In August 2025, the Allan Labor Government announced it will phase out compressed natural gas (CNG) delivered by Solstice Energy from ten regional Victorian towns, including Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang, Nathalia, Marong, Maldon, Heathcote, Terang, Lakes Entrance and Orbost.
However, following a successful documents motion carried today, the Allan Labor Government will be required to release documents relating to this matter, including:
- Briefs to the Minister for Regional Development.
- Communications to Solstice Energy and from Solstice Energy to the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) concerning the decision.
- Details of any consultation undertaken by DJSIR.
- Any consultancy or internal advice received or created by the relevant section of DJSIR to the minister or to senior officials in the departments.
- Any assessment of the impact on country towns and communications to and from the Essential Services Commission regarding the decision.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, David Davis, said: Mr Davis said "It is time Labor came clean on its shocking decision to strip ten Victorian country towns of their gas.
"The communities and businesses in these towns are owed the transparency over why this decision was made and how it will impact them.
"As a consequence of Labor's mismanagement, families and businesses are being forced to spend, in some cases tens of thousands of dollars to convert from CNG to bottle gas or electrification.
"Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our energy system and Victorians are paying the price."
