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Territorians react to federal budget with key projects and cost-of-living front of mind

Raelene Pool says she hopes budget promises are followed through and will lead to new jobs in the NT. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Spending on infrastructure and cost-of-living relief have emerged as key items for Territorians out of Tuesday night's federal budget.

The funding commitments include new port facilities in Darwin and funding for roads in Central Australia, while cost-of-living concessions include a one-off $250 payment to pensioners, welfare recipients, veterans and concession cardholders.

In response, the federal opposition has accused the Coalition of using its pre-election budget to buy votes.

Raelene Pool, who lives in Darwin and receives income support, welcomed the one-off welfare payment.

"The $250 dollars seemed fair," she said.

With some of the NT's infrastructure projects receiving budget funding contingent on successful business cases, Ms Pool said she hoped they translated to more jobs in the Territory.

"We've sort of had a lot of promises over the years on more work coming this way, but it doesn't seem to come to fruition," she said.

"It would be good to see it come through."

Warren Frier says he's not sure if this budget will have a meaningful impact. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Warren Frier recently returned to the Northern Territory after living in Cambodia with his young family.

He also said he would be waiting to see if funding for infrastructure was delivered.

"It would be interesting to see how much of that hits the ground," he said.

While the federal government committed to reducing the fuel excise for six months as part of cost-of-living measures, Mr Frier said he wanted more forward planning around fuel pricing.

"That's just a gap stop as far as I'm concerned," he said of cuts to the excise.

Emma Robertson, a social worker in Darwin, said while she's aware of cost-of-living pressures, they weren't the key issues she wanted to see action on.

"There's a housing crisis for people in rentals and government housing as well," she said.

"And obviously climate change is really important for all Australians."

Emma Robertson believes key issues weren't addressed in the budget. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Rental stress not addressed in budget, advocates say

Peter McMillan from NT Shelter told ABC Radio Darwin the budget failed to address one of the territory's most acute social issues: rental stress.

"That's a major problem, " he said.

"And it's more revealing ... [when the Prime Minister said] that the best way to support renters was to help them buy a home.

"In the Northern Territory, 50 per cent of our population rents ... renting is much more sensible for [many people in the NT].

"It was quite astonishing for the Prime Minister to say the best way to support people who are renting a house is to help them buy a house ... which isn't a solution for many people."

Mr McMillan said the organisation "didn't see a lot of rent relief for struggling renters anytime soon" in the Northern Territory.

NT Road Transport Association executive officer Louise Bilato did not believe the temporary fuel excise was likely to have a significant impact on the cost of fuel for transport operators. 

"It's a 4.3 cents a litre difference that our transport operators will see following the reduction of the fuel tax credit, which is nothing," she said.

However, the association has welcomed the $440 million earmarked for new logistics hubs in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine. 

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