By Raquel Mustillo
MEMBER for MacKillop Nick McBride has defended taxpayers footing a multimillion dollar State and Federal Government bill to facilitate gas extraction in the Limestone Coast, saying governments should provide funding to the high-risk sector to drive down energy costs.
But Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chair Angus Ralton said the impending suspension of Beach Energy’s Katnook Gas Plant due to dwindling gas reserves should prompt a rethink into fossil fuel subsidies.
The Liberal MP said although Beach’s announcement was disappointing, he was hopeful more seismic testing at the nearby Dombey-1 well would result in the reinvigoration of the refinery.