Australia stands at an important moment in world history. 

The entire globe is working to decarbonise and we are lucky enough to have all the natural resources that enable the net zero transition right here in Australia.      

We have all the critical minerals and rare earth elements underneath our feet to make batteries and solar panels. 

We have the iron ore the world needs for steel for wind turbines and the copper to make electrical wiring for electric vehicles.     

The global shift to clean energy is Australia’s biggest opportunity for growth and prosperity in a generation.     

While we work to capture the immense economic opportunity that net zero presents, we also at the same time need to decarbonise our own economy by moving to renewable energy, firmed by reliable gas. 

Gas is not talked about as often as being a part of the renewable energy transition but it in fact plays a vital role. 

Gas is flexible and – unlike coal and nuclear – can be turned on or off in a matter of minutes, making it an indispensable backup for variable renewable generation.     

It is the variable and flexible nature of gas coupled with its important role in supporting high-heat manufacturing that makes gas a vital insurance policy for Australia as we move to decarbonise our economy. 

Australia and the world needs gas not only to heat homes and businesses, but increasingly we will need gas to back up our renewable energy networks as we phase out of coal. 

This year I released the Albanese Government’s Future Gas Strategy. 

It was the first attempt by any Government to map out the role gas will play in reaching net zero. 

Expert analysts rigorously researched, modelled, and assessed the future of gas in Australia, and this work was tested through extensive consultation and peer review. 

The findings were clear. Under all credible net zero scenarios, natural gas is needed through to 2050 and beyond. 

To put it simply – we will need to keep producing more gas in Australia to ensure a stable and orderly energy transition at home and in our region. 

Gas will support our future made in Australia – particularly by stepping up to help us process those critical minerals and rare earths we are mining around the country.

However, where we continue to need gas we must also ensure the emissions associated with that gas are reduced and abated.

One way to do this - but not the only way - is to scale up carbon capture and storage as a means to decarbonise gas at the point of production.

We cannot rely on past investments in gas to get us through the next decades. We need continued investment in, and development of, gas supply and transport infrastructure to get us through the energy transition with thriving industries.

This may not be a popular opinion in some parts. There are those who call for shutting off all fossil fuel use tomorrow. 

The Albanese Government knows that entertaining such ideas would be reckless in the extreme, and do untold damage to our economy. 

We must and we will reduce gas use over time, but we will do that in a way that ensures an orderly and stable transition. 

And unlike Peter Dutton’s nuclear policy that gives people no choice where giant new reactors will be built, we want Australians to be involved in the energy transition and make choices about gas use that work for individual families and businesses, as well as our environment. 

The Future Gas Strategy makes clear that preserving consumer choice is a key pillar of Australia’s natural gas policy. 

In a time where people are doing it tough, our policies are also designed to ensure that Australian homes and businesses have the gas they need at affordable prices. 

Though the Opposition talks a big game on gas, the truth is they left our energy markets in a mess. 

Scott Morrison’s so-called gas led recovery put bugger all extra gas into the market and actually made life tougher for gas companies by making them a target for activists who want to shut down all industry entirely. 

And Peter Dutton voted against our energy price relief plan that has put more dollars into the pockets of Australian families to help combat the cost of living crisis. 

In fact Peter Dutton has voted against every single cost of living relief measure put in place by the Albanese Government. 

Unlike the Coalition, our gas policies are based on thorough and careful analysis and consultation – not ideology.

We have taken immediate and strong action to shore up gas supply.

I renegotiated the Heads of Agreement with LNG producers, which requires them to first offer gas to the domestic market prior to export. 

Since taking on the role of Resources Minister we have got an extra 600 petajoules of gas into the east coast market through negotiations with gas companies. 

We strengthened the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism and can curtail gas exports if there is a forecast shortfall on the east coast.

Along with the Victorian Government, we granted two production licences in the Otway Basin to help ensure stable gas supply to the market. 

Gas produced from these licence areas will backfill the existing Otway gas plant in Victoria, delivering new gas to Victorian households and businesses from 2025 and gas produced from these licences will exclusively supply the domestic market. 

Everyone wants to make sure we address damaging climate change, and gas has a role to play in the energy transition. 

Published in the Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun, the Courier Mail and the Advertiser.