Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner's reshuffle of his ministry has been criticised for appointing a new resources minister who previously opposed fracking to produce gas.
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Paul Kirby will take on the primary industry and resources portfolio previously held by Ken Vowles, who was sacked last month after a falling out with Mr Gunner, who he had refused to publicly support.
Despite Mr Gunner regularly describing onshore unconventional oil and gas as crucial to the Territory's economic future, he has appointed former union organiser Mr Kirby to be in charge of an industry he previously opposed.
Opponents say hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, has a negative effect on water resources, farmland and regional economies.
The NT lifted the ban last year after a scientific inquiry by Justice Rachel Pepper found fracking could occur safely, provided 135 recommendations were implemented in what Mr Gunner said was "highly regulated circumstances, tightly proscribed areas".
"As a team we made that decision and all of us in the team support that decision and are working actively to implement the recommendations out of of that report," Mr Gunner told reporters.
Mr Kirby said he had "absolutely" supported the government's position on fracking under "very tightly controlled circumstances" once it had been made by the Labor caucus and following the Pepper report.
"I've already talked to some department heads, the APIA head (Australian Pipelines and Gas Association) to make sure that they understand that they will get a strong level of advocacy from me," he told reporters.
However NT Opposition and Country Liberal Party Leader Gary Higgins said the two most important economic drivers of industry that could "get the Territory out of the doldrums" in primary industries and resources had gone to a junior minister.
"It has been relegated to a left wing, anti-fracking unionist who has been against exploration by the gas industry since day one," Mr Higgins told reporters.
The reshuffle is due to former resources and Aboriginal affairs minister Ken Vowles and assistant ministers Jeff Collins and Scott McConnell being sacked over their criticism of the government's budget management and leadership.
The three met this week, saying they hoped to still be part of the government but repeated calls for Mr Gunner and his chief of staff Alf Leonardi to resign.
When asked about their possible return Mr Gunner said this week " I don't see what pathway is possible for them".
Indigenous woman Selena Uibo, 33, has been named Aboriginal Affairs Minister.
Mr Gunner will take on the business and innovation portfolio and new defence jobs portfolio.
He said he would take a lead role in ensuring local businesses and jobs come first during the first stages of a $20 billion defence investment in the NT, and other projects such as Commonwealth money for Kakadu National Park and a $200 million Darwin City Deal.
Australian Associated Press
