Extend the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for another 10 years — back it or block it?
The NAIF is a government fund that lends money for infrastructure — roads, ports, energy, water — across northern Australia. This bill extends it for another decade, to 2036. Labor and the Coalition both backed it; the Greens opposed it because the fund is not barred from financing coal and gas projects. The Senate passed the bill and returned it to the House the same day.
🗳 A public mood-check, not a scientific poll. Vote to reveal how the chamber voted.
For · Government (Labor)Extends the NAIF for another 10 years so it can keep funding roads, ports, energy and water projects across northern Australia; the government points to 33 projects backed by about $4.3 billion.
For · CoalitionThe Coalition, which set up the NAIF in 2016, also backed the extension, arguing a 10-year runway gives northern WA and Queensland the certainty they need to attract investment and jobs.
Against · GreensThe Greens opposed it because the fund's mandate does not rule out financing coal, gas and native-forest logging, and moved (unsuccessfully) to bar public money from fossil-fuel projects.
Day by day
· Senate
Main debate — second reading
“That the second reading amendment moved by Senator Roberts be agreed to.” — 20 to 31, rejected.
“That the second reading be agreed to.” — 28 to 10, agreed.