Parliament House, Canberra
Letter from Australia: ‘Gas-led recovery’ under the microscope
The government has made remarkably little progress on its plans since unveiling the agenda in September 2020
Canberra’s plans for a “gas-led recovery” have been part of the public discourse since May last year, when the National Covid-19 Commission Advisory Board’s proposal for a manufacturing renaissance fed on cheap gas was first leaked to the media. Since then, the plan has drawn a steady stream of criticism from utilities, environmental lobbyists and even upstream players. Adding insult to injury, even the country’s gas market operator has begun to question the tangible benefits of such a plan for the manufacturing sector. Market reset When Prime Minister Scott Morrison first revealed details of the plan, he talked about “resetting” the east coast gas market. He saw his government achieving thi
Also in this section
29 April 2026
The UAE’s exit from the alliance marks a decisive step towards a world in which oil markets are shaped less by collective management and more by national strategy
29 April 2026
Trafigura’s $1b prepayment agreement confirms African resource holders’ renewed interest in oil-backed financing deals as they look to capitalise on high oil prices
29 April 2026
The UAE’s departure from the oil producers’ group was a surprise to many, but the move can be traced back to a single point five years ago
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
