❓ The Minister for Regional Development provides an update on the Ord Aboriginal development package agreement, highlighting its significance for the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and the positive outcomes achieved through collaboration with Kimberley Agricultural Investment and the government.
AnsweredQoN 738Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL
DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE HEADS OF AGREEMENT
738. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the
Minister for Regional Development:
Can the minister please update the house on the recent
signing of the Ord Aboriginal development package agreement and the
significance of this agreement to the traditional owners in the East Kimberley?
DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE HEADS OF AGREEMENT
738. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the
Minister for Regional Development:
Can the minister please update the house on the recent
signing of the Ord Aboriginal development package agreement and the
significance of this agreement to the traditional owners in the East Kimberley?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Pilbara and I would like to
acknowledge the member for Pilbara's efforts, as a past Minister for
Regional Development, and his contribution over a long period to the
development of the Ord, particularly to get good outcomes for the Miriuwung
Gajerrong people through the development of that project. The Ord project is
one of national significance. In fact, we do not see many projects right across
northern Australia that match what has happened in the Ord in recent years. It
is a project in the region of $517 million for the whole development, and $322 million
from royalties for regions to support the project. I have recently come back
from a trip to Shanghai in China. On 2 September, I attended what I believe to
be a landmark event in Shanghai where there was the signing of an Aboriginal
development plan for the Knox Plain, part of the Ord development, between the
Miriuwung Gajerrong people and Kimberley Agricultural Investment, which is a subsidiary
of Shanghai Zhongfu Co Ltd.
I cannot remember a time in the history of Western Australia
when an Aboriginal corporation from Western Australia met with a significant
company in Shanghai in China to sign an agreement to get better outcomes for
its people in the Ord project. It was a huge privilege to be part of that. I
acknowledge the chair of the MG Corporation, Des Hill, who was there, and the
CEO, Neale Fong. It was fantastic to see the support from KAI for the ongoing
development. There have been fantastic outcomes, consistent with the Ord final
agreement that was signed some years ago. Part of that are the Aboriginal
development packages that are part of the development projects. In total, the
Miriuwung Gajerrong people will have access to some 680 hectares as part of an
$8.8 million package in the ADP. I think that is a fantastic outcome for
Aboriginal people and for the ongoing development of the Ord. It is important
to note that so far, with the Ord expansion, there have been more than 200
direct jobs for Aboriginal people, around 100 jobs outside the Ord project and
almost 300 nationally accredited training certificates and there has been support
for 14 Aboriginal-owned businesses. I believe this is the tip of the iceberg of
what this government is doing in opening up opportunities in the north. The Ord
development is the sharp point of that. Even now some 30 to 40 per cent of KAI's
workforce are Aboriginal people, even though KAI has no obligation to employ
them. I think it is fantastic to see KAI's commitment to that. It is
obviously very strong evidence of support for MG Corporation in the ongoing
developments. We are looking forward to a very close association with the
Aboriginal people, in the Kimberley in particular, as this government rolls out
development opportunities to the private sector.
acknowledge the member for Pilbara's efforts, as a past Minister for
Regional Development, and his contribution over a long period to the
development of the Ord, particularly to get good outcomes for the Miriuwung
Gajerrong people through the development of that project. The Ord project is
one of national significance. In fact, we do not see many projects right across
northern Australia that match what has happened in the Ord in recent years. It
is a project in the region of $517 million for the whole development, and $322 million
from royalties for regions to support the project. I have recently come back
from a trip to Shanghai in China. On 2 September, I attended what I believe to
be a landmark event in Shanghai where there was the signing of an Aboriginal
development plan for the Knox Plain, part of the Ord development, between the
Miriuwung Gajerrong people and Kimberley Agricultural Investment, which is a subsidiary
of Shanghai Zhongfu Co Ltd.
I cannot remember a time in the history of Western Australia
when an Aboriginal corporation from Western Australia met with a significant
company in Shanghai in China to sign an agreement to get better outcomes for
its people in the Ord project. It was a huge privilege to be part of that. I
acknowledge the chair of the MG Corporation, Des Hill, who was there, and the
CEO, Neale Fong. It was fantastic to see the support from KAI for the ongoing
development. There have been fantastic outcomes, consistent with the Ord final
agreement that was signed some years ago. Part of that are the Aboriginal
development packages that are part of the development projects. In total, the
Miriuwung Gajerrong people will have access to some 680 hectares as part of an
$8.8 million package in the ADP. I think that is a fantastic outcome for
Aboriginal people and for the ongoing development of the Ord. It is important
to note that so far, with the Ord expansion, there have been more than 200
direct jobs for Aboriginal people, around 100 jobs outside the Ord project and
almost 300 nationally accredited training certificates and there has been support
for 14 Aboriginal-owned businesses. I believe this is the tip of the iceberg of
what this government is doing in opening up opportunities in the north. The Ord
development is the sharp point of that. Even now some 30 to 40 per cent of KAI's
workforce are Aboriginal people, even though KAI has no obligation to employ
them. I think it is fantastic to see KAI's commitment to that. It is
obviously very strong evidence of support for MG Corporation in the ongoing
developments. We are looking forward to a very close association with the
Aboriginal people, in the Kimberley in particular, as this government rolls out
development opportunities to the private sector.
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