Interview on News24 with Kieran Gilbert
Website search Interviewer Kieran Gilbert Interview discusses National Gas Reservation, Gas exploration, and Pauline Hanson comments on Andrew Hastie. KIERAN GILBERT: Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, thanks so much for your time. This new approach to the gas reservation, will it lead to a lot more gas for the Eastern Seaboard?
MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Well, Kieran, it's a delight to be on your show again. We expect so. That is the idea of the National Gas Reservation.
It is a plan we have been working on for some time off the back of a gas market review we held last year and by making LNG exporters around the country commit to providing 20 per cent, equivalent to 20 per cent of the gas they put out for export into the domestic market will put in an oversupply, but a modest oversupply of gas that will put downward pressure on prices for Australian households, for Australian businesses and Australians.
KIERAN GILBERT: And will there be new supply? Will you authorise new supply as part of that mix as well? MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Well, new supply comes in many forms right around the country, whether it be offshore fields, but they're mainly in Western Australia, which is set out as a different market in this.
We know the onshore gas in Queensland, they're all doing further exploration, and that's a matter for Queensland regulations. We believe what we are doing here, we know what we're doing here, is setting up a stable, enduring market regulation and reservation scheme that will drive investment into the gas industry in this country. KIERAN GILBERT: You want to do, clearly you want to get this deal done with the Coalition, not the Greens.
MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Well, it is a matter- KIERAN GILBERT: Will the Coalition come on board? MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Well, I'm hopeful that they will, and they know, like I know, that Australia does need to have gas in its energy mix. We, as a government are perhaps - definitely much more committed to net zero than the Coalition is.
So, they'll have to decide if they want to vote for a national reservation scheme that makes sure more Australians get access to more Australian gas. KIERAN GILBERT: And I think their main gripe or question will be, will you authorise more exploration and more gas? That's fundamentally what their bottom line is.
MINISTER MADELEINE KING: I mean, we already have exploration anchorage out as it is in Victoria, waters of Victoria and South Australia, and anchorage of Western Australia too. And that's where the Commonwealth jurisdiction is, in offshore waters. So, onshore is a different matter.
That is a matter for the States and the Territories. And as we've seen, just last week, we had the first gas at Beetaloo, and that's been a really important moment for the Northern Territory. KIERAN GILBERT: Have you reassured export markets, our trading partners, about this?
MINISTER MADELEINE KING: KIERAN GILBERT: They will get their gas. MINISTER MADELEINE KING: They will get their gas. One of the important principles we said right from the start.
The international contracts, these international agreements, will be respected throughout this whole process, and there are mechanisms in the exposure draft that will make sure that is accounted for. KIERAN GILBERT: One of the Liberal front benchers, Andrew Hastie, is quite positive. We're not ruling out support.
He says they'll look at it. They want that gas supply, so you'd welcome that. He's also been the fellow West Australian been in quite a stoush with Pauline Hanson, called her and Barnaby Joyce ‘lying cowards’ after they - a cartoon that they released referenced him as a traitor.
What do you make of that stoush? MINISTER MADELEINE KING: I think how Pauline Hanson has treated Andrew Hastie is appalling. One of the more appalling things I've seen in my whole career, let alone my 10 year career here in the Parliament.
Implying that some - that upon a decorated member of Australian Defence Forces is and therefore onto other veterans, is despicable. So, I really respect Andrew for standing up. KIERAN GILBERT: She should pull that video down, in your view.
MINISTER MADELEINE KING: I think she should pull that down. But what Pauline Hanson has done is actually pinned that to her social media channels and then gone into the Parliament and said she didn't call him those things. I'm not going to repeat the claim it is disgusting.
So, Pauline Hanson, she's just got this habit of gaslighting, saying one thing, doing another thing and then, you know, pretending it never happened. And that's unacceptable, and it's certainly unacceptable when you're trying to. What she is doing is accusing someone of one of the most serious things you possibly can.
KIERAN GILBERT: Resources Minister Madeleine King. Thank you as always. Appreciate it.
MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Thank you. Appreciate it. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.
We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples. Stay informed of the latest ministry list on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website This website is managed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources