A broad coalition of Australian community organisations has called on the Federal Government to introduce a gas export tax and reform housing tax breaks in the 2026 federal budget.
A joint statement, signed by more than 50 organisations including ACOSS, Foodbank Australia, Jesuit Social Services, National Shelter, Single Mother Families Australia Inc, People with Disability Australia, and the Public Health Association of Australia, calls for a 25% levy on exported gas and reform of capital gains tax and negative gearing.
The measures are contained in ACOSS' 2026 budget submission, released today, which also calls for a significant increase to income support and home energy upgrades to all social housing and private rentals.
"People on the lowest incomes are skipping meals, delaying medical care and rationing energy just to get by. Frontline services are operating at capacity, facing growing demand and increasingly complex needs. Current policy settings are not meeting the needs of our communities - it's clear that significant and sustained public investment is essential," said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.
"These measures could raise tens of billions of dollars each year to support investment in First Nations self-determination and raising the rate of social security, as well as social and affordable housing, community services, disaster resilience, and renewable energy."
A 25% levy on exported gas could raise up to $17 billion annually, ensuring people in Australia receive a fairer return from their natural resources.
"Australia is the world's second largest gas exporter, yet governments collect taxes at far lower rates than other resource-rich nations like Qatar," said Dr Goldie.
"Halving the capital gains tax discount and ending negative gearing would generate an estimated $20 billion over the first four years and significantly more over time, while easing pressure on the housing market."
ACOSS's budget submission argues that Australia must invest more in essential services and income supports.
"Australia's public revenue is about $100 billion per year below the OECD average, with 27 of the 38 OECD countries collecting more tax than what we do" said Dr Goldie. "We are also the 5th lowest in the OECD for public spending. We clearly have the capacity to raise more money and invest it where it's needed."
The submission calls the government to:
Halve the 50% CGT discount progressively over 5 years and end negative gearing immediately for new investments with a phase out over 5 years for existing investments
Introduce a 25% levy on gas export revenue and phase out the diesel fuel rebate for mining companies
Increase income support payments, such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment, to at least $600 per week and substantially lift the Remote Area Allowance
Set and fund national social housing targets to increase social housing to at least 6% of homes over a decade and 10% of homes over two decades, calibrated to alleviate housing stress and homelessness
Fix employment services by removing the harmful Targeted Compliance Framework and redesign employment services so they genuinely help people to get paid work
Provide energy upgrades to all social housing and private renters to reduce energy bills and improve health outcomes.
The joint statement
