"This plan is being released at a time when Australia has no national energy policy and regulatory attitudes are deterring investment and ignoring commercial reality," said APIA executive director Dr Allen Beasley.

Dr Beasley said the plan includes an in-depth review of pipeline development opportunities and threats due to the abdication by policy makers of their responsibility to address systemic policy failings.

He added government policies indicated strong growth in demand for natural gas up to 2015 but the benefits would not be realised unless government policy setting supported the necessary infrastructure development.

"Without development facilitation, gas users face possible shortfalls in supply and higher energy prices," the Plan said. "Major investor members of APIA have indicated that their investment plans are being modified substantially because of current economic regulatory settings."

Some of the strategies for the APIA Business Plan include active involvement in regulatory issues, lobbying to ensure regulation and tax issues don't distort the investment climate, ongoing R&D to reduce pipeline costs as well as promoting information and technology transfer with national and international bodies.