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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In an interview with SBS News last night, the Prime Minister said that the proposal for a gas export tax was a slogan and that no-one seems to know what it means. The ACTU clearly knew what it meant when they proposed a 25 per cent flat tax on all gas exports to replace the broken PRRT. The ACTU has also been clear that a flat 25 per cent gas export tax would've raised $17.1 billion in 2023-24, and it would raise far more in the coming year of wartime profits. Does the Prime Minister really think that the peak union body doesn't know what it's asking for when it comes to a gas export tax and is simply spouting a slogan?

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

I don't think the Prime Minister and Leader of the Labor Party needs a lecture from the Australian Greens about the ACTU. We engage with the other part of our movement—the organised trade union movement—regularly, closely and personally, so I don't think we need any assistance from you in understanding where the trade union movement is coming from or the relationship between the trade union movement and our political party.

In relation to gas taxation, the point I would make is this. The government has put in place a reservation. A reservation is superior policy. It requires producers—

I know you don't actually think the economy matters, but we do. We actually think jobs in Australia matter, revenue for Australia matters and good income for Australians matters. The reservation is superior policy because it requires producers to supply Australia first. It will deliver lower and more stable prices and shield the Australian economy, and it will ensure that important manufacturing jobs in this country can continue to operate and can continue to flourish, given the importance of energy prices to so much of Australian manufacturing. So that is the real world of working people in which we operate, where we understand the importance of ensuring that facilities that require access to domestic gas are supplied. We understand the workers and the families that rely on that policy, and that is what the government has delivered.

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

As the Australian Services Union has noted, the $17 billion raised by our gas export tax is 'vastly more than the roughly $2 billion we currently receive under the PRRT. These public funds could resource the vital community services Australians rely on.' Why did the Prime Minister reject the opportunity to tax gas giants to fund services like housing, public health and aged care and instead raise funds by cutting 160,000 families off the NDIS?

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

We're very familiar with the ASU—in fact, I'm a member of the ASU—and I'm also familiar with the campaign that the ASU ran in relation to social and community workers, who have seen Labor governments deliver for working people again in terms of better wages and better conditions. For those workers particularly and workers more generally—and in the case of gender bias in the industrial sector and the work of women particularly being undervalued, also something that this government has acted on—

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

Senator Waters?

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

A point of order on relevance. I'm an ASU member as well. My question was about why you aren't listening to them and why you're punching down on disability families.

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

Thank you, Senator Waters. I remind you it's not okay to make statements. The minister is being relevant to your question.

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

I am surprised that you interrupted me when I was talked about gender undervaluation, because that is something that matters and that that union cares about, but, anyway, I'm happy to continue to talk about it. What I would say to you is that the government has been very clear that, in the middle of a fuel crisis and the biggest shock in global energy markets that we have lived through—it is the largest shock in global energy markets that we have lived through—

You might interject and dismiss that— (Time expired)

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

This budget cuts $4 billion from climate and renewable energy programs while keeping $47 billion for fossil fuel subsidies and giving millions for new gas fields and to prop up the destructive native forest logging industry. Why is the Prime Minister using the budget to keep the gas and coal industry happy, the loggers happy and Labor's corporate donors happy?

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

I'm not sure that's a supplementary question to a question about gas policy, but I will return to energy policy and say that this government is working with the community and with the private sector to steer Australia through the worst energy crisis that the globe has seen. I invite you to look at the analysis of this.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

I know this is inconvenient, but it is absolutely clear that we are currently living through a shock to energy markets that is the worst the world has seen. We are making judgements to ensure that Australians get access to the diesel, jet fuel, petrol and fertiliser that our economy needs. We make no apology for that, and we will continue to do that because that is the right thing to do for the nation and for the community.