ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Welcome, everyone. And I want to particularly welcome the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, who is with us today.
We've just had a very successful visit to Whyalla, reinforcing our joint announcement of $100 million for Port Bonython, to develop it as a Hydrogen Export Hub, consistent with the vision that the Premier has for South Australia, to really lead the way, with our Hydrogen Headstart program of $2 billion, to really see the transformation of South Australia as one of the lead states, leading the transformation that's occurring all around the world.
We know that we have an incredible opportunity to seize what is available for future growth and to secure prosperity, not just for the rest of this decade, but for many decades to come. But we've got to get it right, now.
And that's why today in South Australia, I think the announcement that we made this morning and the visit to Whyalla, where after 55 years and 55 days precisely, they have turned off the coking ovens there. Looking at transforming that plant into the production of green steel as just one of the examples of the opportunities that are here.
Today, we heard about the fact that you have mines so close to the town of Whyalla, you have skilled workforce, you have a port facility, you have everything, all put together, to secure a really prosperous future. And that stands in stark contrast to what we were told a few years ago, that Whyalla would be wiped off the map. Well, far from it. I can confirm that it's still there/ I can confirm that it has a very bright future indeed. And we're able to thank the workers today.
And at the same time, of course, today, we've had a very significant announcement and release of our Employment White Paper, by the Treasurer and other Ministers. Looking at how we position the country for the opportunities that are there in the future. How we shape that future, rather than allow it to shape us. And dealing with the skilled workforce, the announcement today about TAFE Centres of Excellence. All of these measures all fit together.
Taking advantage of the shift to clean renewable energy. Making sure that we have the skilled workforce to be able to take advantage of it. And becoming a country which makes more things here in Australia, which was very much a part of the plan that we took to the last election.
So, it's fantastic to welcome you here, Premier. And to thank you for the cooperation that we're receiving across the board, in health, in education, in housing. And also, of course, with the launch of the campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum, that we held here in Adelaide just a few weeks ago.
And so, I thank you for the relationship that we've developed. We’re a Government that believes in cooperating with state governments to get things done. And that's precisely what we're doing together. So, I’d ask you to address the team.
PETER MALINAUSKAS, PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Well, thanks Prime Minister. And thanks for the opportunity to be able to join your Cabinet here this morning.
I am very grateful for the opportunity. Because the size and the scale of the opportunity before South Australia at the moment can only be fully realised if we've got a Federal Government that we can work in lockstep with, to be able to achieve those things. You mentioned what we saw firsthand in Whyalla this morning, I think that's very much case in point. But it's beyond that, as well. I mean a bit of context is important to appreciate, is that South Australia has had to endure a challenging economic transition that has been with us now for the better part of 20 or 30 years. And part of that transition was a decision made, some time ago, by a former Labor Government, to be at the front of the curve when it comes to decarbonisation.
And we have gone from being a state that largely was dependent upon coal-fired power, having zero renewables, to now being a state, 15 years later, that has about 80 per cent of all its energy produced by renewable energy, with zero coal-fired power. And that puts us in a position to translate that transition into economic opportunity, whether it be through hydrogen production, green steel production, or even being the home of the most critical mineral of all critical minerals, in copper, and the opportunity we've got in the north of our state. So, we thank you for your partnership in that regard.
But we're also very grateful for the support that you, Prime Minister, along with your Cabinet, has shown the AUKUS arrangement. This does manifest itself in the most consequential commitment to improving economic complexity of not just the state, but the nation, that we've seen in generations. And we feel, in South Australia, that in no small part, we are custodians of that opportunity, as well. And we're looking forward to more milestones being achieved between now and even just the end of this year, with respect to the advancement of that project.
In respect to the Voice, this state has a proud tradition of showing leadership when it comes to substantial social reforms. It is my hope that we can do the same again, in respect to the Voice, and contribute to a Yes vote in South Australia. We know that it's not necessarily going to be easy, but it's something that we are wholeheartedly committed to at a state level, having already legislated a Voice to the state parliament earlier this year.
So, between those things and many more to come, we look forward to that partnership continuing with your Government over the years ahead.