Debates Day 2 - Wednesday 27 November 2002
Parliamentary Record 9
Debates for 9th Assembly 2001 - 2005; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 9th Assembly 2001 - 2005
2002-11-27
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 27 November 2002 There was a crisis in the removal of coverage of liability on some of the most important organisations in our community. There was a crisis in the increase in the premium levels. There is a real problem here; there continues to be a real problem. We do need to continue the urgency by which we are addressing this problem. It will not be a case of hastening slowly for any other reason than to deal with the very complex issues that exist within this area of law. Brolga Awards for Tourism Excellence 2002 Dr BURNS (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I report on the Brolga Awards for Tourism Excellence which were held in Alice Springs last week at the magnificent venue of the Convention Centre, and yes, I guess it was an initiative of the previous government, but it is a fantastic venue. There were about 400 people there in very convivial surroundings who were really enjoying themselves. The shadow tourism minister and my colleague, the member for Wanguri, were there and that was fantastic. The Brolga Awards look to recognise tourism business excellence in the Northern Territory. They are an important marketing point-of-difference for operators and assist to promote the highest standards amongst NT tourism businesses and individuals. The winners of these awards, Madam Speaker, as you are probably aware, are automatically entered in the Australian Tourism Awards, which this year will be held in Adelaide in 2003. The Territory has a proud history of doing very well in those national awards. I presented the Minister for Tourisms Award for Tourism Excellence Perpetual Trophy to Mrs Jackie Hargreaves. Mrs Hargreaves has demonstrated a lifetime involvement and commitment to the Territory and the tourism industry, particularly in Litchfield Park. She said herself for many years she ran the flashiest pub in the scrub. Unfortunately, Mrs Hargreaves was not able to attend the presentations in Alice Springs, but I have undertaken to personally visit her to let her know how valued her contribution is to tourism. The Minister for Tourisms Special Recognition Certificates - there were two of them - were awarded to Mr George Thompson, and Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Mr Thompson, as many would be aware, has been a stalwart of the tourism industry in the Katherine region for some thirty years. He started the Katherine Pony Club many years ago and then opened his trail riding business, Brumby Tracks. Unfortunately, Mr Thompson was not able to attend the awards but I have undertaken that the next time I am in Katherine, I will be endeavouring to meet Mr Thompson, and let him know just how much his long-term efforts are appreciated. The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are known to everyone. They provide a lot of colour and vitality. All sorts of visitors to Darwin flock to the markets and have a great time. They are a wonderful tourism attraction and all praise to the committee that manages the sunset markets, especially to all the stall holders. The markets draw thousands of tourists to Mindil Beach every week. They are getting bigger and bigger and I wish to acknowledge the role, as I said, of the stall holders. There are about 100 of them, and I commend them. Generally, I commend all the winners of the 2002 Brolga Awards. I have a list here which is quite extensive. I cannot go through everyone. Voyages Hotels and Resorts are major shareholders and significant stakeholders in the tourism industry in the Northern Territory. They won an award for ecotourism, meetings and business tourism, and tourism retailing. It has been my pleasure to meet Mr Grant Hunt the Managing Director of Voyages on several occasions. They do a fantastic job. Anangu Tours received special recognition for their heritage and cultural tourism, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism. Laurie Berryman has been a main stay there for quite some time, and he is a very innovative person. I also met Marg Smith and Wally Jacobs. The Centre fared very well in the awards, but the Top End also featured with Cape Don taking out awards for adventure tourism, and hosted accommodation. Also Lake Bennett. One award that I liked was the tourism restaurants and catering services award: Bojangles Saloon and Restaurant. That was a really fun place. When I see those swinging doors, I just want to go through them and put the six guns back in the holsters. It is a fantastic place. I met and had a good talk with Chris and Avril Vaughan who do a fantastic job. Madam Speaker, the Brolga Awards are a great award night. Yes, the tourism industry has been doing it tough but, as I said yesterday, I am endeavouring to do all I can, particularly in the area of airline capacity in the Northern Territory both international into Darwin and domestic into Alice Springs, and I will keep up that hard work. Members: Hear, hear. Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement and join with him to congratulate the winners. And, of course, not only the winners, but all those people who nominated. All of them could have won and, as the 3037