Interpretation of AEMO’s annual Gas Statement of Opportunities misses one crucial fact: Australia has an abundance of gas, more than almost any other country. This article suggests that the gas industry relies on certain media supporters to help perpetuate its claim that Australia doesn't have enough gas.

Key findings

• Media coverage of Gas Statement of Opportunities 2024 demonstrated several clear patterns. Representatives of the gas industry enjoyed a powerful platform in the News Corporation and Nine Entertainment newspapers and were able to use that platform to advocate for more gas extraction.
• Articles that did genuinely contextualise GSOO were usually published by independent news providers or the public broadcaster.
• Scary headlines were rife in commercial media coverage, and the two media companies with the largest market presence, News Corporation and Nine Entertainment, topped the scare scale analysis.
• The largely foreign-owned gas industry is allowed to sell 80% of Australia’s gas overseas, at a large profit, then claim we don’t have enough here. The industry does this knowing that it can rely on certain supporters in the media to help sell its story.
• Setting aside manufactured shortages, warnings of 'gas deficits are for a worst-case scenario.