NT

Australia should seek to emulate the success of the US in reducing its emissions by using more natural gas. The US has embraced gas and is reaping the rewards – abundant energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The Productivity Commission’s draft report into horizontal fiscal equalisation confirms that the system for distributing GST revenue between states and territories penalises jurisdictions that develop natural gas.

Changes to the GST distribution system flagged by the Commonwealth Grants Commission would encourage states and territories to develop their own gas resources, while also discouraging of non-evidence-based restrictions and moratoriums.

Gladstone LNG will supply 30 petajoules of gas, which would otherwise have been exported as LNG, to the east coast domestic market over 2018 and 2019.

Bizarre political debate is failing to recognise the success of Australia’s LNG industry or the need for policies that support the country’s export and domestic gas sectors.

WA’s second inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in less than two years is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money. The WA Legislative Council’s Environment and Public Affairs Committee has already found fracking poses negligible risk.

While other states and territories hinder gas operations, Queensland is getting on with the job. The State Government recognises the only way to put downward pressure on prices is to increase supply.

Developing the Northern Territory’s onshore gas resources would make the NT and all of Australia stronger and more prosperous.

AWU says its members can provide a workforce if the NT fracking moratorium is removed, and Inpex says onshore gas development is a key to satisfying future backfill plans for the Ichthys LNG project.

Curbing Queensland LNG exports is a short-term fix that could actually worsen eastern Australia’s gas supply problem.