[1] The terms of reference of the paper stated that the Government would produce a White Paper to "set out a clear, well-defined and timely policy platform for realising the full economic potential of the north, including a plan for implementing these policies over the next two, five, 10 and 20 years:"[1] The north has some natural advantages relating to agriculture, mining, energy and tourism.
It also has geographic advantages from its proximity to the fast-growing Asian and Tropical regions, presenting opportunities in services such as education and health.
However, it faces significant economic, environmental and social challenges, including: a sparse population; infrastructure, transport and service delivery costs; competition for skilled labour; harsh and extreme weather; and possible constraints around water resource development.The Government wanted the Paper to produce a stocktake of northern Australia's natural, geographic and strategic assets, and the potential for further development of the region's minerals, energy, agricultural, tourism, defence and other industries, as well as a comprehensive assessment of risks and impediments to growth and set out agreed policy actions via a cross-agency Taskforce in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
[1] In June 2015, the Abbott government released the first ever White Paper on Developing Northern Australia.
[2] Elements of the push for northern development included boosting links with the Asia-Pacific economies; a $600 million roads package; money to upgrade airstrips and explore rail freight options; a $100 million beef roads fund and a $5 billion concessional loans facility; a $200 million water infrastructure fund and a plan to study river systems for dams viability; support for native title bodies and new surveys to start simplifying land arrangements for economic investment; and a $75 million Cooperative Research Centre.