Mr HIGGINS - 2012-12-04
Yesterday marked 100 days since the Mills government was elected to govern for all people in the Northern Territory. Why do you think this milestone is so significant?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly and really appreciate the question making that reference to the whole of the Northern Territory in bringing it all together.
I deliberately chose 100 days as a time for interim judgment on our performance, and as a means for Territorians to assess our commitment to changing the way Labor did business. One hundred days is a common period, in the business sector, to make an appraisal of how committed, enthusiastic, and competent a new leader or new government is.
While things in government are vastly different than the private sector, my shareholders and directors - the people who put us here and those we are elected to serve - deserve some report on our progress. It is for them, ultimately, to make a decision on our performance in four years time. However, I will continually communicate in a frank way about what we are doing and whether it is in their interest.
The 100 days has been a busy period of activity and considered decision-making with the goal of turning around the Territory, particularly in relation to the financial mess - the mountain of debt - and securing a better long-term future for the Territory.
We have stuck to our five-point plan; we have shown how we have cut waste and we have a plan to pay back the debt of the previous government. We are set to bring down a mini-budget today, and we have already announced what we will do to fix Power and Water Corporation’s dire financial state.
We have a range of initiatives to tackle crime, including our promise to put more police on the beat and initiatives which put victims before criminals. We are committed to building a three-hub economy with critical actions such as reengaging with Indonesia and other Asian trading partners. The massive potential of the Ord River scheme is now being considered by Territory decision-makers after years of neglect. We are committed to planning properly for the future of the establishment of legislation and, through legislation, the Planning Commission and our Environment Protection Authority. We will continue to be accountable and up-front with Territorians.
It would be simple to provide you with a list like the media has recently, but this is more than just putting a tick in a box and passing some examination. These decisions convey our ethic, our approach to work, and our bona fides with Territorians.
We will not squander the inheritance of our children for short-term political gain or to win favour with the media or sectional interests. Time will not allow me to expand much more on this, but I am looking forward to revealing the detail of the mini-budget initiatives over coming months. This is an indication of where our priorities are with every decision being tested against the criteria: is this in the best interests of the Northern Territory?
I am particularly proud of our gains in areas which do not get much media interest: our legislative program, our major overhaul of government departments, our communication and reengagement capability, and our whole Territory focus ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly and really appreciate the question making that reference to the whole of the Northern Territory in bringing it all together.
I deliberately chose 100 days as a time for interim judgment on our performance, and as a means for Territorians to assess our commitment to changing the way Labor did business. One hundred days is a common period, in the business sector, to make an appraisal of how committed, enthusiastic, and competent a new leader or new government is.
While things in government are vastly different than the private sector, my shareholders and directors - the people who put us here and those we are elected to serve - deserve some report on our progress. It is for them, ultimately, to make a decision on our performance in four years time. However, I will continually communicate in a frank way about what we are doing and whether it is in their interest.
The 100 days has been a busy period of activity and considered decision-making with the goal of turning around the Territory, particularly in relation to the financial mess - the mountain of debt - and securing a better long-term future for the Territory.
We have stuck to our five-point plan; we have shown how we have cut waste and we have a plan to pay back the debt of the previous government. We are set to bring down a mini-budget today, and we have already announced what we will do to fix Power and Water Corporation’s dire financial state.
We have a range of initiatives to tackle crime, including our promise to put more police on the beat and initiatives which put victims before criminals. We are committed to building a three-hub economy with critical actions such as reengaging with Indonesia and other Asian trading partners. The massive potential of the Ord River scheme is now being considered by Territory decision-makers after years of neglect. We are committed to planning properly for the future of the establishment of legislation and, through legislation, the Planning Commission and our Environment Protection Authority. We will continue to be accountable and up-front with Territorians.
It would be simple to provide you with a list like the media has recently, but this is more than just putting a tick in a box and passing some examination. These decisions convey our ethic, our approach to work, and our bona fides with Territorians.
We will not squander the inheritance of our children for short-term political gain or to win favour with the media or sectional interests. Time will not allow me to expand much more on this, but I am looking forward to revealing the detail of the mini-budget initiatives over coming months. This is an indication of where our priorities are with every decision being tested against the criteria: is this in the best interests of the Northern Territory?
I am particularly proud of our gains in areas which do not get much media interest: our legislative program, our major overhaul of government departments, our communication and reengagement capability, and our whole Territory focus ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016