Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023

As Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, introduced and strongly championed the bill as essential for Queensland's green hydrogen industry and climate transition.

“Queensland's green hydrogen industry is the next frontier in a world hungry for renewables and it is our greatest climate, jobs and economic opportunity in a generation.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

As shadow minister for natural resources, mines and energy, supported the bill's intent while raising concerns about compulsory acquisition powers, consultation with landowners, and the need for investment certainty.

“The LNP broadly supports the intent of the bill; however, as noted in the LNP's statement of reservation to the committee report, there are some concerns we wish to ensure are put on the public record.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill and highlighted the importance of hydrogen in Queensland's energy transition and the committee's recommendation that the bill be passed.

“Modelling suggests hydrogen could be worth about $33 billion to our economy within 20 years. Effective regulation of hydrogen development and use is essential to the healthy growth of the industry.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as important for Queensland's hydrogen export industry while emphasising the importance of social licence, landholder protections, and learning lessons from the Bowen Basin coal industry development.

“This bill represents the first legislative steps towards providing the regulatory framework required to support the development of a hydrogen export industry in Queensland.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, highlighting Queensland's position in the emerging hydrogen industry and noting that the first hydrogen refuelling station opened in her electorate.

“The Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill is an important first step in ensuring the regulatory settings are right to support the emerging hydrogen industry.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary regulation for hydrogen industry development while raising concerns about compulsory acquisition powers, biosecurity, and the need for open and transparent consultation with landholders.

“The LNP—and me personally—are very supportive of developing the state's energy resources, including hydrogen and that industry, and making sure we are well placed to take it forward if it becomes the fuel of choice for users.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

As hydrogen champion for Townsville, strongly supported the bill and highlighted the opportunities for North Queensland including the CopperString project and Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct.

“That is why I am committed to the future of green hydrogen. I cherish the role as hydrogen champion for Townsville and the greater region.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill while raising significant concerns about the scale of renewable energy required for green hydrogen, land use impacts, water requirements, and questioned the government's transparency about the true scope of the industry.

“We in the LNP support industry development in Queensland, whether it is the hydrogen industry or other industries across the board, because we back jobs and we back communities and rural communities in Queensland.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

As Minister for Resources, strongly supported the bill as essential for creating thousands of jobs and ensuring safe transportation of hydrogen through pipelines.

“There are huge opportunities for Queensland to not only develop but lead the world when it comes to developing a hydrogen industry. That is why this legislation is before the House.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill while raising concerns about inadequate consultation with Indigenous traditional owners, particularly the BGGGTB people in the Gladstone region, and compulsory acquisition processes.

“I want to emphasise that the LNP's response to this bill is not one of opposition but of raising essential issues and concerns. We believe in the potential of this legislation to shape the future of Queensland's energy landscape positively.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as part of Queensland's path to becoming a renewable hydrogen global superpower, highlighting the government's multifaceted approach to accelerating the hydrogen industry.

“Queensland is well on its way to becoming a renewable hydrogen global superpower and this bill is an important next step in that journey.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Acknowledged the bill's objectives but expressed significant scepticism about the viability of green hydrogen, citing cost issues, negligible global production, and safety concerns with hydrogen blending in existing pipelines.

“The practicality and cost issues of hydrogen are such that it is highly unlikely it will ever be the solution to the energy storage conundrum that so many experts are wrestling with today.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill and explained the different types of hydrogen (grey, blue, green), highlighting Queensland's potential as a global supplier of green hydrogen.

“The Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill helps to deliver this future for Queenslanders. Queensland is set to deliver the biggest hydrogen production project in the nation.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as a positive step for the hydrogen industry but criticised the government for not going far enough on climate action, not raising gas royalties, and not prioritising household electrification.

“I make clear at the outset that the Queensland Greens will be supporting this bill because these reforms will allow hydrogen, among other feedstock gases, to make use of the Queensland gas network.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

As Queensland's first hydrogen champion, strongly supported the bill and highlighted Queensland's leadership in hydrogen projects, including the first hydrogen export to Japan from Redlands.

“I am proud to be a Queensland hydrogen champion. I have been in the role for the past five years, since 2017, so I am proud to speak on the bill as it continues to advance Queensland's position as a global renewable energy powerhouse.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill while emphasising the importance of protecting property rights, biosecurity, and meaningful consultation with farmers regarding pipeline easements and land acquisitions.

“Whilst the LNP supports this bill, I remind those opposite that, just because they say the word 'renewable', it does not mean that it is actually sustainable.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill and highlighted the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Beenleigh as preparing workers for jobs in the hydrogen industry.

“I support the Palaszczuk Labor government's vision for Queensland—positioning it as a world leader in the renewable hydrogen industry.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill while advocating for nuclear energy to also be part of Queensland's energy mix, noting that nuclear could be the most economical way to produce green hydrogen.

“I do not have an issue with hydrogen and believe it should be pursued as part of our energy mix; however, if we are going to embrace hydrogen we should do the same for nuclear energy.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as demonstrating how the government's Energy and Jobs Plan and Climate Action Plan are making a real difference, contrasting the government's approach with the opposition.

“I support the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023. Do members know what I like about this bill? It shows just how the Palaszczuk government's Energy and Jobs Plan and Climate Action Plan are making a real difference.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill while emphasising the need to protect landholder rights and prioritise state-owned land for pipeline corridors before impacting privately owned land.

“We should be using the state owned land and stock routes, which should form part of the infrastructure corridors, before we go onto private land.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

As Minister for Transport, supported the bill as enabling Queensland's Energy and Jobs Plan and emphasised the role of publicly owned ports in hydrogen exports.

“Our plan will develop real action on climate change, cheaper energy, less carbon emissions and thousands of good jobs for Queenslanders.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as essential for Queensland's hydrogen industry and explained the technical amendments to the Gas Supply Act and Petroleum and Gas Act.

“There is no doubt that the green hydrogen industry is the greatest jobs, climate and export opportunity in a generation and this legislation will help to deliver it.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill and criticised opposition members for putting up barriers to investment in regional Queensland's hydrogen industry.

“This bill is really important to providing a stable industrial framework of regulation to allow those who wish to go into the industrial production of hydrogen to have a clear pathway for the transportation and storage of hydrogen.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Supported the bill and highlighted the opportunities for Central Queensland, drawing on her personal connection to the region's power station history.

“What is good for Gladstone is good for Rockhampton and Yeppoon because we are geographically co-located in Central Queensland and we have seen the benefits through the production of LNG in our region.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard

Expressed scepticism about hydrogen as part of the energy transition but supported the bill while criticising the government for missing the opportunity to address gas reserve policy.

“I do not have much to say about hydrogen. I still raise one eyebrow about it and the whole industry is part of this charge, much of it a reckless charge, to a low-carbon economy.”— 2023-10-10View Hansard