Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

North Australia continues to face infrastructure challenges partly because of its low population density and remoteness. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility will help fill the critical infrastructure gaps identified by the Northern Australia audit. Importantly, the facility has been designed in such a way that it will not crowd out private sector investment. The facility will act in partnership with private financiers and the governments of the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. The loans will help to build the economic capacity and longer term expansion of industry population in North Australia and deliver benefits to all Australians. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility will be able to provide more patient capital that allows for a project to reach maturity before being repaid. As a minister, and also as a senator for the Northern Territory, I can tell you that this is going to be a game changer for North Australia.