Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills

TAKING PUBLIC HOUSING FOR GRANTED

Victor P Taffa

Territory taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill for damage to public housing stock by residents and visitors.

Opposition Leader Terry Mills said figures obtained by the Opposition show that last year, 754 Territory Housing properties were damaged by tenants or their visitors.

“The total damage bill was $2.03 Million, of which the Government has so far recouped only $660,000.” Mr. Mills said.

“This is less than one-third of the overall cost to repair the damage, and shows the Government is letting public housing vandals get away with mistreating their properties.”

“Minister Chris Burns must also explain why, given the large number of damaged properties and the enormous cost to repair those homes, only 52 public tenancies was terminated last year.” Mr. Mills said.

“The Government must stop tacitly condoning public housing vandalism by evicting tenants who don’t respect their homes.”

“Instead of taking a passive approach, the Government must set an example to all tenants that public housing is a privilege, not a right.” Mr. Mills said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Women’s Policy Kezia Purick

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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International Women’s Day is an opportunity for all Territorians to celebrate the achievements and aspirations of women in our community.

Shadow Minister for Women’s Policy Kezia Purick said International Women’s Day is more than a symbolic acknowledgement of the role of women in society.

“It’s an opportunity to focus on broadening the reach of women into areas that men have traditionally dominated, such as encouraging young women to study science in school to allow participation into fields where women are historically not strong such as mining, agriculture and commercial fishing.” Ms. Purick said.

“It’s also a chance to support women on the land in Queensland, many of whom have suffered as a result of floods and Cyclone Yasi.”

“Working and living on the land is often a family affair and the role of women should not be understated.” Ms. Purick said.

“As well, it’s time to support women in remote areas who struggle against the ravages of alcohol and drug abuse in some communities and who are working so hard to look after their families.”

Ms. Purick called on women to stake a place in the Territory’s future by participating in the Statehood conventions later this year.

“The conventions are intended to be representative of the entire community and on that basis, given there are more women than men in the Territory, a majority of women at the convention would be appropriate.” Ms. Purick said.

There is discussion that there be certain laws allowed for Territories that gives the same standing for those laws as if they were passed by a State. Many people are overlooking the fact that this would be unconstitutional. States have a legal standing that Territories do not have and is why the Commonwealth has legal control over Territories. The only real way forward for The Northern Territory is for full Statehood and anything else would not stand up to scrutiny in the High Court.

Northern Territory Shadow Treasurer Willem Westra van Holthe

GST WINDFALL SHOULD PAY OFF DEBT

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Treasurer, Delia Lawrie, should use the additional GST revenues announced last week by the Commonwealth Grants Commission to offset the Territory’s spiralling debt.

Shadow Treasurer, Willem Westra van Holthe, said the Government must commit to not squandering this latest windfall like it has with others in the past.

“The Territory will receive an additional $136 Million in GST revenues – money that should go immediately to repaying the $2.16 Billion Debt projected for 2013-14.” Mr. Westra van Holthe said.

“The Government should also put a time-frame on when it will return the budget to surplus – a commitment the Chief Minister refused to make in Parliament last week.”

“According to Treasury’s own figures, the budget will be in the red by $425 Million at the end of this financial year, a massive financial hangover. It’s worth remembering the Territory could be debt free had Labor not squandered the GST windfalls it has received over the past decade.” Mr. Westra van Holthe said.

“The Territory pays approximately $60 Million more every year in interest as a result of the debt it carries.”

“It’s not fair future generations of Territorians are being lumbered with Delia’s debts of the past. The Treasurer should commit to repaying debt and clearing the slate so future generations aren’t weighed down by her Government’s reckless spending.” Mr. Westra van Holthe said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Construction Ross Bohlin

ROAD RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN CONCRETE

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Contrary to claims in the media this morning, the section of Howard Springs Road from which sand and aggregate for the construction industry are supplied, remains closed to vehicles above 4.5 tonnes.

Shadow Construction Minister, Ross Bohlin, said he clarified the road’s status this afternoon when he met with bureaucrats from the Department of Construction and Infrastructure.

“I was surprised to hear a Departmental Spokesman quoted on radio this morning saying the restrictions had been lifted on Friday.” Mr. Bohlin said.

“This isn’t the case, and time is running out for the construction sector to obtain the supplies required to make concrete.”

“The extractives industry has even offered to work with Government by supplying road base to lay as a foundation pad on the damaged section of road.”

“This would serve to not only open the road to restricted heavy 6vehicles but also improve its safety for local traffic.” Mr. Bohlin said.

Clearly the standards of Public Administration have a long way to go before The Northern Territory can become The State of Northern Australia. Officials in other States can provide The Northern Territory Government with professional advice in the transition to Statehood that will occur.

The new By-Pass Railway Line between Albury and Wodonga was a great idea however the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) did not build a firm base for the Line and so the Railway Track was lifting and XPT Trains were forced to operate on Speed Restrictions that saw the XPT from Sydney unable to continue to Melbourne.

This situation has not occurred with the duplication of the Hume Highway between Gundagai and the Victorian Border. While this Duplication and that of the Pacific Highway has not been completed this level of incompetence would not be tolerated in the construction of Roads in New South Wales or Victoria.

High-Speed Rail between Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane has the backing of the Victoria Liberal/National Government and Editor Victor P Taffa has tremendous capability to deliver on new Railway and Tramway Projects.

Northern Territory Shadow Attorney General John Elferink

BAILING OUT ON JUSTICE

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Proposed Changes to the Bail Act provide a telling insight into the Henderson Government’s definition of ‘tough on crime’.

“The Government is proposing that if you are arrested on their new crime of ‘breach of Bail’, that you will be granted Bail.” Shadow Attorney General John Elferink said today.

“This strange twist shows that while Labor pretends to take a tough line with criminals, in fact it intends to release the very people it is pretending to be tough on.” Mr. Elferink said.

“There is a presumption in favour of Bail for the vast majority of offences in the Territory, and the new offence of Breach of Bail will be no exception.”

“If the Government wants Bail agreements to mean anything to the people who enter into them, they should enforce the agreements people make to appear in court.”

“All too often Bail agreements are set aside by courts when Bailees are arrested.” Mr. Elferink said.

“This is in spite of the fact that they have promised to pay money if they don’t appear. If you enforce these agreements, people will take them seriously.” Mr. Elferink said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Child Protection Robyn Lambley

LABOR GAGS OMBUDSMAN

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The Henderson Government is preparing to silence one of the Territory’s foremost advocates for Child Protection.

Shadow Minister for Child Protection Robyn Lambley said this latest attempt to gag public scrutiny is an appalling new twist in the Government’s sorry legacy of Protecting Children in care in the Northern Territory.

“An amendment proposed by the Henderson Government to the Care and Protection of Children Act prevents the Ombudsman from investigating anything that can be investigated by the Children’s Commissioner.” Ms. Lambley said.

“This includes all services provided to vulnerable children and any matter that may form the grounds for a complaint against child protection workers or the agency as a whole.”

“At the same time, the Government is only providing the Children’s Commissioner with limited own motion investigative powers, which means there will be still areas outside the authority of both offices to investigate.” Ms. Lambley said.

 
“In other words, the powers they’re taking away from the Ombudsman, they are not giving in their entirety to the Children’s Commissioner.”

“The Country Liberals will oppose any attempt to gag or curtail the investigative capacities of the Office of the Ombudsman, and will not support legislation that does not provide the Children’s Commissioner with adequate own motion powers.” Ms. Lambley said.

“The Government is undoubtedly dreading the findings of the Ombudsman’s report into child protection, coming on the tale of the scathing Growing Them Strong, Together report.”

“That report highlighted the considerable, systemic failures over many years of the child protection system – and it appears the Government is attempting to stifle any further criticism that it sees as politically damaging.”

“It’s typical of this paranoid Government’s dislike of scrutiny that it will put its own political interests ahead of the welfare of children in care.” Ms. Lambley said.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills

PRICE HIKES AND THE CARBON TAX

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The Territory Opposition does not support a carbon tax that increases the cost of living in the Northern Territory or impacts on our key industries.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills said the Country Liberals are opposed to any tax that detrimentally impacts on the Territory economy.

“I note the Chief Minister restricts his concerns about the carbon tax to its likely impact on the price of electricity.”  Mr. Mills said.

“No doubt that concern is rooted in the fact he has jacked up the price of electricity by 25% in the past two years.”

“I also challenge the Chief Minister’s assertion that the carbon tax will have no impact on the agricultural sector.” Mr. Mills said.

“The Cattlemen’s Association believes that the Federal Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative will not benefit northern Australian cattle producers.”

“The Opposition would not tolerate any negative effects on key industry such as primary producers, mining, tourism and construction.” Mr. Mills said.

“What the Gillard Government is proposing will increase the price of goods and services across the board.”

It’s expensive enough to live here as it is; Territorians simply can’t afford higher prices.” Mr. Mills said.

“Territorians pay the highest prices in any capital city for groceries, rents and petrol.”

“Add the fact we are paying record house prices and making ends meet is getting tougher all the time.” Mr. Mills said.

“The Country Liberals are committed to keeping costs low, and do not support any measures that would lead to cost increases.”

“The Labor Party’s shameless backflip on a carbon tax must not hurt Territorians already struggling under the weight of the highest operating costs in the country.” Mr. Mills said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Construction & Infrastructure Ross Bohlin

NO CONCRETE – NO CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

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Shadow Minister for Construction and Infrastructure Ross Bohlin says the Construction Minister, Gerry McCarthy, should act immediately to preserve the supply lines of raw construction material to Darwin.

“The heavy wet season has again taken its toll on our roads resulting in load and speed restrictions on Howard Springs Road between Stow Road and Howard Springs Reserve.” Mr. Bohlin said.

“This has cut the final line of supply of sand and aggregate for the construction industry. No sand, no aggregate means no concrete, no concrete means no construction. With reserves low, industry has today told me they will most likely run out of supplies by mid next week.”

“The short-sighted approach of the Department of Roads means Darwin’s major construction projects will grind to a halt through bureaucracy.” Mr. Bohlin said.

“For the past two days the Extractive Industry has been trying to work with the Department of Roads, offering self imposed but reasonable load restrictions and even greater speed restrictions across the damaged portion of bitumen.”

“The industry has offered to supply up to 60 tonne of road base for the affected area to create a restorative pad across the damaged area.” Mr. Bohlin said.

“The blind refusal of Government to work with industry and protect greater Darwin’s major Construction industry is madness.”

“We must not only rectify the current situation immediately but also plan to further protect our major supply routes.

“It is not acceptable to constantly plan to fail by failing to plan the preservation of essential supply routes.” Mr. Bohlin said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Child Protection Robyn Lambley

VATSKALIS MISLEADS PARLIAMENT

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Children and Families Minister, Kon Vatskalis, has deliberately and wilfully misled the Northern Territory Parliament over his plans to strip the Ombudsman of her powers to investigate Child Protection matters.

“Yesterday, Minister Vatskalis, verballed the Ombudsman when he claimed she was satisfied with his decision to prevent her from investigating child protection issues.” Shadow Minister for Child Protection Robyn Lambley said today.

“Today, the Minister repeated the claim in Parliament, asserting the Ombudsman was ‘reassured’ about the changes and that she ‘supported’ them.” Ms. Lambley said.

“This is in stark contrast to the comments made by the Ombudsman who said she had been:

‘… referred to as supporting the arrangements … that is not correct.’

“Minister Vatskalis has failed Territorians on three counts.” Ms. Lambley said.

“Firstly, by attacking the Ombudsman, he has tried to strip one of the pillars of democracy of its powers – essentially muzzling a watchdog.”

“Secondly, he has clearly misled Territorians about the Ombudsman’s response to her powers being slashed in the hope that she could be bullied into submission.”

“Finally, he has failed Territory children in care.” Ms. Lambley said.
“Four months after the release of the damning Growing Them Strong, Together report highlighted a ‘tsunami of need’ in child protection the Henderson Government wants to nobble the Ombudsman’s capacity to investigate issues associated with children in care.”

“Minister Vatskalis’ integrity has been badly damaged by events of recent days.” Ms. Lambley said.
“It was telling the Chief Minister chose not to defend his Minister when he came under attack from Opposition members in Parliament this evening.”

“Kon Vatskalis failed to provide a response as to why he misled the Parliament. The Chief Minister must hold him to account.” Ms. Lambley said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Statehood Kezia Purick

STATEHOOD WOULD BE GREATHOOD

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The Statehood Conventions planned for later this year are an opportunity for all Territorians to play a key role in shaping our future.

Shadow Statehood Minister, Kezia Purick, said the release of the final Statehood report and its accompanying recommendations is the culmination of five years of hard work by all those involved with the Statehood Steering Committee.

“The conventions will be truly representative of the Northern Territory community. What’s more, they’ll be a politician free zone, with only members of the public eligible to contest for convention spots.” Ms. Purick said.

“Delegates to the convention will be elected from the 25 electorates – with four delegates coming from each seat.”

“The first convention will take place in Darwin over 10 days and the second in Alice Springs over five. In an Australian first, the minimum age for voting as well as for contesting the poll will be 17.” Ms. Purick said.

“This is reflective of the Territory’s status as Australia’s youngest jurisdiction and acknowledges the role of young Territorians in our future development.”

“The next few years could be very significant in our transformation from a Territory with limited rights, to a State with equal rights to all other Australians.”

“While much work has been done to date, there is much more to do.” Ms. Purick said.
“I call on Territorians young and old to become involved in this important, Nation Building process.” Ms. Purick said.

The Northern Territory is Australia’s Northern Gateway and yet when people arrive in Darwin they arrive in The Northern Territory which should be called Northern Australia. This may sound minor however Northern Australia suggests that as with Western Australia and South Australia that people have arrived in a part of Australia. The Northern Territory is simply a Territory that sounds like an afterthought.

While The Northern Territory has had this name since annexation from South Australia in 1911 a lot has happened in this time to suggest that a more mature approach be adapted. Darwin was shaped by two large events and not because of any well meaning person in Canberra thousands of kilometres away.

Darwin was bombed in 1942 and was flattened by Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Both events helped to transform Darwin and The Northern Territory. The Alice Springs to Darwin (Palmerston) Railway took 100 years for a single track to be completed. In the world’s largest island continent The Northern Territory is Australia’s Northern Gateway and Statehood should reflect that status.

Territory Status and Statehood have different legal meanings. There is an Administrator instead of a State Governor, A Chief Minister instead of a State Premier and NO State Constitution.  The Territory Parliament has a different legal standing to that of a State Parliament. Each State has a Flag with the Union Jack in the top left hand corner.

Australia’s Independent Colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia all came together after voters in every Colony supported the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia that was enacted on 9 July 1900 and Proclaimed on 1 January 1901.

The push for Federation came as all six Colonies competed for Trade and is why Australia is such a strong Nation today. The Federal Parliament met in Melbourne until 1927 when Canberra and The Australian Capital Territory came into being.

The States House in the Federal Parliament that is called The Senate began with 6 Senators each. This was increased to 10 and in 1984 every State elected 12 Senators. Currently there are 76 Senators with 2 from both The Australian Capital Territory and 2 from The Northern Territory.

Some may argue that Tasmania should not have equal number of Senators to that of New South Wales however under S.7 of the Commonwealth Constitution it expressly states that each original State must have equal representation.

Under Cl.6 of the Commonwealth Constitution the States included the Colonies of New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, including the Northern Territory of South Australia. Chapter VI Ss.121-124 of the Commonwealth Constitution outlines the requirements for New States.

While many people will argue for or against a Republic and a New Flag the issue of Statehood for The Northern Territory is one for all Territorians to debate and support. The change to Statehood will not bring immediate wealth to many people however over time the State of Northern Australia with a State Premier bound by a State Constitution and State Governor will be in a position to sell the State to the world and not simply have a Federal Minister who is unable to adequately enable real economic growth to occur that made this Country what it is today.