Question Time AU

Bill Debate · In Committee

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; In Committee

Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Senate debated amendments to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026 during consideration in detail. The National Party moved amendments to adjust the timing and frequency of statutory reviews, while the Greens proposed banning public funding for coal, gas, and native forest logging projects. The government opposed the Greens' amendment, arguing that the existing investment mandate and ministerial veto powers were sufficient to ensure alignment with climate goals and economic transition. The National Party's amendments were defeated, the Greens' amendment was rejected, and the bill was subsequently passed.

Outcome

The National Party amendments were not passed, the Greens amendment was not passed, and the bill was passed.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Susan McDonald (QLD) (National Party) Nationals

McDonald moved amendments to replace the existing review provisions with a requirement for periodic reviews. McDonald proposed that the first review commence as soon as practicable after 30 June 2031, with subsequent reviews occurring every five years thereafter. This change aimed to establish a fixed schedule for assessing the operation of the Act rather than relying on the previous wording.

Government response

Nita Green (Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) ALP QLD

Green opposed the Greens' amendment, stating that the government had updated the NAIF investment mandate in 2024 to align projects with sustainability and climate change principles. Green highlighted that the bill strengthens board accountability by requiring notification of non-compliance and allowing ministers to direct corrective action or exercise veto power. Green argued that the sector-agnostic approach allows for broad economic development while supporting the transition to net zero, citing the Alpha HPA First Project in Gladstone as an example of supported advanced manufacturing.

Votes during this debate

Division 3: Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; In Committee Not passed 20–30 Division 4: Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; In Committee Not passed 11–26 Division 5: Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; In Committee Passed 26–10