Chief Minister Michael Gunner slams suggestion NT border closures were ‘unnecessary’
CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has slammed suggestions from Territory Alliance that the closure of NT’s borders were ‘unnecessary’.
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CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has slammed suggestions from Territory Alliance that the closure of NT’s borders were “unnecessary”.
During yesterday’s question time for the final sitting week of NT Parliament before the August election, Territory Alliance deputy leader Robyn Lambley interjected Treasurer Nicole Manison and said “what about the 580 jobs lost due to the border closures, unnecessary border closures?”
Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills also made a failed attempt to get the government to reopen the NT’s borders to COVID-19 safe states like Western Australia and South Australia immediately.
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Mr Gunner slammed Ms Lambley’s comment and said he would not apologise for making the decision to close NT’s borders as it had saved lives.
“Protecting the lives of Territorians is never ‘unnecessary’. And I can’t believe a party who seeks to be the next government could think otherwise,” he said.
The Opposition used the first normal sitting of parliament since the pandemic struck to push the government for a commitment to release a detailed fiscal outlook.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro flagged she would be introducing a bill in parliament today to get the government to commit to releasing a pre-election fiscal outlook.
The NT Government has flagged they would be releasing the Territory’s updated balance sheet, with economic forecasts, on July 29.
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From July 17, interstate arrivals into the NT will no longer have to quarantine for two weeks.
Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia are yet to announce a date for when their borders will reopen.
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