Ms LEE - 2014-11-26
Following debate on the TIO sale rushed through at breakneck speed – I am confident the whiplash will be failure for the CLP at the Territory election in 2016 – without hesitation you tabled the next item of business, which was to do with the port. Are you now selling another Territory asset, and if so, who has bought it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a point of clarification. We have not tabled anything in parliament. At 2 pm today I will give notice that I will table two bills tomorrow. I may have mentioned this earlier today. One will be about the regulatory environment for ports in the Northern Territory. It is not just Darwin port and the harbour, it will also be about other ports, potentially – when you read the bill you will understand what I mean by potentially – places like Port Melville, Nhulunbuy, Bing Bong and others. Currently they do not have a regulatory environment and that is part of presenting the bill, understanding how that works and what the regulatory environment could be.
They are being placed on the table tomorrow with a second reading. Normally a bill sits for 30 days. Parliament does not sit again until February, so there will be a three-month period where we can have some consultation. We will work closely with industry to discuss the regulatory environment.
The second bill is about the future of Darwin port. That will be discussed at length.
With TIO we had to act quickly and had the legislation at the back end, we are now putting legislation forward on what will occur with the port. It will follow a similar model to the pipeline proposal in the Northern Territory where we have gone for an expression of interest, then to RFP and an EOI process. This will be a highly consultative environment.
Government is not minded of what direction it will go, particularly with the port. The government wants more financial investment into the port and for it to expand, particularly the hardstand area, reefer points and the quay line. Government cannot do these things; they are expensive and challenging investments. If we want the port to grow rapidly and be a strategic asset we need to create those partnerships.
When the bills are presented tomorrow you will have an opportunity to see them. I am more than happy to provide a briefing. If people want to refer it to committee, I am happy for that to be done. There is a long process between now and around the middle of next year for what we are working towards, and there will be a high level of consultation.
I note the CEO of the Darwin Port Corporation, Mr Terry O’Connor, has provided some information to his staff saying government is heading in this direction. No proposals have been received and we have not sought proposals.
Throughout the year I have advised what we are doing, and Flagstaff Partners is providing advice on how to do some of these things – several consultants are looking at the best opportunities for the port. If anybody on that side of the Chamber would like a briefing – you have not had one to date – I am happy to provide it.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a point of clarification. We have not tabled anything in parliament. At 2 pm today I will give notice that I will table two bills tomorrow. I may have mentioned this earlier today. One will be about the regulatory environment for ports in the Northern Territory. It is not just Darwin port and the harbour, it will also be about other ports, potentially – when you read the bill you will understand what I mean by potentially – places like Port Melville, Nhulunbuy, Bing Bong and others. Currently they do not have a regulatory environment and that is part of presenting the bill, understanding how that works and what the regulatory environment could be.
They are being placed on the table tomorrow with a second reading. Normally a bill sits for 30 days. Parliament does not sit again until February, so there will be a three-month period where we can have some consultation. We will work closely with industry to discuss the regulatory environment.
The second bill is about the future of Darwin port. That will be discussed at length.
With TIO we had to act quickly and had the legislation at the back end, we are now putting legislation forward on what will occur with the port. It will follow a similar model to the pipeline proposal in the Northern Territory where we have gone for an expression of interest, then to RFP and an EOI process. This will be a highly consultative environment.
Government is not minded of what direction it will go, particularly with the port. The government wants more financial investment into the port and for it to expand, particularly the hardstand area, reefer points and the quay line. Government cannot do these things; they are expensive and challenging investments. If we want the port to grow rapidly and be a strategic asset we need to create those partnerships.
When the bills are presented tomorrow you will have an opportunity to see them. I am more than happy to provide a briefing. If people want to refer it to committee, I am happy for that to be done. There is a long process between now and around the middle of next year for what we are working towards, and there will be a high level of consultation.
I note the CEO of the Darwin Port Corporation, Mr Terry O’Connor, has provided some information to his staff saying government is heading in this direction. No proposals have been received and we have not sought proposals.
Throughout the year I have advised what we are doing, and Flagstaff Partners is providing advice on how to do some of these things – several consultants are looking at the best opportunities for the port. If anybody on that side of the Chamber would like a briefing – you have not had one to date – I am happy to provide it.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016