Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Senator Birmingham. How is the government working with the states to capture new energy opportunities for the 21st century?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! I struggled to hear the question, but, if the minister heard it, I will call him and allow him to answer. Senator Birmingham.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rennick for his question and his strong interest in relation to a range of policy areas but particularly in relation to energy policy. I'm very pleased to be able to inform Senator Rennick and the Senate that our government have finalised the National Hydrogen Strategy as part of our commitment and drive to deliver affordable and reliable electricity for the Australian people and energy resources not just in Australia but indeed to our region and the world, as Australia has done so effectively for so long.

The National Hydrogen Strategy will set Australia on a path to becoming a major player in the global hydrogen industry by 2030. It's estimated, in the work undertaken by the Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, that the Australian hydrogen industry could generate around 7,600 jobs! Those opposite aren't ever terribly interested in jobs. They don't like hearing about our government's record on jobs. They don't like acknowledging the 1½ million jobs our government played a role in helping to create the environment to sustain. And the Hydrogen Strategy is about supporting ongoing jobs, especially in regional Australia—jobs that will be part of what could be an $11 billion per annum industry and contribution to our GDP by 2050.

The national strategy is the culmination of work between the federal government and all states and territories, and it's been very much driven by the reality that investors, innovators and our regional partners, particularly in nations such as Japan, Korea and Singapore, are all interested in the opportunities of the hydrogen industry and eager to cooperate with Australia. That's why the Morrison government announced substantial implementation plans around the Hydrogen Strategy, with $370 million to back new hydrogen projects— (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Rennick, a supplementary question?

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister explain how these policies will contribute to a stronger economy by capturing trade and investment opportunities and creating jobs, particularly in our regional areas?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Both the International Energy Agency and the World Energy Council identify Australia as a potential hydrogen production powerhouse.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's good news, Mr President. That's of course why those opposite are interjecting. They only interject when there's good news from the government or when they are standing up for their union mates—and I suspect we might be hearing quite a bit of irrational noise from them over the hours to come in this place.

Opposition senators interjecting—

In relation to hydrogen, the Chief Scientist describes Australia's potential as 'shipping sunshine'. The possibility for us to be able to generate—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cormann, on a point of order?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm reluctant to rise on a point of order, but interjections are disorderly, and there have been a barrage of interjections against Senator Birmingham, who is providing very important information to the Senate and to the Australian people. So I would ask you to call them to order.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have called senators to order on a number of occasions—a handful, in particular, on my left. I will ask senators to restrain themselves for the last minute and a bit of question time. Senator Birmingham to continue.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opportunities for the hydrogen industry exist across many states. They exist in Senator Rennick's great state of Queensland and they exist across my great state of South Australia. Indeed, in South Australia, the Hydrogen Regulatory Working Group is currently supporting three-megawatt-scale projects in which the South Australian government has co-invested over $40 million alongside the types of investments our government is now scaling up. (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Rennick, a final supplementary question?

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will these policies also help to reduce power prices into the future?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

These policies have the benefit of helping to drive a new export industry for Australia in terms of using our renewable energy capabilities—in particular, to develop hydrogen and to be able to send it, as we have done so successfully with other energy sources, out into our region. But it also has the potential to help with Australia's energy grid into the future and with meeting our energy needs.

This sits alongside the work that our government has done in implementing the new Retailer Reliability Obligation; the new Grid Reliability Fund being established; putting in place price caps in the National Electricity Market; and delivering the new 'big stick' laws. All of these types of measures have seen stabilisation of energy prices—indeed, a fall in wholesale electricity prices. In the last quarter, Senator Rennick's state of Queensland and my state of South Australia had the lowest prices since 2016. That's because the government's reforms are working. And through the Hydrogen Strategy we are investing for the long term.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.