Ms BYRNES (Cunningham) (10:28): I am very pleased to speak on the motion in relation to the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025 today to help show this for the farce that we all know it is. While the coalition continues to quibble about whether we should or should not have a net zero target, industry and our community are forging ahead with making net zero a reality. What we need to do is secure the jobs of the future in the clean tech space, and I've worked hard to make sure that the Illawarra can seize those opportunities. I have spent the last three years working with both traditional and emerging industry to ensure that our region is at the forefront of this energy transition. This means not having all our eggs in one basket but investing in the knowledge and expertise of those working hard for our clean energy future.
I was absolutely thrilled to support an investment of $15 million last year to supercharge our renewable hydrogen industry through the backing of Hysata to expand the production of high-efficiency hydrogen electrolysers in the Illawarra. That investment by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation was a critical part of the $172 million expansion of manufacturing at Hysata's Port Kembla facility and came on top of nearly $30 million in grants from ARENA, which have supported Hysata from its early startup days to develop, build and demonstrate its technology at a commercial scale.
The Illawarra offshore wind zone is another project I have proudly and loudly backed because I know that we need to be looking at every single opportunity for good, clean tech jobs in our community and because I back our clean energy future. What did the Liberals and their buddies do? They hounded and hounded and hounded this project down, spreading misinformation to try and scare our local community, because they don't actually want us to invest in those clean tech jobs of the future, and that is just shameful. We cannot be deterred from looking at clean tech jobs because of a few loud voices. This is far too important for our future.
Even big companies, like BlueScope Steel, know that a clean energy transition is critical. Our government has invested $136.8 million towards the relining and upgrade of BlueScope's blast furnace to help reduce its emissions and support pathways for producing even lower emissions steel in the future, because cleaner steelmaking is the way of the future.
Another clear way we are creating jobs of the future and the workforce of the future in Wollongong is through the Energy Futures Skills Centre at the University of Wollongong. I was incredibly proud to get this off the ground with a $10 million investment under the Albanese Labor government. Combined with $2.5 million in funding to upgrade equipment and teaching aids to create a renewable-energy training facility at Wollongong TAFE, this investment will ensure that local young people can gain the skills that they need to be part of Australia's clean energy future. Starting from the ground up, we will make sure that the Illawarra plays its role in tackling climate change with the workforce of the future, using state-of-the-art, clean-energy manufacturing facilities; helping businesses with the transition; and engaging in community outreach. I am absolutely confident that this centre will become the benchmark for training and skill development.
Yet another important program that I have been proud to deliver locally is the community battery program. Working with Endeavour Energy, we invested $1 million under the first round to support Warrawong and Dapto with affordable energy storage, helping to lower household electricity bills, reduce emissions and deliver reliable, renewable energy to local people. Our government has taken that a step further this term by giving everyone up to 30 per cent off the cost of a home battery under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Our community has absolutely taken that up with gusto, which has just been amazing to see.
Communities are also making sure that they are taking steps towards our clean energy future. Just one example is Electrify 2515, which is a pilot program that has again been supported by ARENA, with $5.4 million. This pilot program, led by Saul Griffith and Rewiring Australia, in partnership with Brighte and Endeavour Energy, allows residents to apply for subsidies for a range of devices that support their household electrification. Local people, businesses and community organisations all know the one thing that the coalition wants to ignore. They know that climate change is real, they know it needs urgent action and they know we must take action now. Achieving net zero by 2050 is absolutely critical. I back it
