06 Jun 2016
The Federal Government’s $4 million commitment to the CSIRO to engage in further social and environmental research around natural gas development is welcome by Australia’s oil and gas industry.
Federal Minister for Resources Josh Frydenberg announced the new funding at the annual APPEA Conference today in Brisbane.
APPEA Chief Executive Dr Malcolm Roberts said the funding would build on the valuable work already conducted by the Gas Industry Research and Environmental Alliance (GISERA) in Queensland and NSW.
“Vital gas development brings many challenges but none that can’t be overcome with appropriate regulation and transparent community engagement,” Dr Roberts said.
“The rigorous and independent scientific research conducted by GISERA on Australia’s growing natural gas industry provides vital information to communities, governments and industry alike.”
Dr Roberts said the oil and gas industry is completing an unprecedented $200 billion wave of investment, generating $17 billion in exports, paying billions of dollars in government revenues and creating and supporting thousands of jobs.
“Natural gas is an essential commodity for modern Australia: a safe, reliable, cleaner burning energy source – and an indispensable feedstock for manufactured products,” he said.
“As an industry we must do more to inform Australians about the work we do, our safe record and the benefits being experienced by regional communities.”
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