❓ A parliamentary question seeks details on a consultancy report regarding downstream battery industry development in WA. The Minister's answer provides information on the selection process, report findings, stakeholder consultations, and its influence on government strategy.
AnsweredQoN 1651Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Report on Consultants Engaged by Government for the six months ending 31 December 2023 includes a payment of $4,500 to Synergies Economic Consulting to investigate opportunities for downstream battery industry development in WA under the State and Industry Development portfolio. Can the Minister advise: (a) The process for selecting Synergies Economic Consulting to undertake this work; (b) Whether a draft and/or final report was produced: (i) If not, why not; (c) What recommendations were made by Synergies Economic Consulting ; (d) Has the Government accepted these recommendations: (i) If not, why not; (e) What challenges did Synergies Economic Consulting identify for the downstream battery industry development in WA; (f) What were the costs and timeframes identified for downstream battery industry development in WA; (g) Who did Synergies Economic Consulting consult with on this report and when; (h) Did Synergies Economic Consulting meet with Government while undertaking this consultancy: (i) If so, when and with who; and (ii) If not, why not; and (i) Has the work undertaken by Synergies Economic Consulting contributed to the setting of Government policy and or priorities with respect to the downstream battery industry development in WA: (i) In what ways; and (ii) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for State Development
Response time
1 days
(a) Synergies Economic Consulting (SEC) was selected in accordance with government procurement processes.
(b) A final report was produced in August 2023.
(i) Not applicable
(c) SEC made findings, not recommendations.
(d) Not applicable
(i) Not applicable
(e) Challenges to WA in developing downstream battery industries include competing with the incentives offered by other governments (both interstate and overseas), and the availability of skilled labour (such as chemical engineers and technicians with expertise in advanced manufacturing).
(f) The report modelled possible economic benefits (i.e. jobs and value add) for three industry development scenarios by 2040 (rather than costs according to different timeframes).
(g) During the development of the report, between June 2022 and August 2023, SEC consulted with a range of stakeholders, including battery users, battery suppliers/ integrators/ recyclers, State Government agencies (see below), and other research organisations and government entities.
(h) Yes
(i) Following SEC’s appointment in June 2022, the company met with government agencies during the first round of consultation. This included representatives from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation; and Energy Policy WA and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
(ii) Not applicable
(i) Yes
(i) The report informed the development of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy, published in May 2024.
(ii) Not applicable
(b) A final report was produced in August 2023.
(i) Not applicable
(c) SEC made findings, not recommendations.
(d) Not applicable
(i) Not applicable
(e) Challenges to WA in developing downstream battery industries include competing with the incentives offered by other governments (both interstate and overseas), and the availability of skilled labour (such as chemical engineers and technicians with expertise in advanced manufacturing).
(f) The report modelled possible economic benefits (i.e. jobs and value add) for three industry development scenarios by 2040 (rather than costs according to different timeframes).
(g) During the development of the report, between June 2022 and August 2023, SEC consulted with a range of stakeholders, including battery users, battery suppliers/ integrators/ recyclers, State Government agencies (see below), and other research organisations and government entities.
(h) Yes
(i) Following SEC’s appointment in June 2022, the company met with government agencies during the first round of consultation. This included representatives from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation; and Energy Policy WA and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
(ii) Not applicable
(i) Yes
(i) The report informed the development of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy, published in May 2024.
(ii) Not applicable
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