Way back in the foul year of our lord, 2020, things got a little crazy in the NT – even before the dread COVID-19 virus entered the Territory – with the-then Labor Gunner government dipping into the public purse (read adding to the debt burden), to produce hundreds of millions in “COVID stimulus” money it could not afford.
And because timing is everything, the money just happened to start rolling out the door ahead of the 2020 NT General Election, when polls were showing Gunner riding as low as his predecessor Adam Giles in terms of personal popularity.
Nevertheless, Labor was remarkably re-elected with a strong majority.
As one Labor insider said at the time, “Everyone has money in their pockets so they’re happy”.
Indeed.
Through Freedom of Information laws, the NT Independent obtained last year a full list of all businesses in the NT that received funding through the $50 million Small Business Survival Fund, which was distributed by what’s now called the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (formerly the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation).
This particular fund was set up to assist small businesses with less than 20 employees with money for “unavoidable fixed costs”, expanding online services and delivery and to upgrade premises or upskilling staff to “take advantage of the rebounding economy when the COVID-19 crisis is over”.
The SBSF received 1731 applications in the two months it was open, with 1311 applications approved. The Auditor General later found nobody had to explain what the money was actually used for. (Story continues after the list).
Here’s the list of all businesses awarded funding through the Small Business Survival Fund approved by the Department:
| Applicant Trading Name | Total Approved Funding |
|---|---|
| Darwin Trailer Boat Club inc | $ 155,550.10 |
| Mercure Alice Springs Resort / Barra on Todd Restaurant | $ 152,679.05 |
| Berry Springs Tavern | $ 149,987.90 |
| Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel | $ 146,036.21 |
| Landmark @ Gateway | $ 143,658.80 |
| Humpty Doo Tavern | $ 143,193.36 |
| Crocosaurus Cove | $ 141,850.00 |
| Novotel Hotel CBD | $ 138,815.91 |
| The Precinct Tavern | $ 138,597.16 |
| Darwin Entertainment Centre | $ 137,815.00 |
| Trezise Family Trust | $ 137,000.00 |
| Katherine Club | $ 137,000.00 |
| H on Smith Hotel | $ 135,878.00 |
| Kerry's Body Therapy | $ 135,800.00 |
| The Foreshore Restaurant + Cafe | $ 134,000.00 |
| Coolalinga Tavern | $ 133,581.43 |
| Wharf One food & Wine / illido BAR Pizza | $ 133,000.00 |
| Katherine Country Club | $ 129,000.00 |
| The Tap on Mitchell | $ 128,656.00 |
| Cazalys Palmerston Club | $ 126,850.00 |
| Tracy Village Social & Sports Club Inc. | $ 125,681.82 |
| Hot Tamale | $ 125,000.00 |
| Darwin Freespirit Resort | $ 125,000.00 |
| Darwin Golf Club Inc | $ 120,000.00 |
| Gillen Club | $ 119,980.73 |
| Club Eastside | $ 118,221.85 |
| Epilogue Lounge & Page 27 Cafe | $ 115,000.00 |
| CORROBOREE PARK TAVERN | $ 114,000.00 |
| Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade | $ 113,547.49 |
| Poolside Restaurant | $ 112,016.72 |
| Six Tanks Brewing Co | $ 111,000.00 |
| Rydges Darwin Central | $ 111,000.00 |
| GROOTE EYLANDT LODGE | $ 107,000.00 |
| ULURU CAMEL TOURS | $ 104,000.00 |
| The Fannie Bay Coolspot | $ 103,000.00 |
| CHOW!A TASTE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA | $ 100,581.43 |
| Discovery Darwin | $ 98,000.00 |
| Tourism Top End Incorporated | $ 98,000.00 |
| Crocodylus Park | $ 97,550.00 |
| Fiddlers Green Darwin | $ 97,526.60 |
| Lizards Bar & Restaurant | $ 96,700.00 |
| Waterfront Bistro | $ 96,608.00 |
| Emu Run Experience | $ 96,368.18 |
| Frontier Hotel Pub, Bar, Restaurant | $ 96,000.00 |
| Argus Hotel Darwin | $ 95,000.00 |
| INNOVATIVE OFFICE FURNITURE PTY LTD | $ 93,000.00 |
| iFitness247 | $ 89,929.55 |
| The Darwin Sailing Club | $ 89,322.03 |
| Snapper Rocks Bar & Kitchen | $ 87,500.00 |
| Wisdom Bar & Cafe | $ 86,240.33 |
| Palmerston Golf & Country Club | $ 85,900.00 |
| Hogs Breath Cafe, Palmerston | $ 85,446.84 |
| Buff Club | $ 85,072.95 |
| Fitness Works For You | $ 85,000.00 |
| Alfonsino's / Cucina sotto le Stelle | $ 84,964.16 |
| Alice Springs Golf Club | $ 83,700.00 |
| Hogs Brearth Cafe (Casuarina) | $ 83,135.00 |
| Alice Springs Tourist Park | $ 81,900.00 |
| Curtin Springs Wayside Inn | $ 81,000.00 |
| Laneway Specialty Coffee | $ 80,000.00 |
| Erldunda Desert Oaks Resort Pty Ltd | $ 80,000.00 |
| Hotel Darwin | $ 79,844.09 |
| Rays By Day | $ 78,055.46 |
| GOOD TIMES BAR & GRILL THE ARCH RIVAL BAR & GRILL NIRVANA RESTA | $ 77,581.43 |
| THE OPTICAL SUPERSTORE NT | $ 76,972.73 |
| Cafe 21 Smith | $ 75,942.50 |
| The Coffee Club Gateway | $ 75,004.00 |
| The Lodge of Dundee | $ 74,800.00 |
| THE DECKBAR TAVERN | $ 73,979.00 |
| Edge Health Club Casuarina | $ 73,937.50 |
| Krazy Train Diner | $ 73,800.00 |
| The Coffee Club Casuarina and The Coffee Club Mitchell Street | $ 72,813.25 |
| Crab Claw Island Resort | $ 71,800.00 |
| Kakadu Air | $ 71,295.13 |
| Ruby Darwin | $ 71,287.82 |
| miilan | $ 69,800.00 |
| Anglers Choice Fishing Safaris | $ 69,800.00 |
| Katherine Outback Experience | $ 69,176.58 |
| Fetch | $ 69,101.50 |
| Jump Inn - Alice Spings | $ 69,000.00 |
| Golden Nails and Beauty Palmerston | $ 68,800.00 |
| Territory Expeditions | $ 68,000.00 |
| Australian Walking Holidays | $ 67,969.64 |
| Go Sushi X | $ 67,300.58 |
| TIWI ISLANDS ADVENTURES | $ 66,454.55 |
| Fitness Playground NT Pty Ltd | $ 65,934.90 |
| Fernwood Darwin | $ 65,283.36 |
| Nail Lovers | $ 64,800.00 |
| The Lucky Charm Alice Springs | $ 64,800.00 |
| Moorish cafe | $ 64,660.00 |
| I Am Hair Wellness | $ 63,436.37 |
| Injalak Arts and Crafts | $ 63,000.00 |
| Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Arnhemland | $ 63,000.00 |
| Stone House Wine Bar & Kitchen | $ 62,081.00 |
| Big4 Howard Springs | $ 61,800.00 |
| Riverview Tourist Village | $ 61,800.00 |
| Jayco Darwin | $ 61,800.00 |
| Advanced Body Image | $ 61,754.55 |
| Curby's NT Pty Ltd | $ 61,550.00 |
| Kims Fish n Chips | $ 61,327.50 |
| Yots Greek Taverna | $ 61,263.25 |
| The Groove Train Casuarina | $ 61,027.50 |
| Throb Nightclub | $ 61,013.00 |
| Embella Jewellery | $ 60,925.00 |
| Besser Kitchen & Brew Bar | $ 60,800.00 |
| LCA Darwin Casuarina Pty Ltd | $ 60,800.00 |
| Alice Springs Reptile Centre | $ 60,754.55 |
| Humpty Doo & Rural Area Golf Club Inc | $ 60,754.55 |
| Grand Touring Coaches | $ 60,707.96 |
| The Coffee Club Darwin City Waterfront | $ 60,560.61 |
| Cafe 21 | $ 60,336.42 |
| Oriental Gourmet | $ 60,100.00 |
| Reality Bites Catering | $ 60,000.00 |
| SPORTIES BAR & BISTRO | $ 60,000.00 |
| Daly Waters Historic Pub | $ 60,000.00 |
| Adventure Land Palmerston | $ 59,800.00 |
| Uluru Segway Tours | $ 59,800.00 |
| NT Swim School | $ 58,800.00 |
| SweetBrew & Co | $ 57,800.00 |
| Alice Springs Cinema | $ 57,800.00 |
| Quest Alice Springs | $ 57,767.50 |
| Outbush Alice Springs | $ 57,550.00 |
| Charlies of Darwin | $ 57,191.13 |
| Darwin Gymnastic Club | $ 57,155.36 |
| Boost Juice Palmerston Gateway | $ 56,560.00 |
| Adelaide River Queen Cruises | $ 56,275.00 |
| The Coffee Club Casuarina Square 2 | $ 55,885.00 |
| Chatime Casuarina | $ 55,800.00 |
| Pine Creek Hotel | $ 54,800.00 |
| TOMMY GUNS ORIGINAL BARBERSHOP CASUARINA | $ 54,800.00 |
| Little Miss Korea | $ 54,674.33 |
| Silk Laser Clinics | $ 54,420.00 |
| Le Bistro Rakuya | $ 54,192.63 |
| Top End Multi Sports | $ 53,970.76 |
| Beaute on the Mall | $ 53,800.00 |
| Wendy's Milk Bar Casuarina and Palmerston | $ 53,800.00 |
| Frankies Pizza Joint & PM Eat Drink | $ 53,000.00 |
| SEAFOOD ON CULLEN | $ 52,908.73 |
| Wetland Cruises | $ 52,380.00 |
| Muffin Break Coolalinga | $ 52,268.32 |
| Kings Creek Station | $ 52,000.00 |
| Silk Laser Clinics Palmmerston | $ 51,892.00 |
| Darwin Basketball Association | $ 51,800.00 |
| The Royal Agricultural Society NT Inc | $ 51,800.00 |
| Sushi Sushi Casuarina | $ 51,800.00 |
| Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd | $ 51,800.00 |
| Noodle House Mitchell & Knuckey | $ 51,800.00 |
| Loong Fong Chinese Restaurant | $ 51,800.00 |
| Helloworld Travel Alice Springs | $ 51,800.00 |
| The Coffee Club Oasis | $ 51,781.00 |
| Uluru Chinese Tour/ Darwin Chinese Tour | $ 51,754.55 |
| Darwin River Tavern | $ 51,485.63 |
| Barrel & Cruse Bistro | $ 51,014.12 |
| Devils Marbles Hotel | $ 50,800.00 |
| bittersprings cabins and camping | $ 50,800.00 |
| Emilio's Cafe Berrimah | $ 50,465.00 |
| The Trader Bar Darwin | $ 49,800.00 |
| Horizen Cafe | $ 49,800.00 |
| Crustaceans on the Wharf | $ 49,800.00 |
| Lola's Pergola | $ 49,730.00 |
| Outback Ballooning | $ 49,094.00 |
| Bodybar Chinese Traditional Massage | $ 48,800.00 |
| Mosman group pty ltd trading as Moskos Market Cafe in palmerston | $ 48,800.00 |
| Bright Eyes Retail Pty Ltd | $ 48,800.00 |
| Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge | $ 48,268.48 |
| HANUMAN ALICE | $ 48,000.00 |
| ON TOURnt | $ 47,800.00 |
| Coffee Club Katherine | $ 47,800.00 |
| Lime Cafe NT | $ 47,156.00 |
| Uppercrust Health Food Bar | $ 46,800.00 |
| Ti Tree Roadhouse | $ 46,800.00 |
| Boardwalk cafe | $ 46,700.00 |
| Subway Gateway | $ 45,800.00 |
| Top End Short Stays | $ 45,800.00 |
| Helloworld Travel Darwin | $ 45,800.00 |
| Uluru Hop on Hop off and Uluru Motorcycle Tours | $ 45,800.00 |
| Mad Hatterz Cafe | $ 45,646.50 |
| Arafura Bluewater Charters | $ 44,087.50 |
| The Dustbowl | $ 42,800.00 |
| The Lifestyle Studio NT | $ 42,800.00 |
| Sapphire Bar and Grill | $ 40,586.57 |
| NT NAILS | $ 39,800.00 |
| Montes Lounge | $ 39,800.00 |
| Mulgas Adventures | $ 39,800.00 |
| Darwin Harbour Cruises | $ 39,800.00 |
| Jabiru Sports and Social Club | $ 39,800.00 |
| Mini Melts NT | $ 39,400.00 |
| Portside Char Grill Pty Ltd | $ 38,239.38 |
| Cold Rock Ice Creamery Darwin | $ 38,173.95 |
| Oyster Bar Darwin | $ 37,800.00 |
| Discovery Parks Darwin | $ 36,800.00 |
| Browz and Beauty | $ 36,800.00 |
| ZZAN | $ 36,177.65 |
| Lemon Tree Wellness | $ 36,106.55 |
| Fusion On The Wharf | $ 35,400.00 |
| Mad Cow Cafe & Grill | $ 34,717.28 |
| Charles Darwin University Post Office | $ 34,715.00 |
| YUM CHA CHINESE RESTAURANT | $ 34,400.00 |
| Little Miss Chef | $ 34,187.93 |
| Darwin Ice Skating Centre | $ 33,752.23 |
| Mr Sushi Darwin 2 | $ 33,358.53 |
| Dom's Bar & Lounge | $ 32,314.69 |
| Offshore Boats Pty Ltd | $ 31,758.57 |
| Outback Gym & Fitness | $ 31,400.00 |
| Katherine Motel | $ 31,400.00 |
| Enrg Gymnastics Pty Ltd | $ 31,400.00 |
| Starwin | $ 30,975.00 |
| City Cafe | $ 30,929.28 |
| ichi | $ 30,826.64 |
| FINKE RIVER ADVENTURES | $ 30,750.00 |
| City of Darwin Cruises | $ 30,411.96 |
| Magnum Serviced Apartments (formally RNR Serviced Apartments | $ 29,400.00 |
| Parap Nails | $ 29,400.00 |
| Outback Motorcycle Adventures | $ 29,399.39 |
| ethical adventures | $ 29,387.79 |
| Sea Darwin | $ 29,150.00 |
| Get Physical | $ 29,073.36 |
| Flametree Yoga Studio | $ 29,010.81 |
| Sail Darwin | $ 28,750.00 |
| TAK (NT) PTY LTD | $ 28,741.41 |
| CRE8TIVE NAILZ AND BEAUTY | $ 28,609.09 |
| Alice Vietnamese restaurant | $ 28,489.55 |
| Darwin Bowls and Social Club | $ 28,418.55 |
| One Mile Brewery (NT) PTY LTD | $ 28,400.00 |
| Crave Cold Brew N Superfoods | $ 28,400.00 |
| St Marys Footballs Sporting & Social Club | $ 28,400.00 |
| Opium Darwin | $ 28,023.00 |
| VANITY HAIR & BEAUTY | $ 27,718.18 |
| Tennant Creek Licenced Post Office | $ 27,603.18 |
| Aboriginal Fabric Gallery Pty Ltd | $ 27,468.69 |
| Oasis Tourist Park | $ 27,015.46 |
| FAR OUT ADVENTURES | $ 26,977.50 |
| The Rugby Shop | $ 26,945.45 |
| Paperbark Woman | $ 26,842.95 |
| EVI Group Pty Ltd | $ 26,521.50 |
| Top End Indoor Sports Centre | $ 26,449.49 |
| Plaza Wellbeing Centre | $ 26,426.75 |
| Planet Tenpin | $ 26,400.00 |
| Tactile Arts | $ 26,400.00 |
| Darwin Kart Hire | $ 26,309.09 |
| Snap Fitness Darwin CBD | $ 26,050.00 |
| Campfire in the Heart | $ 26,000.00 |
| Darwin aviation museum. | $ 25,904.00 |
| Sarah Lyn Lingerie & Fashion Boutique | $ 25,638.82 |
| Deckchair Cinema | $ 25,625.00 |
| Litchfield Tourist Park | $ 25,400.00 |
| BEAUTIFUL NAILS | $ 25,400.00 |
| Lorella Springs Wilderness Pty Ltd | $ 25,400.00 |
| Outback Jacks Bar & Grill, Darwin | $ 25,400.00 |
| TD NAILS & SPA | $ 25,400.00 |
| Banyan Tree Resort | $ 25,400.00 |
| YKnot Charters | $ 25,400.00 |
| Adelaide river cruises | $ 25,190.90 |
| Thirsty Zac | $ 25,152.31 |
| SATAY TIME | $ 25,086.32 |
| Humpty Doo Nails | $ 24,950.15 |
| Pyndan Camel Tracks | $ 24,856.64 |
| The Rock Bar | $ 24,800.00 |
| Lee and Jenny's BushCamp | $ 24,779.55 |
| Offroad Dreaming | $ 24,763.64 |
| Airborne Solutions | $ 24,449.09 |
| TAKUMIMO SALON | $ 24,417.50 |
| Unforgettable Nails | $ 24,400.00 |
| Hibiscus Nails | $ 24,400.00 |
| Charter North | $ 23,740.45 |
| Heavy Duty Firewood & Supercharge Batteries Alice Springs | $ 23,505.80 |
| Dragonfly Catering and Events | $ 23,503.71 |
| Earth Sanctuary world Nature Centre | $ 23,400.00 |
| Territory Laser Clinic | $ 23,309.09 |
| chilax | $ 23,296.20 |
| Outback Boat Hire | $ 23,209.97 |
| Alice Springs Souvenirs | $ 23,150.00 |
| The Jiu-Jitsu Studio Darwin | $ 22,904.00 |
| Lords Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris Pty Ltd | $ 22,864.39 |
| Bangkok Village Thai Massage | $ 22,740.00 |
| Giggling Geckos Jumping Castle Hire | $ 22,400.00 |
| Walkatjara Art Uluru | $ 22,400.00 |
| Glen Helen Lodge | $ 22,400.00 |
| Darwin Camera House | $ 22,400.00 |
| Chapman & Bailey | $ 22,400.00 |
| Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association | $ 22,400.00 |
| Vietnam Saigon Star | $ 22,279.45 |
| Trampoline Gelato Darwin Waterfront | $ 22,274.00 |
| CrossFit Abode | $ 22,127.28 |
| Cox Country Club | $ 22,112.50 |
| Star Barber Darwin | $ 22,078.24 |
| Cosmetic Injectables Australia | $ 21,975.00 |
| Aquascene/Fish Feeding | $ 21,775.00 |
| Chatime Gateway | $ 21,768.51 |
| Darwin Barra And Crab PTY LTD | $ 21,750.00 |
| NT Entertainment Solutions Pty Ltd | $ 21,605.00 |
| Next Level Gym | $ 21,583.46 |
| Gove Boat Club | $ 21,483.00 |
| Yaye's Cafe | $ 21,436.82 |
| Eco Beauty Lounge | $ 21,400.00 |
| Alex Julius Fishing Media Pty Ltd | $ 21,400.00 |
| SIAM THAI TAKEAWAY | $ 21,400.00 |
| Crossfit Territory Pty Ltd | $ 21,310.26 |
| Territory Guided Fishing | $ 20,884.09 |
| Lulu & Daw | $ 20,763.64 |
| Jila Arts | $ 20,400.00 |
| Clearwater Island Lodge | $ 20,400.00 |
| Suzathebarber | $ 20,400.00 |
| ORCHID NAILS DARWIN PTY LTD | $ 20,400.00 |
| NAILS AND BEAUTY PALACE | $ 20,400.00 |
| Latitude 23 Art & Food Co. | $ 20,350.00 |
| Adventure Rentals | $ 20,250.00 |
| Darwin Yoga Space | $ 20,160.00 |
| ELEMENTS WELLNESS | $ 20,003.41 |
| The TAO House | $ 19,785.00 |
| PureSkin Face & Body Clinic | $ 19,765.00 |
| Ella Bache Palmerston | $ 19,662.50 |
| Litchfield Safari Camp | $ 19,400.00 |
| barra boat hire | $ 19,400.00 |
| Tennant Creek Caravan Park | $ 19,400.00 |
| Litchfield Cafe as well as Wangi Falls Cafe | $ 19,400.00 |
| Paul Arnold Gallery | $ 19,400.00 |
| Anitas Health & Beauty Salon | $ 19,400.00 |
| Splash Swimwear | $ 19,400.00 |
| Northern Territory Indigenous Tours | $ 19,400.00 |
| Tumbling Waters Holiday Park | $ 19,400.00 |
| Cape Adieu Harbour Cruises | $ 19,400.00 |
| The Aquarian | $ 19,400.00 |
| The Store at the Museum | $ 19,400.00 |
| Istanbul Kebab Bar | $ 19,400.00 |
| Alice travel and cruise | $ 19,400.00 |
| Palmerston Camera House | $ 19,400.00 |
| Katherine Holiday Park | $ 19,400.00 |
| Dolce espresso | $ 19,400.00 |
| Headquarters Hair Studio NT | $ 19,400.00 |
| Basketball NT | $ 19,400.00 |
| Tailormade Tours | $ 19,400.00 |
| Mudhouse | $ 19,400.00 |
| Dunmarra Wayside Inn | $ 19,400.00 |
| The Katherine Museum | $ 19,400.00 |
| Bulabula Arts | $ 19,400.00 |
| Victoria River Roadhouse | $ 19,400.00 |
| Shine Gifts and Fashion | $ 19,400.00 |
| Tattoo Territory | $ 19,055.00 |
| Nevaehs Cafe | $ 18,998.36 |
| Kunwinjku Fine Art | $ 18,939.55 |
| Darwin Harbour Fishing Charters | $ 18,923.64 |
| Alice Springs Expeditions | $ 18,800.00 |
| Helibrook | $ 18,800.00 |
| Summer Palace department store | $ 18,800.00 |
| barefoot fishing safaris | $ 18,800.00 |
| Top End Seafaris | $ 18,752.50 |
| Clothing Hub | $ 18,707.50 |
| Adelaide River Transfers | $ 18,644.55 |
| Darwin Railway Club | $ 18,400.00 |
| Andrea Savvas Trading As Messa Living | $ 18,400.00 |
| THE BOTANIC GARDENS CATERING COMPANY | $ 18,400.00 |
| Wharf Oysters Bar & TakeAway | $ 18,400.00 |
| Kalidonis Taverna | $ 18,400.00 |
| HEALTHY CARE MASSAGE | $ 18,400.00 |
| HEALTHY CARE MASSAGE | $ 18,400.00 |
| Central Car Rentals | $ 18,400.00 |
| DCT Darwin Custom Tattoos Pty Ltd | $ 18,400.00 |
| The Beauty Bar skin brows IPL | $ 18,290.00 |
| Vision Sportfishing | $ 18,107.46 |
| Top End Barra Fishing | $ 17,926.73 |
| Cullen Bay Day Spa | $ 17,852.36 |
| Maddys Chantilly Kitchen | $ 17,400.00 |
| MOORE BEAUTIFUL PTY LTD | $ 17,400.00 |
| JK DOI Thai and Chinese Cuisine | $ 17,400.00 |
| Shnoodle | $ 17,400.00 |
| The 19th Hole Humpty Doo | $ 17,400.00 |
| Lash Beauty Salon | $ 17,400.00 |
| CREATIVE GIFTS AND AWARDS | $ 17,400.00 |
| Darwin Airboat Tours | $ 17,020.00 |
| Tattoo crew | $ 16,831.10 |
| The Gemtree | $ 16,400.00 |
| Mt Bundy Station | $ 16,400.00 |
| Outback Elite Tours | $ 16,400.00 |
| Remote Education Tours | $ 16,400.00 |
| Gallop-Thru-Time Gallery & Framing | $ 16,400.00 |
| OUT THERE NT PTY LTD | $ 16,400.00 |
| The Bean Tree Cafe | $ 16,400.00 |
| Shens Wellness Centre | $ 16,400.00 |
| Anytime Fitness Darwin CBD | $ 16,400.00 |
| Spirit of Darwin Cruises | $ 16,400.00 |
| Ironwood Arts | $ 16,400.00 |
| NT Bird Specialists | $ 16,400.00 |
| Dundee Beach Fishing Charters | $ 16,400.00 |
| United Wycliffe Well | $ 16,400.00 |
| Buffalo Safaris Australia Pty Ltd | $ 16,400.00 |
| Summertime Beauty and Day Spa | $ 16,400.00 |
| Big Bus Darwin | $ 16,400.00 |
| Stumpy Patricks Pty Ltd | $ 16,400.00 |
| Palmerston Indoor Sports Centre | $ 16,400.00 |
| Minimart24/7 | $ 16,400.00 |
| Emerald Springs Roadhouse | $ 16,400.00 |
| The Playshack Indoor Play Centre & Cafe | $ 16,400.00 |
| Tour Tub NT, Wallaroo Tours NT and Darwin Tours | $ 16,400.00 |
| SACRED EARTH SAFARIS | $ 16,400.00 |
| Stuart's Well Roadhouse | $ 16,400.00 |
| SAMs Dance Studio | $ 16,400.00 |
| Dermal Essence | $ 16,400.00 |
| Loveli Allure | $ 16,400.00 |
| Kebab Corner Palms | $ 16,400.00 |
| Nails Paradise | $ 16,400.00 |
| Top Springs Hotel & Coolibah Station | $ 16,400.00 |
| Justlooking Boutique | $ 16,400.00 |
| North Home Textiles | $ 16,172.50 |
| Chada Traditional Thai Massage | $ 15,915.00 |
| Alice Fashion | $ 15,801.09 |
| Wiligi Experience Out Of Arnhemland | $ 15,775.00 |
| Darwin Barra Fishing Tours | $ 15,697.28 |
| PARAP BARBERS AND BEAUTY SALON | $ 15,676.56 |
| Alice's Secret Traveller's Inn | $ 15,400.00 |
| DE CLINICS PTY LTD | $ 14,597.50 |
| Mattress Studio | $ 13,890.00 |
| Marksie's Stockman's Camp Tucker Night | $ 13,617.29 |
| Zone 3 Darwin | $ 13,400.00 |
| Rock Centre and Lake Bennett Resort | $ 13,400.00 |
| Hair Oracle | $ 13,400.00 |
| Camels Australia | $ 13,400.00 |
| Maitai Services | $ 13,400.00 |
| The Finch Cafe | $ 13,400.00 |
| Barramundi Adventures Darwin | $ 13,400.00 |
| Man Ho Academy of Martial Arts | $ 13,250.00 |
| Sew Design Studio | $ 13,156.56 |
| DIY Tourguide Australia | $ 12,734.99 |
| Intensity NT | $ 12,325.00 |
| Hut-101 Thaditional Thai Massage | $ 12,127.28 |
| The House of the Golden Phoenix | $ 12,025.00 |
| Steves Barista Bar | $ 11,955.00 |
| Tennis Alice Springs | $ 11,954.10 |
| OM DESIGNS | $ 11,881.87 |
| Humbug Fishing Pty Ltd | $ 11,872.73 |
| Swank Shoes Darwin | $ 11,861.12 |
| The Big Day | $ 11,462.00 |
| Dive Air | $ 11,300.13 |
| Yoga Territory | $ 11,223.78 |
| Gecko Canoeing and Trekking | $ 10,800.00 |
| Holiday Massage and Beauty Spa | $ 10,800.00 |
| FUN SUPPLY | $ 10,800.00 |
| Beaver Brewery | $ 10,800.00 |
| Darwin Bluewater Charters | $ 10,767.70 |
| Eyelash & Beauty Darwin | $ 10,552.50 |
| North Tours Australia Pty Ltd | $ 10,550.00 |
| Mason Gallery | $ 10,425.00 |
| Safari Leisurewear | $ 10,229.54 |
| sandrifter safaris | $ 9,995.00 |
| TOP NAILS & BEAUTY PALACE | $ 9,800.00 |
| soundsafari | $ 9,800.00 |
| Ella Massage | $ 9,800.00 |
| Kimberley Off-Road Tours | $ 9,792.27 |
| Croc Candy | $ 9,720.00 |
| Red Spaces | $ 9,604.55 |
| Kendra's Ultimate Beauty | $ 9,308.00 |
| Polart Fitness | $ 9,300.00 |
| Frockme | $ 9,293.95 |
| Ginger Pink | $ 9,200.00 |
| CROCODILE DARWIN | $ 9,199.50 |
| JUST FORMALS | $ 8,945.00 |
| Creative Jewellers Studio, Collalinga | $ 8,930.00 |
| Saigon Star | $ 8,900.00 |
| HGFitness | $ 8,840.00 |
| Darwin Indoor Beach Volleyball | $ 8,817.28 |
| Larapinta Trail Trek Support (LTTS) | $ 8,800.43 |
| Agoy Yoga | $ 8,800.00 |
| Penny's Fancy Dress & ONESTOPPARTYBOX | $ 8,800.00 |
| Sa Sa Massage Centre PTY LTD | $ 8,800.00 |
| Dressy Dress's | $ 8,800.00 |
| Zack Klein | $ 8,709.09 |
| Lo Castro Foods Pty Ltd | $ 8,412.51 |
| The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs | $ 7,800.00 |
| Darwin Wax and Glow Studio | $ 7,800.00 |
| Nails By Phuong | $ 7,800.00 |
| Astra Apartments NT | $ 7,800.00 |
| Sugarbag Safaris | $ 7,800.00 |
| Essential Bodycare Clinic | $ 7,800.00 |
| Coolalinga Laksa | $ 7,800.00 |
| VKD2GO1 | $ 7,800.00 |
| Fitness is within | $ 7,800.00 |
| The Youth Mill Pty Ltd | $ 7,800.00 |
| Trek Larapinta | $ 7,800.00 |
| Allure Aesthetics and IPL | $ 7,800.00 |
| Zentosa | $ 7,800.00 |
| Estuary Escapes Fishing Charters | $ 7,800.00 |
| Tracks Birding & Photography Tours | $ 7,800.00 |
| Owen Raymond Paroz | $ 7,800.00 |
| Philfit NT | $ 7,800.00 |
| Beauty & Medicine Pty Ltd | $ 7,800.00 |
| Infidelity | $ 7,800.00 |
| Orion Studio Pilates | $ 7,800.00 |
| Imperial Nails | $ 7,800.00 |
| Darwin Performance Academy | $ 7,800.00 |
| Daly River Wildlife & Adventure Lodge | $ 7,800.00 |
| Art Warehouse | $ 7,800.00 |
| Walk Darwin | $ 7,800.00 |
| Kingdom-Fit | $ 7,800.00 |
| Kellie's Kitchen | $ 7,800.00 |
| Frontier Fishing | $ 7,800.00 |
| Wildlands Wetlands Safari Cruises | $ 7,800.00 |
| Alice Springs Netball Association | $ 7,800.00 |
| Darwin Shop N Go | $ 7,800.00 |
| Amanda Miller Remedial Massage Therapy | $ 7,800.00 |
| The House of Pearls | $ 7,800.00 |
| Woolianna on the Daly Tourist Park | $ 7,800.00 |
| OBOR Travel | $ 7,800.00 |
| RAFT artspace | $ 7,800.00 |
| Siam Thai and Remedial Massage Darwin | $ 7,800.00 |
| Crazy Acres | $ 7,800.00 |
| BREAD BOUTIQUE | $ 7,800.00 |
| Alice Event Management & Consultancy | $ 7,800.00 |
| Far North Expeditions NT | $ 7,800.00 |
| Mach1 Fitness | $ 7,800.00 |
| Maya Nails & Beauty Salon | $ 7,800.00 |
| Judith Norman t/a Hibiscus Tab | $ 7,800.00 |
| Larapinta Creative Camps | $ 7,800.00 |
| Dreamtime Tours | $ 7,800.00 |
| DURAND, LUKE | $ 7,800.00 |
| Kemboja Villa and apartments | $ 7,800.00 |
| Australia4WheelDriveRentals | $ 7,800.00 |
| Raw Cloth | $ 7,800.00 |
| Grant Co | $ 7,800.00 |
| Urban Wax & Beauty | $ 7,800.00 |
| Beauty Kave | $ 7,800.00 |
| Travellers Autobarn | $ 7,800.00 |
| Ronnie's Bush House | $ 7,800.00 |
| TURN THE BEAT AROUND EVENTS | $ 7,800.00 |
| Goodhand Outback Experience | $ 7,800.00 |
| Taylor's Carnivals | $ 7,800.00 |
| RIX KIX ARTS | $ 5,800.00 |
| Jessie Bee Fit | $ 5,800.00 |
| Fine Dot Art Pty Ltd | $ 5,800.00 |
| Chaoyichung | $ 5,800.00 |
| Albertini | $ 5,800.00 |
| Hand in Hand Health | $ 5,578.05 |
| bk hair pty ltd | $ 5,496.36 |
| Ratatouille | $ 4,894.86 |
| Nicole Elliott - Nics Yoga | $ 4,843.20 |
| Lashholic Alice | $ 4,800.00 |
| Blue Eagle Muay Thai Training and Fitness | $ 4,800.00 |
| Darwin Production Services | $ 4,800.00 |
| Fe's Variety | $ 4,800.00 |
| Khanh Nguyen | $ 4,800.00 |
| Jinglin 's Jewellery | $ 4,800.00 |
| Massage for Women Darwin | $ 4,800.00 |
| Airbnb Darwin | $ 4,800.00 |
| Desert Express | $ 4,800.00 |
| Jackys Puzzles | $ 4,800.00 |
| JA Manufacturing Jewellers | $ 4,800.00 |
| TropFit | $ 4,800.00 |
| Louise Denton Photography | $ 4,800.00 |
| MICKFIT | $ 4,800.00 |
| Ninaz Moradkhani | $ 4,800.00 |
| Darwin Pub Crawls NT | $ 4,800.00 |
| Peta Woelders massage therapy | $ 4,800.00 |
| Bombing Of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours | $ 4,800.00 |
| ECM Travel | $ 4,800.00 |
| OUTERBEAUTYdesigns | $ 4,800.00 |
| XLR8 Training | $ 4,800.00 |
| Poon Mobile Thai Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| Sukanya Nanasrirat | $ 4,800.00 |
| SHADY INK Brow & Makeup Studio | $ 4,800.00 |
| Ilu Lashes | $ 4,800.00 |
| NoTraces Bushwalking Australia | $ 4,800.00 |
| Territory Experiences | $ 4,800.00 |
| Luang Thai Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| DJs Peak Fitness | $ 4,800.00 |
| 1. Revive Batteries 2. 12 Volt Products | $ 4,800.00 |
| Bliss Beauty Gallery | $ 4,800.00 |
| mindover matter fitness katherine | $ 4,800.00 |
| OM YOGA | $ 4,800.00 |
| Lovlali | $ 4,800.00 |
| Local knowledge barra safaris | $ 4,800.00 |
| Mousie's Barra & Bluewater Fishing Charters | $ 4,800.00 |
| Kaiyu Superfoods | $ 4,800.00 |
| Amaze Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| LaLa Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| Keogh's Thai Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| Amazing Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| BoBo Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| CAROLINE'S NAIL & BEAUTY SALON | $ 4,800.00 |
| Dale Austin | $ 4,800.00 |
| Karama Home Spa | $ 4,800.00 |
| The Beauty Box (NT) | $ 4,800.00 |
| I'M PLASTIC FREE | $ 4,800.00 |
| Body House Chinese Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| HANSEN, KAI | $ 4,800.00 |
| Litza Hall | $ 4,800.00 |
| Arnhem Bushtucker | $ 4,800.00 |
| Gita | $ 4,800.00 |
| Bliss Beauty Hub | $ 4,800.00 |
| Ha's Microblading Brows Art | $ 4,800.00 |
| Australian Sportfishing Charters | $ 4,800.00 |
| Darwin Skate School / Shiner Town | $ 4,800.00 |
| K BAR (NT) | $ 4,800.00 |
| Top End Day Tours | $ 4,800.00 |
| Sara Adele Keating | $ 4,800.00 |
| Bowerbirdrecycle | $ 4,800.00 |
| SIRI OMBERG STUDIO & EXHIBITION SPACR | $ 4,800.00 |
| Alex Diftera | $ 4,800.00 |
| Elder street tattoo | $ 4,800.00 |
| Petra's Raw Cakes | $ 4,800.00 |
| SLR Enterprise Group PTY LTD | $ 4,800.00 |
| Jan Robin Carter | $ 4,800.00 |
| Espie, Karen Joy | $ 4,800.00 |
| Touch Of Class Massage | $ 4,800.00 |
| di CROCO | $ 4,800.00 |
| Tradara | $ 4,800.00 |
| Total Amount of Grants Awarded by the Department of Business | $20,525,909.83 |
The report found 990 SBSF applications that did not fall within the parameters for funding went to department chief executive Shaun Drabsch for his “consideration”. Of those, he approved 709 and knocked back 281.
The list of the businesses first rejected and then approved by Drabsch will appear in the NT Independent tomorrow.
Concerningly, there were no requirements for recipients of taxpayer funds provided through the SBSF to declare actual expenditure or provide quotes or invoices.
This, as you would expect, caused some concern to the Auditor General – the only one watching this kind of thing.
“Where funds are provided with few or no conditions attached and may be spent at the recipient’s discretion, it may be difficult for the Agency to demonstrate that the funds have been distributed in order to meet an agreed, identified outcome or purpose,” Julie Crisp wrote in a report into the program.
She added that the terms of the program did allow for the department to audit grant spending for a period of up to 12 months, but that “no such audit activity had been conducted on any SBSF applications”.
She also found that the entries of the applications “may require further review”, including two applications that had been submitted after the application period had closed.
Ms Crisp also raised concerns that 46 of 67 random applications assessed by her auditors were approved despite being initially flagged as ineligible and that 72 of 105 applicants had recorded more full-time equivalent hours worked after the COVID shutdown than before were also approved with no audit conducted.
“There were no requirements to declare actual expenditure or to provide quotes or invoices,” Ms Crisp wrote.
“As a result (of actual spending not being acquitted) the value of the approved works and estimated economic impact of the initiative is unknown.”
The department patted itself on the back for a job done in a response to the Auditor General’s report.
“The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) believes that the program was a success with few businesses forced to close, unemployment kept well below the national average and broad community and industry recognition of the significant role these programs played in stabilising the Territory in the face of a severe economic shock,” the statement read.
“DITT notes the findings and recommendations of the audit and will incorporate these in future policy documents and programs.”
The Auditor General’s report was tabled in Parliament in June 2021 and completely ignored by the government and Opposition.
No doubt there were many businesses who truly deserved the support, but only because the so-called government restricted their ‘rights’ to trade in the first place.
Of course there is no way of knowing, but in another dimension, this type of ‘funding’ could be seen as an incentive to enforce certain…I dunno…unprecedented tyrannical powers?
There are at least a few on that list that were very enthusiastic enforcers. It would seem odd for them to now expect business or staffing from the same people they deemed ‘unclean’.