The Master Plumbers Association (MPA) has opposed calls for the federal government to implement a gas ban on new developments across Australia.
MPA NSW CEO, Nathaniel Smith said a gas ban would threaten the nation’s energy security and endanger vulnerable citizens, particularly during colder months of the year.
Smith highlighted the essential role of gas in mitigating power outages because renewables are unable to meet current baseload power demands.
He also said household gas emissions contribute only one to two per cent of total emissions.
Smith was responding to calls for a gas ban by the federal MP for Wentworth in NSW, Allegra Spender.
She believes Australia isn’t moving fast enough to reduce emissions.
“The Albanese government’s continued approval of new coal mines continues to make our emissions reduction task even harder,” she said.
“I am also disappointed by the government’s lack of courage to reduce gas connections to new homes.
Our dependence on expensive gas has been a major driver of our energy bill challenges, and ending gas connections to new homes is a commonsense and widely supported measure to reduce cost-of-living pressures.”
Gas experts also weighed in on the debate after the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released its gas outlook report warning of gas shortages.
Industry analysts pointed out that most of the gas produced in Australia is exported overseas.
Springmount Advisory managing director and Climate Solutions analyst, Tom Quinn, said if there are shortfalls, exports should be limited to protect local industry and households.
"We are one of the largest gas exporters in the world and it is ridiculous if we don't ensure enough is set aside for local users,” he said.
“The nation's security shouldn't be held hostage to the greed of gas exporters."
Energy finance analyst at the Australian Gas Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, Kevin Morrison, said the AEMO’s forecasts of shortfalls rarely eventuate.
He said there is no shortage of gas in eastern Australia with three quarters of the gas produced in the region used as feedstock for LNG exports or it is used converting gas to LNG.
“AEMO could be setting themselves up for another year of over-estimating demand. AEMO makes no mention of the closure of the country’s largest gas-fired gas plant and its subsequent impact of reducing demand,” Morrison said.