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
Also in this section
25 April 2024
Some companies with assets in Israel have turned towards Egypt as tensions escalate, but others are holding firm despite rising tensions
24 April 2024
But even planned exploration activity is unlikely to reverse declining output from mature fields
23 April 2024
Cheaper Russian barrels and lower overall crude prices have helped cut key oil consumer’s import bills in election year
22 April 2024
Pursuing three different goals as part of the same package may mean achieving none of them