Election campaigning seemingly puts LNG import terminal decision on hold

The Government's run out of time to complete the procurement process for a billion-dollar LNG import terminal. 

Energy Minister Simeon Brown had intended to sign a contract with a supplier before the end of the year out of two possible candidates, but no deal's been confirmed.

New Zealand First and ACT haven't voiced support for this timing.

But Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones told Mike Hosking the Coalition agrees gas should be the energy buffer.

However, he says Father Time has snatched the opportunity away, because for the next six weeks people need to concentrate on the election.

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