Until a 25% gas export tax is put in place, Australians are missing out on billions every year that could be used to support people through the living standards crisis.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the prime minister’s national address on the impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, policy responses to fuel price hikes, Australia’s gas giveaway and Greg’s visit to a gas conference.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 2 April 2026.
Check out our Australia’s Gas Giveaway live tracker.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Prices skyrocket but major fuel shortages “very unlikely”, Follow the Money (April 2026)
Australia’s land value has gone through the roof. Where does that leave young people who want to buy a home? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
Fuel costs and RBA hikes equal to a 90 basis point rate rise: ‘this is brutal’ by Greg Jericho, The Point (March 2026)
Fuelling inequality: The brunt of a global crisis should not be borne by people in poverty by Kristin O’Connell, The Point (March 2026)
The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026)
Tax gas exports, invest in health/aged care – new polls, the Australia Institute (March 2026)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
The Albanese Government is being urged to rule out changes to the Electric Car Discount in the May budget, as global fuel volatility intensifies pressure to ease the cost of living.
Economists and other inflation watchers are claiming that the cut in the fuel excise will be inflationary. This is not true, as this claim ignores everything else that is happening in the economy right now.
On the back of polling showing strong support for tax concession reductions for property investors, independent member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps has voiced her support for the government to make changes in the upcoming federal budget to make housing fairer.
