Political bargains hamstring Australia's Future Gas Strategy

Backroom political deal-making has undermined the government’s long-term vision for the domestic gas sector

The Labor government unveiled its Future Gas Strategy (FGS) on 9 May, and despite its lack of concrete details, industry has generally welcomed it as a good start. Canberra said gas would be an essential component of the energy transition, one set to play a central role in the country’s energy mix up to and beyond 2050. The strategy, announced days before the 14 May annual budget, is designed to support the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda, which aims to transform the country into a renewable energy “superpower”. The day after the budget’s announcement, however, Labor reached a deal with the Greens that threatens to rob the FGS of any real momentum in ensuring plentiful and affor