The lighter side of law-making

If you think politics is dull and PC, here’s proof that in the Territory it’s not.
The live cattle export industry has a lower mortality rate on its ships than P&O cruises, says Shadow Business Minister, David Tollner.
Calling on the Chief Minister to push for a fighting fund promoting the industry “down south”, he says the live export and the pastoral industries “should be a source of national pride.
“Unfortunately, as a result of gutless Labor governments in Canberra and Darwin and manipulative animal welfare activists, the industry in northern Australia is on its knees.”
Mr Tollner says: “Cattle ships are sophisticated feed lots which keep animals healthy en-route to overseas markets, there are nutritionists on the ground in Indonesia and the industry supports the livelihoods of thousands of Australian businesses and families.
“Southern Australians need to understand the strengths of the industry to protect it from animal rights extremists.”
• Shadow Minister for Transport Adam Giles (pictured) yesterday re-stated the Country Liberals commitment to open speed limits.
He says they were removed in 2007 by the current Labor Government after undertaking a road safety review.
“That review found that tourists, young drivers and Indigenous Territorians were over represented in the Territory’s road toll.
“The review also identified drink driving and not wearing seat belts as the two main contributing factors.
“Speed was never isolated as the sole cause of the majority of accidents.
“Official road toll figures in 2006 were 44. Following the removal of open speed limits the toll increased to 57 and then 75.
“Last year it was 50, higher still than when speed limits were removed.”
• Shadow Treasurer John Elferink says under Labor, the Territory’s net debt has blown out to $6.7billion, including liabilities. A dollar coin weighs 9 grams, is 25mm in diameter and 3mm thick. There are 111 dollar coins in a kilo, 111,111 in a tonne.
He says the Territory’s debt takes on mind-boggling proportions when considering:
– It would take $2.2million to fill a 20 tonne road train trailer and $6.7million to fill a three trailer road train.
– It would take 1000 road trains – extending about 50km – to haul the Territory’s debt plus liabilities.
– A $1 coin covers an area of about 500mm square and it would take $2million to fill 1km square.
– Darwin’s area is 112km square. Placing all our dollar coins within Darwin’s footprint would make a stack 90cm high.
– Stacked on the Parliament House footprint, which is 12,900 metres square, the Territory’s debt with liabilities would make a stack 7.8km high.
– Joined end to end, the $6.8billion debt with liabilities in dollar coins would stretch 167,500km – over four times around the world.
– Under Labor, the Territory has accumulated a mountain of debt – approximately $29,000 for every man woman and child and $56,000 per taxpayer.
Says Mr Elferink: “The Labor Government is addicted to spending – and Territory taxpayers are paying.”