Time to open the borders between the NT, SA and WA, say business leaders
THE Northern Territory Government should make a tri-border pact with South Australia and Western Australia to open up our borders, the head of the Darwin Major Business Group says
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THE Northern Territory Government should make a tri-border pact with South Australia and Western Australia to open up our borders, the head of the Darwin Major Business Group says.
Ian Kew said that with WA, SA and the NT left with just a handful of active COVID-19 cases, now was the perfect time for a coronavirus-free bloc to leverage an economic benefit through business, in particular the tourism industry.
Mr Kew was critical of the Chief Minister’s pledge that the Northern Territory Government would move last on opening borders.
Mr Gunner is remaining firm on his intention not to open the Territory’s borders until all Australian borders are open.
“The borders will be the absolute last thing to go,” he said today.
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Mr Kew said the Chief Minister’s approach to the borders issue was an example of the frustrations being experienced by business groups.
“Is that a decision he has made in consultation with the Territory’s business and industry sectors?” Mr Kew said.
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“We believe with protocols the NT, South Australian and WA borders could be opened sooner rather than later.
“Rather than being the last we could be one of the first jurisdictions to open up, but that’s an example of the thinking that is going on inside of the NT Government without consulting business and industry that do have solutions to some of those things … and that is concerning.”
Mr Gunner said: “We are not opening our borders yet. The answer is no. I’m sorry, but it’s too early. It’s too risky.”
“Opening our borders would be the easiest decision to make. But I’m not in this job to make easy decisions,” he said.
“We are the safest place in Australia because of our secure borders. And by being the safest place in Australia, our businesses can be the first to re-open, and Territorians can be the first to get back to work.
“I’m not going to risk all of our progress. I’m not going to risk lives. Too many people have sacrificed too much to stuff it up now.
“South Australia cannot guarantee the security of their border with Victoria, which means they can’t guarantee security on our border. WA had a coronavirus outbreak just across the border in the Kimberley. What if we hadn’t secured our borders before then?
“When it comes to saving jobs, I listen to business groups. When it comes to saving lives, I take the advice of the health experts. Always have, always will.
This is not the advice from health experts. Now is not the time to open our borders.
“I promised to do whatever it takes to protect Territorians. It’s a promise I intend to keep, even when it’s hard.”
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The Darwin Major Business Group is one of five Territory peak industry bodies that have joined forces and warned that the NT is staring at a catastrophe post-coronavirus.
Mr Kew and the other groups say an economic recovery commission would be a mechanism to make the Gunner Government work with Territory business “in a way they haven’t done before”.
The Chamber of Commerce NT, Master Builders NT, the NT Cattlemen’s Association, Minerals Council Australia NT and the Darwin Major Business Group say the real crisis facing Territorians is what is coming after the coronavirus pandemic.
They want the Territory Government to have a commission to lead and shape the Territory’s economic strategy.
And they say the best way for the commission to be a success and get things done is if business has seats at the table.
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Mr Kew has also called on the Gunner Government to reveal the true state of the Territory finances before going to an election in three months.
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