Bill
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021
passed, as at 2021-05-27. Resources, Water and Northern Australia portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Resources, Water and Northern Australia
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2021-02-24
- second reading — 2021-02-24
- second reading — 2021-03-25
- second reading — 2021-03-25
- committee — 2021-03-25
- third reading — 2021-03-25
- introduced — 2021-05-11
- second reading — 2021-05-11
- second reading — 2021-05-12
- second reading — 2021-05-13
- second reading — 2021-05-13
- third reading — 2021-05-13
- other — 2021-05-13
- other — 2021-05-13
- passed — 2021-05-13
- royal assent — 2021-05-27
Divisions
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2021-05-12.147.1) that: > *That the [Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6670) be referred to the [Environment and Communications Legislation Committee](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications) for inquiry and report by 15 June 2021.* — 2021-05-12, Senate: negative, ayes 9, noes 34
- Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021 - Consideration of Senate Message - Stop MP Bandt from speaking — 2021-05-13, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 72, noes 46
- The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.74.1) introduced by South Australian Senator [Anne Ruston](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/anne_ruston) (Liberal), which means it was successful. The amendment added the words below to the [original motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.25.1), which was agreed to earlier this day. ### Amendment text > *That the order of the Senate agreed to earlier today relating to the consideration of legislation be varied as follows:* > > *At the end of subparagraph (a)(v), add:* > >> *(E) [Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6670);* ### Original motion > *That today:* > > *(a) the routine of business from 11.45 am be as follows:* > >> *(i) notices of motion;* >> >> *(ii) consideration of a report from the Standing Committee for Selection of Bills;* >> >> *(iii) placing of business;* >> >> *(iv) formal motions; and* >> >> *(v) consideration of the following bills:* >>> >>> *(A) Migration Amendment (Clarifying International Obligations for Removal) Bill 2021 and Migration Amendment (Tabling Notice of Certain Character Decisions) Bill 2021,* >>> >>> *(B) Education Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021,* >>> >>> *(C) Health Insurance Amendment (Prescribed Fees) Bill 2021, and* >>> >>> *(D) Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Student Assistance and Other Measures) Bill 2021;* > > *(b) if by 1.30 pm consideration of the bills has not concluded, the questions on all remaining stages be put without debate;* > > *(c) paragraph (b) operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142; and* > > *(d) following consideration of the bills, the Senate return to its routine of business.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: affirmative, ayes 40, noes 9
- The majority voted against an amendment to the usual [second reading](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/) motion, which is "*that the bill be read a second time*" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). ### Amendment text > *At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:* > > *(a) notes the Government's failure to:* > >> *(i) deliver what it promised as part of its Northern Australia Agenda, and* >> >> *(ii) get money out the door of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF); and* > > *(b) further notes that the bill includes amendments that the Opposition has been calling for over a number of years; and* > > *(c) calls on the Prime Minister and the Government to:* > >> *(i) learn from their failures with the NAIF over the past five years,* >> >> *(ii) deliver the funding they have promised for development in Northern Australia by speeding up the release of funds from the NAIF, and* >> >> *(iii) realise the potential in Northern Australia and re-commit to delivering on their Northern Australia agenda".* ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through provid — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 25, noes 28
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.96.1) to the usual [second reading](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/) motion, which is "*that the bill be read a second time*" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). ### Amendment text > *SHEET 1274* > > *At the end of the motion, add: ", and the bill be referred to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 15 June 2021".* > > *_____* > > *SHEET 1290* > > *At the end of the motion, add: ", but the Senate is of the view that no public money should be invested in coal, gas or oil projects".* ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 9, noes 44
- The majority voted in favour of agreeing with the bill's main idea, which means they can now consider any possible amendments to the bill before deciding whether to pass it. This vote is known as the [second reading vote](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/). ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: affirmative, ayes 47, noes 9
- The majority voted in favour of a Government [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.101.3), which means it was successful and will now form part of the bill. ### Amendment text > *(1) Schedule 1, item 12, page 7 (line 7), after "assistance", insert "(other than equity investments)".* > > *(2) Schedule 1, item 12, page 7 (line 9), after "assistance", insert "(other than in the form of equity investments)".* ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: affirmative, ayes 46, noes 9
- Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021 - in Committee - Net Zero by 2035 — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 10, noes 42
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.108.5) introduced by the Australian Labor Party, which means they failed. ### Amendment text > *(1) Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 10), after item 29, insert:* > > *29A At the end of section 15(4)* > > *Add:* > > *(5) At least one member must be an Indigenous person.* > > *(6) In this section:* > > *Indigenous person means a person who is:* > >> *(a) a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia; or* >> >> *(b) a descendant of an Indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait Islands.* ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 30, noes 33
- Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021 - in Committee - Limit on Investment Mandate — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 30, noes 34
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.112.1) introduced by the Australian Labor Party, which means they failed. The amendments related to the [Indian ocean territories](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_9cf33b8d-acaa-466e-8f6f-c12f2c764840%22;rec=0) and a [portfolio benchmark return](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_74c4b06b-9780-4ecd-b844-2ed2deb74f48%22;rec=0). ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 29, noes 34
- The majority voted in favour of the items listed below remaining as they are. This vote occurred after the Australian Greens proposed to oppose them. These items related to the powers of the Secretary of the Department. ### Amendment text > *(2) [Schedule 1](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=LEGISLATION;id=legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6670_first-reps%2F0001;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6670_first-reps%2F0000%22;rec=0), item 25, page 8 (line 29) to page 9 (line 1), to be opposed.* > > *(3) [Schedule 1](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=LEGISLATION;id=legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6670_first-reps%2F0001;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6670_first-reps%2F0000%22;rec=0), item 27, page 9 (lines 4 and 5), to be opposed.* > > *(4) [Schedule 1](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=LEGISLATION;id=legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6670_first-reps%2F0001;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6670_first-reps%2F0000%22;rec=0), item 42, page 10 (lines 15 to 24), to be opposed.* ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: affirmative, ayes 37, noes 11
- The majority voted against a series of [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-05-13.116.1) introduced by the Australian Greens, which means they failed. The amendments can be found on sheets [1268](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_2ed7021c-abea-4f7d-a435-a5cb632e6860%22;rec=0), [1278](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_fe30aedb-0f58-4925-883e-e8aaa68de92f%22;rec=0), [1280](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_86e36e77-79c5-456b-9997-b7b6001dcbe2%22;rec=0), [1281](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_1612cfb3-0bc3-4601-9268-ad5bea4bb225%22;rec=0), [1282](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_c3520058-1d37-4641-ae85-2c9f41cb362b%22;rec=0) and [1287](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6670_amend_216d7a67-26b1-426a-acef-23290caabeff%22;rec=0). ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to t — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 10, noes 37
- Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021 - in Committee - New fossil fuel projects — 2021-05-13, Senate: negative, ayes 9, noes 39
- The majority voted in favour of passing the bill, with amendments, in the Senate. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives, where our MPs will decide on whether they agree with the Senate amendments. ### What does the bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062), the bill was introduced in order to: > * *extend the period when the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (the Facility) can issue financial assistance* > * *expand who the Facility can give assistance to, and how it provides this assistance* > * *add the Finance Minister as a responsible minister for the Facility and* > * *change some governance arrangements in relation to the Facility.* Currently, the [purpose of the Facility](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd062#_Toc71535773) is: > *...to provide financial assistance to the states and territories for the construction of economic infrastructure in Northern Australia. It does this through providing concessional loans and guarantees.* — 2021-05-13, Senate: affirmative, ayes 37, noes 9
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2021-02-24.
This bill would give the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility more time and flexibility to fund projects in northern Australia.
It would extend the Facility's investment period until 30 June 2026, improve its governance, and make it faster and more adaptable in providing financial help.
The bill follows a statutory review that found the Facility could do more to support economic and population growth in the region.
- Extends the Facility's investment period by five years to 30 June 2026.
- Strengthens the Facility's governance.
- Increases the scope, speed and flexibility of the Facility's financial assistance for economic infrastructure.
The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and projects contributing to northern Australia's economic and population growth.
Sources
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