New plan to unlock growth in Northern Australia

The Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King has today launched the Albanese Government’s Northern Australia Action Plan 2024–2029.

Minister King made the announcement at the Developing Northern Australia Conference in Karratha, Western Australia.

Building on the 2015 Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, the Action Plan reaffirms the Albanese Government’s strong commitment to the north.

Minister King said the new Action Plan is the result of engagement with hundreds of northern Australians.

“Living in Northern Australia comes with unique challenges and the Albanese Government understands this.

“We want to build on the strength and resilience of those living in our northern communities and help unlock the north’s economic potential. 

“From the producers that herd and grow some of the nation's best produce, to industry experts and community leaders, we’ve listened to their voices and now we’re acting.

“A strong north means a strong Australia."

Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Luke Gosling OAM, welcomed the Northern Australia Action Plan. 

“The Albanese Government is committed to building on the north’s advantages to support a prosperous north,” Mr Gosling said.

“This Action Plan outlines a refreshed policy agenda that will help unlock the immense potential of our region.

“Northern Australia’s success is vital for our nation.” 

The Action Plan builds on the north’s comparative advantages including its strategic location, natural resources and resilient communities – outlining new and emerging opportunities while tackling persistent challenges.

Central to the Action Plan is the commitment to work in partnership to advance First Nations outcomes in the region. With First Nations people making up 17.4 per cent of the north’s population, ensuring parity across health, participation and prosperity in the economy and community are key to the north’s success.

The Action Plan outlines six policy priorities, which will inform future government action. They are:

• Activating the northern economy
• Infrastructure to unlock growth
• A safe and secure north
• Growing the northern Australia workforce
• Liveable, healthy and resilient communities 
• Protecting the north’s environment and cultural heritage. 

Recognising the need to address known barriers to success and structural issues, and building on the work already underway across government, the Action Plan outlines 17 Areas for Continued Focus for short to medium term action.

The Action Plan also provides a snapshot of Australian Government initiatives and investments in the north and demonstrates the north’s key role in delivering the national agenda, including the Future Made in Australia, the Critical Minerals Strategy, Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy, the National Defence Strategy and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

To read the Northern Australia Action Plan 2024–2029, visit www.northernaustralia.gov.au