Opportunities for local rail jobs
must not be squandered

Territory Opposition Leader, Clare Martin
raised this issue on a recent visit to Tennant Creek.
What follows is part of what she said ...

The Territory Government has put out lots of glossy - and expensive - brochures over the years, extolling their 'vision' for the Territory from their expensive white house in Darwin. But how much of that 'vision' ever gets translated into real projects on the ground?
It's pretty clear that for years the Territory Government has been relying on the advent of the railway to be the political answer to their regional development failures.
The rhetoric that poured out of the CLP during the last sittings was testament to that. Hours and hours of regurgitated material on how many cement sleepers and tonnes of steel rail, and bridges and culverts.
That is all fine - but Territorians didn't need to be told it over and over again by a succession of Ministers and backbenchers, while other issues were left neglected.
The Railway is definitely a good thing for the Territory - and potentially for Tennant Creek too. Labor is definitely not 'knocking' the Railway - despite what you may hear from our opponents.
I have publicly commended before now the efforts of the CLP in maintaining the push for the Railway. Barry Coulter was particularly tireless in this regard, and his enthusiasm never waned.
Labor is undertaking the role of watchdog on the Railway project. With by far the highest per capita contribution to the project, we must position ourselves to capitalise on our investment.
It's all very well for Denis Burke to talk vaguely about 'business opportunities' from the project - but for a $1.2 billion project supposedly six months away from start-up, there is no detail on just how businesses can benefit, or which ones can. The Chief Minister just says "Trust Me".
But what really disturbs me is the Chief Minister's lackadaisical attitude to employment. This mammoth investment project could help develop a local Territory skills base, boost enterprise development in regional centres and communities, and really attack the cycle of welfare dependence in many areas.
This will only happen if we work together as a community across the Territory, harnessing the required resources now to co-ordinate the best possible outcome for those that matter most - the people of the Territory.
The Chief Minister developed his roadshow for business, but he just doesn't seem to be able to see that the same needs are there for individuals.
How does a young person in Tennant, having recently completed school, get a job in the construction of this Railway? What training will be required? Where does he or she get it? Who will fund the training? Are the courses available? What existing programs can be harnessed? Do these need changing to improve access and, most importantly, long-term outcomes extending beyond the construction phase of the Railway?
I have already had discussions with interested parties: funding entities, training providers, Aboriginal organisations, industry representatives, local government and unions. They were all eager to see this opportunity maximised They are brimming with good ideas, but agree the training co-ordination needs to start now. They cannot understand why the Government hasn't talked to them.
Waiting till the project commences next Dry Season and just expecting that Territorians will fill the jobs is leaving too much to chance.
A Railway Jobs and Training Taskforce working with Government and the Asia Pacific Consortium could achieve much.
So, let's do it.
Our endorsed candidate for Barkly, Elliot is also well-placed to represent Tennant Creek's interests in ensuring jobs flow to Tennant Creek.
Elliot's own experience with Julalikari means he has the skills and experience to advise and assist implementation of a jobs strategy for the Railway.
He is also well placed to represent the needs of this community. It is interesting to note that the CLP members representing Alice Springs, the Territory town most likely to be adversely affected by the Railway, were all there in Parliament singing the Railway's praises without one word of caution.
If you want to ensure the genuine needs of your community continue to be heard in Darwin, then Elliot is a worthy successor to Maggie Hickey.
We all know the Territory is a great place to live. We are continually bombarded with the "feel good" message from the CLP.
But we know deep down inside that things could be better.