Ai Group welcomed the chance to make a submission on the Hydrogen Headstart Consultation Paper.

Our members may be affected in several ways by the Hydrogen Headstart program and the wider industry it seeks to catalyse. Some are potential hydrogen offtakers. Some could supply goods and services to either the hydrogen sector or to potential hydrogen-intensive manufacturing activities such as green iron production or a greatly expanded ammonia industry. All have a stake in successful Australian and global responses to climate change that sharply limit warming while maintaining and increasing prosperity.

The Hydrogen Headstart Program has the potential to make an important contribution. However, it requires clear objectives that flow through to a streamlined, competitive, transparent and flexible program design. Even with these provisos, Hydrogen Headstart will not be the final word in the development of an Australian hydrogen sector. Multiple policies will be involved, and our challenge is to achieve synergy rather than fall into confusion. We address key issues in this submission.