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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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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https://hdl.handle.net/10070/281694
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/413979
DEBATES - Tuesday 23 May 1995 Commencement of negotiations with Western Australia in order to reach an agreed position on the quarantine status of the expanded Ord River development. Such an agreement will facilitate the cross-border movement of produce. The Animal Health Program has been allocated $2.698m in 1995-96. This represents a decline of $401 000 when compared with the previous year. This decrease is largely attributable to a change in the scope of a crocodile research program and the completion of externally-funded exotic disease programs valued at approximately $300 000. The Animal Health Program maintains surveillance against imported animal diseases and ensures that the Territory is prepared to deal with exotic disease outbreaks should they occur. It maintains well-equipped laboratories at Berrimah Research Farm, including Australias only northern laboratory for the monitoring of exotic viruses. The program monitors the proper identification and movement of livestock within the Territory, and ensures that stock do not transmit cattle tick or other conditions. The program is also responsible for ensuring that meat products are free from chemicals and drugs, and for developing and promoting standards for the welfare of commercial livestock in the Territory. The major initiative in 1995-96 for the Animal Health Program will be the commencement and construction of the new animal health laboratories at the Berrimah Research Farm complex, estimated to cost $4.9m over 2 years. The laboratories will replace current ageing facilities, and construction should be completed early in 1997. The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign program has been allocated $7.25 lm in 1995-96, a reduction of $2.252m compared with the previous year. The Northern Territory achieved impending freedom status from tuberculosis in November 1992. Further TB testing will be done to achieve confirmed status in all herds, with the bush destocking programs due for completion by the end of 1997. The benefits of eradication of tuberculosis and brucellosis are increased production, and gaining or maintaining access to markets both within and without Australia. As a result of the successful implementation of the BTEC program, most Territory cattle are now free to move anywhere in Australia. The Land Resource Management Program has been allocated $2.829m in 1995-96. This program has a special charter to ensure the sustainability of land use in the Northern Territory, and is part of an Australia-wide initiative to restore and stabilise agricultural and pastoral lands. The program is responsible also for weed eradication in the Northern Territory, with particular attention to major problem weeds including Mimosa pigra, devils claw in the Katherine region and athel pine in central Australia. It is anticipated that the increased assistance available will benefit landholders in noxious weed control on their properties. My department is implementing a revised weed strategy for the Northern Territory. This is consistent with the principles and practices of ecologically sustainable development and with the development of a national weeds strategy. The promotion of sustainable land use will be further enhanced by the introduction of a new geographic information system. This system will support decision-making and operations throughout the land resource management program and the whole department by use of the latest technology. An amount of $4.698m has been allocated to the commercial development program. The primary aim of the program is to stimulate business and infrastructure development in rural and fishing industries. This is to be achieved through the provision of direct financial support and 3518