Friday, 6 November 2026
Across our community, people are feeling the pressure of high energy costs. Households and businesses consistently ask me: why are we pay so much for our own gas when Australia is one of the world's biggest gas exporters?
When the Gladstone export terminals opened a decade ago, East Coast gas became tied to higher overseas prices, and so prices here roughly tripled. While Western Australia has kept some of its gas for locals for twenty years, the East Coast never did. This is the problem the new Domestic Gas Reservation Bill aims to solve.
What the Bill does
From 1 January 2028, gas exporters will need to supply Australian buyers with gas equal to up to 20% of what they export. If they don't, they can face penalties enforced by the energy regulator. The aim is to make sure more Australian gas stays in Australia, helping bring prices down.
Where it falls short
I support the Bill as a step forward. However, the Government hasn’t said how much prices will fall, set a target or released its modelling. The Minister can also lower what exporters must supply or let some off altogether. That creates a real risk that the scheme won't actually deliver what's been promised.
My amendment
I moved an amendment so that before letting any exporter off the hook, the Minister must be satisfied that real effort has gone into helping people use less gas, mainly by switching to electric.
Why it matters for your business
The cheapest gas is the gas you never have to buy. Switching to electric lowers bills, cuts emissions and makes us less reliant on overseas markets we don’t control. It also helps businesses plan their energy costs years ahead.
I’m also urging the Government to bring in a gas export tax, so Australians get a fair share of their own resources.
Tell me how gas costs are affecting your business:
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