Mr MITCHELL - 2000-08-08
I heard the Leader of the Opposition say something just a minute ago about letting down the mining industry and throwing it to the wolves, something along those lines. But last week at the ALP national conference in Hobart the Leader of the Opposition was one of those who voted to ensure the ALP’s opposition to the development of the Jabiluka uranium mine.
I have a number of children who are raising their children out at Jabiru. I despair as to what is going on with this particular group over here. Can the minister tell us what it will mean to the town of Jabiru if we ever have a Labor government, here in the Territory or federally?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, thatis a most appropriate question at this time.
Ms Martin: What about those 900 exploration applications, Daryl? Come on!
Mr MANZIE: The Leader of the Opposition is trying to interrupt because she does not want this message to be reinforced with Territory voters. As we have heard this morning, the ALP national conference voted to confirm Labor opposition to the Jabiluka uranium mine. In fact, its opposition became very specific to that particular mine. So much for the Labor Party’s professed support for the Jabiluka development and also for the mining industry!
The economic benefits that would flow from that mine are well known to Territorians. Isn’t it ironic that while the honourable member for Nhulunbuy was urging this government to speed up its infrastructure spending to boost a bit of economic activity in the Territory, his party mates, led by Territory Senator Trish Crossin, were passing a motion which spells economic disaster for the town of Jabiru?
Where was the voice of the honourable Leader of the Opposition, Clare Martin? Not very honourable. Where was the member for Arnhem John Ah Kit’s voice? Where was Warren Snowdon’s voice? These are people who have said that they support continuation of mining out at Jabiru. Where was the support of the Northern Land Council, who have said they will uphold the 1982 agreement for Jabiluka on behalf of all Aboriginals in the area. They have been very consistent about that. Where was it?
Failure to develop Jabiluka and the ore body there as mining at Ranger is phased out will cost jobs and royalty income, as the Chief Minister has already very clearly explained. There cannot be any doubt that a future Labor government either here or in Canberra would kill off this very important project.
Members interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Isn’t it sad? Instead of being concerned about this issue which is going to cost Territorians jobs, cost Aboriginal people jobs and income, all they can do is interrupt and interject.
Without Jabiluka to take the place of Ranger, the economic support base for the town of Jabiru will disappear, and along with it the jobs of most of the existing residents there.
Since mining began at Ranger, ERA has contributed 4.25% of its gross sales to the Aboriginal Benefits Trust Account. Those payments have been directed towards local Aboriginal communities directly affected by Ranger, as well as the broader Aboriginal community of the Northern Territory. I don’t think anyone denies that. By blocking Jabiluka the Labor Party will block an additional $210m in mining royalties as well as other special benefit payments.
If Jabiluka does not go ahead, more than 300 houses, townhouses, duplexes, flats currently owned by ERA will be vacated. If mining ceases, ERA is required under the terms of the cost-sharing agreement to remove its built assets in the town. These include the power station, electricity reticulation, airstrip, buildings, small business premises, supermarkets, sports and social clubs, a caravan park, construction camp and some industrial premises. The deed contains a first right of refusal in favour of the NLC or other relevant Aboriginal associations in respect of the supermarket and the sports and social club. But as the power station and the airstrip and other buildings are located on the Ranger project area, tenure issues would certainly have to be resolved before ownership of those assets could be transferred.
The town of Jabiru has a population of some 1500 people, and they receive government services and infrastructure support appropriate to a town of that size. Obviously, as the people move, that infrastructure support and government support would have to be wound down. What has history shown happens to mining towns? When the mine closes, the town closes.
The Labor Party professes support for Territory jobs and the Territory economy. Their actions have been pretty appalling. In relation to native title, no Territorian has lost sight of the fact that an outside authority - not this government - has said that if the present administrative arrangements in relation to native title stay in place, it may take up to 300 years to resolve those native title issues. If they think that is the way we should be going, more fool them.
What is needed is to come up with solutions that will work. But obviously the Labor Party don’t support what wise people have come to conclude is necessary. Shame on them for failing to support Territorians and Territorians’ jobs!
I have a number of children who are raising their children out at Jabiru. I despair as to what is going on with this particular group over here. Can the minister tell us what it will mean to the town of Jabiru if we ever have a Labor government, here in the Territory or federally?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, thatis a most appropriate question at this time.
Ms Martin: What about those 900 exploration applications, Daryl? Come on!
Mr MANZIE: The Leader of the Opposition is trying to interrupt because she does not want this message to be reinforced with Territory voters. As we have heard this morning, the ALP national conference voted to confirm Labor opposition to the Jabiluka uranium mine. In fact, its opposition became very specific to that particular mine. So much for the Labor Party’s professed support for the Jabiluka development and also for the mining industry!
The economic benefits that would flow from that mine are well known to Territorians. Isn’t it ironic that while the honourable member for Nhulunbuy was urging this government to speed up its infrastructure spending to boost a bit of economic activity in the Territory, his party mates, led by Territory Senator Trish Crossin, were passing a motion which spells economic disaster for the town of Jabiru?
Where was the voice of the honourable Leader of the Opposition, Clare Martin? Not very honourable. Where was the member for Arnhem John Ah Kit’s voice? Where was Warren Snowdon’s voice? These are people who have said that they support continuation of mining out at Jabiru. Where was the support of the Northern Land Council, who have said they will uphold the 1982 agreement for Jabiluka on behalf of all Aboriginals in the area. They have been very consistent about that. Where was it?
Failure to develop Jabiluka and the ore body there as mining at Ranger is phased out will cost jobs and royalty income, as the Chief Minister has already very clearly explained. There cannot be any doubt that a future Labor government either here or in Canberra would kill off this very important project.
Members interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Isn’t it sad? Instead of being concerned about this issue which is going to cost Territorians jobs, cost Aboriginal people jobs and income, all they can do is interrupt and interject.
Without Jabiluka to take the place of Ranger, the economic support base for the town of Jabiru will disappear, and along with it the jobs of most of the existing residents there.
Since mining began at Ranger, ERA has contributed 4.25% of its gross sales to the Aboriginal Benefits Trust Account. Those payments have been directed towards local Aboriginal communities directly affected by Ranger, as well as the broader Aboriginal community of the Northern Territory. I don’t think anyone denies that. By blocking Jabiluka the Labor Party will block an additional $210m in mining royalties as well as other special benefit payments.
If Jabiluka does not go ahead, more than 300 houses, townhouses, duplexes, flats currently owned by ERA will be vacated. If mining ceases, ERA is required under the terms of the cost-sharing agreement to remove its built assets in the town. These include the power station, electricity reticulation, airstrip, buildings, small business premises, supermarkets, sports and social clubs, a caravan park, construction camp and some industrial premises. The deed contains a first right of refusal in favour of the NLC or other relevant Aboriginal associations in respect of the supermarket and the sports and social club. But as the power station and the airstrip and other buildings are located on the Ranger project area, tenure issues would certainly have to be resolved before ownership of those assets could be transferred.
The town of Jabiru has a population of some 1500 people, and they receive government services and infrastructure support appropriate to a town of that size. Obviously, as the people move, that infrastructure support and government support would have to be wound down. What has history shown happens to mining towns? When the mine closes, the town closes.
The Labor Party professes support for Territory jobs and the Territory economy. Their actions have been pretty appalling. In relation to native title, no Territorian has lost sight of the fact that an outside authority - not this government - has said that if the present administrative arrangements in relation to native title stay in place, it may take up to 300 years to resolve those native title issues. If they think that is the way we should be going, more fool them.
What is needed is to come up with solutions that will work. But obviously the Labor Party don’t support what wise people have come to conclude is necessary. Shame on them for failing to support Territorians and Territorians’ jobs!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016