The Queensland Parliament has passed the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023, which will fast-track new industries and jobs, as well as attract billions of dollars in investment and export.
According to the Queensland Government, the Bill is expected to generate around 10,000 jobs and $33 billion in economic activity by 2040.
Additionally, the State Government noted that the Bill will stimulate new industry growth and boost Queensland’s economy while enhancing legislation to protect the State’s natural environment.
“As the next frontier in Queensland’s energy industry, green hydrogen offers the greatest jobs, climate and export opportunity in a generation, and new laws will go a long way to helping our nation reach net zero by 2050,” Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said.
The Bill allows renewable hydrogen and gases to be safely piped across Queensland and to global trade partners who are looking to Queensland to help them decarbonise their heavy haulage, shipping, aviation, and industry.
“Not only will green hydrogen be a game changer for the transport, heavy haulage, shipping, and aviation industries, which currently account for more than 20% of Australia’s emissions — but it will also unlock a pipeline of new jobs in new industry,” Minister de Brenni stated.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said, “Ensuring we have the right policies in place to develop a hydrogen industry in Queensland is essential because it means good jobs into the future.”
“The hydrogen industry must be developed in a way that ensures the safety of workers and the community is paramount.”
Over 50 hydrogen projects are underway in Queensland, including the Stanwell Corporation-led CQ-H2 project in Gladstone, aiming to generate $17.2 billion in hydrogen exports over 30 years.
Stanwell Corporation CEO Michael O’Rourke commented, “Stanwell is committed to driving the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry, including through the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project.”
“The passage of this legislation is an important milestone for the future of the industry. It is a critical step towards enabling the efficient transportation of hydrogen within Queensland that will help facilitate further progress in the development of this promising sector,” O’Rourke added.
“We’re delivering new regulations to make bottling Queensland’s sun, wind and water to help our international trading partners reach their net zero emissions commitments easier, while maintaining safety for everyone involved,” Minister de Brenni said.
The Australian Hydrogen Council has welcomed the regulatory revisions, noting it is vital for the hydrogen industry to plan and develop with confidence.
“It is important that states and territories address legislative barriers and extend regulation where appropriate to support the safe production, transportation and use of hydrogen,” Australian Hydrogen Council CEO Dr Fiona Simon said.
