Case Management Hearing Date! 19th March, page-23

Importing Gas intoVictoria and NSW

For the past couple of years, it has been well known that gas supplies that are required to keep the lights on in Victoria and New South Wales cannot keep up with demand . The Bass Straight fields are drying up, and the other once reliable, cheap source of energy, coal fired energy generators that were relied on are coming to the end of their working life.

The State Governments of NSW and Victoria have had their heads in the sand during this time, denying the fact that they needed to proceed with policies that would provide them with practical solutions to avoid future blackouts and more importantly job losses as energy becomes more expensive.

Victorian Energy Minister D’ Ámbrosio seems to think that imports by sea is the answer to address the upcoming shortfall- at what cost and who will have to foot the bill to this expensive option- as usual the users and taxpayers.

The State and Federal officials were asked (just before the Christmas break) to work with AEMO on solutions to avoid the looming gas shortage, anticipated before 2028, with instructions to report back to the ministers by March 2025.

Meanwhile Federal Minister Ed Husic who was delegated by caucus the responsibility planning an outcome for the PEP 11 gas license.

Despite NOPTA approving the T’s and C’s he rejected the exploration project and his decision is back in the law courts for a second time.

What is wrong, the consensus by all the current Federal Ministers is that we need gas to maintain base load power as the country moves from coal to renewables.

We have offshore gas projects around the coast with a good safety record, except thereare none offshore NSW WHY?

The proposed location for the exploration well is approximately30Km offshore, which is 18 Km outside Australian territorial waters. The main objectors have been the surfer community clad in their neoprene wet suits (Petroleum Product)

The claimed evidence of their massive support was in the form of a petition handed to Zali Steggall.

The said petition ( Ref PNo462) that was formally presented to Parliament by Zali but rejected by the Standing Committee on Petitions as it did not the rules set out by the House Standing Orders.

To drill for gas at the proposed site if successful will benefit Australia at no cost to taxpayers.

To import Gas from other states or overseas will require subsidies the costs will be a burden on all Taxpayers.