The Albanese government’s dream of “green hydrogen” dominance has been well and truly busted.

Labor, the Greens, and the Teals all called it the future of energy. They promised it would lead to a boom. Instead, it has become another failed experiment, built on overreach and economic fantasy.

Under energy minister Chris Bowen, billions have been wasted on projects that are now collapsing.

Investors are fleeing. 

Taxpayers are left paying for Labor’s delusions.

Bowen sold “green hydrogen” as a clean, cheap, future fuel, a pillar of his renewable agenda: his “Hydrogen Headstart” handing out $2 billion in taxpayer dollars.

The reality?

Every major project has failed. Private investors are backing out. The economic case for green hydrogen has crumbled.

Bowen won’t admit it. He pushes on, blinded by ideology.

Consider the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project. It was meant to be a flagship. Now, it’s a symbol of Labor’s failure. The cost ballooned to $14.75 billion before its biggest investor, Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power, pulled out citing high costs.

Bowen still backed it, but the Queensland Liberal government saw the truth and cut funding. The numbers don’t add up and never did.

Then came the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub in NSW. Another so-called “hydrogen powerhouse,” another disaster. Origin Energy, one of Australia’s biggest energy companies, abandoned it, citing high risks and market uncertainty. 

If private industry won’t take the gamble, why should taxpayers foot the bill?

Even Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group, once the loudest green hydrogen cheerleader, has delayed or scrapped its 15-million-tonne production target. Forrest himself admitted it isn’t economically viable.

That should have been the final warning. 

Bowen ignores it.

With every failed project, the bill for taxpayers grows. 

Millions in government subsides and grants have been wasted on an industry that isn’t competitive. 

Hydrogen is too expensive, too unreliable, unsafe, and impractical. 

Even if Australia could produce hydrogen, there may be no buyers at the price Bowen demands.

Instead of lowering power bills, Bowen’s policies push prices higher. 

Instead of encouraging investment, they create uncertainty. 

Instead of securing the grid, they weaken it.

On top of this, renewables don’t work. They cost the earth and destroy our regional communities.

Bowen won’t stop. But Australians can stop Bowen at the next election.

Sandra Bourke
ADVANCE spokeswoman

Sources:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/queensland-premier-cans-hydrogen-pipe-dream/news-story/b082008dbb726291badfd0a7e803c62e
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/central-queensland-hydrogen-project-axed-after-request-for-extra-1bn-in-govt-funding/news-story/d078c91bff2e011d4c56132b7b8eff91
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/20/is-andrew-forrests-energy-dream-in-peril-the-future-of-green-hydrogen-in-australia-explained
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-03/energy-giant-origin-walks-away-from-green-hydrogen/104429206
Is Andrew Forrest’s energy dream in peril? The future of green hydrogen in Australia explained | Hydrogen