Debates Day 2 - Wednesday 23 November 1994
Parliamentary Record 6
Debates for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997
1994-11-23
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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DEBATES - Wednesday 23 November 1994 Mr Speaker, I table a number o f leaflets and booklets prepared by Kidsafe as part of its education programs. 1 am sure that, if honourable members have the opportunity to look at them, they will find them to be most informative. It is my hope that this statement and the contribution o f members to this debate will increase community awareness o f this very important matter o f child safety. Mr Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note o f the statement. Mrs HICKEY (Barkly): Mr Speaker, the opposition welcomes the ministerial statement delivered today. The Year o f the Family is drawing to a close now and I find myself in agreement with almost everything that the minister has said. I wish that the statement could have been a little more comprehensive, and I will draw out some o f the threads as I speak. Much o f what the minister said concentrated on the Top End, particularly the Darwin area. Obviously, that is the region o f our largest population, but we do have significant populations in other areas, Alice Springs being one o f them. I see that the member for Braitling is present. Perhaps she will discuss that later. Like the government, the Labor Party is strongly committed to the family unit and the strengthening o f family ties. We believe that being part o f a strong and loving family unit is the best possible way to overcome social stresses, difficulties and problems that are encountered by the child. Certainly, I congratulate Kidsafe which is an excellent organisation. It is dedicated and very effective. As the minister stated, all members have been lobbied by this organisation from time to time in relation to one issue or another. It is very good at promulgating its information and its message. I welcome also the publication o f these leaflets. I hope that all Territory politicians will make them available in their offices for constituents to peruse and that they will be available also in places o f public access such as public libraries. I have not had the opportunity to read them yet because they have only just been tabled and, although I pressed my button, nobody has answered my call. I hope too that these leaflets eventually will be made available in languages other than English and that they are appropriate for migrants. That is an area o f concern in respect of family issues. Certainly, migrant families in my electorate are very interested in issues relating to their children as are Aboriginal people, both urban and rural I welcome the government grant o f $34 000 to Kidsafe and I hope this is not only one-off funding, but will continue as has the provision o f office accommodation for Kidsafe and other assistance. I am very interested in the Injury Surveillance Project that is under way. I await the results with interest together with more specific details than the minister has been able to provide today. O f course, this relates again to what is happening in Darwin. The survey was conducted from Royal Darwin Hospital. If the minister makes some remarks at the conclusion o f this debate, perhaps he will inform members whether a similar project may be mooted for Alice Springs, for instance, which has the Territorys second-largest hospital and is the second-largest population area. I raise the matter o f toxic materials causing accidents. This is a matter that the minister touched on only briefly. However, one o f the more important matters is the potential for death posed by the presence o f toxic materials stored in homes. All o f us who have young children well know the need to remove items such as washing detergent, 1800