Northern Territory Budget Questioned

The Martin Government's latest budget needs to be assessed in the context of this Government having 1000 million dollars more to spend this year, than it did in its first budget, says the Territory Opposition.

"The fact the Treasurer has $3.3 billion in his kitty this year compared to having just $2.2 billion dollars in his first mini-budget of 2001-2002 begs a very simple question: where is all the money going?” asks Jodeen Carney, Leader of the Opposition.

"Why do Territory families have to find hundreds of dollars extra to pay for power and water this year?

"Why has the Treasurer found only an extra $3.9 million for stamp duty relief for first home buyers?

"Why hasn't the Treasurer offered relief from the high price of fuel in the Territory?

"Why isn't there relief from the high price of food in the Territory?

"Why is crime on the rise?

"Why were patients treated in back of ambulances at the Royal Darwin Hospital?

"Why was the Emergency at RDH converted into a treatment area?

"Why haven't there been in-roads into elective surgery waiting times?

"Why didn't Alice Springs receive an additional allocation of Police to cope with the law and order problems plaguing the town?

"Why have school children's literacy and numeracy outcomes in remote communities stagnated or gone backwards?

"Why isn't the Treasurer concerned by this continual failure to make the most of the 1000 million dollars in additional revenue he has at his disposal?

2007-05-01