Media release: QLD voters oppose Greens’ gas ban, back long-term role for gas: poll

A majority of voters in the key federal electorates of Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan believe that natural gas has a long-term role in the state’s energy mix and oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas developments, new polling shows.

A recent poll of over 2500 voters across the three electorates found that more than 80 per cent of voters see a role for gas in Queensland’s energy mix, with around 58 per cent citing a long-term role. More than 60 per cent of voters also believe the natural gas industry is important to the state’s economy.

The JWS Research poll commissioned by Australian Energy Producers surveyed more than 800 voters in each of the electorates of Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan, held by Greens MPs Stephen Bates, Max Chandler-Mather and Elizabeth Watson-Brown respectively.

The poll found that 58 of voters across the three seats oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, and only one in five support it. It also found 57 per cent support Queensland’s gas industry, and fewer than one in five don’t support the industry.

Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the results showed Queenslanders understood the critical role of gas for the state’s economic prosperity and energy security.

“Queensland runs on natural gas, which provides 20 per cent of the state’s primary energy needs, contributes $25 billion a year to the state economy and supports more than 57,000 jobs across the state,” Ms McCulloch said.

“Voters in these electorates understand the value of Queensland’s gas and LNG sector because they directly benefit from the sector’s investment. A recent study found Queensland’s gas industry spent $27.8 billion with 1,100 local businesses in the seats of Ryan, Griffith and Brisbane over the past 10 years, supporting 22,000 local jobs.”

The poll also found that cost-of-living and energy affordability is the biggest issue for voters this election.

“With cost-of-living pressures front of mind for Queenslanders this election, these results send a strong message to all candidates contesting this election about the importance of a strong Queensland gas sector to the state’s economic growth and energy security,” Ms McCulloch said.

“Recent analysis by EnergyQuest found The Greens’ reckless energy policy to ban new gas projects would mean higher energy bills, increased risk of blackouts, and higher emissions as more coal and diesel would be needed to keep the lights on.”

Key results of JWS Research polling in Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan 

JWS conducted the poll on 8-9 April on behalf of Australian Energy Producers, with over 800 respondents in each electorate.

Brisbane

• 80% believe natural gas has a role in Queensland’s energy mix, with 54% citing long-term role. Only 6% saw no role.

• 53% support the natural gas industry in Queensland, only 21% oppose.

• 57% consider the natural gas industry important to the state’s economy. Only 12% consider it unimportant

• 53% oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, with 23% neutral or undecided. Only 24% support the policy.

• 31% ranked cost of living including energy affordability as the most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election, followed by climate change and the environment (14%), the economy and jobs (12%) and housing supply and affordability (12%).

Griffith

• 78% believe natural gas has a role in Queensland’s energy mix, with 54% citing long-term role. Only 11% saw no role.

• 53% support the natural gas industry in Queensland, only 24% oppose.

• 56% consider the natural gas industry important to the state’s economy. Only 16% consider it unimportant

• 54% oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, with 23% neutral or undecided. Only 24% support the policy.

• 38% ranked cost of living including energy affordability as the most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election, followed by hospitals, healthcare and ageing (16%), housing supply and affordability (11%) and the economy and jobs (11%).

Ryan

• 85% believe natural gas has a role in Queensland’s energy mix, with 66% citing long-term role. Only 6% saw no role.

• 66% support the natural gas industry in Queensland, only 14% oppose.

• 66% consider the natural gas industry important to the state’s economy. Only 7% consider it unimportant

• 66% oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, with 21% neutral or undecided. Only 13% support the policy.

• 35% ranked cost of living including energy affordability as the most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election, followed by crime (18%), housing supply and affordability (16%), climate change and the environment (11%).

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