Mining Council, Infrastructure Australia back NT government’s new commissioner roles despite CLP criticism

The Mining Council and Infrastructure Australia have backed the NT government’s hiring of several commissioners, each earning up to $331,000 a year, following scrutiny from the CLP as to the value of their positions.

THE Mining Council has backed the NT government’s hiring of several commissioners, each earning up to $331,000 a year, after a bruising week in NT Estimates.

Through the week the CLP questioned the government on why it had hired commissioners for major projects, investment and infrastructure.

CLP deputy leader Gerard Maley last week claimed the major projects system was “broken” and at odds with the findings of both the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission (TERC) and the Langoulant Report.

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“There is nothing to indicate these positions will have the ability to do anything different to what’s already being done,” Mr Maley said.

“The (TERC) and the Langoulant (Report) both recommended an overhaul of the NT’s major projects process and highlighted the need for a ‘single point of co-ordination’.”

But Chief Minister Michael Gunner has defended their roles, pointing to major approvals in recent months, including the Santos Barossa project, the Mount Todd Gold Mine and a memorandum of understanding with Philips for advanced healthcare manufacturing.

“Every time the CLP criticises us on major projects another major private investment deal is getting inked for Territorians,” Mr Gunner said.

Minerals Council of Australia NT chief executive Drew Wagner. Picture: Supplied

Minerals Council NT executive director Drew Wagner also backed the decision, saying he was “looking forward to seeing what they do for the new projects”.

“We’re actually quite supportive of the commissioner roles,” Mr Wagner said.

“We do see merit and benefit … but it’s still very early.”

Mr Wagner said it would take some years to see whether the commissioners would help streamline investing in the Northern Territory.

“The projects now are the culmination of years of work,” he said.

“(The new commissioners) will be the ones to identify the learning opportunities.

“Most of all, they will be the ones who assist the movement in what is ultimately a dream project to fruition.”

Infrastructure Australia chief executive and TERC Commissioner Romilly Madew also praised the focus on new projects in the Territory, saying it would drive “investment and reform”.

“The establishment of Infrastructure NT and the Infrastructure Commissioner is an exciting milestone for the Northern Territory,” Ms Madew said.

“We are very pleased to welcome Infrastructure NT into this group.”