While many Australians are already aware that  multinational gas exporters pay less in PRRT than is raised by beer excise or student loan repayments, last week’s budget also revealed that the government collects significantly more from smokers of legal cigarettes, spirits drinkers and visa applicants.

The PRRT is supposed to ensure Australians get a fair return for the sale of our nation’s natural gas resources.

Next financial year the government expects to collect $6.2 billion from visa applicants, $3.6 billion from smokers, $3.3 billion from spirits drinkers, $2.8 billion from beer drinkers … and just $1.9 billion from the PRRT.

“Once again, the evidence that Australians are being taken for a ride by the gas industry is on full display in the budget papers,” said Dr Richard Denniss, co-CEO of The Australia Institute.

“It’s time the Prime Minister was fair dinkum with Australians.

“Last week Anthony Albanese said that the PRRT revenue was ‘ramping up’, but the budget papers reveal that simply isn’t true. The Prime Minister’s own numbers show that revenue from the PRRT is expected to fall from $1.9 billion next year to $1.3 billion by the end of the decade.

“Australians are constantly hearing how more than half the tobacco sold in Australia is bought tax-free on the black market, which has led to a big drop in how much the government collects from tobacco excise. But, despite the flagrant tobacco tax evasion, the sale of cigarettes still contributes far more to the Commonwealth budget than the PRRT.

“While the government may be unable to crack down on the illegal tobacco industry, it is simply unwilling to crack down on the gas industry.

“A 25% tax on gas exports, as proposed by the ACTU, would raise $17 billion dollars a year. Meanwhile, the government’s new gas reservation policy will not raise a cent.

“Budgets are about priorities and the budget papers show how this government is putting the interests of multi-national gas companies ahead of Australians living with a disability or those struggling to afford decent health or aged care services.”