House debates

Thursday, 14 May 2020

Statements by Members

COVID-19: Northern Territory

1:26 pm

Photo of Luke GoslingLuke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I'm so proud of Territorians and the way our community has banded together in the face of this COVID-19 pandemic over the last couple of months. Once again, we've showed each other that we will always be there to support each other in the northern capital. We're a close mob, so we feel each other's pain and we feel each other's joy. We've been working together to make sure that everyone, whether you have been there for generations or whether you've been there for one day, is looked after.

Sports groups and elements of the multicultural community have been cooking meals for international students who were left without support. And Darwin and Palmerston people have been rallying behind local businesses to keep them trading as they have innovated to try and keep their employees in work.

The Northern Territory government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Michael Gunner, Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison and health minister Natasha Fyles, took fast and decisive action at the start of this pandemic. This strong leadership, with the cooperation of Territorians, has meant that we're in a unique position to start a steady and careful reopening. We still have a challenge ahead of us, though, and I know Territorians will do the right thing.

Finally, I just want to thank all the essential workers: the health professionals, the police, the cleaners and the teachers. All have kept the Territory moving at this time.