Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Multi-Cultural Affairs Peter Styles

MULTI-CULTURAL, MULTI-DUPLICITOUS

Victor P Taffa

The Henderson Government’s commitment to multi-cultural affairs falls significantly short of its rhetoric.

According to Shadow Minister for Multi-Cultural Affairs Peter Styles the Government promised to maintain spending on multi-cultural programs during the 2008 Territory election campaign.

“Instead, the budget has been trending down in recent years.” Mr. Styles said.

“This culminated in the 2010-11 budget, which saw a $23,000 year-on-year cut to the Government’s financial allocation to multi-cultural affairs.”

“In 2009-10 the Government provided $1.903 Million to the budget, this year that figure was   $1.878 Million.”

“The Chief Minister said during today’s Estimates Committee hearings that the multi-cultural budget hadn’t been cut.”

“This is plainly untrue.” Mr. Styles said.

“It’s telling that during 2008, the election year, the Government’s Multi-Cultural Budget was $2.597 Million. The decline since then has been significant.”

“The spending on multi-culturalism across the Northern Territory is in stark contrast to the almost $1Million the Government spends on Chief Ministers’ offices for failed Labor candidates in Palmerston and Katherine.” Mr. Styles said.

“It’s also in stark contrast to the additional $10 Million the Chief Minister allocated to his own policy unit.”

“The cuts show the Government’s spending isn’t keeping pace with the Territory’s growing multi-cultural population and that the Government’s rhetoric surrounding the development of a multi-cultural community isn’t replicated by its commitment.” Mr. Styles said.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills

COL FULLER JOINS OUR TEAM

Victor P Taffa

The Country Liberals will implement a change to the operation of its Party Wing as part of a structural overhaul due to commence in the next few weeks.

Opposition Leader, Terry Mills, said the changes would streamline decision making within the Country Liberals.

“The restructure is designed to move my Parliamentary team into a new era.” Mr. Mills said.

“Almost half-way through the life of the current Parliament and the Country Liberals will move into a new phase of Opposition.”

“The new structure will see the establishment of a Shadow Cabinet secretariat, with former head of the Chief Minister’s Department, Col Fuller, taking on the new role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary.”

“Col has vast experience in public administration in the Northern Territory, has worked closely with former cabinets and will be a valuable asset for our team.” Mr. Mills said.

“Judging by the baseless scaremongering directed at Col by the Labor Party over the past few days, they are already spooked by his new role with the Country Liberals.”

“The new Party Wing structure and Col’s involvement with the Shadow Cabinet will further strengthen the Country Liberals’ decision-making processes.”

“His role will be to help transition the Country Liberals from Opposition to the alternative Government.” Mr. Mills said.

“This is another phase in the Country Liberal’s development in the lead-up to the 2012 Territory election.”

“In the meantime, I’d like to welcome Col to the team. I am confident he will energise and enliven the Party Wing over the next two-and-a-half years.” Mr. Mills said.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Transport Adam Giles

TAXPAYER DOLLARS FLYING AWAY

Victor P Taffa

The announcement by Jetstar that it is slashing its Darwin-Singapore service highlights the recklessness of the Chief Minister’s $5 Million commitment to fund the airline’s move to Darwin.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Transport Adam Giles said the money donated to Jetstar by Chief Minister Paul Henderson during the election campaign turned into a costly rort.

“Airport General Manager, Ian Kew, said on radio this morning Jetstar had forced out its competitors and then jacked up its ticket prices.” Mr. Giles said.

“This is the danger of using taxpayers’ money to cherry-pick businesses.” Mr. Giles said.

“The Government handed Jetstar $5 Million – and now the airline goes back on its pledge to turn Darwin Airport into a regional hub and cuts international services.”

“Paul Henderson’s shameless donation to Jetstar of $5 Million during an election campaign was political pork-barrelling of the highest order.”

“What it did was drive out the competition and leave Territorians with unreliable air services that are anything but ‘budget’.” Mr. Giles said.

“The Labor Party has a history of giving airlines money during election campaigns.”

“(Former Chief Minister) Clare Martin handed over millions of taxpayers’ dollars to Billionaire Richard Branson when he was establishing Virgin Blue in Australia – and after an initial flurry of enthusiasm they soon began rolling back services.” Mr. Giles said.

“What this has done is create a revolving door, where Jetstar, Tiger and Virgin Blue come and go on a whim.”

“The only lesson Labor’s learnt from these costly exercises is how to waste taxpayer money during election campaigns.” Mr. Giles said.

Editor Victor P Taffa supports Railway Expansion throughout Australia. Considering that the size of Australia is as large as it is suggests that an effective high speed network of railway lines to every Capital and Regional City should have support from all political parties.

Both the Adelaide and Darwin Central Business Districts should have railway stations that can accept electric high speed rail.

Currently Interstate passengers arrive at Keswick when wanting to go to Adelaide. Similarly Interstate passengers arrive at Palmerston when wanting to go to Darwin.

This arrangement for both cities is the same as if trains terminated at Redfern instead of Sydney Central or at North Melbourne instead of Southern Cross Station. Sydney has a Railway Station that also goes to the Airport.

The last time trains terminated at Redfern was in 1906 prior to the opening of Sydney Central Station. Sydney Central is one of the great Railway Stations in the world.

The Rann Government is supporting electrification of the Adelaide Railway Network and as contained in www.isput.com.au Editor Victor P Taffa similarly supports electrification for the entire New South Wales Railways.

High Speed Rail will provide real competition with all airlines and benefit everyone.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills

COMMISSIONING A PLAN FOR GROWTH

Victor P Taffa

The Northern Territory Opposition today outlined a significant change to planning across the Northern Territory.

Under the Country Liberals’ reform, the new Northern Territory Planning Commission will become the peak body responsible for the development of planning objectives across the Territory.

Opposition Leader Terry Mills said the Commission, a statutory authority, will be independent of Government and have responsibility for identifying long term planning issues and developing strategic plans to meet the Territory’s residential, commercial and industrial land requirements.

“The Planning Commission will be responsible for strategic analysis and the provision of plans for land use, planning and development to the Territory Government.” Mr Mills said.

“It will shift the key planning decision-making role away from Government and create a more transparent planning structure.”

The Commission will be responsible for:

• Reviewing and setting appropriate land use objectives;
• Guiding urban, industrial and agricultural developments in towns, cities and the bush;
• Determining road, rail, air and ocean transport requirements;
• Identifying the community’s infrastructure needs in the areas of education, health and essential services;
• Identifying gaps in existing planning with an eye on long term development.

The Commission would consist of a specialist panel of up to 12 members with expertise in areas including architecture, demographics, economics, the environment and engineering.

“The core work of planning – identifying land use possibilities – will still be undertaken by Government.” Mr Mills said.

“With the Territory’s population forecast to be around 500,000 by 2050, an independent statutory authority will ensure Government planning decisions are transparent, consistent and reflect the growth demands of the community.”

The annual cost to run the commission will be just $800,000.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Health Matt Conlan

INDEPENDENT INQUIRY NEEDED

Victor P Taffa

The Northern Territory Minister for Health Kon Vatskalis must launch a full and independent inquiry into the recruitment of medical professionals in the Northern Territory.

“Public confidence in the qualifications of the professionals who staff the health system is of paramount importance.” Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Health Matt Conlan said.

“The charging of an individual with offences relating to the alleged use of a fake medical degree has undermined that confidence.”

“The inquiry needs to get to the bottom of how this particular individual managed to secure employment as a doctor at Alice Springs Hospital.”

“The Territory Government’s procedures for employing health professionals need to be put under the spotlight.” Mr. Conlan said.

“The Minister must move promptly on this matter. The buck-passing that has occurred since the allegations came to light has deepened public concerns about the integrity of the Territory’s health system.”

“The inquiry’s finding should be tabled in Parliament at the next sittings. The Minister must also ensure the qualifications of all other health professionals in the Northern Territory are re-checked.”

“Whilst the probability of another unqualified practitioner operating in the Territory is low, it simply can’t be ruled out.”

“Further the Minister needs to ensure that all patients who were treated by the charged individual are contacted by Alice Springs Hospital.” Mr. Conlan said.

“The Hospital must investigate whether any of the patients have been incorrectly treated and provide an apology to anybody seen by the charged individual.”

“This episode is a black mark against the Territory’s public health system and the Minister needs to be on the front foot when dealing with it.” Mr. Conlan said.

Canberra wants to have control of the Health system at the expense of patients. The Northern Territory remains under the administration of Canberra and if cases such as this can occur under current administrative arrangements what would occur if State Government’s had no say over the running of hospitals?

There are cases in New South Wales and Queensland in recent times that have seen questionable people working in public hospitals. Canberra running the health system would become an administrative nightmare.

When Hospitals were managed by a localised board structure it ensured integrity and efficiency was maintained. The answer to real patient care is localised administration and not centralised control.

Northern Territory Country Liberal Candidate for Solomon Natasha Griggs

GRIGGS SAYS NO TO NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY

Victor P Taffa

“I do not support a nuclear waste facility in the Northern Territory because the established science shows the most suitable site is in South Australia.” Country Liberals Candidate for Solomon Natasha Griggs said today.

Natasha Griggs was speaking out after Labor tabled legislation in Canberra to overrule Territory laws prohibiting the nuclear waste facility.

“My position has been consistent, the location of a nuclear waste facility must be based on science and that science has always said South Australia.” Ms. Griggs said.

“Why the Northern Territory should be sacrificed when there is already land available in South Australia that is suitable for the storage and disposal of nuclear waste. The Commonwealth should use its constitutional powers to place the facility where established science says it should go rather than use those powers to exploit the Territory’s legal status.”

“I understand that the Muckaty Station owners see economic value in offering up their country, but this decision is not about economics, it is about science.”

Ms. Griggs said that Labor bangs on about the science associated with placing the facility at Muckaty Station, while neglecting the science and environmental concerns associated with other parts of the Northern Territory.

“Federal Labor would have us believe the nuclear waste is somehow going to magically appear at Muckaty Station.” Ms. Griggs said.

“What will actually happen is the waste will have to be transported by either road or rail to the facility, and this alone is a cause of concern. What safeguards are in place to ensure there isn’t a significant environmental issue with the transportation of the waste?”

“If it comes here by truck or train, it will have to pass through Territory population centres – most likely Alice Springs – and it’s not implausible that it could come through Darwin via the port.” Ms. Griggs said.

“The port is basically sinking – the Commonwealth should be investigating whether it’s a safe facility for the handling of nuclear waste.”

“And where is the community consultation – it is not just the traditional owners of Muckaty Station that will be effected, it is people the length and breadth of the Territory.”

Ms Griggs said the hypocrisy of Federal Labor’s Territory representatives is astounding.

“Labor and its three Territory members should be condemned for deceiving Territorians. In Opposition Labor’s Damian Hale, Trish Crossin and Warren Snowdon spent more than a million dollars in successive elections on an anti-nuclear campaign in the Territory.” Ms. Griggs said.

“Now, in Government, they’re marching down the Stuart Highway carrying nuclear waste behind them.

“The Labor Party sees the Territory as expendable in their grand plan to rule Australia. At the ballot box, I hope Territorians remember this.” Ms. Griggs said.

Canberra will always see The Northern Territory as its own. There is no desire on the part of Canberra to allow The Northern Territory to build its own industries, develop mining, farming, encourage ingenuity amongst indigenous Australians or become a normal part of the country.

The biggest argument against Statehood for the Territory is the small population base. Until Canberra allows Darwin to administer its own affairs as with existing State Government’s then any advancement by the Territory will always be at the beck and call of Canberra.

Northern Territory Leader of the Opposition Terry Mills

TERRITORIANS VICTIMISED

Victor P Taffa

The latest Crime Victimisation survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics makes sober reading for Territorians.

We are by a significant factor more likely than other Australians to be physically assaulted, threatened with assault, have our houses broken into, have someone attempt to break into our houses, have our cars stolen, have property stolen from our cars and be the victims of malicious property damage.

“Territorians are fed up with the level of crime in our society and these very high crime rates show exactly why.” Mr. Mills said.

“The real problem is that the Henderson Government has flatly refused to recognise just how much crime Territorians have to endure.

“Since Labor was elected the rate of violent assault in the Territory has increased by 80%. Despite that startling increase in the rate of violence the Chief Minister told Parliament that – this line that there has been an increase in crime. That is patently false, absolutely false.”

The Chief Minister is attempting to deny that there is a problem.

“Territory Labor doesn’t even want to admit there is a growing problem and simply lacks the stomach for taking the hard decisions necessary to curb the rising rate of violent assault in the Territory.”

“The Henderson Government has refused to put in place a genuine boot camp that will help drag young offenders heading towards a life of crime onto a different path.” Mr. Mills said.

“The Henderson Government has also refused to put in place prison work farms to ensure low level offenders learn the value of a hard day’s labour and pick up valuable work skills along the way.”

“The Henderson Government hasn’t even managed to decide on the site of its planned new prison.”

“Two years after announcing the prison would be built they haven’t even settled on where it will be built.”

“I sincerely hope they abandon their plan to waste $300 million on a new prison. There’s no point in constructing a more comfortable version of the current failed system.” Mr. Mills said.

The Federal Government recently announced that Northern Australia should not be allowed to produce agriculture. It would seem that decisions made by a centralist Government have no real idea of how to address what is required for local communities.

Poverty and crime will continue to increase until such time that The Northern Territory is able to produce agriculture and enable all Territorians the chance to earn an income and abstain from crime and alcohol abuse.

Northern Territory Statehood will facilitate real improvement in the lives of Territorians.

Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Child Protection Jodeen Carney

End the culture of cover-up

Victor P Taffa

The Northern Territory Opposition is demanding the Chief Minister commits to publicly releasing the complete, unedited report from the Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory.

“The Henderson Government has a history of suppressing the reports of taxpayer-funded investigations that should be made public.

“Most recently Kon Vatskalis the Minister for Child Protection suppressed the 2009 intake report into child protection services authored by the Children’s Commissioner Dr Bath.

“The Minister suppressed that report despite a commitment from the previous Minister Malarndirri McCarthy to release it.

Melinda James said: “We never saw the last major report from Doctor Bath in 2007 – will this report be made public?”

Malarndirri McCarthy: “This report will be made public as far as it’s able to in terms of confidentiality. Of course if it does refer to specific clients, that is going to depend on Dr Bath in terms of how he can talk about particular clients but as far as I’m concerned this document will be public.”

“Whilst a copy of the 2007 Bath Report has been leaked the Henderson Government is still refusing to make it available to the wider public.

“Had the 2007 Bath Report been released when the Government received it and had the Report attracted proper scrutiny there is every possibility that the 2009 case of a motherless child receiving brain damage upon leaving Royal Darwin Hospital may never have happened.”

“Both the 2007 Bath Report, initiated in the wake of the death of Deborah Melville, and the 2009 Bath Report should be released today.

“That show of good faith needs to complement an unqualified commitment to release the report of the Inquiry that began today.

“The Minister for Child Protection should also name who will be replacing Dr Bath as Children’s Commissioner whilst he is chairing the Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory.” Jodeen Carney said.

Northern Territory Leader of the Opposition Terry Mills

A FOCUS ON EARLY EDUCATION

Victor P Taffa

A Country Liberal Government will conduct a significant overhaul of the Territory’s education system to give students the best possible chance of achieving results in line with their counterparts interstate.

Launching the next phase of the Country Liberal education reform programme, Opposition Leader Terry Mills said he would inject nearly $27 Million a year to improve education outcomes including a 5% improvement in reading and writing results in the first year of Government and a 15% improvement in NAPLAN outcomes in the first term.

The Way Forward – Early Education for a Strong Future will see the introduction of an Expert Panel on Literacy and Numeracy; literacy and numeracy tests for Year 1 students; after-school literacy and numeracy programs; additional class-room support for teachers; the introduction of multi-disciplinary behavioural management teams; more support for school councils and assistance for COGSO to access Government grants.

“The MySchool website shows all too clearly that the Territory education system needs change.” Mr Mills said.

“While the Chief Minister Paul Henderson and the Education Minister Chris Burns are satisfied that Territory students achieve minimum national benchmarks, the Country Liberals believe education outcomes should be in line with national averages and above.”

NAPLAN test results over the past two years showed Territory students were achieving literacy and numeracy results significantly below those of interstate students.

The 2009 NAPLAN tests showed 30% of year 3 students were below the national minimum standard in reading; 36% were below the national minimum standard in spelling and more than 28% were below the national minimum standard in numeracy.

“The Way Forward – Early Education for a Strong Future focuses on improving early education outcomes.

“Early education is the platform upon which the rest of a child’s education is based. The Country Liberals believe there is significant room for additional support for hard-working teachers as they lay the foundations for the rest of a student’s education.” Mr Mills said.

Within the first month in office, the Country Liberals will establish an Expert Panel on Literacy and Numeracy to undertake a comprehensive review of both disciplines in the Northern Territory and recommend on areas of improvement.

The Panel will examine barriers to student achievement in literacy and numeracy; investigate the effectiveness of current programs from Transition to Year 6; consider the level of Departmental support to schools and teachers and review access for teachers to professional development in literacy and numeracy.

The Country Liberals will also support schools to introduce literacy and numeracy diagnostic assessments of students during Year 1.

Students who fail to meet appropriate numeracy and literacy levels are less likely to attain satisfactory educational outcomes in the future. The testing of Year 1 students is designed to get students on the right track before they fall too far behind their peers.

Mr Mills said boosting teacher support and returning the focus of classroom learning to students will make the educational journey smoother for children in Territory schools.

“The Country Liberals will spend $10.5 Million a year recruiting classroom tutors to the education system to help teachers and students and to boost literacy and numeracy outcomes in the Territory.”

“The initiative will provide schools with additional funding so every primary classroom from Year 2 upwards will have a teacher assistant offering three-hours a day of one-on-one literacy and numeracy support to students struggling with the curriculum.

“The tutors will be recruited from within the community, including family members of students, trainee teachers, undergraduates and former teachers.”

Another initiative designed to support teachers and improve classroom behaviour is the introduction of multi-disciplinary behavioural management teams, headed by psychologists, to work with at-risk students and their families.

Mr Mills said “Too often, students with learning difficulties develop behavioural issues that have a negative impact on their school years – and beyond. The Country Liberals will recruit 20 specialist and appropriately qualified child mental health workers, headed by child psychologists and including behavioural therapists.”

“They will work with primary students identified with learning and behavioural difficulties in a bid to keep them within the educational mainstream and ensure they get the most out of their early education.”

In a further bid to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, the Country Liberals will introduce an intensive after-school literacy and numeracy program.

School councils will have access of up to $250,000 to provide these programs for students in Years 2 to 6 identified as falling into the lowest literacy and numeracy band of their year level.

“These programs will be available to students who demonstrate consistent attendance at school and a genuine desire to achieve better outcomes.” Mr Mills said.

“School councils will have a degree of flexibility as to how they use the funding. They can select from options like home-based tutoring, homework centres or after school and holiday programs.”

School councillors will also be acknowledged for their service with a $1.5 Million contribution over 3 years – distributed through the Council of Government School Organisation (COGSO) – for annual training and development programs for current and future school council members.

“The community has a high expectation of our schools to deliver outcomes,” Mr Mills said.

It follows that the people who sit on school councils have the appropriate training in order to maximise their potential to contribute to a vibrant school community.”

The Country Liberals believe Territory schools are missing out on grants available from the Government and private sectors because they lack the resources to apply for the funding or are unaware of the availability of programs.

“In Government, we will boost resources for COGSO, who will then take the lead role in seeking and applying for grants on behalf of the schools.

“We will employ one additional worker each in COGSO’s Darwin and Alice Springs offices to take a lead role in organising tenders and engaging with the community to ensure all schools have equal access to available funding.”

Mr Mills said the policy was fully costed and would be regularly reviewed to ensure its target outcomes were being achieved.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills

Trading in his Independence

Victor P Taffa

Northern Territory Member for Nelson, Gerry Wood, has compromised his position as an Independent MLA and misled his constituents with his decision only to support Government legislation in the Parliament.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills said Mr Wood’s decision to oppose all Opposition legislation, no matter how sensible or necessary, confirms that the man who once traded on his independence has now traded it in.

Mr Mills said Mr Wood has made a quantum leap from conservative Independent to de-facto Labor MLA in the space of just a few months.

“Gerry Wood should let voters in the Nelson electorate decide whether they’re prepared to accept this situation,” Mr Mills said.

“I believe there’s a strong argument for Gerry Wood to resign his seat and contest a by-election on a platform of supporting the discredited, dishonest Henderson Labor Government.

“Mr Wood was elected as an Independent and is now morally obliged to ask the people of Nelson whether they want him to serve as a defacto member of the Labor Party.

Mr Mills has written to Mr Wood calling on him to initiate a by-election for Nelson.

“I point out to Gerry that during the August Parliamentary sittings he was critical of the adversarial nature of Northern Territory politics.

There should be enhanced recognition of the contribution that can be made by all MLAs and those from the broader Territory community to devising approaches to tackle the important issues facing the Territory.

“What better way to tackle these important issues than support the considered, sensible proposals offered by the Country Liberals to tackle the housing crisis; law and order; education; repeat drink driving; health and environment protection.

“Instead, Gerry Wood has indicated he will support the dysfunctional Labor Government’s legislative program. Territorians deserve better – and Gerry Wood should give them that opportunity.”

Following the 2008 Northern Territory election the makeup of the Parliament is as follows:

Labor:                                           13 seats

Country Liberal:                   11 seats

Independent:                           1 seat

Total:                                           25 seats