ANTHONY ALBANESE MP
LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
MEMBER FOR GRAYNDLER
 
CHRIS BOWEN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
MEMBER FOR MCMAHON
 
MERYL SWANSON
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
MEMBER FOR PATERSON
 
 

 An Albanese Labor Government will ensure the future of the Kurri Kurri power station, and provide more secure jobs for its workers. 
 
Labor welcomes any investment in the Hunter, and is committed to affordable, reliable power. 
 
But Scott Morrison is risking taxpayers’ money on a gas plant that experts say will become stranded in an increasingly renewable energy system.
 
The Government’s hand-picked Chair of the Energy Security Board said their gas plant “doesn’t stack up, because it’s expensive power”. 
 
That’s why Labor will work with Snowy Hydro Limited to ensure the power plant at Kurri Kurri can transition to green hydrogen – guaranteeing a role for the station and its workers as well as affordable and reliable power for decades to come. 
 
In the first instance, a Labor Government would ask Snowy Hydro Limited to operate the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen – a commitment which the current Government admits is possible but will not make. 
 
Labor would also ensure Snowy upgrades the plant to 100 per cent green hydrogen as soon as possible.
 
Upgrading the plant to green hydrogen this decade, in line with private sector projects, will mean more secure jobs for its workers. 
 
Labor’s proposal will ensure investment in the Hunter – guaranteeing the region will power Australia well into the future.
 
A future green hydrogen plant would underwrite demand for the fuel in the Hunter, helping the region to become a hydrogen hub for Australia and the world.
 
A boost to green hydrogen demand means a boost to renewables like solar and wind, which are needed to create green hydrogen.
 
There are existing proposals for green hydrogen production in the Hunter, and substantial space for renewables at Snowy’s Kurri Kurri site.
 
And Labor’s proposal is consistent with net zero emissions by 2050, as well as our commitment to 43 per cent emissions reductions by 2030. 
 
Labor will work with Snowy Hydro Limited and experts on the details of this commitment, and make an additional equity injection to deliver the final project.
 
This is the same approach adopted by the Government.
 
Labor will also work with Snowy on the mismanagement and delays that have already begun to plague the project under the Morrison-Joyce Government.
 
This investment is part of Labor’s Powering Australia plan to create jobs, cut bills and reduce emissions.