Darwin racing boss joins growing calls to reopen the NT borders

PROMINENT Darwin entrepreneur Brett Dixon has joined the large chorus of business people saying it’s time for the Gunner Government to be looking at opening the NT borders.

Prominent Darwin entrepreneur Brett Dixon has joined the large chorus of business people saying it’s time for the Gunner Government to be looking at opening the NT borders. Picture: Justin Kennedy

PROMINENT Darwin entrepreneur Brett Dixon has joined the large chorus of business people saying it’s time for the Gunner Government to be looking at opening the NT borders.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner is standing firm on an indefinite timeline for reopening the NT’s borders, despite Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly saying that, from a medical point of view, he couldn’t see why the borders were still closed

“To sit there and do nothing is the wrong thing,” Mr Dixon, who is also chairman of the Darwin Turf Club, said.

“It needs to be done in a measured and controlled way but I personally can’t see the coronavirus disappearing altogether, whether we wait two months or six months it will still have to be dealt with when it rears its head in time to come.

“At the end of the day I congratulate the government on what it has done to date but now is the time to start thinking about reopening and getting people back into their jobs with a clear plan in place on how we deal with any coronavirus flare ups.

“We should seriously be looking at reopening our borders sooner rather than later to get this economy on the move again.

“A big test is in the recovery … of reigniting the economy. It would be the wrong thing to wait another three or four months, especially when we’re ready to go Whether they open the borders with other states is something that could be a possibility, maybe WA and SA.”

Mr Dixon said there was enough evidence to at least aim for August 1.

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He said from a business perspective it would be tough for everyone heading into the wet season with no trade through the dry.

“Traditionally most of the businesses I’m involved with they perform better through the dry and to have lost the opportunity for 18 months is going to be very hard,” he said.

“My other concern is when JobKeeper stops we are going to see the real impact of what this virus has had on the economic community.

“I would like to see a clear and concise plan that gives the business community encouragement that the border closures will end sooner rather than later.

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“From a Darwin Turf Club point of view we are getting inquiries all the time. There are people still wanting to come to Darwin for the Cup.”