The Justice and Equity Centre (JEC) made a submission to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) issues paper regarding Jemena Gas Network’s 2025-30 access arrangement. Our submission explores the engagement undertaken by Jemena, as well as some of the key issues we see as being of critical relevance in responding to the emissions challenge, while promoting the interests of consumers. While Jemena continues to frame the future of gas in terms of uncertainty, we contend that ‘uncertainty’ should be appropriately contextualised. That is, uncertainty is not about what role gas will play in 2050, but how quickly it will retreat and how to smoothly and efficiently manage the retreat of residential gas networks, while maintaining and transitioning remnant network areas supporting industrial uses, to provide more renewable products.
