Fab Fourteen to save the Territory

FOURTEEN of Darwin and the Territory’s most powerful businesses have banded together to help the Gunner Government shake off its trainer wheels and save the Territory economy

FOURTEEN of Darwin and the Territory’s most powerful businesses have banded together to help the Gunner Government shake off its trainer wheels and save the Territory economy.

The Darwin Major Business Group was quietly put together in January and was born out of concern for the perilous state of the Territory’s economy and trying to save it from further decline.

Daniel Bowden

Michael Sitzler

The group’s members are Ian Kew (NT Airports), Natasha Jensen (Genesee and Wyoming), Daniel Bowden (Airnorth), Mardi Ashkine (GPT Casuarina Square), James Paspaley (Paspaley Group), Michael Hughes (Landbridge Group), Shane Dignan (Halikos Group), Steve Margetic and Michael Sitzler (Sitzler & Margetic), Janet Hamilton (Darwin Convention Centre), Mick Burns (Mick Burns Group of Companies), Foxy Robinson (Trepang Services), David Christian (Skycity Darwin), Michael Hannon Snr and Mick Hannon Jnr (Hannon Group), Michael Bridge (CGH Group) and Brett Dixon (Dixon Group). The Darwin Major Business Group chair is Mr Kew. He said the group was established for major business to have a strong co-ordinated voice to inform and influence Government.

Foxy Robinson

James Paspaley

“Government policies and decisions have a significant impact on business and the community, especially in a developing economy environment like the Northern Territory,” he said.

“Darwin Major Business Group members have a record of significant investment and their future success is strongly linked to the performance of the Darwin and Top End economies. When you look at the magnitude of the combined size of the group’s investment in the Darwin economy over the past five years, you come up with a figure of more than $2 billion. And there is a similar level of investment planned over the next five years.

“The combined level of direct employment is well over 4000 Territorians but the flow on of indirect employment is significantly more.”

Brett Dixon

Mr Kew said the Darwin Major Business Group had an important role in helping the Gunner Government shape good business policy.

“It’s pleasing that our voice is being listened to by the Chief Minister’s advisers … we are getting a good hearing,” he said. “It’s no secret business is patchy and the contraction of the economy is impacting business forward planning.

“There is not nearly enough government work going around to help everyone.

“So it is in everyone’s interests when things are more challenging that we do what we can to help the Government successfully charter these difficult economic waters. The Territory is challenged by difficult economic times and we are all well placed to see it and help with the best possible advice to overcome these challenges.”