Foreword
The Northern Territory Council of Social Service’ (NTCOSS) vision is for a fair, inclusive, and sustainable Northern Territory (NT) where all individuals and communities can participate in and benefit from all aspects of social, cultural, and economic life. NTCOSS is the not-for-profit member-based peak body for the NT’s community and social services sector (the community sector).
The community sector is made up of community managed, non-government and not for profit organisations which work in community service delivery, sector development and advocacy. NTCOSS represents over 130 members, including peak bodies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), large charities, small grassroots organisations and individual members.
The Northern Territory Government (NTG)’s 2024-25 budget comes after a big year of both social and economic challenges. Significant cost of living increases, a national rental and housing crisis, and critical levels of domestic and family violence and increased public understanding of the vital role of specialist frontline services, have impacted our communities and organisations across the Territory.
Many of the recommendations in this submission were in NTCOSS’ 2023-24 pre-Budget submission. Repeat recommendations have been included in areas of outstanding need. The community sector in the NT has consistently called on the NTG to address long entrenched disadvantage and inequality in the Territory, including working in genuine and meaningful partnership with First Nations communities at all stages of the Budget development process.
NTCOSS welcomes the opportunity to provide this pre-budget submission and looks forward to an ongoing collaborative relationship to support better outcomes for all Territorians,
Yours sincerely,
Wendy Morton
Acting Chief Executive Officer
19 December 2023
Click here to download the NTCOSS Pre Budget Submission 2024 – 2025 as a PDF