By Pamela Nathan
Amos Aikman reports: “that the Coalition will conduct a “stocktake” of Northern Australia’s natural and strategic assets and set clear goals for removing impediments to growth in a white paper to be released within 12 months.”
He continues that the Northern Australia white paper, promised in the lead-up to last year’s federal election, will examine the policy conditions necessary to capitalise on Northern Australia’s strengths.
It will look at ways to enhance private investment, and identify critical economic and social infrastructure needed to support long-term growth.
In a statement, Tony Abbott committed his government to developing a “clear, well-defined and timely policy platform” with implementation plans for the next two, five, 10 and 20 years.
The Prime Minister said Northern Australia had “so much potential”. Northern Australia has natural advantages related to mining, energy and tourism, and its proximity to fast-growing regions in Asia. But the region faces significant economic, environmental and social challenges, including through its lack of infrastructure and sparse population.
The Coalition white paper will be developed by a cross-agency taskforce within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. A green paper is expected next month.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Adam Giles, welcomed the news. “The Northern Territory is the natural centre of Northern Australia, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” he said. “After years of inertia on plans to bring development to the North, I am happy to say we are now seeing a partnership from Canberra.”
Comment: There is no doubt that Queensland has been in receipt of bi-partisan support and a huge injection of funds to support community Cape York Welfare Reform in the past few years. NT seems to have lagged behind and had the Intervention instead. I guess we have to wait and see whether the motivation to see the potential and reap the productivity is motivated by the dollar to be gained from mining and tourism (a political grab) or whether it is to provide infrastructure in remote communities and training, education and employment in these areas for Aboriginal people in order to mine their potential and enrich their resources, lives and futures. It seems the latter may well be the case under the leadership of Abbott and his public commitment to closing the gap.
CASSE Aboriginal Australian Relations Program Newsletter - December 2022 - mailchi.mp/14a57669382c/c…
About 2 months ago from CASSE Australia's Twitter via Mailchimp
We need a healing place for youth. This place is on country because country holds. linkedin.com/posts/activity…
About 5 months ago from CASSE Australia's Twitter via Twitter Web App
Making a No 7 fb.watch/bdmm_Z8Mqx/ via @FacebookWatch Wayne Scruton describes the skill required to make a traditional tool in this video. #No7 #boomerang #aboriginal #aboriginalculture #traditionaltools #alicesprings #northernterritory pic.twitter.com/eCbJaiQmne
Last year from CASSE Australia's Twitter via Twitter Web App
CASSE Aboriginal Australian Relations Program Newsletter - December 2021 - mailchi.mp/6fab23b968e3/c…
About a year ago from CASSE Australia's Twitter via Mailchimp
Message: CASSE Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and we pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Elders, both past and present.
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