Senate asks about tax on gas companies
Introduction
A Senate group asked questions about tax on gas companies. They had a meeting in Perth on Friday. Big gas company leaders and a group for the gas industry talked to some senators. Some senators want a 25% tax on gas that goes to other countries.
Main Body
The meeting was led by Senator Steph Hodgins-May. People from Woodside and Chevron talked. Samantha McCulloch from Australian Energy Producers also talked. The meeting was friendly but sometimes difficult. Senator David Pocock and The Australia Institute started the idea of a 25% tax. They say the current tax does not pay Australians enough for their gas. The gas company leaders said they do not want the new tax. Maggie McCourt from Chevron said the current tax is good for big and risky gas projects. Graham Tiver from Woodside said his company pays a lot of tax. He said Woodside paid $22 billion in tax since the tax started. Senator Hodgins-May was not happy that the top leaders of Woodside and Chevron did not come to the meeting. Chevron said Maggie McCourt was the right person for tax questions. The meeting also asked about money the companies give to political groups. Senator Hodgins-May asked if the companies bought tickets to a dinner with the Treasurer. She asked if they talked to the Prime Minister or the Western Australian Premier about the tax. The companies said they would answer later. Senator Pocock asked about special passes to go into Parliament House. The companies said they have these passes. McCulloch said she has a pass but does not remember who gave it to her. News says the Prime Minister probably will not use the 25% tax in May. The idea became popular on social media. It says the government could get $17 billion each year from gas companies. But world problems with oil made the Prime Minister talk to oil companies about fuel. He said gas for other countries will not stop. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said he does not want the tax. He said the state needs a good place for companies to invest money for many years. The Senate group will give its report next month.
Conclusion
The Senate meeting showed a big difference between gas companies and people who want a new tax. Gas companies say a new tax will stop investment. Critics say the current tax does not pay the public enough. The 25% tax idea probably will not happen in the next budget. The Senate group will give its report next month.