We also yesterday announced the finalisation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement for delivery of the SPP with Traditional Owners, facilitated by the Northern Land Council.

For APA, meaningful Traditional Owner engagement is key to the success of all our projects - and we’re putting that front and centre as we support the development of the Beetaloo.

This agreement closes out the necessary Traditional Owner consents required to move forward, complementing the separate and existing agreement in place between Traditional Owners and APA’s customer for the SPP, Tamboran Resources.

APA has had constructive engagement with Traditional Owners throughout this process - it’s been undertaken with consideration and respect, as it must be. And, as we progress to construction and to operation of this important piece of infrastructure, we will continue to engage and collaborate.

The SPP is the first of many potential future developments we will help unlock the Beetaloo for the benefit of Territorians.

The next opportunity is to flow Beetaloo gas to the east coast through a potential short-term solution. Through compression on the Amadeus Gas Pipeline, increased flows on the Northern Gas Pipeline, and a potential reversal of our Carpentaria Gas Pipeline, Beetaloo gas could land in southern markets sooner to help meet gas demand.

We’re also investing and planning for the longer-term infrastructure that has the potential to deliver Beetaloo gas at scale to the east coast and global markets. Early planning is underway on our proposed North East Australia Pipeline, which would be open access and collect Beetaloo gas from multiple producers.

Connected to an expanded APA east coast gas grid, running north to south and connecting major Australian demand centres and export gateways, this transformational project could deliver thousands of terajoules of Beetaloo gas to the east coast.

It would strengthen energy security, firm renewables, enable industrial growth and position the Territory as a cornerstone of Australia’s energy future.

It will also ensure our national economy avoids the disastrous and ludicrous option of importing LNG from global markets to meet our domestic energy needs.

When you account for the transport and processing costs associated with importing LNG, we are comparing landed imported LNG prices into Melbourne of around $23 a gigajoule, to domestic Beetaloo gas on current forecast pricing landing below the $12 price cap.

Beyond domestic supply, Beetaloo gas can support our highly valuable LNG export market.

LNG is one of Australia’s largest exports, providing our Asian trading partners with energy security and helping to contribute approximately $85 billion to our national economy each year.

As a country we need to play it smart and use the corridors and assets we’ve collectively invested in over many decades to drive cost efficiencies, accelerate development, and to ensure we minimise the impacts on our communities.

While there is still a way to go, we’re fully committed to support our customers, the NT Government, communities, Traditional Owners and energy consumers as we help bring the Beetaloo to life.