Former oil and gas executive Stuart Knowles received a cold welcome at a public forum on December 18 about the Country Liberal Party’s proposed Territory Coordinator law.
“Why do you have a job if the legislation hasn’t been passed?” asked Binybara/Lee Point campaigner Jess Black.
Knowles has been appointed the Interim Territory Coordinator, despite the bill under which he would be employed not having passed through parliament.
The proposed Territory Coordinator is slated to have powers to override NT law to fast-track projects deemed to be of economic significance. The NT government’s own guide to the bill suggests the powers will be used “where multiple onshore gas developments” exist.
“I know you gave a lot of pretty nice examples about how this proposal would be great for solar, but it’s also really about fracking, we all know that”, said teacher and unionist Oli Johns.
The exemption power gives the Chief Minister and the Territory Coordinator the ability to “exclude the application of a law, or part of a law, to a significant project”. One of the laws listed as being able to be exempted is the Environmental Protection Act 2019 (NT).
“This is not about being reckless,” Knowles said in response to one question critical of the unprecedented power grab. “I’ve got a vested interest in the Territory as well.”
His comment drew laughter from the room as Knowles was, until recently, a gas industry executive.
Knowles’ former employer INPEX has drawn the ire of Territorians in recent months for releasing thousands of tonnes of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
“We already have inadequate protections for human health in the NT region which has enabled gas projects right in the heart of our city that are polluting the air over Darwin and Palmerston,” said paediatrician Louise Woodward.
Knowles was unable to answer Woodward’s question about what his human health priorities would be as Territory Coordinator.
INPEX also paid no tax on $20.4 billion income in 2022-23. Knowles said the Territory Coordinator was needed to open private investment to reduce NT debt.
“If we’re really concerned about the debt that the NT is in,” said community member Phil Scott. “Our expectation is that some of these big companies should be paying a little bit more tax.”
His comment was met with cheers.
There was a strong sense in the room that the Territory Coordinator is a way for big business to profit immensely while placing the environment and peoples’ livelihoods at serious risk.
“We all see through this,” said Greens MLA Kat McNamara. “The answers here tonight have been absolutely substandard.”
Pastoralist Daniel Tapp described Knowles’ presentation as “spin”.
If the Territory Coordinator goes ahead, it could do more than enable fossil fuel development. One of the laws able to be exempted is the Nuclear Waste Transport, Storage and Disposal (Prohibition) Act 2004 (NT). That Act prohibits “the construction or operation of a nuclear waste storage facility in the Territory” and “the transportation of nuclear waste into the Territory”.
“What sort of transformative opportunities and activities could arise from you or the Chief Minister exempting that law?”, asked peace activist Justin Tutty.
“I’m not that familiar with that piece of legislation,” was Knowles’ response.
The Territory Coordinator could potentially be used to quickly approve any nuclear plans for the NT with no scrutiny, including plans involving nuclear submarines.
[Submissions to the Territory Coordinator bill can be made via email until January 17.]