Landmark agreements to create Indigenous jobs

Adam Giles
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

David Tollner
Minister for Mines and Energy

The Territory Government is creating more jobs and opportunities in remote communities with the granting of the first petroleum exploration permits on Aboriginal land managed by the Northern Land Council.

“My Government is committed to creating jobs in our regions and breaking the cycle of welfare dependency that has been crippling our communities,” Chief Minister Adam Giles said.

“The resources industry is one key to that process and the granting of these permits is an important step in creating private sector employment opportunities.

“It’s great to see the Land Councils and Traditional owners working in partnership in this effort.”

Minister for Mines and Energy David Tollner said resources companies had worked with the council to secure its historic agreement for two exploration permits in the McArthur Basin.

“Many Indigenous communities are already benefiting from mining on their land and now the oil and gas industry is set to further strengthen local economies,” Minister Tollner said.

“This demonstrates that traditional owners and the resources industry can both win when they work together.”

Exploration Permit 187 has been granted to Imperial Oil and Gas and Exploration Permit 154 has been jointly granted to Minerals Australia and Jacaranda Minerals.

Imperial Oil and Gas is already working with the Department of Business in Katherine to develop a geoscience training program for Indigenous workers in remote communities.

Executive chairman of Imperial Oil and Gas Bruce McLeod said the company was proud to be involved in the ‘landmark’ agreement.

“The grant of EP187 demonstrates the initiative of the local indigenous owners to realise value and opportunity within their traditional land assets,” Mr McLeod said.

“This initiative will create opportunities for employment and community development with a number of significant flow-on benefits for the greater region.”

In total, the companies plan to invest $28m in geophysical studies and test drilling to assess the viability of commercial oil and gas extraction.

A number of areas, mainly around waterways, have been excluded from exploration.

Around $365 million is being invested in petroleum exploration in the Territory – creating new jobs and pumping cash into local economies.

The growth of the industry has the potential to create thousands more skilled jobs for Territorians, improve regional infrastructure and generate extra revenue for schools, hospitals and other essential services.

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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