Chief Minister Michael Gunner will travel to Melbourne and Canberra tonight to hold talks with the Federal Opposition and with the ANZ Bank – the first in a series of meetings with Australia’s major banks.

Mr Gunner will meet with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen to push the Northern Territory’s case for investment from Canberra, should Federal Labor win the next election.

The Chief Minister will then meet with senior officials from ANZ Bank in Melbourne.

Mr Gunner will encourage ANZ to relax their lending standards and to invest in the Northern Territory.

It has become increasingly difficult for Territorians and Territory Businesses to borrow money since the Banking Royal Commission.

NT Master Builders have said that decisions made by the banks “reflect a non-Territory decision-making process”.

The Chief Minister will meet with other major Australian Banks over the coming months.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“My number one priority is creating local jobs, which is why I’m pushing for both sides of Canberra politics to invest in the Territory after the 2019 Federal election.

“We’ve seen some encouraging funding commitments from both Bill Shorten and Scott Morrison, but we know that we always have to keep pushing for more. 

“In just three months’ time, Bill Shorten could be the Prime Minister of Australia, so it’s critical we put the Territory’s best case forward.

“Businesses all over the Territory are telling me that one of the biggest impediments to creating jobs, is a lack of finance from Australia’s banks.

“I’ll be meeting with ANZ to encourage them to invest in the Northern Territory and to relax lending standards, so Territory businesses can once again get access to finance.

“This is the first in a series of meetings with Australia’s banks, where I’ll pushing for a fair go for Territory business.

Media Contact: Cameron Angus 0404 021 192