October Business Month launches with 200+ NT business growth events

The Northern Territory Government has launched its biggest-ever October Business Month program alongside major procurement reforms to boost local enterprise.

It’s October and that means one thing - October Business Month (OBM) is underway.

First introduced by the CLP 30 years ago, this year’s theme, Play to Our Strengths, focuses on digitalisation; using AI to implement technology; workforce attraction and talent retention; and business resilience, with more than 70 event partners presenting over 200 events across the Territory.

Highlights include keynote addresses by Carolyn Creswell, Founder, Carmen’s Kitchen and Simon Griffiths, Founder, Who Gives a Crap; and the Business Support Series, which will showcase businesses across the Territory and provide practical advice on topics including Financial Literacy; Procurement and Tendering; and Tailored ICT and Business Clinics.

Backing Territory business is in our CLP Government’s DNA and OBM’s packed program of in-person and online events offers businesses the tools to grow, create jobs, upskill, connect and most importantly, participate in rebuilding our Territory economy.

Events like OBM are, however, just one of the elements of the work being undertaken to rebuild our economy.

Under our Rebuilding the Economy Strategy, we want to make the Territory the best place in the nation to live, work, visit and invest.

Commencing 1 October 2025, the Finocchiaro CLP Government is streamlining procurement to back Territory businesses with a range of reforms aimed at cutting red tape, speeding up contracts, removing barriers, driving productivity and powering economic growth.

Direct purchasing from Territory enterprises will be streamlined under new Tier 1 and Tier 2 thresholds for low risk, readily available and commonly used goods and services.

Business Minister Robyn Cahill, Bar Kokomo's Annaliese Grazioli and Air North's Julian Barry

Under the quotation process, the Tier 1 purchasing cap increases from $15,000 to $50,000 with Tier 2 increasing from $100,000 to $200,000, modernising procurement making it easier, faster and fairer to do business in the Territory and putting Territory businesses first.

These reforms will clear roadblocks and speed up the work by simplifying local buying rules, removing administrative hurdles, reducing delays, and enhancing efficiency.

Another key reform is the new Territory Procurement Champion who will back local businesses, resolve complaints independently, and help drive more local contracts.

This week I announced the appointment of Mr Tom Harris as the inaugural Territory Procurement Champion.

As CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation NT, he brings deep expertise in construction contract management and a proven record of driving outcomes that grow business and create local jobs.

The Territory Procurement Champion sends a clear message: business voices matter, and procurement will be fairer, simpler and more transparent.

To ensure the business community is informed about these changes The Procurement Reform Roadshow travelled right across the Territory in September, offering free information sessions on the changes.

Minister Robyn Cahill at the NT News Bush Summit 2025 at Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Our procurement reforms deliver on a core CLP commitment from the election— cutting red tape and making it easier to do business in the Territory.

Backing in this commitment, in July this year, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro released the Approvals Fast Track Taskforce report, accepting 60 of 70 of the report’s recommendations in full, with the remaining 10 accepted in principle. Forty eight of the 60 recommendations will be fast-tracked over the next 12 months.

Examples of recommendations being fast-tracked include improving timeliness for payment of invoices for tradies; expanding builders licence renewals up to four years; and extending the food business registration renewal period to 36 months.

In our year of action, certainty and security, we’re backing local business, rebuilding the economy and driving growth and the work undertaken to date is already showing results. Where, for eight years, Labor delivered failure — the nation’s worst economy, broken finances, and no solutions – our CLP Government is delivering success with the most recent CommSec report showing the Territory recorded the fastest economic growth in Australia at 10.2 per cent, nearly triple the next best, the ACT up 3.6 per cent.

We are doing what we said we would do - growth is back, opportunities are here, and the Territory’s future is strong. Our reforms will streamline processes, improve certainty for investors, and help build a stronger, more diversified economy.

Our focus remains rebuilding the economy and delivering on our promises to Territorians. When the economy is strong, our streets are safer, and our lifestyle is better.

The Territory is stronger, our economy is thriving, and the future has never looked better.

Originally published as October Business Month launches with 200+ NT business growth events