Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Callum Godde and Mibenge Nsenduluka

Vic Libs dismiss gas reserve policy fears

In an election promise, Matthew Guy will keep new gas discovered in Victoria for state-only use. (Mark Stewart/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The Victorian coalition is defending its gas reservation plan despite experts raising concerns about its feasibility.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and energy spokesman David Southwick were spruiking for a third day the coalition election promise to quarantine all new gas discovered in Victoria for state-only use.

Holding the 2020 Victorian Gas Program report, Mr Southwick dismissed Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's suggestion the policy would lead to fracking as there are no known quantities of conventional onshore gas in Victoria.

"This is a minister that is clearly not across her brief," he told reporters in Warragul on Tuesday.

"In this report, it actually says that there is 800 petajoules of gas available."

However, the program's website states "there are currently no proven and probable (ready for imminent development) onshore conventional gas reserves in Victoria".

"I just don't accept that at all," Mr Southwick said.

Monash Energy Institute Director Professor Ariel Liebman has questioned how the coalition plans to implement the plan given Victoria is part of a national energy market.

"It's just not practical. It's all about the commercial incentives for these companies," he told AAP.

"Physically you could do it but to implement it you'd probably have to put in a whole bunch of micro-regulations around specific locations and specific companies."

The Grattan Institute's Tony Wood has also suggested the policy could encounter logistical and financial challenges.

Asked whether the Grattan Institute was wrong, Mr Guy said: "They must be."

Daniel Andrews is promising $71 million to set up 20 women's clinics across the state if elected. (Luis Ascui/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Mr Southwick pointed to Western Australia, which requires companies to keep at least 15 per cent of its gas for state use.

WA is not connected to the national energy market.

It comes after Labor promised women across Victoria access to new, specialist health clinics if re-elected on November 26.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday announced $71 million for 20 comprehensive clinics across the state where women can access treatment and advice.

"For too long, too many women haven't been listened to and their health issues have been ignored," he said in Geelong.

In September, a survey by non-profit organisation Jean Hailes for Women's Health found most migrant and Indigenous women across the country could not afford to see a doctor.

Mr Andrews said the new health clinics would provide all women, including marginalised groups, with better healthcare options.

Each women's health clinic would provide assistance for a wide range of health concerns including period pain, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome and managing the symptoms of menopause.

An estimated 200,000 women in Victoria suffer from endometriosis and about 85 per cent of women will experience symptoms related to menopause.

It's estimated the clinics would help up to 35,000 patients a year.

Health minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the services would help destigmatise women's health issues.

Labor also pledged to expand its sexual and reproductive healthcare by putting $6.4 million towards nine health hubs, after previously promising free tampons and pads as part of a $23 million package.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.