Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
2:00 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Does Australia need to increase gas production to meet export and domestic demand while lowering gas prices?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I thank the senator for her question and her interest in this topic, of course. The important thing, I think, about, particularly, the safeguards bill and the issue of ongoing supply of gas is that we are moving to transition out of fossil fuels and into renewable fuels. In fact, you'll have heard the Prime Minister say this week that he wants Australia to be a renewable energy superpower.
Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
On relevance—I'd specifically asked about whether or not Australia needs to increase its gas production.
Sue Lines President
I will direct the minister to your question. Minister Farrell.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
The really difficult thing here is that you've got to ensure there's ongoing investment in gas production, particularly in this country, while you do that transition to renewables. Now, what might that transition look like? Well, it might be hydrogen. As you know, the South Australian government is leading the way—
Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
President, I don't have much time. Specifically, on relevance—does Australia need to increase its gas production?
Sue Lines President
The minister is being relevant to your question. Thank you, Minister Farrell.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
If you could just let me finish what I'm talking about—
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
Waffle.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
You might call it waffle, but it's an important issue because, to get that transition from fossil fuel to renewable fuel, we have to ensure that there's continued investment in coal and gas. It's the objective of this government to ensure that we— (Time expired)
Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
2:03 pm
I'm going to have another go. By how much does Australia need to increase gas production to meet export and domestic demand while lowering gas prices?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I thank the senator for her first supplementary question. Of course, between 2014 and 2021, east coast gas production increased by 300 per cent. That's, of course, despite problems, like access to the Narrabri gas supplies. Despite supply going up significantly, the prices paid by Australian households and Australian industry also went up by 420 per cent in real terms—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Yes, 420 per cent, Senator Pratt, over that same period of time. The former government—that's the government that you were—
Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
On relevance, what is the increase that is required?
Sue Lines President
The minister is addressing your question. I'll refer him to the latter part of your question, which was about prices. Minister Farrell.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
The former government was warned on at least a dozen—
Honourable senators inter jecting—
You can't understand the— (Time expired)
Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
2:04 pm
Given the ACCC and the Australian Energy Market Operator have identified a need to increase gas production, what government policies, inclusive of the proposed safeguard mechanism, would deliver the required increase in gas production?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:05 pm
I thank the senator for her second supplementary question. I explained to you in my first answer, Senator, that the trick here is to ensure that there's sufficient investment in gas and coal to allow for—
Simon Birmingham SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
So which of your policies is driving that?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
The whole of government. I thought—
Susan McDonald Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources
President, no tricks. What are the government's policies to provide for increased gas production?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Thank you, President. Unlike the former government, we've got a rounded policy to ensure, firstly, that we secure our electricity supplies in this country—as I've spoken about many times—including putting downward pressure on electricity prices but ensuring that all of our investment policies are directed to making that transition that even your government— (Time expired)