Gippsland New Energy Conference
Mr McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (09:41): I rise to inform the Parliament that on 11 and 12 August I attended the first-ever Gippsland New Energy Conference in Sale. There is $40 billion in investment planned across offshore wind, solar, large-scale battery, waste to energy, hydrogen production and zero-emissions vehicle manufacturing in the Gippsland region. This investment will create thousands of jobs. Over the coming years I will be meeting with local tradies, businesses, TAFEs and community groups to talk about how local families can thrive off this investment for a generation. The conference was organised by a local grassroots community organisation, the Gippsland Climate Change Network, with support from the Latrobe Valley Authority and Wellington shire. The organisers, particularly Kate Foster and Darren McCubbin, did a fantastic job, and I congratulate them on a brilliantly run event that included many, many community groups. The conference was attended by Sale Catholic college and Gippsland Grammar students as well as members of the Gippsland Community Power Hub, Friends of the Earth, Gippsland climate action network, Energy Innovation Co-operative and the Earthworker Cooperative. The conference was evidence of the positive impact of strong commitments, investment and leadership shown by the government in regional Victoria. Over the last decade Victoria has been leading the transition to new jobs under the leadership of Minister D’Ambrosio, and this will mean more jobs for Victoria sooner. Victoria is now the leader in offshore wind as the nation moves to a low-emission economy. Not only will the jobs service Victoria, but the rest of the country will require the technical manufacturing and construction skills that we will possess first. I am proud this government has led the nation.