RE: Beetaloo Basin: 2022 so far and what lies ahead27 May 2022 20:02
'Political Environment
There has been a change of Government at the Federal level with the ALP looking as if they will form a majority government in Canberra. As well, there has been change in the Northern Territory Ministry following the resignation of Chief Minister Michael Gunner over a fortnight ago. While some speculated that this could be a negative for Beetaloo development, it has actually resulted in a clear reaffirmation of the commitment that both major sides of politics have to the Basin and the role of Natural Gas in Australian energy supply.
The new Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Natasha Fyles, has clearly stated that developing the Beetaloo is still a priority for the Labor Government. She went further to indicate that the project will play a major role in developing an economy that is not as cyclical as it has been in the past – with a target to grow it to a $40billion economy by 2040.
Deputy Chief Minister and Mining & Industry Minister Nicole Manison indicated that they had worked closely with Federal Labor (when in Opposition) and there is a common understanding of how critically important the development of the Beetaloo is and the NT gas industry along with it.
The only hiccup appears to be the Greens holding power in the Senate and while the development of the Beetaloo will almost certainly cause a proliferation of statements from them, it’s difficult to see an impediment to the collective will of the Federal Government, Federal Opposition and the NT Government'