Three of Australia’s leading community climate organisations have called on the Federal Government to introduce a 25% tax on gas exports, as momentum builds ahead of the May budget for action on the soaring profits being made by gas corporations during another energy crisis.
Doctors for the Environment Australia, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, and Parents for Climate are backing the push, calling for revenue from the tax to be directed to communities on the frontline of climate-fuelled disasters, relief for households facing soaring energy and insurance costs, and accelerating Australia's transition away from the volatile, polluting fossil fuel dependence driving the current crisis.
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Sean Kennedy - Senior Media Advisor - Climate Media Centre - 0447 121 378 - [email protected]
Kate Wylie, Doctors for the Environment Australia said:
"The catastrophe in the Middle East is a health and human rights disaster, and our hearts go out to all who are suffering. Here in Australia, we are seeing the economic shockwaves of our dangerous dependence on global oil and gas: food prices are rising, fuel costs are soaring, and the mental health and financial strain are landing hardest on everyday communities.
“As doctors, we see this harm directly. It is not fair that our communities bear this burden while gas corporations pocket immense profits and pay little to no tax on the gas they export. Making them pay their fair share - and using that money to ease cost of living pressures and move Australia toward genuine energy independence - is not just good economics, it's the ethical thing to do.”
With around 20% of global gas supply disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Australian LNG exporters are reaping sustained windfall profits. Despite this, many gas corporations continue to pay little or no tax, with Santos recording ten consecutive years of zero corporate tax payments up to 2024–25 despite $47 billion in sales.
Serena Joyner, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action said:
“Australians are losing homes, livelihoods and loved ones to the worsening disasters that are being driven by the pollution from gas and coal corporations. We have watched these corporations take our resources for next to nothing, post record profits while communities like ours are left to pick up the pieces, with little or no support. Enough is enough. It’s time they paid their fair share, and it’s time that money went back to our communities to help pay for the damage and the much needed investment into being better prepared for climate disasters.”
Australian communities are bearing the compounding costs of the crisis, with energy bills surging alongside rising insurance premiums and the ongoing financial aftermath of climate-fuelled disasters. Advocates say revenue from a 25% gas exports tax should deliver immediate relief to households struggling with energy costs, while funding the much needed investment in making our homes and communities more resilient to future climate and energy shocks.
Nic Seton, Parents for Climate said:
“Parents across Australia are struggling with soaring energy bills while gas corporations pocket billions. Our kids are already living in a more dangerous world because of climate pollution from the fossil fuel industry. Gas companies should pay their fair share of tax on these enormous profits, and that money should be used to help families with energy bills now and to build the clean, affordable, Australian-made energy system that will protect our kids’ future.”
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BACKGROUND
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The Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet has asked Treasury to model a levy on gas exports in advance of the federal budget, including reforms to the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax (PRRT).
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Santos reported ten consecutive years of zero corporate tax payments to 2024–25, despite $47 billion in sales.
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Right now, ordinary Australians pay more tax on beer than gas corporations pay on our natural resources through the PRRT.
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The Australian Institute’s figures estimate federal and state governments provide approximately $14.9 billion annually in fossil fuel subsidies — more than 14 times the nation’s $4.75 billion disaster response fund (Australia Institute, 2025).
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Fires, floods and cyclones currently cost Australia $38 billion per year — equivalent to $3,800 per household — rising to $73 billion projected by 2060.
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Over 80% of councils were impacted by climate-fuelled disasters between 2019 and 2023.
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Coal, oil and gas corporations are responsible for three quarters of Australia’s climate pollution.
Contact details:
Sean Kennedy, Senior Media Advisor, Climate Media Centre - 0447 121 378 - [email protected]