Executive summary 2

Key findings 3

Recommendations 4

Background 5

Strategic context: the north as a place of strength or vulnerability 6

Powering strategy: the Northern Engine framework 8

Australia’s historical trajectory of northern thinking 10

What the DSR, NDS and IIP promised 12

The real state of northern posture: delivery, drift and the risk of strategic mismatch 14

Critical gaps 17

The Northern Engine in practice 19

Corridors and national infrastructure 21

Industry integration 24

Policy implications 25

Conclusion 26

Notes 27

Acronyms and abbreviations 27