A future Liberal and Nationals Government will ease the pressure on energy prices for households and businesses by throwing open the door to new gas exploration.
After more than a decade of Labor’s war on gas, Victoria faces declining local production, rising prices and growing risks to future energy security. Around 80 per cent of Victorian households rely on gas, yet Labor has failed to back the industry that keeps homes warm, manufacturers operating and the electricity system reliable.
For more than a decade, Labor failed to issue a single new onshore conventional gas exploration permit. Even after finally releasing two small exploration areas last year, Labor has failed to attract the new investment and new supply Victoria desperately needs.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will put Victoria back in business.
Within 60 days of coming to government, we will launch a statewide Request for Proposal process, inviting gas producers to tell us where Victoria’s best conventional gas opportunities are and how quickly they can responsibly bring them into production.
Instead of governments deciding where exploration should occur, we will let industry put forward the strongest proposals, assess them under Victoria’s existing laws and environmental safeguards, and get the best projects moving.
At the same time, we will slash unnecessary red tape by streamlining State environmental approvals, so projects no longer face years of costly and avoidable delays.
Furthermore, a future Liberal and Nationals Government will form an Energy and Resources Cabinet sub-committee to oversee the process of examining proposals and prioritising the issuing of permits in line with current Victorian law and requirements.
The result will be simple: more local gas, delivered sooner. More Victorian gas for Victorian homes, manufacturers and power generation. More investment, more jobs, greater energy security and downward pressure on prices.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: “Labor has spent more than a decade talking down Victoria’s gas industry. We’ve ended up with less local gas, higher prices and growing concerns about future supply.
“We’ll put Victoria back on the map for investment by inviting the industry to bring forward its best gas projects and by cutting the red tape that has held them back for years.
“More local gas means lower prices, greater energy security and a stronger economy.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, David Davis, said: “Our plan is straightforward: ask industry where the gas is, cut the red tape and get more Victorian gas flowing to Victorian consumers sooner.
“For more than a decade Labor failed to issue a single new onshore conventional gas exploration permit. Their token acreage releases have failed to deliver the new gas Victoria needs.”
“If we’re serious about keeping the lights on, protecting manufacturing and lowering energy prices, we have to start backing local gas again.”
