Some ACIL's previous work in the region includes the highly-publicised impact study of the Timor Sea gas on the Australian gas market, NT and the national economy; review of the Northern Territory Mining Act; advising Alcan on potential expansion of its Nabalco operations; and a study of strategies to increase exploration and mining in the East Kimberley region.

Speaking exclusively to energyreview.net, Mr Anderson said one of the biggest issues facing Northern Territory was bringing Sunrise gas onshore. "With the NT running out of indigenous supply of energy we are looking at bringing Sunrise gas onshore option to keep a lid on electricity prices in the Territory," Mr Anderson said. "The offshore gasfields are already having a positive effect on the economy with plenty of upside scope on that to go a lot further.

"If Sunrise gas does come onshore, I think some of the projections would be quite awesome in terms of the impact it will have on the Territory economy."

Mr Anderson added that the other major issue is to grow the territory to maintain the pace of job creation in order to keep in step with its growing population.