Commissioner Appointed to Guide Queensland LNG Market Development (Australia)

The Bligh Government has appointed Ms Kay Gardiner as Queensland Gas Commissioner to monitor and guide development of the State’s gas market in the context of the emerging Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry.

Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said today Ms Gardiner brings to the position a depth of experience in strategic gas industry policy, market development and regulation.

“As Gas Commissioner, Ms Gardiner will provide vision and play a key role in the Government’s development of strategies and reforms to drive the development of Queensland’s gas market.

“She will be an independent, single point of contact for ongoing dialogue between government and industry stakeholders on gas market issues; including supply, pricing, and the potential reservation of prospective gas resources for domestic markets, within the context of the development of the LNG industry.

“The LNG industry is fast-growing in Queensland and within a decade could add more than $3 billion to the State’s economy and create more than 18,000 jobs.

“Ms Gardiner will work closely with industry and government agencies to identify any issues for the domestic gas market which may arise during the development of this important sunrise industry.

“She will monitor gas market outcomes both locally and internationally and report on the adequacy of supply to support domestic requirements and achieve long-term growth in the Queensland gas market.”

Mr Robertson said one of the Gas Commissioner’s key roles was to deliver an Annual Gas Market Review for Queensland.

“The annual review process will inform our decision-making about security of supply issues; identify ways to better manage our gas resources; and examine ways to increase competition in the market.

“I’m pleased to say the first annual Gas Market Review will be finalised in the near future.”

“Ms Gardiner has previously served as manager of my department’s gas policy, industry and markets unit,” he said.

“She was also involved in developing national and Queensland policy, legislation and regulation for gas market development, supply and distribution, and a short-term trading market framework.

Mr Robertson said the State Government is also delivering on its commitment to implement a Short Term Trading Market for gas in Queensland in 2011.

“As the Short Term Trading Market is a national initiative, my Department has taken action with its Commonwealth and other State counterparts to make the necessary amendments to the National Gas Rules to progress the project and meet our delivery timeframes,” he said.

“Key industry stakeholder groups have been consulted in the development of the project to date and the Government will continue to work closely with industry in the lead up to the implementation of the Short Term Trading Market. ”

“A Queensland Short Term Trading Market will encourage competition and improve the flexibility and transparency of the Queensland gas market”, Mr Robertson said.

Ms Gardiner is currently Senior Director Demand, Efficiency and Substitution with the Queensland Water Commission.

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Source: Queensland Government, July 28, 2010;