The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the strong support for natural and renewable gas as a key energy source for Australian business and industry.
The Federal Government’s Future Gas Strategy identifies the crucial role natural and renewable gas will play as we transition to net zero. It also embraces the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a key feature of our decarbonisation journey, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors.
Our net zero targets nationally and, in Victoria particularly, present a significant economic opportunity. But as the Federal Minister for Resources Madeleine King states, a transition to net zero without gas is just not possible.
Victorian homes, businesses and industry are powered by gas due to historic large reserves. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has been warning about declining reserves for a decade.
The Future Gas Strategy is what the Victorian Chamber has been advocating for to give business the confidence to invest in exploration, production and distribution of gas as a vital energy source. It also provides end-users of gas, such as many manufacturers, the reassurance they will be able to maintain their operations using gas as an energy source and feedstock.
We have worked closely with the Federal Government and industry on the Future Gas Strategy.
We welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Victorian Government on their yet-to-be-released roadmap to net zero. It is critical there is alignment between the Federal and State Governments on the future role of gas in this State.
Victorian business is the backbone of our economy and needs reliable, secure and affordable energy in order to do what they do best, which is provide jobs, opportunity and the economic prosperity we all want to enjoy.
To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra:
“The Future Gas Strategy is taking a pragmatic approach to our transition to net zero. Put simply, this huge economic opportunity cannot happen without natural and renewable gas, as well as emerging technologies such as carbon capture and storage.
“We will continue to work with the Federal Government on this important strategy and continue to bring together the industry experts from producers to retailers and end users.
“We would be pleased to work with the Victorian Government on their as yet, unreleased Roadmap to Net Zero and bring the industry experts together to ensure alignment to the Future Gas strategy.
“Victorian businesses and households need reliable, secure and affordable energy. We are relying on the Victorian Government to deliver a pragmatic energy solution for Victoria’s future needs.”
Contact details:
Gemma Carter, media@victorianchamber.com.au, 0419 368 231