Territory Stories

Fifty reasons for Budget Estimates - before the election

Details:

Title

Fifty reasons for Budget Estimates - before the election

Member

Burke, Denis (Denis Gabriel)

Political affiliation

Country Liberal Party

Collection

Media Releases for 09th Assembly 2001 - 2005; Media Releases; ParliamentNT

Date

2005-04-12

Notes

Made available by via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).

Language

English

Publisher name

Northern Territory Opposition

File type

application/pdf

Use

Issued as a Media Release

Copyright owner

Northern Territory Opposition - Country Liberal Party

Parent handle

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/79574

Citation address

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/345953

Related items

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/345952

Page content

50 REASONS WHY ESTIMATES HEARINGS MUST BE HELD BEFORE THE TERRITORY ELECTION 1. Where has the extra $600 million extra the Territory has received through the GST has gone? 2. The refusal of the Labor government to reduce the tax burden on Territory Families and Businesses as per Inter government agreement signed in 2000 with all States and Territories and the federal government. What is the Labor government doing to reduce the taxburden when it has a responsibility to act now? 3. What are the details of the planned increases in power and other taxes and charges? 4. Despite the Chief Ministers promises, the $1.2 billion Waterfront Project has not reached final disclosure in the first quarter of this year. The 04/05 Budget stated that provision for the costs/expense to Territory tax-payers could not occur until financial disclosure had occurred. Will financial disclosure occur before the May Budget, if so then will Territorians be able to scrutinise this item in the May Budget before the election is called? 5. What are the current costs of the undergrounding of power and why have they blown out? 6. What will be real cost to Territory tax-payers of the proposed Parks Masterplan and will the Labor government be spending up to an extra $66 million each year? 7. Minister Ah Kits has accused his own department of maladministration in the gifting of a $35,000 four wheel drive to three indigenous friends. This requires questions to determine departmental spending. 8. What is the real cost so far to Territorians to defend Minister John Ah Kit in his court case against Warren Anderson: $1 million or $2million? 9. Why has Ah Kit been supported by the Chief Minister when it is apparent that he has clearly breached the Code of Conduct and the financial implications of potential mis-use of Budget funds? 10. Minister Ah Kit needs to be examined over his involvement and his use of departmental funds in this matter and the awarding of other potentially inappropriate grants. Will this occur? 11. What has been the cost blow out in the Health Budget caused by the need to employ expensive interstate locums on short term arrangements? 12. What will be the cost of solving all the problems at the Alice Springs Hospital? Will it be $10 million or $30 million? 13. What is the current government funding and staffing levels in Royal Darwin Hospital given claims by one of the Chief Ministers health services Minister that long delays in the hospital nearly caused her death? 14. What has been the cost of the staffing and funding problems in Tennant Creek and Katherine Hospitals?