Federal MP Bob Katter has unleashed a furious critique of the federal government's recently announced Future Gas Strategy, labelling the policy document an "economic word salad" that offers no real solutions for securing affordable energy for Australian industry.
Katter's Scathing Critique of Federal Policy
In a statement released on Friday, May 17, the outspoken member for Kennedy took aim at the Albanese government's strategic plan for the gas sector until 2050 and beyond. Mr Katter did not mince words, stating the strategy was filled with bureaucratic jargon but lacked concrete action to protect manufacturing and industrial jobs.
The core of Katter's argument is that the policy fails to guarantee a reliable and cheap domestic gas supply for Australian businesses. He warned that without such a guarantee, the nation's industrial base, particularly in regions like North Queensland, faces an existential threat from soaring energy costs.
The Call for Domestic Reservation and Price Caps
Mr Katter pointed to the stark contrast between Australia's status as a major gas exporter and the high prices domestic manufacturers are forced to pay. He argued that the government's strategy does nothing to resolve this fundamental inequity, which he sees as a direct transfer of wealth from Australian industry to foreign shareholders.
"We are giving our gas away to the Japanese for $11 and then buying it back for $40," Katter asserted, highlighting the price disparity that burdens local companies. His solution is straightforward: implement a domestic gas reservation policy and impose a price cap to ensure Australian industries are not priced out of the market by international demand.
He emphasised that without immediate intervention to secure affordable gas, Australia risks seeing its remaining manufacturing capabilities, including critical food processing plants, shut down permanently. This, he contends, would lead to increased reliance on imports and further job losses.
Broader Implications for Industry and Energy Security
The MP's criticism extends beyond the gas strategy itself to what he perceives as a broader failure in national economic planning. Katter connected the energy policy to other areas of concern, including the management of water resources and the perceived overreach of environmental regulations, which he believes are collectively strangling productive industries.
His statement serves as a direct challenge to the government's claim that the Future Gas Strategy provides a clear plan for the transition to net zero while supporting the economy. For Katter, the document is merely a collection of words that avoids the hard decisions needed to keep industry alive and competitive.
The intervention from the crossbench MP underscores the ongoing political tension surrounding Australia's energy and industrial policy. It raises critical questions about how the nation will balance its export commitments, climate goals, and the need to maintain a viable domestic manufacturing sector in the coming decades.
