Arabic version: ميزانية الإقليم الشمالي تركز على الصحة والوقاية من الجريمة
The Northern Territory’s debt is set to hit $12.55 billion next financial year, with the government announcing record spending on crime prevention, health and infrastructure in its latest budget. According to ABC News, Treasurer Bill Yan emphasized that the budget aims to improve the quality of life for residents, despite no new cost-of-living relief being offered for families.
The budget allocates a record $1.7 billion to support a tough-on-crime agenda, which includes $654 million for NT Police, $524 million for Corrections, and $250 million for justice services. Additionally, $15 million is designated for the design of new men’s and women’s jails to accommodate the territory’s increasing prison population.
Infrastructure also receives a significant boost, with a total commitment of $2.7 billion aimed at improving the territory’s roads. Health services are set to benefit from $2.62 billion in funding, reflecting the government’s focus on enhancing essential services.
While the budget indicates a modest improvement in the territory’s debt trajectory, economist Rakesh Gupta described it as “disciplined” but not “transformational”. He raised concerns over the sustainability of revenue, which heavily relies on mining royalties and a booming housing market.
Gupta noted that the budget does not present a clear strategy for long-term job creation or economic growth, primarily focusing on one-off infrastructure projects rather than transformative initiatives. He cautioned that without a robust plan for sustained development, the benefits of the current budget may not significantly alter the economic landscape of the Northern Territory.
