NT Department of the Chief Minister

The Northern Territory government is moving into belt-tightening mode, calling in agency heads to justify the programs they run and spend no more than they are given this coming year, while promising “savage cuts” will not occur.

The NT budget reveals the public service is on target to reach 16% indigenous employment by 2020, while the government’s wider workforce grows slowly.

Being a federation means listening to — and respecting — the little guys as well as the big states, a senior Northern Territory public servant pleads. For the record, the Top End is more than just crocs.