Caroline Logan Cherry

After a year of debate over WA’s domestic gas policy, a parliamentary inquiry has reaffirmed that the gas industry is fulfilling its commitment to this State. “To date, WA has never experienced a substantial shortfall of domestic gas and has largely avoided the price and supply volatilities which have troubled Australia’s east coast,” the report by the Economics and Industry Standing Committee report reads.

That is the only option available to governments to avoid the cost of living pressures and energy turmoil Western Australian households and businesses are facing. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s recent analysis of the WA gas market over the next decade is grim reading for anyone who values reliable and affordable energy supply. Every year over the next decade — except 2029 when supply and demand is balanced — there is predicted to be more demand for gas than there is supply available.