The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has launched a new campaign aimed at securing the country’s energy future, arguing that Australia has no safeguards to ensure that domestic supply is protected.

AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes, said the Australia is the only gas exporting country that didn’t protect its own domestic supply.

“Australia’s gas resource is one of our most important strategic assets, and one of our most important competitive advantages,” Mr Howes said.

“Yet despite our access to gas reserves, Australian business and families are increasingly finding it difficult to access competitively priced gas on the domestic market.

“As more gas is being sent off-shore to export markets, local manufacturers are struggling to get guaranteed supply beyond the next two years.”

Mr Howes took aim at the New South Wales Government, accusing it of ‘dragging its feet’ in ensuring industry could access long-term supplies of gas.

The launch of the campaign comes after the NSW Government outlined a new CSG rules that it promises will bolster the regulation of the industry.

“The NSW Government has listened to community concerns about CSG – these new measures build on what are already the toughest controls in the country,” Premier Barry O’Farrell said.

“We have declared country towns and suburbs across NSW ‘no go zones’ for CSG activities in NSW, and established the Environment Protection Authority as the cop on the beat to enforce environmental and health regulations.

“The NSW Government has listened and acted. Local Liberals & Nationals MPs have also made strong representations and brought community concerns to Ministers.”

Mr Howes said that the move put industry at risk and would push the cost of doing business in NSW up dramatically.

“The NSW Government’s decision to restrict the extraction of coal seam gas will mean significant supplies of gas will stay locked up and out of reach for NSW consumers,” Mr Howes said.