Editorial: Labor, Chief Minister need to start spelling out policies ahead of election

IN just two weeks, Territorians will start voting for which political party has their trust to run the NT. And while the CLP and Territory Alliance have been providing the policies they would implement if in government, it has been noticeable how little policy information has come out of the Gunner Labor government.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner is seemingly dodging any public debates leading up to the election, having so far knocked back invitations from four different organisations. Picture: Che Chorley

IN just two weeks, Territorians will start voting for which political party has their trust to run the biggest business in town — the Northern Territory.

Polling day is August 22, but early polling starts on August 10.

While the CLP and Territory Alliance have been providing the policies they would implement if in government, it has been noticeable how little policy information has come out of the Gunner Labor government.

Equally noticeable, and widely talked about, is how Chief Minister Michael Gunner has seemingly dodged any public debates.

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So far, he has knocked back invitations from the Urban Development Institute of Australia NT, the Minerals Council of Australia NT, the International Business Council NT and the Rotary Club of Darwin, which were all keen to hear his government’s policies for the next four years.

With yet another Access Economics report detailing the poor state of the NT economy, it is critical Territorians have the opportunity to hear what the Chief Minister will be promising this time around, before the August 10 opening of early polling. And here is why …

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As many as 80 per cent of Territorians may have already voted at the early polling centres before August 22.

The Chief Minister’s offer to be part of a radio debate with CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro and Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills on August 20 seems more of a token gesture.

It’s just two days from polling day and most voters will have already had their say.