Is Australia's Gas Crisis Threatening Thousands of Jobs and National Policy?

Gas Sector Job Losses Loom as East-Coast Prices Soar

Australia's biggest manufacturers have issued a stark warning: the nation's east-coast gas market could shed thousands of jobs and potentially derail the government's Future Made in Australia policy. This alarming situation highlights a growing divide in the country's energy landscape.

While Western Australia benefits from cheap gas thanks to its gas reservation policy, the east coast is facing a severe price hike. Wholesale gas prices on the east coast have tripled over the past decade, putting immense pressure on industries and employment.

The Impact on Key Industries

Mark Vasella, representing BlueScope Steel, emphasizes that without a similar gas reservation policy, workers and Australia as a whole could face industrial decline. This underscores the critical need for policy adjustments to safeguard jobs and support economic stability in the manufacturing sector.