Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has revealed a national energy plan aimed at boosting domestic gas supplies, reducing power bills, and dismantling key federal regulatory hurdles.
Under the proposed plan, a future Coalition Government would partner with states and territories through tailored State Energy Deals. The model conditions Commonwealth investment, such as joint funding for pipelines, storage facilities, and gas-fired generation, on jurisdictions opening new gas fields, expediting approvals, or clearing regulatory bottlenecks.
“Australia has gas under our feet, workers ready to develop it and families desperate for relief from high energy bills, yet Labor’s answer has been to make Australian energy harder to produce,” Taylor said.
“A state that is prepared to unlock new gas will have a willing partner in Canberra to help get that gas from the ground, through the pipeline and into Australian homes and businesses.”
To incentivise investment, the Coalition pledged to introduce legislation reversing several Commonwealth framework restrictions. The policy targets amendments to the EPBC Act, Export Finance Australia, the National Reconstruction Fund, the Industry Research and Development Act, and the Future Made in Australia program.
The policy framework also includes fast-tracking National Strategic Priority Projects, such as the Taroom Trough in Queensland and Western Australia’s Browse Basin, alongside reinstating the AU$100 million Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive, reserving AU$50 million specifically for oil and gas exploration.
The proposed plan won support from peak industry body Australian Energy Producers. CEO Samantha McCulloch said the policy recognises the necessity of co-ordinated government action to ensure long-term energy security and downward pressure on prices.
“Australia has abundant gas resources and we should be encouraging their development, not putting more barriers in the way,” McCulloch said, noting that the sector underpins 215,000 Australian jobs and contributes AU$100 billion to the economy annually.
“Australia must remain globally competitive for investment in new gas projects. Unnecessary delays and regulatory barriers risk driving investment overseas.
“Rigorous environmental standards must be matched by an approvals system that is efficient, timely and provides certainty for investors.”