Mr McCARTHY - 2008-09-16
Can the minister inform the House about plans to support development of the Territory’s regions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. I know the member for Barkly is a strong advocate, and will continue to be a strong advocate for the bush, alongside many of my colleagues on this side of the House.
This morning, we heard the Chief Minister’s statement on the economy and how strong it is in the current state. Strong and sustainable regions are vital to the Territory’s economic future, and planning for this future will include a strong focus on our regions.
One of my priorities is to ensure our regions are in a position to benefit from our strong economy. This government is already making a move to devolve decision-making to the regions. My department of Regional Development will be headquartered in Alice Springs, as I have previously said in the House. Local decisions on local issues will deliver real results on the ground. If there is one objective above all others in regional development, it is about jobs, jobs and more jobs, for all Territorians and for the bush.
An example of this successful program – and my colleague, the member for Casuarina and the minister for Employment can attest to it - which continues to produce results is the Indigenous Business Development Program, which has been operating for the past three years. Through the IBDP, there are 67 Indigenous businesses which have taken advantage of this program to create 134 jobs across the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please continue, minister.
Mr HAMPTON: I know this side of the House is genuinely taking the bush serious, because we actually did run candidates in all of our bush seats.
More than 40% of these businesses were in regional areas. There are challenges, there is no doubt about it. However, real economic opportunity in our regions can be achieved by working in partnership with industry, businesses and, most importantly, regional communities and the people who live there. In partnership, we can grow strong, sustainable communities that will be in a position to make the most of these opportunities that arise from the wealth generated in our regions, which plays a large part in driving our strong Territory economy. I would like to end by saying that regional development is everyone’s business.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. I know the member for Barkly is a strong advocate, and will continue to be a strong advocate for the bush, alongside many of my colleagues on this side of the House.
This morning, we heard the Chief Minister’s statement on the economy and how strong it is in the current state. Strong and sustainable regions are vital to the Territory’s economic future, and planning for this future will include a strong focus on our regions.
One of my priorities is to ensure our regions are in a position to benefit from our strong economy. This government is already making a move to devolve decision-making to the regions. My department of Regional Development will be headquartered in Alice Springs, as I have previously said in the House. Local decisions on local issues will deliver real results on the ground. If there is one objective above all others in regional development, it is about jobs, jobs and more jobs, for all Territorians and for the bush.
An example of this successful program – and my colleague, the member for Casuarina and the minister for Employment can attest to it - which continues to produce results is the Indigenous Business Development Program, which has been operating for the past three years. Through the IBDP, there are 67 Indigenous businesses which have taken advantage of this program to create 134 jobs across the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please continue, minister.
Mr HAMPTON: I know this side of the House is genuinely taking the bush serious, because we actually did run candidates in all of our bush seats.
More than 40% of these businesses were in regional areas. There are challenges, there is no doubt about it. However, real economic opportunity in our regions can be achieved by working in partnership with industry, businesses and, most importantly, regional communities and the people who live there. In partnership, we can grow strong, sustainable communities that will be in a position to make the most of these opportunities that arise from the wealth generated in our regions, which plays a large part in driving our strong Territory economy. I would like to end by saying that regional development is everyone’s business.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016