David Pocock on getting a fair return for Australian gas

Australia is one of the largest exporters of gas in the world, yet beer drinkers pay more tax than the gas industry pays in Petroleum Resources Rent Tax.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator David Pocock and Dr Richard Denniss join Leanne Minshull to discuss the case for a 25 per cent gas export tax, why Australians currently get so little in return for the country’s finite resources, and how the gas industry wields power in parliament.

This episode was recorded live at the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub event on Wednesday 15 April. Subscribe now to find out about more live events from the Australia Institute.

Guest: David Pocock, Independent Senator for the Australia Capital Territory // @davidpocock

Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull

Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley

Show notes:

Australia’s Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute

The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026)

Beer, HECS and visas: things that raise more revenue than the Petroleum Rent Resource Tax (PRRT) by Matt Grudnoff, The Point,

Senate inquiry into taxing gas exports begins as experts call system ‘broken’ by Tegan George, The Point (April 2026)

Japanese Government collects more tax from Australian gas than Australian Government, the Australia Institute (April 2026)

One Nation and Greens voters strongly support 25% Gas Export Tax: poll, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.