Researchers, industry and port representatives have discussed the potential for Newcastle to play a leading role in the emerging hydrogen fuel industry.
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It followed the announcement of Labor's $1.1 billion national hydrogen plan.
"If elected, Labor will invest $1.1 billion into development, research, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment of clean hydrogen technology. I'd like to see Newcastle and the Hunter secure as much of that as possible," Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said following Thursday's roundtable.
"Hydrogen has the potential to be a game changer for our region and our environment and could be a key driver in the local transition we need to make to a low-carbon future."
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Shadow assistant minister for climate change and energy and Shortland MP Pat Conroy said there were significant domestic opportunities for Australia to develop a globally competitive hydrogen sector.
"Hydrogen has enormous potential to help decarbonise our planet, employ tens of thousands of Australians and produce billions of dollars of export revenue," he said.
"The market potential is massive. Globally, the hydrogen market is expected to reach $215 billion by 2022 and demand is forecast to grow exponentially from there."
Ms Claydon said the Hunter was uniquely placed to capitalise on the opportunities from hydrogen.
"Our region already has a world-class network of energy expertise and capability and is perfectly placed to capitalise on the hydrogen boom," she said.
"Add this to the fact that we have a deep water port and you have the key ingredients for a prosperous hydrogen hub."
The Newcastle Herald reported this week that Japan and South Korea are emerging as destinations for clean hydrogen.
