‘ Anti- gas’ greenies blamed for scarcity

QUEENSLAND Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane has blamed environmental activism for the shortage of gas on Australia’s east coast.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Tuesday he would intervene in the market by giving Australian customers priority access to gas supply before it is exported.

He also pledged to provide the Australian Energy Regulator with an additional $ 67.4 million to “stop energy network companies gaming the system and overturning rulings in the courts” and ask the Australian Energy Market Operator how to ensure that new continuous dispatchable power is provided.

“The finalisation of our tough gas regulations will increase supply to the domestic market, putting downward pressure on gas prices which have risen because of supply shortfalls,” he said.

“We simply cannot allow Australians to pay more for Australian gas than competitors overseas do.”

Mr Macfarlane said the “extraordinary announcement that ( the Government) would intervene in the free market” had to be made as activists had influenced energy policy in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

“New South Wales has excellent gas deposits that haven’t been developed because state politicians have buckled in the face of the relentless anti- gas green activist campaign,” he said.

“Shortsighted NSW only produces about 5 per cent of the gas supply it needs, which means it relies on other states like Queensland for its supply so households and businesses can keep the lights on.

“While NSW is in a state of gas panic, they expect Queensland to keep sending our maroon gas molecules south to keep their lights on at ANZ Stadium tonight.

“The anti- gas green activists, and the radio shock jocks who egg them on, thumb their noses at the comprehensive scientific approvals that projects undergo over many years before they begin work.”

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said poor governance, rather than activist groups, was to blame for Australia’s energy crisis.

“I think ( Mr Turnbull’s) announcement is to distract from the fact that he doesn’t have an energy policy,” Ms O’Toole said.

“We’ve seen energy prices double under this government. It’s not a good thing for families and pensioners.”