LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE

REPORTTuesday

Wednesday

ThursdayMondayTuesday

Wednesday

12 June 201813 June 2018

14 June 201818 June 201819 June 201820 June 2018

The Estimates Committee examined the estimates of proposed expenditure contained in the

Appropriation Bill (2018-2019) and the Statements of Corporate Intent 2018-19 for the Powerand Water Corporation, Jacana Energy and Territory Generation. Questions were raised by

some Members on the following issues:

PORTFOLIO

Legislative

Assembly

Treasurer

ISSUES• Know Your Assembly workshops

• Search engine capacity for Hansard

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Legislative

Assembly and the Police regarding powers of the Independent

Commissioner Against Corruption and issues of Parliamentary

Privilege• CPA Women's Network

• Costs associated with travel for CPA programs and events

» Commonwealth Youth Parliament

> Impact of construction of underground carpark on the Legislative

Assembly and precinct

» Childcare facilities within Parliament House for Members

» Updating of Members5 Interests register

» Number of Bills introduced and passed to 31 March 2018» Budget for Members' entitlements

> Income generated from space use in Parliament House

» Security issues

» Power costs for Parliament House

> Department of Legislative Assembly debtors

' GST

Credit ratingHorizontal Fiscal Equalisation

Debt and interest payments

Territory Wildlife Park competitive neutrality complaintNet exports and economic growth

Prospective investment projects Nett debt to revenue ratio

Consultancy budgets

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO

Treasurer

Infrastructure,

Planning and

Logistics

ISSUES• Revitalisation of the CBD

• Mineral Royalties

• Costs of implementing recommendations from Hydraulic

Fracturing inquiry

• Have Your Say website

• Remote telecommunications investment and economic

development in rural and remote areas

• Northern Territory Infrastructure Development Fund

• Economic forecasts

• Treasurer's advances

• Structural separation of Power and Water

• Managing the transition to renewable energy

• Payroll tax exemptions

• Residential property market

• Superannuation liability

• Cost of the My Fuel website project• Management of Public Sector Workers Compensation Scheme

• Underground power

• Network pricing

• Expenditure on ICT budget

• Wadeye Road

• Litchfield Loop Road• Flood mitigation• Infrastructure spending

• Myilly Point• Uptake of Hi Oscar ride sharing

• Indigenous Employment Provisional Sum

• Marine infrastructure development

• Richardson Park

• Cost of drainage works for Palmerston Regional Hospital

• Pinelands project

• Barneson Boulevard

• Carpark upgrades at Howard Springs Nature Park

• Consultation on the Coolalinga land use plan

• Ship lift facility• Construction and upgrade of Health Clinics

• Construction of morgues in remote communities

• State Square Underground car park and cost benefit analysis for

the project• Dundee Health Centre

• Palmerston Regional Hospital hydrotherapy pool

• Construction of Truck Central

• Office accommodation upgrades

• Indoor netball stadium project

• Revote projects

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Infrastructure,

Planning and

Logistics

Tender assessment timeframes

Management of Stokes Hill WharfAsset management and maintenance

Master plan for WeddellDevelopment of Berrimah

Site of new Don Dale Youth Detention Centre

Northcrest development

Intersection atAllora Gardens

YMCA Doctors Gully lease

Chief Minister

Auditor-General's office resourcesAuditing of Government owned corporationsInternal auditElectoral Commission resourcesElectoral roll maintenanceImpact of toss of Australian Electoral Commission office

Participation in electionsElectoral educationVisit to New Zealand Electoral Commission

2016 Election ReportPalmerston Election costsBitcoin electoral donationsOmbudsman office resourcesEducation regarding Ombudsman servicesResponse to Women in Prison reportCrime Services unit complaintsRemote Morgues reportOmbudsman's Office Aboriginal staffingRoyal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children

Cost of Inquiry into Hydraulic FracturingImplementation of Hydraulic Fracturing inquiry recommendationsTimeframe for the recommencement of exploration andproductionCity Deal including Assembly Park carpark, heat management inDarwin and Alice SpringsCost and implementation of the Riley ReviewICACRenewable Energy policyIncentivising the Northern TerritoryPopulation PlanMaster Brand projectStatehoodStrategic partnership agreementsProduction of hydrogen from renewablesReview of impacts of Cyclone MarcusRole of community engagement officersCultural Competence and Awareness training undertaken byIndigenous Affairs advisorNumber and role of union liaison officers

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO

Chief Minister

Aboriginal Affairs

Police, Fire and

Emergency

Services

ISSUES• Number of cabinet members who have undertaken Company

Directors course• Support for Independent members• Commemoration of 40th Anniversary of Self-Government• Agency staffing levels• Purpose of grant to NT Trades and Labour Union Council• Costs to review the allocation of water licences• ICT Expenditure• Advertising costs• Early Childhood Development Plan tender

• Claims of bullying• Local decision making agreements• Education, health and policing in remote communities• Development and implementation of Aboriginal Treaties

• Appointment of Treaty Commissioner• Barunga Agreement• Kenbi land claim• Prioritising community development• Leadership and governance support• Effectiveness of community consultations

• Aboriginal Affairs Strategy• Redevelopment of Jabiru post ERA mine• Nhulunbuy Space Base• Preservation of Aboriginal languages• Inter-tidal zone and compensation package• Native Title Rights and the Pastoral Lands Act• First Circles Program

• Regional Coordination meetings

• Capacity to deliver on the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio• Community cabinet meetings

• Eligibility of Aboriginal Liaison Officers to housing• Complaints about Police Officer at Wadeye• Attrition rates in Police Service• Police graduates• Staffing levels in Police Service• Auxiliary police liquor inspectors• Equipment issued to police auxiliaries on graduation• Metropolitan Alcohol Social Order Group• Palmerston Police Station

• Upgrade to Nightcliff Police Station• Expenditure on overtime• Banned Drinkers Register• New Serve Pro IT system• Youth engagement officers• CCTV• Male to female staffing ratio• Police Officer suspensions ~ male to female ratio• Arrests for breaches of bail• Expenditure on electronic bracelets• Number of people taken into protective custody

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Police, Fire and

Emergency

Semces

Status of Taskforce Trident

Drug testingInvestigations of complaints against policeBudget for police prosecutionsBudget for police escortsResources for road safety sen/icesOfficers under investigationWongabilla Equestrian CentrePFASGender equity in the Fire serviceATSI Development UnitCultural sensitivity when investigating fatalitiesUnmanned police stations in remote communities

Attorney-General

and Justice

Electronic monitoring devices

Advice and litigationAlternatives to prisons

Aboriginal Justice AgreementsFloor prices on alcoholCost of Barristers assisting Solicitor-General

Work campsReview of Biz Secure programReview ofAnti-Discrimination ActConsultation processes when drafting legislationReview of Mandatory Sentencing lawsVictims of Crimes Services UnitFunding of custodial servicesAnnual ReportSecurity of prisonersOvertimeHospital transfersIndigenous incarceration ratesCOMMIT Program and Hope ProjectTransition from Public Interest Disclosures Office to ICACChild protection system reformFollow-up of Children's Commissioner's reports

Reporting on poker machine income

Health

Funding for LifelineProvision of St John Ambulance Services

Funding to implement termination of pregnancy law reformRenal services strategyNumber of renal patientsPartnerships with NGO's to deliver renal sen/ices on countryRelocation of renal ready room at Ngukurr

Role of Environmental Health Section regarding PFAS andasbestosVaccinations for meningococcusFlu shots for children

Funding for HTLV-1Cost of the Riley ReviewNumber of Alcohol Management Plans across the Territory

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO

Health

Housing and

Community

Development

ISSUES• Data linkage program• Cardiff Model Alcohol Program

• Review of Sobering Up Shelters• Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Grants• Alcohol rehabilitation and treatment programs• Referrals to Banned Drinkers Register

• NDIS and funding for disability services• Budget for Disability Equipment Program• Funding for Suicide Prevention Strategy• Complex Behaviour Unit at the Darwin Corrections Facility• Housing support for mental health clients• Secure mental health facility in Katherine• Recruitment of mental health workers• Mental health services in remote communities• Secure care units

• Medical misdiagnosis complaints• Governance of Health Services• Dundee Health Centre• Recruitment of fulltime GP for Jabiru• Staffing numbers and levels• Clinical Senate• Funding for cardiothoracic and neurological services• Budget improvement measures• Palmerston Regional Hospital Open Day

• Public housing stimulus program• Housing accommodation support trial results

• Homelessness strategy• Public housing construction projects for 2018-19• John Stokes Square project• Master plan for use of public housing as women's shelters• Social head leasing• Title transfers to non-government organisations• Industry Housing Assistance Scheme• Public Housing Safety Officers - numbers and training• Number and type of call outs dealt with by Public Housing Safety

Officers• Asbestos in public housing• Maintenance of ex Rio Tinto housing in Nhulunbuy• Public housing wait lists in urban and regional areas• Management of public housing wait lists• Community housing provider model• Closure of YMCA facility in Darwin CBD• Town Camps Review• Infrastructure stimulus projects• Aged care facilities and seniors housing in the rural area• Funding for housing on Homelands• Housing for skilled permanent residents in Nhulunbuy• Status of Shiers St complex• Use of Indigenous labour by Rocon Contracting• Government employee housing

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Housing and

Community

Development

Level of Indigenous employees in construction projectsRoom to Breathe programRemote housing construction programDevelopment of new lots

Development of Aboriginal Peak Housing BodyLease arrangements in NguiuFunding for concrete driveways for new remote housingCost of building houses in remote communitiesConstruction of independent living areas for seniors in remotecommunitiesHomelands extra allowanceFunding for and use of Aboriginal Interpreter ServiceReview of the Local Government Act

Proposed local government amalgamationsReview of rating for mining leases and pastoral properties

Rating of Aboriginal landReview of the Thorak CemeteryBudget Assistance fundingDepartment's role in the development of remote morguesHome Build Access Scheme

Workplace Health and Safety Claims

Public

Employment

Matters referred to the Solicitor for the Northern Territory

Wages PolicyFixed term contractsAboriginal Career Development StrategySpecial Measures ProgramDomestic Violence PolicySecondments of public servants to non-governmentorganisationsEmployment of people with disabilitiesAging workforce policy frameworkPublic servants residing outside Australia

Primary Industry

and Resources

Hydraulic fracturingBoat ramps - Howard River and Point Stuart

Blue Mud BayBiosecurityWater Allocation PolicyImpact of developing the north on the cost of waterAgri-business Memorandum of Cooperation with JapanOpportunities to harvest waterPotential for pastoral industry to increase production andeconomic contribution to the Territory

Pastoral Land Legislation Amendment BillMajor Projects - Quintis LtdWagait Land TrustAssistance provided to the Aboriginal Land CorporationIndigenous Pastoral Program

Magpie geese in mango orchardsDecrease in departmental budgetDepartmental Strategic Plan 2018-2022

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Primary Industry

and Resources

Alignment of Key Performance IndicatorsOutcomes of investment mission to India

Indigenous business developmentAboriginal coastal licences

Employment opportunities and skills development for Aboriginalpeople in remote areasFunding allocation to implement recommendations from theInquiry into Hydraulic FracturingMango export industryUse of Browsing Ant Detection dogsPlant industry development programsFunding forVOPA heat treatment equipmentIndustry support for genetically modified organismsCitrus canker diseasePanama disease resistance trials

Nitrogen Mango projectFuture of the Sandalwood industryStatus of forestry industry in the Northern TerritoryLivestock export industryLive export of donkeysLive export development strategyClosure ofAACO's Livingstone beef meat works

Impact of buffalo imports from IndiaImpact of wild dogs on beef herdsDonkey and camel industries in Central Australia

Agile Wallaby projectLivestock management on homelandsProject Sea DragonOutcomes of trips to USA, China, Japan and South KoreaSupport for the Bush Foods industrySupport for Kakadu Blue and the Cypress Pine oil industryAnimal welfare and animal management issuesProsecution of animal welfare offencesEconomic and social impact of biosecurity risks

Virology facility at Berrimah FarmBiological control options for Mango leaf hopperEradication of fruit fly from the Ti Tree area

Acquittal of industry development funding to AFANTPromotion of commercial fishing industrySustainability of fish stocksConsultation on recreational fishing infrastructureSurvival rate offingerlings released in lakes and damsSediment sampling and DNA analysis of waterHybrid mineral resource royalty schemeAuthorisation of new minesBaseline data for the onshore gas industry

Resource explorationUse of renewable energy to produce hydrogenStreamlining of mineral exploration licencesControl of weeds and rehabilitation of extractive mines

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Primary Industry

and Resources

Environmental levy expenditureMatters referred to the Solicitor-General for the NTRole of departmental staff in Tennant Creek

Number of staff in the mining area in Alice SpringsMoratorium on sea bed miningNumber of operational iron ore minesMaintenance of access road to Bing Bong portLegacy minesRehabilitation of mine sites - Redbank and Mt ToddResponsibility for inactive gas pipelinesTimor Sea gas explorationRole of department in East Timor cattle program

Arafura GamesArafura Games Facebook pageBadminton facilities

Aboriginal Areas

Protection

Authority

Relevance of performance indicatorsMajor challenges for the agencyDifference between Traditional Owner and Custodian

Authority Certificates for land clearing

Environment and

Natural

Resources

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Strategic Aboriginal Water Reserve PolicyPastoral Land Legislation Amendment BillBag limits and commercial harvest of Magpie GeeseDieback of mangroves in Gulf of CarpentariaCarbon farming projectsFive Year Management Plan for Crocodiles

Use of remote camera technologyEradication of feral cats

Impact of rising sea levelsNumber of infringement notices for Gamba grassEradication of sagittaria and cabomba weedControl of Neem trees on the Victoria RiverDieback of mimosa on Melaleuca StationReview of the Water ActAmount of water used fighting bushfiresFunding and resources to implement Hydraulic Fracturing inquiryrecommendationsWater charges for stock and domestic bores

Banjo linesWater resources and development in the rural areaStrategies to reduce water consumption in the rural areaReview of water licences

New Bush Fires NT facility at Townend Rd, Acacia HillsFunding for volunteer bush fire brigadesMotor Trades Association study of the end-of-life of tyresContainer Deposit SchemeEPA prosecutionsIndustry compliance checksRisks to prawn farmers from birds

Tourism and

Culture

Breakdown of visitor numbers

Alice Springs National Indigenous Art Gallery and Cultural CentrePassenger numbers on Donghai Airline flights from Shenzhen

GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Tourism and

Culture

Cooperative marketing arrangements with domestic andinternational airline servicesYear round access to Kakadu National ParkBudget for engaging Indian and Chinese tourism marketPromotion of military history sitesPortrait of a Senior Temtorian CompetitionGrant to TopCrocBudget for sporting facilities in the rural areaAccess to public liability cover by Summernats spectatorsSupport for the development of remote tourism projectsRecreational Fishing Access Plan40th Anniversary of Self-Govemment celebrationsVisitor numbers for Territory Wildlife ParksFunding to repair cyclone damage to Howard Springs NaturePark

Education

Government employee housing for local employeesReporting arrangements for Katherine Regional OfficeFunding for the Early Childhood Development PlanStarting Early for a Better Future PlanAbecedarian approachFamilies as First Teachers sitesEarly childhood KPI'sChildren commencing school with developmental delaysEarly years services provided to Emu Point communityFunding available for community play groupsIndigenous Education StrategyCommunity led schools and local decision makingStrategies to address decline in Indigenous teachers in remoteschoolsFunding for improving acoustics in classroomsSchool budgetsRead Write Inc. literacy programStrategies to address high turnover of staff in remote schoolsBuilding Better Schools funding forWoolianna SchoolNatural disaster emergency management plansLearning outcomes and performance indicatorsNAPLANDirect Instruction teaching methodLiteracy and Numeracy Essentials (LANE) curriculumAttendance KPI's for Aboriginal studentsNumber and location of truancy officers across the TerritoryParticipation in Water Safety Life Skills programEarly identification of student needsSupport for children on the autism spectrumRecruitment of teachersIncidence of bullying in schoolsPrevalence of substance abuse in primary schoolsImplementation of recommendations from the Royal Commissioninto the Protection and Detention of ChildrenNumber of students involved in home schoolingBudget for educational infrastructure

10GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801

Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Education

Student demographics study for the Palmerston areaUse of transportable classrooms in Palmerston schoolsSTEM educationGovernment school at ZuccoliAbuse of teachers by students

Bullying and Stress related Workplace Health and Safety claimsLiving Away from Home Allowance for students attendingboarding schools interstateRemote Indigenous Parents AssociationFunding to Charles Darwin UniversityNational Safe Schools Framework

School Based Constables programRoof Top Solar for Schools ProgramUpgrade of sewerage system at Girraween Primary School

Car parking at Humpty Doo Primary School

Territory Families

Youth outreach

Support for victims of youth crimeCommunity education about sexual abuseNotifications about the sexual exploitation of children

Notifications about the neglect of childrenInvestment in new case management systemProfessional notifiers portalBudget allocation for clinical practice directorate

Early childhood and family centresImproving regional and remote service deliveryRecruitment and retention of child protection staffInformation provided to the Children's CommissionerImplementation of findings from Royal Commission into theProtection and Detention of ChildrenSecondment of Territory Families staff to non-governmentorganisationsFunding for Starting Early for a Better Future programAdoption, permanent care orders and guardianship optionsChild protection notifications and resources in the Tennant CreekofficeCare and protection applications to Local Courts

Budget for child protectionChild protection caseloadsEvaluation and measurement of outcomesActions taken by Department in Tennant Creek caseImplementation of recommendations from the Growing themStrong, Together reportManagement of notifications and investigationsReasons for and strategies to address high turnover of frontlinestaffNumber of staff that have taken stress leaveNumber of Indigenous frontline staffNumber of Aboriginal controlled organisations providing out ofhome care services

Audit of outcomes of children with multiple notificationsNumber of children in the various types of out of home care

11GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801

Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Territory Families

Number of registered foster carersReasons for foster carers exiting the systemFormal complaints from and against foster carersSurvey results of children in out of home careResponsibility for children in care when they turn 18 yearsAboriginal Child Placement PrincipleReunification and after-care support servicesExpenditure on existing youth detention facilitiesLocation, design and construction of new youth detentionfacilities for Alice Springs and DarwinOptions for animal husbandry in youth detention centresModel of care for young people in detentionDevelopment of rural and remote youth training centresMount Theo ProgramOperation FlindersYouth Diversion Infrastructure Site StudyLoves Creek rehabilitation camp for young offendersYouth outreach and engagement officersPre-court and court ordered Youth diversions from detentionReconsideration of place-based sen/icesAccess to recidivism dataExpenditure on third party youth diversion programsNumber of Aboriginal children in detention

Funding for community based, culturally appropriate youthdetention programs on countryBail support servicesElectronic monitoringTennant Creek Action Plan fundingAlice Springs women's shelterGaliwin'ku safe houseIT services infrastructure and role of DCISReform Management Office staffingSeniors Recognition Scheme

Power and Water

Corporation

Changes in executive managementUranium contamination

Water testing in urban, rural and remote areas

Managing water qualityBanjo lines and provision of water to rural areasPrioritisation of worksResearch into water resources in the TerritoryBringing Manton Dam back on lineZuccoli water tower and issues with water pressureRisks relating to Australian Energy Regulator determination -tariff levels and revenue to provide sen/icesImpact of staffing vacancies on capacity to respond to CycloneMarcusRisks for Gas Business Unit - sales, renewable targetOpportunities to sell gas on the open international marketValue of Blacktip gas reserveImpact of renewables on the networkRollout of smart meters

12GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801

Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au

PORTFOLIO ISSUES

Power and Water

Corporation

Undergrounding of power linesCost of Cyclone MarcusLessons from Cyclone MarcusConsideration of non-network optionsSewerage pond odour reduction in the northern suburbsResponsibility for headworks for the Northcrest developmentStaffing levels and salaries post structural separationCost of solar rollout at Daly RiverCommunities included in the Solar Set-Up project

Jacana Energy

Transition to new billing systemComplaints or inquiries regarding new billing systemRetail tariffsImpact of rooftop solar and feed-in tariff on revenueUptake of solarCost competitiveness of solarChanges to senior management roles in the past 12 monthsNumber offly-in fly-out staffStaffing numbers and levels'Cost to Serve5 compared to other retailers in Australia

Decreasing profit marginChanges to shopfront servicesWithdrawal of payments made in advanceNew customer services and productsNumber of wrongful disconnections and reconnection process

Territory

Generation

Board appointmentChanges in executive managementAsset impairmentImpact of renewable energyRetirement of assets

Employee numbersFuture profitabilityOverall financial effect of move to renewablesGovernment funding

Efficiency savingsFair market rulesHydrogen or ammonia as an alternative fuel source to gas

Ongoing viabilityStatus of Alice Springs energy storage projectExpressions of interest for Katherine energy storage projectBuilding storage capacity to manage solarStaffing levels and salaries post separation

Ensuring system reliabilityConsideration of thermal solar energy

Ms Selena Uibo, MLACHAIR

13GPO Box 3721, DARWIN NT 0801

Telephone: 08 8946 1485 e-mail: Estimates.LA@nt.gov.au