Northern Territory Budget Unimaginative

The Territory Government’s family friendly rhetoric falls well short of the reality of its unimaginative budget, says the Territory Opposition.

“The lack of funding in the budget for an Oncology Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital is a very harsh outcome for the families of cancer suffers,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition.

“Cancer patients and their families have been waiting 7 long years for this Government to deliver its promise of an Oncology Unit; yet again they have been dudded.

“Equally young families battling to buy their first home have been shunned by this woefully inadequate budget.

“The Territory Government has thrown in the towel on assisting Territorians in their dream of home ownership.

“In the 2007 budget the then Treasurer, Syd Stirling, claimed ‘First home buyers are the big winners’.

"Nothing could have been further from the truth as the HomeNorth scheme tanked in the face of rising house prices in the Territory.

“Despite the collapse in the number of people accessing HomeNorth loans the new Treasurer mimics her predecessor and extends the thresholds of stamp duty and loan qualifications. This is a sure fire recipe for failure.

“Nor has the Treasurer announced an accelerated land release to end the shortage of new housing development around Darwin. This budget has failed Territorians who are locked out of home ownership.

“The Government has also decided to leave its unfunded debt to the next generation.

“The $3.723 billion budget for 2007/08 represents another record tax take for the Territory Government but the $4.4 billion in debt and unfunded superannuation remains virtually untouched.

“Despite receiving a revenue windfall or $333 million the Treasurer has only budgeted for a wafer thin $5 million surplus.

“The loss of $32 million in Conditions of Service Reserve fund and the $130 million in raids on the Treasurer’s Advance during 2007/08 further undermines the Treasurer’s rhetoric about responsible financial management.

“That money could have made a significant contribution to easing the debt burden on future generations.

“This budget highlights that even in good times strong financial management is necessary.”

2008-05-06