Overview
- The NT budget, delivered Tuesday, sets a record $1.7 billion for police, prisons and courts, including $654 million for police, $524 million for corrections and $250 million for justice services.
- The government will lift prison capacity to 1,535 beds and fund two work camps in Darwin and Katherine with $250 million, alongside $15 million to design new men’s and women’s jails in Darwin.
- Net debt is projected at $12.55 billion with a $1.06 billion deficit, and an economist warns the outlook leans on mining royalties, GST growth and stamp duty that can swing with markets.
- Health and infrastructure also receive record sums, with $2.62 billion for hospitals and care and $2.7 billion for roads and projects, but the budget adds no new cost‑of‑living relief.
- Social service and medical groups criticize cuts and limited prevention funding, pointing to $1.2 million for prison skills, $4.9 million for diversion, and lower mental health and domestic violence allocations.