Former hydrogen minister Alannah MacTiernan on future of industry and her willingness to ‘bet’ on Oakajee

Former hydrogen industry minister Alannah MacTiernan has declared to the sceptics that Oakajee is “not a pipe dream” and she’s happy to bet on the development proceeding. After spending the last year and half of her political career with the fledgling hydrogen portfolio, Ms MacTiernan has declared she’s put the Mid West on the right track to be crucial part of Australia’s hydrogen economy. Ms MacTiernan’s three-decade career in politics will end in January, but she officially stepped down as minister on December 14. After becoming Hydrogen Industry Minister in March 2021, deals were secured with big names such as BP, Fortescue, the German Government and the Port of Rotterdam to invest in the Mid West. “Interest is only building in this area from local, national international companies, you cant exaggerate the degree of enthusiasm people have for the Mid West as a centre for hydrogen production,” she said. Most of these deals have centred around the Oakajee Industrial Area, with critics still expressing doubt over developing the site after decades of delays and inaction. Ms MacTiernan said she understood the scepticism from some, but the multi-million-dollar commitments of these international partners was proof they were confident in the project. “The fact that we have so many national and international companies that are interested and have put their hands up and are investing money and developing their projects tells me that this is not a pipe dream,” she said. “Give us a call, I’m happy to place a bet.” While the signs were positive, she said the Government now needed to hold up its side of the deal and deliver the needed infrastructure, such as roadworks which she expected to see completed by 2024. A deep water port at Oakajee could be built by 2030, Ms MacTiernan said, depending on the details of the mode of hydrogen export, which should be determined by the end of 2025. On the debate between green and blue hydrogen, the political veteran said she firmly believed the Mid West was on the right track by focusing on green hydrogen. “Certainly the European view is that they want to move to green hydrogen as soon as possible, I think that’s where the real game is,” she said. Roger Cook has succeeded Ms MacTiernan as Hydrogen Industry Minister, while Don Punch has replaced her in Regional Development and Jackie Jarvis has taken over as Agriculture Minister. She encouraged Mr Cook to be forward-thinking as he took up the role in a rapidly developing field. “Understand that what you’re being told six months ago might be very different,” she said. “We’re incredibly well-placed but we’ve really got to lean in and provide real assistance to these projects early on.”