COALITION TO MAKE NAIF PERMANENT

The Coalition has announced it will make the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) a permanent institution after the Labor Government committed to only a 10-year extension.

Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said while the Coalition would support Labor’s legislation extending the NAIF for another 10 years, the Government had ignored the independent review’s key recommendation to remove the sunset clause altogether.

“The Developing Northern Australia is a proud LNP achievement,” Senator Canavan said.

“Despite naysayers at the time, Northern Australia has remained on the agenda ever since. I am personally proud to have introduced the original Northern Australia legislation in 2016, with the policy built on the work that was done by LNP Members of Parliaments such as former Senator Ian Macdonald and former MP Warren Entsch.

“Unfortunately, Labor is now kicking the can down the road. Northern Australia shouldn’t have to fight every decade to prove it is worthy of investment.

“The independent review recommended making the NAIF permanent because it works. The Coalition established the NAIF in 2016, and we will make it permanent because Northern Australia should have long-term certainty for investment, jobs and economic growth.”

Since its creation, the NAIF has supported 33 projects with $4.3 billion in finance commitments, helping deliver more than 18,000 jobs and an estimated $33 billion in public benefit across Northern Australia.

These investments have helped restart urea production in Australia, improve airports in Darwin, Alice Springs, Townsville, Cairns and Mackay, expand the Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm Expansion, get mining going again at Mount Morgan and build a new meatworks near Moranbah.

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald said the region needed governments focused on nation-building rather than short-term political fixes.

“Labor talks about Northern Australia, but the Coalition backs it with lasting investment,” Senator McDonald said.

“The NAIF has transformed communities, unlocked private investment and created jobs across the North. Making it permanent sends a clear message that the Coalition believes in Northern Australia’s future and won’t treat its development as a temporary priority.”

Senator McDonald added the Coalition’s commitment reflected its belief that Northern Australia’s economic importance, strategic significance and enormous potential demanded permanent support.

“Governments come and go, but Northern Australia’s importance will never diminish,” she said.

ENDS