Licensing Commission Report, 2006/07
w
WRITTEN QUESTIONS
11th Assembly
13/10/2008
14. Licensing Commission Report, 2006/07
Mr Elferink to MINISTER for Justice and Attorney-General
QUESTION
ANSWER
Answered on 27/02/2009
You may recall that we discussed this matter during the October 2008 Sittings. During the Sittings I commented on two major events that contributed to the Northern Territory Licensing Commission 2006/07 Annual Report being delayed.
In November 2006 the Racing, Gaming and Licensing function was transferred from NT Treasury to Department of Justice. With the transfer of agency responsibilities the corresponding checks and balances for the Commission’s annual reporting did not get incorporated into the department’s systems. With effect from July 2007, the Federal Intervention had a massive impact on the regulation of alcohol in the Northern Territory and the Commission’s workload was increased significantly.
While annual reporting and adherence to statutory timeframes are an important part of accountable government I would however, like to put it on record that the lateness of the report had no serious public implications. Most of the information contained in the 2006/07 report was of an administrative and statistical nature and was already publicly available through other sources.
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and I can assure you that senior staff from my department have strengthened administrative systems to prevent this type of oversight reoccurring.
WRITTEN QUESTIONS
11th Assembly
13/10/2008
14. Licensing Commission Report, 2006/07
Mr Elferink to MINISTER for Justice and Attorney-General
QUESTION
- Section 21 of the Northern Territory Licensing Commission Act requires that an Annual Report be submitted with regard to the operations and functions of the Commission. Essentially the Annual Report cannot be tabled later than the October of the next financial year.
1. Why was the 2006-07 Annual Report not tabled until September 18th 2008.
2. For what reason was the law broken.
ANSWER
Answered on 27/02/2009
You may recall that we discussed this matter during the October 2008 Sittings. During the Sittings I commented on two major events that contributed to the Northern Territory Licensing Commission 2006/07 Annual Report being delayed.
In November 2006 the Racing, Gaming and Licensing function was transferred from NT Treasury to Department of Justice. With the transfer of agency responsibilities the corresponding checks and balances for the Commission’s annual reporting did not get incorporated into the department’s systems. With effect from July 2007, the Federal Intervention had a massive impact on the regulation of alcohol in the Northern Territory and the Commission’s workload was increased significantly.
While annual reporting and adherence to statutory timeframes are an important part of accountable government I would however, like to put it on record that the lateness of the report had no serious public implications. Most of the information contained in the 2006/07 report was of an administrative and statistical nature and was already publicly available through other sources.
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and I can assure you that senior staff from my department have strengthened administrative systems to prevent this type of oversight reoccurring.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016