Media Release: WA’s domestic energy security boosted by gas policy changes

Western Australia’s domestic energy security will be boosted under changes to the state’s gas policy regime that recognise the importance of unlocking new supply.

Australian Energy Producers today said the WA Government’s response to the WA Domestic Gas Policy Inquiry was sensible and would help provide affordable and reliable energy for homes and businesses.

The oil and gas industry led the way on a new framework announced by the Government to improve transparency and show how gas producers are meeting their domestic gas obligations.

WA Director Caroline Cherry said the industry welcomed the decision to open up onshore production for export – as the sector called for – to make more projects viable and underpin domestic supply.

“The Cook Government has listened to the concerns of industry about ensuring reliable and affordable energy for the state and pulled the levers to bring on more new gas supply to serve rising demand for gas in coming years,” she said.

“More gas will be needed to serve rising demand supporting renewables in electricity generation as coal is phased out while underpinning the economic benefits produced by the mining sector as a key power source.

“Exports deliver important economic benefits for WA and also support the domestic energy security the state has enjoyed for decades because of the industry’s commitment to providing energy for this region.

“The Government has again shown it understands the importance of new gas development and how to extract the economic benefits of this cleaner fuel on the journey to net zero.”

Ms Cherry said the government should undertake a review in a few years to determine the adequacy of domestic market supply to continue providing the right investment signals for new gas developments and access to export markets.

“Some of the state’s biggest economic driving projects are being established by the oil and gas industry and our members are committed to working with the government to get the best outcome for West Australians,” she said.

She said the new transparency measures would help stakeholders including customers understand how gas companies were meeting their obligations to the domestic market.

“This was a key policy area the industry wanted to improve and our constructive work with the government will deliver greater transparency for the market,” she said.

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