Action item 13.8

Action item update

Implementation

An onshore gas supply chain working group has been established to coordinate industry and government efforts to maximise regional benefits and local opportunities. Members include NT Government, Santos, Origin Energy, Empire Energy, Tamboran Resources, Central Petroleum, Australian Petroleum and Production Exploration Association (APPEA) and the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory.

Local Benefit Reporting:

• Current active explorers in the Beetaloo to provide to government an annual local benefit report from the production phase summarising commitment to local benefit and employment. The NT Government will seek participation from other petroleum title holders once they become active.
• An aggregated industry report on local benefit outcomes to be published annually from the production phase. The NT Government has committed to funding the first three reports.

Government initiatives being implemented:

• Business growth programs and grants
• Business pivot grants
• Business upskilling
• Aboriginal business development program
• Small business champion guidance
• Territory Business Centre's in Katherine and Tennant Creek
• JobTrainer Program
• Aboriginal employment programs such as Aboriginal Workforce Grants and Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants
• NT VET Programs (apprenticeship and traineeships)
• Territory Workforce Program
• Industry Buildskills Program.

The NT Onshore Gas Support Industry – Statement of Capacity was published by the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory in March 2020.

There is ongoing government and industry consultation with the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory and the Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory to:

• Conduct targeted local business capability assessments to support engagement local in the exploration procurement stage
• Support Territory enterprises to understand opportunities in the gas sector.

There is ongoing government engagement with industry to have an understanding of supply chain principles, requirements, expectations and skills. This information will form the next level of detailed engagement with regional businesses and stakeholders.

There are industry-led liaison meetings, town briefings and community consultation.

The NT Government holds regular (annual) information sessions to inform local businesses of upcoming work, pre-qualification and contract requirements and the process to register interest in project opportunities.

Identify and measure local benefit outcomes of onshore industry activities in the Territory are realised through analysis conducted on proponents' procurement data via organisations such as the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory Business Hub, announced in March 2022, will be delivered by the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network with satellite offices across the Northern Territory.

The NT Indigenous Business Network has been engaged to facilitate opportunities for Indigenous businesses and identify potential Aboriginal businesses.

The NT Government released the Aboriginal Economic Participation Framework 2022-2032 and the Aboriginal Procurement Policy.

Implementation of the Barkly Regional Deal (Australian Government, NT and Barkly Regional Council) includes:

• Beetaloo Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy – a study by Charles Darwin University on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Communications
• Barkly Regional Workforce Strategy
• Barkly Business Hub in Tennant Creek due for completion
• OECD Working Paper on international best practice lessons for ‘First Nations’ benefit realisation from energy and resource projects – commissioned by Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.