A former political mover-and-shaker wins key business role

A former federal pollie has won a key business role, while a new minister takes the reins in agribusiness. Read the latest Territory business news.

Former Member for Solomon Natasha Griggs has been appointed president of the NT Chamber of Commerce.

The former federal member from 2010 to 2016, Ms Griggs has replaced Kathryn Stenson who did not recontest the role.

Ms Griggs, who most recently held the post of Administrator of the Indian Ocean Territories, grew up in Alice Springs and before politics had extensive experience in business.

Her private sector CV includes head of Fujitsu NT, Territory manager for SRA and relationship manager for IT business CSM Technology, now Area9 IT Solutions.

Natasha Grigg has been appointed president of the NT Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Ms Griggs was appointed to the Chamber’s board of directors last month along with Lhere Artepe Enterprises chief executive Temba Ncube and Steeline GRP Nicole Brown.

KPMG’s James Johnson was also appointed to the Chamber board.

They join existing board members Stuart Knowles from Inpex, PR guru Natalie Bell,

Linda Blackwood from Station Mechanical Solutions, Kamal Ali from Sterling NT

Ryan Sanders from HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and Stephen Densmore from Ventia.

Ms Blackwood has been appointed vice president and Mr Ncube has been appointed the Chamber’s finance director.

Manison appointment welcomed

Northern Territory Live Exporters’ Association has welcomed the appointment of Nicole Manison as new Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries.

Ms Manison secured three portfolios in last week’s Cabinet reshuffle, which saw previous minister Paul Kirby dropped from the front bench.

Ms Manison also gained the renewables and energy and essential services portfolio. Along the way she lost tourism and hospitality, northern Australia and advanced manufacturing.

“We only hosted Nicole and Natasha Fyles at NTLEA’s Berrimah yards a few weeks ago to talk about the industry and our big plans for the facility,” Mr Vowles said.

“We will be talking to the minister about further investment in our export yards to allow us to increase its value for skills training, increase the emergency holding capacity, improved environmental infrastructure and dedicated pens for buffalo are among the top of our list when we meet with her next week.”

Mr Vowles thanked Mr Kirby. “We’re very grateful for his efforts during some very difficult times.”

Canadian miner buys Redbank

Canadian company Teck Australia has signed an option agreement to buy four tenements from NT Minerals Limited at the Redbank West zinc-lead project in the southeast McArthur Basin.

During the term of the option, Teck has agreed to maintain all tenements in good

standing.

Terms include an initial cash payment of $200,000, as part of aggregated

option payments totalling $1m over four years, or earlier if the option is exercised.

A one-time cash payment of $1m will be made upon completion of the first feasibility study. NTM retains a 2 per cent net smelter return royalty with an option for Teck to buy back 1 per cent for $3m.

NT Minerals Limited executive chairman Mal James said the deal would cut costs for the company.

“We are pleased to work with Teck to undertake exploration away from our key area of focus at Redbank. This option will maintain exploration while minimising overheads for NTM.”