NT budget coffers copped hit of more than half-a-billion dollars in COVID fight

THE Territory’s coffers are believed to have copped a hit of more than half-a-billion dollars in the Northern Territory Government’s fight against COVID-19

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THE Territory’s coffers are believed to have copped a hit of more than half a billion dollars in the Northern Territory Government’s fight against COVID-19.

Of this, $180 million has gone into frontline services.

The price tag for economic support and job protection is nearly $400 million.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said every dollar spent has been worth it.

Despite the deep financial hit Mr Gunner said his first NT budget as Treasurer next week will show that the Territory is Australia’s comeback capital.

Buses enter the former Inpex workers’ camp in Howard Springs as people arrive to quarantine there during the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Lisa McTiernan/Getty Images

“This is the cost of controlling the virus and protecting the Territory, “ Mr Gunner said.

“It had to be done.

“The cost of not acting would have been far greater.

“We would have been counting it in more than just dollars … we would have been counting it in lost lives.

“The Territory’s success in this crisis belongs to everyone. From the people on the frontline, to the businesses that made sacrifices to keep us safe, to everyone who followed the health advice, our success is thanks to you.

“We are the safest because Territorians have been the best, and we can all be proud of that.

“Everybody’s hard work is now paying off.

“We are the safest place in the nation, and the budget next week will show that the Territory is Australia’s comeback capital.”

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The bulk of the $180 million frontline costs includes:

• Frontline health costs including staff, screening and testing, health support at quarantine facilities, operational costs like more personal protective equipment.
• Running our gold-standard quarantine facilities like the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs.
• Funding to police for work on borders and in communities.
• Infrastructure to set up and maintain the border control checkpoints, upgrades to Howard Springs, upgrades to the expanded Emergency Operations Centre.