Keith Pitt (Hinkler, National Party, Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for that question. It's fantastic to get a question on northern Australia and our northern Australia agenda. I can confirm for the member that the NAIF has made investment decisions for some $2.4 billion of the $5 billion allocated to the NAIF. But it's not just about the NAIF. This is about our agenda for the north, delivering for the people of the north and providing jobs for the people of the north. Once again, those opposite simply don't understand business. Is the member suggesting a project proponent should draw down on a loan at a time they don't need it, pay interest rates at a time they don't need it and pay extra costs at a time they don't need it? We have committed through the NAIF $2.4 billion in investment decisions. We will continue to deliver.

In fact, in the Northern Territory just recently Humpty Doo Barramundi, the famous fighting barramundi of the Northern Territory, received another commitment from the NAIF, a second loan. That means more jobs in the Territory, more opportunities for the Territory and more opportunities for the north.

It is not just about the NAIF. We continue to deliver on roads. We continue to deliver on gas—

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