Funding for the Northern Territory will be increased.
The Coalition and Labor parties have agreed to contribute millions of dollars to the Northern Territory to help it deal with rising crime, create more jobs, and enhance health care for indigenous people.
On April 24, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the federal government would spend $14 million (US$10 million) on a community-led programme in Alice Springs to combat crime.
Between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, attacks in the distant town increased by more than 10%, with residential and commercial break-ins increasing by more than 50% and 60%, respectively.
According to the prime minister, the money will be used to improve CCTV, fund local diversionary activities, support community patrols, and open a new Head to Health mental health clinic.
Additionally, the Alice Springs Town Council will get $2 million to refurbish the downtown area and build a new youth section at the public library.
Labor has stated that it would offer the Coalition a similar crime-reduction package.
At the same time, the Coalition announced a $300 million investment in Darwin to develop a new hydrogen hub and numerous carbon capture storage facilities, boosting the Territory’s potential as an energy powerhouse.
Morrison stated that the projects would result in a total investment of $1.9 billion and the creation of nearly 3,800 jobs.
“We aim to turbocharge the territory’s status as a world leader in energy,” added the prime minister, “unlocking investment and creating more jobs.”
To increase the number of trade apprentices in the region, he proposed a 5% salary subsidy for the first 12 months of training.
This payment is in addition to the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System’s existing assistance.
“We’ve put a lot of money into the future of regional Australia, not just in infrastructure, not just in the businesses that we know are critical to the Territory’s future, but in people, in their skills, in their safety,” Morrison told reporters.
Labor’s shadow health minister Mark Butler and Senator Penny Wong stated the party would increase Indigenous health if it won the election next month when campaigning in Alice Springs on the same day.
According to Butler, Labor’s funding package will enable the Northern Territory to train 500 Indigenous health workers in renal disease and rheumatic heart disease programmes.
In addition, Labor has vowed to put aside $15 million to enhance water supply in distant regions, allowing for the establishment of 30 additional kidney dialysis units.
At the same time, $12 million would be allocated to rheumatic heart disease programmes, including $1.5 million to purchase portable echocardiography machines and teach medical personnel on how to use them.
Butler told reporters, “Labor will deliver more personnel and more services to continue to bridge the gap in indigenous health.”
