Energy Minister Dismisses Concerns Over Gas Price Cap, Opposition Says Plan Doesn’t Address Supply Shortfall

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen speaks to media during the 2018 ALP National Conference in Adelaide, Australia, on Dec. 16, 2018. Mark Brake/Getty Images

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has dismissed criticism from power companies following government plans to cap the price of gas and coal, but the opposition warned the centre-left Labor government’s plan will restrict supplies.

National cabinet on Friday agreed to cap gas at $12 a gigajoule and coal at $125 a tonne for 12 months, as part of a plan to lower rising energy prices.