Greens join calls for national vote on gas tax as pressure mounts on Albanese

The Greens have backed the Australia Institute’s call for a national plebiscite on taxing gas exports, with leader Larissa Waters urging voters to remind the Prime Minister “who his real boss is”.

Anthony Albanese ruled out the proposed 25 per cent levy ahead of the May budget, despite strong public backing and growing support from across the political spectrum.

Independent Senator David Pocock accused the Labor Government of “caving in” to the gas industry after the PM argued a gas export tax would come at the “worst possible time” and could jeopardise key trading partnerships.

“The Prime Minister is only listening to one group, the gas industry,” said Senator Waters in a video posted to social media.

“He is working hard for them, he is taking their money, he is parroting their talking points, he is writing legislation that benefits them.”

The call comes after the Greens unsuccessfully pushed Parliament to support on the tax earlier this month.

Both Labor and the Coalition opposed the proposed amendment, while One Nation was absent for the division.

“It was particularly galling to see One Nation’s newly elected MP campaign as an alternative to politics-as-usual, only to fail to use his first substantive vote to stand up for his constituents when it mattered most,” said Greens spokesperson for resources, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, in another video.

“If Labor won’t listen, we need to act in a way that can’t be ignored. A national vote will do that.”

Polling commissioned by the Australia Institute earlier this year revealed strong nationwide support for the levy, with One Nation and Greens voters identified as the most supportive.

“The Prime Minister’s written you off,” Senator Hodgins-May told viewers.

“He’s working to protect their profits, and he’s calling your demands a slogan. Maybe he’s trying to line up his next job.”

The Australia Institute is set to examine the proposal at a webinar on Friday, with co-CEO Leanne Minshull joined by Cheek Media Co. co-founder and CEO Hannah Ferguson and Australia Institute advocate Louise Morris.

“It’s not clear why the Government won’t impose a 25 per cent tax on gas exports, but what is clear is that they are not in a hurry to do it,” said Ms Minshull.

“That is why we are calling on the Government to hold a plebiscite on the question.

“It is nonsense to suggest Australia’s liquid fuel security is somehow dependent on giving our gas away for free.”

She said the levy could raise an estimated $17 billion a year – revenue that could have been used to offset cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The Greens have called on voters to make their voice “impossible to ignore”.

“It’s time we break the gas lobby’s grip on Canberra and put power back where it belongs — with you,” Senator Waters said.

Let the People Decide: The Case for a Gas Export Tax Plebiscite webinar featuring Hannah Ferguson, Leanne Minshull and Louise Morris will be 11am AEST Friday 19 July. Free, but registrations essential.