Master Plumbers welcomes the Federal Government’s support for natural and renewable gas as a key energy source for Australian business and industry while still pushing for a transition to net zero by 2050.
It also supports the vision for Australia’s hydrogen industry outlined in the Federal Budget last month.
The Federal Government’s new Future Gas Strategy recognises the crucial role gas will play as we transition to net zero. In announcing the strategy, Federal Minister for Resources Madeleine King says a transition to net zero without gas is just not possible.
Master Plumbers’ CEO Peter Daly says many Victorian homes and businesses are still powered by gas and require an affordable option as we create a roadmap to net zero.
The Victorian Government announced earlier in the year no new homes will have gas connection. It stopped short of setting a date for the removal of gas for existing houses and businesses.
“It is crucial the Federal and State Governments align on the future role of gas in this state and the roadmap to net zero,” Peter says.
“Part of that roadmap must include scaling low emission gases such as biogas and hydrogen, which Master Plumbers has strongly advocated for.
Hydrogen delivers comparative advantage to Australia not only to power our homes and businesses, but as a pathway to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. Biogas can be similarly sustainably produced and has very little impact greenhouse gas wide as an alternative to natural gas.”
The Federal Government hydrogen budget measures include:
- $6.7 billion a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive for renewable hydrogen produced from 2027 to 2037.
- $2 billion expansion to the Hydrogen Headstart program • $1.9 billion to develop, commercialise, manufacture and deploy new renewable energy technologies.
- $1.7 billion to support innovation, commercialisation, pilot and demonstration projects, and early-stage development in priority sectors, including renewable hydrogen, green metals, low carbon liquid fuels and clean energy technology manufacturing.
“While we support the investment in hydrogen, we are very aware that our industry will need strong support to ensure we are skilled up in the use of hydrogen and the installation of hydrogen products.
“We have already seen some big leaps forward in demonstration homes and businesses using hydrogen and we look forward to being part of the discussions as Australia’s use increases.”
Mr Daly concludes saying, with the Federal Government strategy and the budget announcements last month, it is vital that industry associations, like Master Plumbers, are genuinely consulted on the development and implementation of roadmaps to net zero. The Victorian Government, in particular, needs to
work with and listen to the industries on which the success of the energy transition depends.
“Victorian homes, businesses and industries need affordable and reliable energy, which will not push up the cost of living, will not send perfectly working gas and new energy products to landfill and will ensure our continued economic prosperity.”
