PRice being held down, page-197

Not that I was able to watch it live, the wife was engrossed in Married at First Sight, but an interesting episode of Four Corners relating to gas supply and the energy mix.

https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/fired-up/13299104

Basically, there is a lot of uncertainty with Australia's energy policy and whether a gas lead recovery is the best way moving forward - with battery power and renewables becoming cheaper in recent times. If we don't invest in battery power/renewables, Australia could be left behind. If we do it too soon, companies such as WPL, STO and STX could have stranded assets creating further pressure on prices.

Fortunately, it doesn't appear that LCK's gas will be used for supplying energy, instead, the focus is on urea manufacturing. Regardless of the energy mix, gas is still an essential feedstock for plastics, chemicals and urea. With this uncertainty, will projects like Narrabri go ahead, who knows? But what appears more clearer is that 'the cheap gas will never come back again' according to Tony Wood, Energy Program Director from the Grattan Institute.

My favourite part of the program featured the CEO and MD of Incitec Pivot (around 13.30 - 15.00).

Unfortunately for her, and her company, Australia isn't Texas; forget about competing with overseas manufacturers Ms Johns - the threat is on your door step.