Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed a push for a 25% gas export tax, calling the campaign 'dishonest'. The comment comes despite a Guardian Essential poll showing a majority of voters in favour of taxing profits on gas exports.
Poll Shows Support for Gas Tax and Fuel Excise Extension
The latest Guardian Essential poll of 1,067 voters found that 57% of Australians support taxing profits from gas exports, with only 12% opposed. Additionally, 68% of respondents want the fuel excise cut to be extended. The temporary halving of federal tax on petrol, saving motorists 26 cents a litre, is due to expire in June.
Albanese Defends Current Tax Settings
In an address to the mining industry in Perth, Albanese defended Australia's Petroleum Resource Rent Tax as 'sensible' and said the need to support investment in the resources industry was being 'lost in some of the populist rhetoric'. He stated that the public campaign for a gas tax had been 'dishonest'.
Fuel Crisis Shifts Attitudes Towards Renewables
The poll also found that the fuel crisis is driving more voters to support a shift to renewable energy. When asked about energy policy, 23% said Australia should move as quickly as possible towards renewables, and another 38% backed moving at a steady, manageable pace. Only 9% wanted to slow down the shift, while 20% said the country should not move away from coal, oil, and gas.
Australians Already Reducing Energy Use
Many Australians are already taking steps to conserve fuel. The poll found that 21% of respondents are switching to public transport, 40% are inflating their car tyres to the highest recommended pressure, 18% are rationing fuel, 38% are using heating and air conditioning at lower settings, and 31% are reducing travel by avoiding holidays or working from home more.
Blame for the Fuel Crisis
When asked what was most to blame for the fuel crisis, 42% of Australians pointed to the US and Israel for initiating military strikes on Iran. Another 17% blamed Iran for closing the Strait of Hormuz. However, 32% said the Australian government should have planned better for the energy shock.
Economic Confidence Drops
Inflation jumped to 4.6% in the year to March, up from 3.7% the previous month. The poll found only 14% of respondents expect Australia's economy to improve in the next six months, while 55% expect it to worsen. Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned that the fuel shock linked to the Iran war will ripple through the economy.
Support for Budget Measures
Labor's announced budget plans have received slim majority support. Restricting spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was supported by 52% of respondents, while boosting defence spending was supported by 51%. Cutting government spending to reduce debt was backed by 59% of Australians. However, 64% said the government should prioritise services and support even if it meant a budget deficit, while only 36% backed a surplus if it meant cutting jobs and services.
The poll also found that nearly half of Australians (46%) support reducing negative gearing and capital gains tax breaks for property investors, with only 23% opposed.
