Mr McADAM - 2003-05-01
The minister will be aware that the mining industry provides important jobs in the Barkly. Would you please advise the House regarding diamond exploration in the Northern Territory and what programs the government is undertaking to stimulate further diamond exploration?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the member for Barkly, for his question. The member for Barkly is passionate about economic development in his electorate and is constantly contacting my office in regard to developments in the Barkly, particularly in relation to the mining industry, and there really is some good news here.
The Territory has been receiving very strong exploration interest over the last 18 months from major diamond explorers. In fact, companies exploring for diamonds in the Northern Territory at the moment account for approximately half the total amount of land that has been granted for exploration - about 390 000 km2 of land across the Northern Territory.
The three global giants of the diamond sector, De Beers, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are leading the charge. These are companies that could explore anywhere in the world, but they are exploring right here because of the potential of the Northern Territory. As well as the majors, we also have smaller companies like Elkedra Diamonds, Flinders Diamonds, Gravity Capital and Ausquest. Much of this exploration is focussed on the central and southern parts of the Northern Territory.
In respect of Elkedra Diamonds, the company’s quarterly report to shareholders, as reported to the Stock Exchange in March 2003, contains some very encouraging highlights which included three micro-diamonds recovered to date from stream sediment sampling, in addition to 378 chromites; extensive ore-grade manganese occurrences identified; and regional geochemistry review shows highly encouraging anomalous results for potential substantial base metal deposits.
I am no geologist, but I am led to believe that that is very, very encouraging initial exploration data. I can recall meeting the geologist from Elkedra Diamonds just after we granted one of the 500 exploration licences that this government has granted in 21 months of office, compared to less than 100 over the four years of the previous CLP government. The potential geology for diamonds in the area is very exciting.
Geoscientists from my Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development have commenced the task of defining the occurrence of large numbers of diamond indicator minerals across the Northern Territory. The first stage of this program is the compilation of a diamond indicator mineral database. This database is going to hold over 80 000 samples, representing the most comprehensive resource of its kind in Australia. On completion of that mineral database, an additional two work programs will further enhance the effectiveness of diamond exploration in the Northern Territory.
It is important to recognise that new mines are not found by accident, people do not trip over diamonds in the Northern Territory or anywhere around the world. It is very highly intensive exploration. People have to get out onto the ground to explore and commit vast sums of money to exploration. We are a government that is passionate about development in the Northern Territory. I, as the minister, am passionate about the mining industry, having worked in the mining industry in my past life. Members on this side of the House are constantly contacting my office - particularly the rural members, the member for Barkly - wanting to know what is happening in this industry. I have phone calls, letters, e-mails wanting to know what is happening.
If we contrast that to the interest of members opposite in terms of what is happening with economic and regional development in the Northern Territory, it is quite stark. We have new people in the House today at the historic sittings of the Territory parliament in Alice Springs, but in the 21 months that we have been in office, we have only received 312 questions. There is more than that now, but prior to these sittings, of 312 questions, only six questions were in relation to Alice Springs and Central Australia from the member for Araluen, only six questions from the member for Greatorex. The member for Macdonnell is a bit more harder working; he asked 10 questions.
When we contrast that to direct communication to my office to discover what is happening across the Northern Territory, it really is quite astounding how the members opposite are representing their electorates. Also, as importantly, getting to grips with their shadow portfolio responsibilities and understanding exactly what is happening in the Northern Territory, instead of getting out and about and talking down the Northern Territory, the economy and our wonderful Territory. Let us have a look at that. In the 21 months in office, letters to myself - and I hold significant …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is a very long answer, and the matters that the honourable member is now referring to have no relevance to the question at all.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you know you should keep your answers shorter than they are and keep them to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, this is about elected members representing their constituents in terms of what is happening in the Territory. However, very quickly, the shadow minister for resource development - I have had not one piece of correspondence …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is now in direct conflict with your direction that he apply himself to the latter in relation to the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you did have a question from the member for Barkly. You should address that question, and when you have finished resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, in relation to the question from the member for Barkly, and the interest that he shows in this industry, there has not been one piece of correspondence from the shadow member. If we look to the elected members in Alice Springs, in the last 21 months, there were three letters from the member for Araluen, one letter from the member for Macdonnell, and nothing from the member for Greatorex.
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Even though the minister has finally adhered to your request and your directions, I do ask of you to ensure that ministers do apply themselves and, in fact, even attempt to answer the questions that are asked.
Madam SPEAKER: I thank you for that advice, member for Katherine. I will remember that, and I hope people asking questions do the same thing. I do hope people who ask questions also remember our rules.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the member for Barkly, for his question. The member for Barkly is passionate about economic development in his electorate and is constantly contacting my office in regard to developments in the Barkly, particularly in relation to the mining industry, and there really is some good news here.
The Territory has been receiving very strong exploration interest over the last 18 months from major diamond explorers. In fact, companies exploring for diamonds in the Northern Territory at the moment account for approximately half the total amount of land that has been granted for exploration - about 390 000 km2 of land across the Northern Territory.
The three global giants of the diamond sector, De Beers, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are leading the charge. These are companies that could explore anywhere in the world, but they are exploring right here because of the potential of the Northern Territory. As well as the majors, we also have smaller companies like Elkedra Diamonds, Flinders Diamonds, Gravity Capital and Ausquest. Much of this exploration is focussed on the central and southern parts of the Northern Territory.
In respect of Elkedra Diamonds, the company’s quarterly report to shareholders, as reported to the Stock Exchange in March 2003, contains some very encouraging highlights which included three micro-diamonds recovered to date from stream sediment sampling, in addition to 378 chromites; extensive ore-grade manganese occurrences identified; and regional geochemistry review shows highly encouraging anomalous results for potential substantial base metal deposits.
I am no geologist, but I am led to believe that that is very, very encouraging initial exploration data. I can recall meeting the geologist from Elkedra Diamonds just after we granted one of the 500 exploration licences that this government has granted in 21 months of office, compared to less than 100 over the four years of the previous CLP government. The potential geology for diamonds in the area is very exciting.
Geoscientists from my Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development have commenced the task of defining the occurrence of large numbers of diamond indicator minerals across the Northern Territory. The first stage of this program is the compilation of a diamond indicator mineral database. This database is going to hold over 80 000 samples, representing the most comprehensive resource of its kind in Australia. On completion of that mineral database, an additional two work programs will further enhance the effectiveness of diamond exploration in the Northern Territory.
It is important to recognise that new mines are not found by accident, people do not trip over diamonds in the Northern Territory or anywhere around the world. It is very highly intensive exploration. People have to get out onto the ground to explore and commit vast sums of money to exploration. We are a government that is passionate about development in the Northern Territory. I, as the minister, am passionate about the mining industry, having worked in the mining industry in my past life. Members on this side of the House are constantly contacting my office - particularly the rural members, the member for Barkly - wanting to know what is happening in this industry. I have phone calls, letters, e-mails wanting to know what is happening.
If we contrast that to the interest of members opposite in terms of what is happening with economic and regional development in the Northern Territory, it is quite stark. We have new people in the House today at the historic sittings of the Territory parliament in Alice Springs, but in the 21 months that we have been in office, we have only received 312 questions. There is more than that now, but prior to these sittings, of 312 questions, only six questions were in relation to Alice Springs and Central Australia from the member for Araluen, only six questions from the member for Greatorex. The member for Macdonnell is a bit more harder working; he asked 10 questions.
When we contrast that to direct communication to my office to discover what is happening across the Northern Territory, it really is quite astounding how the members opposite are representing their electorates. Also, as importantly, getting to grips with their shadow portfolio responsibilities and understanding exactly what is happening in the Northern Territory, instead of getting out and about and talking down the Northern Territory, the economy and our wonderful Territory. Let us have a look at that. In the 21 months in office, letters to myself - and I hold significant …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is a very long answer, and the matters that the honourable member is now referring to have no relevance to the question at all.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you know you should keep your answers shorter than they are and keep them to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, this is about elected members representing their constituents in terms of what is happening in the Territory. However, very quickly, the shadow minister for resource development - I have had not one piece of correspondence …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is now in direct conflict with your direction that he apply himself to the latter in relation to the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you did have a question from the member for Barkly. You should address that question, and when you have finished resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, in relation to the question from the member for Barkly, and the interest that he shows in this industry, there has not been one piece of correspondence from the shadow member. If we look to the elected members in Alice Springs, in the last 21 months, there were three letters from the member for Araluen, one letter from the member for Macdonnell, and nothing from the member for Greatorex.
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Even though the minister has finally adhered to your request and your directions, I do ask of you to ensure that ministers do apply themselves and, in fact, even attempt to answer the questions that are asked.
Madam SPEAKER: I thank you for that advice, member for Katherine. I will remember that, and I hope people asking questions do the same thing. I do hope people who ask questions also remember our rules.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016