"We are being sold out": Konrad Benjamin criticises government inaction on gas tax reform

Former schoolteacher and Punter’s Politics founder Konrad Benjamin says he is being forced to “do Albo’s job for him” as the government resists mounting pressure for gas tax reform.

The Newcastle-based campaigner gave evidence at yesterday’s Senate inquiry into the taxation of gas exports, drawing criticism from industry figures and conservative commentators.

“Everyone is attacking me. The gas lobby are attacking me. They’re running attack ads against me,” he said.

“I’m the human shield for Albo to run behind and put the ball over the line.

“He just needs to move his bloody legs, because I am taking the hits.

Mr Benjamin, who has around one million followers across his social media channels, said it was up to the Prime Minister to pursue options in Australia’s best interests.

“I’m sure, with all his experience and resources at his disposal, he could have bloody done it, but no, he didn’t. So, I’ve got to do his job for him.”

The Australian has reported that Anthony Albanese is expected to reject calls for a new tax on gas exports in next month’s federal budget.

“We are being sold out. Grifted, stripped down for parts,” he said.

“Mark my words, he’s the guy that can fix it right now, and he isn’t, and I will not be surprised when he doesn’t.”

Mr Benjamin is behind the Punter’s Politics online platform, which aims to explain policy issues to everyday “punters” and give them a voice in political debate.

His videos attract anywhere from five to ten million views a month.

The former economics and PE teacher revealed in the Senate hearing that his followers have now bankrolled Australia’s first crowd-funded “people’s lobbyist”, with the move highlighting a broader irony.

“That is the inherent joke,” he said. “MPs are meant to be our lobbyist representatives for the regular person. But weirdly, I’ve had to employ someone to do their job for them.”

Punter’s Politics has raised close to $200,000 to fund the initiative and other campaigns.

“We are so desperate to get paid what we are owed, we are throwing our own money to get a lobbyist. We feel like we have to send in a lobbyist,” he told the committee.

“A people’s lobbyist is a clever way to shine a light on how Parliament works, and bring the public along on the journey,” said Bill Browne, director of the Democracy and Accountability Program at the Australia Institute.

“Parliament House should be open to the public, but security and administrative restrictions keep the corridors of power closed to most people.”

Mr Benjamin said it was important that people understand how lobbying works.

“I believe it to be true that there is the best interception game ever run,” he said.

“When the politician leaves that [meeting] room, they somehow get intercepted by lobbyists, vested interest groups and other interests against the Aussie public, to the point where by the time they walk from that room into the voting room, they vote against us.”

He said the popularity of his grassroots campaign shows “how little faith regular punters have in our politicians at the moment to stand up for us”.

“Good thinking, smart politicians should be able to look at the research and make it happen, but unfortunately, it has to be a bloody spectacle.”

Mr Browne said he wanted to see more people engage directly with politicians.

“Politics is good, and I’d like to see more people get involved — including by meeting MPs and ministers. Ultimately, access to government ministers should be transparent and equitable,” he noted.

With the budget to be handed down next month, Mr Benjamin urged people to question why the government can’t invest more in essential services.

“We understand that a stable democracy like ours, with lots of valuable natural resources, gives us a lot of leverage,” he told the committee.

“So, the question we punters have is, how is it that we are holding all of the cards, yet still losing?”

“This doesn’t only pass the pub test. This is outrageous.”

His takeaways from the inquiry?

“The biggest takeaway is that there are politicians in there that are fighting and, on our side – and then, the sadness of the whole thing is just how much of a joke it is.”