Albanese government’s 'renewables only' policy blamed for Australia's need to import gas despite status as major exporter
The opposition has blamed Labor for the "gas demise" as Australia faces the prospect of needing to import LNG, despite being one of the world’s largest gas exporters in a scenario likened to “the desert importing sand”.
The Coalition has blamed the Albanese government for the possibility that Australia may need to import gas, while also being one of the world’s largest exporters.
The Victorian Labor government has led a push for the federal government to underwrite LNG imports in a proposal that will be delivered to Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Despite having vast proven gas reserves, Australia has faced shortfall in supply due to delays in projects, lack of new investment and a surge in exports.
Without new gas exploration and development, parts of the country may have to rely increasingly on LNG imports in the coming years.
Shadow resources minister Susan McDonald blamed the government for the scenario and described the need to import LNG as “pure economic negligence”.
"We are flush with gas. We export over 70 per cent of it. How has Labor allowed Australia to be put into a position that we now need to look at importing gas?" she said.
“After a decade... Victorian Labor is now crying poor when it has been the chief architect of the state’s gas’s demise, banning fracking and increasing exploration fees by 300 per cent.
“For them to now demand imports of gas is laughable, and an insult to Queensland and South Australia who have developed their own domestic supplies.”
Ms McDonald compared the prospect of Australia having to import gas as akin to “the Simpson Desert having to import sand”.
“Federally, new gas approvals are painfully slow and those that are approved are subject to green and cultural lawfare by special interest groups,” she said.
“Meanwhile, good-paying jobs in regional Australia are going begging and the economy is missing out on royalties and taxes.”
The developments have come after the Albanese government’s green hydrogen plans faced a harsh reality check as dozens of projects have been archived.
As much as 99 per cent of the announced green hydrogen projects in Australia have not progressed beyond the concept or approval stage.
Energy policy has factored as one of the significant policy divides heading into the federal election, to be held on or before May 17.
The opposition’s plan to achieve net zero by 2050 includes 54 per cent renewable energy, 38 per cent nuclear and 8 per cent from storage and gas.
The Albanese government plans for about 94 per cent renewable energy and the remainder from gas and storage.