As technology advances—driven by artificial intelligence, electrification and the expansion of data centres—demand for critical minerals will soar. Magnets made from heavy rare earths are essential for our warfighting capability, with one F-35 Lightning II fighter requiring around 418 kilograms and a Virginia-class submarine requiring around 2,600 kilograms of heavy rare earths. Queensland senator Susan McDonald used the forum to call for copper to be added to Australia’s critical minerals list, echoing the United States’ August move. The NT’s existing gas reservoirs offer ready-made CCS opportunities, with Inpex’s Bonaparte CCS project given major project status. In a market where nearly 50 percent of global rare earths are sourced from Myanmar—often under appalling conditions—Australia has a chance to redefine responsible supply chains.