NT business summit delivers blunt message over economy to Gunner Government

A NO-HOLDS-BARRED business summit has delivered a clear message to the Gunner Government to listen to what needs to happen to fix business hurdles and accept their help or risk losing their confidence completely

Industry leaders Greg Bicknell, David Malone, Ian Kew and Ashley Manicaros at the Economic Recovery Summit. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

A NO-HOLDS-BARRED business summit has delivered a clear message to the Gunner Government to listen to what needs to happen to fix business hurdles and accept their help or risk losing their confidence completely.

The Economic Recovery Summit, pulled together by members of some of the Territory’s major industry sectors, the Chamber of Commerce NT, the Master Builders Association, the Minerals Council, The Darwin Major Business group and the Cattlemen’s Association, delivered a frank and at times brutal assessment of the Government’s performance, business-impeding reforms and its bureaucracy.

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It made it clear that the NT Government needed to hear that business was concerned that things can be done better, but also that to fix the problem they can all work together to put the Territory on the right track to economic recovery.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner pledged that his Government would embark on making it easy for business to do business and take on board the summit’s Plan of Action when it is presented.

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“I have heard the message loud and clear,” Mr Gunner said.

“I’ve taken on personal responsibility for getting this done.”

His deputy, Treasurer Nicole Manison, was emphatic in her message after the summit: “I will act on business concerns, they won’t be ignored.”

And the message from business was equally emphatic: “We are all in this together and we can fix the problems together.”

Those problems referred to are the perilous state of the Northern Territory economy and how to fix it.

A focus for many at the summit was red tape, and some overly active environmental reforms. There was concerns about the hybrid mining royalties tax.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Greg Bicknell said he was happy with the commitment of government.

“There was some heated and emotional feedback at times and there was pretty open conversation which people really appreciated,” Mr Bicknell said.

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“We are in this as Territorians. It is not just pain for the Government it is pain for everyone.

“We are in a pretty tough place at the moment.

“We really need to address some of that pain out in the business community.

“Government says it is committed so let’s get on with it.”