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Gorman Backs Domestic Gas Reservation Bill

The federal Perth MP voted for a scheme requiring gas exporters to reserve 20 per cent of stock for the domestic market, as WA seeks an exemption.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Isometric editorial illustration of a steel gas pipeline valve and manifold on a flat arid plain, representing domestic gas reservation policy.
Federal MP Patrick Gorman voted for a national scheme requiring gas exporters to reserve 20 per cent of stock for domestic use, as Liberals push a Western Australia exemption. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the federal government override state gas policies with a national reservation scheme?

Perth federal MP Patrick Gorman voted for the Domestic Gas Reservation Bill 2026, which would require gas exporters to reserve 20 per cent of stock for the domestic market. Liberal Party amendments to exempt Western Australia from the scheme are due for a Senate vote in a fortnight.

Why it matters

The bill would set a national domestic reservation requirement, while WA already operates its own state gas reservation policy introduced in 2006. The outcome of the Senate vote will determine whether WA is carved out of the national scheme.

The bill requires 20 per cent of gas stock to be reserved for the domestic market, a figure that stands against WA's state reservation policy in place since 2006. It remains unclear whether the Senate will approve the Liberal amendments exempting WA ahead of the vote in a fortnight.

The players

Patrick Gorman

Patrick Gorman is the federal Labor member for Perth and voted for the Domestic Gas Reservation Bill 2026.

Roger Cook

Roger Cook is the Premier of Western Australia who has urged WA senators to support the exemption amendments.

The details

Gorman voted for the national scheme and later met WA Premier Roger Cook in Canberra, while Cook urged WA senators to back the Liberal amendments. Gorman defended his vote alongside WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti at a public transport announcement on Sunday.

Timeline

  1. 2006: WA introduces its state gas reservation policy.

  2. 8 November 2026: Gorman defends his vote.

  3. Sunday, 8 November 2026 (approximate): Gorman and Saffioti speak at a public transport announcement.

  4. Around 22 November 2026: Senate vote on the WA exemption amendments is due.

Legislative Context

The national bill would extend the domestic reservation approach that Western Australia has applied under its state gas reservation policy since 2006. The proposed Senate exemption would keep WA's existing scheme operating alongside any national requirement.

If the scheme passes without a WA exemption, gas exporters would be required to reserve 20 per cent of their stock for the domestic market, which could affect how gas is supplied within the state. Whether WA retains its existing arrangements depends on the upcoming Senate decision.

The takeaway

The Senate vote on the Western Australia exemption will determine whether the national domestic gas reservation scheme applies uniformly across the country or leaves WA's state policy in place. Readers should watch the outcome of that vote in a fortnight.

What happens next

A Senate vote on the Liberal Party amendments exempting Western Australia from the gas reservation scheme is due in a fortnight.

Further reading

For broader background, explore Legislative Policy coverage across Australia.

Live Poll

Should the federal government override state gas policies with a national reservation scheme?