Gas exploration bans on the nose with Labor voters

A majority of Labor voters have called on states and territories to open up gas development to drive down energy prices.

Minister for Resources Matt Canavan and Minister for Energy Josh Frydenberg after meeting with state and territory energy ministers at a COAG meeting last Friday. Picture: AAP

A majority of Labor voters has called on states and territories to open up gas development to drive down energy prices, with more than one in two Australians demanding that moratoriums on gas exploration be lifted.

In an exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian — compiling survey results based on 1607 interviews with voters — 55 per cent of Australians support scrapping restrictions on gas development.

The Newspoll results showed 51 per cent of Labor voters supported restrictions being lifted on gas exploration if it led to lower energy prices and only 36 per cent opposed removing moratoriums.

WEB_ Newspoll gas exploration graphic

In 2016, Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews — who continues to hold out from supporting the federal government’s national energy guarantee — announced his government would ban exploration and development of both conventional and unconventional gas.

While Queensland has opened its gas fields for mining and export, other states and territories have held back from developing onshore, resource-rich sites, under pressure from green lobby groups, and from concerns over an electoral backlash in the regions.

In April, Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner lifted the moratorium on fracking but other states including NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia have full or partial moratoriums and ­restrictions on gas development.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg yesterday called on the states to lift their moratoriums and support gas development, to help drive down energy prices.

“It’s time the states lifted their mindless moratoriums and ­restrictions on gas development … leaving Queensland to do all the heavy lifting,” he said.

“The case of Victoria is particularly egregious where the development of 40 years’ worth of gas supply from both onshore conventional and unconventional resources is being restricted.

“The ACCC and Australia’s chief scientist have pointed the way forward, saying these restrictions should be lifted and development determined by science and on a case-by-case basis.”

Resources Minister Matt Canavan said it was clear the majority of Australians agreed with the “facts and common sense on gas production”.

“Gas development in the US is delivering historically low electricity and energy prices and lower carbon emissions yet here in Australia too many state ­governments persist with ­unscientific moratoriums and bans that can only put upward pressure on the prices people pay for electricity and gas,” he said.

In response to the question of who was best at maintaining Australia’s energy supply and keeping power prices lower, Malcolm Turnbull held a one-point lead over Bill Shorten.

Newspoll shows the Coalition government edging Labor by 37 to 36 per cent, down from a 40 to 34 per cent result last month.

The poll result comes as the Prime Minister tries to win partyroom support for his national ­energy framework, which is yet to win the backing of all states and territories.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission earlier this month released a report showing gas prices on the east coast would remain high, with more production needed in the southern states to ease massive price hikes.