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

I know members opposite are very excited to hear about this too! A strong north is a strong Australia, as Senator Green knows. The Albanese Labor government is committed to creating secure jobs across northern Australia and empowering the region to drive our nation's future prosperity.

A centrepiece of that vision is the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, which we increased to $7 billion. Last month the NAIF reached a significant milestone, with $2 billion now invested in infrastructure projects across the north. A further $2.4 billion has been committed. The 32 projects now backed by the NAIF are transforming the north and are on track to create more than 18,000 jobs across the country. The NAIF also has 31 projects—I can tell everyone's riveted; this is wonderful!—in its pre-investment pipeline, with the potential to create thousands more jobs across northern Australia. Everyone, move north!

On Monday the Minister for Northern Australia announced an independent review of the NAIF, as required by law. The independent review panel will soon start engaging with a range of key stakeholders to ensure the recommendations—