McConnell Dowell was the proud sponsor of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia's (CEDA) Gas Market - Policy and Investment Outlook forum held in Melbourne today.

The event brought together gas market stakeholders, industry representatives and policy-makers to discuss commercial and policy developments in Australia's east coast gas markets.

McConnell Dowell’s Executive General Manager of Pipelines, Jim Frith, opened proceedings and highlighted the importance of collaboration across the industry as it undergoes some significant transitions.

Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) Chairman John Pierce then delivered the key note address outlining the development of current reviews into the East Coast Wholesale Gas Market and Pipeline Frameworks, and the Victorian Declared Wholesale Market.

The forum concluded with a high-level panel discussion on the current outlook for gas. In addition to John Pierce, panel members included industry leaders such as Rosemary Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Consumers Australia; Shaun Reardon, Executive General Manager, Strategy and Markets, Jemena; and Stuart Jeffries, Director - Australia Gas Marketing, ExxonMobil Australia.

The forum was well attended with approximately 200 guests. They gained an understanding of the challenges facing the gas industry, as well as the complexities facing our policy makers as they seek to establish the mechanisms and frameworks that will underpin Australia’s clean energy future.