New polling has found Victorian voters overwhelmingly support the continued use of natural gas, with strong backing for more local gas development, faster project approvals and consumer energy choice.
The poll, conducted by JWS Research, found 83 per cent of Victorian voters believe natural gas has a role in Victoria’s future energy mix.
A further 82 per cent say households should be free to choose between gas and electricity for cooking, heating and hot water, while 80 per cent recognise natural gas as important to Victoria’s economy.
The polling also found 78 per cent recognise natural gas as important to Victoria’s energy security, 77 per cent agree households and businesses should have access to all energy sources, including natural gas, and 75 per cent support developing more local gas rather than relying on supply from interstate or imports from overseas.
Australian Energy Producers Victoria Director Peter Kos said the results sent a clear message that Victorians want natural gas to remain part of the state’s energy future.
“Natural gas from Gippsland and the Otway basins has been an important part of Victoria and the southern states’ energy security for six decades,” said Kos.
“These polling results show Victorians recognise the important role natural gas plays in delivering reliable and affordable energy and they want to see that continue.
“Four in five Victorian homes are connected to natural gas, with Victorians relying on it every day for cooking and heating, while it also generates reliable electricity and underpins our manufacturing sector.
“As we head towards the Victorian election, all parties should be putting forward policies that encourage investment, support more local gas development and protect consumer energy choice.
“That’s the clear message from Victorians, and it’s the best way to strengthen the state’s long-term energy security.”
According to the industry group, the Victorian gas sector contributes $22 billion in direct annual economic activity and supports 40,000 jobs across the state, with all gas produced in Victoria going to the domestic market.
The polling found strong support for consumer choice at the household level.
Some 80 per cent of respondents support being able to choose between gas and electric alternatives when replacing existing gas appliances, and 71 per cent believe people should be allowed to install gas connections in new homes if they wish to do so.
Voters also expressed clear opposition to current government policy settings.
Around 58 per cent oppose the Victorian government’s ban on gas connections in new homes, with only 26 per cent in support.
A similar proportion, 58 per cent, oppose the requirement to replace gas hot water systems by March 2027, again with only 26 per cent in support.
The polling suggests these views could shape voting intentions.
More than half of respondents, 54 per cent, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports consumer choice between gas and electricity, with only 8 per cent saying they would be less likely to do so.
Similarly, 52 per cent said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the continued use of natural gas, compared with 13 per cent who said they would be less likely.
Beyond household use, the polling pointed to broad support for the wider gas sector.
Some 75 per cent support more oil production to improve Victoria’s liquid fuel supplies, while 62 per cent support the Victorian government doing more to fast-track local gas projects to improve future energy security.
Overall, 58 per cent of those polled support the natural gas industry in Victoria, with only 16 per cent opposed.
With the Victorian election approaching, the results are likely to intensify debate over the state’s energy policy settings, including the gas connection ban for new homes and the timeline for phasing out gas hot water systems, as parties finalise their platforms ahead of polling day.
