The Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments have entered into an agreement to work together to create a City Deal.

The two governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, as a step towards a future City Deal for Darwin that will drive investment, jobs and make life better for communities in the region.

The MOU outlines a number of areas for collaboration between the Commonwealth, Territory and local governments, including:

• Help transform the Territory’s capital into a world-class tropical tourist and cultural destination by supporting innovative private and public sector infrastructure investments across all three levels of government.
• Create more jobs by supporting skills and industry development, recognising Darwin’s proximity to Asia and opportunities in Defence and agribusiness, and removing barriers to employment.
• Improve housing affordability through a greater choice of housing options; and
• Improve the liveability, amenity and attractiveness of the city centre, including heat reduction in built-up areas, development of green spaces and vibrant arts and cultural experiences.

City Deals are agreements between all three levels of government that prioritise reforms in investment and planning. They are tailored to back local plans and opportunities, to advance individual cities or regions.

It is anticipated that every lever of the Commonwealth, State Government and local government will work together to create jobs and a more liveable city that grows the Northern Australian economy.

The Northern Territory is the fourth jurisdiction to enter into an MOU with the Commonwealth to establish City Deals, as momentum continues to build behind the Smart Cities Plan.

The Smart Cities Plan will position our cities to succeed in the 21st Century economy. It is a plan for supporting productive, accessible, liveable cities that attract talent, encourage innovation and create opportunities for residents.

PRIME MINISTER:

Yanggu gulanyin ngalawiri, dhunayi, Ngunawal dhawra. Wanggarralijinyin mariny bulan bugarabang.

We are here tonight on Ngunnawal land and we honour and respect the elders past and present.

We thank you Paul for your very, very characteristically warm and beautiful welcome.

And thank you Gerard for inviting me here tonight.

And thank you above all to all of the artists.

What remarkable set of works you’ve presented, proving, demonstrating if anyone doubted it that the oldest continuous human culture in the world, that of our First Australians, is alive and dynamic, it is old and new.

It is as old as the deepest most ancient root of a great tree and as new as the flower of the morning on the very height.

The works are profound. They bring every tradition together and, of course, they are done by artists of all ages.

We have works that reach more into the traditional modes of expression.

The beautiful weavings of Yvonne Koolmatrie from the Riverland.

Lola Greeno’s beautiful chains of shoals and bones.

And then of course those like Reko Rennie, of course, who is appropriating the latest technology, a Rolls Royce no less – driving that around his country.

And of course Daniel Boyd appropriating, not just defying empire, appropriating empire and re-expressing colonial works in a similar way, it is different but similar, that Danie Mellor does with some of his works. Although Danie is not in the exhibition here tonight.

But, thank you all so much. I am so honoured to be here to open this exhibition.

It is a wonderful example, as I said, of the continuous dynamic culture of First Australians – how it enriches all of us. 

This is the great genius of our nation. We are old and new. We are as old as the oldest continuous human culture on earth. And as new as the latest expression of that culture. As new as the baby in the arms of her migrant mother.

It is a remarkable achievement that we have and as we walk closer and closer to fulfilling the promise of Reconciliation we build on the foundations of the great achievements, the truth telling that led to the ’67 Referendum – the truth, the love, the commitment, the commitment above all to each other and to recognising how our art expresses our humanity, speaks to us from 50,000 years ago to the flower of the morning.

Thank you all very much.

Congratulations to the curatorial team. Above all thank you and congratulations to the artists. And of course the sponsors, Wesfarmers, all of you that have enabled this wonderful exhibition to happen.

Thank you very much.

[ENDS]