Last week, industry leaders, officials, and diplomats met in Canberra for the second Australian Parliamentary Friends of Hydrogen.
Hosted by the Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC), the meeting highlighted industry commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies and discussed key measures in the 2024/25 Federal Budget to support the industries.
The meeting featured addresses from key figures, including the minister for climate change and energy.
The hon. Chris Bowen MP attended and reaffirmed the Australian Government’s dedication to initiatives like the Future Made in Australia, Hydrogen Headstart, and Hydrogen Production Tax Credit.
The meeting also welcomed strategic stakeholders from Australian Government agencies – ARENA, DCCEEW, DFAT, DISR, DITRDCA and the embassies of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany to contribute valuable insights.
AHC’s focus now turns to critical industry consultations on the Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive, green metals, low-carbon fuels, and broader transport decarbonisation while continuing to foster Australia’s trading relationships with Japan and Korea.
Minister Bowen emphasised the importance of industry consultation in shaping these policies, highlighting the recently released Hydrogen Production Tax Credit consultation paper.
“The strong industry turnout at our Parliamentary Friends of Hydrogen meeting was a positive signal to the government and Friends of Parliament that the hydrogen industry is serious about achieving policy certainty with projects underway that rely on government support,” said Dr Fiona Simon, CEO of AHC.
Simon said she was pleased that Australia was starting to prioritise uses for hydrogen, however, stressed the importance of the Federal Government progressing its recent budget measures quickly.
“Incentives such as the Hydrogen Production Tax Credit and Hydrogen Headstart are crucial to drive decarbonisation efforts and ensure economic viability,” Simon added.
The event also featured a technology showcase, highlighting advancements in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and various technologies across the hydrogen value chain.
“The recent budget announced $1.7B in funding for ARENA to establish a manufacturing innovation fund. This funding will work alongside the $3B earmarked under the National Reconstruction Fund for clean technologies, creating a pipeline of funding for the pipeline of technologies as they commercialise.”