Queensland groups call for 25% gas levy to raise billions for cost of living relief, communities
A coalition of Queensland organisations has called on the Federal Government to make gas corporations pay their fair share, as a parliamentary inquiry into gas taxation begins today ahead of the Federal Budget.
As households face rising bills, gas companies are exporting Queensland resources at record profits. In a joint statement released today, a coalition of community organisations has backed a 25 per cent levy on gas exports, arguing Queenslanders are missing out on billions in revenue.
The call comes as the Senate Select Committee on the Taxation of Gas Resources holds its first hearing today, placing renewed focus on whether Australia is receiving a fair return from its gas exports.
Queensland exports the gas. Queensland should get the return.
Add your name to the call for this simple, practical way to ease cost of living pressure and invest in stronger, more resilient communities:
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Queensland Conservation Council Acting Director, Anthony Gough, said
Gas companies are profiteering from global conflict, while Queenslanders are left paying higher bills and the cost of worsening climate disasters.
The war in Iran is driving up global gas prices, and instead of protecting Queenslands, the system is letting corporations cash in while emissions and costs keep rising for communities.
With more than $70 billion in gas exports each year, a 25 per cent levy would return around $18.6 billion annually back to the Australian public, including around $5.6 billion linked to Queensland's share of exports.
That's money that could go straight into cutting power bills, preparing communities for floods and cyclones, cleaning up old mine sites, and helping households switch to cheaper, cleaner energy.
With the Federal Budget days away, this is a simple, practical way to ease cost of living pressure and invest in stronger, more resilient communities.
Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate said
Queensland families are being hit from all sides with higher power bills, rising insurance costs, and the growing toll of climate-fuelled disasters, while gas companies export our resources and keep the profits. It’s only fair that a minimum 25 per cent tax on gas exports returns more of that wealth to Queensland communities.
Parents want to see that money used to lower bills, strengthen our communities, and build a cleaner energy future our kids can rely on. Gas export taxes could fund cost-saving solar and batteries for social housing, schools and childcare centres. It shouldn't just be on the shoulders of hard working families to pay for a brighter future in Queensland.
Nikita White, Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia said
Climate change is no longer a future threat, but a present one, already harming people in Australia and across the region. Fundamental rights such as the right to life, health and housing are currently under threat. Climate change is being driven by the oil, coal, and gas companies who earn enormous profits at the expense of everyone's human rights.
Amnesty supports a 25% levy on gas exports to support a just transition to renewable energy rooted in respect for human rights.
Gladstone Conservation Council Co-ordinator Emma Smith said
Central Queenslanders are facing the cost of living crisis while watching billions of dollars of gas sail through our harbour. A 25% levy would help provide much needed relief to families right across regional Australia as we face increasing climate impacts.
Over the last 10 years, Gladstone locals have watched over $100 billion of gas exports leave our harbour. This gas comes at a cost, both as pressure on our region during construction, and in climate disasters we’re paying for now. In a cost of living crisis, the gas giants should be supporting the country that supports them.
Watching Gladstone's gas ships sail out to sea is a reminder that there's plenty of money out there, but it's going offshore, as gas to burn somewhere else and come back to us as a climate disaster. Our social systems are under strain, and the cost of living is only increasing. The gas giants should be supporting the country that supports them.
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