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
English
Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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DEBATES - Tuesday 23 May 1995 officers based at strategic locations throughout the Northern Territory. It is envisaged that the unit will remain as a permanent section and will incorporate a Territory-wide focus. The Domestic Violence Unit has produced a family incident resource kit that contains information ranging from counselling services to an explanation of domestic violence legislation and even advice on public transport services. The Police, Fire and Emergency Services College also recognised the importance of providing a sensitive, appropriate service to the victims of domestic violence. To this end, it will maintain an ongoing commitment to the training of police officers to educate them properly in ways of dealing with these issues. Procedures are in place to ensure that police trainees are kept well abreast of any legislative changes. Before I move from that point, I would like to reinforce what was said by the Chief Minister in response to the Leader of the Oppositions claim that there is still an enterprise bargaining process to be completed with the police and that the government was not intending to commit itself to that because no money appeared to be allocated for the purpose in the budget. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that it has never been the practice of the government to guess in relation to any area the funds that might be needed to meet staffing costs resulting from salary increases or any other benefits. The process has always been to cover any changes in those areas through the Treasurers Advance as applications are agreed to. Certainly, it has been mischievous of him to make public announcements to police and other people, saying that this budget does not make allowances for any future salary increases for the police when in fact budgets never include a specific provision for that purpose. I would be willing to bet that we hear no public apology from him on that either. Looking at infrastructure developments under this portfolio, the construction of the Alice Springs Fire Station is due to commence in December this year. The $2.5m fire station will be located on Telegraph Terrace and, when completed, will provide Alice Springs residents and businesses with a modem, well-equipped facility. Furthermore, the relocation of the fire service to this site will clear the way for the planned expansion of the Alice Springs Police Station cells and station proper. The government is also actively pursuing options available to expand the police station facilities in the Darwin CBD. This may involve a front counter operation on the Mitchell Street side of the existing building. In Palmerston, the government is taking advantage of the current upsurge in commercial building activity in the towns CBD. The government is exploring the options for securing a long-term base for police operations in the Palmerston and rural area. I hope to be in a position to announce agreements on both projects in the near future. In 1995-96, the department will commence a 10-year major fire appliance replacement program to standardise the Northern Territory Fire Services appliances. The government will provide $ 1.364m in the first year to enable the purchase of a hydraulic platform to replace a turntable/ladder in Darwin, and 2 water tanker units - one each for Jabiru and Alice Springs. The increasing number of high-rise developments in Darwin makes it imperative that the most up-to-date equipment be available for use in any major fire or rescue operation from a high-rise building. The water tanker units will be for use in Jabiru and Alice Springs. The present vehicle at Jabiru cannot carry a full crew of personnel and is no longer suited to the needs of the area. The tanker for Alice Springs will replace a front-line pumper unit and will provide more flexibility to the fire fighting capabilities of the Alice Springs Fire Brigade. 3488