HUGE OPINION SECTION

CM MICHAEL GUNNER ON THE BUDGET SARAH MATTHEWS ON YOUTH BAIL LAWS AANT’S ANTHONY HILL ON ROAD SAFETY

FOURTEEN months ago – when shops were shut, borders were closed and Territorians were lined up in their hundreds outside Centrelink – I didn’t know the path through this coronavirus pandemic. No one did.

What I did know though was that Territorians had been tested before – and we always rise.

There was no way then, that I could have predicted that in 2021, I’d be handing down a budget with a stronger economy, more jobs and a growing population.

That’s exactly what we delivered on Tuesday.

I encourage you all to reflect on how far we’ve come together so quickly – against the headwinds of a pandemic which has wreaked havoc around the world.

In 2021, the Northern Territory is Australia’s comeback capital – and the 2021 budget is focused on leading the comeback.

It’s about building on the gains we’ve made, grabbing every opportunity, and maximising the Territory’s potential in every way we can.

This budget shows our economic recovery is even stronger than predicted, with the Territory economy expected to grow by nearly 5 per cent this year.

Private sector investment is estimated to grow by nearly 10 per cent, household consumption by more than 4 per cent, and housing investment by 17 per cent. Those numbers are remarkable.

The forecasts show our population will go up, not down. Jobs will go up. People are choosing the Territory again – to live, work, and invest.

By protecting the Territory during the pandemic, we started the recovery ahead of the pack. And to make sure we stay ahead, this budget invests $120m in the Local Jobs Fund – to back in businesses who want to invest, make things, and create Territory jobs.

If you’ve got a head a full of ideas and a pocket full of money, we want you here. If you’re prepared to roll up your sleeves and have a crack, we want you.

That’s what the Local Jobs Fund is about – backing in business.

The budget also backs our tourism and hospitality businesses – because they’ve done it hard during the pandemic, and they are a key part of the comeback.

Tourism is one of the best economic multipliers we’ve got – it creates more value and more jobs right through the economy. That’s why the budget includes the Territory Tourism Comeback Plan – which includes more tourism vouchers for locals, incentives to attract interstaters, and more support for our major festivals like BASSINTHEGRASS and Red CentreNATS.

The budget continues to invest in our world-leading public health response – backing in the Territory’s incredible health care workers to keep protecting us through this pandemic, and to roll out the vaccine this year.

With the Territory growing, we’re getting more land ready for development and release – so more Territorians can own their little slice of the Territory.

Every Territorian deserves to feel safe. Crime and community safety are not new challenges here. There are no silverbullets, but we have a plan and we’ll keep working hard at it. This budget locks in record police numbers, invests in more CCTV, and extends community safety initiatives in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs.

Our budget strategy has three important stages: control the virus, grow the economy, and repair the budget. By keeping the Territory safe from COVID, we got back in business sooner and we’re growing. Because of this, the budget bottom line is $900m better off over two years, and net debt is $1bn lower than forecast. To have made significant fiscal repairs while maintaining services at record levels during a global pandemic shows our strategy is working.

The Territory has been through a lot in recent years. We still have challenges ahead, and vulnerable people and jobs to protect.

It hasn’t been easy. But we are getting through it. We are coming out the other side and getting stronger every day.

The comeback has only just begun.