‘Coronavirus refugees’ fleeing to the NT from southern states, according to Chief Minister

RESIDENTS in pandemic-ravaged southern states are ‘absolutely’ fleeing to the NT, according to the Chief Minister, as demographers say the Territory might be a winner in the population stakes due to coronavirus.

RESIDENTS in pandemic-ravaged southern states are “absolutely” fleeing to the NT, according to the Chief Minister, as demographers say the Territory might be a winner in the population stakes due to coronavirus.

Michael Gunner, in one of his first press conferences since the election, said he had briefed national cabinet about “coronavirus refugees” flocking from interstate to live in the relatively COVID- safe Territory.

Leading demographer Simon Kuestenmacher of The Demographics Group, while flagging there was no hard data yet on population movement, said with half of the nation’s employees now working from home, the “footloose” nature of jobs could help push people to move to regional areas such as the NT for lifestyle factors.

He said the largest possible demographic of people opting to move to the NT in this case would be young, born-and-raised Territorians who had moved away for university or work and could now see a pathway home to be closer to family, friends and the Territory way of life.

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A Secure NT spokeswoman said the Territory had been collecting data since August 23 on why people were coming here. About 10,000 people have entered NT between then and yesterday.

The most common reasons, in order, were for a holiday, for short-term work, Territorians coming home, people relocating to the NT and COVID-19 concerns.

Mr Kuestenmacher said all levels of government had for decades wanted to decentralise population growth out of Sydney and Melbourne and coronavirus would work in favour of regional and small towns because there was less people, more space, and less bustle.

Real Estate Institute of Northern Territory chief executive Quentin Kilian said anecdotally agents were getting a lot of inquiries about rental properties from Melbourne and stories of grey nomads looking to live here longer term. “I’m sure if a mass of southerners want to move up here we will find ways to accommodate them,” he said.

“The more the merrier.”

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Mr Gunner said he met on polling day a former Territory teacher who had returned. She revealed she was a teacher in Victoria and since all teaching was happening online, she opted to move to the Territory.

“So, sorry (Victorian Premier) Dan (Andrews), we’re taking your Victorians,” Mr Gunner said. “This is a much better place to live.”

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