“Conservative voters get it,” said Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“Older voters and voters in regional areas were the most likely to believe Australians should be getting a fairer share of the proceeds of our gas exports.

“Conservative voters also strongly support the introduction of a tax on gas exports. They understand that Australian governments need to put the interests of Australian businesses and households ahead of the interest of the export gas industry.”

The Survey of 1089 people by YouGov, conducted on 8-10 April, shows that  71 percent of Coalition voters agree with Peter Dutton that Australia does not have a gas shortage and that high gas prices in Australia are caused by the fact that Australia exports too much gas.

The polling also found:

• 71% of Coalition voters and 73% of Trumpet of Patriot voters support a gas export tax.
• Support for an export tax is strongest among men (66%), voters over the age of 65 (69%) and voters who live in regional areas (66%).
• Across the community as a whole, 56% of voters agree with Peter Dutton that Australia exports too much gas and 61% support his call for a gas export tax.
• 13% of people disagree that Australia exports too much gas and 12% oppose the introduction of a gas export tax.

“This polling shows why Peter Dutton has been so strong in his support for putting the interests of Australians ahead of the gas exports tax industry. At a time when Donald Trump is declaring his determination to put the interests of America first, it should come as no surprise that Australians want their representatives to put Australians first as well,” said Dr Richard Denniss.

“Australians aren’t stupid. They know Australia has plenty of gas and that exports are the problem, and can see through the gas industry’s self-serving propaganda.

“The only question now is whether Labor will risk the wrath of the gas industry and join the Coalition in calling for a gas exports tax of its own.”

Background:

• 80% of Australia’s gas is exported (90% in WA, 70% in eastern states).
• Gas exports have tripled wholesale gas prices in eastern Australia and led to a doubling of electricity prices.
• Gas companies get most (56%) of the gas they export from Australia royalty-free.
• No gas export company has ever paid Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT).
• None of the giant gas export projects in QLD, exporting eastern Australia’s gas, have ever paid company tax.

The Australia Institute is a member of the Australian Polling Council. The polling methodology, long disclosure statement and margin of error for polling questions are included in the appendix of the report attached to this email.