Labor’s gas strategy: what is it and why do critics call it ‘Back to the Future’?

Critics argue the Albanese government’s gas strategy will lead to more emissions and call it a betrayal of the Pacific and Australia’s climate aims. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Albanese government has finally released its gas strategy, which sets out the “guiding principles” for how the government will approach the use of gas and the approval of new gasfields in the medium and long term.

The main takeaway? Gas will remain a central part of Australia’s energy and export sectors to 2050 and beyond, with the government backing the energy source as the key to transitioning the energy sector and economy.