Angry NT business backlash to Territory Alliance Party’s fracking backflip grows larger and louder

THE angry backlash by the Territory’s key business and industry sectors against Terry Mills’ Territory Alliance Party’s fracking ban policy backflip is growing larger and louder

The angry backlash by the Territory’s key business and industry sectors against Terry Mills’ Territory Alliance Party’s fracking ban policy backflip is growing larger and louder. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

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THE angry backlash by the Territory’s key business and industry sectors against Territory Alliance’s fracking ban policy is getting more ferocious with groups lining up to condemn the policy.

The NT Major Business group said the policy, if implemented, would seriously damage the Territory.

On Tuesday, Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills backflipped on his party’s January support of fracking announcing they would ban fracking if elected in August.

But in a press conference yesterday, Territory Alliance MLA Robyn Lambley left the door open to a change of heart in the long-term, saying “you can never say never, but we don’t support fracking”.

Along with the Property Council NT, the NT Major Business Group has questioned Territory Alliance’s lack of consultation with the formation of the policy.

“If the Territory Alliance Party were in a position where they could stop fracking in the Northern Territory that would be incredibly damaging to Territory business,” the NT Major Business Group chairman Ian Kew said.

“It will be seriously damaging for the Northern Territory … we are shocked and surprised with this policy.

“We’ve got exploration companies and oil companies and gas companies down there that are currently starting their exploration programs.”

He said onshore gas could provide cheap power over the long term for the Territory.

Property Council NT executive director Ruth Palmer said the Property Council was deeply concerned with recent popularism and dogma entering the current economic recovery discussion.

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Ms Palmer said businesses needed both long-term vision and policy stability to make critical investment decisions.

“How governments communicate, develop and implement its policy decisions will determine all of our future prosperity,” she said.

“Industry and businesses that risk their livelihoods investing in the Territory deserve, at the very least, to be consulted in that policy process.”