Chief Minister Michael Gunner will today travel to Canberra to attend the National Drought Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and attended by other state premiers.
Mr Gunner will also raise the Cities Deal and federal funding for Kakadu during a meeting with Mr Morrison.
The Northern Territory and Federal Governments are in positive negotiations over both these deals and we expect funding announcements from them soon.
At the Drought Summit, the Chief Minister will acknowledge the huge role the Northern Territorys cattle and agriculture industries play in our economy and job creation all over the Territory.
Parts of the Barkly and Central Australia have experienced rainfall deficiencies in recent years, and along with the NT Cattlemans Association, the NT Government will be sticking up for the NT.
Central Australia has experienced 12 months of dry weather, and we need to make sure our pastoralists get the best deal possible from federal government drought assistance if they need it.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister will discuss:
Easier access to drought assistance for Territory farmers and pastoralists
A new intergovernmental agreement on drought
Continuing Rural Financial Counselling services in the Territory after 2020.
Mr Gunner and Mr Morrison will also discuss the Prime Ministers upcoming visit to Darwin, when he will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
As noted by the Chief Minister Michael Gunner:
My number one priority is creating local jobs and our pastoral and agriculture sectors already create thousands of jobs for Territorians. Ill do everything I can to defend these industries.
We need to protect those industries from any eventuality, including drought. Central Australia has already experienced 12 months of dry weather. Weather events like this can cost the Territory economy millions of dollars.
I will also be discussing negotiations over the Cities Deal and funding for Kakadu National park with the Prime Minister.
These projects have the potential to create thousands of local jobs for Territorians.
