Today's decision by the Victorian Government to lift the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration is long overdue and will help secure Victorian jobs.
Victorian businesses have been struggling with record high gas and electricity costs, limiting their ability to hire staff and invest. In some cases, their continued operation is threatened.
To ensure reliable supplies of affordable and clean electricity and gas, the Victorian Chamber has called for the removal of the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration in Victoria (the Chamber does not support fracking) in conjunction with:
- A regulatory regime to manage the risks of individual gas supply projects on a case-by-case basis
- A domestic gas reservation scheme aimed at securing low cost and reliable gas supply for local industry and gas-fired generators
- An integrated national climate and energy policy.
Gas is an important fuel for our transition to lower emissions and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports action on climate change and urges all parties and governments to join business in a bipartisan effort to decarbonise the Australian economy.
Quotes to be attributed to Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra:
"Lifting the moratorium has been a long-standing priority of the Victorian Chamber. We have strongly advocated for it to be replaced with a regime to manage the risks of individual gas supply projects on a case-by-case basis.
"This is a challenging time for businesses to stay afloat, suffering from the major impacts of coronavirus being felt across the economy. This decision will put Victorian businesses in a better position to emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis.
"The decision to lift the moratorium is the right one. Not only for business owners, but for all Victorians who in such uncertain times cannot afford to be hit with more unnecessary costs.
"The Victorian Government now needs to work with industry and the Federal Government to bring more Victorian gas online and to lower energy prices through an integrated and long-term national climate and energy policy."
