The locations of new hydrogen hubs and critical mineral grants will be unveiled by the prime minister in Western Australia as Scott Morrison says the developments will bring thousands of jobs to the sector.

The Pilbara in the state’s north and Kwinana in Perth will become the home of two new hydrogen hubs, with $140 million in government funding going towards the hubs as well as $6 million to investigate two new development projects in WA.

The federal government projects the two new hubs will create more than 3600 jobs and instigate more than $410 million of new private and public investment.

A further $67 million will go towards developing two carbon capture and storage hubs as well as supporting the appraisal of a third potential storage site in WA.

Almost $8 million will also go towards the state’s critical minerals sector.

Mr Morrison says the investments will secure more jobs and shore up supply chain sectors.

“WA is a world leader in critical minerals and these investments are just the beginning of our commitment to the sector,” he said.

“These investments will also turbocharge the development of Australia’s critical minerals and clean hydrogen industries, helping achieve the government’s vision to make Australia a global producer and exporter of clean hydrogen by 2030.”

Mr Morrison has also unveiled $50 million for Curtin University for critical mineral supply chains, including nickel, cobalt and lithium, which is expected to create 1300 jobs over the next decade.

Curtin University is the first to receive funding under the government’s Trailblazer program and will partner with more than 30 business representatives as well as the University of Queensland and James Cook University.

Mr Morrison says the Trailblazer program is designed to “push the boundaries, drive collaboration between universities and industry and challenge intellectual property arrangements that limit the dividend for our young, smart, savvy researchers.”

“It’s important we back our best researchers and their ideas to ensure Australia’s mining sector is secure for the future.”

 

Dominic Giannini
(Australian Associated Press)