The federal government is laying blame for Australia's current gas crisis at the feet of the Coalition, accusing it of botching energy policy for close to a decade and leaving Australians in the cold this winter.
New Energy Minister Chris Bowen is convening an urgent meeting with his state and territory counterparts this week, in a bid to address soaring gas prices and supply shortages.
He has taken aim at remarks from the Coalition labelling him as inexperienced and not fully understanding the powers he has to deal with the situation, arguing comments from the former government on how to deal with the current crisis were "about as effective as advice from the captain of the Titanic on navigation skills."
Mr Bowen insisted the so-called "gas trigger", which allowed the government to requisition gas destined for export for use in the domestic market, had been poorly designed by the Coalition when it brought in the mechanism in 2017.
"We're not ruling anything in or out in terms of the gas supply and actions that may be necessary, because we will do what is necessary," Mr Bowen told Sky News.
"I've seen some unnamed anonymous criticism from members of the previous government saying, 'Just pull the trigger.'
Any benefit gained from using the mechanism now would not flow through to the market until January next year.
Freshly minted Resources Minister Madeleine King has been leading discussions with the nation's gas companies to get more supply into the market.
Opposition says gas companies unlikely to provide assistance
But the Federal Opposition suggested executives were unlikely to be heeding Ms King's calls for support.
"The gas companies are high up in the stirrups because they can see the price where they are," Nationals leader David Littleproud told the ABC's Insiders.
"They've had a Labor opposition that were demonising them for nine years, saying they were part of the problem in our emissions, and now they want to turn around and befriend them when they need them."
Mr Littleproud questioned suggestions companies did not have any more gas to pump into the system, insisting that was a failure of ministers rather than suppliers.
"With support of sensible policy with the government, you can actually increase that supply, and I have had detailed conversations with [former energy minister] Angus Taylor who gives me that assurance that there are ways we can increase that supply," he said.
Mr Bowen agreed gas companies had a social licence and needed to act in the best interests of the community.
"Certainly that's been the message from the government," he told Sky News.
"Minister King has spoken to all the gas companies and reinforced that and, as I said, AEMO (the Australian Energy Market Operator) in my department has been working very closely to ensure gas supply has increased.
"We'll work through all those issues. But yes, there is an obligation not only on gas companies, but on all the energy companies."
