The research into the operations of Japanese gas exporter INPEX comes as both Labor and Coalition representatives have stated that Australia's gas supply issues are caused by gas exports and the lack of restrictions placed on them.
The new research focuses on INPEX, which operates a large gas export terminal in Darwin.
INPEX:
- Exports more gas each year than is used in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia combined.
- Sells no gas to Australians, outside of emergencies
- Pays no royalties, effectively getting the gas for free
- Pays no Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT)
- Has paid no corporate tax on $21 billion in gas exports since 2015
"INPEX is emblematic of Australia's gas export problem," said Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor at The Australia Institute.
"The Australian government is giving vast amounts of Australia's gas to INPEX for free.
"To add insult to injury, INPEX has paid no company tax on billions of dollars' worth of gas exports.
"While INPEX exports huge volumes of free gas, the Northern Territory Government is subsidising risky fracking projects to supply Territorians.
"With all sides of politics finally recognising Australia's gas export problems, the next parliament will be in a good position to do something about it."
