BlueScope’s Managing Director & CEO, Mark Vassella, officially launched Manufacturing Australia’s ‘Fair Gas Prices’ campaign at the National Press Club on Wednesday, 8 October 2025. Australian gas prices are costing us manufacturing, jobs, energy transition, and a future made in Australia. Despite being one of the world’s largest gas producers, Australia exports 75 per cent of its gas - leaving local manufacturers paying up to three times more than competitors overseas. In 2024, Australian industry paid an average of A$10.30/GJ, compared to A$3.00/GJ in the US and A$2.20/GJ in Qatar.

In his speech, Mark said: “We’re calling on political and industry leaders to recognise the economic benefit that flows from our sovereign manufacturing capability and the potential to grow it – if we have access to fairly priced gas and allow our manufacturers to compete internationally.”

Key recommendations from the campaign include:

• A national gas reservation scheme and export permit system to secure affordable gas for Australian industry

• A pricing mechanism to target delivered gas prices below A$10/GJ, to restore international competitiveness

• A “net contributor test” for gas export projects to ensure developers maintain their commitments to supplying domestic customers.

• Accelerated development of new gas fields and infrastructure in the Eastern states and Northern Territory

• Government support for gas pipelines and storage, to ensure gas is available where and when it is needed

Why it matters:

• Jobs at risk: manufacturing jobs pay above-average wages and support regional economies

• Energy transition stalled: gas is essential to firm renewables and cut industrial emissions

• National security threatened: sovereign capability in steel, fertiliser and chemicals is critical

For further information:

• Watch Mark’s National Press Club speech
• Visit www.fairgasprices.org.au
• Follow BlueScope on LinkedIn
• Follow BlueScope on YouTube