Shane Jones: Associate Energy Minister on the Government's $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme for businesses

Shane Jones says many businesses won't survive without help moving away from natural gas.  The Government's setting money aside in Thursday's Budget to back loans for firms transitioning to other forms of energy.  The Associate Energy Minister told Mike Hosking many industries reliant on natural gas have been seeing their energy costs surge.  He says unless the Crown steps in, many face dire options and will fail.  Recipients can transition to any other type – not necessarily renewable energy.    Jones told Hosking it's up to each business what they use.  He says some may go towards LPG, some to electricity if local lines company can cope, and some to coal.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.