❓ Mr. Zempilas questions the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) regarding a contract awarded to Acil Allen for hydrogen business case analysis, seeking clarification on its scope, deliverables, and coordination with other consultants. The Minister's response indicates the work was distinct, a draft report was produced but not finalised due to policy changes, and specifics of cross-consultant engagement are not provided.
AnsweredQoN 1619Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Report on Consultants Engaged by Government for the six months ending 30 June 2023 notes a payment of $253,364 to Acil Allen on potential business cases for hydrogen by the Department of Jobs Tourism, Science and Innovation. On the assumption that the relevant responsibilities from this department transferred to the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, can the Minister advise: (a) Was the work undertaken by Acil Allen different to that undertaken by Merz, PWC, JDR, Thomas Halton, Johnson Infrastructure, Johnstaff and Vision Environ as reported in the two previous six-monthly reports on consultants engaged by Government: (i) If so, in what way; (b) Were draft and or final reports provided by Acil Allen to Government: (i) If so, when; (ii) Can a copy of this draft and or final report be tabled; and (iii) If not, why not; (c) If the work was not different to the work undertaken by Merz, PWC, JDR, Thomas Halton, Johnson Infrastructure, Johnstaff and Vision Environ, why were none of these entities invited to undertake the business cases for hydrogen; (d) As part of their work did Acil Allen consult with Merz, PWC, JDR, Thomas Halton, Johnson Infrastructure, Johnstaff and Vision Environ regarding their work on the hydrogen industry: (i) If not, why not; and (e) Was any of the work undertaken by Merz, PWC, JDR, Thomas Halton, Johnson Infrastructure, Johnstaff and Vision Environ on the hydrogen industry made available to Acil Allen: (i) If so, how and when; and (ii) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for State Development
Response time
1 days
(a) Yes.
(i) ACIL Allen was engaged to provide specialist advice on potential use cases for renewable hydrogen in the State’s economy to inform consideration of the development and implementation of a broad-based Renewable Hydrogen Target in Western Australia.
(b) Yes.
(i) 2023.
(ii) No. A report was drafted, however, it was not finalised due to material external changes in the policy environment including the implementation of the Commonwealth Government Hydrogen Headstart program.
(iii) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Whilst DEED is unable to provide the specifics of cross-consultant engagement, DEED can confirm that the work undertaken by multiple consultants on the hydrogen industry addressed their distinct areas of scope.
(i) See response to (d) above.
(e) Whilst DEED is unable to provide the specifics of cross-consultant engagement, DEED can confirm that the work undertaken by multiple consultants on the hydrogen industry addressed their distinct areas of scope.
(i) See response to (e) above.
(ii) See response to (e) above.
(i) ACIL Allen was engaged to provide specialist advice on potential use cases for renewable hydrogen in the State’s economy to inform consideration of the development and implementation of a broad-based Renewable Hydrogen Target in Western Australia.
(b) Yes.
(i) 2023.
(ii) No. A report was drafted, however, it was not finalised due to material external changes in the policy environment including the implementation of the Commonwealth Government Hydrogen Headstart program.
(iii) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Whilst DEED is unable to provide the specifics of cross-consultant engagement, DEED can confirm that the work undertaken by multiple consultants on the hydrogen industry addressed their distinct areas of scope.
(i) See response to (d) above.
(e) Whilst DEED is unable to provide the specifics of cross-consultant engagement, DEED can confirm that the work undertaken by multiple consultants on the hydrogen industry addressed their distinct areas of scope.
(i) See response to (e) above.
(ii) See response to (e) above.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.