The contracts between Australian gas producers and ANY buyers...

The contracts between Australian gas producers and ANY buyers were strictly commercial, not political.

The producers needed to find $1 B+ to set up their liquefaction trains. The bankers needed to see firm "take or pay" contracts before they stumped up the money. No Australian government or utility wanted the gas so they didn't put in a bid.

So they are now crying, asking the Gov. to force the producers who wrote contracts in good faith to renege to hide THEIR short-sightedness.

Were the Gov. to force a break in the contracts it would further damage Australia's shaky reputation as a place to do business.

There is still plenty of untapped gas, why not use it? Oh, "It would cost money" I hear you say. Bluddy oath it costs money, pay up or shut up.