Government told to get on the phone to gas companies to tackle national crisis

Nationals leader David Littleproud has urged the government to get on the phone to gas companies after they previously ‘demonised’ them.

New National Party leader David Littleproud has called for the government to get on the phone with gas companies amid the nation’s gas crisis.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen will meet with state and territory officials this week to address gas shortages and rising prices, after blaming the previous government’s near decade in power for the current problems.

But Mr Littleproud said the new Energy Minister should be focusing on building relationships with gas companies to help solve these issues.

“The one lever that Chris Bowen hasn’t been able to pull is that to pick up the phone and talk to the gas companies. That’s the action that we have been able to do in the past, because we had a relationship with them,” he told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

Mr Littleproud accused Labor of not getting on the phone to gas firms. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“We haven’t demonised them, we haven’t put them down and when I hear Chris Bowen talking about, he’s going to talk to his state colleagues, why hasn’t he reached out to the gas companies, the ones that actually drill and bring the gas up, and put the supply into the system?”

This is despite Mr Bowen telling Sky News earlier on Sunday that Resources Minister Madeleine King has been talking to Australia‘s gas companies.

Mr Littleproud went on to suggest gas companies were angry after being “demonised” by the Labor government.

“The gas companies are high up in the stirrups because they can see the price where they are,” he said.

“They have had a Labor opposition that were demonising them for nine years, saying they were part of the problem in our emissions and now they want to turn around and befriend them when they need them.”

Australia is dealing with soaring gas prices and supply issues. Picture: Supplied

He also suggested gas companies could increase current supplies.

“They do have the capacity to increase supply and that’s where you need to have a relationship with them,” Mr Littleproud said.

“With the support of sensible policy with the government, you can actually increase that supply and I have had detailed conversations with Angus Taylor who gives me that assurance that there is ways we can increase that supply now.”

Mr Bowen said the government was “actively managing” the energy crisis and the Australian Energy Market Operators’ gas supply guarantee had been activated in the south east to ensure enough supply.

Calls have been growing for him to also use a “gas trigger” that would allow the government to claim back gas that was set to be exported, for domestic use.

Mr Bowen said activating the gas trigger would be ineffective. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

But Mr Bowen said this trigger was infective because it was poorly set up by the Coalition and would not come into operation until January 1.

“The way they designed the trigger … it’s about as blunt as a basketball in terms of effectiveness in the short term. It is not the answer to this short-term crisis,” he said.

He also hit back at continued criticism from the opposition over his actions and possible lack of experience.

“Advice from the previous government, which Angus Taylor has been happy to give out – and I notice Peter Dutton has been giving out – is about as effective as advice from the captain of the Titanic on navigation skills,” Mr Bowen said.

Originally published as Government told to get on the phone to gas companies to tackle national crisis