Mrs FINOCCHIARO - 2015-09-16
In 2012 we promised Territorians we would do everything in our power to reduce the cost of living. Can you please outline any reports highlighting what the government is doing to reduce the cost-of-living pressures on Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. I know she has many constituents, as we all do, who care about cost-of-living pressures in the Northern Territory, which were through the roof when we came to government. House prices continued to escalate at record highs in the Northern Territory. The former Labor government, between 2011 and 2012, saw the biggest increase in petrol prices in the Territory’s history, particularly the gap between the terminal gate price and the retail price.
The member for Karama likes all this moaning and groaning, but the fact is she was the Treasurer who oversaw the highest increase in petrol prices in the Territory’s history.
The member for Drysdale asked about any reports I am aware of about cost-of-living pressures in the Northern Territory. I point to the NTCOSS report, which states:
That is a direct quote from the NTCOSS report. There is much more information in that report.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. You are quoting from NTCOSS; since you like them will you restore their funding?
Madam SPEAKER: No, that is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: The NTCOSS report also showed that Darwin’s CPI is the lowest in 17 years. I ask my colleagues what the similarity was 17 years ago. The answer is quite simple; it was a Country Liberal government 17 years ago.
We are now looking at this NTCOSS report and reflecting on a number of areas, especially fuel, but also housing prices, which are continuing to come down. We look at the cost of living in five measures, which are fuel, housing, electricity, airlines and groceries.
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing order 113: relevance. With regard to electricity, you put tariffs up by 30%.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. That is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: The fifth one is grocery prices. We are working on how we can improve the quality of fruit and vegetables in the Northern Territory and the pricing structure of groceries. We estimate about 80% of groceries in the Territory are on par with groceries around the country. About 5% are cheaper, and about 15% are higher than other parts of the country. We are working closely to improve price structures for fruit and vegetables, and how we can get fresher fruit and vegetables into the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. I know she has many constituents, as we all do, who care about cost-of-living pressures in the Northern Territory, which were through the roof when we came to government. House prices continued to escalate at record highs in the Northern Territory. The former Labor government, between 2011 and 2012, saw the biggest increase in petrol prices in the Territory’s history, particularly the gap between the terminal gate price and the retail price.
The member for Karama likes all this moaning and groaning, but the fact is she was the Treasurer who oversaw the highest increase in petrol prices in the Territory’s history.
The member for Drysdale asked about any reports I am aware of about cost-of-living pressures in the Northern Territory. I point to the NTCOSS report, which states:
- It is also important to acknowledge the role played by the October 2013 Fuel Summit facilitated by the NT Government, which led to prices almost immediately decreasing in Darwin, and a greater scrutiny on prices by the wider community.
That is a direct quote from the NTCOSS report. There is much more information in that report.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. You are quoting from NTCOSS; since you like them will you restore their funding?
Madam SPEAKER: No, that is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: The NTCOSS report also showed that Darwin’s CPI is the lowest in 17 years. I ask my colleagues what the similarity was 17 years ago. The answer is quite simple; it was a Country Liberal government 17 years ago.
We are now looking at this NTCOSS report and reflecting on a number of areas, especially fuel, but also housing prices, which are continuing to come down. We look at the cost of living in five measures, which are fuel, housing, electricity, airlines and groceries.
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing order 113: relevance. With regard to electricity, you put tariffs up by 30%.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. That is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: The fifth one is grocery prices. We are working on how we can improve the quality of fruit and vegetables in the Northern Territory and the pricing structure of groceries. We estimate about 80% of groceries in the Territory are on par with groceries around the country. About 5% are cheaper, and about 15% are higher than other parts of the country. We are working closely to improve price structures for fruit and vegetables, and how we can get fresher fruit and vegetables into the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016