The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the action by Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) to supply 16.2 petajoules (PJ) of gas to the Australian manufacturing market.
"Today's announcement is yet another sign of the benefits that flow from a successful gas industry that has regulatory stability," QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said.
"The Queensland gas industry is leading the nation with a proactive approach to easing the east coast gas squeeze.
"Queensland's neighbours must take a leaf out of our book, instead of relying on our State to meet the gap caused by their failure to develop their own gas industries. Gas exploration has stalled in New South Wales and Victoria, despite the fact all jurisdictions have their own reserves in the ground."
APLNG said explosives manufacturer Orica would receive 10.2 petajoules of gas over four years starting in 2021 while packaging manufacturer Orora would take up to 6 petajoules of gas over three years (at their option commencing from 2023).
"Queensland's gas industry is doing its part to ensure domestic gas users have access to affordable and reliable gas supplies," Mr Macfarlane said.
"The announcement is the latest that shows how the development of domestic gas helps jobs in Australian industry and manufacturing."
Last month APLNG, along with its joint venture partner Armour Energy, announced it would enter into gas supply agreements with a number of Australian manufacturers including Incitec Pivot, with supply agreements totalling more than 50 petajoules of gas.
"It's also important that Queensland continues its exploration program to pinpoint new reserves and new opportunities for jobs and investment. Yesterday Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced an Authority to Prospect (ATP) for gas on more than 1,510 square kilometres of land in the Surat Basin to a Santos/Shell joint venture and Bridgeport Energy," Mr Macfarlane said.
"The successful development of these new areas will depend on stable and predictable policy in areas such as resource development and royalty collection."
