With the Victorian election just weeks away, Australian Energy Producers' election campaign continues to highlight Victorians' support for more local gas development and household energy choice, as the state faces growing concerns about future gas supply and energy costs.
Last week we released our policy platform for the election, Natural gas for Victoria: A plan for secure, reliable and affordable energy. The platform outlines four key policy priorities to unlock new gas supply, reduce regulatory barriers, restore energy choice and support Victoria's manufacturing sector and electricity reliability. It calls on all parties to back policies that encourage new gas investment, protect consumer choice and strengthen the state's long-term energy security.
The 28 November election comes at a critical time for Victoria's energy future.
Production from existing gas fields is declining, increasing the risk of higher energy costs, greater reliance on interstate and imported gas, and future gas and electricity shortfalls.
Natural gas has powered Victoria's economy for more than 50 years. Today, more than 2.2 million homes and businesses are connected to the gas network, while the industry contributes around $22 billion in annual economic activity and supports approximately 40,000 jobs across the state.
However, as our media release noted, Victoria faces growing gas supply challenges as production from existing fields declines, increasing the risk of higher energy costs, greater reliance on interstate and imported gas and future gas and electricity shortfalls.
The policy platform calls on all parties to back policies that encourage investment in new gas production, protect consumer choice and strengthen Victoria's long-term energy security. It outlines four priority areas for the next Victorian Government:
- Unlock Victoria's natural gas resources
- Faster approvals for critical energy projects
- Restore household and business energy choice
- Support manufacturing and reliable electricity supply
Australian Energy Producers Victorian Director Peter Kos said the upcoming state election is an opportunity to secure Victoria’s energy and economic future by backing investment in new gas supply.
“Victoria has enough undeveloped gas resources to meet the state’s demand for at least another 25 years – but only if those resources are developed," Mr Kos said.
“The next Victorian Government must remove barriers to responsible gas development, streamline approvals and protect the right of households and businesses to choose gas.”
Australia Runs on Natural Gas campaign builds momentum
Against this backdrop, the Australia Runs on Natural Gas campaign has reinforced the need for Victoria to develop its own gas resources, and highlighted Victorians' support for natural gas and household energy choice.
The campaign has entered its third and final phase, with new radio and outdoor advertising in key marginal seats, regional case studies and a community pledge encouraging Victorians to have their say on the state's energy future.
Since launching in July, the Victorian campaign has reached almost 1.3 million people, generated more than 3.2 million views and driven more than 90,000 clicks to the campaign website.
More than 7500 people have completed our online poll, with around 90 per cent of respondents supporting more local gas development and protecting household energy choice.
Polling confirms Victorians back natural gas
The campaign's messages are supported by recent JWS Research polling commissioned by Australian Energy Producers, which found strong community support for natural gas, local gas development and household energy choice.
The polling found:
- 83 per cent believe natural gas has a role in Victoria's future energy mix.
- 82 per cent support households having the choice between gas and electricity for cooking, heating and hot water.
- 80 per cent recognise natural gas is important to Victoria's economy.
- 78 per cent recognise natural gas is important to Victoria's energy security.
- 75 per cent support developing more local gas supplies rather than increasing reliance on interstate or overseas sources.
- 62 per cent support the Victorian Government doing more to fast-track local gas projects.
The results reinforce the importance of practical energy policies that support reliability, affordability, local gas development and consumer choice.
Gas policy a key battleground in the campaign
Gas supply and household energy choice have emerged as key policy issues in the campaign.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has made gas policy a focus of the Coalition's campaign, promising to repeal the Gas Substitution Roadmap within its first 100 days in government, including the ban on gas connections in new homes scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027. The Coalition has also committed to encouraging more local gas development.
One Nation has announced similar policies, including a commitment to repeal the gas connection ban and “support continued exploration for commercial offshore gas reserves so Victoria maintains long-term supply”.
While the Labor Government has not gone as far as the Coalition and One Nation on gas policy, it has announced new gas supply and storage approvals in recent weeks.
“We know gas supplies are declining. That's why we're securing the gas we have and backing new projects to bring down bills,” Energy Minister Jaclyn Symes said last week.
In the final weeks before the election, Australian Energy Producers will continue engaging with political parties and key stakeholders to build support for policies that encourage investment, unlock new gas supply and protect household energy choice.
For more information, contact Australian Energy Producers Victorian Director Peter Kos at pkos@energyproducers.au.