The scorn being poured on the Victorian government over decisions that risk surrender of the state's long-standing energy advantage to the demands of wedge politics is fully deserved. But the idea that the east coast gas crisis is born of Victoria's unprecedented ban on any and all forms of onshore drilling is risible.

Sure, the decision by the Andrews government to kill off the onshore gas industry within Victoria's boundaries is a rare example of economic self-harm. And yes, the bans are the product of a government whose energy policies are shaped by concerns over emission reduction rather than energy security.