NT social services, Aboriginal health groups reveal top priorities for 2025 federal budget

Ahead of the federal budget being handed down on Tuesday, here’s what key community groups in the Northern Territory are calling for.

The peak body representing social services in the Northern Territory is urging the federal government to increase welfare payments, and invest in energy efficiency for public housing ahead of this week’s budget.

Northern Territory Council of Social Service chief executive Sally Sievers called for the rate of Jobseeker and Youth Allowance payments to be raised to at least $82 a day, to “ensure all Territorians could afford the basics”.

“Current payment levels are well below the poverty line and are particularly inadequate in regions where the cost of living is high,” Ms Sievers said.

Northern Territory Council of Social Service chief executive Sally Sievers.

“Boosting these payments would provide critical support for people doing it toughest and help stimulate the Territory economy.

“We’re also urging the government to raise the Remote Area Allowance, which has not been increased in over 20 years.

“The Territory faces severe cost pressures due to geography and limited access to goods and services.

“An increase to this supplement is long overdue and essential for people living in some of the most remote parts of the country.”

NTCOSS also asked for the federal and Territory governments to work together to deliver energy efficiency upgrades in public housing, to “provide long-term savings and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for low-income residents”.

“This includes better insulation, solar power, and cooling systems to reduce power bills and improve living conditions, particularly in our extreme climate.”

National remote health funding needed to help Close the Gap: AMSANT

Dr John Paterson, Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT) convener and Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) chief executive. Picture: Supplied/Lisa Hatz Photography.

Aboriginal community health services in the Northern Territory says the federal government must act to support better health outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians.

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT said better resourcing of Aboriginal-controlled primary health care had been central to improving the health of Indigenous communities in the NT.

“But progress is too slow, held back by deep inequities in housing, education, poverty, inequality and the other social determinants of health,” AMSANT chief executive John Paterson said.

“As a result, many Closing the Gap targets are not only off track but worsening in the NT.

“The latest Productivity Commission data shows unacceptable declines in female life expectancy, birth weight, Indigenous early childhood education and child development, youth engagement, employment, and child and adult imprisonment rates.

“It is clear that in many areas, governments are failing to deliver on their commitments — at the expense of the health and wellbeing of our people.

“We need a government that is willing to face these health gaps and meaningfully support the Aboriginal community controlled health sector where they need it.”

Dr Paterson said that meant a renewed commitment to the Closing the Gap agreement; addressing the clinical workforce crisis being experienced broadly across NT frontline services; and a dedicated national funding program for infrastructure maintenance, upgrades and replacements to ensure clinics and staff accommodation are safe and fit for purpose.

Originally published as NT social services, Aboriginal health groups reveal top priorities for 2025 federal budget