“IDIOCY” OF IMPORTING GAS

• Labor’s ‘renewables only’ idiocy prompts proposal to import gas
• Australia exports over 70% of its gas. How has the Federal Government allowed such shortages
• Labor’s delays in project approvals and freezing the release of exploration acreages exacerbates gas emergency

Extreme climate-change idiocy based on the Albanese Government’s flawed “renewables only” policy is responsible for a Labor Party proposal for taxpayers to foot the bill of importing gas into Australia.

Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald, said the Labor Party’s deliberate decision to stall approvals for new gas projects and to freeze the release of new gas exploration acreages, had resulted in a pending gas shortage in Australia.

Senator McDonald said a demand by the Victorian Labor Government for Australian taxpayers to underwrite gas imports confirmed the economically reckless approach of  Labor and the Greens who had tried to shut-down new investment in Australian gas projects.

“The concept that Australia, as a net exporter of gas, is having to consider importing LNG from overseas is the product of pure economic negligence. Australians need to ask themselves how, after three years of Labor, have we found ourselves in this situation,” Senator McDonald said.

“We are flush with gas. We export over 70% of it. How has Labor allowed Australia to be put into a position that we now need to look at importing gas?,” the Senator said.

“The magnitude of this failure is akin to the Simpson Desert having to import sand.

“Australia’s proven gas reserves could provide energy nationwide for many decades but Labor has put us in the extraordinary position of having to import gas to stop Victorians freezing and to keep jobs.

“After a decade of being in government, Victorian Labor is now crying poor when it has been the chief architect of the state’s gas’s demise, banning fracking and increasing exploration fees by 300%.

“For them to now demand imports of gas is laughable, and an insult to Queensland and South Australia who have developed their own domestic supplies.

“Federally, new gas approvals are painfully slow and those that are approved are subject to green and cultural lawfare by special interest groups.

“Australia’s reputation as a secure and stable place to invest in resources projects is in tatters because of the Albanese Labor Government’s desire for Greens preferences in inner-city seats.

“Meanwhile, good-paying jobs in regional Australia are going begging and the economy is missing out on royalties and taxes.”

ENDS