NT Budget 2024: Wins for infrastructure, health and tourism call for more

The 2024 budget saw the Lawler government deliver record debt and record spends, but what does that mean for Central Australia? We asked some of the key players to share their thoughts on this year’s budget.

Alice Springs. Picture: Alex Treacy

The 2024 NT budget has seen 26 years of campaigning come to fruition after funding was pledged to an outback road – but questions are being levelled at why key projects are still undelivered and at the spending pledged towards tourism and domestic violence.

Outback Highway Development Council chair Pat Hill was ecstatic with the $189 million given to seal the segments of Outback Way.

“We have waited over 26 years for this money to be put on the table from the NT government, we have waited our turn, we have not stopped working towards this for over 26 years,” he said.

“The Outback Way is a crucial national link not only for the communities in the Central Desert, Docker River and Western Desert communities; but the nation as a whole. This is a fantastic opportunity to create a unique tourism experience.”

Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford was pleased to see tourism get an injection in the budget, and was happy to see Mereenie Loop also get funding to be sealed.

Danial Rochford says the Central Australian tourism industry is on its knees.

“I think it’s a great start but we have in recent weeks written to both the territory and federal government seeking a major economic recovery package which is not reflected in this budget,” he said,

“Our industry is under enormous distress, we’ve tracked just under $3m in booking cancellations as a result of the recent curfew and riots.”

Independent Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley said this year’s budget wasn’t delivering anything new for Alice Springs and consists of funding rolled over for projects which were promised years ago but yet to be delivered, such as the Red Centre Adventure Ride and the National Aboriginal Art Gallery.

“Most of the promises made for Alice Springs by the NT Labor government since coming into power in 2016 have not been delivered,” she said.

“This is a massive underspend of more than $580m on game-changing projects for Alice Springs.”

The 2024 budget pledged $54m to “to continue progressing works” on the gallery, which the budget had slated for completion next year.

Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Matt Paterson had a different view, praising the recent investment in the Red Centre – but wanted more done to combat domestic and family violence.

“Alice Springs and the Central Australian region has been quite fortunate across the past two federal and Territory budgets with over $400m committed,” he said.

“I appreciate all of those commitments and like many across our community, I’m eager to see these projects rolled out to help provide stability to our business and tourism sector.

Alice Springs Hospital has been given $33.7 million for upgrades. Picture: Alex Treacy

“I welcome the additional funding for police, and would like to see more done in the domestic and family violence space because that is an area that will save lives in our community.”

The budget included $34m for “critical infrastructure upgrades” at Alice Springs Correctional Centre, with a further $4m pledged for the creation of “a new alternative to custody facility in Central Australia.”

“The facility will support up to 30 Aboriginal male domestic and family violence offenders, and is anticipated to be operational in 2025,” the budget states.

Money has also been given to the youth justice sector, with $32m the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre redevelopment earmarked for completion in June and $5.5m set aside for a residential youth justice centre in Alice Springs.

Alice Springs hospital will receive $33.7m for upgrades, which Australian Nurses and Midwifery Federation NT branch secretary Cath Hatcher said would be put towards a new ambulatory care centre, a hybrid operating theatre, and electrical upgrades.

“You need to keep having upgrades every year,” she said.

“(It’s) important to keep up to date with infrastructure, equipment and services, otherwise the staff of health cannot fully implement care and services to the patients and outpatients of ASH.”