Keynote address at 3rd National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change, Dubbo

I am sorry that I was unable to join you in person on Tubba-Gah Country for the 3rd National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change.

I acknowledge the Tubba-Gah People of the Wiradjuri Nation and pay my respects to their elders, past and present.

I come from Walyalup – or Fremantle – on the land of the Whadjuk-Noongar people.

I want to thank Samarla Deshong and Glen Wingfield for inviting me to discuss the challenges and the opportunities that climate change presents for Country.

Before I get to the speech I’m here to give, I want to acknowledge that on Monday it was one year since Australia participated in the Voice referendum.

Because I am a wholehearted supporter of democratic processes, I accept, in good grace, that democratic outcomes are not always going to be what I might have argued for and voted for – and indeed that has been the government’s position.

Even so, we can resolve to keep walking on the path to reconciliation together. And I am resolved to do that, because Aboriginal leaders in my community – and First Nations leaders who emerged in the national Voice campaign – have reminded us that while we didn’t arrive at a particular destination one year ago, the journey doesn’t end as long as we keep walking together.

But I am here with you today to talk about climate change and energy.

There is no greater or more far-reaching challenge facing Australia than climate change. That’s why we are working to guide and shape the momentous transformation that is necessary and inevitable as we decarbonise.

It is vital that First Nations communities are involved in this transformative response. That’s because there is no greater or more far-reaching connection to country than through our First Nations heritage.

This gathering is and will continue to be a key source of input in that shared enterprise.

At the outset I want to acknowledge and commend the National First Peoples Platform on Climate Change Steering Committee and the Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation for hosting it.

It is an article of faith for a government led by Anthony Albanese that no one should be left out of the opportunities that are being created from Australia’s transition to a clean energy future.

In our post-settlement history, we know that First Nations people have not shared in the economic growth and innovations that have occurred in the past.

And we should be honest about the fact that in lots of ways First Nations Australians were actively denied that opportunity.

Now, as Australia transitions to net zero; and we seek to apply our distinctive advantages to make sure that Australian businesses and workers can be at the forefront of a global transformation, we start by recognising the ingenuity, strength, wisdom, and resilience shown through more than 60,000 years of stewardship on country by First Nations peoples.

That’s the sensible, evidence-led basis on which we make sure that First Nations perspectives are at the centre of decision making when it comes to climate action and opportunities across the spectrum, from renewable energy to climate risk and adaptation.

Adapting to climate impacts

Let me say a few things about that last topic first, because as the Assistant Minister I have some specific responsibility for climate change risk and adaptation.

I want to acknowledge the great work being done in this region through the leadership of the Dubbo Regional Council – including in partnership with the University of NSW and Maitland City Council on a study to inform planning and to address heat-related impacts.

It is not news to anyone across this great continent – and especially for our island communities – to say that climate projections indicate there will be more hot days and more heatwaves, more storms and more coastal erosion.

We also know that First Nations peoples are disproportionally exposed to climate impacts, with risks to their connection to Country, and to health, housing, food and water security.

If we are to properly understand and respond to these risks, heeding First Nations perspectives is critical.

And that is a core feature of Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment, to be delivered later this year, which will build-in First Nations experience and community-specific climate risks.

I thank all who are providing input into that process.

Similarly, Australia’s National Adaptation Plan will provide a decision-making framework to complement action already underway in communities.

The Albanese government listened and responded to the First Peoples Statement in 2021 by establishing a Torres Strait Island taskforce to help deliver solutions for Island communities.

One of the first investments we made was by committing $15.9 million dollars to create a climate centre for the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area, because this region faces some of the most serious climate impacts.

The centre will provide a First Nations-led, coordinated response to hazards like sea-level rises and more frequent natural disasters – bringing together traditional knowledge, lived experience, and scientific method to design effective community-level climate actions.

My department is working closely with regional leaders and Traditional Owners through a steering committee to co-design and establish the centre – and there will be a grants program launched later this year to employ local First Nations people on climate adaptation.

At the international level, we’re providing more avenues for First Nations people to contribute knowledge and practices that inform global climate action.

Last year at COP28 in Dubai, we supported 6 First Nations organisations to participate in events, including meeting with international counterparts, and we’re working with other countries to elevate Indigenous knowledge in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

I’m really glad that you will be discussing how the National Environmental Science Program’s Indigenous-led IPCC literature project will contribute to that effort.

Building energy security

Now to the question of energy security.

There is no doubt that the clean energy transition presents a chance to address inequalities when it comes to energy security, and, in turn, to help close the gap in outcomes for First Nations people.

The reality is that First Nations peoples in Australia are among the world’s most energy insecure and that for a long time remote communities have been given no option other than to run on expensive and unreliable diesel generators.

That’s not acceptable with respect to energy, and it brings unacceptable health impacts too.

That’s why the Albanese Government is investing more than $83 million to help deploy microgrids as a cleaner and cheaper solution.

We’ve also partnered with the WA and Northern Territory governments to deliver energy from solar banks in communities where rooftop solar isn’t feasible.

In WA, up to 2,000 households in the Kimberley region – from Beagle Bay to Warmu – will benefit from that program, with an estimated annual saving per household of $450 dollars.

We’re rolling out these programs as part of a broad effort to deliver lasting energy security for all First Nations peoples.

That’s why Energy Ministers across Australia agreed to develop a dedicated First Nations Clean Energy Strategy by the end of this year, and I’m grateful for the extensive input into the strategy from many First Nations groups, including the First Nations Clean Energy and Climate Change Advisory Committee.

Economic participation

Let me return now to the point I made about the importance of making sure that energy transition opportunities are taken up by First Nations peoples and their communities.

Without doubt, Australia’s clean energy transformation will create new jobs and new business ventures on Country – indeed we expect most of that activity to occur in rural and regional areas.

We know from our project mapping exercises that new energy infrastructure will involve significant development prospects on First Nations’ Estate.

And we know that in order to unlock and share those opportunities, we need to approach things differently.

Right now, only about 1% of energy projects in this area include First Nations partnerships or ownership.

We can learn from a country like Canada, where Indigenous organisations enjoy a stake closer to 20% in power infrastructure that is predominantly focused on renewables.

Our government is partnering with state and territory governments, and with the private sector, to deploy billions of dollars’ worth of renewable energy projects which must be delivered in a way that advances the economic participation and economic security of First Nations peoples.

Let me take the example of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

It’s one of 8 critical transmission and renewable energy zone projects that our government has teamed up with the NSW Government to build under the Rewiring the Nation program.

The joint $7.8 billion dollar deal will support more than 3,900 jobs and provide support for First Nations business capability and capacity right here in the Dubbo region.

It will also underwrite cultural and heritage projects through community investment funds while lowering electricity costs.

And if you headed 4,000 kilometres northwest of here to WA’s East Kimberley, you’d be where the largest solar farm in Australia is being built, along with a 50,000-tonne hydrogen facility near Kununurra.

In an Australian-first, the Traditional Owners through the Kimberley Land Council, are majority shareholders and partners with a private investment firm in that project, due to commence in 2026.

It’s a solid example of the economic potential that can be unlocked for First Nations peoples by having a piece of these large infrastructure projects.

Locking in the benefits

Nationwide, the government is applying the same approach through the multibillion-dollar Capacity Investment Scheme, which will leverage private investment to build at least 32 gigawatts of solar and wind generation and storage between now and 2030.

One of the CIS projects already announced by Minister Bowen is Energy Australia’s Wooreen Energy Storage System in the Latrobe Valley.

In that case, funding has been set aside for things like engineering scholarships, fire service equipment & training, and the participation of local apprentices and cadets – with a focus on First Nations participants through $500,000 in specific training support.

Other major clean energy programs, like Hydrogen Headstart and Solar Sunshot are also in line to create similar economic opportunities.

And for each of these programs, we have set clear conditions and guidelines:

• First, that project proponents will engage respectfully and in good faith with First Nations peoples to discuss how projects might impact them and their heritage;
• And second, that projects will deliver economic opportunities in areas like subcontracting, jobs, training, equity participation, revenue sharing, and other benefits.

In regions with large-scale renewable hydrogen projects, we’re supporting First Nations communities to engage with developers.

In regions adjacent to newly declared offshore wind zones, consultation with relevant First Nations groups is required before we grant feasibility licences for projects.

These requirements are designed to ensure that First Nations peoples are at the table from the beginning – with the chance to work with project proponents to secure benefits for their communities, and the chance to build local capacity to fully participate in these projects.

Conclusion

Let me finish where I started by making it crystal clear that an inclusive and equitable net zero transition is at the heart of the Australian Government’s climate and clean energy agenda.

Our agenda is built on the principle that no one should be left out.

We are especially focused on making sure the transition draws on First Nations knowledge and delivers better economic outcomes for First Nations peoples.

But we cannot be complacent about the focus and resolve that is required to achieve both of those things.

When it comes to Australia’s energy transition, First Nations peoples need to be at the centre of decision-making, right from the start – and we know that will require a big and sustained shift away from the approaches that were taken in the past.

Our government is committed to working with and listening to First Nations leaders, and to representative groups, and to all the communities on country around Australia who will lead that big and sustained shift to a cleaner, better, and fairer energy future.

Thank you.