Records 1992

This Submission requested endorsement to publicly release the Northern Territory Decade of Landcare Plan.

In 1990, Australia declared the next 10 years to be the Decade of Landcare with the goal to bring about conservation and protection of the land resource upon which the entire Northern Territory community is dependent. State and territories across Australia prepared plans to determine the best way to avoid and control land degradation. In the Northern Territory, Landcare NT developed the plan in consultation with the Conservation Commission, industry, government and community conservation groups.

The Plan will bring about the integration of resources from government and non-government sectors for the prevention and control of land degradation. The Northern Territory Decade of Landcare Plan is attached to this record.

Submission No. 6097 / Decision No. 7170 of 28 January 1992 / Volume 375 PDF (10.3 MB)

Government approved the tabling of the ‘Northern Territory Women’s Strategy – a discussion paper’ and its public release for community consultation, prior to finalising a Northern Territory Strategy for Women.

In 1990, the Government announced a new strategy for women developed by women in the Territory, to identify their concerns and to ensure government planning adequately reflects the priorities identified by women in the community. Early consultation with urban, rural and Aboriginal women identified recurring concerns with health, housing, education and training, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, child-care, unpaid carers, counselling services, and superannuation.

The Discussion Paper covers all aspects of women’s lives in an ordered and structured manner and includes a framework for the future. Of particular interest are the statistics, and social and economic indicators at Attachment 1.

The Discussion Paper notes that “Territory women historically have been pioneers; they are self-sufficient, resourceful and adaptable. Most women take on a dual role; that of working in the paid workforce and that of unpaid carer and home maker. This double load affects family life, leading to increasing stress levels for the modern woman”.

This record is highlighted due to the current government’s commitment to increasing diversity in board membership. The Discussion Paper was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 3 March 1992 (Tabled Paper No. 763).

Submission No. 6130 / Decision No. 7210 of 28 February 1992 / Volume 378 PDF (23.8 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to allocate funding to rehabilitate the site on which the Government Stamp Battery sits at Tennant Creek, and to transfer the site to the local community to develop as a tourist attraction.

The 92 hectare site is of historical interest with potential as a mining museum. The schedule of work and waste containment costs associated with the environmental rehabilitation of areas covered by tailings, is attached to the Submission. Government approved $50,000 toward the costs of rehabilitating the site, and for the site to be transferred to the community. Legal transfer of the title could not be affected until the Warramungu Land Claim was finalised.

Submission No. 6261 / Decision No. 7382 of 20 July 1992 / Volume 391 PDF (2.6 MB)

This Cabinet record approved transmission of the Northern Territory Government Submission to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works public hearing on the Notice of Intent to increase army presence in the Northern Territory. The hearing was held in Darwin in August 1992 to examine public works proposals associated with the facilities.

The Government’s Submission discussed impacts on social and economic infrastructure including roads, public transport, water supplies, health, hospitals, and child care. Environmental health matters including sewage, wastewater disposal, disposal of liquid and toxic waste and measures to prevent stormwater contamination from stores, fuels, workshops and vehicle maintenance areas, were also discussed.

Submission No. 6285 / Decision No. 7422 of 14 August 1992 / Volume 393 PDF (5.6 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to consider provision of school facilities at Woodroffe, Palmerston. Four options were presented for the construction of a government school, a Catholic school, two separate schools, or a shared government and Catholic school. Establishment of a childcare centre, community oval and ablution facilities were also considered.

The Submission includes the pupil capacity of existing schools in Palmerston, future enrolment and demographic projections, and the movement of Australian Defence Force personnel. Demographic projections are attached to the Submission.

The Decision indicates Government’s agreement to the establishment of a childcare centre and a pre-school as Stage 1 of development of the Woodroffe Neighbourhood Centre site; and for a Catholic primary school to be located on the Emery Avenue site. No costs appear in this Decision.

Submission No. 6260 / Decision No. 7381 of 20 July 1992 / Volume 391 PDF (8.7 MB)

Submission No. 6260 / Decision No. 7387 of 28 July 1992 / Volume 392 PDF (500.2 KB)

The purpose of this Submission was to obtain funding status for the school projects above.

In this Decision, Government approved funding for Stage 1 to construct a 50 pupil-place preschool; a 50 per cent capital and 10 percent interest subsidy over 10 years for a 360 pupil-place primary school; and placement on the approved design list of Stage 2 to construct a 360 pupil-place primary school, community-use facilities, an oval and an ablution facility.

Submission No. 6287 / Decision No. 7424 of 14 August 1992 / Volume 393 PDF (3.5 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to endorse the Northern Territory’s negotiating position on the implementation of the International Convention on Biological Diversity and the National Strategy for Biological Diversity. It also sought approval of the Northern Territory Government’s Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment, Recreation and the Arts Inquiry into the Role of Protected Areas in the Maintenance of Biodiversity (the Inquiry), which examined the adequacy of Australia’s current system of terrestrial parks and reserves to sustain biodiversity.

In 1982, the World Charter for Nature was adopted by the United Nations. In 1992, the International Convention on Biological Diversity was signed by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment. The Convention obliges parties to establish representative systems of reserved (protected) lands to conserve biological diversity. All Australian state and territory governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment affirming their commitment to conservation of biological diversity and recognising the need for an integrated approach to a national system of protected lands.

Attached to this record is the Northern Territory Government Submission approved for lodgement to the Inquiry.

Submission No. 6303 / Decision No. 7444 of 21 August 1992 / Volume 394 PDF (15.3 MB)

This Submission requested endorsement to the Anti-Discrimination Bill to enact the first legislation of its kind in the Northern Territory.

Cabinet met four times in 1992 to discuss the implementation of the legislation, which had been approved in principle in 1991.

Decisions 7246 (7 April), 7358 (2 July) and 7423 (14 August) discussed the areas of prohibition from unfair discrimination and providing remedies for persons who were discriminated against. The bill was alternatively referred to as Equal Opportunity Legislation.

Discussions related to the inclusion of parenthood, sexuality and irrelevant medical record as grounds for discrimination in the legislation.

The Anti-Discrimination Bill was assented on 18 December 1992 and commenced 1 August 1993. The Anti-Discrimination Commission came into operation on 1 August 1993, with Ms Dawn Lawrie appointed as the inaugural Anti- Discrimination Commissioner.

Submission No. 6340 / Decision No. 7486 of 28 September 1992 / Volume 396 PDF (88.9 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to seek in-principle support to the amalgamation of Sadadeen Secondary College and the Alice Springs College of TAFE.

National trends indicated it was no longer possible to maintain the view that the majority of those remaining in school for 12 years, would be aiming to graduate into higher education.

Due to the rapidly growing student clientele in post compulsory education, and a change in student and community needs, a feasibility study was conducted on the shared use of facilities for providers of post compulsory education in Alice Springs. The study involved extensive investigations at a local and national level, and consultation with staff of both colleges.

Attached to this Submission is a college structure designed to accommodate the needs of students, including appropriate course options and student pathways to commence in 1993.

Submission No. 6364 / Decision No. 7515 of 13 October 1992 / Volume 398 PDF (8.0 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to approve development of a new youth policy for the Northern Territory.

Overseas trends indicate that society cannot allow a substantial proportion of its population to exist outside its mainstream. To do so risks major social upheaval and an excessive amount of gross national product being diverted to public safety, and social/ medical rehabilitative services.

Individuals with little self-worth and unable to access the benefits that society has to offer (goods and services, independence, career, family life) present as a significant threat to their own safety and wellbeing, and to that of the community. It is easy to engage in high risk anti-social activities when you believe you have ‘nothing to lose’.

Development of a new youth policy offered an opportunity to address the challenges facing youth, and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of youth, families, the community and government. Young people will be involved in development of a new youth policy through establishment of a youth advisory body.

The Submission also proposes coordinating existing policies and programs into a youth strategy. These include:

• Public Housing Policy for Young People
• Juvenile Crime Workshops
• Recreation Policy for Youth
• Petrol Sniffing Policy and Programs.

The draft youth policy is at Attachment C.

Submission No. 6407 / Decision No. 7572 of 1 December 1992 / Volume 401A PDF (16.5 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to approve release for public comment, a discussion paper aimed at developing a strategy for the management of wildfires in the Northern Territory.

At the time, there was growing public concern on fire prevention and control measures used to effect fire management, including the use of burning operations as preventive measures.

Prior to formulating a wildfire management strategy, the Bushfires Council drafted a discussion paper in consultation with an officer of the CSIRO, regarded as a world authority on bushfire management and control. The Paper reviews the role of fire in the Northern Territory, addresses public concerns, and considers directions for more effective fire management. The Discussion Paper is attached and includes a map of the fire control districts.

Submission No. 6408 / Decision No. 7573 of 1 December 1992 / Volume 401A PDF (15.0 MB)