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Infrastructure Minister Barnaby Joyce has flagged $1.5 billion for “new port infrastructure” in Darwin, with the ABC saying it understands the funds check with a brand new port to be introduced throughout the upcoming election marketing campaign.
Mr Dutton didn’t rule out the potential of a brand new Darwin port when pushed by reporters on Thursday.
“There is a huge dedication from the federal government into the Northern Territory and that does have a look at port improvement and methods through which we would have the ability to have a look at assist by means of contracts in defence for instance,” Mr Dutton mentioned in Canberra on Thursday.
“We could have extra to say about that sooner or later.”
However the first assistant secretary of the nationwide safety division within the prime minister’s division instructed a Senate listening to it was his understanding the cash was for modifications to the prevailing port.
“It is a facility inside the current port is what’s been described,” Lachlan Colquhoun mentioned.
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“There’s $1.5 billion for brand new port infrastructure corresponding to a brand new wharf and offloading facility, dredging of the ship and dredging of the transport channel to spice up the area’s importing and exporting skill.”
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham additionally appeared to stroll again a few of the hypothesis, telling reporters there have been new infrastructure measures throughout the nation, together with in relation to the port.
“That features explicit investments simply outdoors of Darwin, supporting an industrial precinct there that has enormous alternative to be a development engine for the territory financial system and a wealth generator for Australia,” he mentioned.
Senator Birmingham additionally advised the federal government would overrule any related leases.
“It was not a sale topic to Commonwealth authorities approval on the time. If it occurred immediately – due to the adjustments our authorities made to Australia’s international funding legal guidelines – it might be topic to direct approval.
“I’d suspect it won’t obtain that approval.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison beforehand mentioned the federal authorities would solely act in relation to the port lease “if there’s recommendation from the Defence Division or our safety businesses that change their view in regards to the nationwide safety implications of any piece of vital infrastructure”.
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