$120 million has been earmarked in Budget 2020 for the Territory’s ongoing response to COVID-19 and to ensure the Northern Territory remains the safest place in Australia.

The 2020 budget doubles down on the cost of protecting the Northern Territory in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring the ongoing safety of Territorians. 

The $120 million COVID-19 response includes:

• $63 million to operate and maintain our gold-standard quarantine facilities, as well infrastructure upgrades to border checkpoints and the Emergency Operations Centre;
• $26 million for the frontline health response including screening and testing, support at quarantine facilities, and operational costs like personal protective equipment; and
• $10.5 million for an ongoing police presence our borders and in our communities – in addition to the $20 million previously committed for this financial year, to boost recruits. 

Other budget highlights include $97.9 million for health infrastructure projects including:

• $10 million for RDH mental health inpatient unit upgrades at Royal Darwin Hospital;
• $11.9 million for the Alice Springs Hospital multistorey carpark;
• $11.1 million for PET scanner and cyclotron infrastructure and equipment at RDH – revoted from 2019-20; and
• $4.4 million for a hybrid operating theatre at Alice Springs Hospital – revoted from 2019-20.

Early Childhood investments include $5 million to continue to implement nurse home visits across the Northern Territory.

$3.4 million has also been allocated to support delivery of the Government’s 10 year Early Childhood Development Plan Starting Early for a Better Future.

Overall, the 2020 NT Health budget is $1.87 billion - a record major investment in the health of Territorians. 

Quotes from Minister for Health and National Resilience, Natasha Fyles: 

“We are the safest in this country because we have controlled this virus – a cost that has been worth every last dollar.

“The cost of operating and maintaining our country leading quarantine centre and ensuring our frontline health and police response is properly resourced has saved jobs and saved lives. 

“This is also a budget that delivers important infrastructure projects to create better care environments for Territorians here at home. 

Media contact: Hannah West 0436 641 108