Australia will continue to rely on gas, says Senex CEO

Whatever the energy path chosen by Australians on election day, one thing is for certain – natural gas will play a major part, writes Darren Stevenson.

As with every election in Australia, energy has been a major talking point, and so it should be given its vital importance to every Australian.

Despite the hyperbole at each end of the political spectrum, it is the average Australian who will decide the outcome on Saturday.

The average Australian who, whether they like to admit it or not, relies on secure, reliable and affordable energy to survive and thrive.

Whatever the energy path chosen by Australians on election day, one thing is for certain; natural gas will play a major part.

Whether it be a renewable or nuclear-dominated energy future, natural gas is the steady hand needed to bridge the old and new, and to firm the energy grid.

And that’s just the energy grid.

Gas also plays a vital and often little-known role in manufacturing that simply cannot be replaced.

It creates intensive and controllable heat to make things like bricks, glass and steel to build homes and modern cities, and it’s an ingredient to make things like fertilisers, fibres and fabrics to feed and clothe our population.

The fact that we can provide for ourselves here as a nation with abundant gas under our feet should not be taken for granted, and considering how delicate the state of the world seems at times it’s something that should be celebrated and harnessed to its full capacity.

Gas also gives the Queensland economy and the budget bottom line a major boost through royalties that pay for our hospitals, roads and schools.

And they will continue to do so for decades to come, making it an essential part of the economic lifeblood of our state.

Just last year, the natural gas industry contributed more than $25 billion to the Queensland economy which is more than the entire allocated annual spend for education and training in the state.

The well-paid jobs that gas provides across the supply chain further highlights the importance not just to the economy, but to the development of our nation.

Brick by brick, acre by acre and job by job, gas helps build our great state and nation’s prosperity. It’s important that average Australians and our elected representatives understand this.

As voters head to the polls, we must remain focused on the proven reality to take us to a place of sustainable and responsible prosperity for our nation today and for future generations.

Darren Stevenson is CEO of gas producer Senex Energy

Originally published as Australia will continue to rely on gas, says Senex CEO