GUNNER REVEALS WHY HE WON’T BREAK FRACKING PROMISE

TERRITORY families and businesses are facing extremely challenging economic conditions.

Many have told me 2016 was as bad as it gets.

The previous CLP Government failed to plan for the Territory’s economic future beyond the INPEX construction boom, leaving all of us a slowing economy and no direction or vision through the headwinds.

That’s why we took a comprehensive jobs plan to the election, which we have been implementing every day since we formed Government.

We have got money flowing locally again, we are providing certainty and we are restoring confidence in politics and business.

Our plan to create jobs – by supporting first homebuyers, investing in job-creating infrastructure, beefing up buy-local principles, providing immediate stimulus for small businesses and tradies, and investing now in long-term plans – will form the central theme of our first budget.

Last week’s news the Commonwealth will strip $2 billion in GST revenue from the Territory over the next four years has deepened – to unprecedented levels – the Budget challenges facing Territorians and the Government.

Some commentators, including within the CLP, have suggested an appropriate response to these challenges would be to break our election promise of a moratorium on fracking, even while an independent panel examines the evidence, technology and science.

I can guarantee Territorians we will not be taking this advice.

We promised before the election we would hold an independent inquiry into the hydraulic fracturing of unconventional gas reserves in the Northern Territory and we will keep the faith.

At the end of the inquiry we will either ban fracking in the Northern Territory or allow it in highly regulated circumstances in tightly prescribed areas.

This process allows all Territorians the opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns or interest.

It gives us the best chance to make decisions based on science and it ensures we don’t put at risk the existing fishing, farming, tourism and cattle jobs on which the Territory economy relies.

Claims that lifting the moratorium is an immediate solution to our fiscal challenges are misguided, at best.

Even if a decision was made to allow fracking tomorrow, next to no economic benefit, jobs or budget revenue would flow for many years.

Trust in Northern Territory politics has never been more fragile thanks to the erratic and chaotic years of the CLP.

One of my most important missions as Chief Minister is to restore that trust, and breaking election promises like the fracking moratorium is no way to success.

The purpose behind the moratorium and the independent panel investigating the science of fracking is about more than getting the best advice; it is about ensuring Territorians have faith in the final decision because Territorians know the process followed by Government was rigorous and done right.

Further eroding trust and confidence in Government by breaking key election commitments like this will only make the task of growing our economy and creating jobs harder.

Restoring trust and certainty is not only the right thing to do, it is crucial for our economic security and our ability to deliver on our commitments of investing in kids and empowering the bush.

Our reforms have the potential to break intergenerational cycles of welfare dependence, health problems, crime and poverty.

They have the potential to lift the bush into the economic mainstream and harness our largely-untapped remote land and human resources.

They have the potential to transform the Territory, but we must take you with us.

Territorians deserve a Government that does what it says. Territorians are also entitled to expect their leaders to be open, transparent and act to build cohesive and confident communities.

This Government passed laws to ensure public funds are not wasted on political advertising; we have instigated an inquiry into political donations; and we are drafting legislation to create an independent anti-corruption commission. We will continue listening to Territorians and acting on their concerns.

We will not be an arrogant Government. We will not let politics or pride cloud what is best for the Territory.

We will continue to create jobs, keep our commitments and implement a fair plan for the Territory’s immense future.

Decisions in Canberra may take from our Budget, but nothing will take from our competitive advantages stemming from our proximity to Asia or our natural, cultural and mineral wealth.

As an example of mining confidence in the Territory, just this month we have granted major project status to three proposals which between them have the potential to create more than 2300 construction jobs and more than 1000 ongoing jobs.

We must do things right so you trust us as a Government to get decisions like this right.

This month we also hosted the final Economic Summits in Alice Springs and Darwin. The outcome will be a shared blueprint for Territory growth and

Restoring trust and certainty is … crucial for our economic security and our ability to deliver on our commitments