Long-term population growth needed through major policy reforms and large projects
THE Northern Territory could be home to many more people if the policy settings and reform framework are immediately put in place … writes RUTH PALMER
Opinion
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THE Northern Territory could be home to many more people if the policy settings and reform framework are immediately put in place by both the federal and NT governments.
Sadly, what has been lacking is the appropriate policy and reform setting to boost our population.
The current COVID-19 population increase appears to be temporary. What we require is long-term population growth through major policy reforms and large projects which will generate long-term jobs that will translate to long-term population growth.
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Sugar hits and a false growth perception are not the answers.
The federal budget announcement highlighted the need to boost regional Australia. But this growth potential cannot be achieved unless the Territory and federal governments work together to change, or develop, a reform framework along with policies tailored to the north.
There needs to be a serious overhaul of the regional migration visa requirements. Recently, Perth and the Gold Coast were added as regional destinations for migration.
Let’s do the numbers here: There are two million people who live in Perth and 2.65 million in Western Australia; the Gold Coast is home to 700,000 with Queensland steaming ahead with 4.7 million. Let’s not forget how close the Gold Coast is to Brisbane. Then there’s us, with a mere 148,000 people in Darwin and 245,000 Territory-wide. There’s no comparison.
There is no competitive advantage if we are competing with Perth and the Gold Coast for growth. The zone allowance is another policy setting that could do with a refresh and an increase for those wanting to live in regional or remote areas.
Currently, there is no real benefit to anyone, as this tax offset represents less than 1 per cent of after-tax income.
Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs fall in zone A, which is currently $338 (tax offset), and the special areas, which are our remote communities, is $1100 (tax offset). These figures haven’t changed since the early ’90s.
These are just two simple policies that could actually make a difference to the Territory. On top of this, there are also plenty of projects, ideas and growth potential highlighted in the 192-page, 2015 White Paper on Developing the North.
It was to be a foundation on which other federal governments could continue. Sadly, this is a paper that has let the Territory down when it comes to any real movement.
In the Territory, it has been proven that incentives are an ineffective approach to population growth. It is my understanding that about 150 applications were made to the “Welcome to the Territory” incentive, where the NT government was to pay up to $15,000 each for people to relocate and stay here for up to five years.
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This formed part of the 10-year population growth strategy, and in the first two years (2018-2020) we were to see the Territory government inject $50.4m on incentives and campaigns such as “Boundless Possible”. It is a quite simple equation we need to work off; that is, jobs equal people. Real growth can only be achieved through four main avenues:
■ Interstate migration – people who chose to work here or come here for the lifestyle.
■ Temporary migration – such as those coronavirus “refugees”, students, tourists, and seasonal workers.
■ Permanent migration – these are skilled workers, families and the humanitarian intake.
■ More births.
With the current COVID climate, we have a real opportunity to consider reforms to achieve what the government has laid out in growth predictions.
If the reform framework is not in place or the right policy settings adopted, then everything else will be taken once again, as empty platitudes.
Ruth Palmer is the executive director of the Property Council NT
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