Big gas is taking the piss

featuring Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during the first leaders' debate of the 2025 federal election campaign in Sydney, Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
AAP Image/Pool, Jason Edwards

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Peter Dutton has it half right on gas. There is no supply shortage, but Australians need to be using less gas – not more.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Mark Ogge join Ebony Bennett to discuss the fixing Australia’s gas export problem, making gas companies pay their fair share in taxes and royalties, and why there is no need for new gas projects.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 8 April 2025 and things may have changed.

Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis.

Guest: Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor, the Australia Institute // @markogge

Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Peter Dutton’s gas export tax is a good idea – and a turning point, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Giving away gas to 2030 by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Fossil fuel subsidies hit $15 billion, as crossbench seeks reform, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

‘Coalition pollster Freshwater Strategy working with ‘astroturfing’ pro-gas group’ by Pat McGrath and Kirsten Robb, ABC News (April 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

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Fossil fuel subsidies

When governments subsidise fossil fuels—coal, gas, diesel, petrol—they not only waste public money, they also make climate change worse. Subsidies and tax breaks make fossil fuels cheaper, making it harder to switch to renewable energy and cleaner technologies. Ending fossil fuel subsidies is common sense and good policy.