WA Liberal promise: To build the biggest jobs, renewable energy project in the nation

WA Liberals leader Zak Kirkup has unveiled the parties visionary plan to build the biggest jobs, renewable energy and export project in the nation, if elected next month.

Kirkup believes the plan will lay the foundation for the next 50 years of Western Australian jobs, economic activity and prosperity. 

The Liberals WA have partnered with industry to create this project which the party believe will future-proof WA’s energy network, deliver fuel security, and deliver cheaper energy to businesses and households.

“What comes next for WA, after COVID-19, when we start to build back?” Liberal Leader Zak Kirkup said. 

“We need a jobs plan to take WA forward. The Liberals New Energy Jobs Plan is the biggest jobs plan for WA in generations and will lead us forward into a post-COVID recovery. 

“It’s a mega-project, building the largest renewable energy project in Australia’s history, with wind, solar and large-scale batteries that will transform Western Australia’s energy system for the next 50-years and give WA fuel security and energy independence.” 

Importantly, the Liberals’ New Energy Jobs Plan will deliver net zero emissions for the WA Government by 2030, an important milestone on Australia’s path of zero emissions by 2050. 

“I want to make it perfectly clear that this will not impact the private sector. This is about the State Government’s emissions and leading by example,” Kirkup said.

“Our plan will assist companies transition to green exports and independent clean energy operations – if they choose.” 

Key elements of the New Energy Jobs Plan include:

• Build a 1500 MW solar and wind energy project in the Mid West to power Perth, the South West, Wheatbelt and Kalgoorlie. 
• In conjunction with the private sector, construct a further 4500MW of wind and solar energy by 2030 to convert water into over 250,000 tonnes of clean, green and safe hydrogen for export per year and to power a new green steel industry. 
• Underpin our goal of 200,000 new jobs over the next five years and generate the next 50 years of jobs and prosperity. 
• Cut power bills for households and businesses by partnering with industry to build the Mid-West Energy Hub, which will deliver cheaper, cleaner energy for WA. 
• Diversify the economy by powering new export industries. 
• Guarantee fuel security for WA by assisting the economy transition to fuel sources produced in WA. 
• Invest $100 million in the Collie Training and Transition Fund to assist the existing workforce transition into secure long-term jobs as State Government coal-fired power stations are phased out, reducing Synergy’s greenhouse gas emissions by 84 per cent. 
• Invest $50 million in the Zero Emissions Taskforce to oversee the implementation of the project. 
• Invest $100 million in the International Market Diversification Fund to assist these new industries open up international markets. 
• Invest $100 million in the Industry Attraction Fund to attract companies to WA to develop these priority industries. This fund can also provide land grants, tax rebates and other government assistance. The highest priority will be given to Collie. 
• Invest $50 million in the Critical and Strategic Manufacturing Fund to incentivise industries deemed essential to the WA economy. In addition to items such as personal protective equipment, projects that assist in delivering fuel security and independence or processing critical minerals will be eligible.