27 Sep 2017
One Nation’s statement that it wants to ban drilling in the Cooper Basin until it can be proven that it does no damage to the Great Artesian Basin is an act of economic vandalism that will expose Queenslanders to the risk of higher energy prices and blackouts.
“The Cooper Basin in south-west Queensland accounts for 14.5 per cent of Queensland’s natural gas supply and – most importantly – natural gas has been produced in the Cooper for 40 years without harming the environment or damaging the Great Artesian Basin,” said APPEA Queensland Director Rhys Turner.
“One Nation doesn’t understand that natural gas is an essential source of energy for manufacturers and for electricity generation during times of peak demand. When workers and families get home during a hot Queensland summer and turn on the air conditioner they are using electricity produced from natural gas.
“When South Australia experienced multiple blackouts and the highest energy prices in Australia a key part of their response was bringing on more gas-fired electricity, but One Nation wants to take Queensland in the other direction. At a time when we need more energy – and more affordable energy – One Nation wants to turn the lights out in Queensland.”
Mr Turner said the petroleum industry’s footprint in the Cooper Basin represented a fraction of one per cent of the land area.
Gas production from the Cooper is equivalent to 14 per cent of Queensland demand and 4 per cent of east coast demand. Ethane produced in the Cooper supplies Qenos’s manufacturing plant in Port Botany where it is used to produce Australian stretch wrapping, food packaging, water tanks, wheelie bins and the lining in our milk and juice cartons.
“The Queensland and Australian Governments have in place several layers of regulation designed to protect environmental values while also enabling essential energy resources to be developed. These regulations have been developed and refined over many years and are achieving their intent,” he said.
“Companies operating in the Cooper have the support of landholders, communities, and indigenous groups.”
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