Ms MARTIN - 2000-10-19
In Question Time yesterday, the Treasurer described the local economy as: ‘Getting back to more typical levels’. Articles in a two page spread in the NT News on 22 September, called ‘Battling in the Territory’ - and I would like to table a copy of this article.
Leave granted.
Ms MARTIN: The construction industry is down 22% in 12 months, and is at its lowest level since 1992. Tourism numbers are down at least 25% compared to last year. According the NT Chamber of Commerce, the economy is slack, with construction, housing and the retail sectors all down. And that little item in there was ‘NT down in everything’. A battling backhoe operator, Leo Bandias, has seen his business down 50% and costs rising. Mr Bandias says in the article that this is the biggest recession we have ever had.
Do you agree with the Treasurer that these events represent typical levels of activity, and for how much longer do Leo Bandias and other battling small businesses in the Territory have to suffer?
ANSWER
Firstly, Mr Speaker, can I say emphatically that the Northern Territory government is very well aware of the situation that exists right throughout the Northern Territory, and what we do do, is we ensure that, when we talk about economic circumstances in the Northern Territory that we tell the truth. What we don’t do is try and cause mischief and alarm. One of the ways the Labor Party persistently does this is to, as they did recently, start talking about the fact that the Northern Territory was in technical recession. I understand that was absolutely disputed yesterday by a recent report from Access Economics. To reinforce what I said in this House, that it is totally mischievous; totally mischievous to use one factor of state final demand and try to spin a story that somehow that adds up to a reason why we are in technical recession.
I understand that the Access Economics report that was recently reported, that release said: ‘Using state final demand growth as a proxy for state government performance can be highly misleading’. That, to my mind, is a direct slap in the face. A direct slap in the face, once again, to the Leader of the Opposition, from another quarter, which is becoming fairly consistent, because this Leader of the Opposition consistently tries to misrepresent the truth, consistently tries to mislead, and more and more is being found out.
We are very well aware of the fact that when it comes to the performance in some sectors of the Northern Territory economy, compared to figures last year, there has been some slowing down. There is no doubting that whatsoever. But anyone who had any sense of responsibility would recognise the factors that really do exist in the Northern Territory that are compounding that particular situation. In particular, in the construction industry, as we know, we have had the fall-off in growth associated with the Army Presence in the North program. Undoubtedly, it is having an effect. We are having a fall-off in other sectors with regards to the differences in economic circumstances resulting from the East Timor commitment, and how a slowing down in that area is affecting other sectors of the economy.
But, rather than being negative, what we should be doing is being absolutely positive to Territorians - certainly, the day after we have sealed a deal for the construction of the AustralAsia Railway. The particular project, as we know, will bring growth and prosperity right throughout the Northern Territory and will create an absolute boom for the Territory’s economy in the future. Prior to that, government is certainly recognising where there is some slow-down in some sectors. I can simply reassure Territorians who are doing it tough, as many Australians are right throughout the business community right around Australia, because of circumstances which are beyond the control of any government and if any government tries to stand up and say that they have a quick fix or any solutions, once again, it is simply misleading Australians and Territorians. This also reinforces why some politicians are held in such low regard nationally and in the Territory.
Leave granted.
Ms MARTIN: The construction industry is down 22% in 12 months, and is at its lowest level since 1992. Tourism numbers are down at least 25% compared to last year. According the NT Chamber of Commerce, the economy is slack, with construction, housing and the retail sectors all down. And that little item in there was ‘NT down in everything’. A battling backhoe operator, Leo Bandias, has seen his business down 50% and costs rising. Mr Bandias says in the article that this is the biggest recession we have ever had.
Do you agree with the Treasurer that these events represent typical levels of activity, and for how much longer do Leo Bandias and other battling small businesses in the Territory have to suffer?
ANSWER
Firstly, Mr Speaker, can I say emphatically that the Northern Territory government is very well aware of the situation that exists right throughout the Northern Territory, and what we do do, is we ensure that, when we talk about economic circumstances in the Northern Territory that we tell the truth. What we don’t do is try and cause mischief and alarm. One of the ways the Labor Party persistently does this is to, as they did recently, start talking about the fact that the Northern Territory was in technical recession. I understand that was absolutely disputed yesterday by a recent report from Access Economics. To reinforce what I said in this House, that it is totally mischievous; totally mischievous to use one factor of state final demand and try to spin a story that somehow that adds up to a reason why we are in technical recession.
I understand that the Access Economics report that was recently reported, that release said: ‘Using state final demand growth as a proxy for state government performance can be highly misleading’. That, to my mind, is a direct slap in the face. A direct slap in the face, once again, to the Leader of the Opposition, from another quarter, which is becoming fairly consistent, because this Leader of the Opposition consistently tries to misrepresent the truth, consistently tries to mislead, and more and more is being found out.
We are very well aware of the fact that when it comes to the performance in some sectors of the Northern Territory economy, compared to figures last year, there has been some slowing down. There is no doubting that whatsoever. But anyone who had any sense of responsibility would recognise the factors that really do exist in the Northern Territory that are compounding that particular situation. In particular, in the construction industry, as we know, we have had the fall-off in growth associated with the Army Presence in the North program. Undoubtedly, it is having an effect. We are having a fall-off in other sectors with regards to the differences in economic circumstances resulting from the East Timor commitment, and how a slowing down in that area is affecting other sectors of the economy.
But, rather than being negative, what we should be doing is being absolutely positive to Territorians - certainly, the day after we have sealed a deal for the construction of the AustralAsia Railway. The particular project, as we know, will bring growth and prosperity right throughout the Northern Territory and will create an absolute boom for the Territory’s economy in the future. Prior to that, government is certainly recognising where there is some slow-down in some sectors. I can simply reassure Territorians who are doing it tough, as many Australians are right throughout the business community right around Australia, because of circumstances which are beyond the control of any government and if any government tries to stand up and say that they have a quick fix or any solutions, once again, it is simply misleading Australians and Territorians. This also reinforces why some politicians are held in such low regard nationally and in the Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016