The Chief Executive Officer of Australia's Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA), Ms Samantha Read has reiterated the importance of a comprehensive and responsible plan for the supply of gas into New South Wales.
“The decision by the NSW Government today to freeze NSW Petroleum Exploration Licence Applications for another twelve months, highlights the urgent need for a plan to secure supply for all NSW gas users,” said Ms Read.
“Natural gas plays a unique role in the Australian chemistry industry not only as a clean source of energy, but also as an essential and non-substitutable feedstock for chemicals and plastics manufacturing.
“There is significant opportunity for an advanced manufacturing sector, enabled by Australian gas and chemistry, to meet unprecedented global and domestic growth.
“It is positive to see greater certainty and rigour in the NSW exploration licence approval process. It is also important for business and employers to have certainty for current and future investment planning. Companies in the chemicals and plastics industry are facing very real implications now from cost increases and projected supply shortages, frustrating contract renewals.
“The Commonwealth Energy Green Paper released this week, provides a framework to help bring on the supply of gas into a more competitive market. Leadership and engagement from all Commonwealth and State jurisdictions will be important to achieve this outcome.
“We look forward to continuing to work with all jurisdictions to realise our significant energy advantage,” said Ms Read.
Media contact: Claire Selby, [email protected], 0448 028 876.
Released 25 September 2014
About PACIA
PACIA is the pre-eminent national body representing Australia¹s $40bn chemistry industry, whose businesses directly employ 60,000 people and contribute approximately 11.5% of total Australian manufacturing production. PACIA members comprise a broad range of companies positioned across the entire value chain. Members include chemicals manufacturers, importers and distributors, logistics and supply chain partners, raw material suppliers, plastics fabricators and compounders, chemicals and plastics recyclers and service providers to the industry. These businesses range from small family-owned companies and innovative medium-sized enterprises, to leading national and multinational enterprises.
