Economy dominates Question Time in first sitting of NT Parliament for 2016

The economy was the centre of Question Time in Parliament, as Labor tabled Freedom of Information documents

The opening of Parliament for 2016.

The economy was the centre of Question Time in Parliament on Tuesday, as Labor tabled Freedom of Information documents that show a focus group the CLP paid for to gauge their promotion of the economy came back negatively.

But the CLP shot back, saying Labor only “talks down” the Territory’s economy.

The documents show a number of harsh criticisms from the focus group about the Government’s handling of the economy.

“They are there to solve problems and create opportunities and they are not doing that,” said one Territorian.

“They plan around the election cycle and not for the future.

“They spend our money to get elected next time around,” said another.

But another respondent was more upbeat and said: “You can always find work here.”

Others complained about job losses.

Deputy Opposition leader Lynne Walker criticised the CLP for spending taxpayer money to sell their economic message in ads.

“When will you start to tell Territorians the truth about the economy and accept that Territorians are doing it tough?” she asked Treasurer Dave Tollner. Mr Tollner pointed to a number of economic indicators including low unemployment rates as proof the economy is healthy.

“It’s simply astounding that Labor Party mostly comes in here and talks the Territory down. The reality is the world is going through some big transitions at the moment. Yes, we know there is trouble coming down the line but as far as doing our share of heavy lifting, we are doing it,” he said.

Outside Parliament Labor leader Michael Gunner said Labor would continue some of the CLP’s economic policies if elected later this year, but improve upon them.

“I don’t believe in scrapping things simply because the CLP are doing them,” he said.