Darwin Major Business Group

Darwin Major Business Group has lodged a submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the proposed Domestic Gas Reservation Scheme . DMBG supports the objective of strengthening Australia’s domestic gas security. Reliable and affordable energy is fundamental to economic growth, manufacturing, critical infrastructure and Australia’s long-term industrial capability. Our submission highlights that Northern Australia operates under fundamentally different conditions to the eastern states. The Northern Territory is an emerging gas province with significant opportunities to increase domestic gas supply, support new industries and attract major private investment. Policy settings should encourage these outcomes, while recognising the infrastructure and investment challenges unique to our region. The submission also emphasises the importance of ensuring that the final framework: ✔ encourages investment in new gas supply; ✔ recognises infrastructure constraints in Northern Australia; ✔ supports future value-adding industries; ✔ aligns with the Commonwealth’s Future Made in Australia agenda; and ✔ maximises Australia’s long-term energy security and economic resilience. DMBG appreciates the opportunity to contribute to this important national policy discussion and looks forward to continuing to work constructively with governments and industry to support Australia’s energy future. Click here to read our submission.

The Darwin Major Business Group welcomes the advocacy of Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM MLA MBA , at the national Ministerial Migration Roundtable and the Territory Government‘s continued efforts to secure migration settings that better reflect the workforce needs of regional and Northern Australia. For many years, DMBG has argued that sustainable population growth, workforce availability and economic development are inseparable. As major projects such as the Beetaloo Basin , Nolans Rare Earths , defence investments, critical minerals developments and supporting infrastructure move forward, workforce availability will increasingly become a defining factor in the Territory’s ability to capture their full economic benefits. The Northern Territory cannot realise its growth potential without the people needed to build, operate and support these projects. While jobs should always be prioritised for Territorians and Australians wherever possible, the reality is that the Territory continues to face workforce shortages across a range of industries and professions. A one-size-fits-all national migration framework does not adequately reflect the challenges and opportunities of developing Northern Australia. DMBG supports the Territory Government’s call for fit-for-purpose regional migration settings that recognise workforce demand, support population growth and enable businesses to access the skills required to deliver projects of national significance. The question is no longer whether the Territory has economic opportunities. The question is whether Australia is prepared to provide the workforce settings necessary to realise them. Workforce, migration and population growth will be key themes advanced through DMBG’s Facing North engagement program in Canberra this September as part of a broader conversation about the future development of Northern Australia.