Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Two hundred and fifty-seven days ago, a federal government representative came to Darwin and signed an MOU with the Northern Territory for a city deal. That's nine months ago—since then, young Territorians have been conceived and born—and we're still waiting in the capital in the north. When a city deal was established for the city of Townsville, that was finalised and signed in one month. When a city deal was established for Launceston, that was done in seven months. But we are still waiting.

The Prime Minister promised this city deal. It's a city deal that is going to bring great prosperity and jobs to the Northern Territory—to Darwin in particular. We are still waiting. We have a new minister now, Minister Fletcher, and I extend an invitation for him to come up to Darwin and sign the deal. As I said, the Prime Minister has committed to the people of Darwin that this city deal will be signed. We take him at his word. But, as I said, we've been waiting for nine months. We need more than words, Prime Minister. Please, make this a priority for the northern capital and let's get this city deal signed.