Labor’s Legacy, a Legacy of Failure

Media Release from Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerard Maley:

Today marks the last day of Parliament for the Labor government before the election, closing the door on 8 years of Labor failures.

“When reflecting back on the last 8 years, Labor’s legacy is one of cover ups, division and wasteful spending,” said Deputy Leader of the Opposition Leader, Gerard Maley.

“Labor’s legacy is a legacy of failure.”

Labor’s legacy in numbers:

• 3 Chief Minister in 3 years
• 5 and half a years of the worst performing economy in the nation[1]
• 35 Code yellows in 8 years
• 311,000 crimes reported in the last 8 years[2]
• 13,602 people who have left the NT in the past 8 years[3]
• 13,000 people who invested in roof top solar on a broken promise
• 2 fly in fly out visits from the Prime Minister to fix their mess
• 4 crime rallies
• 3 shares scandals
• 0 Major projects

In 8 years, Labor has grown the Territory’s debt to $11 billion and this is what Territorians have to show for it:

• $40M estimated damage bill from the riot at Darwin Correctional Centre in 2020,
• $1.5M estimated damage bill at Howard Springs labelled as just “wear and tear”,
• $35M youth justice payout,
• $50M Boundless Possible campaign only to be axed,
• $400M budget blowout on the Darwin Ship Lift,
• $3.3M shade less shade structure with ongoing annual maintenance of $155,000,
• $100M budget blow out on Tiger Brennan Overpass,
• $7.3M budget blow out for the above ground underground carpark,
• $38M blow out for the Darwin art gallery; and
• Millions of dollars a year lost in jobs and revenue from Labor’s moratorium on gas

On top of that is the long list of scandals and cover ups including Michael Gunner’s “Consequences will flow” comments, Brent Potter’s disgraceful social media posts, an ICAC referral over taxpayer funded flights during the 2020 election and Natasha Fyles paying out former Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker in order to avoid court action.

“Labor has governed the Territory for 19 out of the past 23 years and Territorians cannot afford to give Labor another go,” Mr Maley said.



[1] Source: COMMSEC State of the States Quarterly Report

[2] Source: NT Police monthly crime statistics

[3] Source: ABS population data