PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Mr GOSLING (Solomon) (11:06): I want to talk about regional development and the enormous economic potential across the Northern Territory, and it goes to a few of the things that the previous speaker touched on. But the reality is that potential doesn't create jobs; investment does. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility helps get projects off the ground in northern Australia, where distance, remoteness and higher infrastructure costs can make attracting that private investment all that much more difficult.
Under the Albanese Labor government, the NAIF is here to stay, extended for another decade, and we can see what that backing delivers. Arafura Rare Earths' Nolans project, 135 kilometres north of Alice Springs, is a good example. The Nolans project will mine and process rare earths, right here in Australia.
The NAIF has been instrumental in making Nolans a reality, helping to unlock around 600 construction jobs and 350 ongoing jobs. That means jobs for Territorians, opportunities for local businesses and regional development. But that Commonwealth investment needs to be matched by delivery from the CLP NT government.
Its own budget papers show net capital investment was underspent by $376 million in the 2025-26 financial year. I've been advocating for a Territory economic development zone, to bring together investment in infrastructure, housing and, importantly, workforce measures, to get projects moving and to unlock more private investment—and I do welcome the NT Chief Minister finally getting on board with that approach.
But now we need to turn that rhetoric into collaborative action. The Territory cannot afford to stand still. I recently convened meetings in Darwin with senior members of the Australian Defence Force, members of Defence NT from the NT government, and National Intermodal, a government business enterprise whom we have funded to assist with the rollout of our $440 million federal government contribution towards establishing logistics hubs across the NT.
These key federal government investments in logistics infrastructure will help drive resource and renewable energy development in the Territory. In this place, many times before, I've spoken about 'Territory gold'—the best solar radiation in the world. The Territory is at the forefront of Australia's energy transition, and projects like SunCable and Energy North are tapping into the incredible potential of solar energy to power local industry and meet the energy needs of our region and our neighbours.
Big IT players like Amazon, Google and Microsoft are very interested in 'Territory gold' to power their data-centre activities for AI and the cloud; they always have been interested. I encourage the NT Chief Minister to give up on continually saying no to Commonwealth support and to say yes to renewables and their rightful role. It is important that this AI demand in the Northern Territory taps into the geographical and institutional stability of the Northern Territory's place in Australia, our nation's membership in Five Eyes security arrangements along with access to the required telecommunications and other important infrastructure.
But these investments must benefit the community, must deliver for the regions and deliver for the national interest. To achieve success, these operators must deliver ongoing acceptance and approval from local communities, stakeholders and the public—that is to say, they need social licence. The federal government has set out expectations of data centre and AI infrastructure developers of what Australia requires from these data centre companies so the community can have confidence in their role and ensure that AI is sustainable and underpinned by strong social licence.
These expectations put the needs of the Australian people ensuring our communities benefit directly through jobs, investment in skills and innovation, while strongly supporting Australia's clean energy transition and safeguarding our long-term water security.