Major political parties reveal promises to NT mining sector at packed industry debate

THE Northern Territory’s three key political parties have made their pitches to win the vote of the mining sector and those who support it at a packed industry debate

Pictured, right to left, Labor’s Resource Minister Paul Kirby, CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and Territory Alliance Party leader Terry Mills Minerals at the Darwin Mining Club’s political debate. Picture: Supplied

THE importance of the mining sector to Territorians and their economic future was front and centre with the NT’s three major political parties at a packed mining debate at the Darwin Convention centre o Friday.

Labor’s Resources Minister Paul Kirby, CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills have all pledged a co-ordinated approach to a sector where Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are no longer measured by the industry in pages but in kilos instead.

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As an illustration of this, it was revealed that the EIS that had to be submitted for the $1.1 billion Nolans rare earth mine planned for the Northern Territory by Arafura Resources weighed a staggering 3.5kg.

“And that was just the EIS,” Ms Finocchiaro told the 230-plus people at the Darwin Mining Club lunch debate. She also pointed to approval processes that on average take 4.5 years, as impediments to be fixed.

All parties pitched promises of greater support and investment incentives for the sector. The CLP and Territory Alliance both promised a new office of Co-ordinator General to manage the assessments and approvals of infrastructure projects.

Minister Kirby pointed to his government’s Local Jobs Fund (LJF) as an example of help being provided to NT mine proponents.

The major point of difference was the CLP promising to scrap the controversial hybrid mining tax model and replace it with an ad valorem-only royalty system.

Mineral Council of Australia NT executive director Drew Wagner said he was pleased with the level of political bipartisan support for the minerals industry moving forward and the role it can play in the Territory’s overall recovery.

“I think there is potentially some gaps in all parties’ areas and also some very strong areas around co-ordination, around recognition of roles and around potential in the sector right now,” he said.

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“The political parties showed they understand the potential our sector has to help Territorians overcome the current crisis we are facing and certainly the current economic climate.”