General News
10 September, 2025
Townsville Enterprise calls for affordable gas pricing to support Australian industry
Townsville Enterprise has sent a submission to the federal government’s Gas Market Review.
Townsville Enterprise Limited (TEL) has called on the federal government’s Gas Market Review to deliver clear, simplified policies that guarantee domestic gas supply first and ensure affordable pricing for Australian industry.
The region's peak economic development and advocacy body warns that if the policy conditions aren’t improved, Australia risks crippling investment and industry and sending local jobs offshore.
TEL CEO Claudia Brumme says the current system is unsustainable – tying local prices to volatile international markets, enabling monopoly control, and failing to prioritise Australian supply – all of which are putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Ms Brumme said she welcomed the opportunity from the federal government to collate industry feedback to the Review Committee.
“It is critically important that the policy conditions around gas supply and pricing enables industry and job creation. This gas policy is one of the most important enablers or deal-breakers for manufacturing in our country,” she said.
“While we await a deal to save the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Copper Refinery, this review clearly demonstrates the importance of gas pricing to existing industry and new investment opportunities.
“Gas prices have quadrupled since LNG (liquified natural gas) exports began a decade ago.
“In this country, we have the world’s best natural gas, best coal and best renewable-power resources. However, we are constantly selling out this competitive advantage by sending our manufacturing jobs and industries overseas.
“Our region has a current project pipeline valued at $44.8 billion, spanning 66 individual projects and creating 7895 ongoing jobs and 18,444 construction jobs. But these opportunities, as well as thousands of existing jobs in our region, are hanging in the balance right now due to skyrocketing gas prices and energy insecurity.”
In its submission, TEL warns that regional industries – particularly energy-intensive mining and manufacturing sectors – are paying more than twice the gas prices faced by international competitors.
TEL also highlights that local businesses are often forced to underwrite new energy infrastructure as a condition of securing supply contracts, placing further strain on their operations.