Election 2025: NT hockey, cricket and Tennant Creek airport yet to receive crucial federal funding

Three key projects for the Northern Territory requiring federal funding are yet to receive a commitment from either major party, less than 48 hours to election day.

Three key projects promising to help grow the Northern Territory are yet to receive any commitment from either Labor or the Coalition despite needing federal support to get off the ground.

In sport, both cricket and hockey say extra funding would help lift the games to a higher level, allowing Territory clubs to keep pace with those down south.

Cricket NT is seeking $6.5m from the federal government to help deliver its DXC Arena Masterplan, which it says would help cement the future of the sport in the Top End.

As it stands, the original change rooms at the site have not been updated since 1993 and are not up to modern standards, particularly for female participants, while DXC 2 is in need of lights.

Meanwhile Hockey NT remains locked out of the country’s only national franchise – Hockey One – despite Melbourne recently receiving funding for a second team.

Shadow Regional Development Minister Bridget McKenzie in Darwin last week. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Nationals Senator and Shadow Regional Development Minister Bridget McKenzie would not commit to funding either initiative if the Coalition wins the election, but said the party’s plan to lower airfares in the Territory would also help athletes.

“We need people playing sport long term, and they need to be having elite pathways,” she said while in Darwin recently.

“Just because you live in Darwin or Katherine or Alice, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to those elite pathways.

“One of the ways we are going to assist not just families but these athletes, is by putting downward pressure on air tickets – because parents can’t afford to connect their kids into national games and national competitions to actually get that experience, and that’s not fair. “Just because you live and grow up here in the Territory shouldn’t mean that you shouldn’t have access.”

Senator McKenzie would also not be drawn on a commitment sought for Tennant Creek Airport.

Airport stakeholders are seeking up to $35m for upgrades to the 80-year-old facility, which they say will help unlock resource development in the area, improve liveability and create jobs.

Senator McKenzie said the Coalition was committed to resource development across the country.

“The choice for Territorians is a government that backs the resources industry and all that needs to come with that, or a government that wants to see the resources industry eventually shut down,” she said.

Originally published as Election 2025: NT hockey, cricket and Tennant Creek airport yet to receive crucial federal funding