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
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DEBATES - Tuesday 23 May 1995 currently occupied. An additional 7000 m2 of factory space was constructed with private capital. The marketing focus of the zone has been altered significantly to attract Australian companies with an exporting and technological bias. This has been the basis of our success, with 85% of all investors originating in Australia. Currently, 100 people are employed in the zone. The 1995-96 budget for the Trade Development Zone Authority is $1.56m. During this year, the board of the authority will set the optimal direction for future development of the zone in order to maximise the Territorys position with its Asian relations and the infrastructural developments at East Arm. The first 6 months of 1995-96 will see the establishment of 4 companies, converting committed space to occupied space. Of the existing companies in the zone, 4 will move from a construction phase to an operational phase, increasing employment by a projected 30 positions. With some pleasure, I turn to my responsibility for ethnic affairs. As honourable members may know, the 1991 census revealed that almost 19% of Territorians were bom overseas, and almost 50% of these were bom in a non-English-speaking country. This cultural and linguistic diversity of the Territory population provides a valuable resource which enhances all aspects of life in the Northern Territory. The programs of the Office of Ethnic Affairs reflect the Northern Territory governments ongoing commitment to migrants and ethnic people to enhance their participation in the social, educational, cultural and economic development of the Northern Territory. Mrs Padgham-Purich: You said migrants and ethnic people. What is the difference? Mr STONE: I will not go into great detail here because I intend to make a statement on ethnic affairs on Thursday. At that time, I will explain to the member for Nelson the full impact of the meaning of migrants and ethnic people. The Northern Territory government will continue its commitment to the Ethnic Affairs Grants Program with an increase in the 1995-96 budget allocation to $146 000. Although this is a slight increase only from 1994-95, it is significant because it demonstrates the Territory governments ongoing commitment to assisting ethnic communities to undertake projects that develop cultural diversity and foster and develop a cohesive and harmonious society. The most pleasant section of my responsibilities, the Office of the Arts and Cultural Affairs, has a total budget of $3.138m for 1995-96, an increase of 1.62% over the previous financial year. Financial assistance in the form of grants for arts and cultural activity represents 85.6% of the total budget allocation. Growth in financial assistance grants to the arts has achieved record levels in recent years. In 1995-96, the level is maintained at $2.688m, a nominal 0.3% increase on the $2.68m expended in 1994-95. The Arts Management Program is budgeted to increase by 10.29%, from $408 000 in 1994-95 to $450 000 in 1995-96. This growth comprises an 18.75% increase to the personnel allocation, from $278 000 in 1994-95 to $330 000 in 1995-96, and a 7.69% reduction in operational costs, from $130 000 in 1994-95 to $120 000 in 1995-96. Highlights from the 1994-95 financial year to date will continue to benefit Territory arts and cultural activity over the forthcoming financial year. They include the establishment of a cultural exchange program with the Peoples Republic of China and the allocation of $2.07m to major arts organisations, with increases awarded to Ausdance NT, Browns Mart 3527