Coalition calls for domestic gas reservation to lower energy costs

A diverse group of energy consumers, manufacturers, union leaders, think tanks and independent politicians assembled in Canberra on Monday to advocate for policies that would divert export gas to the domestic market.

The coalition argued that redirecting uncontracted gas back to local consumers could ease the high energy costs faced by Australian households and businesses, citing recent analysis from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

“Australia doesn’t have a gas shortage problem; we have a gas export problem,” said ACT Independent Senator David Pocock. “80 per cent of Australia’s gas goes overseas and yet Australian businesses and households are experiencing extremely high energy costs.”

Senator Jacqui Lambie echoed these concerns, pointing to Western Australia’s gas reservation policy as a model for national implementation. “It’s been shown to deliver for the WA community, so why the hell can’t we do it here?” she said.

Manufacturing industry representatives highlighted the impact of high gas prices on their sector. Ben Eade, CEO of Manufacturing Australia, said Australian manufacturers were “bearing the brunt of a dysfunctional East Coast gas market” with high prices placing “manufacturing jobs and investments at risk.”

Steve Murphy, National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, called for government gas policy to prioritise lowering energy bills for households and energy-intensive manufacturing.

Other speakers included Stephen Annells from Fertilizer Australia, Dr Cassandra Goldie from the Australian Council of Social Service, and Mark Ogge from the Australia Institute, who claimed predominantly foreign-owned gas corporations were “overcharging us for our own gas.”

The group organised a press conference in Parliament House’s Mural Hall to press their case for urgent action on gas market reform.

Picture: credit the Australia Institute