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Leader of Government Business

Media Release

Budget 2023 to be unveiled as Parliament resumes

8 May 2023

Investing in the future of the Northern Territory and delivering for all Territorians will be the focus of Budget 2023, which will be unveiled tomorrow as Parliament resumes.

A suite of important legislation will also be debated over the coming fortnight, including the Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 which modifies the Sentencing Act 1955 and the Youth Justice Act 2005 to enable the return of Community Courts.

The Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 improves the management of water resources and provides a pathway for subdivision development in the Darwin rural area. It also creates a head power to regulate the fast tracking of water licensing.

The powers of transit safety officers to protect travellers on buses will be strengthened by the Public Transport (Passenger Safety) Amendment Bill 2023; and the Public Holidays Amendment Bill 2023 will formally recognise Easter Sunday and Boxing Day as public holidays when they fall on a weekend.

Also on the Sittings agenda is the Judicial and Law Officers’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill which amends the pension and long leave entitlements for future Supreme Court judges, directors of public prosecutions, and solicitors general to improve affordability for the NT.

Quotes attributable to Leader of Government Business Chansey Paech:

“This year’s Budget focuses on investing in our future and delivering for all Territorians.

“We will also be debating legislation that will boost justice services in remote areas; improve transit safety on public transport; and enable the responsible management of groundwater resources towards ensuring water security in prospective subdivisions.

“Our Government is always looking to modernise and streamline our legislation and during this Sittings we will be continuing this work.”