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
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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DEBATES - Tuesday 23 May 1995 Council? If it collects only on behalf of the NT Fire Service, that will result in a number of problems. I would like to know how the negotiations are to be carried out. I turn now to the defence establishments. As we know, the federal Department of Administrative Services does not pay the Northern Territoiy government anything for fire protection for all the defence establishments in the Northern Territory. Are those establishments to be charged a fire service levy or are they not? If they are charged a fire service levy, will they be charged at the same rate as the rest of the population? Will the government take into consideration, and give a cheaper rate to, those people who have their premises insured? Will it give a cheaper rate to those people who have smoke detectors installed in their houses? The question of smoke detectors is fairly complicated for people in Litchfield Shire due to the number of bushfires in the area. Many people live for the most part with the windows of their homes open and, when there is a big bushfire in their vicinity, the smoke from that would be sufficient probably to activate the detectors which might prove to be somewhat impractical. Whilst I hope it does not happen, it is worth considering in the context of the imposition of this fire service levy that, if people feel they are required to pay for a fire service to protect their property, there will be less self-help. People will adopt the attitude that they are required to pay a fire service levy, and that the NT Fire Service can attend to put out their fire. People will put in firebreaks, which are required by law, but that may be as far as they will be prepared to go. They will probably insure the house and then stand back and let the NT Fire Service put out any fire that may occur. All of these matters have to be considered and these questions must be answered before this fire service levy can be introduced. The Treasurer mentioned the introduction of poker machines in community venues which means in clubs. I cannot understand why the levy from the poker machines in clubs is being paid to the casinos which I believe can well and truly support themselves without the support of all the clubs throughout the Territory. The Treasurer mentioned that $5.9m has been allocated to complete the Alice Springs Prison. At this point, I take up publicly the invitation of the Minister for Correctional Services to see the progress of the works when I am in Alice Springs for the show in July. Mr Stone: I will see you there, Noel Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH: Will I see you at Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin as well? Mr Stone: You will, Noel. I am a life member of the Alice Springs Show Society. Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH: Are you really? Did you go to the Freds Pass Show? Mr Stone: I used to be the compere out on the oval. Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH: Were you the ringmaster? Mr Stone: I was the ringmaster. 3570