Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Corporate profiteering by big gas corporations skyrocketed after the invasion of Ukraine, causing rising power bills, and it's about to happen again, thanks to Trump and Netanyahu's attack on Iran, which you support. These corporations literally take Australian gas for free and make obscene profits from it. Will you put a 25 per cent tax on gas exports as advocated for by the ACTU?

Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I'd like to let the member know that imposing new costs on the gas industry would freeze gas production in this country, and a tax on gas exports, as has been proposed by those opposite in the last election, would discourage investment in the new supply we need to back up our transition to net zero. We need gas as a firming capacity for renewables, whether they be solar or wind. This is what the International Energy Agency says and it's what AEMO says, as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Many, many highly reputable global institutions that look at these matters agree there is a role for gas in net zero. But, really importantly, we have worked and we have legislated—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fisher is now warned.

Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the net zero target, and gas will support it. But, in relation to putting more costs onto the gas industry, they, in fact do pay a significant amount of tax into our system. I would also add that they employ many, many Australians right around the country, whether that be in north-western Western Australia or in Darwin—also in the north of Queensland, as well as even in Victoria, as it turns out, and also in South Australia. It's a very important industry. Thank you for the question.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Ryan on a point of order.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, the question was about taxing gas supply, not the—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has completed her answer.