1. Has an update been prepared of State and Territory debt
comparisons, as presented in Budget Paper No. 4 in
Figures 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.15 and
2.16, based on actual State and Territory budgets and
State and Territory Treasurer's Annual Financial
Statements for 1993-94.

2. If the answer to question 1 is no, why has an update not
been prepared.

3. Has the Northern Territory's debt position, relative to
the States and the Australian Capital Territory,
deteriorated since the tabling of the 1994-95 Budget; if
so, what are the reasons.


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ANSWER

1. All figures (except 2.7) have been updated for use by me so
that I can satisfy myself that material changes have not
occurred since the Budget. However, they have not been
published by the Northern Territory Government as it would
be costly and unproductive to publish a revised measure
every time one number changes. We will continue to publish
these statistics at least annually in the Budget process.
All the information required to compile the figures is
publicly available, either from the ABS, or by reference to
the Treasurer's Annual Financial Statements.

2. Not applicable.

3. No. Using latest publicly available data, the net debt of
the Northern Territory rose by 1.5% over the twelve months
to 30 June 1994. By comparison, net debt of the six States
and ACT rose by 2.3% over the same period.