Economic recovery report puts the NT in the box seat to become the nation’s energy capital

A LEAKED draft of the National COVID-19 Commission report detailing key industries Australia should target ‘immediately’ to unlock billions of dollars could put the NT in the box seat to become the nation’s energy capital

Origin Energy is drilling at the Kyalla 117 N2 onshore gas well, 600km southeast of Darwin. The company has welcomed the National COVID-19 Commission’s manufacturing report. Picture: Supplied

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison are on the same page about targeting the lucrative gas industry “immediately” to unlock billions of dollars to save the Territory and Australia from economic ruin.

Manufacturing and gas are expected to be key focuses of the Chief Minister’s NT Economic Reconstruction Commission’s work.

Mr Gunner will speak about that today when he reveals more details about the Territory’s new Reconstruction Recovery Commission.

A leaked draft of the National COVID-19 Commission manufacturing report obtained by Sky News reveals the gas and manufacturing industries will be the Coalition’s major focus.

“We need to be decisive and begin immediately to create an Australian gas market that delivers globally competitive results,” the report said.

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It also calls for the creation of a “competitive domestic gas market”, including removing barriers to supply, building the bridge of supply in the near term, lowering the cost of pipelines and completing the network of pipelines to markets.

Focusing on the energy industry is predicted to create 170,000 direct jobs and up to 800,000 indirect jobs.

Mr Gunner said the NT was in pole position.

“We’ve got the power and we’ve got the people to be the manufacturing and energy capital,” Mr Gunner said.

“It is a value-add industry right here in the NT. The timing is perfect.

“The PM and I are on the same page on this.”

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Origin Energy, which is drilling at the Kyalla 117 N2 onshore gas well, 600km southeast of Darwin, between Daly Waters and Elliott, was also encouraged by the news.

“We look forward to resuming exploration activities in the Beetaloo later this year,” a spokesman said.

“The project has the potential to deliver long-term economic benefits for the Territory and the nation.”