Opposition leader Peter Dutton released the modelling behind his proposed gas tax ahead of last night's election debate with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Labor is now the only party that hasn't rebutted the multi-national gas exporters' ridiculous claim that there is a shortage of gas in Australia when we are exporting huge quantities of it.
"Peter Dutton's proposal to put a tax on gas exports is proof of just how fast the world is changing now that Donald Trump has ripped up the free trade rule book," said Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.
"Australians have been told for a decade that we had a shortage of gas, but now Peter Dutton is rightfully arguing Australia has an abundance of gas and that all we need to do is to tax gas exports to ensure our gas flows first to Australian businesses and households. This is a big shift.
"Economics 101 says governments should tax things we want less of and subsidise things we want more of.
"So far in this election, we have seen the Coalition proposing a tax on gas exports and Labor proposing a subsidy for home batteries. It seems that after 10 years of ignoring economics, the major parties are starting to take energy policy seriously again.
"While it is concerning the major political parties both still support the construction of new gas wells and coal mines, now that it is clear that Australia does not have a shortage of gas it is likely that public support for new gas projects will change rapidly.
"There is no need for new gas or coal projects in Australia. The International Energy Agency, the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change all agree."
