Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (13:45): I want to draw the chamber’s attention to the welcome gas strike down off the south coast of Victoria. US energy giant ConocoPhillips has struck gas in its initial well in a $100 million drilling operation. This is important. There is a Korean partner. Victoria needs gas. We need gas to play a significant role in helping the transition, particularly by providing that peaking power for Victorian industry and households. This is a development that is welcome. The state government has banned gas exploration on land. There has not been a single new permit issued since 2013 in Victoria for onshore conventional gas exploration, but the state government’s war on gas goes much further. On 1 April 2027 the state government will ban gas connections in rental properties where there is a replacement appliance that is required – a heater or a hot-water service. And whilst they say on one hand they will exempt cooktops, when confronted with the chance in this chamber they voted down cooktop choice. I say people should be able to choose how they cook in, heat, shower in and use hot water in their own home. Choice is critical, and Labor should stop its war on gas. It needs to end its war on gas, and we need more gas to help the transition.