What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill lets the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, which gives low-cost loans for projects in northern Australia, keep making investment decisions for ten more years, until 2036. It also adds the Finance Minister as a responsible minister, makes the board report when it breaks its investment rules, and sets up reviews in 2029 and 2034. The debate focused on the facility's record, whether it should be permanent, and whether it should be allowed to fund coal and gas.
Arguments made in support
Government members said the facility has backed over $4 billion in loans, supporting projects forecast to create more than 18,000 jobs across the north.
Speakers pointed to projects like rare earths mining, seniors housing in Cairns, a urea fertiliser plant and a cotton gin as examples of its value.
The government said a ten-year extension gives investors certainty and the new rules improve accountability.
The Coalition and One Nation supported the extension, saying northern Australia faces high costs and the facility fills a finance gap.
Government members said rules already require projects to have plans for engaging First Nations people.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said ten years was not enough and moved to make the facility permanent, as the independent review recommended.
The Greens opposed the bill unless it was changed to ban funding for coal and gas extraction, gas pipelines and native forest logging.
Independent member Zali Steggall moved amendments to require funding to match climate laws, ban gas funding and require consultation with First Nations people.
Critics of gas funding said profitable fossil fuel companies should not get public loans and that this shifts risk onto taxpayers.
One Nation said the facility's rules should not include net zero or First Nations goals, and moved that it encourage coal, gas and mining projects.
70 speeches by 28 members in the House and Senate over 6 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 10 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 11 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 12 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 30 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Includes votes on amendments and procedure.