MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:39:019:): Two weeks ago I joined Minister D’Ambrosio and Steve Dimopoulos in Clayton to announce the Andrews government’s $10 million investment in the Victorian Hydrogen Hub. This grant, which was awarded to Swinburne University of Technology, is the government’s latest investment in the university sector under our $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund. In partnership with a twin hub in Germany and the CSIRO, this facility will position Victoria as a leader in hydrogen development and education in Australia. The hub will establish a major national precinct to test, trial and demonstrate new technologies such as clean energy vehicles and hydrogen storage containers. In addition to the 300 jobs this investment will generate, it will provide fantastic opportunities for students and researchers. With 50 per cent of the PhD places allocated to female students, it will offer a much-needed boost to female representation in STEM research and development. The hub will also be a place where the community can learn about hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.
This is exactly the kind of project the Andrews Labor government wanted to invest in when we announced our unprecedented university support package late last year. We are investing in jobs, research opportunities and a future-focused university sector with international connections, and in the process we are creating a stronger, smarter and more highly skilled state.