The Northern Territory Government says it is feeling deceived after the federal Budget papers revealed that most of the money promised in upgrades to two major outback highways is five years away.
Details of the funding including $280 million to seal Central Arnhem Road and the Buntine Highway were leaked the day before Tuesday's budget.
Treasurer Nicole Manison was sent a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Tuesday outlining how the funds would work.
There is no money this coming financial year, then $5 million each in 2019/20, $10 million each in 2020/21, $20 million each in 2021/22.
In 2022/23 there is $65 million for the Buntine and $145 million for the Central Arnhem Highway.
"That is five years and a couple of federal governments away," Ms Manison told AAP.
"If you were to take on board the pre-budget leaks that we saw from the federal government you would have been led to believe that the Central Arnhem Road and Buntine were going to be getting that money in the budget being delivered tonight for our roads tomorrow."
With 70 per cent of the road network unsealed, the NT urgently needed roads developed to unlock its full economic potential, including for the movement of freight, cattle, tourism, business investment and for Territorians who live remotely to get around.
Ms Manison was happy with confirmation in the budget that indigenous Australians living in remote areas of the Territory are set to benefit from a $550 million funding boost from the federal government.
The Turnbull government confirmed it would match the NT's commitment for remote indigenous housing over five years from 2018/19.
The money will be given to the NT government for property and tenancy management and to address severe overcrowding in remote communities.
The federal government has also flagged a new Medicare item that will support the delivery of dialysis in remote areas for indigenous people with kidney disease, a major problem in the NT.
WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
* $180 million to upgrade Central Arnhem Road
* $100 million to upgrade the Buntine Highway
* Additional money via a $1.5 billion Northern Australia roads fund
* $550 million over five years from 2018/19 for remote indigenous housing
* $259.7 million payment to offset fall in GST share in 2017/18.
