NT won't budge on GST carve-up

Western Australia can beat its chest over the division of the GST but the Northern Territory government won't accept any changes that would be detrimental to Territorians, the chief minister says.

As state and territory leaders meet in Canberra on Thursday to discuss the GST, NT Chief Minister Adam Giles said he was happy about the way Canberra was sharing funds.

"We want to be able to continue to provide the service we provide and improve it on an everyday basis," he told reporters in Darwin.

"We don't need to continue to go navel-gazing about how we fix tax and have all these fights with other jurisdictions. We think it's the wrong fight and the wrong focus."

He says he doesn't support changing the system unless it directly benefits the Northern Territory, and he'll fight any change to the contrary.

"WA can beat their chests as much as they want, but this is abut the Territory and we'll stand up for the Territory," Mr Giles said.

Due to the NT's geographic sprawl and sparse population, it costs more to deliver services.

About 80 per cent of the NT's budget comes from federal coffers, and GST revenue makes up half its total budget.

The government is preparing the 2015-16 budget, due to be handed down in two weeks.

Mr Giles says the budget has been planned with an expectation of the territory's GST share continuing.

"We hope there are not any games played from Canberra, as we're fearful every year," he said.

Mr Giles will work closely with SA Premier Jay Weatherill and Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman on maintaining the GST status quo "because I know they hold similar views to us", he said.