Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the member for Mackellar's motion that acknowledges Australia's position as a renewable energy powerhouse in 2020 and the Morrison government's continued commitment to lowering emissions as a world leader in renewable energy technologies and investment. In our efforts to tackle the changing climate, achieving net zero emissions will be a great challenge. However, there is no doubt that the Morrison government does not shy away when confronted with such challenges. Around the world we are seeing those countries that pivot to a lower emissions future relying on innovative and renewable technologies to achieve their goals. Under the leadership of the Morrison government, our plan for Australia's clean energy future is no different. In harnessing the power of science, innovation and technology, we have a plan to create a sustainable and clean energy sector that protects our planet for future generations.

We are committed to our plan of a net zero emissions future for Australia. 2020 was a record year for renewable energy uptake in Australia, with the Clean Energy Regulator reporting the installation of seven gigawatts of renewable technologies to the grid. This supersedes the 2019 record of 6.3 gigawatts, signifying an 11 per cent rise in renewables uptake. Our history of supporting renewable technologies is set to continue in 2021, with the Clean Energy Regulator estimating a further six gigawatts of energy to be installed. Our commitment to a clean energy future is already seeing Australia ahead of other countries like the United States, France, Japan, Germany and Canada in investment of renewable technologies on a per capita basis.

Sometimes you would think we were doing nothing given the way that the media might talk about this issue, but there is absolutely no doubt that Australians are putting solar panels on their roofs at record rates, and that is making a real difference. But of course we need to make sure that our energy grid is secure. We need to transition carefully and we need to make sure that this transition brings the whole of Australia with it. This means ensuring that we invest in new technologies as we speak, and I really back in the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction on the five stretch targets in the Low Emissions Technology Statement. That is because it will take new technologies to fill the energy void. We can't get there overnight; we need to transition there. There is no silver bullet for the energy issues facing the globe at this point in time. That means we need to work on all fronts with regard to ensuring that a diversified renewable energies portfolio is what gets us there.

Last night, the budget committed a further $539.2 million for a new renewable technologies approach across Australia. Of note, this includes $275 million for the further development of four additional clean hydrogen hubs in regional Australia and the implementation of a clean hydrogen scheme. This is essential not only as we develop hydrogen as a firming technology for clean and dispatchable energy that ensures future reliability and affordability but also as we establish hydrogen as our export commodity for our resources industry. This will create Aussie jobs and support our manufacturing sector in our postpandemic recovery.

I note that one of the sites for a green hydrogen plant is in Wodonga. As someone who grew up in Albury, just across the river, I know this will help with local jobs incredibly. It's this form of practical approach that will see Australia lead the way with transitioning to a cleaner, greener future. It's pragmatic, it creates jobs and it's something the world needs. And we know this because we know places like Japan and even Germany are looking to a hydrogen-led future and they're looking to invest in Australia to make sure that we can provide hydrogen as a resource for the future. It's about bottling our sunshine and developing it for export overseas.

Most importantly, our plan is already delivering results. In 2020 we met and beat our Kyoto targets by 459 million tonnes, with recent assessment forecasts that Australia will exceed its 2030 Paris target in tackling climate change. As a result of the Morrison government's commitment to renewable technologies, we're delivering a future that protects our planet and will underpin our economic prosperity for decades to come.

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