Travel related to carbon sequestration

Question

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Question on notice 115 also states that over $20,000 has been spent on travel associated with this work. Is that figure still current? And what does that travel comprise of then? Does it have nothing to do with carbon sequestration? Mr Woods: Maybe I will jump back a little bit. The work that we do is work in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, DCCEEW, as well as the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. DCCEEW, as you know, have the responsibility for energy policy, as a whole, as per the title. They also have lead policy responsibility for CCS. In the 2024-25 budget, the three departments were collectively allocated, I think, around $36 million over the forward estimates to help implement the London protocol, which, as you'll recall, was passed through the sea dumping legislation at the end of 2023. The three departments work in their own lanes but collectively. DCCEEW, as per that NPP, look at and are responsible for the implementation of the domestic frameworks for CCS. DISR are doing capacity building with Timor-Leste. DFAT are responsible then for the negotiation of agreements with countries that would be open to entering into agreements with us to implement the London protocol or, should I say, to ensure that any cross-border trade in carbon, physically trading carbon, is consistent with our obligations under the London protocol. Senator HODGINS-MAY: You mentioned Timor-Leste. Are there other countries that these officers have travelled to in relation to carbon sequestration cooperation? Mr Woods: Yes. They've travelled to Singapore and they've travelled to Japan on CCS. To return to your original question about whether that number from the question on notice answer is still accurate is something I'd have to take on notice. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Yes, please take that on notice as well as any other details of those trips including who was met with on those trips. Mr Woods: Sure.

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• QoN 183.pdf (opens in a new tab)