The Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is noted in the article as one of the government-backed entities offering support for critical minerals projects. This initiative is part of a broader government intervention to stimulate domestic economic growth, reduce reliance on authoritarian suppliers, and create job opportunities.

An Independent Expert Panel conducted a comprehensive review of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016, culminating in a report submitted to Minister Madeleine King MP on 12 February 2025. The review involved extensive consultations across government levels and various sectors, including First Nations organizations, promoting inclusive policy-making and transparent governance.

In February 2025, the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) settled a Federal Court dispute initiated by Jubilee Australia Research Centre regarding its statutory environmental reporting obligations. The legal action, filed in July 2023, was discontinued after NAIF’s 2024 annual report demonstrated substantial compliance, including expanded disclosures on climate change and environmental impacts. Additionally, Resources Minister Madeleine King amended NAIF’s investment mandate to require explicit consideration of climate change impacts, marking a step towards greater transparency and accountability.

Following a successful legal action by Jubilee Australia, NAIF expanded its environmental reporting to include detailed assessments of climate impacts and the effects of its fossil fuel financing. In response to a Federal Court case and subsequent amendment of its investment mandate by Resources Minister Madeleine King, NAIF is now required to factor climate risk into investment decisions, a move that increases transparency and accountability.

Jubilee Australia Research Centre has initiated legal proceedings against the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) alleging that the facility fails to provide even basic transparency about the environmental, human rights, and economic impacts of its taxpayer-funded projects, particularly in relation to financing fossil fuels and harmful projects.

NAIF chief executive Laurie Walker defended the organization's confidentiality and 'best practice' policies amid a Senate inquiry that questioned its transparency and management of conflicts of interest. Walker argued that non-disclosure of director recusal details is in line with commercial-in-confidence norms, despite criticisms that such secrecy undermines public oversight.

The Australian Greens have accused the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility of being set up as a $5 billion slush fund intended to benefit fossil fuel donors. The Greens highlighted that while a portion of the funds is earmarked for tourism, there remains a significant sum that could go towards fossil fuel projects, reflecting political collusion with major polluters.