Letter from Australia: Gas-fired recovery hits turbulence

The Australian government’s vision is at risk of unravelling under intense scrutiny

The administration of Australian prime minister Scott Morrison unveiled its ‘gas-led’ recovery plan as recently as May, but it is already under withering and effective fire—from both some expected and some less-familiar foes. Australian energy minister Angus Taylor has called for greater gas production that is ringfenced for the local market, as well as increased consumption of the fuel within the power sector. At first glance, this sounds exactly the direction the country should be taking, given it is forecast to see a gas supply shortfall within the next five years. But there is a catch. The minister’s plan, it seems, has not only infuriated the environmental lobby, but also upset the upst