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What the Territory needs

  • Higher living standards from stronger economic growth

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  • Increased population growth

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  • Increased private sector investment

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Darwin Major Business Group

The Darwin Major Business Group is made up of 19 larger Darwin-based businesses who have a stake in the Territory's future.


Our goal is to start a conversation about what the Territory needs and how we can improve living standards and create economic opportunities for all. That is why we commissioned the AEC Group to produce an independent data-based report to help us identify key priorities to kick-start the economy.

Find out more about our members

THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW – BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE 

Why live and work in Darwin when you can live and work in Cairns, Adelaide or Perth and why invest in Katherine when you can invest in Geelong, Newcastle or the Sunshine Coast?


To answer these important questions, the Darwin Major Business Group invested in economic research in 2024 and 2025 to understand the challenges and opportunities across our economy.


In our 2024 publication, the DMBG used a $40 Billion by 2030 growth target and continues to use that target to measure change over time. At the time that equated to an annual growth target of around 5% each year. 

 

What we know in 2025 is that our debt has reached unsustainable levels. We are also underperforming on growth. Opportunities have been missed. 


The only way forward is through private investment and growth.


There has never been a more crucial time to take a ‘Territory First’ approach. 


Despite the opportunities,
the challenges remain

  • The NT is at a crossroads – there is a strong investment pipeline, but challenges remain​
  • Clear Government priorities – reduce crime, rebuild the economy, restore lifestyle and a commitment to action​
  • NT’s debt trajectory is unsustainable – a shift toward private sector investment is essential for sustainable growth​
  • Further debt is not the solution – growth is.​
  • There are some challenging structural issues – high cost of transport, availability of housing, low population and workforce growth


Learn more

The 2025 DMBG priorities are:

1. An Unwavering Focus on Growth


2. A Pipeline of Investment Dollars


3. A Sophisticated 21st Century Public Service


4. Shaping how Investors Decision-makers and Visitors see the Territory


5. Recalibrating Lifestyle, Liveability and Livelihoods


6. Reclaiming our Towns and Cities


Despite the opportunities,
the NT is behind on its growth targets

In November 2020, the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission (TERC) delivered its report to the NT Government. The report purpose was to attract investment and build on the NT’s comparative advantages to grow the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.


The TERC Report outlined a range of actions to transition the NT economy from one reliant on government stimulus to one that can grow through private investment to $40 Billion by 2030.


In the two years since the release of the TERC Report the NT’s economy has not achieved growth targets. The Darwin Major Business Group wants the Territory to meet or better the $40b target.

Learn more

The AEC Report has key findings and has informed our view that

we need to:

1. Kick start investment


2. Seize opportunities for Commonwealth and defence investment


3. Accelerate housing supply


4. Reclaim our cities and towns - Deal with crime and anti-social behaviour


4. Rejuvenate the Territory's liveability

2025
Download the full AEC Report and the Darwin Major Business Group's ideas on how to kick-start the economy


An aerial view of a residential area with the words report 2023 on the cover.
The cover of a book titled what the territory needs

Download
the full AEC Report and the Darwin Major Business Group's ideas on how to kick-start the economy

2025

2024

An aerial view of a residential area with the words report 2023 on the cover.
The cover of a book titled what the territory needs
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Events

Facing North 2023

Facing North is a collaborative arrangement between the Darwin Major Business Group and the NT Government to showcase the Territory as a diverse economy with real opportunities and to further cement the position of the Territory as vital to Australia’s resilience, growth and prosperity. After a break during Covid-19, Facing North was held in Canberra in August 2023.


The initiative provided a unique opportunity for NT businesses and industry representatives to meet with Federal Parliamentarians and key government and industry decision makers to forge key relationships for the future business and economic benefit of the Territory.


Want to know more about Facing North 2023? Click here to access the report.

To stay informed on Facing North information and opportunities, you can opt into the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations’ Facing North subscription list here.

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