The Finocchiaro CLP Government has handed down its first Budget, delivering on its plan to reduce crime, rebuild the economy, and restore the Territory lifestyle.
Treasurer Bill Yan said Budget 2025-26 was the first step in repairing Labor's economic mess while restoring confidence, delivering cost-of-living relief, and putting victims and frontline services first.
"This is a Budget of action, certainty and security," said Mr Yan.
"We inherited deep deficits, record debt, unfunded infrastructure programs and cost blowouts. But instead of punishing Territorians for Labor's failures, we're restoring discipline and delivering a clear plan for growth."
In addition to the $1.34 billion in operational funding for police, courts and corrections, a further $118 million in capital investment has been committed, which along with law and order activities in other agencies, takes the total 2025-26 law and order budget to a historic high of $1.5 billion.
Infrastructure commitments include a new policing complex in Maningrida, upgrades to remote police infrastructure, final works on new Youth Justice Centres, funding for the Corrections Masterplan, and minor works across all three justice agencies.
Key Budget measures include:
$1.5 billion law and order package - more police, more corrections beds, and resources for courts and victim support.Record ongoing funding of $36 million a year to tackle domestic, family and sexual violence - the largest investment in Territory history.$290 million in cost-of-living relief, including capped power prices, free licences, and Back to School vouchers.Record $2.5 billion health investment, including $135 million for mental health and $60 million for alcohol and drug services.$1.6 billion for education and training, including free TAFE and training bonuses for apprentices.
Mr Yan added: "When we came to government, we inherited a string of underfunded frontline services and programs, with time-limited funding of up to $350 million per year scheduled to cease across the budget and forward estimates for key services."
"Further, Labor had shamefully announced a record number of projects - but didn't provide enough cash allocations to deliver many of them. Despite record announcements, Labor budgeted to reduce capital works cash allocations, again only providing time-limited funding," he said.
"We've uncovered the full scale of the mess - and we're fixing it.
"We're bringing integrity back to the Budget and hope back to the Territory. Labor left behind chaos and this Budget charts the course to rebuild the economy.
"After eight years of Labor, the Territory was at the bottom of the nation. This Budget changes that. It puts victims first, delivers real relief, and sets the Territory up to grow faster than the rest of Australia."
Mr Yan said the CLP Government would continue working closely with business, industry, and the Commonwealth to grow the economy and reduce reliance on Canberra.
"The CLP has a proud legacy of building the Territory and today, we're laying the foundations to rebuild it once again," he said.
