Media Release – North Australia on Canberra Agenda

11 December 2013
Danielle Parry
NT Govt Newsroom

 
 
 
 
 
Chief Minister Adam Giles travels to Canberra today where he will be pressing his Federal colleagues for the Territory to take a central role in the development of North Australia.
Mr Giles will hold meetings with the new Federal Government tomorrow ahead of Friday’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting with Premiers, Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister.
“Australia’s economic future will hinge on the prosperity of the country’s North and the new Coalition Government in Canberra is now firmly shifting its gaze towards the Top End,” Mr Giles said.
“Darwin is the logical capital of North Australia and a window of opportunity for the Territory is now open. I am determined to make sure we embrace it.
“I want the Territory to be the central player in the Coalition’s vision for Northern development and will be speaking to my Federal colleagues about how we can contribute to their plans over the months and years ahead.”
Infrastructure funding is also on the Chief Minister’s COAG agenda.
“I am looking forward to working with the new Federal Government on securing a fairer share of infrastructure funding for the Territory,” Mr Giles said.
“Building better roads will open up the bush and deliver job opportunities for people in remote areas.
“The Territory’s infrastructure needs were woefully neglected under the former Labor Government and we are anxious to have this rectified.
“Prime Minister Abbott has already made his commitment to the Territory clear with his promise of re-engagement with Indigenous people and his pledge to be an Infrastructure Prime Minister. He will deliver the kind of leadership we need to build better roads, rail and ports to develop the bush.”
Mr Giles will also be talking to his Federal counterparts about ideas for addressing the Territory’s poor school attendance figures.
“Abysmal school attendance, especially in the bush, remains one of the Territory Government’s core concerns and is a key driver of our poor school results,” Mr Giles said.
“I will be discussing strategies for tackling this situation with the Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister and his colleagues while I am in Canberra.”
Courtesy of the NT Govt Newsroom

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