New national polling reveals Australians are much more likely to back government intervention that redirects gas exports for domestic use rather than the construction of new polluting gasfields in order to lower prices.
A more detailed briefer and methodology explainer is available here.
The polling, conducted by agency 89 Degrees East, surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,254 people. It found (see breakdown in table below):
- Almost three quarters (72%) of Australians agreed that the best way to lower gas prices is to put limits on how much gas can be exported overseas, so more is kept for Australian households and businesses.
- A much smaller minority (28%) thought that the best way to lower gas prices would be to expand gas mining and open up new gas fields to increase the supply of gas.
The Albanese Government is expected to receive the policy options for consideration following its review into Australia’s broken east coast gas market before the end of the year.
Lock the Gate Alliance Clean Industry Coordinator Harriet Kater said, “This polling shows there is strong support for the Albanese Government taking action against the multinationals who have fleeced Australians ever since they were given approval to export coal seam gas from Queensland more than a decade ago.
“Not only are these multinational gas companies hurting our hip pockets by pushing up gas prices and energy bills, they are also doing irreversible damage to Australia’s farmland and precious water resources. These results show a clear majority of Australians are fed up with this bad behaviour and think it’s time for the Albanese Government to step in and end the gas companies' free ride.
“Australians overwhelmingly back a gas reserve policy that forces exporters to divert gas to the domestic market rather than any policy which incentivises the opening of new gas fields.
“The Gas Market Review must deliver reforms that fix our gas market where it is broken - that being gas exports.
“Lock the Gate also calls for government scrutiny on any new or extended gas export contracts, particularly those involving Santos, who for years has dipped into domestic gas reserves to shore up supply for contracts it signed without having sufficient gas to meet.
“Australia is one of the world’s biggest gas exporters, yet we pay some of the highest prices. At the same time, unconventional gas companies are dividing regional communities while wreaking havoc with our finite agricultural land and the water that sustains it. It’s time our Federal Government fixed this mess in a way that benefits all Australians.”
ENDS
Polling Results
Of the two statements, which one is closest to your view:
-
The best way to lower gas prices is to put limits on how much gas can be exported overseas so more is kept for Australian households and businesses.
- The best way to lower gas prices is to expand gas mining and open up new gas fields to increase the supply of gas.
|
Region |
Statement 1 |
Statement 2 |
|
National |
72% |
28% |
|
Central QLD (except Gladstone) (QLD) |
71% |
29% |
|
Central West Orana (NSW) |
84% |
16% |
|
Gippsland (VIC) |
74% |
26% |
|
Gladstone (QLD) |
81% |
19% |
|
Hunter (NSW) |
78% |
22% |
|
Illawarra (NSW) |
77% |
23% |
|
New England (NSW) |
81% |
19% |
|
Western VIC (VIC) |
79% |
21% |
Background:
Gas Market Review
It is understood the Albanese government will be presented with policy options for its consideration at the end of the year. Media reports suggest that one option could be a contained export licensing mechanism that solely applies to the gas exporters and could have the effect of diverting uncontracted spot sales to the domestic market. Another option could be a more complex market-wide mechanism that would dilute accountability for gas exporters and enhance risk of gaming.
Calling for a National Interest Test on contract renewals
In addition to export controls, Lock the Gate has called for a National Interest Test to be established for new/extended gas export contracts. The first opportunity for applying a National Interest Test to an export agreement is the potential five year extension of GLNG’s 3.5 million tonnes per annum Sales Purchase Agreement with Korean gas company KOGAS. This contract ends in 2031 but GLNG has the option to extend to 2036.There has been no market announcement of this extension even though GLNG has informed the ACCC that all of its SPAs run to 2035/2036.