Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits Ampcontrol, Tomago with Liberal Party's Paterson election candidate Brooke Vitnell

Mr Morrison made a 40-minuite stopover at the Ampcontrol in Tomago - his fourth visit to the suburb in the past year - accompanied by the newly endorsed Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Paterson, Brooke Vitnell.

Ms Vitnell, a solicitor from Medowie, will be challenging sitting Labor MP Meryl Swanson at the next federal election which is expected to take place between March and May in 2022.

Mr Morrison met with many of the 300 staff at the Tomago firm while being briefed on the giant inroads being made by the company through integrated electrical, electronic and control solutions predominantly in the energy, resources, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

The now retired co-founder of Ampcontrol, Peter Cockbain, was on hand to guide Mr Morrison and his entourage through some of the company's many achievements realised over more than 50 years - "the company was formed in April 1968" - of innovation, being both "evolutionary and revolutionary".

"The business was set up to meet the technological changes in heavy industry, starting with the trams and trains in Melbourne and progressing to a range of projects in mining and more recently in renewable energy," Mr Cockbain said.

"There were four of us at the beginning now the company employs around 900 staff stretching across Australia, with offices in Cameron Park, Mackey, Melbourne and Perth."

Mr Morrison inspected the Drift Ex vehicle, which has been converted from a diesel engine to a battery-charged electrical system which is safe to use in explosive areas such as an underground coal mine and a solar-powered water treatment plant - designed and manufactured at Tomago - used to treat artesian water while operating 24/7.

In a later appearance in Newcastle, Mr Morrison also announced that his government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), would deliver an extra $1.5 million to support Macquarie Group's Green Investment Group, the Port of Newcastle and project partners to conduct a $3 million study to find the best location for hydrogen infrastructure.

"Newcastle has great potential both as a local energy provider and exporter of clean hydrogen ... [while] Newcastle and the Hunter will be a key part of the $1.2 billion we're investing in Australia's hydrogen industry," the PM said.

"The region has been key to Australia's energy security and with continuing strong demand for baseload power fuels and the potential as a clean energy hub, Newcastle and the Hunter will be an important part of Australia's transition under our plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

"Newcastle is the biggest port on the east coast, with 50 per cent of its capacity available for future industry development making it a great asset for the region to become one of the seven Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs my government is delivering.

"We're committed to developing a world-leading hydrogen industry while providing investment and growth opportunities for our communities like Newcastle and the Hunter."

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EARLIER Story:

Medowie solicitor Brooke Vitnell was introduced as the Liberal Party's candidate for the federal seat of Paterson during Prime Minister Scott Morrison's visit to the Hunter on Monday.

In his fourth visit to Tomago in the past year, the Prime Minister visited electrical engineering company Ampcontrol with Mrs Vitnell and the Shortland candidate, Nell McGill.

Mr Morrison said the two candidates had "strong roots in the region".

"They know the region needs voices that understand the history and value of the industries that have supported the Hunter. They know why my government's plan for net zero emissions by 2050 is so important for Newcastle and the Hunter. It will keep the region as a central hub for energy production and technology," he said.

Tomago was the first stop of three in the Hunter on Monday, and part of a week-long tour of NSW and Victoria ahead of the federal election which is expected to be called for May 2022.

At the Port of Newcastle on Monday, Mr Morrison announced $1.5 million in funding to support a $3 million study on the potential to turn the Port at Carrington into a hydrogen hub.

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