Mr HAASE (7:35 PM) —Upon re-election to the Kalgoorlie seat in the federal election last year, one of my first tasks was to set myself a number of priorities for the ensuing three-year term. At the top of that list is to secure the Derby tidal power project for the West Kimberley region in Western Australia. I am grateful for, and impressed by, the commitment of the federal government to the project and also its preparedness to work with the Western Australian government and the proponents to progress it.

That commitment has included $1 million in support funding under the renewable energy commercialisation program and $1 million announced during the election campaign for a study in the Kimberley region of the potential for the production of hydrogen using electricity derived from tidal energy. Just last month I called a meeting in Canberra to update coalition government MPs and senators on this project. I thank those who attended and listened to the presentation on tidal energy by proponents, Peter Wood and Robin Sanders. Over the past few weeks I have also been involved in talks with the Prime Minister's office; the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane; and the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp.

The news last week that the state Treasurer had delivered an ultimatum to the federal government to commit funds to this project in one month surprised me. I do note, however, that there is a state cabinet meeting about to take place in Broome. I am pleased that the Western Australian government shares my commitment to this project. That said, I am confused that Mr Ripper, despite his government's obvious support for tidal energy, says that the success of the project hinges on the availability of financial commitment from the federal government.

I had a call over the weekend from Elsia Archer of Derby, West Kimberley Shire President, who had heard a radio interview with Minister Ian Macfarlane. She, like some others in the community, was under the mistaken impression that the federal government was wiping its hands of the project. That is far from the truth. However, what Minister Macfarlane said is true. Unfortunately, and in no way contributing to good communication, what the ABC did not broadcast from the interview with the minister was also true. The state government has sufficient funds under its share of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program, or RRPGP, to fully fund the Derby tidal power project on its own. This RRPGP is a Commonwealth fund administered by the Australian Greenhouse Office and allocated on approval by the minister as a result of the state government's prioritisation. If the Western Australian government considers this project to be the renewable energy project it wants to fully support, then it can earmark those funds for that purpose. Approximately $85 million will be available under this fund for renewable energy projects in Western Australia over four years. However, the federal government is still considering the tidal power project as one deserving of funding additional to the RRPGP. I look forward to a positive decision.

This project has my unwavering support, and I will continue to promote its merits here in Canberra. It is a visionary project with long-term advantages for all Australians. The RRPGP was established specifically to assist states to fund renewable energy projects. I urge the Western Australian government to engage with Commonwealth officers to clearly indicate the state's preference for a tidal energy solution for the supply of power to the West Kimberley. I urge them to take full advantage of funds from the RRPGP to remove noisy and polluting diesel generators, to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to make reliable, low cost power available to the people of the West Kimberley, including communities adjacent to the transmission grid. And I urge them, as a proactive state government, to reap the benefits of the bonus employment and tourism opportunities that are guaranteed to result.