Mr HAMPTON - 2008-04-29
How significant is the contribution of mining, primary industries and fisheries to the Northern Territory economy, and how is government supporting continued growth in these sectors?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question; I know he has a very strong interest in my portfolios. There is a lot of activity happening in Central Australia, especially in and around his electorate. In mining, there is a lot of exploration in his tenements at the moment. Also, the primary industry sector is really starting to bubble along in that area.
According to Treasury figures, mining and primary industries, including commercial fishing, accounts for around 30% of the Territory’s economy. If you include LNG and alumina into that figure, that will rise to well over 40%. They are quite substantial figures coming from my portfolio.
This does not take into account the contributions paid to recreational fishing and guided fishing tours. We know that is the lure of the Territory. It is a quite considerable boost to our economy with 100 000 tourists visiting the Territory every year to wet a line. Obviously, there is also the lifestyle enjoyment of our Territorians wanting to go fishing as often as they can. You just have to look at some of the rigs driving around on some of our roads and the equipment on those rigs.
These sectors are making a major contribution to our 7% growth rate, but that 7% growth rate does not just happen by accident. It requires targeted, strategic action by this government. Across the resource and the primary sectors in my area we have a couple of great examples. The programs we have introduced in the mining area, Bringing Forward Discovery, and the previous program, Building the Territory Resource Base, have created a wonderful opportunity for exploration and mining in the Territory. There are a record number of exploration licences, members of the House - over 1100 so far. That is a record and it is gradually creeping up towards 1200. It is an amazing figure. Exploration last year alone was in excess of $100m. That is going to grow even more this year. Those are just some examples of where we are heading.
Another specific example is our targeting of the Chinese and Japanese market with our investment attraction strategy. Just this year alone, 17 Chinese companies have visited the Northern Territory and are showing interest in investing into the Territory. It is fantastic. It will be great for our economy into the future.
The support for live cattle exports is another area that is really starting to grow. Indonesia has been one of our prime targets. Last year alone, 280 000-odd cattle left the Port of Darwin; 250 000 of those were Northern Territory cattle. They are targeting the Indonesian market and, to some extent, Sabah. I know that my department has put a lot of work and effort into the animal husbandry and the feeder cattle areas. It is great to see the support there.
However, we are not going to stop there. We are looking at new markets. We are having a look at Vietnam, following up on the former Chief Minister’s visit last year. I visited Vietnam this year with the Cattlemen’s Association and the Northern Territory Livestock Association. That is showing great interest. We have some people visiting the Territory in May, and that shows a future in that area as well.
Recreational fishing infrastructure and sensible management of our fisheries is also another area that we have been concentrating on. Recently, we made the announcement of $4.6m for the boat ramp at Hudson Creek. That is a wonderful investment into our future for recreational fishing. The pontoon at Dinah Beach and also the ramp access at Channel Point are fantastic support for our recreational fishing into the future.
Let us not forget the research that we have been undertaking into the black jewfish, our mud crab fishery and barramundi fishery, which has had great support. We will continue to effectively and efficiently apply resources to support the future growth across our mining and primary industry sectors and our fishery sector.
Madam Speaker, I am looking forward to prosperous years ahead for our Territory families and our businesses.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question; I know he has a very strong interest in my portfolios. There is a lot of activity happening in Central Australia, especially in and around his electorate. In mining, there is a lot of exploration in his tenements at the moment. Also, the primary industry sector is really starting to bubble along in that area.
According to Treasury figures, mining and primary industries, including commercial fishing, accounts for around 30% of the Territory’s economy. If you include LNG and alumina into that figure, that will rise to well over 40%. They are quite substantial figures coming from my portfolio.
This does not take into account the contributions paid to recreational fishing and guided fishing tours. We know that is the lure of the Territory. It is a quite considerable boost to our economy with 100 000 tourists visiting the Territory every year to wet a line. Obviously, there is also the lifestyle enjoyment of our Territorians wanting to go fishing as often as they can. You just have to look at some of the rigs driving around on some of our roads and the equipment on those rigs.
These sectors are making a major contribution to our 7% growth rate, but that 7% growth rate does not just happen by accident. It requires targeted, strategic action by this government. Across the resource and the primary sectors in my area we have a couple of great examples. The programs we have introduced in the mining area, Bringing Forward Discovery, and the previous program, Building the Territory Resource Base, have created a wonderful opportunity for exploration and mining in the Territory. There are a record number of exploration licences, members of the House - over 1100 so far. That is a record and it is gradually creeping up towards 1200. It is an amazing figure. Exploration last year alone was in excess of $100m. That is going to grow even more this year. Those are just some examples of where we are heading.
Another specific example is our targeting of the Chinese and Japanese market with our investment attraction strategy. Just this year alone, 17 Chinese companies have visited the Northern Territory and are showing interest in investing into the Territory. It is fantastic. It will be great for our economy into the future.
The support for live cattle exports is another area that is really starting to grow. Indonesia has been one of our prime targets. Last year alone, 280 000-odd cattle left the Port of Darwin; 250 000 of those were Northern Territory cattle. They are targeting the Indonesian market and, to some extent, Sabah. I know that my department has put a lot of work and effort into the animal husbandry and the feeder cattle areas. It is great to see the support there.
However, we are not going to stop there. We are looking at new markets. We are having a look at Vietnam, following up on the former Chief Minister’s visit last year. I visited Vietnam this year with the Cattlemen’s Association and the Northern Territory Livestock Association. That is showing great interest. We have some people visiting the Territory in May, and that shows a future in that area as well.
Recreational fishing infrastructure and sensible management of our fisheries is also another area that we have been concentrating on. Recently, we made the announcement of $4.6m for the boat ramp at Hudson Creek. That is a wonderful investment into our future for recreational fishing. The pontoon at Dinah Beach and also the ramp access at Channel Point are fantastic support for our recreational fishing into the future.
Let us not forget the research that we have been undertaking into the black jewfish, our mud crab fishery and barramundi fishery, which has had great support. We will continue to effectively and efficiently apply resources to support the future growth across our mining and primary industry sectors and our fishery sector.
Madam Speaker, I am looking forward to prosperous years ahead for our Territory families and our businesses.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016