Resources and Energy Minister Chris Hartcher claims there will be “catastrophic consequences” if NSW does not develop more coal seam gas. He seems to believe that by doing so there will be more gas for local industry and that this will prevent soaring prices. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The reason that gas prices are set to rise has little to do with farmers and environmentalists opposing coal seam gas, as Minister Hartcher would like us to believe. Rather, it is because the multinational gas giants that are extracting the gas are selling it in advance to overseas customers.
Related documents
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Massive Gap Between Rhetoric and Actions on Emissions
Farmers know you can’t fatten a pig on market day and scientists know you can’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 while expanding coal, oil and gas production.
Australia’s Climate of Discontent
Australia gives more aid to foreign fossil fuel companies than it does to our neighbours in the Pacific.
8 things Chris Bowen didn’t tell you about Australia’s climate failure
Chris Bowen, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, has presented the Annual Climate Change Statement to Parliament, but it didn’t tell the full story.