[Greens-Media] WA Gas reservation plan 'common sense' - Greens

[Ludlam, Scott (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA


MEDIA RELEASE



Tuesday, 1 August 2006

WA Gas reservation plan 'common sense' - Greens

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert is supportive in principle of WA Premier
Alan Carpenter's plan to reserve a portion of Western Australia's gas
reserves for domestic use.
 
"I strongly advise the Premier to ignore the advice from Treasury on
this matter. It is evident that most economic analysts are misreading
the impact that peak oil and rising oil prices will have on our economy.
It is essential that Australia and Western Australia develop a
comprehensive energy strategy. Securing gas for Western Australia must
be part of this.

"The treasury officials who are telling the Premier that the market will
take care of everything need to take a reality check," Senator Siewert
said. "In an age of oil and gas depletion and rising prices, it is
essential that the State quarantines some of this resource for local
use."

"Low cost domestic gas supplies reserved under the original agreement
with Woodside are the only reason Western Australia is not powered
entirely by coal."

"I don't understand why the Prime Minister and others are so intent on
seeing this resource sold overseas at bargain basement prices when
projections by the WA Department of Industry and Resources clearly shows
a shortfall of domestic gas opening up within the next few years. This
is before the real impact of rising oil prices and peak oil is felt." 

"I suggest that Treasury officers and the Premier read the submissions
to a Senate committee inquiry into Australia future oil supply, which
highlight the potential impacts of rising oil prices and depletion on
our economy and lifestyle. This country needs to start getting serious
about our energy security into the future".


For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au