The Greens spokesperson for resources, Steph Hodgins-May, and Member for Ryan, Elizabeth Watson-Brown, condemn the major parties teaming up to shut down a tax on gas exports and One Nation for not even wanting to record a vote.
The issue was put to a vote in the House of Representatives, for the first time, today by Watson-Brown. It called on the government to implement a 25 per cent gas export tax.
Despite the evidence collected by the senate inquiry held into the topic in April and the overwhelming public support for such a move, Labor and the Liberals were united in voting down the measure.
As stated by Senator Steph Hodgins-May:
"This was Labor's chance to listen to the Australian people and back a tax on gas exports that would make multinational corporations pay what they owe.
"Instead, the major parties have once again joined forces to protect the interests of the gas lobby ahead of ordinary Australians struggling with the cost of living.
"It was particularly galling to see One Nation's newly elected MP campaign as an alternative to politics-as-usual, only to fail to use his first substantive vote to stand up for his constituents when it mattered most.
"At a time when Labor, the Liberals and One Nation continue to protect corporate interests, the Greens remain the only party willing to take on the gas giants and fight for ordinary Australians who are sick of billion-dollar corporations avoiding their fair share of tax.
"The Greens will continue to push for gas corporations to pay what they owe and an end to the loophole-ridden tax system that allows multinational corporations to make enormous profits while Australians pay more for energy and essentials."
As stated by Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP:
"What kind of democracy are we living in where the voices of the gas industry are louder than the voices of the Australian people?
"More than three in five Australians support a 25% tax on gas exports. They know we're being ripped off and they want gas corporations to pay their fair share.
"Today Labor MPs have voted to protect the gas corporations from paying their fair share of tax. One Nation and the LNP didn't even bother to show up.
"The major parties have voted against a tax that is incredibly popular, and would raise $17 billion a year that could fund real cost-of-living relief.
"Massive gas corporations have donated millions to the major parties, while we also see senior Ministers and even the PM parroting gas lobby talking points. It's clearly paid off in the vote today."
