2026-06-16
The Australian Greens are calling for a national plebiscite on a minimum 25 per cent tax on gas exports, after the Labor Government repeatedly refused to make multinational gas corporations pay a fair return.
The call comes after the Government rejected expert and community-backed proposals for a meaningful gas export tax, instead pursuing a gas reservation policy that will raise no revenue.
Greens spokesperson for resources and previous Chair of the Select Committee on the Taxation of Australia’s Gas Resources, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, said Australians deserved the chance to decide whether gas corporations should continue getting a free ride. She is calling on the Prime Minister to authorise a plebiscite on the question of a gas export tax.
Lines attributable to Senator Steph Hodgins-May:
“This is a simple question: does Anthony Albanese have the courage to listen to the people and stand up to the gas lobby, or will he keep doing their bidding?
“When Parliament refuses to act, the people deserve the chance to. The Greens are calling for a national vote on a minimum 25 per cent tax on gas exports.
“Labor has had countless opportunities to make gas corporations pay what they owe. Every time, they’ve folded in the face of pressure from one of the most powerful industries in the country.
“If Labor won’t listen to economists, experts, communities or the crossbench, perhaps they’ll listen to the Australian people. A majority vote for a gas export tax would be a mandate impossible to ignore.
“While Australians struggle with rising bills, multinational gas corporations are making billions exporting our resources and paying far too little in return.
“The gas belongs to the Australian people. They deserve a direct say on what a fair return looks like.
“A minimum 25 per cent tax on gas exports could raise $17 billion every year to help fund cost-of-living relief, strengthen essential services and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.”