New Hydrogen Champions to grow Queensland’s hydrogen workforce

Queensland’s Hydrogen Minister has appointed two new Hydrogen Champions to back the state as the national hub for a job-creating hydrogen industry.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni today announced the appointment of the Member for Mundingburra Les Walker and Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke to take over the roles in North and Central Queensland.

They join Redlands MP Kim Richards as champions responsible for spearheading the development of the sought-after resource, to ensure Queensland is at the forefront of the emerging industry.

“The Palaszczuk Government is focussed on Queensland’s economic recovery throughout the State, and we have already identified hydrogen as a job creating industry throughout Queensland,” he said.

“I know that Les and Barry will do an excellent job alongside Kim to catalyse interest among hydrogen specialists, the business community and future workforces throughout the Sunshine State.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said he would hit the ground running to make sure the implementation of the Palaszczuk Government’s Hydrogen Industry Strategy benefitted Central Queensland.

“By 2030, the hydrogen industry will be worth about $1.7 billion a year in exports,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Central Queensland not only has a government owned port – through our Hydrogen Industry Development Fund we have already invested $4.2 million into an Australian-first domestic gas blending facility.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said the Palaszczuk Government is leading investment in hydrogen industry development in the North Queensland region.

“As a strong voice for our community here in the North, I’ll be making sure it’s local workers who are the cogs in the wheel driving this industry forward,” Mr Walker said.

“We’re delivering this with our investment of $10.6 million for the Townsville TAFE facility that will train hydrogen and renewable energy workers.”

Mr de Brenni said the Sunshine State was the perfect candidate to mass produce green hydrogen from solar.

“The world is increasingly looking to green hydrogen to fuel the future, and this government wants Queensland to be the supplier.”

Queensland’s Hydrogen Champions complement the Queensland hydrogen envoy and advisor in Japan Professor Masakazu Sugiyama, Professor Ian Mackinnon the Queensland Strategic Hydrogen Advisor as well as Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030, Lance McCallum MP.

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Media contact: Rosie Gilbert 0466 834 330