Media Release: Northern Territory Business Leaders Join Opposition Leader for President's Roundtable
CHAMBER NT BUSINESS NEWS
9 July 2026
The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NTCCI/ Chamber NT) today welcomed the Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Leader of the Opposition, to a special President's Roundtable attended by senior business leaders and peak industry representatives from across the Territory.
The Roundtable brought together senior business leaders and peak industry associations from key sectors including resources, agriculture, tourism, property, manufacturing, education, defence and services, with strong alignment around the table on the priorities for economic growth, investment and workforce development across Northern Australia.
Chamber NT President Natalie Bell said the event provided an important opportunity for Territory industry to engage directly with a key national decision-maker, and to do so with a united voice.
“Today’s discussion was about ensuring the Territory is at the centre of the national conversation on Australia’s economic future, not a chapter at the back of the document,” Ms Bell said.
“Almost every major national priority runs through Northern Australia. Defence and national security, energy, critical minerals, agriculture and supply chains into the Indo-Pacific all depend on the north, and on the businesses that invest, employ and operate here.”
“The Territory did not come to the table with a shopping list. We came with a proposition: that Australia’s security, energy and economic ambitions cannot be delivered without the north, and that Territory businesses will deliver them, given the right settings.”
“What was made abundantly clear today was the alignment in the room. Business leaders and peak industry bodies from right across the economy spoke with a consistent voice on what is needed: policy certainty, efficient approvals, enabling infrastructure and workforce settings that let Territory businesses compete.”
“We welcome engagement with leaders from all sides of politics. The opportunities and challenges facing the Territory are too important to be viewed through a partisan lens.”
“One of the Chamber’s most important roles is creating platforms for direct, honest and constructive conversations between Territory business and political leaders. Forums like the President’s Roundtable ensure national policy is informed by the people who are creating jobs, backing projects and driving economic growth on the ground.”
Ms Bell said business confidence remained the key to unlocking the Territory’s economic potential.
"The Territory is not short on opportunity. The challenge is converting that opportunity into investment, jobs and long-term economic growth."
“The question for the Territory has never been about potential. It is about conversion, turning that potential into investment, jobs, capability and sustained economic growth. Many of the levers sit in Canberra, including policy certainty, approvals reform, enabling infrastructure and workforce settings, and we are seeking genuine partnership from federal leaders, in government and in opposition, to deliver them.”
“The Chamber NT will continue to create opportunities for meaningful dialogue between business leaders and governments of all persuasions to ensure the Territory’s voice is heard and understood in Canberra.”
The President's Roundtable is a regular Chamber forum that brings together business leaders, policymakers and industry representatives to engage in constructive discussion on the opportunities and challenges shaping the Territory economy.
