Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

Senator, I have run through the general list of essential services. They are essential services which are typically provided by the Territory government, in the case that we are talking about. I imagine that the Territory government consult with local communities and certainly have a view on what they believe is appropriate and what they regard as essential services.

The reason I mention the Northern Territory government—I normally do not get provoked, as Senator Evans knows—is simply that so much emphasis was being placed on essential services. It strikes me as relevant to point out that these essential services are typically supplied through the Northern Territory government. What I read out, Senator Evans, was entirely consistent with the Northern Territory government position. You tried to draw a contrast; the truth is that there is no contrast. From what I can see, they seem to be entirely consistent. You may have a different view. In the end, governments are responsible for providing essential services. You may have views on what you think is appropriate and not appropriate. In the end, the supply of those services is typically determined by a government decision. In this case, it is typically determined by a Northern Territory government decision.