Michael McLaren says the current situation with Australia’s gas exports is both “frustratingly confusing” and “exceedingly simple”.

The Afternoons host says the industry are “masters” at predicting when governments consider changing the rate they must send to the domestic market, noting any attempt to recalibrate how much of the output from Curtis Island is kept on Australian shores has been met with by “fierce” resistance.

“[By] Exporters who claim any such attempt would threaten their profitability, disturb their long-term economic plans and damage Australia’s international reputation as a reliable export partner. And by and large, for the past decade, governments have taken their side,” he said.

“But you just get the sense that the tide is starting to turn,” he added. 

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