KATIE WOOLF: As I’ve mentioned, the Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, he delivered the Government’s 5th Annual Northern Australia Statement in Parliament - it promises ongoing support to grow jobs, the economy, and population in the North. Now, the Minister joins me on the line this morning. Good morning to you, Keith.

KEITH PITT: Good morning, Katie. How are you?

KATIE WOOLF: Yeah, good mate. Thanks for your time. Now, Minister, you delivered…



KEITH PITT: Always great to be with you.



KATIE WOOLF: … you delivered the statement in Parliament yesterday. What part does the Northern Territory play in the development of the North from the Federal Government’s perspective?



KEITH PITT: The Northern Territory’s a huge part of our plans for the Northern Australia agenda. And I’ve got to point out something that was in the media yesterday, Katie – I’m sure you and your listeners both saw it – the Beetaloo Basin, described in the press as the hottest play on the planet right now. So I think that’s very positive for jobs and very positive for growth in the Territory.



KATIE WOOLF: Yeah. I mean, it seems as though our gas is going to be a massive part of the growth of Australia in general, but you know, how do we make sure that there’s jobs for Territorians?



KEITH PITT: Well once again, Territorians are hard-working people - they’ll be up front, front and centre, ready to go. The Federal Government’s committed $28 million to develop those five strategic Basin plans, but the Beetaloo Basin in the Territory is first. It's very prospective, it looks very positive, and once again this is all about confidence.



KATIE WOOLF: Yeah.



KEITH PITT: It's not just about gas, Humpty Doo barramundi, $24.2 million, the fighting fish. So there'll be more of us right across the country in the world.



KATIE WOOLF: Now, as you mentioned there, are over $2.4 billion in investments through the Northern Australia infrastructure Facility for infrastructure projects across the North, supporting almost 8,000 jobs is what you’d said yesterday. Where is that money gone towards in the territory?



KEITH PITT: Well as I said, the most recent announcement was the Humpty Doo barramundi farm - this is a second loan from the NAIF for what’s been a very successful family run business for $24.2 million. We've obviously committed money which I announced this year for Charles Darwin University for their upgrades in Darwin; the ship lift; and, there's a number of other projects underway. But once again, these are commitments and the NAIF is not the only part of the Northern Australia agenda. We've committed money for roads infrastructure right across the North in the Northern Australian Beef Roads program. We're working closely with traditional owners. We've obviously got the gas-led recovery, the $1 billion COVID Relief and Recovery Fund. So there's significant investments coming through that all helps drive jobs and confidence.



KATIE WOOLF: Now, just speaking of the Beetaloo Basin, when we caught up with Angus Taylor - I think it was last week or the week before - he sounded really excited about what could happen as a result of the Beetaloo and what, you know, what they've found already in that early exploration process. You know, when we talk about how this could help the rest of Australia, for those out there listening who maybe don't really understand how that could happen and how exactly it's going to create jobs - can you talk us through it?



KEITH PITT: Look, look of course. And I've been talking closely with Sam McMahon up there, your Senator for the Northern Territory, who's incredibly taken on getting the Beetaloo opened. So what it means is, firstly, we've got to firm up the resource. So that means we have to ensure that what we think is in the Beetaloo Basin is actually there, and there's some of that exploration work going on right now. Once that happens and we've got a good understanding of just how large the Basin is in terms of perspective gas, and our belief is it's incredibly large, it's then a matter of linking that gas to, not only the East Coast gas market, but up to Darwin. You've got a pipeline…



KATIE WOOLF: Yeah.



KEITH PITT: … there already. We’ll need to do some assessments on whether it's got capacity in the future and when some changes might need to be made, or further investments made. But cheap gas means more Australian manufacturing. So we want our Australian manufacturers to be absolutely competitive internationally and this is a big part of it.



KATIE WOOLF: So, Keith, are we talking about there being maybe a potential second pipeline?



KEITH PITT: Well that will depend, obviously, on how much is there. My expectation is we will utilise every piece of infrastructure that we've got already to its maximum potential, then we'll look at what we need next. And in terms of what's in our announcements in the budget, we have some money inside Angus Tyler's part of the portfolio to do exactly those assessments - looking at where we need that link in infrastructure and when, and what it might cost, and how it might be funded. But we're committed to a gas-led recovery because we know it drives jobs.



KATIE WOOLF: Well, and I know I asked this all the time whenever we have a Federal Minister on and we talk about manufacturing - is there going to be a manufacturing hub for the Northern Territory? Is that something that the Federal Government wants to see happen? Because I know we're going to be competing with the other states.



KEITH PITT: Well, I do. And I think you've already got links into Darwin. You've got a very large export market for gas. You've got the available land. You've got people who are committed. And we'll work closely with the Territory Government. But I think it's something that will just happen naturally, Katie, it really will. Quite simply, these things are about confidence, and they're about big companies making decisions on the back of what they know is support from the Commonwealth and other governments; what they know is available, and the fact that you will have readily available affordable gas into the future for a considerable amount of time - and that makes the long term investment decisions, and that's great for the Territory.



KATIE WOOLF: Now obviously, as you mentioned yesterday, or as you focussed on I guess you'd say, it is all about jobs and the growth in traditional sectors like food and agribusiness, as well as resources, energy and tourism, and the expansion of new and emerging industries like manufacturing and minerals, and the different ways that they can value add, or we can value add when it comes to processing. How can the Federal Government sort of support the growth in these industries for the Northern Territory?



KEITH PITT: Well, inside the manufacturing portfolio, Minister Andrews has got over a billion dollars in the manufacturing- the Modern Manufacturing Fund. That's about getting scale inside those six key areas, and you, you've outlined them pretty well, Katie. That includes, includes critical minerals; that includes that downstream processing for resources. So we want to make more out of Australia's natural resources, not just send them overseas. We want to make sure that we can maximise the potential for the Australian people and the jobs that can drive here, and we've got to get the fundamentals right. So the basics are pretty straightforward. We need a viable workforce. We need affordable gas and electricity, which is also reliable. We need to continue to work closely to build skills inside the Australian workforce, and get out of people's way in terms of red and green tape.



KATIE WOOLF: Now I know that, you know, we talk a lot about industry being critical when it comes to boosting the population. We talk a lot about the way that jobs are obviously critical as well in terms of boosting the population in places like the Northern Territory. But do you reckon we also need to look at incentivising people to move to places like Northern Australia?



KEITH PITT: Well, there's some incentives online and available right now, particularly for those who want to go and work in the agricultural industry. So there's some significant incentives for those who are here on visas of up to $2000, and up to $6000 for people to shift to go to work in ag right now, because we know it's such a critical time particularly with the mango season up in the Territory. So we're looking to provide every opportunity. But I'm seeing quite simply, a natural shift right now, Katie. I've seen a lot of people who are moving from southern states into the regions. The reports I'm getting from real estate agents and others on the ground all over regional Australia is they're overrun with interest and inquiry. All people need is a job, and I think they'll move there naturally.



KATIE WOOLF: Keith, do you reckon that is just because of COVID? What do you reckon? What do you sort of attribute that to?

KEITH PITT: Well, I think there's a few things. It's a combination of the COVID pandemic. But, Katie, I’ll be frank - where else would you want to live?



KATIE WOOLF: I know.



KEITH PITT: Right. Regional Australia – [indistinct]…



KATIE WOOLF: [Talks over] Yeah. Well, mate, I think that all the time and I'm always quite surprised. Like I know it gets bloody hot here, for example, and other parts of regional Australia, but I think that all the time and I guess I can’t understand why some of our major capital cities are so overrun. And then you've got places like the territory. If there's jobs here, who wouldn't want to live here?



KEITH PITT: Yeah. No, that's exactly right. Now, would you believe I've got the bells ringing in the background, Katie. I've got a division. I'll have to go.



KATIE WOOLF: Alright, mate. We'd better leave it there. I was going to ask you about some comments Labor have made, but we'll save it for another day. Thank you.



KEITH PITT: I'm sure they'll still be opposed. Thanks very much.



KATIE WOOLF: [Indistinct] Good on you, Minister. That is the Minister for Northern Australia there, Keith Pitt. He's had to run off early. The bells are ringing. There's a division in Federal Parliament. We were going to ask him about what Labor had said – they’d claimed the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund is said no actual infrastructure fund, and criticised the pace at which things are being rolled out. But we will save that for another day.

ENDS