Australia's Business Council Supports Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive for Economic Growth
Key Ideas
  • The Business Council of Australia (BCA) supports the Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive (HPTI) as a key measure to boost Australia's competitiveness in hydrogen production.
  • The BCA emphasizes the importance of setting eligibility criteria for the HPTI that are not overly restrictive to allow for projects to meet policy objectives and prevent investment from going overseas.
  • Australia's response to the US Inflation Reduction Act is reflected in the Future Made in Australia agenda, aiming to learn from past errors in similar programs and implement guardrails for successful policy implementation.
  • The BCA stresses the need for Australia to focus on getting the fundamentals right to attract investments, improve competitiveness, and support innovation while also considering infrastructure development for hydrogen production.
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has submitted a response to the consultation paper for the proposed Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive (HPTI), welcoming the opportunity to contribute. The BCA believes that a well-designed HPTI, in conjunction with other measures, can lay the groundwork for Australia to become a competitive hub for hydrogen production. The council emphasizes the importance of achieving a net-zero economy while maintaining energy security, affordability, and international competitiveness. The hydrogen industry is seen as a source of new jobs, low-cost energy, economic growth, and export diversification. Regarding the HPTI, the BCA urges that the eligibility criteria and design should not overly restrict support for projects or hinder investment flowing overseas. While supporting Community Benefit Principles, caution is advised to avoid increasing costs that could offset the benefits of the HPTI. The BCA highlights that investments must be made in areas where Australia has a comparative advantage and that contribute to faster market entry or national interest. Australia's response to the US Inflation Reduction Act is viewed through the lens of the Future Made in Australia agenda, aiming to learn from past mistakes and establish guardrails for effective policy implementation. The BCA stresses the importance of refining the tax system, regulatory framework, project approvals process, education system, migration program, and workplace relations to enhance Australia's attractiveness to investors. In conclusion, the BCA advocates for a holistic approach to economic reform to boost Australia's competitiveness and innovation. The council also recommends considering infrastructure development to support hydrogen production while ensuring a balanced approach that does not overlook other critical elements of the economy.
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