Two pipelines

The best thing for the economy and the federal and state governments would be to give the go-ahead for both the northern and southern pipelines at the same time.

Like most infrastructure - e.g. electricity lines, telegraph lines, road and rail - pipelines stimulate economic activity along their route. Building the pipelines would stimulate more exploration and development along both. It would be good for export from Gladstone and for the laggard states of NSW & Vic.

3 of the 4 proponents to build the pipelines aren't dependent on government funding - i.e. the tax payer. They just need approval to proceed. Therefore the best economic outcome for Australia as a whole would be to give the go-ahead for both the northern and southern pipelines on a self funded no subsidy basis. This would also be good for AJQ as given time it could very nearly find enough gas to fill both pipelines itself. They pipelines will also be able to carry gas from the Timor sea.

I hope those giving out the approvals have big enough minds to appreciate the opportunity here to approve both pipelines at once.