The Northern Territory Chief Minister has slammed a lack of funds flowing to the Top End in the federal budget.
Tuesday's budget revealed no significant new spending or projects for the NT, and Chief Minister Michael Gunner says his government will have to do the heavy lifting to get its struggling economy back on track.
"Tonight was a test of whether or not Canberra is serious about developing the north and Closing the Gap - it failed that test," he said.
"There's little in the budget except a small national increase in health and education funding - but nothing to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the Territory's future."
The NT Labor government had hoped Canberra would cough up more cash for defence infrastructure to create jobs and improve outcomes in indigenous education, health and housing.
"The Territory has the most disadvantaged people in Australia and tonight's budget did little to improve their lives," Mr Gunner said.
The NT, which has a large Aboriginal population, will receive a cut of the $55.7 million the commonwealth has committed over five years to help improve the job prospects for indigenous Australians across the country.
Likewise, the commonwealth is providing $3.6 billion over four years from 2017/18 to Indigenous Australians' Health program to improve effective health care services in areas of need.
Mr Gunner said the NT will lose about $385 million in GST revenue next financial year, and Scott Morrison's second budget justify's the Territory's own big spending to stimulate the economy.
"The federal government has turned its back on us - which makes our record investment in jobs, infrastructure and housing even more important to the economic future of the Territory," he said.
"We will keep fighting for the Territory - trying to get every dollar we can out of the national housing, rail, and infrastructure funding buckets - and continue to encourage the federal government to actually spend some of the North Australia Investment Fund."
