Dr LIM - 1998-02-26
The Northern Territory government stands for jobs for Territorians. It appears to me that mining would be an effective way to achieve this aim but, contrary to our desire to have a growing economy, we have the rantings of a small minority of people who are upset at plans to develop the Jabiluka mine. Can the Treasurer inform the House why this mine is a win-win project
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and how out of touch these activists are with the rest of Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Greatorex pinpoints a possible strong advance for the Territory economy in relation to the development of the Jabiluka mine. Over the next couple of months, we will see busloads of rented troublemakers coming to the Northern Territory to demonstrate against the establishment of the mine and the creation of some 340 jobs. $70m is to be spent on development of the mine itself. There will be an overall contribution of $6.2m to economic activity, not only in the Northern Territory but across the country, in returns of foreign currency through the trading of the commodities. It is a great shame that we see the gathering of environmental lobbyist forces around the country to come to the Northern Territory to rail against this development. It is a development that, from an environmental point of view, has been proved sound. It will proceed on a very strong environmental basis and the record of the existing Ranger mine.
In addition to the benefits that I have indicated, there will be some $210m in Aboriginal royalties. It is worth noting that some $130m has been paid already, plus $5.1m in rental, to Aboriginal people. There will be considerable benefits to Aboriginal people, particularly in that area but also across the Territory, as far as economic independence is concerned. I ask members opposite to consider these important issues for the next sittings. I urge them to focus on matters of importance - development and the creation of jobs and economic activity for Territorians - rather than some of the feeble issues that they continue to raise.
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: The member for Fannie Bay and the Leader of the Opposition interject, and well they might. The Leader of the Opposition went to Canberra before the national Labor conference, telling us that she would change federal Labor policy. We all know how unsuccessful she was in that regard.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Well might you interject. Not only can your leader not control you, she had no influence ...
Mr Stirling: They don't let you travel interstate on your own now, do they?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I ask the minister to resume his seat. I ask members of the opposition to cease their ridiculous interjections and give the Treasurer a chance to complete his answer.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Do not start answering back or you will be ejected. Let us have some silence while the Treasurer finishes.
Mr Bailey: While he abuses the opposition.
Mr REED: You do not have to be abused. Your own performance demonstrates to the people of the Northern Territory who are listening to this broadcast ...
Mr Ah Kit interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Arnhem.
Mr REED: ... precisely your level of
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behaviour and your lack of appreciation of the importance of these major issues and the consequences for the Territory. The federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Beazley, said on ABC television news on 15 January: 'Any resolution from her does not have my support'. He was referring to the position that the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Barkly, was to take in relation to that. She was totally lacking in influence in that regard. It is a pity that she cannot control her own members in this House.
Let us focus, however, on the importance of the Jabiluka mine, on the creation of some 340 jobs and on the $70m in development. Let us not give any support or encouragement to the horde of troublemakers who are heading to the Northern Territory from the southern states. It is a pity they could not get jobs themselves and do something productive for the country.
The Jabiluka mine must proceed - firstly on the basis of the economic activity and job creation that will result and, secondly, out of fear that, if a Labor government were elected federally, it would not proceed because of Labor's nonsensical 'no new uranium mines' policy.
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and how out of touch these activists are with the rest of Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Greatorex pinpoints a possible strong advance for the Territory economy in relation to the development of the Jabiluka mine. Over the next couple of months, we will see busloads of rented troublemakers coming to the Northern Territory to demonstrate against the establishment of the mine and the creation of some 340 jobs. $70m is to be spent on development of the mine itself. There will be an overall contribution of $6.2m to economic activity, not only in the Northern Territory but across the country, in returns of foreign currency through the trading of the commodities. It is a great shame that we see the gathering of environmental lobbyist forces around the country to come to the Northern Territory to rail against this development. It is a development that, from an environmental point of view, has been proved sound. It will proceed on a very strong environmental basis and the record of the existing Ranger mine.
In addition to the benefits that I have indicated, there will be some $210m in Aboriginal royalties. It is worth noting that some $130m has been paid already, plus $5.1m in rental, to Aboriginal people. There will be considerable benefits to Aboriginal people, particularly in that area but also across the Territory, as far as economic independence is concerned. I ask members opposite to consider these important issues for the next sittings. I urge them to focus on matters of importance - development and the creation of jobs and economic activity for Territorians - rather than some of the feeble issues that they continue to raise.
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: The member for Fannie Bay and the Leader of the Opposition interject, and well they might. The Leader of the Opposition went to Canberra before the national Labor conference, telling us that she would change federal Labor policy. We all know how unsuccessful she was in that regard.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Well might you interject. Not only can your leader not control you, she had no influence ...
Mr Stirling: They don't let you travel interstate on your own now, do they?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I ask the minister to resume his seat. I ask members of the opposition to cease their ridiculous interjections and give the Treasurer a chance to complete his answer.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Do not start answering back or you will be ejected. Let us have some silence while the Treasurer finishes.
Mr Bailey: While he abuses the opposition.
Mr REED: You do not have to be abused. Your own performance demonstrates to the people of the Northern Territory who are listening to this broadcast ...
Mr Ah Kit interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Arnhem.
Mr REED: ... precisely your level of
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behaviour and your lack of appreciation of the importance of these major issues and the consequences for the Territory. The federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Beazley, said on ABC television news on 15 January: 'Any resolution from her does not have my support'. He was referring to the position that the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Barkly, was to take in relation to that. She was totally lacking in influence in that regard. It is a pity that she cannot control her own members in this House.
Let us focus, however, on the importance of the Jabiluka mine, on the creation of some 340 jobs and on the $70m in development. Let us not give any support or encouragement to the horde of troublemakers who are heading to the Northern Territory from the southern states. It is a pity they could not get jobs themselves and do something productive for the country.
The Jabiluka mine must proceed - firstly on the basis of the economic activity and job creation that will result and, secondly, out of fear that, if a Labor government were elected federally, it would not proceed because of Labor's nonsensical 'no new uranium mines' policy.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016