1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: We know that the federal budget was indeed handed down 2 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: overnight and there is a lot being said about it. 3 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: It is being reported that the government's touted the latest 4 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: federal budget as a lifeline for struggling Australians, despite only 5 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:16,760 Speaker 1: delivering five dollars per week worth of tax cuts starting 6 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:21,120 Speaker 1: in July twenty twenty six. Now, the Treasurer Jim Chalmers 7 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:25,079 Speaker 1: unveiled his seventeen billion dollar tax cut package in the 8 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: twenty five twenty six federal budget, selling it as the 9 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: centerpiece of the government's cost of living relief plan. Now, 10 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: there is no doubt that we all need a bit 11 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: of relief when it comes to the cost of living, 12 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: but a lot of us as well wondering what exactly 13 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: is in it for the Northern territory. And we are 14 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: going to be catching up with the Minister for Northern Australia. 15 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: I believe that I have got her on the line, 16 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: hopefully right now. The Minister for Northern Australia, Madeline King, 17 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: Good morning to you. 18 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 2: Oh, good morning, Katie. How are you going? 19 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: Lovely to have you on the show. I'm really good. 20 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for joining us with a call 21 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: up this morning. It is very much appreciated. Now, Minister 22 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: talk us through what is in the budget from overnight 23 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: for the Northern Territory. 24 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 2: Well, thanks Katie, it's a real pleasure to be calling 25 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: back in to Darwin again. So you know, overall the 26 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,960 Speaker 2: federal government will be providing over seven billion dollars in 27 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 2: funding to the NT, which is a huge boost for 28 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory and that's part of a great relationship 29 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:30,680 Speaker 2: we have with the Chief Minister earlier if you and 30 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:34,560 Speaker 2: of course their deputy Jared Mayley. Now I speak to 31 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:37,400 Speaker 2: the Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling all the time about 32 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 2: how important the territory is to Australia because without a 33 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 2: strong Norse, we don't have a strong Australia. So we're 34 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 2: going to keep on investing in the NT, backing in 35 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 2: one of our first commitments when coming in to government 36 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: the one point two billion dollars in middle arm investment 37 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 2: industrial precincts with millions one hundreds of millions of dollars 38 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 2: on into the NT for every single NT taxpayer. Though 39 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 2: it is really I want to be really clear about 40 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: the magnitude of the tax cuts the alban Easy later 41 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 2: doesn't has. 42 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:13,680 Speaker 1: I might get to those in just a moment. And 43 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: you know, I don't want to sound ungrateful, but it 44 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 1: does seem as though the only new money announced for 45 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory is a conditional two hundred million dollars 46 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 1: out of a total budget of seven hundred and eighty 47 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: six billion. That is what the Northern Territory's Treasurer Bill 48 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 1: Yan is saying. I mean, is that correct when it 49 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: comes to new money, it is just that conditional two 50 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 1: hundred million. 51 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 2: Well that there are many things that will benefit the Territorians, 52 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 2: every single Territorian in this budget. One of course, is 53 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 2: the accumulated tax cut. There some already came in in 54 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 2: July of last year. There is more now outcoming, as 55 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 2: the Treasurer spoke about last night. But there's also savings 56 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 2: on medicines that will save Northern Territory residents. It's more 57 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 2: than one point three million dollars student debt will be 58 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: slashed for territory ins and particularly important for young Territorians. 59 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,119 Speaker 2: You've made a commitment to a further Medicare urgent care 60 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 2: clinic in the territory, bringing the total number in the 61 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 2: int up to nine, so that they're really important commitments. 62 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 2: That will affect so many Territorians, and of course the 63 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 2: tax cuts will affect and be good for every single Territori. 64 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,799 Speaker 1: In so just in relation to any sort of specific 65 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 1: projects at this point in time, it is that two 66 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 1: hundred million for the Stuart Highway, that conditional two hundred million. 67 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: Is there any money going towards You spoke before about 68 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: Middle Arm and that development, but any new money or 69 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 1: anything new in that space, and certainly in the gas 70 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: development space. 71 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 2: Well no, excuse me. The focus is on Middle Arm 72 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 2: and that one point two billion dollars is one of 73 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 2: the biggest commitments if government has made to any single 74 00:03:56,280 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 2: project in the country. So it is of untold signs 75 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 2: ificants and it reflects the importance of Darwin's position in 76 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 2: relation to our neighbors in the North, and of course 77 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 2: the whole of the NT's opportunity to be a renewable superpower. 78 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 2: But there will be other industries involved in that, like 79 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 2: hydrogen and critical minerals processing, and as you know it 80 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 2: will be Middle Arm is very close of course to 81 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 2: the existing INPEX plant, so there's a lot of work 82 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: going on on the planning for Middle Arm. It is 83 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 2: a game changer for Darwin and our commitment to it 84 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 2: remains solid and. 85 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: Minnesota in terms of because there has been some discussion 86 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: again as well about the Darwin Port. Nothing in last 87 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:48,160 Speaker 1: night's budget around the Darwin Port. Where does the Albanese 88 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,479 Speaker 1: government stand on this? I mean, is there going to 89 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: be some further announcements on the Darwin Port. 90 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 2: Well, as we know, the Darwin Port was permitted to 91 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 2: be sold off under the former coalition government and that's 92 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,919 Speaker 2: not something we agree with at the time, but you 93 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 2: know that's a contract that was signed by that government 94 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 2: and you know we have to work within those contractual laws. 95 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 2: So at the moment, you know, we will keep a 96 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 2: watching brief of course on the solvency of the port 97 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,239 Speaker 2: owner land Bridge I think it is, and make sure 98 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 2: we're well aware of what's going on there as we 99 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 2: always are. I mean, Darwin remains and will always remain 100 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: an integral part of Australia's national defense. In the Defense 101 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: Review we identified how important Darwin and other northern ports are, 102 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 2: so you know, obviously we'll keep a very close eye 103 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 2: on everything that goes around with the Darwin Port, but 104 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 2: the infrastructure spend on the northern defense positions, including in 105 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,239 Speaker 2: Catherine as well of course, are going to be vitally 106 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 2: important to the country. 107 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: Minister. Look, there's a lot of people messaging through to 108 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: the show this morning, but you know they're not like 109 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,479 Speaker 1: they are not hearing that there is a lot in 110 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 1: it for the Northern Territory. I mean, is the federal 111 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: government feeling as though at this point in time, you know, 112 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory seats are not winnable at the next election. 113 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: Is that why there doesn't seem to be a big 114 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 1: focus on us. 115 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 2: Well, I mean seven billion dollars to the Northern Territory. 116 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 1: Not new money though, like it's not they're not new announcements. 117 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 1: Is the point that our listeners are making this morning. 118 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 2: Well, seven point two billion dollars is an extraordinary contribution 119 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 2: to the anti economy and we as a government have 120 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 2: a solid commitment and an ongoing commitment to the territory. 121 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 2: But I've taken you through a number of commitments already 122 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 2: around edgic care clinic, obviously, around the scripts that are 123 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 2: being reduced under Medicare and strengthening Medicare as well, and 124 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 2: also the tax cups to every single Northern territory. 125 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 1: Let's talk about those and let's talk about those because 126 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:01,479 Speaker 1: we do know obviously the federal opposition Angus Taylor, he's 127 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 1: come out and said what was offered was a bribe. 128 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 1: He reckons the election bribe of seventy cents a day 129 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: starting in a year's time. He said, frankly, it's not 130 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:14,119 Speaker 1: even going to touch the sides of the economic pain 131 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 1: that Australian households have felt over the last two and 132 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 1: a half years. Is it a bit insulting when you 133 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: look at the cost of living in the rises that 134 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: we are experiencing, particularly in regional parts of Australia. I 135 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: know you would, you'd understand that more than most you know, 136 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: as the Minister for Northern Australia. 137 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 2: Well yeah I do, and thanks for acknowledging that. But 138 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 2: I would remind your listeners that Angus Taylor and Peter 139 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 2: Dutton voted against tax cuts to Territorians with over two thousand, 140 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 2: seven hundred dollars per year. So that's what they have 141 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 2: voted against, and that they said against it this morning 142 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,920 Speaker 2: in the Parliament and I witnessed that myself. So whilst 143 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 2: you know we have had larger tax cuts in the 144 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 2: last two budgets and they are really important. And then 145 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 2: this latest tax cut. Of course it's smaller, but that's 146 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 2: why we are responsible government. But the point of them 147 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 2: is is the accumulation of up to over two and 148 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 2: a half thousand dollars per territory and taxpayer. Is it 149 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 2: undeniably a very good thing for everyone that lives there. 150 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: And if it's an extra fifty dollars a week, as 151 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 2: announced last night by the Treasurer, that's nothing to be 152 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 2: sneezed at. I mean, who wouldn't want an extra fifty 153 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 2: trucks in their pocket at the end of the week. 154 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: How are we getting? How's the breakdown of the fifty happening? 155 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 1: Is that in addition to the five dollars? What exactly 156 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: is that breakdown for the fifty? 157 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 2: Well, that's the same thing I think is. I'm not 158 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 2: sure what figures Angus Taylor has given you, but what 159 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:51,439 Speaker 2: it adds up to is on average for taxpayers, and 160 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 2: of course people pay different rates of tax, it's an 161 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 2: extra fifty dollars a week in the pockets are territory 162 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:01,200 Speaker 2: and so that's on top of the other over two 163 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,559 Speaker 2: thousand dollars worth of tax carts we've introduced over tom 164 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 2: of our government. 165 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: I just want to make it really clear for our 166 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 1: listeners because I'm obviously reading of some other info that 167 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: we have received, and it says that the Federal Treasurer 168 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: obviously announcing the seventeen billion dollar tax cuts and that 169 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:22,199 Speaker 1: it will equate to most Australians still about five dollars 170 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 1: per week if you're on a wage of around seventy 171 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 1: nine thousand dollars a year. 172 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 2: Well, so what I don't know what document that is, kay, 173 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 2: And I'm sorry I don't know, but the figures I 174 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 2: have is that for most territories it's about fifty dollars 175 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 2: a week, all right, but. 176 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: We'll make sure we get to do better. Yeah. Absolutely. Hey, 177 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 1: now do we know what date this election is going 178 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: to be called? Madeline King? When is it going to happen? 179 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: We're all waiting to find out. 180 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I mean aren't we all? But I can 181 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 2: assure you it will be in May. But elections an 182 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 2: excellent opportunity for our democracy demonstrate how great it is 183 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,840 Speaker 2: and really important that there are so many more territories 184 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 2: now on the electoral role as well, which has been 185 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 2: a great effort of the Special Minister of State Don Farrell. 186 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 2: And he's saying to make sure more people across remote 187 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 2: regions of the territory are able to have their say 188 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 2: in Australia's future and are really look forward to being 189 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 2: part of that. 190 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely well, Minister for Northern Australia and Resources, Madeline King, 191 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks very much for 192 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 1: joining us on the show. 193 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 2: Thanks Cattie, I'll see you up there scene. 194 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 1: Thank you.