Where the parties stand on gamba

Voting for the NT election has started,, and it’s clear that gamba is a hot issue.

You’ve joined hundreds of Territorians who have asked for clear commitments to stronger gamba action, and now all four political parties have responded.

As ABC Country Hour said on Friday, “has there ever been an election in Australia where weed management has been such a hot topic?” This is the first time that all four parties have had clear, specific commitments to tackling the gamba crisis. That’s down to your hard work, so thank you.

We’ve put the gamba commitments from each party below so you can make up your own mind, as well as a link to each party’s detailed policy.

Country Liberal Party
The CLP has committed to resourcing the Weeds Management Branch and a new coordination network to control gamba, including a commitment to eradicating gamba on Crown land. In their hunting and tourism policies, they’ve noted that they see eradicating gamba from Litchfield National Park and other reserves as a priority.

NT Greens
The NT Greens have committed to targeted efforts to tackle high-risk infestations along roads and in high-use areas, as well as to eliminate gamba spot infestations in the Eradication Zone. Their policies include reinstating ‘Land for Wildlife’ funding to landholders, checking properties for high priority weeds before sale, employing more people to manage gamba, and involving local communities in tackling infestations near them.

Territory Alliance
Territory Alliance have committed to spending $5 million per year over four years on targeted gamba action. This will include resourcing local communities to map and deal with their own gamba infestations, as well as appointing a Gamba Reduction Commissioner to coordinate work across government.

Territory Labor
Labor has committed to spending $500,000 setting up a Gamba Army, as well as increasing funding for Bushfires NT and Weeds Management Branch to work together to reduce gamba fire risk. The Labor policy also includes funding vouchers for landholders to help manage gamba and build firebreaks on their land, with up to $500 of matched funding per landholder.

Information on early voting locations, and Election Day polling booths, is available here.

The fight for gamba action isn’t over – we’ll all need to keep up the pressure after the election and make sure that these promises become reality.

But for now: happy voting!

Tiana, Mitch and Josh for Gamba Grass Roots

PS You can listen to the Country Hour wrapup on how gamba became such a big political issue, including an interview with Mitch from our team, here.