Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher says the upheaval in energy policies andthe switch to a new government is “a big change”, and that longer federal parliamentary terms would bring more stability for an industry undergoing disruptive change.

“The disappointment I always have is it’s a big change in three years,” said Mr Gallagher of federal parliamentary terms. “From my point of view, I’d like these terms to be a bit longer so we get more stability. It’s the disruptive nature of the change of government. But it seems to be settling down now.”