Natural gas lobby plans campaign to convince Australians of 'long-term necessity'

Groups also plan to undermine government attempts to regulate parts of industry identified by the competition watchdog for price gouging

A coalition of natural gas lobby groups are planning a coordinated campaign to convince Australians gas is "a long-term necessity", top industry lobbyists have revealed.

They also disclosed plans to undermine government attempts to regulate sections of the industry that have been identified by the competition watchdog for price gouging by offering the federal environment minister "something he can announce" - but which would not amount to regulation.