Media release: Victorian voters back long-term role for gas in state’s energy mix

A majority of Victorian voters in the key federal electorates of Kooyong and Goldstein believe that natural gas has a long-term role in the state’s energy mix, new research shows.   

With Victoria facing peak-day gas shortfalls from 2028, a poll of 1600 voters found that 86 per cent of voters in Goldstein think there is a role for gas, 61 per cent citing a long-term role. In Kooyong 81 per cent of voters believe there is a role for gas, 52 per cent citing long-term.  

The poll commissioned by Australian Energy Producers also found that eight in 10 households in the two Melbourne electorates rely on gas for cooking, heating and hot water, and strongly oppose the Victorian Government’s plan to force them off gas.  

Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the results showed Victorians understood the critical role of gas in the state. “Victorians rely on natural gas, which has underpinned the state’s economic growth and energy security for more than half a century,” Ms McCulloch said. 

“More than two million Victorian households are connected to gas and a third of the state’s manufacturing energy needs comes from gas. Natural gas also contributes $22 billion a year to the state economy and supports more than 40,000 jobs across the state.  

“As the Australian Energy Market Operator confirmed last week, there are several gas projects in the southern states that could meet all southern gas demand this decade and beyond, but urgent government action is needed to remove regulatory barriers to new gas supply.”  

70 per cent of voters in Kooyong and 56 per cent in Goldstein would prefer governments allow more natural gas exploration and production in Australia than develop gas import terminals.  

JWS Research recently polled more than 800 voters in each of the electorates of Kooyong and Goldstein, held by Teal MPs Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel. The poll found cost of living and energy affordability was the biggest issue influencing their vote in the upcoming federal election.  

“The results send a strong message to candidates contesting this election that cost-of-living and rising power bills is front-of-mind for Australians,” Ms McCulloch said.  

“Candidates should listen to their constituents who are concerned about rising power bills and support the economic and energy security benefits of bringing more gas online.” 

Key findings from JWS Research polling in the electorates of Kooyong and Goldstein are summarised below.   

Key results of JWS Research polling in Kooyong and Goldstein    

JWS conducted the poll on 12-13 March on behalf of Australian Energy Producers, with around 800 respondents in each electorate.  

Goldstein 

• 86% believe natural gas has a role in Victoria’s energy mix, with 61% citing a long-term role. Only 6% saw no role.   

• 80% use natural gas at home for cooking, heating or hot water. 

• 53% oppose the Victorian Government’s proposal to ban new household gas connections and appliances. Only 37% support a ban. 

• 70% would prefer governments allow more natural gas exploration and production in Australia than develop gas import terminals. Only 12% said they’d prefer LNG import terminals, with 18% undecided.  

• 34% 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 (14%), climate change and the environment (14%), and hospitals, healthcare and ageing (11%). 

Kooyong  

• 81% believe natural gas has a role in Victoria’s future energy mix, with 52% citing a long-term role. 10% saw no role.   

• 80% use natural gas at home for cooking, heating or hot water. 

• 54% oppose the Victorian Government’s proposal to ban new household gas connections and appliances. Only 37% supported the ban. 

• 56% would prefer governments allow more natural gas exploration and production in Australia than develop gas import terminals. Only 12% said they’d prefer LNG import terminals, with 32% undecided.  

• 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 hospital, healthcare and ageing (15%), climate change and the environment (14%), and housing affordability (12%). 

Media contact: 0434 631 511