❓ Hon Dr Steve Thomas questions the State Government on the status of the Murchison Green Hydrogen Project (MGH), including its priority status, land agreements, environmental assessment, potential off-take agreement, infrastructure investment, Commonwealth funding, and Major Project Status.

I refer to the Murchison Green Hydrogen Project (MGH) by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and I ask:(a) does the MGH project still retain its "Lead Agency" support status within the Department of Energy, Economic Diversification;(b) if yes to (a), in light of the current status of the project, does the State still classify MGH as a priority project;(c) are the Section 91 investigative licences or any exclusive land-use agreements granted for the project area still in effect;(d) if yes to (c), is the State Government considering that they be subject to cancellation due to development delays;(e) is the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority still actively resourcing the assessment of the Environmental Review Document, or has this process been formally suspended at the proponent's request;(f) will the State Government contemplate entering into an off-take agreement with CIP;(g) is the State Government still committing capital or planning resources for common-user infrastructure such as port or road upgrades specifically intended to facilitate this project;(h) has the State Government contacted the Commonwealth Government to seek advice if the $814 million production support credit remains active and ring-fenced for this project, or if the allocation been deferred or capped following the delay in the Final Investment Decision;(i) if yes to (h), when the State Government approach the Commonwealth and what was the response;(j) if no to (h), why not; and(k) does the MGH project still hold its Commonwealth "Major Project Status," and if so, when is this designation next scheduled for review?

(a-e) The project is considered a Strategic Project under the Lead Agency Framework. Two Section 91 investigative licences continue to be in effect. The project continues to progress through the environmental approvals process. (f-g) The State Government has not committed capital for infrastructure for this project, and the proponent is actively seeking offtake partners in international markets. (h-k) The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification is in regular contact with the Australian Government on matters relating to the Hydrogen Headstart program. The commencement of the 10-year production credit is a contractual matter between the Australian Government and the proponent. The Department is advised the MGH project currently retains its Commonwealth Major Project Status. The designation was granted on 8 April 2024 for a 3-year period.