Henderson backs conventional gas in Victoria

THE Coalition federal government continues to apply pressure to Victoria on gas, and Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson has called for the state’s moratorium on conventional gas projects to be lifted.

Victoria recently marked the one-year anniversary of the state’s permanent ban on the exploration and development of all onshore unconventional gas, including fracking and coal seam gas.

Labor’s decision, supported by the state Liberal government, also extended the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration and development to June 30, 2020.

The decision was widely praised by councils and community groups in the Geelong region but Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg have been criticising state Labor for months, urging for the conventional gas moratorium to be lifted.

Ms Henderson has been a consistent opponent of unconventional gas in the Geelong region, but issued a statement last week supporting conventional gas in Victoria.

“Victorians have been struggling with rising gas and electricity prices as a consequence of (Victorian Premier) Daniel Andrews’ decision to force the closure of Hazelwood power station, his reckless 40 per cent renewable energy target and a complete ban on onshore gas exploration,” she said.

“The Victorian Government must reverse its ban on conventional onshore gas exploration providing landowners voluntarily permit such activities on their land.

“I have strongly opposed fracking or unconventional onshore gas exploration and this remains the case.”

The federal government has made a deal with Australia’s three biggest gas producers to ensure there is enough gas supply in the domestic market next year, but has also threatened that states with moratoriums or restrictions on gas extraction, such as Victoria, may have their GST payments reduced as a result.