Debates Day 4 - Tuesday 9 May 2017
Parliamentary Record 5
Debates for 13th Assembly 2016 - 2018; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 13th Assembly 2016 - 2020
2017-05-09
pp 1623 to 1686
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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DEBATES Tuesday 9 May 2017 1648 they still have that opportunity, no matter how many years down the track, to speak out and reach out for justice, it will go a little way towards the healing processthe long, hard road of healing. This bill recognises the vulnerability of children and survivors of child abuse. The legislation ensures adequate time for survivors of child abuse to comprehend and respond to the harm by removing those time barriers. We have all heard stories, watched documentaries, read reports and spoken to people, and this removal of time limitations provides for them when they want to make the decision and have the support; then they can come forward. They have not then missed out; they have not been shut out from seeking justice due to a bureaucratic time limit. This legislation brings the Territory into line with other jurisdictions. NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT have all enacted legislation implementing the Royal Commissions recommendations on limitation periods. Western Australia and Tasmania have prepared similar legislation that is currently before their respective parliaments, or is expected to be introduced in the near future. I acknowledge the work of the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice in developing this bill. A great deal of work has gone into this and we have a hard-working agency behind us, providing that support, including Parliamentary Counsel in its drafting. This bill is a recommendation of the Royal Commission. We all watched the Royal Commission through the news each evening, or by other means, and its job was to uncover where the systems across Australia failed to protect children. It made recommendations on how we can improve laws, policies and practices. We saw some brave people come forward, and it is now this parliaments job to provide the support and protections in making the legislative changes. I thank everyone for their time today. This is an important bill. I commend the bill to the House. Motion agreed to; bill read a second time. Ms FYLES (Attorney-General and Justice) (by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time. Motion agreed to; bill read a third time. REORDER OF BUSINESS Ms FYLES (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 59, I move that Government Business Order of the Day number four be called on. I advised the Leader of the Opposition that we are bringing forward the Education statement. Motion agreed to. MOTION Note Statement Education in the Northern Territory Continued from 2 May 2017. Mr COSTA (Arafura): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to make a contribution to this important statement about education for Territory kids. Equitable access to quality education is a core Labor value. I acknowledge the excellent work my colleague, the Minister for Education, has done in the last six months, and I genuinely welcome her statement. It is a statement that maps Labors vision for education and what we committed to in the lead-up to the 2016 election. This government is all about putting kids at the front and centre of government. In the lead-up to the election it was the Chief Ministers mantra. From day one, term one, year one all children need to be school ready. Our children are our future. It is vital that we invest in Territory children to support their education, health, wellbeing and families so we can give them the best start in life no matter where they live in the Northern Territory. I quote some key lines from our document: