Business bulletin: 24 April 2024

The Northern Territory Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR) to enhance cooperation in the critical minerals resources sector between our 2 regions.

KOMIR is the Korean Government agency which oversees South Korea’s national resource security and developing overseas mining and processing capacity.

South Korea is the Northern Territory’s fourth largest trading partner and is identifies as a high priority market in the Northern Territory International Engagement Strategy 2022-2026.

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit between the Northern Territory Government and KOMIR.

It is designed to promote cooperation in critical minerals resources and growth in all stages of the critical minerals life cycle including, exploration, mining, processing manufacturing and recycling.

The MoU’s cooperative activities include:

• support for securing critical minerals supply chains through trade and investment promotion
• exchange of information, knowledge, and experience for sustainable mining development and value chain enhancements
• strengthening technical capacity through jointly undertaken research and development projects in the areas of mineral exploration, mining, mineral processing and mine rehabilitation
• collaboration on promoting sustainable and safe practices, including recycling, throughout the critical minerals value chain.

The signing coincided with the Darwin Dialogue convened by the Australian Strategic Policy Institution last week.

The summit saw key industry leaders and representatives from Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and United States gather in Darwin to discuss critical mineral production, supply chain resilience and economic security.

The summit highlighted the opportunities and strategic importance the Northern Territory will play in the critical minerals supply chain for Australia and global partners.

Earlier this month Darwin welcomed the largest cruise ship of this season so far, Royal Princess, with more than 3,500 visitors and 1,330 crew arriving in the Top End for a one day stopover.

The Royal Princess’ visit is estimated to have contributed between $1.5 and $2 million in direct spend in Darwin’s CBD.

The ship’s arrival provided a boost for Darwin tourism operators, retailers and hospitality businesses as we head into our peak tourist and events season.

In the coming weeks local tourism businesses will have the opportunity to connect with cruise line representatives from around the world at the 2024 Northern Territory Cruise Forum to be held on Wednesday, 8 May at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront.

The forum theme, ‘A sea of opportunity’ will feature presentations from the Australian Cruise Association, cruise line representatives and inbound tour operators specialising in shore excursions, overland and pre and post cruise itineraries.

To find out more and to register, head to the Tourism NT website.

Nominations are now open for the Territory most prestigious tourism and hospitality awards the, 2024 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards (Brolga Awards).

The Brolga Awards recognise Territory tourism businesses that strive for excellence in all areas of their operations, with winners in the running to win an Australian Tourism Award.

Territory based tourism operators, attractions, accommodation providers, festivals and events and industry suppliers are all encouraged to nominate their business in one of the 26 business categories.

The Brolga Awards also recognise the efforts of individuals working in the tourism industry, with individual winners celebrated for their contribution within the Territory. The awards provide value to tourism and hospitality businesses by encouraging continuous improvement.

There is a range of assistance available to aide nominees with their Brolga Award submissions.

Nominations close Wednesday, 14 August with all submissions due by 2 September 2024.

The 2024 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards gala dinner will be held on Saturday, 9 November in Alice Springs.

Top find out more including how to nominate visit the Tourism NT website.

Darwin small business owner, Gary Strachan has been named the 2024 National Small Business Champion at the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) earlier this month.

This prestigious award recognises and acknowledges small business influencers who are making a genuine difference to heir industry or the sector.

Darwin-based barber, Gary has over 30 years of experience in business and financial management; his not-for-profit arm of Deadly Hair Dude, sees young Indigenous people learning the art of hair and receiving a Certificate II in Hairdressing.

The intention of the program is to build self-esteem, develop opportunities, skills and a capable workforce for remote Indigenous communities.

Gary has created local employment, as well as addressing broader social issue and sustainable enterprise development.

Gary said 'being named the Small Business Champion is a great honour and testament to everything we’ve been working to achieve for our local communities.

'It’s a privilege to work with such an amazing organisation like COSBOA. I’d like to thank my team, family and everyone who has supported Deadly over the last 4 years. I’m excited to continue to grow, innovate, and bring new skills and opportunities to remote communities in the Northern Territory.'

Deadly Hair Dude's impact is now reaching over 40 remote communities and is expanding from hairdressing into horticulture and aquaculture training.

The Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP) is a new and streamlined pathway for skilled and innovative UK citizens to work in Australia.

The IECSEP was established under the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement and it is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

IECSEP offers 2 streams:

• Early Careers stream – stays for up to one year for tertiary-qualified 21-45-year-olds, who have worked a minimum 3 months in their current role, to work in Australian occupations defined at ANZSCO Skill Levels 1-3
• Innovation stream – stays up to 3 years for highly skilled and experienced innovators, to work in Australian occupations defined at ANZSCO Skill Level 1.

Eligible IECSEP participants can undertake placements, secondments, graduate rotations, or intra-company transfers between the applicant’s UK employer and any Australian organisation. Alternatively, approved participants can commence a new role in Australia. UK citizens already working in Australia can also apply to IECSEP and businesses do not need to sponsor IECSEP participants.

• Applications to participate in the IECSEP are reviewed by DFAT, and are subject to visa application approvals by the Department of Home Affairs. DFAT provides successful applicants with a supporting letter for a Temporary Work (International Relations) visa subclass 403 (Government Agreement stream) which must be provided to the Department of Home Affairs at the time of visa application. IECSEP participants cannot undertake any regulated work in Australia, unless they already hold full and unconditional Australian licences or registrations necessary to undertake such work.

More information for applicants and prospective Australian employers is available at DFAT’s website or contact aukfta.iecsep@dfat.gov.au.