Speech at Beetaloo Basin First Gas commissioning celebration

Thank you, Matt for that introduction.

I too would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today, the Larrakia people, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.

I’d also like to acknowledge:

•    Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro

•    Todd Abbott, Chief Executive Officer, Tamboran Resources

•    Stephanie Reed, Partner, Daly Waters Energy

•    Senator Susan McDonald

•    Northern Territory Government representatives, present and former

•    Traditional Owners, Native Title Holders and Northern Land Council representatives

•    Company representatives from Liberty, H&P, APA, Inpex and Santos

•    United States and Indonesian embassy representatives and members of the diplomatic corps.

•    Dyer family pastoralists of Hayfield Station

•    Industry groups and businesses from here in Darwin.

Good evening, everyone.

It is just so good to be back in Darwin to mark another major milestone for Australia’s resources sector.

There’s an energy here in the Top End at the moment. 

People in Sydney and Melbourne need to come up here and have a look at the exciting stuff that is going on.

They might learn something I would think. 

It was a privilege to be alongside the Chief Minister Finocchiaro, Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley, Shane Edgington, Members of the Northern Land Council and other representatives to witness gas from the Beetaloo Basin flowing to Darwin for the first time.

I have been watching this project for some time and it really was a thrill to be there today.

When you view this project alongside others such as the Arafura Rare Earth’s Nolans project outside Alice Springs, the Territory is on the cusp of an economic revolution. 

There have been many estimates of how much gas the Beetaloo Basin holds. Geoscience Australia estimates that discovered gas to date could supply the east coast of Australia for at least 15 years.  

But I know that is at the conservative end of the estimates and industry expects more. 

Exploration is obviously ongoing and while not all of this gas is recoverable, each year we are seeing additions to the discovered resources, meaning this is a significant long term prospect that will be a game-changer for the Northern Territory, and therefore, the nation.

Witnessing this potential come to fruition with first gas going to Darwin today was a remarkable moment and is a credit to everyone involved.

Thanks for having me along as Federal Minister for Resources. 

Gas flowing into the Northern Territory market represents a significant moment for the Northern Territory and for the nation.

It will support economic development as more gas means more industry, jobs and prosperity for the Territory. 

The Territory is a long was from Canberra. And Melbourne. I expect many locals are very happy about that. I am a Western Australian after all.

Sometimes, some of our friends in the south have put a lot of their own energy into opposing this project, not understanding, or perhaps – not wanting to understand – what this will mean for the growth of the Top End and for regional energy security as the project moves to exports. 

As this project grows and infrastructure expands, more jobs – good, well paid and highly skilled jobs - for Territorians will be realised.

And it will be done properly, in partnership with Traditional Owner groups and local communities – and I acknowledge the work here of the Northern Land Council. 

It’s great to see Todd, Nicole Manison and the team from Tamboran Resources here and Steph and the Daly Waters Energy team at this evening’s celebration.

Can I reiterate what I said this morning about your commitment to this project.

Territorians – and all Australians – will benefit from this project for years to come.

Australia has benefited enormously from the development of a liquefied natural gas export industry through export revenue, royalties and taxation, job creation, and economic development.

Indeed, our whole region and our trading partners has benefitted. As I have said repeatedly the sustained period of peace we have known in our region has been based on a steady and reliable supply of energy from Australia.

On this milestone it is important to recognise the bipartisan approach that has been taken in respect of the development of the Beetaloo sub-basin.

Since September 2016 when Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the appointment of an independent scientific panel – the Pepper Review - to investigate the potential impacts and risks of such development. 

Two years later the scientific panel announced 135 recommendations under which the development of the Beetaloo could take place safely and with appropriate guardrails in place and ensure that all important community support over the long term. 

Since that time, successive Chief Ministers: Natasha Fyles, Eva Lawler and now, the current Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, have worked to make this vital economic project a reality. 

Their combined policy efforts and the work of their governments have all contributed to the achievement we mark today.

It has been a uniquely bipartisan effort in the knowledge of the importance of this project - not just to the Territory but to the east coast of Australia and our region more broadly. 

It’s also worth remembering also the importance of the pipeline infrastructure that has made this possible. I would compare the pipelines connecting Darwin to Daly Waters to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline in my home state, which is now the backbone of our local economy and a key to WA’s ongoing success. 

Can I take a moment to reflect on the pioneers of this project and there are many here but I’d like to single out Matt Silverman, the geologist who worked on this project from the start. 

Today is a major milestone for this important resource, but it certainly won’t be the last.

It has been a great day for everyone, from start to finish, and I want to again acknowledge everyone’s hard work and commitment
Congratulations, and please enjoy the rest of the evening.

Thank you.