Business rush to condemn Gunner in commerce survey

ANGRY Top End businesses are giving the Gunner Government both barrels in a survey being conducted by their peak body

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has been criticised in the surveys. Picture: Keri Megelus

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ANGRY Top End businesses are giving the Gunner Government both barrels in a survey conducted by their peak body.

Within an hour of the survey, by the Chamber of Commerce NT opening, close to 100 businesses had rushed to vent their feelings about the Gunner Government’s economic performance and the impact it was having on their survival.

By close of the first business day it had climbed to around 300.

The survey closes on January 18.

Of those who have responded just 4 per cent said the economic performance had been good.

A whopping 77 per cent said the Gunner Government’s economic performance had been either extremely poor or poor. None rated it as very good and 19 per cent provided neutral responses.

Acting Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Brian O’Gallagher said the swift response from businesses to the survey was a clear indication of how strongly many felt.

In a letter to members, the chamber asked about the year ahead for their businesses and the NT economy.

“As the heart and soul of our economy, your honest opinion and those of other small and medium businesses must be conveyed loudly to Government and our political leaders to ensure focus on genuine Territory development — rather than spin doctoring and gloss,” the letter read.

“Anecdotally, we are aware that many NT businesses are going through tough times and it is important to now gather some factual data on the extent and nature of this pain.

“We also need to get your views on how you believe our Government is performing and practical suggestions on what needs to be done to improve our economy.”

The survey is available on the Chamber NT website in the ‘Latest News’ section and on the Chamber NT Facebook page.