The federal government is on the hunt for prominent First Nations business leaders to help shape policy and investment in northern Australia and secure the country's future economy.
Expressions of interest opened on Tuesday for a new chair and member of the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group's (IRG) upcoming third term, after a recent two-year extension advising Northern Australia minister Madeleine King.
The IRG has previously advised the government on northern development since being established in 2017.
It was now focused on advising priorities it helped influence in Labor's 2024-2029 Northern Australia Action Plan, which renewed policy focus on economic opportunities, housing, education and infrastructure.
Ideal candidates would have expertise enhancing Indigenous enterprise, industry knowledge across northern Australia's economic and business environment, strategic insight of the region and a commitment to Indigenous empowerment.
"Drawing on their business acumen and experience in economic development in the north, members of the IRG provide insights and advice to better understand the needs and opportunities of the northern Indigenous business sector," the EOI said.
"These include in agriculture, native foods, land management, sustainable development and tourism."
The IRG's two-year extension for a third term was announced during Ms King's annual statement to Parliament, where she said the country's future economic prosperity was dependent on northern Australia.
"A strong north means a strong Australia," she said in November.
"Importantly, all of this work is being designed and driven by communities in the north."
IRG members would use their business and grassroots experience in economic development across northern Australia to provide insights and advice on the needs and opportunities of northern Australia's Indigenous business sector.
Ms King said the government's $30 billion investment on projects across northern Australia, and recent record infrastructure spend, showed its faith in the region's potential.
The IRG appointees would also have input on the NT's controversial Middle Arm gas and industrial precinct on Darwin Harbour, which the government committed $1.5b to but now faced significant delays due to scrutiny it would expand the fossil fuel industry.
The massive hub was first trumpeted as a 'sustainable development precinct' however final approval and distribution of federal funding hinged on the NT government's business case, which was rejected by Infrastructure Australia last November amid environmental impact concerns.
Senator Lidia Thorpe last August said the precinct would be an "ecocidal disasaster" and negatively impact Larrakia people, after a final report last year from a Senate committee examining the industrial project failed to agree on any recommendations for it.
"It's disappointing this committee wasn't able to agree to a single recommendation, despite the alarming evidence we heard about the destruction and pollution this project will create," the Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurring senator said.
"The Larrakia People were unanimous in asserting that no Free, Prior and Informed Consent has been obtained for the project and that their concerns have been ignored by both the NT and federal Labor governments."
IRG's advice to the government for its latest Northern Australia Action Plan would now extend to identifying priority areas of delivery, with six main policies aligned with Indigenous communities and businesses across the region.
The group's work was also aligned with the national Closing the Gap agreement, and roadmap for Indigenous skills, jobs and wealth creation, enhancing Traditional, expanding and emerging industries to boost First Nations workforces and increase support for Aboriginal businesses.
An intergovernmental Northern Australia Indigenous Development Accord in 2019 also gave jurisdictions a framework to collaborate and advance Indigenous economic development in northern Australia.
Applicants for the new IRG positions have until February 28 to apply.