Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I was getting to it, Senator McKenzie. The minister has introduced new requirements on states and territories, as part of the funding agreement on infrastructure, and reinforced assurances on Commonwealth projects. Where the Commonwealth is jointly funding projects with states and territories, the minister has written to state and territory counterparts to convey the expectation that any information regarding improper or criminal conduct by entities related to projects delivered under the National Land Transport Act 2014 be reported immediately to the relevant regulator.

The minister has also embedded new assurances and protections in the federation funding agreement that the Commonwealth has negotiated with the states, which was finalised on 11 August. The FFA outlines the states' and territories' responsibility to ensure value for money for public funds and engage delivery partners who prioritise ethical practices, and the shared responsibility to support initiatives to improve productivity in construction. The new FFA responds to findings from the independent strategic review and the independent review of the National Partnership Agreement, which the minister undertook in response to irresponsible and unsustainable spending occurring under the previous government.