The NT Treasurer says that unless the Commonwealth is prepared to help fund the operational costs of a new hospital, it should "butt out".
If the federal government is not going to kick in more funds for the operation of the Palmerston Hospital then it should "butt out" and not comment on construction delays, Northern Territory Treasurer Dave Tollner said.
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The $150 million hospital was due to begin construction this month, but the government only released the tender for the works this week.
On Wednesday News Corp Australia reported that the federal government was "furious" with the Country Liberals for the delays, particularly after it increased its funding share by $40 million to $110 million during the 2013 federal election.
"I wouldn't suggest that the Territory government has fundamentally dropped the ball on it, and I think it's rather cute for the federal government to start threatening to withdraw money," Mr Tollner told Sky News on Thursday.
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"Obviously the real costs of the Palmerston Hospital will be in the operation of the hospital which will be carried almost completely by the NT government, and if the feds think they can throw a paltry $110 million and get us to build something in the blink of an eye, well I'm sorry, but it doesn't work like that."
He said the government had taken its time looking at different ownership and operation models, including a public-private partnership, before deciding to keep it entirely in government hands.
"To suggest that (putting in money) gives them some sort of carte blanche to come out and criticise the NT government, I find that rather appalling," Mr Tollner said.
He said the expansion of the hospital meant that operating costs would be "significantly more" than the $50 million per year the previous Labor government estimated when the hospital was expected to cost $110 million.
"It's going to put significant pressure on the NT budget, and unless the feds are prepared to step up and kick in for some of that then I think they should just butt out," Mr Tollner said.
