Australian Industry Group has welcomed the Victorian Government's tender for new gas exploration permits in Victoria.
The Victorian Head of Australian Industry Group, Tim Piper, said the decision was a natural and sensible one given the dire need to maintain the availability of gas supplies to industry in Victoria.
"We have been talking to Government for some time about maintaining gas exploration in Victoria. This decision recognises that industry requires further gas options and Government is willing to back in further exploration," Mr Piper said.
"It's an important decision for industry as it pragmatically accepts that transition from gas will be an extended one and move at different speeds for different gas users. Parts of industry will have no choice but to utilise Australia's gas supplies."
Mr Piper said he hoped that the tender process and permit issuance would now move speedily, allowing exploration to get underway and prove up the gas resources that may be present.
"It will take time to develop new gas supplies, and these parcels of land will not solve our gas problems on their own. Victoria and the nation continue to need all the tools in the toolbox, from expanded pipeline capacity, to demand-side transition where that's attractive, to gas security reform, and more. But this exploration tender is part of the solution – and a show of support for Victorian industry that is welcome," Mr Piper said.
Further comment:
Tim Piper – 0411 430 301
