Independent review of the NAIF breaks ground

The Australian Government has today announced the commencement of an independent review into the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016.

Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King has appointed former Member for Lingiari, the Hon Warren Snowdon, to lead the review. Mr Snowdon will be supported by a panel comprising Professor Peter Yu from Western Australia and Dr Lisa Caffery from Queensland.

The panel will conduct the review over the next five months, undertaking targeted stakeholder consultation across the north. 

The review is a requirement under the Act and will make recommendations to Government including on how to best continue to support investment that delivers economic and community benefits to northern Australia.

NAIF is a development financier that provides financial assistance to infrastructure projects in northern Australia to drive public benefit, economic and population growth, as well as materially improve the lives of First Nations people.

Minister King said Mr Snowdon, Professor Yu and Dr Caffery bring exceptional experience to the independent review.

“The independent review panel members possess strong connections to northern Australia and the necessary background to lead this review,” Minister King said.

“The review is an important opportunity to explore the role of the Australian Government’s $7 billion loan facility and how it can contribute to government priorities in the national interest, such as the Critical Minerals Strategy and our Future Made in Australia agenda.”

Special Envoy for Northern Australia Luke Gosling OAM welcomed the appointment of Mr Snowdon to lead the independent review.

“This independent review will ensure NAIF funding continues to be improved to provide the economic and social infrastructure needed to advance local businesses, communities and First Nations people across the North,” Mr Gosling said. 

The review is scheduled to deliver a report to Government in December 2024.

For more information, including the review’s terms of reference, visit: https://infrastructure.gov.au/NAIFActReview

The Hon Warren Snowdon (Panel Chair), based in Alice Springs, is a former federal minister and member of the House of Representatives. Mr Snowdon’s wide-ranging skillset and experience has seen him lead a number of significant projects and appointments, notably: sitting on the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia during the inquiry into the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters in Western Australia (2021) and the Independent Panel on the Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea (2023).

Professor Peter Yu (Panel member) is a Yawuru man from Broome in the Kimberley region in Northwest Australia with over 40 years of experience in Indigenous development and advocacy at the state, national and international levels. He is Vice-President (First Nations) at the Australian National University.

Dr Lisa Caffery (Panel member) is a respected business and community engagement leader with more than 20 years of professional experience in regional Queensland.