ABC News: Labour Shortage Tops Gas Industry Carbon Tax Fears

“A Liquefied Natural Gas group says there are more pressing problems for the oil and gas industry than the Federal Government’s carbon tax plan. Shadow Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane has told a South-East Asia Australia Offshore petroleum industry conference in Darwin that the carbon tax will hurt Australia and its LNG exports. But Poten and Partners representative Stephen Thompson says exports are facing tougher issues in Australia. ‘It (carbon tax) is probably probably not the most significant issue that people are worried about right now,’ he said. ‘The shortage of labour and how to get enough people to do all of the projects Australia is currently embarked on is probably the most significant problem people have in mind.'”