Last month in Politics: community investment and environmental advances

As we near closer to the end of 2022, the world of politics isn’t slowing down.

Internationally, Donald Trump announced his 2024 White House bid and “Down with Xi Jinping” protests broke out in China over COVID-19 lockdowns.

In Australia, both Federal and State Governments have been extremely busy:

• The National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 and Respect@Work laws passed parliament as did the removal of pay secrecy clauses
• The final Bell Inquiry report into Scott Morrisons secret ministry appointments was handed down with the parliament subsequently voting to censure him
• The Nationals confirmed they’ll oppose the Voice to Parliament
• Prime Minister Albanese attended the G20 Summit in Bali
• Daniel Andrews prevailed in the Victorian State Election
• The CCC began investigating possible abuse of WA electoral office funding
• The RBA increased interest rates for the seventh consecutive month

The McGowan Government was big on announcements throughout November, trumpeting changes to several policies including the Market Led Proposal Policy, the Tenancy Laws that deal with family and domestic violence, and an upcoming overhaul of abortion laws.

The Government introduced several new Bills including the Land and Public Works Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 and the Government Trading Enterprise Bill 2022, while also passing the Auditor General Amendment Bill 2022 and the Liquor Control Amendment Act 2022 through both houses.

McGowan Government establishes the Resources Community Investment Initiative

One of the major stories this month was the McGowan Government’s launch of the Resources Community Investment Initiative. This is a state‑first joint initiative with the WA resources industry and seeks to seize the opportunity for Western Australia to further benefit from our strong mining sector.

The initial $750 million commitment will facilitate investment in iconic state infrastructure projects as well as community and social initiatives across the state.

The initiative is anchored by contributions from founding contributors Rio Tinto ($250 million), BHP ($250 million), Hancock Prospecting, Roy Hill, Atlas Iron ($100 million), Woodside Energy ($50 million), Chevron Australia ($50 million) and Mineral Resources ($50 million).

An initial pipeline of projects has been identified, including the proposed Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Perth Zoo Master Plan, a Remote Aboriginal Communities Fund, the Perth Concert Hall redevelopment and additional contributions to Telethon.

An advisory committee will be convened to oversee the initiative, while the companies will decide the projects they wish to nominate funding toward. Projects will have individual agreements and established project milestones.

Minister Alannah MacTiernan retires

After 26 years of Parliamentary service, WA’s longest serving female Minister, Alannah MacTiernan has announced her retirement.

The Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; and the Hydrogen Industry will step down in early 2023, revealing she has several projects she wants to deliver before handing her portfolios on to the next generation.

Ms MacTiernan has served in both the upper and lower house in WA parliament as well as a stint in federal politics, having served the State Government as Member for the East Metropolitan Region (1993 – 1996),  Member for Armadale (1996 – 2010),  Member for the North Metropolitan Region (2017 – 2021) and is currently the Member for the South West Region (2021 – 2023) and the Federal Government as Member for Perth (2013 – 2016).

Ms MacTiernan’ s longest serving ministerial appointment was as Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (2001 – 2008), where she delivered the Mandurah rail line and the Forrest Highway.

Notably, she was also WA’s first Minister for the Hydrogen Industry.

Minister MacTiernan leaves an impressive legacy and big shoes to fill in the inevitable Cabinet reshuffle associated with her retirement, expected in early December.

WA establishes Australia’s first renewable hydrogen microgrid

The country’s first renewable hydrogen microgrid has been launched in WA at the $9.3 million Denham Hydrogen Demonstration Plant.

Once fully operational, in early 2023, the plant is expected to produce enough renewable energy to power 100 households and offset 140,000 litres of diesel annually to assist in the decarbonising of future energy systems.

The plant includes a 704kW solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser as well as a 100kW fuel cell providing an alternative to diesel generators.

The McGowan Government has provided $5.7 million of funding towards the project, $1 million of that through the Renewable Hydrogen Fund. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has also provided funding of $2.6 million through its Advancing Renewables Program.

COP27 Summit in Egypt

After criticising Scott Morrison for not attending the 2021 COP27 Summit, Prime Minister Albanese himself did not attend this year, leaving many figures questioning Australia’s commitment to climate action.

Ministers Pat Conroy and Chris Bowen attended in the Prime Ministers place, with Minister Bowen delivering Australia’s national statement to the summit.

The address tied into Australia joining the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA), which aims to see 380GW of offshore wind infrastructure built around the world by 2030; there is currently approximately 60GW.

While at the summit, Australia signed up to the Loss and Damages Climate Fund, worth $2 trillion, which caused some controversy and strong opinions from the Opposition.

Albanese Government recycling pledge

The Federal Government has pledged to recycle or reuse 100 per cent of plastic waste by 2040, despite the visible collapse of a major soft plastics recycling program. Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, has said the ambitious goal will see Australia join the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.

The 2040 goal will specifically target recycling all virgin plastics – any plastics made from non-recycled material. Currently Australia only recycles and reuses approximately 16% of the more than 1 million tonnes of plastics in use.

The announcement follows the Commonwealth and the states promising to reform packaging regulation by 2025 and work towards an improved circular economy by 2030.

The Morrison Government had previously committed to recycling 70 per cent of plastics by 2025.