Chief Minister Eva Lawler stands by Northern Territory’s role amid Defence project movements

The declaration comes after new light was shed on Defence projects soon to boost the Territory’s economy. See more for what the Chief Minister said.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler has declared the Territory will play a “critical” role in defence of Australia. Picture: Milton Drescher

Chief Minister Eva Lawler has weighed in on the issue of national security, declaring northern Australia will play a “critical strategic role” amid the federal government’s race to bolster its fighting force.

In June, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) published volume 9 of North of 26 degrees south and the security of Australia: views from The Strategist, written by industry experts John Coyne and Henry Campbell.

In line with the paper’s focus on North Australia, the foreword was written by Ms Lawler, who maintained the National Defence Strategy (NDS), released in April 2024, highlighted the Territory as serving a vital role in defence of the nation.

“New platforms are being acquired and developed that will need to withstand our rugged conditions and be maintained here by highly skilled workers both in and out of uniform,” she said.

“New critical and social infrastructures are needed to house the platforms and the people who will come here to support and enable them.”

Ms Lawler says the Territory can be a “bridge” between Australia and its Asian partners. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Lawler also claimed the Territory could “act as a bridge” to Asian partners, and maintained the region’s natural resources would fuel Australia’s future economy.

“Sustainability and resource management are central topics, too – northern Australia will be the engine room of our nation’s transition to renewable and clean energy and the development of rare-earths and critical-minerals reserves,” she said.

“Developing secure and sustainable supply chains is critical to ensuring local communities benefit from these developments.”

Ms Lawler’s comments come after the release of both the NDS and Integrated Investment Program (IIP), which reiterated North Australia’s strategic importance but also indicated some of the economic shifts expected to occur in the region.

Some of the major developments expected to contribute to the Territory’s economy includes the $150 million investment by Regional Maintenance Centre – North into the local maritime industry over the next five years, creating dozens of direct jobs and supporting hundreds more in the supply chain over time.

Billions has been committed to delivering Army’s littoral platforms and facilities, with Darwin’s 1st Brigade expected to receive a big slice of the budget.

Defence spend is also projected to grow with further ongoing investments, with the NDS and IIP predicting a total spend of $765 billion over the next decade.

Darwin’s 1st Brigade, based at Robertson Barracks, was nominated by the ADF as the Army’s littoral brigade, meaning the units based in the Top End will inherit littoral-specific platforms and equipment.

As such, 1st Brigade are expected to enjoy a considerable slice of the $7-10 billion committed to delivering 18 medium and 8 heavy landing crafts to be distributed across Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin.

Further, $5-7 billion has been identified to deliver the facilities and infrastructure required to house littoral crafts.

An artistic representation of the proposed Darwin ship lift facility project. Picture: Supplied.

Another significant project expected to boost both Defence and the local economy is the Darwin ship lift facility project, expected to deliver a ship lift 26 metres wide, 103 metres long.

With a lifting capability of 5500 tonnes, the ship lift is being designed to suit the needs of both Defence and Australia Border Force (ABF) vessels and will be an NT government-owned facility.

Pearlson Shiplift Corporation was awarded a $48 contract to supply the ship lift operating system, steel trestles and design, while the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) seconded a part time staff member into the ship lift team to ensure the ship lift could meet Defence requirements.

The Darwin ship lift facility is of interest to both Defence and Border Force.

Anticipated to employee up to 250 workers at the peak of its construction, the ship lift facility is being funded by a $215 million investment by the NT government and a concessional loan of up to $300 million from the northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

Beyond the Top End, in an effort to improve the Territory’s ability to facilitate existing and prospective projects, the network of Regional Logistics Hubs will be underpinned by a $440 million Australian government contribution to make rail, truck and ship movement in and out of the Territory most efficient.

The investment is expected to support more than 6000 constructions jobs and deliver an investment benefit of more than $38 billion.

Regional Logistics Hubs will be created across Katherine, Tennant Creek and the Red Centre region.