Uni invites NT Chief Minister to Adelaide

Tuesday, 11 November 2003

With a major objective of further enhancing its ties with the Northern Territory, the University of Adelaide's Centre for Economic Studies will this week be hosting the Hon Clare Martin, NT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory Development.

"This is a great opportunity to discuss a number of mutual projects that are already in place and review other areas of common interest," said Mr Michael O'Neil, Director of the SA Centre for Economic Studies. The centre is a joint venture involving the universities of Adelaide and Flinders.

"It was the Centre's initiative and idea to invite The Chief Minister to Adelaide to renew old ties, but also to use the trip to promote the Northern Territory as a great place to live and invest," Mr O'Neil said.

He added that "with the completion of the Adelaide to Darwin rail link we were conscious of the need to support our Corporate Members and provide them the opportunity to hear about the potential of the rail link, economic growth and investment opportunities in the Northern Territory."

Ms Martin will address the Centre's Corporate Members at a luncheon on Thursday and during her two-day stay in the city, she will also meet with Premier Mr Mike Rann and his deputy Mr Kevin Foley.

The Chief Minister's business focus will be on highlighting Darwin as Asia's gateway, Public Private Partnerships, the AustralAsia railway, Business Park, Port of Darwin (East Arm Wharf), Desert Knowledge, Development of a Darwin Convention Centre and Timor Sea gas. Lifestyle issues such as housing affordability, health, education and recreational facilities will also be discussed.

The SA Centre for Economic Studies has completed two significant projects for the Northern Territory Government. The first involved the construction of an "Australian first" labour demand/labour supply model to assist with training requirements for the NT economy; and the other concerned a review of the need for a possible Energy Training Institute in the NT.

The SA Centre for Economic Studies will soon release a discussion paper on the Asia Gateway. Implications for Australian trade of the Darwin-Adelaide and Port of Darwin developments will be prepared from an Asian regional perspective.

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