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APP
May 4, 2017
Former Northern Territory chief minister Terry Mills
says the government's optimistic first budget suggests Labor will abandon a
fracking moratorium to solve its economic challenges.
The budget deficit has nearly tripled to $1.3 billion,
and the Gunner government doesn't expect a surplus in its term as it ramps up
spending to kickstart the economy.
Labor says it won't lift a ban on the controversial
gas extraction method until an independent inquiry releases its report in
December.
But Mr Mills, a former Country Liberals leader turned
independent, suspects the government has pre-empted the findings and will allow
hydraulic fracturing, in the absence of any other tough budget decisions.
"I believe you are saving your political capital
for that time because it does not make sense otherwise," Mr Mills told
parliament.
"I cannot see how it is that you could be in such
a position economically and make such modest decisions in terms of revenue and
the failure to develop a comprehensive narrative that is going to take us
beyond the four years."
On Tuesday Treasurer Nicole Manison outlined her
fiscal plan for the forward estimates amid the challenges of negative
population growth and cuts to the NT's share of the GST.
The NT is also facing a private investment gap between
the wind-down of the $US34 billion ($A46 billion) Inpex LNG project and defence
infrastructure spending.
Mr Mills said onshore gas exploration would fill that
void, help solve Australia's energy crisis and boost the national economy.
But NT Minister for Primary Industry and Resources Ken
Vowles said no predetermined decision on the fracking inquiry has been made.
"We will not put at risk existing fishing,
farming, tourism and cattle jobs for the possibility of jobs from
fracking," he said, despite approving Jemena's $800 million 622 kilometre
Northern Gas Pipeline linking Tennant Creek to Queensland's Mount Isa on
Wednesday.
Anti-fracking group NT Lock the Gate Alliance says
this approval undermines the government's inquiry and may increase gas prices….
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