Chemistry Australia welcomes focus on gas price
Chemistry Australia has welcomed the focus on the affordability of gas by the new Federal Parliament.
Chemistry Australia CEO Samantha Read said in the short term, addressing the price of gas on the east coast is a priority for the Australian chemistry industry.
“Affordable gas and energy are essential to maintain and stimulate jobs and growth in the economy,” said Ms Read.
“The direct and indirect contribution of manufacturing throughout the economy cannot be understated, including the significant value added to gas by the chemistry industry and other advanced manufacturing processes.”
“It is also critically important that in the medium to long-term more supply is delivered into the Australian east coast gas market.
“To do this, we support the ACCC’s call to take a case-by-case approach to gas development opportunities.
“The moratoria on onshore gas exploration in Victoria must be lifted, and projects such as Narrabri in NSW need to go ahead to ensure there is sufficient gas available in the markets where the gas is used.”
Media contacts:
Shayna Welsh – [email protected] or 0448 660 443
The Australian chemistry industry currently supplies 109 of Australia’s 111 industries and contributes around $10.8 billion to the Australian economy every year. The Australian chemistry sector is a significant industrial user of gas, with many of its member companies located on Australia’s East Coast where gas supply has become increasingly expensive and insecure. Gas is particularly essential to the business of chemistry. It’s important for process energy, and it is also a non-substitutable ingredient for advanced manufacturing. The Australian chemistry industry uses 10 per cent of Australia’s domestic gas for its molecular properties to create a huge range of products essential to our everyday lives. These include fertilisers for crops, cleaning products for health and hygiene in homes and hospitals, and smart packaging to keep food fresher for longer.
