Energy Users Urge Coalition To Support Gas Code Of Conduct For The Benefit Of All Australians
Emily Wood | November 27, 2023
Energy users are urging the Coalition to support the Mandatory Gas Code of Conduct to ensure gas is sufficient available at reasonable prices for households and businesses.
The gas industry Code of Conduct, which is designed to ensure that Australian households and business have access to Australian gas at fair prices and on reasonable terms, is yet to be legislated and may be in doubt as the Senate are yet to pass vital legislative amendments needed to bring it into force.
Energy Users’ Association of Australia (EUAA) Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Richards, spoke at a Senate hearing into the Gas Code a few weeks ago and said, “Establishing a mandatory code of conduct was recommended by the nation’s peak competition watchdog, the ACCC and is strongly supported by many consumer groups including the EUAA as it represents the best current opportunity to level the playing field between the gas industry and Australian consumers.”
“The code of conduct is a vital protection for Australian households and business and should have bipartisan support. We implore Senators to vote in favour of the gas code to help protect millions of Australian families and business and ensure they get a fair deal from the gas industry.”
The code of conduct applies to less than 20% of the gas industries total annual sales in Australia. Even less once exemptions are granted (potentially as little as 10%), so is highly unlikely to have a material impact on upstream gas production.
“In the end, a vote against the code of conduct is a vote in favour of higher energy prices, more expensive food and more expensive houses amongst many other things. Voting against the code of conduct will also negatively impact a number of key sectors such as steel, aluminium and cement that are vital to a least cost energy transition.”
The EUAA is the peak body representing Australian industrial and commercial energy users. EUAA membership covers a broad cross section of the Australian economy including significant retail, manufacturing and materials processing industries. Combined EUAA members employ over one million Australians, pay annual energy bills in the many billions of dollars and support the development of a lasting national energy and climate change plan that puts downward pressure on electricity and gas costs.
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Media Contact: Emily Wood 0421 042 121
