konrad benjamin is at the center of a growing debate over gas tax settings as Labor faces fresh internal pressure to raise the return on Australia’s gas resources. On Tuesday in Canberra, the issue sharpened when Labor’s environment action network urged a parliamentary inquiry to consider a very substantial levy on windfall profits. The argument lands as the Albanese government weighs possible changes ahead of next month’s budget and faces warnings that public anger over the current regime is building.
Pressure inside Labor is now out in the open
Labor’s environment action network, known as Lean, told the inquiry into the tax settings for the gas sector that the government should look at a far tougher approach to gas tax. Janaline Oh, Lean’s national secretary, said the group would definitely like to see a better return for gas resources and said that, within Labor membership, there is support for better returns to the Australian taxpayer. That puts the party’s internal debate squarely in public view at a time when the government is trying to balance revenue, industry reaction, and broader energy security concerns.
Ed Husic, the Labor MP, also restated support for a 25% export levy to end what he called the obscenely sweet deal enjoyed by gas companies under the existing petroleum resource rent tax system. The Greens-chaired inquiry is examining that proposal alongside other options to extract more revenue from major exporters. The pressure is not isolated: the Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims-backed Superpower Institute is pushing for a 40% cashflow levy, described as the fair share levy, to replace the PRRT. In that setting, konrad benjamin sits within a wider political fight over who should capture the profits from gas exports.
Budget choices are narrowing as warning signs grow
The government has already tasked the Treasury with modelling a windfall profits tax and changes to the PRRT, but appetite for major intervention has diminished amid the global energy crisis sparked by the Iran war. Senior Labor sources have all but ruled out a 25% export tax in the 12 May budget, partly to avoid antagonising Asian trading partners that Australia relies on for diesel and petrol supplies. On Tuesday afternoon, finance minister Katy Gallagher said government policy had not changed, while pointing to Anthony Albanese’s recent focus on securing energy supply guarantees across Asia.
That caution is colliding with pressure from inside and outside the party. Supporters of a new gas tax have warned politicians on all sides that failing to respond to the campaign risks a backlash from voters. The argument is no longer just about revenue; it is also about whether Labor can manage the politics of a tax change that could reshape relations with producers and trading partners at the same time.
Strong opposition is already forming
The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, said a 25% export tax would close down the gas industry and should be opposed. His position places him at odds with Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie. Western Australian Labor premier Roger Cook also opposed a new gas export tax, saying he did not think it would be good for Western Australia and that he had made those views clear to the prime minister.
For now, the clearest picture is one of a government under pressure from its own members, campaign advocates, and state leaders all at once. konrad benjamin remains a reference point in that debate as Labor heads toward the budget with no final decision announced and with the political cost of delay rising fast.
