The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has called on the federal government to adopt a long-term domestic gas policy, warning that fresh regulatory certainty is needed to attract new investment and incentivise gas exploration.
The submission comes as part of the National Gas Market Review, which is examining the future of Australia’s gas supply framework.
The lobby group said Queensland is already central to Australia’s energy security and is uniquely positioned to support the nation’s shift to a lower-emissions economy.
“Queensland’s gas sector already plays a critical role in Australia’s energy security and enabling a steady transition to a low emissions future,” the QRC stated in its formal submission.
As the peak body representing the state’s resources industry, the QRC said its recommendations would help stimulate further exploration and development, building on an industry that contributed $17 billion to Queensland’s economy in 2024.
The organisation also stressed the importance of protecting international supply agreements that have underpinned billions of dollars of investment in the state’s liquefied natural gas sector.
“Substantial capital investment in Queensland’s LNG industry has underwritten long-term export supply contracts,” the Council noted.
“It is critical that these contracts are not impacted by regulatory changes.”
Industry leaders argue that ensuring stability for exporters will be essential to maintaining investor confidence, while also providing space for the expansion of domestic gas reserves to meet Australia’s long-term energy needs.
The Queensland government’s recent decision to release more land for gas exploration and review its land release process was welcomed by the QRC as a step in the right direction.
“QRC welcomed recent moves by the Queensland government to open up more land for gas exploration and to conduct a review into the land release process,” the submission said.
However, the Council also pressed for broader regulatory reform to accelerate new projects.
“QRC calls for more efficient streamlined approval processes that deliver energy security and investment opportunities,” it said.
With energy markets facing tight supply conditions and heightened policy pressures to reduce emissions, the QRC is positioning Queensland’s gas industry as a linchpin for balancing economic growth, secure exports, and the clean energy transition.
The federal government is expected to release the findings of the National Gas Market Review later this year, with industry stakeholders watching closely for signals on long-term gas supply planning and regulatory reform.
