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Gas recovery plan a ‘dangerous distraction’ that won’t create jobs: experts

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S GAS RECOVERY plan, released overnight, will fail to create significant jobs or energy security while wasting money on polluting gas.

Experts say that this announcement, the latest step by the Federal Government to fast track gas projects and give special treatment to the gas industry, wastes time on expensive, polluting gas projects that will not help to pull Australia out of recession.

Businesses and energy analysts say, rather than wasting public funds on expensive, polluting gas, the Federal Government must invest in clean energy solutions to tackle climate change and get us out of recession and back to work. 

Young people and tradespeople are also concerned about the use of public funds on polluting gas, saying that risky gas investment plays dangerous games with the economy and the climate.

The following local and national spokespeople are available to comment. For interviews please contact Fiona Ivits on 0487 003 872

Bruce Robertson, gas analyst, Institute of Energy, Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) can talk about how this announcement is just the latest in a series of steps by the Federal Government to prop up the gas industry, and how the changes underway to the ARENA and CEFC mandates to enable gas and carbon capture investment could see huge amounts of taxpayers’ money spent to prop up the financially unstable gas industry. (Mid-Coast NSW)

Greg Bourne, Climate Councillor and former BHP Australasia chief, can talk about the poor financial case for investment in gas, and why the Federal Government needs to invest in renewable energy that will create thousands of clean jobs to get Australians back to work. (Sydney, NSW)

Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director, The Australia Institute, can talk to how NSW can fill the gap left by the Liddell coal-power station in 2023. Richie can explain how existing gas power plants are being under utilised and have been unreliable and how smarter, cheaper and cleaner solutions are available that don’t rely on more fossil fuels. He can talk to why Hong Kong owner EnergyAustralia’s plans for a gas peaker at Tallawarra, with a plus 30 year lifetime, would only make it harder for the NSW government to meet its net zero by 2050 target. 

Dayne Pratzky, tradesperson, can talk about how high power bills from gas are hurting ordinary Australians in the hip-pocket, and why public investment in gas is propping up a failing industry that is ripping ordinary Australians off (Mid-Coast NSW)

Veronica Hester, a School Striker and young person from Scott Morrison’s electorate, can talk about how she wants the Federal Government to invest in clean energy solutions to power the future for this country. (Sydney, NSW)

Veronica says: "I'm a young person who lives in Scott Morrison's electorate. With this announcement about public subsidies for new gas plants, the Prime Minister is knowingly putting money into an industry that will destroy the climate and the economy. We're at a crossroads now - why stimulate a dead-end industry like gas, when you have a long-term industry like renewables?”