With the federal budget looming, a gas export tax would drive down prices and fund vital public services at a time when Australians are feeling the pinch.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the case for a 25 per cent gas export tax, why global foreign aid spending has plummeted, and the likelihood of the government announcing reforms to housing investor tax concessions ahead of the May federal budget.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Capital gains tax changes are on the table, and yet Armageddon has not arrived. Has the tide on housing turned at last? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
Richard Denniss and Konrad Benjamin (aka Punters Politics) at the Senate Select Committee on taxing gas, The Australia Institute on YouTube (April 2026)
Taxing gas in Australia and Japan by Richard Denniss, Rod Campbell & Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (April 2026)
International aid enters historic decline with Australia among lowest contributors by Tegan George, The Point (April 2026)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
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Former schoolteacher and Punter’s Politics founder Konrad Benjamin says he is “taking the hits” and doing "Albo’s job for him" on gas tax reform, while his crowdfunded “people’s lobbyist” campaign reflects public frustration with how policy decisions are made and who influences them.
Former Treasury secretary Dr Ken Henry has delivered blunt advice to a Senate inquiry examining the taxation of gas exports. He urged Canberra to overhaul its tax regime, criticising decades of policy settings that have delivered limited public returns. He said a 25 per cent flat tax on gas exports was “a pretty small taxation burden relative to the price increases that have occurred recently.”
