Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to use its idle $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) to provide further economic stimulus to Northern Australia in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Many parts of Northern Australia were already suffering above average unemployment and have now been hit hard by coronavirus.

At a time when our north is hurting, the Government must take every action possible to support the regions workers and businesses.

When the $5 billion NAIF was announced in 2015, the Government claimed it would create jobs and boost investment in Northern Australia. Sadly, that hasnt happened.
Nearly five years on, only $88.5 million has been released for projects in Northern Australia, less than two per cent in total funding.

With the collapse in tourism, retail and other industries, we are seeing regional centres across Northern Australia among the hardest hit.

Places like Darwin, Kakadu and Uluru, which normally have thriving tourism industries, are seeing businesses closing and thousands of jobs lost. They need support urgently.
This funding for Northern Australia has been locked up for far too long. Its time the Government and the NAIF delivered on its promise.

MEDIA RELEASE THURSDAY, 2 APRIL 2020

SENATOR MURRAY WATT
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA SHADOW MINISTER FOR DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LABOR SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

WARREN SNOWDON MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA MEMBER FOR LINGIARI

LUKE GOSLING OAM MP
MEMBER FOR SOLOMON

SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY
DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP IN THE SENATE
LABOR SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY