Protesters gatecrash as government commits $50m to fast track gas projects, including Gladstone pipeline, to secure energy future

The federal government says the potential of Europe’s “energy crisis” reaching Australian shores has necessitated a massive funding boost to fast track urgent gas infrastructure projects. See what impact this will have on Gladstone and what protesters had to say.

Urgent gas projects identified by the federal government will be fast-tracked following a funding boost, including new gas pipelines in Gladstone.

The Coalition made a pre-budget announcement of $50m to accelerate seven gas infrastructure projects which they say are necessary to prevent forecast shortages amid scarcity and price hikes in Europe, a move which sceptics have labelled “war profiteering”.

Among the seven projects includes a feasibility study for carbon dioxide carrying pipelines which would run south from Gladstone to the Surat and Cooper basins.

The major announcement, held at Gladstone’s East Shores precinct on Tuesday morning, was somewhat overshadowed by a host of Australian Unions protesters, who arrived with placards and interrupted a press conference.

Queensland has a number of existing Gas projects including on Curtis Island, off Gladstone which may be a source for the pipelines. Picture: Newscorp

The projects were selected following an expression of interest process under the government’s Future Gas Infrastructure Investment Framework in November and are part of a broader plan to partner with industry in moving gas from northern parts, such as Gladstone, to Australia’s south.

The move follows the release of the government’s National Gas Infrastructure Plan (NGIP) which it says highlights the need for greater supply flexibility during winter peaks for southern states.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the urgency of new gas infrastructure investment was highlighted by the “energy crisis” facing European nations exacerbated by over-reliance on Russian supply in the shadow of the invasion of Ukraine.

“That’s why we are investing … as part of our gas-fired recovery, to make sure Australia has adequate supply and storage to avoid expected shortfalls in production in southern Australia that could emerge by 2024,” Minister Taylor said.

“Gas prices in the United Kingdom and Europe have increased by more than 300 per cent over the past 12 months, our prices have remained around 75 to 80 per cent below these international highs,” he said.

“This is in complete contrast to the Labor Party which is willing to risk Australia’s energy security and investment in regional Australia to appease gas activists.”

Minister Taylor was unable to specify how much of the $50m would be dedicated to the feasibility study for the Gladstone pipelines or how many jobs it would create or sustain.

“There’s a range of projects and they all touch Gladstone, and here’s why, because if the price of gas and energy is affordable in Gladstone, we will continue to see local industry investing and prosper,” Mr Taylor said.

Critics of the government’s energy policy say the fast tracking of such infrastructure projects has little to do with current European instability.

Climate Energy Finance (Australasia) director, Tim Buckley said the government was being opportunistic in a bid to support the fossil fuel industry.

“Any new greenfields capacity will likely take 5-7 years to come to fruition, and so using Putin’s gouging of EU gas customers as an excuse is a convenient non-truth,” Mr Buckley said.

“War profiteering in support of the fossil fuel mafia, why not?”

Tim Buckley (right) alongside Dr John Hewson and Dr Kerryn Phelps at a ‘Business of Climate Change’ forum. Picture: Newscorp

Climate Council senior researcher, Tim Baxter added to the scrutiny, saying Australia had a surplus of gas supply.

“Australia produces five times as much gas as is used for domestic purposes, it‘s idiotic to suggest that our energy security could be at risk,” Mr Baxter said.

The other projects include a gas processing facility in the Surat Basin, and infrastructure hubs in Surat and Moranbah; as well as projects which will connect Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Gladstone Regional Council Mayor and ALP candidate for Flynn, Matt Burnett said he wanted to see more secure jobs in industries right across the Central Queensland region, something he believes an Albanese Labor government would ensure.

“Gas is an important part of the Central Queensland economy and will be for many years to come . . . we welcome jobs in the gas industry but we’ve yet to see Scott Morrison deliver on any of his promises on gas,” Mr Burnett said.

The government will now engage with project proponents to finalise grants.

Protesters attending the press conference shouted that announcement such as Tuesday’s in Gladstone wouldn’t prop up labour hire companies and would not benefit the local economy or job security.