Developing Northern Australia Conference 2024

Over 225 delegates attended the 10th Developing Northern Australia Conference (DNAC) in Karratha August 26-28.Conference delegates had the opportunity to bring their ideas, share their concerns & frustrations, networking & exploring solutions focused on everything north of the Tropic of Capricorn. 

Professor Allan Dale who has chaired the conference for the last 10 years said that;
“Every year, this conference gives northern Australians, our partners from the south and the wider world a chance to share their vision for the future of the north. It also gives a wide audience the chance to hear how implementation of the Whitepaper on Developing Northern Australia is progressing. Together, we have a stronger voice in getting the best results.”

State and Federal Governments were well represented. The Minister for Resources & Northern Australia Madeleine King announced the release of the Northern Australia Action Plan 2024-2029 in her opening address on Day 1.
Senator Susan McDonald, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia (pictured right) discussed how strategic investment in infrastructure, skills and industries will not only strengthen Northern Australia, but also ensure we remain competitive in the global market.

Senator Varun Ghosh (Senator for WA) opened Day 2 and this was followed by the Hon. Melissa Price MP (Federal Member for Durack) who discussed how developing the North requires a balanced approach that prioritises security, enhances liveability, and attracts investment to ensure sustainable growth and a prosperous future.

In addition to the approximately 60 concurrent sessions, panel sessions were held on Mining and Beyond, Knowledge, Skills and Migration for Tomorrow’s Success and Place-Based Solutions for Northern Australia.

Keynote speakers included:
• Professor Hurriyet Babacan (JCU, Chair RDA Tropical North
• Dr Guy Boggs (Chief Executive Officer, CRC Time)
• Dr John Coyne (Head of Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre, Australian Strategic Policy Institute)
• Tracey Hayes (Chair of Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Board)
• Terry Hill AM (Chairman, Pilbara Development Commission Board)
• Joe Morrison (Group Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation)
• Brook Orr (Director, Northern Australia Universities Alliance - NAUA)
• Colin Saltmere AM (Chairperson, Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group - IRG)
• Professor Peter Yu (Vice-President First Nations, The Australian National University)

Key themes and learnings that emerged from DNAC 24
• More targeted focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island self-determination/nation building.
• Big focus on future mining innovation leading to better social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes.
• Real desire to contribute to decarbonisation, but needs to deliver regional and First Nations benefit & support.
• Opportunity emerging to work towards a strong Northern Australian Workforce Strategy and process.
• Need for deeper relational links in the Indo-Pacific.
• Time to start planning a major enabling Infrastructure agenda to better connect us across the North.
• Must be greater support and institutional design for place-based approaches to solving complex problems.
• Northern development as a inter-generational agenda.

On the final day of the conference Cairns was announced as the successful bidder for the 2025 DNAC. Cairns councillor Brett Olds (pictured above) was in Karratha to acknowledge the announcement and to promote DNAC 2025, to be held August 5-7 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Tourism Tropical North Queensland estimates that DNAC 2025 will deliver 1200 visitor nights with a direct economic impact of $826,800 for Cairns.

Image (top inset) Senator Susan McDonald Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia. Credit: J.McHugh