OPINION: Federal government updates to the 2015 Northern Australia white paper have failed to convince critics it has what it takes to drive the region forward.
Tax benefits and local defence procurement appear likely to be front and centre of the Coalition's push to win northerners' votes at next year's federal election.
The update of a 10-year-old policy document directing development of northern Australia has focused on overarching policies rather than actionable items.
A probe into the Environmental Defenders Office has begun, as the federal government moves to review its funding into the organisation after the court judgment in Santos's Barossa matter.
