I would expect now, more than ever, the NT Govt would need MAK...

I would expect now, more than ever, the NT Govt would need MAK to succeed so it can get its mits on the royalties they'll earn from us once we're producing. Governments of all persuasions are conciously going into budget deficit to stimulate their local economies in an attempt to offset the effects of the GFC. The NT Govt is no different. IMO they will happily incur more public debt on the port upgrade to ensure they maximise their earnings from MAK. I think we can be pretty confident that once they get a taste of the income stream we'll deliver them that they'll do all they can to not only keep it coming, but keep it gowing by not restraining expansion at the port-end. Just my thoughts.