Opposition slams Gunner Government spending, refers interim budget repair report to Public Accounts Committee

THE Opposition has slammed “irresponsible spending” from Gunner Government that has put the NT in a “catastrophic position” and saddled Territorians with debt for generations to come.

THE Opposition has slammed “irresponsible spending” from Gunner Government that has put the NT in a “catastrophic position” and saddled Territorians with debt for generations to come.

This morning CLP Deputy Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro announced they will be referring Labor’s interim budget repair report, which predicted the NT’s net debt will increase tenfold to $35.7 billion by 2029/30, to the Public Accounts Committee.

“This is a terrifying report and needs to be examined closely,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.

“We want to ensure the report is examined and its conclusions are not in any way hiding a situation that may be even worse than reported.”

She said the report was a damning indictment of the Gunner Government’s ability to keep the Territory solvent and said the CLP would reign in spending by axing projects that “do not create wealth” like the shade structure in Cavenagh St and the construction of a car park next to Parliament House.

However, she failed to categorically rule whether the CLP would or would not support cuts to the public service.

“The CLP needs to have a really clear look at the books before making any decisions,” she said.

While in Adelaide for COAG, Treasurer Nicole Manison responded to criticism that she was not fit for her position.

“It wouldn’t matter who was sitting in this chair, they’d be facing those same changes to the GST,” she said.

“What I’m doing is making sure that we deal with it going forward to ensure that we have got a strong budget position for the future.

“Let me be very clear that we are stable, we have got a very bright future ahead. We are not in crisis.”

Minister Manison also said she would not be looking for a “bail out” from the Federal Government while meeting with Federal Treasurer and Shadow Treasurer this week.