NEWS
$7 BILLION FUNDING
TO FINANCE INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
T
he Australian Government is providing the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) with an additional $2 billion in funding to finance critical infrastructure projects in the country’s north. Federal Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said the funding increase to $7 billion means communities, businesses and industries will benefit from more infrastructure projects. “To date, $3.2 billion of NAIF financing has been committed. This funding is expected to create up to 11,000 new jobs and inject almost $16 billion back into the economy,” Mr Littleproud said. “The demand for NAIF funding continues to grow and it is likely to fully commit its current funding in the next year. “An additional $2 billion will continue the prosperity to the north for generations to come and further delivers the Government’s commitment to
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create economic development and drive investment in northern Australia across all sectors, from mining and agriculture to renewable energy, education and tourism.” Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Queensland, Senator Susan McDonald, said the extra funding will give certainty to investors to commit to doing business across the north. “We are getting private enterprises on board to invest in our north, because we know that public and private
sectors working together will achieve sustainable and exponential growth,” Ms McDonald said. “NAIF is a critical tool in helping to deliver real outcomes under the Regions of Growth Master Plans outlined in Our North, Our Future: 2021-2026.” NAIF Acting CEO, Amanda Copping, said the NAIF is investing for impact in northern Australia with more than $3.2 billion committed to job-creating projects and to unlock the potential of the region.
March 2022 // Issue 22
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