Natasha Fyles says Territorians are ‘extremely safe’ despite strategic pivot north

Speaking on the sidelines of a Defence summit in Darwin on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said she was confident the Australian Defence Force would maintain regional peace.

Chief Minster Natasha Fyles has reassured Territorians they are “extremely safe” from an external attack as the nation pivots north in its search for strategic security.

Ms Fyles’ comments come despite findings in a recent review that Australia must focus on “potential threats rising from major power competition, including the prospect of conflict”.

Released this month, the Defence Strategic Review pointed to a greater focus on Northern Australia in retaining national security and was followed by the Northern Australian Defence Summit, which kicked off in Darwin on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Ms Fyles said the Territory would remain a national strategic stronghold but she was confident the ADF would maintain regional peace.

“We’re extremely safe,” Ms Fyles said.

“I think it’s important in this conversation that we are acknowledging a shift in the geopolitical environment around the world but here in the Territory we are safe.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

“We have a strong defence force, they are very strategic, but this acknowledgment from the Defence Security Review shapes the way in the next decade we will see investment from the Australian Defence Force.”

Ms Fyles said the NT was positioned as a “key enabler” for defence in the Indo-Pacific region and there would be economic spin-offs from Defence investment including the $3.8bn committed to upgrade and strengthen northern Australian barracks and bases.

In addition, Northern Australia will also host LAND8710 army coastal vessels and create supporting infrastructure to strengthen supply chain and logistics servicing.

LAND8710 army coastal vessels will be deployed off Northern Australia.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite, who was in Darwin for the summit, said the federal budget committed $2bn to upgrade infrastructure at RAAF Base Darwin and Tindal.

“The work that’s going here at RAAF Base Darwin includes an update to the air-traffic control facility, we’re improving sewerage and water treatment on the plant here,” he said.

“We’re investing in new health accommodation, widening aprons, it’s all about ensuring that Australia has the capacity to defend our nation into the future and that means big infrastructure upgrades along the north and our bases.”

The commonwealth wants to step-up the rollout of solar energy generation across Territory bases and is in the process now of commissioning the 9072 photovoltaic panels at RAAF Base Darwin.

When operational, the solar farm will deliver 40 per cent of power on the base and save Defence about $130,000 a year in energy bills.

Mr Thistlethwaite acknowledged it will be years before the solar panels pay for themselves.

“These are long-term investments, there’s no disputing that,” he said.

“Solar energy are longer term investments but they’re just a beginning.”

The government will invest $64m to invest in renewables across Northern Australia.

Originally published as Natasha Fyles says Territorians are ‘extremely safe’ despite strategic pivot north