NT Industry Expert Jerome Cubillo assesses the government and opposition’s industry plans

According to industry expert Jerome Cubillo, both major parties have overlooked a “missed opportunity” in how to improve the Territory. Read why he believes industry can be the answer to the NT’s woes.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler. Picture: Sierra Haigh

As election day ticks closer for Territorians, the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor Party have shared their answers to some of the questions surrounding industry and infrastructure in the NT.

To add contrast, an industry expert has also weighed on on the same questions posed to both major parties.

How can the government improve its environmental and cultural approvals process so that major projects do not face court challenges?

ALP

We are building a better, stronger Territory for all Territorians. We want people working and we want the cost of living lowered. Supporting major projects is critical to this.

We can create a sustainable environment and grow our economy.

Right now, on our books we have 14 active major projects, supporting a potential 7900 local jobs. We are continuously working to streamline Territory laws and regulations, this work never stops.

Major project status gives weighting to projects to make it move through NTG approval processes quickly and thoroughly.

However, a number of the approval processes relate to Aboriginal land, cultural approvals and federal laws. When this is the case, we work with the proponents to help provide appropriate guidance and assistance.

Businesses always tell us they want clear guidelines. This is why we have set up the environmental management plan online platform – which states standards and gives Territorians updates. Unlike the CLP who don’t give any guidelines or have any care for environmental or cultural risks.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler announces the latest updates for construction on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Sierra Haigh

CLP

The CLP will create a safe, strong Territory, focusing on our inherent strengths, we can become a leading force in the nation. Our strategic plan revolves around energy, minerals, agriculture, defence, and tourism.

We support both onshore and offshore gas, essential for our renewable energy transition, and aim to curtail ‘Third Party’ activism to safeguard our economy.

In light of the Santos Barossa decision, we’ll stop taxpayer funding to the Environmental Defenders Office.

Introducing the Office of the Territory Coordinator will expedite investments and streamline project execution.

We believe a robust private sector is vital for well-paying jobs and a resilient economy, hence our commitment to reducing approval timeframes across government by 50 per cent.

To address concerns about Labor’s Hybrid Mining Tax, we propose a new Ad Valorem tax system to ensure fair compensation for our resources.

Recognising mining’s role in employment, we will focus on sustainability while exploring alternatives to ease the burden of Payroll Tax on small and medium businesses.

A balance between environmental preservation and economic growth is paramount. The CLP stands for responsible development while safeguarding our unique lifestyle.

Under a CLP-led Government we will advocate for transparent legislation, upholding accountability and stakeholder engagement in regulatory processes.

Expert Analysis

Industry expert and chief executive of NT Indigenous Business Network Jerome Cubillo said for major projects to avoid court, “early engagement” with stakeholders was critical.

“A way that government can improve on environmental and cultural permit applications is to engage early and upfront with traditional owner groups and other entities to ensure that they have participation and involvement,” he said.

“More often than not, (traditional owners) will also see economic development and opportunities on countries to create real business opportunities, real jobs, to create a real sense of purpose and place and pride in the community – so early engagement is critical.”

Mr Cubillo maintained “forward planning” on matters that have environmental or cultural significance was key in “getting big projects over the line”.

“When major projects are considered, government need to get on the front foot early to identify what might be required by legislation, or play out in court,” he said.

“And again, that’s to ensure the ultimate success for both the project (and) also the relevant land titleholders or environment in-question.”

Industry expert Jerome Cubillo said for projects to avoid obstacles, engaging stakeholders early was key.

What major projects (private or government funded) would you make a priority getting off the ground in your term?

ALP

The Territory Labor Government’s job is to make sure we continue to diversify and grow the Territory economy, creating jobs and a safe and prosperous Territory for us all.

In doing this, we need to make sure that we are delivering for all Territorians, whether that be in our urban centres or remote communities – our government works for all Territorians.

Our priority is a mix of major projects, and smaller projects, delivered right across the Territory, for the benefit of all Territorians.

Getting natural gas flowing in the Beetaloo is key, but so is carbon capture and storage at Middle Arm.

Our government will deliver more renewables, right across the Territory, strengthening our urban and remote power systems and lowering wholesale energy costs.

A renewable energy world needs more critical minerals and rare earths, which means more mining.

We have delivered nine new mines already, we want to see more.

We also need to stay in front of the curve, we need our digital and data industries to flourish. We need more advanced manufacturing.

And a Territory Labor government will support all of these. We get that it is an ecosystem required, not a single sugar hit.

CLP

The CLP is focused on three key areas to propel the Territory forward.

Ensuring a safe, strong Territory means taking back control of our streets, to make the Territory a safe place to live, work and invest.

Rebuilding the Territory’s reputation involves cutting red tape, expediting approvals, and seizing investment opportunities.

To revitalise our economy, the CLP commits to certainty, opportunity, and an attractive investment climate.

Critical economic drivers such as the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Middle Arm, and the Darwin ship-lift demand immediate attention.

The establishment of the Territory Coordinator Office is pivotal for jumpstarting economic growth, with combating crime’s economic toll as a top priority.

Labor’s failure to deliver projects and instil investor confidence has left the Territory as the nation’s worst-performing economy for 21 consecutive quarters.

Mismanagement has left a $10.1 billion debt burden.

The CLP’s discontinuation of the hybrid mining tax offers hope for a more competitive investment landscape.

The Territory was known as the place of opportunity, people would come for a good job and stay for the lifestyle.

Both have gone backwards under Labor. The CLP will put the ‘can do’ back in the Territory.

MLA Steve Edgington and the CLP have listed the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Middle Arm and the Darwin ship-lift as requiring “immediate attention”. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Expert Analysis

Mr Cubillo said improving roads was a “significant” issue that needed to be addressed in the first term.

“For the (Territory) to positively evolve, infrastructure is key,” he said.

“Major roads really need to be made a priority – we’ve seen too often from some of the recent natural events such as flooding where communities have been cut off from the rest of the country and that’s really impacted Territorians by way of access to food and fuels.

“So improvements in that space need to be made to future proof our roads from the environmental impact.”

Mr Cubillo said neither party mentioning Indigenous affairs as part of their project priorities was a “missed opportunity” and maintained that involving the Indigenous community into major projects was a “positive” way” to “move out of welfare” and “into real jobs”.

“It’s been a missed opportunity (by both parties): to think about how we ‘close the gap’ differently,” he said.

“Whatever projects are floated, to empower Aboriginal people by legitimately upskilling them (and) training them in their communities so that future generations see that there’s an employment market is invaluable and can improve the Territory in ways we didn’t imagine before.”