The NSW Opposition’s commitment to ignore independent planning processes if elected and block the $3 billion investment in the Narrabri gas project undermines the confidence and jeopardises the investment needed to create new jobs and boost energy supply, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“Of course we need projects to be subject to rigorous environmental safeguards, but threats to retrospectively change decisions undermine confidence in the planning system.

“Political threats discourage businesses from making the new investments in our regions that create jobs and grow wages.  

“Australians across the country are crying out for action to reduce their power bills, deliberately undermining the delivery of new supply into the system will do nothing to reduce power bills for families or small businesses.

“The Business Council has long called for the lifting of unscientific moratoriums on gas exploration alongside strong and balanced environmental protections.

“The red-tape burden is already a hurdle to business investment in Australia. Planning decisions subject to political whims will only make it harder for NSW to attract the investment it needs.”