Media Statement: Environmental Law Reform

Statement attributable to Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch

Today’s decision by the Albanese Government to strike an agreement with the Greens on environmental law reform is a squandered opportunity to address the significant costs and delays in delivering gas to Australian consumers. 

Carving gas out of streamlined reforms is simply not in the national interest. The deal will entrench slow approvals which will drive up energy costs, deter investment and further delay the new gas supply Australia urgently needs. 

More than 5 million Australian households rely on natural gas, it is an essential input to manufacturing and is the reliable back-up that helps to keep the lights on as our electricity system transforms.  

By conceding to the Greens, the Government has chosen more red tape and uncertainty instead of enabling new gas supply. 

This approach ignores the expert advice of the ACCC and the Australian Energy Market Operator to remove barriers to new supply, undermines investor confidence, and risks higher energy costs for households and businesses. 

It is also at odds with the Prime Minister’s welcome remarks at the G20 Summit on the important role for gas in the energy transition, as well as the Future Gas Strategy’s recognition of the urgent need for new gas investment to meet demand and avoid projected shortfalls. 

Australia deserves evidence-based policy made in the national interest — not short-sighted political compromises that stall critical projects and jeopardise the new gas supply essential to our future energy needs.