6 September 2025
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing in the Territory as an allied defence partner of choice.
Next week, a delegation of local businesses and peak industry bodies, supported by DefenceNT, will travel to Pearl Harbor to participate in the Indo-Pacific Regional Summit, hosted by the American Society of Military Engineers.
The Summit, held from 8-10 September, will focus on building capability and capacity in the region, much of which will be delivered through the US$15 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) Multi-Award Construction Contract (MACC).
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the Territory was well placed to capture new opportunities.
"Defence is one of the five strategic pillars of our economic plan because we know that when Defence invests here, it means real jobs, real opportunities and real confidence for Territory businesses and families."
The MACC presents opportunities for direct US investment in the Northern Territory, in addition to the United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI) infrastructure projects already underway.
The delegation includes representatives from Sitzler, DCOH, Bear Claw, the Industry Capability Network NT, Darwin Major Business Group, Chamber of Commerce NT, Master Builders NT, DefenceNT and DefenceNT Strategy Group members from both Australia and the US.
Mrs Finocchiaro said the NT's consistent advocacy on the Territory being an allied partner of choice was delivering results.
"Our sustained engagement campaign will help ensure that when decisions are made about where construction, sustainment and maintenance dollars are spent, Territory businesses are front of mind."
Connections made through the NT-led Partnering for Strength workshop, held in the United States earlier this year, resulted in several US firms travelling to Darwin for NT Defence Week. One of these firms, Texas-based SLSCO, has since commenced construction on a US$460 million (AUD$705million) project at RAAF Base Darwin.
The Territory's construction industry is supporting SLSCO to deliver this significant project - the largest single USFPI infrastructure investment to date.
Local industry is also securing major contracts, with Sitzler delivering the AU$747 million Training Areas and Ranges Project, and DCOH delivering the AU$389 million Robertson Barracks Base Improvements.
CEO of the Industry Capability Network NT, Daniel McCormick, said Territory businesses have a strong track record of delivering world-class projects and are ready to support the United States in delivering its works program.
"As key decisions on US investment in the region approach, we must ensure Territory businesses are well positioned and recognised as capable, strategic delivery partners.
"That is why it is critical we continue to engage with industry and key decision makers in the US, so our local businesses are in the best position to capture value from the significant investment flowing into our region."
Mrs Finocchiaro said the government's next step was to deepen its direct engagement with Indo-Pacific Command.
"I intend to travel to Pearl Harbor early next year to reinforce the Territory as an allied partner of choice for training, forward basing, force posture and critical infrastructure.
"Ninety cents in every defence dollar spent in the Territory goes straight to local businesses - and we must keep securing more of that investment.
"The Territory is a trusted partner of Defence. Our businesses are capable, competitive and ready to deliver, and we will continue to back in the Territory's strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific every step of the way."
