Friday, 28 August 2026

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:31): (1457) My question is to the minister for energy. Minister, when will the Port of Hastings, the Carroll government’s intended offshore wind assembly port, be completed and able to begin the assembly of offshore wind infrastructure?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:32): I thank Mr Davis for his question. You might have had the opportunity, like I did at the event on Wednesday night, to catch up with members of the Port of Hastings, who are really excited about the employment opportunities and future of that site. It is integral to ensuring that we have the right place for the construction and delivery of turbines that will complement the auction. The timelines with the Port of Hastings and the upgrade will work alongside our auction process and the start of the projects that are successful under that auction. These are things that are happening over the next couple of years, and I can continue to give you updates as they progress.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:32): I note that the Port of Hastings has many strengths, but the application to the EPBC was not a strength and was rejected by the federal government and caused massive delay. This is why I am asking. If the Port of Hastings offshore wind infrastructure is unable to be completed in time, what is the government’s contingency plan – its plan B?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:33): Mr Davis, it sounds as though you are a champion for the failure of an amazing project. I still cannot work out what your position is on it. In terms of the port, it will be subject to completion of assessments and approvals. We expect offshore wind construction to commence in 2032, and we believe that the port will be completed by then. Talking to the port, members of the board and the CEO, everyone is committed to this project. We will work through the necessary approvals. As you will appreciate, there is a lot of work that has been going on in advance of the announcement of the auction. There is a lot of excitement in that part of the world. Mr McIntosh was the sponsor of an event that was highly attended by lots and lots of people from Gippsland in particular. This is an exciting project. It would be great if you just got behind it, because industry are actually very concerned about your lack of commitment to such an important project.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the minister seems to struggle to answer directly with a date or a timeline. And what is plan B? There was no mention of plan B.

The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister was relevant to the question.