Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:10): (196) My question is to the minister representing the Premier. In March this year the Treasurer travelled to Japan to provide this government’s support for a new Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain project, or HESC, that will use Victorian brown coal to make hydrogen for export to Japan. To be clear, this project is extremely emissions intensive even if this government’s sham carbon capture and storage project does one day miraculously materialise to offset some of those emissions. The Minister for Energy and Resources, who is known to have reservations about this project, has publicly expressed concern that all the emissions risk would sit with Victoria. Why is the government providing support for a new coal project that we know is so destructive for the climate?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:11): Would you like to direct that to the Treasurer, considering you have asked about his trip to Japan? Putting aside all of your inflammatory language about your views on a project that are not necessarily shared by everyone, perhaps he would like to provide a written answer in relation to his trip if that is what you are particularly interested in. I do not think it is a matter for the Premier when you have referenced a particular minister’s trip and the purpose of that trip.
Sarah Mansfield: I referenced several ministers’ positions, and it was about the government’s overall position on this project.
Jaclyn SYMES: It is actually either the minister for resources or the Treasurer, potentially the Minister for Planning, but it is not the Premier’s portfolio. Do you want to pick one?
Sarah Mansfield: We can direct it to the Treasurer.
Jaclyn SYMES: I will take that on notice for the Treasurer.
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:12): The Victorian government has contributed $50 million to a relatively unsuccessful pilot project for the HESC. We know that both the state and federal governments have been asked for significantly more money for the next stages of the HESC. How much has the Victorian government been asked to contribute to this project?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:12): I thank Dr Mansfield for her supplementary question. I will pass that on to the Treasurer.