Dutton Unveils "Gas for Australians First" Plan to Combat Rising Energy Costs
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled an ambitious "Gas for Australians" energy policy aimed at addressing rising living costs through domestic gas reservation and price controls.
Speaking at a Blue Scope facility in Sydney, Dutton outlined a three-pronged approach that promises to reduce wholesale gas prices by 23 percent, with the goal of delivering economy-wide benefits to households and businesses struggling with significant energy price increases under the current administration.
The Key Details:
The policy proposes prioritizing Australian gas for domestic use before export, potentially increasing supply by 50-100 petajoules
Independent modeling from Frontier Economics suggests the plan could reduce wholesale gas prices by approximately 23%
Implementation would begin immediately after election with a "100-day plan" to negotiate with gas companies
The policy includes honoring existing foundation contracts with trading partners while redirecting excess gas to the domestic market
A $300 million strategic basin plan and $1 billion critical gas infrastructure fund are included to increase production
"Our gas for Australians plant, our natural gas for Aussies first plant, this is about bringing more gas that we own as a people into the market, it's about reducing the cost of producing steel here, it's about reducing the cost of bricks, it's about reducing the cost for farmers and for manufacturers across the economy," said Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader.
"We are looking at a drop in the wholesale gas prices, which will flow through to Australians in their homes who might use gas for cooking, might use gas for heating. It will flow through to all of us who go to a shopping centre," explained Ted O'Brien, Shadow Minister for Energy.
Why It Matters
This policy represents a significant shift in Australia's approach to natural resource management and energy pricing at a time when cost-of-living pressures are a central election issue.
With gas and electricity prices having risen 34% and 32% respectively, according to Dutton, the economic impact extends far beyond utility bills to affect food prices, construction costs, and manufacturing competitiveness.
The policy's promise of structural economic change through energy market intervention could reshape Australia's industrial landscape and influence international trade relationships, particularly as the country navigates global economic uncertainties and transitions toward cleaner energy sources.
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