Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 5:58:18 to 6:03:10
Updates on negotiations for the Korea Green Trade deal and the departmental assessment process for Carbon Capture and Storage grants awarded to Pilot Energy.
Topics: Trade policy, Grants administration, Emissions reduction
Speakers: David Higgins, Steph Hodgins-May, Ms Kushla Munro, Unknown Speaker, Hon Tim Ayres, Mr. David Higgins
>> Thank you, Chair. I've got some questions about the Korea Green Trade Uh, two years ago, Australia signed a green economy partnership arrangement with Korea focused on energy security. Um, we understand a further green trade agreement is now being negotiated. Is someone able to share some information on what the new green trade deal with Korea is expected to cover?
>> This is the green economy partnership arrangement on climate and energy. Is that that's what you're referring to? Is
green Korea, green trade deal. What did you uh clean energy transition partnership? No, what did you decide? >> Probably talking about the same thing
>> perhaps.
>> Yeah, but as as the minister was referring to, uh we currently have a green economy partnership arrangement on climate and energy. So again, unless you've got further information, that's the one that we would
>> green economy partnership arrangement. >> Yep. >> So that was signed a um that was signed two years ago. Is a further green trade agreement now being negotiated or
>> No, we're in discussions with the government of of Korea. Um there have been uh significant developments um on the Korean side in in terms of their domestic settings. Um uh we we have a a close relationship with the government of Korea on on green economy related matters and we are in discussions um on on a range of elements but but nothing that I can I can preempt it at at this point in terms of um further agreements.
>> Can you provide a timeline around an announcement or any further updates?
>> No, I I wouldn't pre preempt an outcome,
>> Okay. Um so can can you share anything about which sectors are in scope or
>> uh no I mean there is no um uh commitment at at this point to to revisit necessarily um the agreement to which you you referred at the outset which was which was struck at leaders level. We've been in discussions um at subleader level at ministerial level between our ministry and our equivalent in the in the Korean system. Um there there is also um discussion between our system and the Korean system about a broader um a broader uh engagement on issues that go beyond uh the green economy sector um that that are the the purview of um of DEFAT and and Prime Minister and cabinet um and and these these elements all interrelate but we're certainly in discussions with our counterparts on climate and energy on on issues that that pertain to to green
Um, and are you working with Korea to commit to stop financing fossil fuels or to join the CP? And have those outcomes been raised with Korea in the in the green trade negotiations?
>> No. Um, we we haven't had specific discussions in relation to the issues that you've just mentioned.
>> Okay. Just um noting the CP asks signatories to encourage others to join. Um, just wondering if Australia has actually um done anything to meet that commitment or would that be a question for DEFAT? I I thought DQ were leading this. Sorry. Is it?
>> No, we don't have lead over CP, but we are involved in CP. Um, we haven't had specific conversations with the government of Korea in relation to joining CP. Um,
>> you have, sorry, did you say?
>> Um, uh, the government of Korea is is not a significant um, uh, provider of of overseas development assistance. Um, so I think um, I mean it may be appropriate. We haven't had conversations to to to my knowledge with the government of Korea on that. Um and it may be that we've had conversations in relation to joining CP with others but um we haven't been.
>> Is it possible to shed some light on what Australia has done to meet the CP commitment um with regard to Korea or otherwise?
>> So I think that's I mean as as you noted it's a DEFAT lead and so I would defer to the to foreign ministry in relation to to that. that um um I I think our our our settings in relation to our development assistance program and the like are consistent with our obligations under CTP.
>> Thank you. Um I've got some questions on CCS uh carbon capture and storage. Thanks.