The gas industry has been snubbed from the Middle Arm inquiry

There has been a shock omission from this week’s Middle Arm inquiry. See who’s missed out.

This week’s Senate hearings into the Middle Arm Development Precinct has been stacked with pro-green advocates opposed to the project.

The schedule for the hearings, which are due to commence Wednesday and conclude Thursday afternoon, are seemingly stacked with opponents of the major development proposal.

The gas industry appears to have been snubbed from making its case for the project, which the Commonwealth Government has committed $1.5bn.

The Senate’s Environment and Communication References Committee is chaired by high-profile anti-development Senator Sarah Hanson-Young who in August 2023 said the Middle Arm project would “cook the climate” and “enable climate bombs”.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

On Wednesday, the hearings commence at 1.30pm with a Larrakia community roundtable book-ended immediately by a first nations community roundtable with a break to a Northern Territory community roundtable.

The following day chief minister Eva Lawler will make the government’s case for the project supported by Infrastructure Commissioner Louise McCormick, Gas Task Force chairman Alister Trier, Major Projects Commissioner Jason Schoolmeester, chief health officer Dr Christine Conners and representatives from Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.

Following government, a phalanx of anti-development activists will make their case starting with Environment Centre NT Kirsty Howey, interstate left-leaning activist group GetUp and Dr Samantha Phelan from the Lock the Gate Alliance.

David Slama NT director Australian Energy Producers

After a break, anti-Beetaloo Basin activists from the Djingili people near Elliott will face questions, with a group identified as Uprising of the People and Mangarrayi man Adam Gaston speaking in a private capacity.

At 12.30 there is a 30-minute space set aside for a still-to-be-confirmed witness with strident anti-developer Darwin Children’s Clinic pediatrician Louise Woodward and various health organisations given license to speak as well as representatives from Larrakia Development Corporation, which opposed development at Lee Point.

Up next is the Northern Land Council which, in its submission to the Senate Inquiry, referenced concerns held by Larrakia people of Middle Arm’s impact on “spiritual and cultural interest in the area”.

The Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, in its submission, expressed concern for expansion of the NT gas industry.

Australian Energy Producers NT director David Slama said the gas industry snub was “disheartening”.

Environment Centre NT’s Kirsty Howey. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Despite the industry’s diligent efforts to ensure balanced representation at the public Senate hearing in Darwin, it is disheartening to learn that the committee chair has denied the NT public a fair and comprehensive hearing,” Mr Slama said.

“I find it concerning that the gas industry proponents were excluded from the schedule, resulting in a lack of industry representation.

“In my personal view, this appears to be a tactic to promote the ideological views of minority groups by exploiting parliamentary systems. Upon reviewing the public hearing agenda, it seems more like a gathering of activists in Darwin to celebrate the beginning of the Dry Season, with industry perspective notably absent.

“Despite having the facts, science, engineering and a successful track record, it seems that the committee chair does not value the importance of including industry voices in this discussion.”

Chief Minister Eva Lawler called for committee members to have “an open mind”.

“Middle Arm will get the Territory working by creating up to 20,000 jobs in industries such a natural gas, advanced manufacturing and minerals processing,” Mr Lawler said.

“I encourage all members of the committee to arrive in the Territory with an open mind to this project – because Middle Arm will provide critical work opportunities for thousands of Territorians.

“We’re backing the industries and projects that get the Territory working and we expect senators from down south to respect Territorians to make decisions for our own economic future.”

The Environment Centre was contacted for comment.