We know that the federal budget was indeed handed down overnight and there is a lot being said about it. It is being reported that the government's touted the latest federal budget as a lifeline for struggling Australians, despite only delivering five dollars per week worth of tax cuts starting in July twenty twenty six. Now, the Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled his seventeen billion dollar tax cut package in the twenty five twenty six federal budget, selling it as the centerpiece of the government's cost of living relief plan. Now, there is no doubt that we all need a bit of relief when it comes to the cost of living, but a lot of us as well wondering what exactly is in it for the Northern territory. And we are going to be catching up with the Minister for Northern Australia. I believe that I have got her on the line, hopefully right now. The Minister for Northern Australia, Madeline King, Good morning to you.

We know that the federal budget was indeed handed down overnight and there is a lot being said about it. It is being reported that the government's touted the latest federal budget as a lifeline for struggling Australians, despite only delivering five dollars per week worth of tax cuts starting in July twenty twenty six. Now, the Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled his seventeen billion dollar tax cut package in the twenty five twenty six federal budget, selling it as the centerpiece of the government's cost of living relief plan. Now, there is no doubt that we all need a bit of relief when it comes to the cost of living, but a lot of us as well wondering what exactly is in it for the Northern territory. And we are going to be catching up with the Minister for Northern Australia. I believe that I have got her on the line, hopefully right now. The Minister for Northern Australia, Madeline King, Good morning to you.

Oh, good morning, Katie. How are you going?

Oh, good morning, Katie. How are you going?

Lovely to have you on the show. I'm really good. Thank you so much for joining us with a call up this morning. It is very much appreciated. Now, Minister talk us through what is in the budget from overnight for the Northern Territory.

Lovely to have you on the show. I'm really good. Thank you so much for joining us with a call up this morning. It is very much appreciated. Now, Minister talk us through what is in the budget from overnight for the Northern Territory.

Well, thanks Katie, it's a real pleasure to be calling back in to Darwin again. So you know, overall the federal government will be providing over seven billion dollars in funding to the NT, which is a huge boost for the Northern Territory and that's part of a great relationship we have with the Chief Minister earlier if you and of course their deputy Jared Mayley. Now I speak to the Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling all the time about how important the territory is to Australia because without a strong Norse, we don't have a strong Australia. So we're going to keep on investing in the NT, backing in one of our first commitments when coming in to government the one point two billion dollars in middle arm investment industrial precincts with millions one hundreds of millions of dollars on into the NT for every single NT taxpayer. Though it is really I want to be really clear about the magnitude of the tax cuts the alban Easy later doesn't has.

Well, thanks Katie, it's a real pleasure to be calling back in to Darwin again. So you know, overall the federal government will be providing over seven billion dollars in funding to the NT, which is a huge boost for the Northern Territory and that's part of a great relationship we have with the Chief Minister earlier if you and of course their deputy Jared Mayley. Now I speak to the Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling all the time about how important the territory is to Australia because without a strong Norse, we don't have a strong Australia. So we're going to keep on investing in the NT, backing in one of our first commitments when coming in to government the one point two billion dollars in middle arm investment industrial precincts with millions one hundreds of millions of dollars on into the NT for every single NT taxpayer. Though it is really I want to be really clear about the magnitude of the tax cuts the alban Easy later doesn't has.

I might get to those in just a moment. And you know, I don't want to sound ungrateful, but it does seem as though the only new money announced for the Northern Territory is a conditional two hundred million dollars out of a total budget of seven hundred and eighty six billion. That is what the Northern Territory's Treasurer Bill Yan is saying. I mean, is that correct when it comes to new money, it is just that conditional two hundred million.

I might get to those in just a moment. And you know, I don't want to sound ungrateful, but it does seem as though the only new money announced for the Northern Territory is a conditional two hundred million dollars out of a total budget of seven hundred and eighty six billion. That is what the Northern Territory's Treasurer Bill Yan is saying. I mean, is that correct when it comes to new money, it is just that conditional two hundred million.

Well that there are many things that will benefit the Territorians, every single Territorian in this budget. One of course, is the accumulated tax cut. There some already came in in July of last year. There is more now outcoming, as the Treasurer spoke about last night. But there's also savings on medicines that will save Northern Territory residents. It's more than one point three million dollars student debt will be slashed for territory ins and particularly important for young Territorians. You've made a commitment to a further Medicare urgent care clinic in the territory, bringing the total number in the int up to nine, so that they're really important commitments. That will affect so many Territorians, and of course the tax cuts will affect and be good for every single Territori.

Well that there are many things that will benefit the Territorians, every single Territorian in this budget. One of course, is the accumulated tax cut. There some already came in in July of last year. There is more now outcoming, as the Treasurer spoke about last night. But there's also savings on medicines that will save Northern Territory residents. It's more than one point three million dollars student debt will be slashed for territory ins and particularly important for young Territorians. You've made a commitment to a further Medicare urgent care clinic in the territory, bringing the total number in the int up to nine, so that they're really important commitments. That will affect so many Territorians, and of course the tax cuts will affect and be good for every single Territori.

In so just in relation to any sort of specific projects at this point in time, it is that two hundred million for the Stuart Highway, that conditional two hundred million. Is there any money going towards You spoke before about Middle Arm and that development, but any new money or anything new in that space, and certainly in the gas development space.

In so just in relation to any sort of specific projects at this point in time, it is that two hundred million for the Stuart Highway, that conditional two hundred million. Is there any money going towards You spoke before about Middle Arm and that development, but any new money or anything new in that space, and certainly in the gas development space.

Well no, excuse me. The focus is on Middle Arm and that one point two billion dollars is one of the biggest commitments if government has made to any single project in the country. So it is of untold signs ificants and it reflects the importance of Darwin's position in relation to our neighbors in the North, and of course the whole of the NT's opportunity to be a renewable superpower. But there will be other industries involved in that, like hydrogen and critical minerals processing, and as you know it will be Middle Arm is very close of course to the existing INPEX plant, so there's a lot of work going on on the planning for Middle Arm. It is a game changer for Darwin and our commitment to it remains solid and.

Well no, excuse me. The focus is on Middle Arm and that one point two billion dollars is one of the biggest commitments if government has made to any single project in the country. So it is of untold signs ificants and it reflects the importance of Darwin's position in relation to our neighbors in the North, and of course the whole of the NT's opportunity to be a renewable superpower. But there will be other industries involved in that, like hydrogen and critical minerals processing, and as you know it will be Middle Arm is very close of course to the existing INPEX plant, so there's a lot of work going on on the planning for Middle Arm. It is a game changer for Darwin and our commitment to it remains solid and.

Minnesota in terms of because there has been some discussion again as well about the Darwin Port. Nothing in last night's budget around the Darwin Port. Where does the Albanese government stand on this? I mean, is there going to be some further announcements on the Darwin Port.

Minnesota in terms of because there has been some discussion again as well about the Darwin Port. Nothing in last night's budget around the Darwin Port. Where does the Albanese government stand on this? I mean, is there going to be some further announcements on the Darwin Port.

Well, as we know, the Darwin Port was permitted to be sold off under the former coalition government and that's not something we agree with at the time, but you know that's a contract that was signed by that government and you know we have to work within those contractual laws. So at the moment, you know, we will keep a watching brief of course on the solvency of the port owner land Bridge I think it is, and make sure we're well aware of what's going on there as we always are. I mean, Darwin remains and will always remain an integral part of Australia's national defense. In the Defense Review we identified how important Darwin and other northern ports are, so you know, obviously we'll keep a very close eye on everything that goes around with the Darwin Port, but the infrastructure spend on the northern defense positions, including in Catherine as well of course, are going to be vitally important to the country.

Well, as we know, the Darwin Port was permitted to be sold off under the former coalition government and that's not something we agree with at the time, but you know that's a contract that was signed by that government and you know we have to work within those contractual laws. So at the moment, you know, we will keep a watching brief of course on the solvency of the port owner land Bridge I think it is, and make sure we're well aware of what's going on there as we always are. I mean, Darwin remains and will always remain an integral part of Australia's national defense. In the Defense Review we identified how important Darwin and other northern ports are, so you know, obviously we'll keep a very close eye on everything that goes around with the Darwin Port, but the infrastructure spend on the northern defense positions, including in Catherine as well of course, are going to be vitally important to the country.

Minister. Look, there's a lot of people messaging through to the show this morning, but you know they're not like they are not hearing that there is a lot in it for the Northern Territory. I mean, is the federal government feeling as though at this point in time, you know, the Northern Territory seats are not winnable at the next election. Is that why there doesn't seem to be a big focus on us.

Minister. Look, there's a lot of people messaging through to the show this morning, but you know they're not like they are not hearing that there is a lot in it for the Northern Territory. I mean, is the federal government feeling as though at this point in time, you know, the Northern Territory seats are not winnable at the next election. Is that why there doesn't seem to be a big focus on us.

Well, I mean seven billion dollars to the Northern Territory.

Well, I mean seven billion dollars to the Northern Territory.

Not new money though, like it's not they're not new announcements. Is the point that our listeners are making this morning.

Not new money though, like it's not they're not new announcements. Is the point that our listeners are making this morning.

Well, seven point two billion dollars is an extraordinary contribution to the anti economy and we as a government have a solid commitment and an ongoing commitment to the territory. But I've taken you through a number of commitments already around edgic care clinic, obviously, around the scripts that are being reduced under Medicare and strengthening Medicare as well, and also the tax cups to every single Northern territory.

Well, seven point two billion dollars is an extraordinary contribution to the anti economy and we as a government have a solid commitment and an ongoing commitment to the territory. But I've taken you through a number of commitments already around edgic care clinic, obviously, around the scripts that are being reduced under Medicare and strengthening Medicare as well, and also the tax cups to every single Northern territory.

Let's talk about those and let's talk about those because we do know obviously the federal opposition Angus Taylor, he's come out and said what was offered was a bribe. He reckons the election bribe of seventy cents a day starting in a year's time. He said, frankly, it's not even going to touch the sides of the economic pain that Australian households have felt over the last two and a half years. Is it a bit insulting when you look at the cost of living in the rises that we are experiencing, particularly in regional parts of Australia. I know you would, you'd understand that more than most you know, as the Minister for Northern Australia.

Let's talk about those and let's talk about those because we do know obviously the federal opposition Angus Taylor, he's come out and said what was offered was a bribe. He reckons the election bribe of seventy cents a day starting in a year's time. He said, frankly, it's not even going to touch the sides of the economic pain that Australian households have felt over the last two and a half years. Is it a bit insulting when you look at the cost of living in the rises that we are experiencing, particularly in regional parts of Australia. I know you would, you'd understand that more than most you know, as the Minister for Northern Australia.

Well yeah I do, and thanks for acknowledging that. But I would remind your listeners that Angus Taylor and Peter Dutton voted against tax cuts to Territorians with over two thousand, seven hundred dollars per year. So that's what they have voted against, and that they said against it this morning in the Parliament and I witnessed that myself. So whilst you know we have had larger tax cuts in the last two budgets and they are really important. And then this latest tax cut. Of course it's smaller, but that's why we are responsible government. But the point of them is is the accumulation of up to over two and a half thousand dollars per territory and taxpayer. Is it undeniably a very good thing for everyone that lives there. And if it's an extra fifty dollars a week, as announced last night by the Treasurer, that's nothing to be sneezed at. I mean, who wouldn't want an extra fifty trucks in their pocket at the end of the week.

Well yeah I do, and thanks for acknowledging that. But I would remind your listeners that Angus Taylor and Peter Dutton voted against tax cuts to Territorians with over two thousand, seven hundred dollars per year. So that's what they have voted against, and that they said against it this morning in the Parliament and I witnessed that myself. So whilst you know we have had larger tax cuts in the last two budgets and they are really important. And then this latest tax cut. Of course it's smaller, but that's why we are responsible government. But the point of them is is the accumulation of up to over two and a half thousand dollars per territory and taxpayer. Is it undeniably a very good thing for everyone that lives there. And if it's an extra fifty dollars a week, as announced last night by the Treasurer, that's nothing to be sneezed at. I mean, who wouldn't want an extra fifty trucks in their pocket at the end of the week.

How are we getting? How's the breakdown of the fifty happening? Is that in addition to the five dollars? What exactly is that breakdown for the fifty?

How are we getting? How's the breakdown of the fifty happening? Is that in addition to the five dollars? What exactly is that breakdown for the fifty?

Well, that's the same thing I think is. I'm not sure what figures Angus Taylor has given you, but what it adds up to is on average for taxpayers, and of course people pay different rates of tax, it's an extra fifty dollars a week in the pockets are territory and so that's on top of the other over two thousand dollars worth of tax carts we've introduced over tom of our government.

Well, that's the same thing I think is. I'm not sure what figures Angus Taylor has given you, but what it adds up to is on average for taxpayers, and of course people pay different rates of tax, it's an extra fifty dollars a week in the pockets are territory and so that's on top of the other over two thousand dollars worth of tax carts we've introduced over tom of our government.

I just want to make it really clear for our listeners because I'm obviously reading of some other info that we have received, and it says that the Federal Treasurer obviously announcing the seventeen billion dollar tax cuts and that it will equate to most Australians still about five dollars per week if you're on a wage of around seventy nine thousand dollars a year.

I just want to make it really clear for our listeners because I'm obviously reading of some other info that we have received, and it says that the Federal Treasurer obviously announcing the seventeen billion dollar tax cuts and that it will equate to most Australians still about five dollars per week if you're on a wage of around seventy nine thousand dollars a year.

Well, so what I don't know what document that is, kay, And I'm sorry I don't know, but the figures I have is that for most territories it's about fifty dollars a week, all right, but.

Well, so what I don't know what document that is, kay, And I'm sorry I don't know, but the figures I have is that for most territories it's about fifty dollars a week, all right, but.

We'll make sure we get to do better. Yeah. Absolutely. Hey, now do we know what date this election is going to be called? Madeline King? When is it going to happen? We're all waiting to find out.

We'll make sure we get to do better. Yeah. Absolutely. Hey, now do we know what date this election is going to be called? Madeline King? When is it going to happen? We're all waiting to find out.

Yeah, no, I mean aren't we all? But I can assure you it will be in May. But elections an excellent opportunity for our democracy demonstrate how great it is and really important that there are so many more territories now on the electoral role as well, which has been a great effort of the Special Minister of State Don Farrell. And he's saying to make sure more people across remote regions of the territory are able to have their say in Australia's future and are really look forward to being part of that.

Yeah, no, I mean aren't we all? But I can assure you it will be in May. But elections an excellent opportunity for our democracy demonstrate how great it is and really important that there are so many more territories now on the electoral role as well, which has been a great effort of the Special Minister of State Don Farrell. And he's saying to make sure more people across remote regions of the territory are able to have their say in Australia's future and are really look forward to being part of that.

Yeah, absolutely well, Minister for Northern Australia and Resources, Madeline King, really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks very much for joining us on the show.

Yeah, absolutely well, Minister for Northern Australia and Resources, Madeline King, really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks very much for joining us on the show.

Thanks Cattie, I'll see you up there scene.

Thanks Cattie, I'll see you up there scene.

Thank you.

Thank you.