A broad range of consumer, industry and climate and environment organisations have called upon the Federal Government to put people ahead of gas exporters as the Albanese Government considers a new gas policy expected to be released any day.
Kellie Caught, Program Director, Climate and Energy at ACOSS said "Australia's focus on gas exports has tripled domestic gas and electricity prices, driving up inflation and household bills. Multinational gas corporations are posting huge profits while people on low incomes are skipping meals, not cooling homes, and going without medicines because they can't afford their energy bills.
"The government must implement gas export market controls and avoid options that effectively subsidise gas companies or incentivise new polluting gas production. It's time for this government to prioritise people over rich gas companies."
Annika Reynolds (they/them), climate policy adviser at ACF said, "we are deeply concerned by media speculation that the federal government is considering interventions in the gas market that would serve to protect the super profits of climate-polluting multi-national gas corporations rather than holding them accountable."
"The Albanese government does not need to capitulate to the gas giants. It should rein in corporate profiteering, freeing up public funds to help households and small businesses to invest in low-inflation energy efficiency and electrification measures."
Tom Quinn from Springmount said: "Every dollar spent subsidising gas and bankrolling gas companies is a dollar that can't be spent to support industry to electrify and safeguard them from the predatory pricing tactics and climate impacts of the gas industry."
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: "This is a key climate test for a federal government that recently made its strongest ever statement on the need to phase out fossil fuels. Any scheme that incentivises new gas exploration means more seismic blasting in our oceans, pollution of our groundwater from fracking, and pours fuel on the fire of extreme climate impacts like bushfires."
Harriet Kater, Clean Industry Coordinator with Lock the Gate Alliance said: "There is strong support amongst voters for the Albanese Government to take action against the multinational gas companies that have fleeced Australians ever since they started exporting coal seam gas from Queensland ten years ago. Subsidies that underwrite new gas projects are the polar opposite of what the community wants"
