STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr GOSLING (Solomon) (13:41): Territorian Alison Duguid has taken out Croc Pitch 2026 for her amazing work with North Australian SeaCulture. In its eighth year, Croc Pitch supports some of the Territory's most promising entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to grow and attract investment. It's hosted by the Darwin Innovation Hub and backed by the Territory's own Paspalis Capital, who put up $1 million in venture capital for this year's Croc Pitch.

North Australian SeaCulture grows and processes native tropical seaweed and turns it into soil products for mine sites to assist with environmental rehabilitation. The processed seaweed can also be used in gels and thickeners for food, pharmaceuticals and much more. North Australian SeaCulture's first cultivation site is up and running at the Darwin waterfront lagoon.

Alison is working with communities across the Territory to realise this opportunity. This Croc Pitch win allows Alison and North Australian SeaCulture to build a new seaweed industry right up there in the north. As she says, 'Where seaweed grows, communities thrive.' Alison is a fifth-generation Territorian with a big idea and the drive to make it happen.

Congratulations, Alison. Your Croc Pitch win is very well deserved.