
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
On the matter of basketball’s new airconditioned facility, why did the government not complete the canteen and administration facility?
ANSWER
The original brief was for a project budget of $4.3m, being $3m from government and $1.3m from Darwin Basketball Association (DBA).
DBA’s commitment was later reduced to $1m, due in part to a reduction in income from the Casuarina Club.
This reduction in budget, combined with unexpected additional costs in construction, required some cost cutting. In discussing the options with DBA, it was agreed that completion of the stadium itself was paramount, and deletion of the administration building entirely was considered. Ultimately, it was agreed that construction of the administration building would proceed but not the fit-out. This includes the kiosk, which is part of the administration building.
132. Major Sporting Fixtures Funding
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Detail your department’s sponsorship and financial contribution to all major national and international fixtures that were held in the Northern Territory in 2004-05, ie, Netball, AFL, NBL, Rugby, V8 Supercars.
ANSWER
Hockey:
In July 2004 the department provided $5000 to support the costs associated with staging a pre-Olympic Men’s Hockey Tournament in Darwin.
Netball:
The department entered a partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Netball Association to deliver one Commonwealth Bank Trophy Netball game between the AIS Canberra Darters and the Queensland Firebirds. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $56 280.
AFL:
The department has a contract with the AFL that commits the AFL to playing pre-season matches in Alice Springs and Darwin, a Western Bulldogs home and away match in Darwin, team camps in the Northern Territory and, every second year, an Aboriginal All Stars game in Darwin. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $250 000.
NBL:
The department has a contract with the Perth Wildcats basketball club to play one home and away season game in Darwin, as well as conduct clinics in Alice Springs, Darwin and two remote communities. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $60 000.
Rugby:
The department entered a partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Rugby Union to conduct the game between the NT Mosquitoes and the national Samoan team. The government’s financial contribution to the agreement in 2004-05 was $35 000.
V8 Supercars:
This department does not manage the V8 Supercars event in Darwin – it is managed by the Northern Territory Major Events Company.
Cricket:
On 1 July 2005 the test match between Australia and Sri Lanka commenced. The contract with Cricket Australia does not involve a fee to Cricket Australia, but rather in-kind event and facility support. The department expended $75 000 on providing event support to Cricket Australia; this figure excludes the salary costs of the Events Branch staff who provided this support.
133. Major Sporting Fixtures – 2005-06
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Detail which major sporting events have recommitted to play fixtures in the Northern Territory in 2005-06.
ANSWER
Australian Rules Football:
A pre-season match between Western Bulldogs and the Melbourne Demons was held in Darwin on 24 February 2006 and the second pre-season match was held in Alice Springs on the 11 March 2006 featuring West Coast Eagles and Carlton. On 12 August 2006, a home and away match featuring the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will be held in Darwin.
Basketball – Perth Wildcats:
The Perth Wildcats played against the Townsville Crocodiles on 29 January 2006 at Marrara indoor stadium.
Australian Rugby League:
A pre-season match between Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers was held in Alice Springs on Saturday, 18 February 2006.
International Cricket:
International Cricket will begin in Darwin on the 30 June 2006 with a four-day cricket match between Northern Territory and India. On Wednesday, 5 July 2006, Australia A will play New Zealand in a 20/20 competition. On Friday, 7 July 2006, Pakistan will play India in a one-day match, and on Saturday, 8 July, Australia A will play New Zealand in a one-day match. On Sunday, 9 July 2006, Australia A will play Pakistan. The event will culminate in a four-day Cricket International Trophy from Tuesday, 11 July to Friday, 14 July 2006.
Netball:
A round of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy Netball will be held in Darwin on 26 May 2006 where the AIS Canberra Darters will play the Perth Orioles.
Question 65
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT A
Legal Expenses Incurred
| Nature of the Matter | Firm Paid | Amount Paid |
| Legal advice | Cridlands Pty Ltd | $ 3 321.00 |
| Mediation | McIntyre, Mr Patrick | $ 7 862.50 |
| Licence agreement | Territory Insurance Office | $ 1 111.17 |
| Commercial advice | Minter Ellison | $ 54 324.03 |
| Commercial advice | Deutsche Bank | $ 27 001.18 |
| Commercial advice | Blake Dawson Waldron | $ 96 263.80 |
| Legal advice | E P Aughterson | $ 8 000.00 |
| Commercial advice | Griffith Hack | $ 409.09 |
| Legal support services | Buckland, Mr Anthony D | $ 2 000.00 |
 | Total | $ 200 292.77 |
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016