A file image of a bushfire in the Northern Territory. Image: Bushfires NT

THE Federal Coalition has today committed $2.5 million to keep the North Australia Fire Information (NAFI) website operating for another three years if elected this Saturday, a move which would keep a desperately needed service in place according to northern cattle industry leaders.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Northern Australia and Rangelands Fire Information (NAFI) website is essential for pastoralists to manage pasture and undertake fire prevention for disaster prevention and management.

Current funding for the NAFI web service runs out on June 30th, 2025. To visit the NAFI website click here

“The NAFI website allows viewing and tracking fire activity in Australia’s northern and remote areas, saving not just lives but livelihoods,” Mr Littleproud said.

“It also provides information to support participation in savanna fire management initiatives for emissions reduction projects.

“The online mapping tool covers Queensland and the Northern Territory, plus Western Australia and South Australia. It provides real-time bushfire information, helping bushfire management and planning.

“However, under Labor this vital tool faced a funding cliff, because it was not included in Labor’s 2025-26 Budget.

The Coalition will not allow that to happen.”

Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association CEO Romy Carey said the Coalition’s funding commitment was welcomed.

Aerial water bombing on Tipperary Station. Picture taken by David Connolly.

“The NAFI fire mapping tool is an essential service for producers and land managers across northern Australia. It provides real time fire tracking and long-term fire history data that underpin every stage of fire planning, from early-season mitigation to wildfire response.

“While NAFI has always delivered critical capability, it has faced challenges due to short-term, uncertain funding cycles.

“The Coalition’s funding commitment will provide the stability needed for NAFI to scale, upgrade, and innovate, especially during periods of high fire activity and growing user demand.”

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald said the NAFI service is run by Charles Darwin University, and the funding will also help pastoralists and park rangers to plan and prepare burns and fire breaks, to limit the spread of bushfires if and when they occur.

“The Coalition is committed to improving lives in Northern Australia and this is a practical measure that is extremely helpful across often isolated areas,” Senator McDonald said.

“The Coalition supports this service because we support Northern Australia.”

Consolidated Pastoral Company CEO Troy Setter said the NAFI also helps emergency services, national parks, traditional owners and those with carbon projects.

“The service is globally unique in that it has an ability in real time and sends warning messages to farmers and others who are fighting fires in real time,” Mr Setter said.

“While it saves lives and livelihoods, it is essential for environmental compliance reporting.

“If this service was unavailable you would see a significant increase in wildfires across Australia. People wouldn’t know there were fires are until they were raging out of control. Carbon farming wouldn’t be able to be completed either. We welcome this funding commitment.”