Natasha Fyles, Lia Finnochiaro and industry leaders share 2022 Federal Budget wishlist

Territory and industry leaders have weighed in on what they hope might be earmarked for the NT in the Federal Budget. See the big ticket items they’re calling for.

Territorians are banking on the federal government delivering cost of living relief, money for crime prevention, bigger investments in industry and significant road cash as it delivers the budget on Tuesday.

This will be the second Federal Budget for 2022 following Anthony Albanese’s election win against the LNP’s Scott Morrison in May.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the budget had already promised big wins for the Territory’s ambitious development plans, including $2.5bn for Darwin’s Middle Arm industrial precinct.

“This is what quality planning and development of new and emerging industries looks like,” Ms Fyles said.

“My team and I have been working with the federal government when it comes to … enabling infrastructure, remote and urban housing, education, environment and renewables.”

Ms Fyles said the Territory Government was advocating for investment to develop the region and reduce the cost of living.

“We will also get more bitumen laid … when our regions are accessible we see greater outcomes in health, education and resilience in our communities,” she said.

The budget is set to include $440m in planned equity to support the development of NT regional logistic hubs and a further $682m will be spent on NT roads, with about half of those funds to seal the Tanami Road and upgrade the Central Arnhem Road.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said the investment in roads was critical to the Territory and Labor needed to ensure the previous commitments from the LNP were honoured.

“We know in the Territory we have more unsealed roads than anywhere else,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

Funding for unsealed roads was a common request from Territory leaders to be funded in the new Federal Budget.

“And it’s critically important for social and economic development that those roads are sealed, so we’d really like to see roads … all being fully funded and fully sealed.”

As Territorians feel the pressure of rising costs, including steep increase of fuel prices, Northern Territory Council of Social Services chief executive Deborah Di Natale hoped Labor would increase welfare payments to at least $70 a day, compared to the current $47.80.

“It is impossible to meet your day to day needs on less than $48 a day and people cannot be expected to do so,” Ms Di Natale said.

“The number of people in the Northern Territory receiving income support is extremely high, the highest rate of any state or territory in the country.”

Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory also called for significant investment across housing and education.

A statement from the organisation called for more investment in the bush, including the Remote Housing Partnership that is set to expire in 2023.

Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory wants continued investment in remote housing.

Leaders also wanted funding commitments to drive reforms in justice, employment, training and social services as part of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Businesses across the Territory would benefit from an increase in funding to combat workforces shortages as well as crime, Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland said.

“The biggest issue is workforce, so assisting us with the ability to bring people in the country and straight to the Territory,” he said.

“That means easier process for visa applications and more timely processing of applications — it would also be beneficial if the costs for recruitment for all those types of workers wasn’t expensive.”

Tourism Central Australia chief executive Daniel Rochford said the Territory’s $655m tourism industry needed a boost in marketing and aviation as the industry bounced back from Covid.

Originally published as Natasha Fyles, Lia Finnochiaro and industry leaders share 2022 Federal Budget wishlist