nt chief minister pipedream, page-5

Feds support gas pipeline

ALISON BEVEGE | February 4th, 2013

The Federal Government has welcomed a plan to link the Territory's gas pipeline to the rest of Australia, Chief Minister Terry Mills said.

Mr Mills is on a global dash to secure Territory gas supplies in an attempt to save the Gove refinery.

After talks with Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and shadow resources minister Ian Macfarlane, Mr Mills said he was very encouraged by the response.

"I'm pleased it hasn't been dismissed," he said. "It has been welcomed."

Mr Mills said a national pipeline would mean more gas producers would be able to provide gas from onshore deposits, increasing the Territory's gas supply.

"It's not just an opportunity for Gove but to be plugged into the national grid," he said.

Regardless of whether a national grid is agreed on, gas for Gove would have to be cobbled together from Power and Water, Eni Australia and Santos at Mereenie, he said.

"We have to work together," he said.

Mr Mills travels to Singapore tomorrow to talk to Eni Australia about how to break the Territory's existing gas contract without being penalised.

Then it's on to Europe to talk to GDF Suez and Rio Tinto.

If the Gove plant shuts, the town will lose 800 jobs - and the population of 4800 is expected to halve.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/02/04/317299_ntnews.html