I think by this point we have proven that it doesn't matter what the gov does or doesn't think. they are completely without teeth. Any future action they make will likely only make the scenario worse. If you follow the bouncing ball on the scenario's
Limit exports = degrade shareholder value and in general drive the price up globally making the spot price higher making a bench mark to charge domestic consumers higher prices anyway.
*Tax exports = same as above scenario.
*Let the market self regulate = thats how we got here.
*Government purchase bulk gas/subsidises gas purchase = nothing will change as the government will just get hauled over the coals on price. It'll get built into rates, tax or some kind of special levy that will come along sooner or later. Aus Gov negotiators are without doubt the worst in the western world.
*Goverment operated mines = see point above.
There is no way out as the time to build the infrastructure was 5 years ago. It'll no be on the individual house holds to sit down and figure out a plan. whether they reduce costs or augment with solar/wind or what ever. It certainly makes the cost/benefit ration for home solar more aggreable if we are talking an 80% jump in power costs.
You wait... this will all result in a bunch of coal mines being fast tracked.
