Parliamentary record : Part I debates (11 November 1986)
Debates for 4th Assembly 1983 - 1987; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 4th Assembly 1983 - 1987
1986-11-11
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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Debates
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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DEBATES - Tuesday 11 November 1986 Mr B. Collins: I did not say that. Mr,COULTER: He did not say it. But let us listen to what was said at the 1986 Labor Party Convention in relation to the party platform: 'Support the inclusion of Gimbat and Goodparla pastoral leases in Kakadu National Park without provision for mining and exploration'. He did not say it, but that is what his party platform says. I would be interested to hear from the honourable member for Arafura, as a Senate candidate, what his position is on stage 3. I will read this into Hansard because all Territorians should know what this alternative government is prepared to do to the Northern Territory. Listen to this: The government recogni ses the extreme importance of Coronati on Hi 11 and the Big Sunday sites complex, and the traditional affil iation of Aboriginal people to the Gimbat Goodparla area by ensuring that the area is made available for claim by traditional Aboriginal owners. In implementing its policy on the incorporation of Gimbat and Goodparla, the government will oppose mining in those areas and seek, by any practical means, to disallow all existing mining leases. That is what the alternative, government of the Northern Territory is prepared to do; that is its policy. That is what came out of its conference. We must remember that this is the Northern Territory Branch of that Australian Labor Party. Its Prime Minister is on record as saying that 35% of stage 3 should be available for mining. There are many examples of such statements by the Prime Minister. I shall be interested to hear from the opposition's next speaker. Hopefully, it will be the opposition spokesman on no-mining for the Labor Party in the Northern Territory who will get to his feet and explain to Territorians what the Australian Labor Party's position is. Honourable members, do not worry too much about the criteria for World Heritage listing. I am sure you all have copies and have all read them. I will quote from them also, in a moment, because the member for Arafura is very good at selective quotation. But I suggest honourable members obtain the ALP's constitution, its party platform and its conference details for 1986 and read those. To turn back to the World Heritage listing, I am sure the member for Koolpinyah, myself and, indeed, all the residents of Palmerston and its environs will be very pleased by the first criterion for listing - which the honourable member did not read out. It says that an area shall 'represent a unique artistic achievement, a masterpiece of the creative genius'. Honourable member for Koolpinyah, that is a description of your block because it is the same type of Mr B. Collins: That is a cultural criterion, you fool. Mr SPEAKER:, Order! The honourable minister will resume his seat. The member for Arafura will withdraw that remark. Mr B. Collins: Mr Speaker, I unreservedly withdraw my remark that the honourable minister is a fool. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Arafura will withdraw that remark without,debate. Mr B. Collins: Mr Speaker, I did so unreservedly and I do so again. 762