NT GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORY ISSUES

October 24

The second week of October sittings for the NT Assembly are from Tuesday, October 25 to Thursday, October 27.

* Robyn Lambley had a fair old go on ABC 105.7 this morning about the government having done little within the first 60 days of its term in office—no new policies and not much indication of direction according to her.

* Today the half-day public holiday for Christmas and New Year’s Eve was confirmed. This is being introduced without consultation with employers and will be legislated in November, therefore effective this year. There have been negative responses from business because of additional costs. CM Gunner implied he wanted to be even-handed but said he is a union man and these entitlements were deserved. The counterpoint put by some was that this could have been taken as an intention to the August election.

* Question times on Wednesdays will be ‘Dorothy Dixers’ free, and there will be no redundant questions directed at ministers by members of the government benches.

* Questions about water bore access and fitting of measuring gauges continue. No one seems really all that sure about water futures in the rural area, including whether, in future, charges for extracted water will be levied.

October 26

The government was led by Acting CM Nicole Manison. Assembly proceedings were without CM Gunner, who, with a bevy of advisers, has departed for a ten-day trip into Asia. First stop: Japan. The cost to the government (taxpayer) will be $35,000.

It is important for our government (responding to an invitation from INPEX to demonstrate that things have changed for the better on the political front.

A group of 62 business people, paying their own way, are accompanying Mr Gunner on this business trip. It is about looking for markets and outlets in SE Asia.

October 27

The ALP promised a new corrective treatment facility to be built for young people during the election campaign. The inference was that this would be treated as a priority project and given ‘haste’ status. While Justice Minister Natasha Files said the facility was still in the works, there is no indication of when it will be completed. The Royal Commission into Juvenile Detention will carry through to the end of its assignment before anything happens.

October 28 – 30

There has been both disbelief and backlash caused by the Gunner decision to offer two extra half-day holidays to Territorians, for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Already, private businesses that wage imposts will hit are planning to cut staff or close during what were normal business hours.

The Sunday Territorian counselled through Matt Cunningham that knee-jerk decisions and policy on the run will quickly erode Mr Gunner’s popularity and credibility with the electorate.

November 3

The government has allocated, by sale or lease, 35 hectares to Landbridges for extensions and development in the area adjacent to the wharf.

Halitos have been given 135 hectares of land. They will supply all headworks at their cost. Usually these are paid for by Government.

The overseas trip by the Gunner government party, which involved both staffers and media people (at government expense), came in at just under $135 K.

Not much reaction from the public. CM Gunner declared that costs associated with trips would be revealed before and after the trip was undertaken, so he has been true to his word. This process will need to be kept up on the occasion of every field trip that is undertaken.

November 7

Xana Kamitsis was released from jail into home detention many months short of the non-parole period of her sentence. This is because she ticks all the boxes for this special consideration—quite a reaction.

It seems that the head of Correctional Services, Mark Payne, who was the Assistant Police Commissioner who authorised her arrest, stood away from the decision to offer early release into home detention or otherwise.

Ms Kamitsis will wear a bracelet and be subject to random drug and alcohol tests.

CM Michael Gunner did not know anything about this change in circumstance. Kamitsis was released from jail on Friday, November 4. Nothing was put into the public arena until NT News reporters followed up by asking questions. In response to a question, they were told that a change in circumstances like this had to be released as public information.

This story has galvanised a fair bit of reaction.

November 8

More on the Kamitsis situation. She will be released from home detention on most days so she can perform community work. (Wonder what that community work will entail. In jail, she was helping illiterate inmates develop their literacy skills.)

November 13

CM Gunner visited Nhulunbuy to get a feel of the town and to offer reassurance to Goveites about their situation going forward. Emailed and suggested that the feelings there would be aggravated by the

(at this stage) elected member declaring he did not want to govern for the town. That he would prefer for policy and priority direction to be ‘seeded’ and developed within the town. Those thoughts could then be raised with him.

I emailed Mr Gunner in the following terms.

Dear Chief Minister

I was glad to read of your visit to Nhulunbuy and your meeting with some of those connected with the town and East Arnhem Region. This has to be reassuring for those who at the moment feel they are somewhat in a place of limbo.

The non-confirmation of who will be their parliamentary representative does not help when it comes to reassurance. That is exacerbated by the fact that the provisional member, Yingiya Mark Guyula, has indicated that he essentially wants the direction of the town to be decided by people living therein. A strong sense of non-representation must be in place.

I believe that if the present parliamentary representation remains, or is reaffirmed if a by-election is held, it could be wise to establish an office of the Chief Minister in the town.

To gain a true picture of what is happening in Nhulunbuy, I suggest you consider visiting and talking with people at their places of business. Meeting townsfolk through the East Arnhem Committee provides a sectional overview but not a truly representative picture of what is happening in the town.

Often it seems that when visits are made to Nhulunbuy, they are not notified ahead of time or to very many residents or business operators. I hope there can be earlier and more public notification of intention to visit both Nhulunbuy and other outlying centres.

While Darwin, Palmerston and their immediate hinterland areas are flourishing, it seems that adjacent centres, in the top end at least, are languishing. Included are Nhulunbuy, Alyangula, Jabiru and Pine Creek. We need progress to be a quality that uniformly engages people across the Territory.

I’d like to wish you and our Government all the best as you build a management and leadership imprint.

I won’t anticipate a reply because past correspondence to him has drawn no response.

November 16 and 17

The Government has promised $25,000,000 for the resurrection of NT Rugby League with a new headquarters at Warren Park, Marrara. It seems the $25,000,000 will cover ground redevelopment and overall scoping of needs. More will be needed to bring the program up to full national speed.

Government has also promised $10,000,000 for an indoor netball court. Money for these projects is being brought forward to get the programs underway.

November 19

Tradies Initiative established by CLP on a $2,000 to $2,000 contribution by householder and Government, canned by Labour Government from October 1 2016, urged by tradies to government as an initiative needing to be reinstated.

NT Government to bring forward funding to 2017-18 for construction of new Palmerston Police Station. Fast-tracked under Labour Government’s Infrastructure Plan (LGIP). Estimated cost is $15,000,000. [Present station was built in 1997 ‘overcrowded and cramped’.

November 20

$15,000,000 being bought forward (LGIP) to fund housing at Milikapiti.

Freezing repayment of $6.8 million due from the group operating Port Melville. Money due but frozen so the company might be able to trade its way out of the deficit.

Meanwhile, to bring the budget onto forward works, other programs previously approached have been moved from the front to the back burner. Placed on the back burner are $140 million in works, including a couple of capital works programs in Alice Springs. This includes Ross Park School upgrades.

Most of the backburnered programs relate to spot roadworks and upgrades in rural and remote areas.

Parking at the DPH will be provided through a five-storey car park, which will be fast-tracked.

Open speed limit goes back to 130 kph on Stuart Highway in the 300 kilometres north of Alice Springs from today. This means $1 million earmarked for further upgrades to promote the open speed concept can be reallocated.

November 22 – 24

First week of last parliamentary sitting of the year for the NT Assembly.