There was much rejoicing at the site of Australia’s newest gas export terminal on the weekend, with politicians plugging the local role in the global energy game.

Celebrations at QGC's Curtis Island LNG terminal were held to mark the beginning of commercial operations for the first production train.

Construction of the first plant was a $US20.4 billion joint project between British firm BG Group and China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Fairfax Media reports say the three gas plants will drive up the price of gas in Queensland by increasing demand, because many projects would not have enough of their own gas reserves to meet export contracts.

Australian east coast gas customers are reportedly complaining of price hikes already, saying it makes them unable to lock in long-term supplies.

The newly-launched plant is the first of three LNG ports planned on Curtis Island, part of what Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says will be Queensland’s second largest export industry by the end of next year.

Macfarlane was at the site alongside Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

The pair agreed that Curtis Island showed what happens when governments act as a catalyst to make things happen.

“This is a great example of a fantastic export industry and I want to see more of this into the future,” she said.

The Industry Minister was full of praise.

“This plant is a world-first - it’s the first to produce LNG for export from coal seam gas, and is part of A$60 billion committed to LNG projects in Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“It will result in 3,400 sustainable jobs for staff and contractors, many in the Surat Basin, after reaching a peak of 14,500 jobs in November 2013.”