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 coming financial year because of the lack of funds. How can it happen that, when a community is willing to join and support the scheme that has been put in place by the Territory government, officers of the responsible department tell the people in that community that the necessary funds are not available for the process and that they will have to wait until the following financial year? I would like the Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government to correct me if this is not the case, but this appears to demonstrate that there is a need to expand the budget for local government authorities. I wish to say a few words in response to some comments by the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries. I was pleased to hear about the extension of consultancy services to Top End Aboriginal communities in relation to fisheries. That assistance is welcome. I hope the minister will practise what he preaches because all too often we have seen ministers allocate moneys in other areas when people in outlying communities are suffering the effects of illegal fishing in their areas or are experiencing difficulties with a range of matters which I have raised in this House on other occasions. On another issue, I would very much like to know where the Minister for Health and Community Services will be placing community-controlled health services in view of the fact that the Treasurer indicated that he had allocated $1.4m to upgrade these community services. Overall, I think the funding announced in the health budget is welcome. I am sure that many people are looking forward to working with the budget, and I hope that funding will achieve what people in the communities are asking for. However, we may run into difficulties in policy areas. There are difficulties in relation to a whole range of matters, including construction. It will be interesting to see where the new community health centres are to be located in the 6 areas to which the Treasurer referred. I will be pleased to hear which communities in my electorate are involved. Mr Reed: Urapunga is one of yours. Mr STONE (Industries and Development): Mr Speaker, I will refer first to my major portfolio responsibilities of the Department of Industries and Development, the Ministry of Asian Relations and Trade and the Trade Development Zone Authority. During the current financial year, the department has further streamlined its operations and still delivered the highest possible quality of service to its clients, principally the Territory business community. The 1995-96 budget of $ 17.472m for the Department of Industries and Development represents a reduction of $ 1.069m from the 1994-95 budget. Indeed, it was a reduction that was sought. While delivering a 5.8% saving to taxpayers, the department will continue to deliver superior service to Northern Territory business, and will play a key role in identifying trade and investment opportunities for local business and attracting new investment to the Territory. The Industry Development Activity has been allocated $6.814m for 1995-96. One of the most important tasks of this section is business services, providing advisory and referral services and development programs to established and prospective business operators in the Territory. In 1994-95, the Business Services Programs budget was $2.259m. The budget for the 1995-96 financial year is $3,453m. The staff of 26 delivers expert advice and education programs aimed at improving the management and operational skills, the quality of service and the knowledge and competitiveness of Northern Territory business men and women. 3521