Report on Statehood Program
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Report on Statehood Program Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Tabled February 2012 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Report on the Statehood Program Tabled in the Legislative Assembly in February 2012 CONTENTS Contents ................................................................................................... i Chair’s Overview ............................................................................................ ii Committee Members ..................................................................................... iv Committee Secretariat ................................................................................... v 1. Introduction.............................................................................................. 1 2. Background.............................................................................................. 2 Recommendations of the SSC ................................................................................................. 2 Northern Territory Constitutional Convention Committee......................................................... 4 Information Campaign .............................................................................................................. 4 Current Status of the Statehood Program ................................................................................ 4 3. Convention Planning............................................................................... 5 Panellists.................................................................................................................................. 7 Program & Rules...................................................................................................................... 8 Constitutional Framework Document ..................................................................................... 12 Logistics ................................................................................................................................. 12 4. Information campaign ........................................................................... 14 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 14 Communication and Engagement Objectives ........................................................................ 14 Key Messages........................................................................................................................ 14 Key Sensitivities ..................................................................................................................... 15 Communication and Engagement Strategy............................................................................ 16 Cost of the Information Campaign.......................................................................................... 17 5. Total Cost of the Statehood Program Since 2005 .............................. 18 Appendix A. Timeline of Statehood Project ............................................. 19 Appendix B. Draft Program for Constitutional Convention .................... 21 Appendix C. Scheme of Debate on Each Theme ..................................... 22 Appendix D. Draft Rules for Constitutional Convention ......................... 23 Appendix E. Constitutional Framework Document ................................. 27 Appendix F. Northern Territory Constitutional Convention Communication and Engagement Strategy ....................... 49 Appendix G. Wicking Ads .......................................................................... 79 Appendix H. Fact Sheets............................................................................ 84 Appendix I. Brochures .............................................................................. 87 Appendix J. Media Releases ..................................................................... 89 Appendix K. Print Advertising ................................................................... 96 Appendix L. Flyers ................................................................................... 101 Appendix M. Booklet................................................................................. 106 i CHAIR’S OVERVIEW It has been a privilege to be Chairing the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (LCAC) over the period that has seen the finalisation of the work and recommendations of the Statehood Steering Committee and the development of those recommendations into a detailed plan of action with the assistance of the Northern Territory Constitutional Convention Committee. The Statehood Steering Committee created a unique and bold vision for constitutional development for the Northern Territory; a vision inspired by the desire for grass roots community participation. This vision has been brought closer to reality by the thoughtful consideration of the Convention Committee, which has developed practical plans for delivering a convention of elected delegates from around the Territory: a plan to ensure that the convention will not only be for the people but will be run by the people. These plans were on track for holding the convention in April 2012. The Legislative Assembly’s deferral of the convention to a date to be determined during the next Assembly leads the LCAC to provide this report to the Assembly on the preparations made for the convention and to seek re- endorsement of its reference to plan for a convention. In establishing the Statehood Steering Committee in 2005, the Assembly decided that to ensure a bipartisan approach the Statehood program should be administered by a parliamentary committee rather than the Government. The LCAC therefore considers that it is appropriate for it to report back to the Assembly and confirm its mandate in the light of recent developments. While I have found the postponement of the convention to be extremely disappointing, it does provide further opportunity for Territorians to consider the questions that need to be discussed at the convention. The release of the constitutional framework document and convention planning in this report can help Territorians to better prepare for the convention. The LCAC therefore proposes to foster further consideration of the questions relating to Statehood and maintain existing preparations so the next Assembly may proceed with the election of delegates and convention at whatever time the then Government chooses. Many people have helped bring the Statehood program to the cusp of holding a convention. The LCAC continues to extend its thanks to the former members of the Statehood Steering Committee for their extensive work and innovative recommendations. We are also grateful to the members of the Northern Territory Constitutional Convention Committee for their thoughtful ii advice. The Committee also thanks the Office of Statehood for its work in supporting our deliberations, implementing the logistics, and raising awareness of Statehood issues around the Territory. I also extend my thanks to the Chief Minister, the Hon Paul Henderson MLA, and the Minister for Statehood, the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy MLA, without whose support and commitment to Statehood it would not have been possible to bring the recommendations of the Statehood Steering Committee so close to fruition. Finally, I would like to thank the Members of the LCAC who have strived together to develop a bipartisan model for a people’s constitutional convention. The Honourable Jane Aagaard MLA iii COMMITTEE MEMBERS The Honourable Jane AAGAARD, MLA Member for Nightcliff Party: Australian Labor Party Parliamentary Position: Speaker Committee Membership: Standing: House; Standing Orders; Members' Interests; Legal and Constitutional Affairs Chair: House, Legal and Constitutional Affairs, NT Constitutional Convention Committee Ms. Marion SCRYMGOUR, MLA Member for Arafura Party: Australian Labor Party Committee Membership: Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs; House; Public Accounts; Subordinate Legislation and Publications Sessional: Environment and Sustainable Development; Council of Territory Co-operation Select: Youth Suicides in the NT Chair: Environment and Sustainable Development, Youth Suicides in the NT Other: NT Constitutional Convention Committee Mr. Michael GUNNER, MLA Member for Fannie Bay Party: Australian Labor Party Parliamentary Position: Government Whip Committee Membership: Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs; Public Accounts; Standing Orders; Subordinate Legislation and Publications; Members' Interests Sessional: Environment and Sustainable Development; Chair: Public Accounts; Estimates, Subordinate Legislation and Publications Ms. Kezia PURICK, MLA Member for Goyder Party: Country Liberals Parliamentary Position: Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Shadow Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources; Statehood; Women’s Policy Committee Membership: Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Sessional: Council of Territory Co-operation-Animal Welfare Sub-committee Select: Youth Suicides in the NT Other: NT Constitutional Convention Committee Mr. Peter CHANDLER, MLA Member for Brennan Party: Country Liberals Parliamentary Position: Shadow Minister for Education and Training; Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage; Parks and Wildlife Committee Membership: Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs Sessional: Environment and Sustainable Development iv COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT