Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister Wong, representing the Treasurer. It's promising to hear that the government is modelling a gas export tax. Gas corporations will continue to make windfall wartime profits for months or even years as bombs continue to rain down in the Middle East. Ordinary people are paying the price while gas companies profit off their pain. Polling today shows that 61 per cent of Australians support taxing export gas. With the Greens, you have the numbers to pass a gas export tax of at least 25 per cent this fortnight. Are you ready to stare down the greedy gas corporations and make them finally pay their fair share?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Waters for her question. I did observe the public statements from the Greens, and they have a consistent position on this. Obviously, the government's focus on tax is rolling out tax cuts for every taxpayer, which I note that those opposite opposed. We're obviously closely monitoring events in the Middle East, as I went to in my first answer.

The principle of Australians deserving a fair return from natural resources they own is a sound one, and it is one that Labor in government has held to. In our first term, we did make changes to the petroleum resources rent tax so that offshore gas companies paid more tax sooner, increasing the number of entities paying tax, and also to encourage investment in our resource sector through the production tax credit for critical minerals.

I would note that we are in a time of global instability, and, as the first few questions of question time elicited, leaving aside any of the political discussions, this is a major challenge for the country. The government's immediate priority is fuel security, and we are focused on securing supply.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, first supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government has supported this illegal war which has now led to a fuel crisis. The federal government could ease the fuel crisis by funding free public transport, as the IEA recommends. That would give cost-of-living relief and free-up fuel supplies for farmers and regional areas. Will you work with the states to introduce free public transport to help families, farmers and fuel security?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is true one of the measures, I think, that the International Energy Agency has spoken about is public transport, amongst other things. As you correctly note in your question, however, Senator, those are matters for the states and territories. In relation to coordination between state and federal governments, obviously, the Prime Minister convened National Cabinet last week. It is true that a number of aspects of response to these challenges and the fuel constraints globally are—those responsibilities are shared between state and federal governments, and I'm sure the Prime Minister will continue to hold those negations and seek to work cooperatively with the states.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, second supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If this crisis has taught us anything, it's that we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels. However, your government has indicated that the electric vehicle fringe benefits tax exemption is on the chopping block in this year's budget. Given that we are in fuel crisis, will you rule out making it harder for people to buy electric vehicles in the budget?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to respond. I would note that the sup was about EVs and the primary was about the PRRT, but that's fine. I'm happy to answer as best as I can. I think this government has made clear, very clear, the importance of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable forms of energy. There is a climate argument for that, there is an economic argument for that, and I think, as has been demonstrated, there is a resilience argument to that transition. Also, as you and I have discussed in this chamber and elsewhere, Senator, we recognise that transitioning the economy is a big economic task. There are many levers, and there are many aspects of this which are required. You've seen what we have done in terms of our investment in renewable energy as well as electrical vehicles.