Leading scientists call for 25% tax on gas exports to make Australia a scientific powerhouse again
Open Letter on Gas Exports
Science is fundamental to the prosperity and wellbeing of all Australians, but despite a long history of world-leading discoveries, according to the Australian Academy of Science, Australia’s science system is going backwards. Declining funding risks weakening national capability, driving talent overseas and eroding our global competitiveness.
Good science needs good scientists. Yet Australia is facing a mass exodus of its science workforce with a third of surveyed workers saying they planned to leave the sector altogether.
Despite welcome recent increases in CSIRO funding by the Albanese Government, it has not prevented the loss of over 800 jobs under this government, with up to 350 more to go in the crucial fields of health and biosecurity, climate, environment, agriculture and food.
Australia Institute research shows that, in the midst of a mass extinction crisis, spending on environmental protection is just 0.3% of federal spending and set to decline to 0.1%.
Yet, at the same time, the Australian Government actively chooses to forego billions of dollars annually by not taxing the gas industry properly.
Australia’s gas exports make climate change worse. They damage our environment and present risks to agriculture and the economy. There are better, cheaper, cleaner alternatives to most uses of gas.
We call on the Australian Government to implement a 25% tax on gas exports to properly fund infrastructure and public services essential to Australia’s wellbeing, including scientific research and protecting our environment.
View the Open Letter with 70 signatories.
Quotes from Scientists
Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick: Professor of Climate Science, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University:
We are at a critical point in the climate crisis. The worst is yet to come, even more so if we do not reach net zero. Fossil fuels are the root cause of the literal hot mess we are in – it makes complete sense to tax them and place this money back into climate and adaptation science, so that we are far better equipped for the long road ahead.
Emeritus Professor John A Church OA FAA FTSE, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW:
Climate change is an existential threat to Australians, yet climate science funding and jobs are being slashed. Taxing the gas industry won’t just raise money to fund science and broader community needs: It will also deter unnecessary new gas export projects that are wrecking the climate in the first place.