Queensland Parliament has passed legislation that will fast-track new industries and jobs, and lead to billions of dollars in investment and export.
The Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 passed in Queensland Parliament, unlocking an estimated 10,000 jobs and $33 billion in economic activity by 2040.
Queensland Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said: “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.
“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 per cent of Australia’s emissions – but it will also unlock a pipeline of new jobs in new industry.
“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,” said de Brenni.
As well as ensuring growth in new industry and an uplift in Queensland’s economy, the changes to legislation will better safeguard the state’s natural environment.
The Bill means renewable hydrogen and gases can be piped safely across Queensland and to global trade partners turning to Queensland to help decarbonise their heavy haulage, shipping, aviation and industry.
Queensland 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. This legislation not only enables the transportation of hydrogen through pipelines but puts in place conditions to make sure it’s done safely.”
Already, more than 50 hydrogen projects are underway across the state, including the Stanwell Corporation-led CQ-H2: Central Queensland Hydrogen Project in Gladstone – set to deliver $17.2 billion in hydrogen exports over 30 years.
Stanwell Corporation CEO Michael O’Rourke said that the company 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,” said O’Rourke.
