22 April 2025
The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) has today released its 2025 Federal Election Priorities, calling on all federal election candidates to commit to real, practical action that addresses poverty, cost of living pressures and service inequity across the NT.
Across the Territory, too many people are being forced to choose between food, medicine, and keeping cool in dangerously hot homes. NTCOSS is urging federal leaders to make different choices—choices that ensure every Territorian can afford the basics and access quality services, no matter where they live.
The NTCOSS 2025 Federal Election Priorities include six key calls to action:
Close the Gap: Fully implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and invest in culturally safe, community-led supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Raise the Rate: Increase JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related supports to $82 a day to lift Territorians out of poverty.
Remote Area Allowance: Substantially increase the Remote Area Allowance and ensure it keeps pace with the real cost of living in remote communities.
Energy Efficiency: Upgrade social, low-income and rental housing to be energy efficient so Territorians can stay cool in extreme heat without facing crushing power bills.
Community Sector Funding: Boost and reform community service funding so essential services can meet rising demand and reach those most in need.
A Fair Tax System: Reform tax settings to raise revenue for vital services by targeting tax concessions like negative gearing and the Capital Gains Tax discount.
The full NTCOSS 2025 Federal Election Priorities document is available at:
https://ntcoss.org.au/publications/ntcoss-2025-federal-election-priorities/
“The NT’s harsh climate, vast distances and high living costs make federal support more urgent than ever. Remote Territorians are paying 40% more for food and almost double for fuel compared to Darwin. Meanwhile, support payments like the Remote Area Allowance haven’t kept pace with the reality of life out bush.
Every candidate standing for federal office should be able to say they’re committed to ensuring people in the NT, no matter where they live, can afford the basics and access the services they need to live with dignity. Our election priorities are real opportunities for a fairer, safer, and healthier Northern Territory.
These are not abstract ideas—they are clear, practical policy options that will change lives. Right now, the federal government is choosing to maintain conditions that entrench poverty in the NT. We’re asking them to choose differently.
The community and social sector knows what works—community-led programs, secure income support, strong community services and homes that are safe to live in. These are the building blocks of a fairer future, and they’re within reach if federal leaders are willing to act.”
Sally Sievers, NTCOSS CEO
Contact: Morgan Rickard 0491 811 233 media-sectorsupport@ntcoss.org.au