The Northern Territory’s chief minister says a coalition government made up of the Country Liberal Party and Territory Alliance could lead to compromises.

August 18, 2020

The Northern Territory’s chief minister has warned voters that a Country Liberal Party-Territory Alliance coalition could lead to policy chaos for the Top End.

Territorians will cast their votes for a new government on Saturday, with pollsters saying the race is too close call.

Labor leader Michael Gunner on Tuesday said a conservative coalition in the NT could lead to significant policy compromises.

He cautioned the two parties were at odds on issues, such as gas fracking, and it wasn’t clear whose policies would be adopted

“Nobody knows in a coalition between Territory Alliance and CLP who is chief and who is deputy,” he told reporters.

“Whoever is chief will probably get the way with the policies.

“They should work out and they should tell Territorians, because that’s a big thing to know before you vote.”

Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills laughed off Mr Gunner’s warning, saying he was aiming to win the election outright.

“We’re going in to win this … I have confidence that the Territory community is expecting and desiring change and will support that,” he said.

He said the NT was facing tough times due to its ailing economy and targeted stimulus was needed to encourage growth.

“We can’t cut our way out of this,” he said.

“There has to be an entirely different and more mature approach.”

It comes as Mr Gunner again batted away questions about his management of the NTeconomy, saying Labor was the only option to safely guide the Territory through the COVID-19 crisis.

“If I have the privilege of serving you again as chief minister I will keep throwing the kitchen sink at coronavirus” he said.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to save lives and save jobs.”

But the Gunner government has been slammed for its handling of the NT economy, which was rated as the nation’s worst performer by CommSec for the June quarter.

A budget update the same month showed debt and deficit had soared to record levels.

The coronavirus crisis is expected to result in the Territory’s deficit jumping by $1.28 billion from the previous forecast to more than $2.28 billion, with net debt predicted to hit $8.25 billion.

NT Treasurer Nicole Manison says it’s why Labor has not made any large spending promises during the election.

“We know we have to live within our budget, particularly with the challenges of coronavirus,” she said.

Ms Manison called on Labor’s opponents to come clean with voters about their spending promises.

“What are they going to cut? What are they going to sell? Who are they going to sack?”