First Nations Clean Energy Symposium 2025

Hello Friends. 

May I respectfully acknowledge the Kabi Kabi and Butchulla Traditional Custodians on whose land you gather. 

Thank you to the First Nations Clean Energy Network and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation for hosting this event. Apologies I can’t be there in person. 

The Australian Government shares this symposium’s aim of driving real outcomes for First Nations people in Australia’s clean energy revolution. 

With First Nations’ stakes in domestic renewables amounting to a mere 1 per cent, we, too, are working hard as a government to address this inequity. 

It's also worth highlighting that Kate Thwaites has been appointed as the Government's Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. 

She'll be working to ensure Australia is investing in a job-creating renewable energy future, reducing emissions and protecting our local environment. 

I've asked her to particularly focus her efforts on First Nations Australians - who should share in the wealth and job creation of our energy transition, already live on the front line of climate change, and have cared for our land for millennia.

Working with these communities Kate will work with me to ensure their views are front and centre of all the government's efforts.

The momentum of the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation in the Pilbara is a fine example of a self-empowered community backed by government. 

As the Prime Minister said in his recent address at Garma, we view First Nations communities as economic decision-makers and partners. 

The PM announced a partnership to build Native Title holders’ capacity to work with the private sector. 

He reaffirmed our commitment of $70 million of supports to get First Nations backed projects moving under the First Nations Clean Energy Program. This includes: 

• $39 million in grants over 3 years for expert clean energy advice to ensure the right information and support, and
• $15 million to support proponents that need help getting their project running and to build business cases to secure final investment. 

Expressions of interest are open now and the government welcomes feedback on these program designs.

It’s not news to people in this room that Remote First Nations communities often experience energy insecurity as they rely on harmful and expensive diesel generators. 

Today, I am announcing the Albanese Government is working with the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining to deliver $13 million in funding for renewable energy microgrids to the communities of Yalata, Pipalyatjara and Oak Valley.  

These new microgrids, funded through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, will reduce the cost of electricity for First Nations communities under the Remote Area Energy Supply scheme.  

Bill payers in the host communities will share in the savings through a subsidised tariff of 10c/kWh during the lifetime of the microgrids.  

All communities should be able to participate and share in the benefits of Australia’s renewable future. 

Bringing sustainable renewable energy to remote communities gives First Nations communities more affordable energy to help protect their environment and cultural heritage while reducing our carbon footprint.  

And we’re also supporting the development of a new energy service delivery model for NT communities.

Both projects sit under ARENA’s $125 million Regional Microgrids Program, which is a key initiative in our efforts to tackle energy inequality. 

The program was established in response to changes to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which introduced new standards for delivering essential services. 

It includes $125 million to develop and deploy microgrids in regional and remote areas, with $75 million allocated to projects in First Nations communities. 

As part of the program, we have also recently announced $3.6 million to transition the Papulankutj community in Western Australia from diesel power to a hybrid microgrid. 

These developments and our government’s support to bolster the community-controlled sector are just a slice of our broader Closing the Gap efforts. 

I trust that discussions over the next two days will generate new ideas to increase equity for First Nations people in the clean energy transition. Our Government looks forward to continuing to work with you. 

Thank you.