Wednesday 23 April: A new Market Forces YouGov national survey finds that three out of five Australians (59%) agree that expanding renewable energy such as wind and solar with battery storage is a better solution to meeting Australia’s energy needs than adding gas power.
The nationally representative survey of 1,880 adults also finds that more than half (56%) believe that expanding gas fracking would not benefit all Australians because the vast majority of gas extracted in Australia is exported.
Banks and superannuation funds risk losing millions of customers if they continue to finance companies expanding gas fracking in Australia. More than one in three bank (35%) and superannuation fund (38%) customers say they would consider switching if they discovered their current provider finances companies involved in the expansion of gas fracking.
Will van de Pol, Chief Executive Officer, Market Forces said:
“This national survey confirms that most Australians want to see their energy come from clean and reliable renewable energy and not polluting gas.”
“Australia’s big banks and super funds must listen to their customers and end support for gas fracking, which is pouring fuel on the fire of dangerous climate change.”
Environmental and community impacts of gas fracking are key concerns for most Australians. Almost two in three (65%) Australians believe that gas fracking is harmful for the environment, including water sources, farmland, and the climate. More than half of Australians (51% agree, compared to 20% who disagree) believe gas fracking brings more problems than benefits to local communities.
Gas fracking’s environmental and health risks are so severe that it has been banned in Victoria, Tasmania and 15 countries worldwide, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Costa Rica as well as five states in the United States and four provinces and a territory in Canada.
The gas industry in Australia has plans to further develop massive gas reserves, including the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Sub-Basin, which holds gas reserves equivalent to more than 1,000 times Australia’s current domestic consumption. This gas fracking project would produce an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2050, or 48 million tonnes annually, equivalent to the emissions generated by Australia’s entire transport sector, including cars, trucks, buses and light commercial vehicles, domestic aviation, domestic shipping and railways, over two years.
There is significant public opposition to the expansion of gas fracking in Australia. The survey finds that Australians are 1.6 times more likely to oppose the expansion of gas fracking in Australia than support it. Nearly half of Australians are opposed to fracking (46%), while only slightly more than a quarter support it (28%).
Public trust in gas companies’ arguments for the expansion of fracking is low. More than twice as many (41%) Australians consider company arguments in favour of gas fracking untrustworthy, compared with one in five (20%) who disagree with this.
Contradicting gas industry claims, extensive research and modelling has found Australia does not need to develop new gas fields to support a rapid and stable transition to renewable energy, as outlined in the Market Forces national survey report.
“The gas industry is spending hundreds of millions trying to hoodwink us, but most Australians are not falling for this con job,” said Mr van de Pol.
“The evidence is overwhelming: public opinion is in line with the science telling us that clean and renewable energy is a much safer option than gas for the climate, our communities and our hip pockets.”
For media inquiries and interviews contact:
Antony Balmain, +61-423-253-477, [email protected]
Note to Editors: This research is based on a survey commissioned by Market Forces and delivered by YouGov Plc. All survey results are from YouGov unless otherwise indicated. The total sample size was 1,880 Australian citizens aged 18+. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd – 10th February 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian voters 18+ by age, gender, location, education, income and past Federal election vote.
Australia’s big four banks and top superannuation funds continue to finance or invest in companies involved in fracking in Australia, often without their customers’ knowledge and despite their net zero emissions commitments.
American companies Empire Energy and Tamboran Resources, are pushing ahead with plans for extensive gas fracking in the Beetaloo Basin. Both companies have already faced scrutiny for serious breaches and misconduct, despite having developed only a small number of fracking wells. APA Group, Australia’s largest gas pipeline operator, which is planning to construct several pipelines to enable the extensive Beetaloo fracking planned by Empire Energy and Tamboran Resources.
Additional Key Survey Findings
- Even supporters of gas fracking expansion have considerable concerns. Of those who support the expansion of gas fracking, nearly half (46%) believe expanding renewable energy is a better option, 42% believe it is harmful for the environment, and 26% say it would harm local communities. Their support is driven primarily by concerns over gas shortages, energy costs and a belief that more gas is needed to aid Australia’s transition to renewable energy. These concerns are understandable. However, as per the research cited in this report, with most gas exported, declining domestic demand, and renewables driving electricity prices down, increasing gas supply offers little benefit to Australian consumers.
- Australians are divided on whether gas fracking will lower energy bills, Australians are evenly split on whether gas fracking in Australia will lead to lower household energy bills, with almost one third of respondents (31%) agreeing and the same proportion disagreeing with this statement.
- Public opposition to the expansion of gas fracking is widespread, exceeding support across almost all key demographics, a rarity in a study of this magnitude. More people oppose than support gas fracking across all Australian states and territories, especially in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. Opposition is highest amongst rural Australians though opposition still exceeds support in all other regions.
— ENDS