More pressure for Gunner23 Jan 2018 22:56
INDUSTRY has sent a warning to the Gunner Government at the start of 2018 saying the mood in the business community will turn from dark to hostile if their agenda continues to fail.
In response to a series of questions from the NT Business Review and a pointed opinion piece by Master Builders Association executive director Dave Malone industry and business has identified 2018 as a defining year for the 18-month-old Labor Government.
OPINION: A DARK MOOD WILL TURN HOSTILE IF GUNNER GOVERNMENT FAILS TO DELIVER IN 2018
“It is the year that will test their capability as both leaders and managers of our Territory economy,” Mr Malone said.
“It’s a sober assessment of where the Territory economy is right now. And where we are in the political cycle and my assessment of the mood across the business community.
“What matters far more is what I’ve mentioned already, population, investment, jobs and growth.
“Do well on those fronts in 2018 and the Government will have put in place the building blocks for a very long stay in the Big House. And possibly they will have also opened a crucial new door in our long term economic development.
“Fail on those fronts though, and what is a dark mood today will become positively hostile.”
Real estate Institute of the NT chief executive Quentin Kilian was equally as forthright. “It is time for action ... NOW!” he said. “We respect that the Government felt the need to consult for a period of time before if undertook projects and activities.
“However, the time for that consultation to have completed is now long past and it is imperative that in 2018 the consultation is turned into activity.”
Chamber of Commerce NT acting chief executive Brian O’Gallagher said confidence in the Gunner Government was quickly waning.
“My advice is that governments should act as though they only have six months to run till the next election during the first 3.5 years of their term,” he said.
“Our concern is that when we ask questions as to “How much of this money has already been committed?” and more importantly “How much of this money has actually been spent?” during 2017/18 — we get mixed answers but it seems like only a third or less of this money has yet to be utilised.”
He said a simple chart outlining which government projects were going to be rolled out and when could give some confidence to the business community.
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