Major food company Shepparton Preserving Company (SPC) Global is strongly supporting the Coalition's East Coast Gas Reservation scheme, warning Australia risks losing manufacturing capacity, jobs, and long-term food security without urgent action.
It comes as Nationals Leader David Littleproud toured the company's facility with Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell to discuss the Coalition's plan to bring more gas into the market.
"The Coalition's national gas plan, including an East Coast gas reservation, a $1 billion critical gas infrastructure fund, and a $300 million strategic basins plan, will reduce wholesale gas prices by 23 per cent," Mr Littleproud said.
"Our reservation will secure an additional 50 to 100 PJ of gas per year, equivalent to 10 to 20 per cent of current east coast gas demand. If in place as of February, gas prices would be 15 per cent cheaper for industrial consumers."
Chairman of SPC Global Hussein Rifai said the Coalition's East Coast Gas Reservation scheme is common sense.
"The Coalition's proposal for an East Coast Gas Reservation scheme is both overdue and essential," Mr Rifai said.
"It is simply unacceptable that Australia, one of the world's largest gas exporters, forces its own industries and households to pay some of the highest gas prices globally.
"Companies like SPC Global, a proudly Australian-owned food manufacturer, are facing mounting challenges. Manufacturers are now paying between $10-$14 per gigajoule, compared to $2-$4 per gigajoule in major competitor countries like the United States.
"As a result, Australian-made food products are increasingly undercut by cheaper imports and struggle to compete in export markets, where price sensitivity is critical. Without urgent action to address energy affordability, Australia risks losing manufacturing capacity, regional jobs, and long-term food security."
Mr Birrell said the Coalition will ensure companies such as SPC Global have the tools to remain competitive domestically and internationally.
"SPC has been an icon for the Goulburn Valley and Australia for over 100 years, my grandparents worked there and so many people in our region have a personal connection to this place," Mr Birrell said.
"Regional Australia's food manufacturing relies on affordable gas. We've got a lot of it in Australia, and the Coalition is determined that, in addition to exports, a proportion of Australian gas is reserved for Australian businesses and households to continue to operate profitably and competitively."
