Gas and petroleum industry spin doctors have won the day, successfully overturning restrictions on the potent greenhouse gas in the state.
The amount of lobbyists grew dramatically following the slated ban on gas in new Victorian homes, with 25 new gas lobby contracts found by Comms Declare across the country last year – mostly in Victoria.
12 Lobbyists and 25 gas-linked clients
* Anacta Strategies: JERA
* CMAX Advisory: Australian Energy Producers
* Counsel House: Inpex
* Dentsu Creative Public Relations: Hydrogen Engineering Australia
* GRACosway (Clemenger group/Omnicom): AGL, TasGas, Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Pty Ltd, Shell
* Hawker Britton (WPP): Equinor, Viva Energy, Woodside
* Horizon GR: Victorian Hydrogen & Ammonia Industries Ltd
* Primary Communication Partners: BOC, Elgas, Gas Industry Alliance
* Purple (WPP): Australian Gas Infrastructure Group
* SEC Newgate: APA
* Spring Street Advisory: ENGIE, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, GB Energy, Globird Energy, SEA gas,
* TG Public Affairs: ENGIE, Viva Energy, LETA
(source: https://www.lobbyists.vic.gov.au/)
Topping the lobbyists with 5 gas-linked clients is Spring Street Advisory, headed by Ken McAlpine, a Chief of Staff in the Labor Bracks and Brumby governments.
Australia’s largest gas heating manufacturer, Seely Australia, ran an ad campaign in marginal seats to try to overturn gas bans.
A group of gas companies also formed the ‘Renewable Gas’ brand which sponsored MasterChef, that is filmed in Victoria.
