‘Just do it and stop the crap,’ inquiry hears on taxing gas exports

‘Just do it and stop the crap,’ inquiry hears on taxing gas exports | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news ‘Just do it and stop the crap,’ inquiry hears on taxing gas exports 2026-04-21 The first hearing of the Select Committee into the taxation of Australia’s gas resources has heard evidence from leading experts and economists exposing how major LNG exporters are delivering minimal returns to Australians despite huge gas export profits.

Dr Ken Henry, an economist and former Treasury Secretary, told the committee that a tax on gas exports would have negligible impacts on Australia’s trade partners, whereas a gas reservation scheme, as is currently being explored by the Labor Government, ‘makes no sense’ and could damage trade partnerships if applied bluntly. A gas reservation policy also wouldn’t raise revenue.

New analysis presented earlier during the hearing by The Australia Institute shows that Japan’s import tax regime is generating more revenue from Australian gas exports than Australia’s own tax system. This means that while gas companies reap significant profits from our resources, a greater share of the return is being captured by overseas governments rather than our own.

Hearings continue tomorrow in Canberra and Friday in Perth. Lines attributable to Chair of the Select Committee: “The breadth and depth of community support for taxing gas exports is so large there is now a clear political risk for the government if they don’t tax gas exports in next month’s budget. “With people palpably frustrated with their living standards going backwards while gas companies make out like bandits during the war, this is the best chance for a gas export tax that the country has had for a very long time.

“A gas reservation without an export tax doesn’t fix the problem. It risks damaging trade relationships while raising zero revenue. That’s the worst of both worlds.

“Every time reform is proposed, the gas lobby cries that investment will flee. It hasn’t happened before, and the evidence we’re seeing shows it won’t happen now. “Projects keep going, profits keep flowing, and without Labor growing a backbone, Australians will keep getting ripped off.

“‘Tear it up and start again’ is what we heard about our current tax system for gas, the failed PRRT. “It is a complete rort that Japan is capturing more value from Australian gas than we are ourselves. That tells you just how broken this system is.

“Gas CEOs might be dodging this inquiry, but they can’t dodge the facts. Their arguments don’t stack up, and they know it.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

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