Cooked: Has the gas industry captured WA?

Join Konrad from Punter's Politics and Mark from the Australia Institute as they discuss the gas industry, its influence on the government and what we can do about.

90% of WA’s gas is exported by a handful of mostly foreign owned gas corporations, and the Australian Government gives them most of that gas for free. None of these projects pay petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) on the gas they export, and Western Australian motorists pay more in vehicle registration than the multi-billion gas export industry pays in royalties to Western Australia.

Despite that, the Western Australian Government lobbies overseas gas customers, pushed the Australian Government to stop its nature law reforms, remains the only state without a 2030 climate target, has weakened the state’s Environmental Protection Agency, and regularly repeats discredited gas industry claims that increasing fossil fuel exports will reduce emissions.

The burning question is, does the gas industry have too much influence with the government and if it does, what do we do about it?

SPEAKERS:

Konrad Benjamin - Founder, Punter's Politics

Konrad Benjamin is the straight-talking founder of Punters Politics, where he breaks down complex political and economic issues into language everyday Aussies can understand. A former economics teacher turned political commentator, he's built a following of hundreds of thousands by cutting through the BS and explaining what really matters to working Australians. His mission is simple: give punters the knowledge they need to see through corporate propaganda and hold politicians accountable.

Mark Ogge - Principal Advisor, The Australia Institute

Mark Ogge is Principal Advisor at The Australia Institute. He is widely published on climate and energy issues, specialising in the gas industry and the impacts of climate change, particularly the effects of heat and heatwaves. He also takes The Australia Institute’s research to regional communities across Australia, particularly those most impacted by the expansion of the coal and gas mining. Prior to joining The Australia Institute he was a director at Beyond Zero Emissions.