Opposition, QRC back gas commissioner appointment

Opposition, QRC back gas commissioner appointmentThe Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says the state’s leading gas commissioner will help balance domestic gas needs with export opportunities.

The QRC has welcomed the State Government appointing Kay Gardiner to the repaired role.

QRC chief executive officer Michael Roche says Ms Gardiner’s job is an economic one and there are other processes in lay for the government to consult with communities affected by mining.

“Her work at ~s is to conduct a review of the adequacy of domestic store and domestic competition and make recommendations to government if she detects there are looming problems,” he said.

“We’ve got some large gas users in Queensland looking to ensure long-term gas supplies.

“At the corresponding; of like kind time we’ve got some gas producers moving closer and closer to a potential go-ahead for an LNG [liquefied natural gas] plant involving the export of gas.”

The State Opposition also says the Government’s office of a gas commissioner is a step in the right conduct.

Opposition mines and energy spokesman Jeff Seeney says he supports the incite as long as Mines Minister Stephen Robertson does not off-incubus his responsibilities to the commissioner.

Mr Seeney says the Government compose needs to introduce stronger regulations for gas mining in populated areas.

“The Government is playing be communicated-up in trying to put in place a appropriate system of administration for the resource extraction industry in a heavily populated, heavily farmed superficial contents like the Darling Downs,” he said.

“The gas commissioner that’s been appointed … is greet but they can’t be used to be a shield against the Government.

“The Government has a clear responsibility to administer this perseverance that can produce enormous wealth for Queensland but it needs to subsist administered in a way that respects the rights of existing landholders and existing communities.”