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Chief Minister, parliamentary colleagues, Elders of the Larrakia, Nigel Browne, Greg Constatine, President Kuroda, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.I’m very pleased to be here in Darwin today for the official launch of the Larrakia Trade Training Centre.
I congratulate the Larrakia Development Corporation, with the support of INPEX and Total, for reaching this milestone.
The benefits of this centre will be widely felt.
It has the potential to materially improve the career prospects of young people not just from the Larrakia but for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Territory.
It also has the potential to really pay dividends for the upstream oil and gas sector by increasing the number of qualified tradespeople available to work on the significant pipeline of upcoming projects.
Building long-term relationships between Aboriginal communities and the resources sector is now widely regarded by industry as part of its core business and is recognised as a key measure to help address skills shortages.
With this training centre the Larrakia Development Corporation, INPEX and Total have set a benchmark, and I encourage others in the upstream oil and gas sector to recognise and tap into the pool of potential talent and skills in our Aboriginal communities.
The focus of the Training Centre is on trades such as electrical, refrigeration, automotive mechanics, metal fabrication and plumbing.
All these trades are in high demand – especially in the resources sector.
But the centre is more than just a trade school.
By working with schools and training providers, it will be one of the building blocks of literacy and numeracy that help young people to be job-ready and inspire them to continue their training.
The industry and skills
And the fact is the industry needs these young people.
With Darwin LNG already in operation the Ichthys project would be a catalyst for further growth, cementing Darwin's place on the map as one of Australia's key LNG hubs.
It is estimated that the Ichthys Project will employ more than 2,000 people in the onshore construction phase and several hundred during operations.
Gas and the LNG industry are going to be major drivers of growth, jobs and opportunity here in the Northern Territory and around the country.
It is imperative that we have an appropriately skilled workforce in place to help ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget.
The Australian Government is doing its part to meet these challenges but we can't go it alone, which is why initiatives such as the Larrakia Trade Training Centre are to be so warmly welcomed.
The Government's recent acceptance of all recommendations from the report by the National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce is an important first step.
It includes freeing up apprenticeships and making them available to adult workers.
There is also the $200 million Critical Skills Investment Fund to provide training and employment opportunities in partnership with industry.
Exports and potential
Across the resources industry, there is plenty of work to be done.
75 projects are at an advanced stage of development with a total capital expenditure of $109 billion.
Another 281 projects are less advanced, with total capital expenditure estimated at nearly $250 billion.
Australia is on track to be the world’s second-largest LNG exporter by 2015.
Ichthys
A positive final investment decision on the Ichthys project would represent the biggest single investment in Australia by Japan.
Japan is our first, largest and most significant partner in LNG.
The project also marks a new era of investment by France.
Ichthys, together with the Gladstone LNG project, marks Total as a major new player in our industry.
Kenbi Land Claim
Separate from the Ichthys Project but important for the economic future of the Larrakia is the settlement of the Kenbi Land Claim.
In relation to the finalisation of the Kenbi Land Claim, there are still a few hurdles that we have yet to overcome.
I understand that senior representatives from the Larrakia Development Corporation met with my colleague, Minister Jenny Macklin last week to discuss this matter.
Sorting out this claim is well overdue. It is one that I have taken a longstanding interest in and one that I am confident will be resolved in the second half of this year.
I welcome the constructive engagement of all parties including the NT Government, the Northern Land Council, and of course the Larrakia in working through the detail to reach the best possible outcome.
As is often the case, the devil is in the detail and I understand that there are still some technical legal issues that need to be overcome.
But I am optimistic that we are making progress and that a good outcome is in sight.
Conclusion
In conclusion let me once again commend you on the launch today of this excellent facility.
It shows your commitment to the Aboriginal community, to young people, to training, to the Northern Territory, and to the resources industry.
I congratulate everyone who played a part in shaping the Larrakia Trade Training Centre, and I applaud the foresight and drive that turned a good idea into reality.
Thank you