IEEFA – The Hidden Costs of the LNG Boom, Oct 2025

The main theme of the report is the hidden economic and environmental costs associated with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export boom in Queensland, Australia.

Key findings include that the economic contribution of LNG has fallen short of expectations, the gas sector makes a modest contribution to employment, LNG exporters in Queensland have not paid taxes for nearly a decade, gas royalties have not delivered expected revenues, rising gas prices have increased costs for households and businesses, electricity prices have risen along with gas prices, gas prices have contributed to inflationary pressure and a downturn in the manufacturing sector, and LNG exports have increased electricity demand and emissions in Queensland.