Housing, regional migration, trade and defence on the agenda at fourth Northern Australia Ministerial Forum

The Northern Australia Ministerial Forum met today in Broome, Yawuru Country, to discuss initiatives to support communities in the north, including opportunities for collaboration in housing and maximising trade and investment.

Minister for Northern Australia, the Hon Madeleine King MP, chaired the Forum and was joined by:

The Hon Don Punch MLA, Western Australia’s Minister for Regional Development
Gerard Maley, Deputy Chief Minister for the Northern Territory
Luke Gosling OAM MP, Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia.

Assistant Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite and Assistant Minister for Trade, Tim Ayres also joined the Forum to brief Ministers.

Ministers welcomed the release of the Australian Government’s Northern Australia Action Plan 2024–29 and committed to work together to progress shared priorities. The Action Plan is underpinned by the 14 priorities agreed to by the Forum in 2022.

Recognising housing availability and affordability as a vital issue across northern jurisdictions, ministers agreed to establish a working group to identify solutions specific to the north’s unique needs.

The Forum also discussed the important role migration plays in ensuring northern Australia has a skilled workforce to meet its development objectives.

In examining the Australian Government’s trade and market access strategy for the north, Ministers noted the growing and changing nature of agricultural exports and discussed the opportunities the transition to net zero presents for northern export markets and how they can support greater investment.

Ministers also agreed to work together to maximise local outcomes arising from the pipeline of Defence investment in the north through the Integrated Investment Program, ADF housing and Defence’s transition to clean energy.

The meeting was the fourth time the Forum has convened since its re-establishment in 2022.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King:

“With our new Northern Australia Action Plan recently released, we’re setting the course for Northern Australia’s refreshed development agenda.

“Like all corners of the country, increases in the cost of living are impacting northerners hard, with housing availability and affordability at the heart of it.

“Together with my Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australian counterparts, we’re committed to delivering positive outcomes on housing for the north.

“When the north thrives, Australia thrives. This Forum is crucial to coordinating government efforts to support liveable, sustainable and healthy communities.”

Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Luke Gosling:

“Northern Australia is rich in opportunities and resources, the most important being the people who call the North home.

“This Forum is a vital platform to discuss issues important to the North and progress shared priorities to benefit local communities and businesses.”

Quotes attributable to Western Australia Minister for Regional Development, Don Punch:

“Growing industries like manufacturing, critical minerals and agricultural exports is crucial for providing a strong and sustainable future for Western Australia’s northern regions.

"I look forward to continuing to work with my State and Federal counterparts to pursue opportunities that will enable businesses in northern WA to be more competitive and create more vibrant and dynamic communities in the north.”

Quote attributable to Deputy Chief Minister for the Northern Territory, Gerard Maley:

“This was a positive opportunity to start to reshape the agenda between the Territory and Federal Government.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Regional Development, Glenn Butcher:

“As the Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing in Queensland, I know that the capability of our northern regions is an economic powerhouse for this state.

“This Forum provides an opportunity to identify how we can improve liveability in our regions in order to attract more people and families to Northern Australia.

“It is our hope that the action plan will work to address issues and opportunities in Northern Australia, so our communities can continue to grow.”

For more information on today’s forum visit the Office of Northern Australia website.