Northern Territory Shadow Treasurer John Elferink

TREASURER MISSES THE POINT

Victor P Taffa

Treasurer Delia Lawrie has missed the point about the pressures faced by Territory households on a daily basis.

“While today’s inflation figures are good news on the surface, the problems faced by Territorians go way beyond the latest CPI statistics.” Shadow Treasurer John Elferink said.

“The fact is many people are doing it tough because of the high cost of housing, increases in the price of power and water, the price of fuel and the cost of a basket of groceries.”

“These are very real concerns for Territory workers and families and it’s disappointing the Treasurer and Labor are hiding behind the latest inflation data.” Mr. Elferink said.

“Figures released by Australian Property Monitors today show the median house price in Darwin is almost $580,000, the second highest of any capital in the country and way out of reach of many would-be home-owners.”

“Last week, APM showed median rents for a house in Darwin are $550 a week – the highest of any Australian capital.” Mr. Elferink said.

“Despite the pressures already faced by Territorians, the Henderson Government has no problems squeezing a bit more out of taxpayers.”

“It introduced one of the most expensive container deposit schemes going around which jacked up prices and is right behind Federal Labor’s carbon tax, which is estimated will leave up to 30% of Australians worse off.” Mr. Elferink said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Environment Peter Chandler

CAN’T SEE THE WOODS…

Victor P Taffa

A line of trees recently planted under a Government scheme in Songlark Street, Bakewell, are faced with removal because of a failure to consult with the local council.

Shadow Environment Minister, Peter Chandler, said volunteers recently planted a variety of tree species in Songlark Street, but now Palmerston City Council has asked they be removed and a single species be replanted to minimise maintenance costs.

“The nature strips are council land and at the very least Government should have consulted with the body responsible for the verges before the trees were planted.” Mr. Chandler said.

“In the meantime, I’ll do what I can to ensure the trees aren’t destroyed.”

“I’m calling on council and Government to find common ground to ensure these trees aren’t wasted.” Mr. Chandler said.

“Perhaps Government could agree to meet any additional maintenance costs on these trees and in future, to consult with councils or the relevant body before any new trees are planted under the scheme.”

“The worst possible outcome would be that the hard work done by the volunteers is wasted.” Mr. Chandler said.

“It’s typical of Labor that it can’t even get a small-scale green initiative to function smoothly.”

“Territorians are entitled to ask why they should have any confidence the Government will get the big ones right.” Mr. Chandler said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Regional Development Adam Giles

HAMPTON ABANDONS ALICE SPRINGS AGAIN

Victor P Taffa

Member for Braitling, Adam Giles, has condemned the absence of the Minister for Central Australia during another summer of crisis in Alice Springs.

Mr. Giles described as disgraceful the decision by Karl Hampton to again go missing, this time while the economy is flat-lining and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

“Karl Hampton should be fighting for Alice Springs businesses, but it’s been some time since he or any Government Minister has been in town addressing the issues.”

“During last summer’s crime surge the Minister for Central Australia left us in the lurch and again this year he is nowhere to be seen.” Mr. Giles said.

“While its general knowledge the Henderson Government has abandoned Alice Springs, there’s no excuse for the Minister to play that game as well.”

“Once again it is left to the Country Liberals to champion the cause of Alice Springs because the Government has turned away.” Mr. Giles said.

“The list of businesses closing grows in line with the decline in business confidence in the town. Alice Springs is struggling with the lack of Government infrastructure investment, tourism marketing and ongoing crime problems.”

“This month’s shutdown of Bojangles comes on top of the closure of Centrebet, the Red Cross, Rivers, GD McGees, Private Hire Taxis, the Airport Shuttle Bus, Sussans, a newsagent, galleries, travel agent and the downsizing of many businesses like Mbantua Gallery.”

“On top of this Government positions are also being wound back.” Mr. Giles said.

“We continue to hear about infrastructure contracts going to companies outside Central Australia or the Territory and while it is a free market, Labor isn’t assisting local businesses to improve their tendering practices to help them win contracts.”

“As well, works done by interstate contractors aren’t being adequately inspected for quality. Maybe Alice Springs contractors are dearer because they do the job properly and don’t cut corners.”

“There are currently no major projects in Alice Springs and no plans in the pipeline for any additional tourism infrastructure.” Mr. Giles said.

“The prolonged silence by the Government and Minister shows they have no answers to the slump that’s bringing business operators to their knees.” Mr. Giles said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Correctional Services Willem Westra van Holthe

LABOR’S GROG FAILURE

Victor P Taffa

Today’s NT Police Facebook posting detailing the success of a two day blitz on illegal drinking in restricted areas around Katherine highlights the monumental failure of the Government’s grog laws.

Member for Katherine, Willem Westra van Holthe, said Police in the town reported 201 litres of alcohol were seized and destroyed – the equivalent of over 530 cans.

“This is another fabulous effort by the local Police, but it also highlights the failure of the Government’s grog restrictions to make a difference to problem drinking.” Mr. Westra van Holthe said.

“Obviously, the Government’s liquor restrictions and the Banned Drinkers’ Register aren’t working.”

“Despite the Country Liberals’ opposition to the grog bans, the Government went ahead with these unworkable laws anyway.” Mr. Westra van Holthe said.

“A Menzies School of Health Research study on the impact of grog restrictions in Katherine showed that the longer they are in place, the less difference they make.”

“The statistics from the blitz over the past few days confirm that fact.” Mr. Westra van Holthe said.

Northern Territory Shadow Treasurer John Elferink

DESPERATE LABOR GIVES IT AWAY

Victor P Taffa

“Delia Lawrie’s media release on plans for a workers village in Darwin contained one glaring omission and at least one significant inaccuracy.” Shadow Treasurer, John Elferink said.

“In the final sentence the Treasurer claims ‘the Territory is ready’ for the resources boom.”

“Clearly, this isn’t the case.” Mr. Elferink said.

“The Territory’s housing crisis goes back years and the Treasurer has been saying for the best part of 12 months that INPEX is coming, so today’s announcement shows just how unprepared the Henderson Government is for the resources boom.”

“If Labor was fair dinkum, the workers village would already have been under construction, not at the ‘Expressions of Interest’ stage.” Mr. Elferink said.

“It points to the extent of the Territory’s housing crisis that such a facility is required at all.”

“Labor has sat on its hands while thousands of skilled Territory workers moved interstate because buying or renting a home was out of their reach.”

“By contrast, in September 2009 the Country Liberals released a sensible, fully costed plan to develop temporary accommodation at the old Bechtel site in Palmerston.” Mr. Elferink said.

“Instead of adopting this important initiative the Government chose to play politics, in the process turning their backs on Territorians laboring under the weight of the housing crisis.”

Mr. Elferink said the Treasurer neglected to mention in her media release that today’s announcement dates back to a 2009 plan to develop a workers village at exactly the same site.

“Developers failed to get behind the plan and it fell over. Now Labor’s dusted it off and are having another crack at it.” Mr. Elferink said.

“This time they’re so desperate to get it up and running that they’re effectively giving away 9.5 hectares of Crown land at Batten Road to the preferred developer.” Mr. Elferink said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Indigenous Policy Adam Giles

YUENDUMU SHOULD GET SIHIP HOUSES

Victor P Taffa

On a visit today to the remote Central Australian community of Yuendumu, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Policy Adam Giles has called on the Territory Government to immediately roll out the SIHIP housing construction and refurbishment scheme to improve living conditions for residents.

“SIHIP would not only provide economic stimulus and jobs for Yuendumu, but also boost morale in a community plagued by dislocation and disenfranchisement.” Mr. Giles said.

“SIHIP was first announced in 2007, and four-and-a-half years later not one house has been constructed in Yuendumu.”

“It’s widely known that to achieve improvements in education, health and employment, safe and secure housing and accommodation is a prerequisite.” Mr. Giles said.

“However instead of using the Alliance contracting methodology preferred by SIHIP, communities such as Yuendumu, Hermannsburg and others should be facilitating housing construction and refurbishments through Local Government authorities.” Mr. Giles said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Health Matt Conlan

A BETTER WAY TO SPEND $5 MILLION

Victor P Taffa

Shadow Health Minister, Matt Conlan, says he hopes the appointment of a new Federal Health Minister will lead to a renewed commitment to the provision of after-hours GP services across the Northern Territory.

Mr. Conlan said he was encouraged by the apparent change in focus of the new Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek, and the allocation of grants to boost after-hours medical services in the Territory.

“The Country Liberals have been pushing for improved after hours services for some time, and earlier this year the Parliament supported our call for a renewed focus on additional after-hours GPs.” Mr. Conlan said.

“While its unfortunate only one clinic in the Territory received a $100,000 Commonwealth grant to extend its hours, I’m hopeful there will be more to come in the future.”

“The Government should re-allocate the $5 Million it has set aside for another GP Superclinic and use the money to assist existing clinics to increase their operating hours.” Mr. Conlan said.

“The GP Superclinic has done nothing to ease waiting times at emergency departments across the Territory and has threatened the viability of other GP clinics operating in the vicinity.”

“I hope Ms. Plibersek sees the wisdom of supporting existing operators as a way of boosting after-hours services and allocates more grants across the Territory.” Mr. Conlan said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Transport Adam Giles

LABOR MUST RELEASE INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT

Victor P Taffa

The impact of the Stuart Highway closure and railway derailment is still being felt across the Territory, almost a week after flooding caused by the aftermath of Cyclone Grant.

Shadow Transport Spokesman, Adam Giles, says reports of fruit and vegetable shortages in some Top End supermarkets and of businesses struggling to get stock and supplies highlights the importance of securing the link between southern Australia and the Territory.

He called on the Territory Government to work with the Country Liberals to push the Commonwealth for a long-term plan to flood proof the Top End.

“Back in April 2008, the Government commissioned consultants Acil Tasman to develop a 10-year year infrastructure plan for the Territory but nearly four years later, the document still hasn’t seen the light of day.” Mr. Giles said.

“In addition, its flakey 2030 plan makes reference to roads infrastructure, but that’s about where it appears to end.”

“It’s ridiculous that almost every year, one of the biggest cities in northern Australia is cut off by the weather.” Mr. Giles said.

“It hurts members of the public who want to buy fruit, veggies and other groceries for the family and business operators waiting to fill customer orders and update stock.”

“The Territory’s economic growth will continue to be hamstrung as long as the existing supply lines are so brittle.” Mr. Giles said.

“Weather-proofing the Territory will take many years and cost billions of dollars, but in the long term the investment will be critical to our long term expansion.”

“The nation’s future prosperity lies in the development of sustainable economies in northern Australia on the back of the resources sector and growth in the pastoral industry, but this will be seriously set back if the Stuart Highway breaks-up every time there is a serious weather event.”

“The Government’s sluggish approach to this essential development is hurting the Territory.” Mr. Giles said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Transport Adam Giles

TAXI!

Victor P Taffa

Shadow Transport Minister, Adam Giles, has urged New Year’s Eve revellers to make sure they consider using taxis as they travel from home and between venues tomorrow night.

Mr. Giles said the statistics surrounding drink driving in the Northern Territory are the worst in the country and said revellers should plan to catch a taxi, make use of late-night bus services or ensure a Sober Bob is at hand to drive them home.

“The NT Road Safety Taskforce Report identified that 48% of fatal crashes in the Territory are alcohol related.” Mr. Giles said.

“In Victoria, one driver in every 314 was tested as over the legal limit, compared to one driver in 42 in the Territory.”

“This is a very clear indication that people who are affected by alcohol should not get behind the wheel.” Mr. Giles said.

“While I notice the Government is offering assistance in terms of bus transport tomorrow night, it should also detail how it has helped the taxi industry prepare for one of its busiest nights for the year.”

“Taxis are crucial to the safe and speedy transfer of people in and out of the major party precincts and they also deserve the backing of Government.”

“Taxi driver safety is crucial, and I urge party-goers to respect drivers who have the often challenging job of driving revellers home after New Year’s festivities.” Mr. Giles said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Transport Adam Giles

THIRD WORLD STUFF

Victor P Taffa

The flooding and closure of the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Katherine should send an important message to the Territory and Federal Labor governments about the need to work towards flood-proofing the Territory’s national highway network.

Shadow Transport Minister, Adam Giles, said pictures taken over the past two days showing sections of the Highway trashed by floodwaters point to chronic neglect and missed opportunities by Labor.

“This isn’t an obscure service road in the middle of nowhere this is the main road into and out of Darwin.” Mr. Giles said.

“A situation that saw the main road into any other capital city blocked for several days by floodwaters simply wouldn’t be tolerated.”

“As well as being the lifeline between the Territory and the rest of the country, the Stuart Highway is also an important strategic asset.”

“Having it blocked by flood-waters is the stuff of a third-world country.” Mr. Giles said.

“The Henderson Government has never outlined a plan for flood-proofing major Territory roads, despite the obvious need for a framework from which to operate.

“Last year I and Country Liberals colleague, Ross Bohlin, raised serious concerns about the state of neglect that was obvious driving along the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Alice Springs.” Mr. Giles said.

“There were countless pot-holes, many road shoulders had deteriorated and there was a general state of disrepair.”

“When the Country Liberals were in Government, the Stuart Highway was the best major road anywhere in Australia.”

“Under Labor, the overall condition of the Stuart Highway has gone backwards and nation-building infrastructure that would secure the Territory has not been built.” Mr. Giles said.