Federal plan for NT gas gathers pace as Angus Taylor flies to Beetaloo

THE Morrison Federal Government is following through on its pledge for the Territory’s Beetaloo Basin to have first priority in a gas lead recovery of the nation’s economy

• Beetaloo chosen as first of five Federal Govt gas basin projects to lead Australia’s economic recovery
• Exploration companies resume rich Beetaloo gas exploration program

THE federal government is following through on its pledge for the Territory’s Beetaloo Basin to have first priority in its $28.3m Strategic Basin Plans for a gas-led recovery of the nation’s economy.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor has flown into Darwin and will visit Empire Energy’s test drilling program at its Carpentaria-1 site in the Beetaloo Basin tomorrow.

Empire Energy Group is reporting significant results from its first exploration well.

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“The Beetaloo Basin is a world-class resource that has the potential to drive significant development in the Top End to create local jobs and help Australia remain a world leader in gas,” Minister Taylor said.

“The government’s Strategic Basin Plans will accelerate this development, driving investment and job creation in our regional and Indigenous communities as we recover from COVID-19.

“The Beetaloo Basin has the potential to supply more gas to Australian homes and manufacturers, helping to increase competition and drive down gas prices across the market. This will mean more Australian gas is working for all Australians.”

Beetaloo was chosen as the first location for the first Strategic Basin Plan to capitalise on industry momentum and to build on existing government initiatives in that region.

Minister Angus Taylor will visit Empire Energy’s test drilling program at its Carpentaria-1 site in the Beetaloo Basin. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

This includes the $8.4m already committed by the government to accelerate the development of the Beetaloo Basin, including conducting additional environmental work and work to ensure the gas development will benefit the Aboriginal Peoples of the Barkley Region and the Northern Territory.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the Beetaloo visit was an important milestone: “The Beetaloo Basin has enormous potential for the Territory and the country, and it’s great to see this work getting underway” Minister Pitt said.

“Our Strategic Basin plan will drive more jobs in regional Australia and provide the cheap, reliable energy industry needs to grow manufacturing.”

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While visiting the NT, Minister Taylor also held talks with Northern Territory Minister Renewables and Energy Minister Eva Lawler MLA, to discuss a joint federal and Territory energy and emissions reduction agreement.

The federal and NT governments signed an agreement in late 2018 to work together to develop the Territory’s gas industry.