Debates Day 1 - Tuesday 23 May 1995
Parliamentary Record 11
Debates for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997
1995-05-23
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Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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DEBATES - Tuesday 23 May 1995 The sad fact is that it is average Territorians who will have to foot the bill for the incompetence of the CLP government. It tried to keep 3 balls in the air - a leadership change, a euthanasia bill and a budget - at the same time and it dropped the budget ball. In the short term, it will not feel the wrath of average Territorians because no election will be held for another 3 years. Thus, it will not cop it in the short term. However, it will feel the voters revenge at a general election. The Treasurer will not hear what voters think about his budget because they will cop it in the neck. When the government is incompetent and drops the ball, it is average Territorians who have to pick it up. They pick it up in increased taxes and charges which means that they have less money with which to maintain the lifestyle that Territorians love. That is a fact. Whether it means that they cut out the barbecues or the camping trips, whether it means that they cannot buy their son the footy boots they had wanted for him, whether it means that they cannot replace the family car which has just about had it, the fact is that every Territorian will feel the squeeze. They are not responsible for this. It was not they who dropped the ball. The CLP government dropped the ball, but it is average Territorians who will have to pay for its incompetence. That is the tragedy of this budget. Debate adjourned. STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL (Serial 86) Bill presented and read a first time. Mr FINCH (Attorney-General): Mr Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. This bill follows the general pattern of statute law revision bills in amending Territory law in minor respects. I will be happy to arrange an appropriate briefing of honourable members if so required. I now draw the attention of members to matters of more consequence. A number of taxing acts are amended to accord with the new terminology used in the Financial Management Act that was passed recently by the Assembly. A message from the Administrator has alerted members to this effect. In section 6 of the Coroners Act. the definition of senior next of kin provides that, in the event of a deceased persons being married, contact should be made with the spouse. Spouse is defined to include a de facto partner. It follows therefore that the word marriage should be amended to include someone living in a de facto relationship. Members will recall that de facto relationship is defined in the Interpretation Act. Under section 30 of the Prostitution Regulation Act, a person may apply to renew a licence, but the application may not be heard until after the licence has expired. Clause 7 amends the Prostitution Regulation Act to provide that the date on which a licence is renewed in such a case is deemed to be the date on which that licence would have expired rather than the date of the later hearing. Clause 8 amends the Sheriff Act to enable the Chief Justice to make acting appointments to the position of sheriff. Clause 9 amends the Supreme Court Act to enable the Chief Justice to make acting appointments to the position of registrar. I turn now to amendments made in the schedule to the bill. At present, the Public Sector Employment and Management Act does not permit the name of a department or agency saved 3466