The executive director of APIA, Dr Allen Beasley said that Australia's energy policy is too preoccupied by the theory of regulation rather than any demonstrable commitment to effective commercial outcomes.

Duke Energy's $400 million dollar Tasmanian Gas Pipeline project is a good example of the benefits that can flow from effective partnerships between private sector developers and a "government that understands the benefits that pipelines bring to the community," according to Dr Beasley.

Natural gas is seen as an essential catalyst for regional growth and employment in the downstream manufacturing and processing industries and Tasmania can expect the benefits of this pipeline to grow strongly over time.