Chemistry Australia calls for measures that ensure Australian gas can benefit all users
Chemistry Australia has today repeated its call for measures that deliver greater supply of affordable gas to industrial, commercial and residential users in line with the long-term interests of domestic consumers.
The peak body for Australia’s chemistry industry believes there is a clear case for the important and ongoing role of governments to bring on new gas supply as well as ensuring a competitive domestic gas market. Together, these can help address the dysfunction in Australia’s gas market on the East Coast and reduce the very real risk of continued loss of manufacturing capability and further stripping of complexity from Australia’s economy.
Chemistry Australia CEO Samantha Read said the impacts of Australia’s gas crisis continue to unnecessarily threaten the viability of gas-based manufacturers and their ability to invest in this country.
“The good news is Australia’s rich endowment of gas should be sufficient for both domestic value-adding as well as energy exports,” said Ms Read.
“What we need is continued work on both supply and competition to ensure that all gas users can take advantage of Australian resources and remain globally competitive.”
“Some of our members who rely on gas as a feedstock and energy source are telling us prices have tripled in the last decade and even small shifts in gas prices are costing them millions of dollars.
“As explained by the ACCC, price increases and insecure gas supply are forcing key businesses in our sector to make tough decisions about whether to invest in their operations in Australia, or relocate jobs, innovation and capability overseas.
“To date, the Australian Government has taken a measured, evidence-based and balanced approach to gas market reform, but there is still more work to be done to bring on greater supplies of gas and ensure domestic consumers have access to a competitive gas market.
“We believe policy settings that prioritise reliable, affordable energy for consumers, in line with the guiding principles of the National Energy Objectives, must be an immediate priority to ensure Australia’s manufacturing sector can continue to play its important role in a diverse and resilient Australian economy.
“We ask the Australian Government to urgently complete the full range of reforms recommended by Chemistry Australia before the crisis has permanent consequences for industrial manufacturing, households and the broader economy.”
Media contacts:
Shayna Welsh – [email protected] or 0448 660 443
The Australian chemistry industry currently supplies 109 of Australia’s 111 industries and contributes around $10.8 billion to the Australian economy every year. The Australian chemistry sector is a significant industrial user of gas, with many of its member companies located on Australia’s East Coast where gas supply has become increasingly expensive and insecure. Gas is particularly essential to the business of chemistry. It’s important for process energy, and it is also a non-substitutable ingredient for advanced manufacturing. The Australian chemistry industry uses 10 per cent of Australia’s domestic gas for its molecular properties to create a huge range of products essential to our everyday lives. These include fertilisers for crops, cleaning products for health and hygiene in homes and hospitals, and smart packaging to keep food fresher for longer.
