Context
The 2024-25 Budget invested $22.7 billion over the next decade to build a Future Made in Australia. This plan will maximise the economic and industrial benefits linked to the global shift towards a net zero future and secure and strengthen Australia’s place in a changing global economic and strategic landscape.
The Australian Government will support Australian green metals production as a priority under the Future Made in Australia agenda. Green metals sectors (iron, steel, alumina, and aluminium) employ 42,000 Australians, and demonstrate the tangible benefit of making things in Australia, backing local construction, defence, transport, and infrastructure projects, as well as growing our export markets.
Australia can become one of the lowest-cost producers of green metals by leveraging our existing metals expertise, abundant renewable energy resources, access to bulk raw materials, skilled workforce, strengths in research and development, and proximity to fast growing Indo-Pacific markets. Green metals are estimated to be worth A$122 billion per year to the Australian economy by 2040 in a high ambition scenario, according to a 2023 Accenture ‘Sunshot’ report, and offer the potential to contribute more than twice Australia’s commitments to global emissions reduction.
The government is committed to developing a pathway to support green metals manufacturing by undertaking consultation to position Australia as a world-leader. This consultation will complement the $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund which will unlock private capital across new industries, including green metals. Consultation on green metals will also inform the development of, and complement existing consultation on, the Industry Net Zero Sector Plan. The Industry Net Zero Plan is one of sector plans which will collectively inform the government’s Net Zero Plan.
Purpose
The purpose of the Industrial Decarbonisation and Green Metals Advisory Panel is to provide strategic advice and input to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) to assist with the development of a long-term, sustainable green metals industry as part of the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda and the Industry Net Zero Sector Plan.
The panel is a temporary, non-statutory, non-remunerated, independent, skills-based group. It is not a decision-making panel and has no governing legislation.
Secretariat functions will be performed by DISR.
Membership
Panel members are appointed by the Deputy Secretary of the Industry and Commercialisation Group.
Participation in the panel is voluntary. The membership of the green metals panel may be made public at the discretion of the department or minister.
Individuals are appointed for their individual expertise and experience. Members of the group will provide advice independent of any entity they may be employed by, contractually connected with, or usually represent.
The department will invite relevant Commonwealth agencies to nominate Senior Executives to attend panel meetings as observers, as appropriate.
The department may also consult with, and seek attendance by, other relevant experts to support the development of advice it considers necessary. The panel may also request technical experts to join meetings to inform discussions and consideration of technical matters. The attendance of observers made by the panel must be agreed by the Deputy Secretary of the Industry and Commercialisation Group.
Role and function
The Industrial Decarbonisation and Green Metals Advisory Panel will provide expertise and advice on opportunities to promote and accelerate industrial decarbonisation and grow green metals production.
The expertise and insights provided by members will support the department to progress and develop advice to government on options to support industrial decarbonisation and green metals sectors.
Members will contribute expertise through facilitated collaborative meetings and workshops. They may be asked to provide written input and comment on draft documentation.
The secretariat may directly engage with members between meetings, particularly where specific expertise is sought.
Term
Members are appointed from the date the member accepts the appointment until the end of 2024, unless this agreement is terminated earlier, or extended, as per the letter of offer.
If further insights and advice are required from the panel after this date, the panel may be extended for a further 6 months.