Question Time AU

General Debate

Northern Territory Government, Budget

House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 May 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Luke Gosling criticised the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party government for underspending its capital investment budget and failing to deliver infrastructure and health services. He contrasted this with federal Labor government investments in Territory health care, including hospital funding and Medicare urgent care clinics. Gosling highlighted the closure of private maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital and the Territory government's delayed response. He announced that the Commonwealth would assist in upgrading Royal Darwin Hospital maternity services. The debate concluded with Gosling urging the Territory government to improve its delivery of services.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Luke Gosling (Solomon) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Gosling argued that the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party government failed to deliver on its capital investment budget, underspending by $376 million in 2025-26. Gosling stated that the government planned to reduce capital investment further in future years, despite receiving significant untied funding from the Commonwealth. Gosling claimed the Territory government was disorganised and unable to maximise economic growth or manage health services effectively. Gosling contrasted this with federal investments in health and infrastructure, which he described as record-breaking and beneficial for Territorians.