The Northern Territory faces rising net debt as Treasurer Eva Lawler hands down her first budget with the long-held aim of driving a $40 billion economy by 2030.
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Labor flagged major investments in addressing crime and boosting tourism ahead of handing down the territory budget on Tuesday.
Ms Lawler stepped into the role of treasurer under Chief Minister Natasha Fyles' leadership after Michael Gunner's shock exit when handing down the budget last year.
Ms Lawler said there was "just a little bit" for everyone in the budget.
"I like to think I'm fair," she said.
Ms Lawler, who is also the roads and infrastructure minister indicated there would be a significant spend on roads.
Following a damaging wet season, which at times flooded the highway between Adelaide and Darwin, NT Road Transport chief executive Louise Bilato has lobbied the government for investment in the freight network.
The call was backed by the federal government's Defence Strategic Review.
"Recent severe floods have highlighted the importance of well-maintained resilient civil infrastructure, including ports and roads that support this network, and the need for an ability to restore such infrastructure quickly when lost or interrupted during severe weather events," it said.
In November the government predicted net debt would rise to $8.67 billion in 2022-23, increasing to $9.91 billion in 2025-26.
That's equivalent to a net debt to revenue ratio of 112 per cent in 2022-23 and rising to 127 per cent in 2025-26.
NT deputy opposition leader Bill Yan said Territorians should prepare themselves for further net debt.
"Well, we are bracing ourselves tomorrow for a debt probably in excess of $10 billion, that's $60,000 of debt for every adult in the Northern Territory," he said.
"The Fyles government needs to come out and tell us how they're going to address that, how they're going to fix that and make sure that the debt has started to reduce into the future."
Last month Commsec's State of State report placed the NT last in Australia for its overall economic performance.
- Australian Associated Press
