New South Wales today launched its first natural gas exploration tender in ten years, slashing the entry fee from A$50,000 ($35,800) to as little as A$1,000 ($716) to entice developers amid a supply crunch triggered by the war in the Middle East. The move comes as other Australian states rethink energy policy. Queensland has urged the federal government to fast‑track the Taroom Trough oil project, the first new oil development in 50 years, while the Australian government considers using emergency powers to safeguard domestic gas supplies if a shortfall hits the east coast in the third quarter of 2026. Earlier this month, Australia’s government said it was considering using emergency powers to protect domestic natural gas supply in case of a shortfall on its east coast in the third quarter of 2026. New South Wales is among the states most vulnerable to a shortage. Under the tender, the reduced fee is intended to lower the barrier to entry for companies exploring the state’s offshore gas fields. The original fee of A$50,000 equates to $35,800, whereas the new fee of A$1,000 equals $716. The government also highlighted the risk of a potential east‑coast shortfall in Q3 2026, prompting the use of the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism. The state’s natural resources minister said that “what we need to do, carefully and methodically, is make sure we are responsibly pulling every lever to support a stable and robust energy grid for decades to come.” Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Resources Madeleine King indicated that the government is considering powers under the ADGSM to protect supplies in the event of a shortfall. With the tender in place, New South Wales aims to attract investment that could secure a steady domestic gas supply, reduce reliance on Middle East imports, and position the state to meet future demand.