ON WHAT THE NT NEEDS IN NEXT FOUR YEARS
THE next four years are critical for the Northern Territory. We are at a real tipping point. The Territory will either continue down the Gunner government’s path of economic and social decline or it will break that pattern, turn over a new leaf and get back to what it was once famous for – new opportunities, creating jobs and encouraging and supporting people to come here and have a go.
Unfortunately, under the Labor government we have seen the wheels on this path to decline get faster since 2016. The Chief Minister famously once said he wanted to get the big rocks rolling. Well, talk is cheap!
Under Michael Gunner’s administration that adage, which was meant to signal economic recovery, has turned into a catastrophic economic avalanche. The government has become incredibly inwardfacing and self-serving, focusing on pet projects, while neglecting what really matters: the economy and crime.
Disappointingly, since the election there has been no change of pace from the government – it’s business as usual. There has been no change of pace on fixing the economy or addressing the dire crime situation, particularly in Alice Springs.
The government is arrogant and too comfortable with its victory. They should remember that, in the end, only a small margin of 105 votes delivered Labor’s majority. There is no honeymoon period here, and we need to see runs on the board – now. Real economic recovery requires more than just delivering a slab of beer and laksa paste to the Prime Minister. It requires real reform.
Rather than fostering an environment that would allow Territory businesses to grow and employ more people, the government is burdening business with prohibitive red tape and drawn-out approval time frames.
The CLP will push the government to establish a Territory Co-ordinator to properly manage prospective large-scale, job-creating projects. We need to secure long-term, sustainable jobs, and the proponents of these projects need certainty that they can work hand-in-hand with government. That positive guidance through the regulatory process is what a Territory Co-ordinator will do.
The CLP also understands that population is key to the Territory’s growth. People will only come here if they have job security and can live in a safe community. The government’s failure to address population decline has resulted in catastrophic outcomes such as the decline in demand for courses at CDU – leading to course offerings being slashed – and the near loss of our second federal electorate.
There are many other things the government needs to address over the next four years that the CLP will hold them to account on. Red-tape reform and shortening approvals time frames are just the start. Strengthening the “Buy Local” policy to better support local suppliers is important and industry specific reforms such as replacing the inefficient hybrid mining tax with a simplified system is critical to the Territory being competitive. Exploring better connections for our electricity market is essential to grow our renewable-energy industry and secure reliability and affordability for industry and population growth into the future.
These are reforms the Gunner government’s cabinet should be initiating to repair the economy – not outsourcing to the Reconstruction Commission. I have no doubt the commission’s appointees know what they’re doing, but it smacks of the government passing the buck and is an admission that cabinet is devoid of ideas and capability.
The government’s lack of action on the crime crisis in Alice Springs is dismaying. Every night, residents are living in fear. The CLP is committed to tackling crime headon by ensuring there are consequences for every offence and that our laws send a strong message to would-be criminals.
I am incredibly proud to lead a team who are fiercely passionate about the Territory and what our future holds. In winning eight seats at the election, the CLP will be a formidable Opposition to the Gunner government, which is tired, talentless and devoid of a plan.