Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The National Water Infrastructure Development Fund was officially launched on 19 November this year and represents the government's commitment to securing the nation's future water supply, including in Australia's north. The fund will support a range of activities relating to water infrastructure, including water resource assessments, feasibility studies and capital works. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is working with state and territory agencies to support them in bringing forward applications from non-government organisations, including local councils, to ensure that the government is able to consider a broad range of proposals to develop new, economically viable water infrastructure and support the expansion of regional economies.

The Commonwealth will make the assessments and the decisions on the allocation of funding, and I am particularly pleased to reassure Senator Macdonald that this process will be streamlined and efficient. This government understands that capturing and managing the water in the North is critical to the economic future of the North and of the nation.