The Hodgman Government appears to have finally woken up to the opportunity to secure a $10 billion hydrogen industry that could create hundreds of jobs and see Tasmania become a key player in the international renewable energy market.
Shadow Minister for Energy, David O’Byrne, moved a notice of motion in Parliament today calling out the Government for its failure to guarantee Tasmania will be part of the National Hydrogen Strategy.
“While other states make advancements to build robust renewable energy markets, Will Hodgman has been slow to grasp Tasmania’s hydrogen industry potential,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“It’s estimated that a hydrogen plant, converting renewable energy into hydrogen for export, would support the creation of 500 jobs in regional northern Tasmania.
“The local community and industry experts are advocating for the creation of this industry while the Government fails to even acknowledge the work being done to establish a National Hydrogen Strategy.
“Other countries are looking to Australia to provide renewable hydrogen energy to support them in their transitions to a clean hydrogen economy.
“Tasmania could be a leader in supplying renewable hydrogen to other nations and the Hodgman Government must show vision to make this potential $10 billion industry a reality but it has taken pressure from Tasmanian Labor to spur them into action.
“The National Hydrogen Strategy is due out later this year which means Tasmania is running out of time to take advantage of this opportunity – Will Hodgman must act now.
“Actions speak louder than words. We will be keeping a close eye on what the Government does from this point on.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Energy
