Mr ADAMSON - 1995-11-23
Recently, the Western Australian shipping line, State Ships, ceased serving the Indian Ocean territories, which include Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. Will a replacement shipping service from Darwin be set up? What has the Territory government done to help local companies tap into business opportunities that are available in the region?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to advise that Territory businesses were very quick to appreciate the opportunities which were created when State Ships ceased its services to the Indian Ocean territories. From July this year, the Darwin-based Perkins Shipping Group introduced a new western sector service, using its vessel Kurringal Bay, which calls at Christmas Island every 4 weeks and also at Fremantle and Singapore.
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My department has been active in identifying various potential business opportunities in the Indian Ocean territories. It has prepared a detailed report which concluded that immediate opportunities for Territory businesses fall into 2 main areas: firstly, in relation to the supply of food, fuels and other consumable items; and, secondly, in relation to the supply of construction materials and services associated with the rebuilding and development strategies that are occurring currently on the islands. The report also concluded that Christmas Island's larger population, increased by visitors to the Christmas Island resort and casino, would make business opportunities more likely there than on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
My department initiated and headed a small business delegation to Christmas Island last month to examine the opportunities for Territory businesses on the island. The delegation included the Chairman of the NT Exporters Council, the Director of Norbuilt and the Managing Director of Transglobal Marketing. The delegation was extremely well received on Christmas Island and was given the opportunity to formally address councillors, shire councillors and a full meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce. Follow-up activities are now under way in Darwin to alert the full range of Territory businesses to the potential opportunities that exist on Christmas Island. Briefing sessions have been held with the NT Industries Search and Opportunities Office, the NT Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Territory Construction Association. These briefings have resulted in a number of companies examining the Christmas Island situation closely. I am very confident that this will result in considerable additional business activity for the Territory, particularly with the establishment of this new shipping link.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to advise that Territory businesses were very quick to appreciate the opportunities which were created when State Ships ceased its services to the Indian Ocean territories. From July this year, the Darwin-based Perkins Shipping Group introduced a new western sector service, using its vessel Kurringal Bay, which calls at Christmas Island every 4 weeks and also at Fremantle and Singapore.
Page 1039
My department has been active in identifying various potential business opportunities in the Indian Ocean territories. It has prepared a detailed report which concluded that immediate opportunities for Territory businesses fall into 2 main areas: firstly, in relation to the supply of food, fuels and other consumable items; and, secondly, in relation to the supply of construction materials and services associated with the rebuilding and development strategies that are occurring currently on the islands. The report also concluded that Christmas Island's larger population, increased by visitors to the Christmas Island resort and casino, would make business opportunities more likely there than on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
My department initiated and headed a small business delegation to Christmas Island last month to examine the opportunities for Territory businesses on the island. The delegation included the Chairman of the NT Exporters Council, the Director of Norbuilt and the Managing Director of Transglobal Marketing. The delegation was extremely well received on Christmas Island and was given the opportunity to formally address councillors, shire councillors and a full meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce. Follow-up activities are now under way in Darwin to alert the full range of Territory businesses to the potential opportunities that exist on Christmas Island. Briefing sessions have been held with the NT Industries Search and Opportunities Office, the NT Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Territory Construction Association. These briefings have resulted in a number of companies examining the Christmas Island situation closely. I am very confident that this will result in considerable additional business activity for the Territory, particularly with the establishment of this new shipping link.
Page 1040
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016