Opposition leader Peter Dutton has said that he would back faster approval and development schedules for key Australian gas projects.

Questioned by reporters in a doorstop interview about the Opposition’s recently unveiled energy strategy and his nuclear proposals, Mr Dutton again confirmed that gas is a key driver in Australia’s future.

“Gas is going to be incredibly important for peaking and it’s going to be important for the grid to operate and we’ve been very open about that,” he said.

Narrabri delays

Mr Dutton cited Santos’ long-stalled Narrabri gas project in New South Wales as an example of an asset with considerable reserves that has been delayed.

“There’s a lot of gas required in the short term and we’ve spoken about […] discovering more fields and we are strongly supportive of condensing the timelines, because we need the gas.”

“We have a natural competitive advantage and in South Australia at the moment, you’re paying up to 56 cents a kilowatt hour [as opposed to] Wyoming and Tennessee, where they have a similar mix of renewables and nuclear that we’re proposing and are paying 18 cents.”

National party leader David Littleproud has also identified the need for a gas strategy to bring downward pressure on energy bills for households.

“When you look at it in a commonsense way, the only way that you can reduce bills is to increase supply, and the only way you can do that quickly is to bring on gas and bring gas on quickly into the market,” Mr Littleproud said.

Major impediment

The Opposition’s championing of gas comes as the industry has hit out at the Victorian government’s proposal to extend its gas ban to existing homes and new businesses.

According to lobby group Australian Energy Producers (AEP), the move will do nothing to address the state’s looming gas shortages.

AEP says the Victorian government’s 2024 Gas Substitution Roadmap Update has shifted the cost burden to consumers, with little regard for locals feeling cost-of-living pressures.

‘Policy on the run’

“This is more policy on the run that will push more households and businesses onto an already strained coal-based electricity grid and drive away investment in new gas supply,” AEP Victoria director Peter Kos said.

“The Victorian government should be focusing on providing Victorians with reliable, affordable energy.”

“Instead, it is taking choice away from consumers for limited climate benefit while ignoring the fact that the best way to bring gas prices down is investment in more gas supply.

“Today’s announcement continues this government’s demonisation of gas and ignores the crucial role gas plays in backing up renewables to provide reliable, affordable electricity.”