PM rules out new gas export tax on existing contracts
Dan Jervis-Bardy
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has confirmed next month’s federal budget will not include a new tax on gas export contracts as he criticised the “dishonesty” of the campaign calling for a levy on producers.
As reported last week, Albanese was poised to reject pressure to introduce a 25% tax on gas exports amid concerns the intervention could alienate the same Asian trading partners Australia is relying on for supplies of diesel and petrol.
In a speech to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA on Wednesday, the prime minister directly tied gas exports to Australia’s fuel security amid the global energy crisis.
Albanese said:
double quotation markAnd the middle of a global fuel crisis is the worst possible time to jeopardise these partnerships, or the investment that underpins them. This is why I can confirm that the budget will not undermine existing contracts on gas exports.
Advocates for a 25% export tax want the new levy to replace the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT), which they argue is broken and failing to extract enough revenue from the gas giants.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 21.25 EDT
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Inflation being driven by oil crisis, Chalmers says
Chalmers said inflation was being driven by high oil prices. He said:
double quotation markEven with the spike in inflation from higher fuel prices coming out of the Middle East, we still have inflation substantially lower than what we inherited and what we saw in 2022.
We understand that people are under pressure, that is why we cut the fuel excise and providing cost of living help, why we are providing additional tax cuts and why we are providing a standard deduction to provide a bit more tax relief and cost of living help, and at the same time we are making medicines cheaper and making bulk billing more accessible.
We know the Australian economy is not immune from all of this global uncertainty and volatility and unpredictable conditions, but we are better placed and better prepared and have faster growth than any other advanced economy to finish up 2025.
Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 22.14 EDT
Jim Chalmers addresses inflation figures
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is speaking in Brisbane after the release of the latest inflation figures.
double quotation markSince we have halved the fuel excise, after this period we are talking about now and the inflation data, we have seen petrol and diesel prices fall by at least 70 cents in most capital cities and it shows how important the fuel excise relief is for the next couple of months.
Our excise cut has been a very important factor in taking some of the sting out of fuel prices and that is reflected in the movement of fuel prices in April.
Updated at 22.11 EDT
Labor ‘placating resources sector’ by ruling out gas tax, Zali Steggall says
Independent Zali Steggall has said Labor ruling out a gas export levy “raises serious questions about who this government is really serving”. In part, she said:
double quotation markAt a time when Australian households and small businesses are under intense pressure from rising energy costs, the Albanese government is more focused on placating the resources sector than addressing the cost-of-living crisis for ordinary Australians.
Australians are being asked to pay more for energy while watching billions in national resource wealth flow offshore with limited return to the public.
Experts are clear: Australia is not getting a fair deal from its gas resources. It is widely recognised that the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax fails to capture a fair share of resource wealth for Australians.
Australians deserve a Government prepared to act in the national interest, not one aligned with corporate fossil fuel interests.
Updated at 22.09 EDT
Inflation jumps to 4.6%
Patrick Commins
Inflation jumped to 4.6% in the year to March, from 3.7% the month before, in what experts say is the start of an Iran war-linked fuel shock that will ripple through the economy over coming months.
Financial markets are betting the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for a third straight meeting next Tuesday, as officials struggle to manage the “nightmare scenario” of containing inflation even as growth is expected to slow sharply.
The international oil price pushed back above $US110 a barrel overnight amid dimming hopes of an end to the US-Israel instigated conflict that has closed the strait of Hormuz, a critical arterial for the global flow of oil and other key commodities such as fertiliser.
Analysts predict consumer price growth will continue to climb from here as the surge in petrol and diesel costs flows through to the price of other goods and services.
Westpac economists, before the release of the latest data, expected inflation to reach as high as 5.8% in May, and only retreat to 4.7% by the end of this year.
Inflation has jumped to 4.6% in the year to March amid soaring fuel prices. Photograph: George Chan/AAPShare
Updated at 21.37 EDT
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Albanese defends petroleum resource rent tax regime
Advocates for a 25% export tax want the new levy to replace the petroleum resource rent tax (PPRT), which they argue is broken and failing to extract enough revenue from the gas giants.
In a Q&A after the speech, Albanese defended the existing regime as he criticised the “dishonesty” of the campaign against it.
The prime minister said the design of the PRRT – which Labor tweaked in 2023 – meant the tax revenue was expected to increase over time.
Albanese said:
double quotation markThe changes are designed to lift up the amount of revenue over a period of time, which makes sense, because you have an upfront investment of tens of billions of dollars, and so therefore the design is a sensible one that makes sense.
Without that investment, it’s not just about international … there’s a lot of focus on exports. Without that investment you wouldn’t have a domestic gas reservation here in WA because you wouldn’t have the gas. And that’s a pretty important point that is lost in some of the populist rhetoric, whether it be the sort of coalition of the far left or the far right.
Updated at 21.31 EDT
Prime minister Anthony Albanese is speaking now in Perth. He said the government had been “very clear” in its position on gas. He told reporters:
double quotation markWe’ve made very clear our position. The only thing I am concentrating on when it comes to fuel is supply.
Australians want to ensure that they have access to their gas. … We need to make sure that those supply issues are dealt with.
Updated at 21.26 EDT
PM rules out new gas export tax on existing contractsDan Jervis-Bardy
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has confirmed next month’s federal budget will not include a new tax on gas export contracts as he criticised the “dishonesty” of the campaign calling for a levy on producers.
As reported last week, Albanese was poised to reject pressure to introduce a 25% tax on gas exports amid concerns the intervention could alienate the same Asian trading partners Australia is relying on for supplies of diesel and petrol.
In a speech to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA on Wednesday, the prime minister directly tied gas exports to Australia’s fuel security amid the global energy crisis.
Albanese said:
double quotation markAnd the middle of a global fuel crisis is the worst possible time to jeopardise these partnerships, or the investment that underpins them. This is why I can confirm that the budget will not undermine existing contracts on gas exports.
Advocates for a 25% export tax want the new levy to replace the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT), which they argue is broken and failing to extract enough revenue from the gas giants.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 21.25 EDT
Childcare owner to close about 40 centres after allegations of abuse by former worker
A major early childhood education and care provider at the centre of a shocking case of alleged abuse by a former worker plans to shut about 40 centres across the nation, AAP reports.
The decision means parents using the “underperforming” centres will need to move their children to another nearby facility as staff are also redeployed “where possible”.
G8 Education, which has almost 400 early learning centres, made the announcement on Wednesday ahead of the for-profit’s annual general meeting of shareholders in Brisbane.
Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian
In 2025, former educator Joshua Dale Brown was charged with more than 150 sex offences against children. The abuse is alleged to have happened at multiple childcare facilities, including G8 centres, between 2017 and 2025.
G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said on Wednesday that G8’s focus remains on safety and providing high-quality care, while noting its occupancy rates are down.
Read more here:
Updated at 21.04 EDT
More than 100 people searching for missing five-year-old girl near Alice Springs
NT police said this morning more than 100 people are assisting with the search for Sharon, a missing five-year-old they believe was abducted from her home in Alice Springs last weekend.
Search and rescue teams have covered about 5 sq km of a 20 sq km search area near the Old Times Camp where Sharon lived. Officials have been searching for a 47-year-old man, Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison. They said they believe Sharon was led away by the man, who was last seen holding her hand late Saturday night.
Police officials said there had been a “huge turnout” in the search, including many official resources and volunteers. Police are happy for those in the community to join the effort, saying volunteers had been of “great assistance”.
Alice Springs local volunteers join police and emergency services to scour thick scrub and terrain. Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAPShare
Updated at 20.45 EDT
Protester charged over Palestine slogan pleads not guilty
Andrew Messenger
Liam Parry pleaded not guilty to charges of reciting a banned expression at a rally on 11 March at a court hearing on Wednesday morning.
He appeared in Brisbane magistrates court on Wednesday morning, charged with reciting “from the river to the sea” in a way that menaced, harassed or offended.
Parry pleaded not guilty to the charge in a brief hearing.
His lawyer, Emma Higgins, from Robertson O’Gorman solicitors, said the firm had briefed a senior counsel to defend the case. She said other people charged with the same offence, or third parties, such as the Human Rights Commission, might also appear in the case.
Magistrate Ross Mack adjourned the case for a mention on 2 July.
Updated at 20.32 EDT
Josh Butler
More Australians approve of Hanson’s party leadership than Albanese or Taylor’s
A majority of surveyed Australians approve of Pauline Hanson’s leadership of One Nation, giving her a higher job approval rating than Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor, as the Guardian Essential poll finds the rightwing populist party is outperforming the Coalition for the first time.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
The results come as Australians are becoming more pessimistic about the country and the economy, with the majority of respondents saying they expected things to get worse in the coming months.
The latest Guardian Essential poll, of 1,067 Australians conducted last week, found 23% of respondents strongly approved of the job Hanson is doing as leader of One Nation, with another 29% saying they approved. Only 11% said they disapproved and 23% strongly disapproved, giving a total of 52% approving and 34% disapproving.
Read more here:
Updated at 20.32 EDT
Jarome Luai confirms move to PNG Chiefs
Jarome Luai will be the face of Papua New Guinea’s NRL team after confirming he will leave Wests Tigers to take up a tax-free contract with the PNG Chiefs in 2028, AAP reports.
Luai has signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs, which includes an option for a third year, after he and his family flew to Port Moresby on a private jet over the weekend where he was wooed by PNG’s prime minister, James Marape.
Jarome Luai. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP
Upon his return from Port Moresby, the Samoan international indicated to the Tigers his eagerness to join the Chiefs as a foundation player for their maiden NRL campaign in 2028.
Luai is permitted to leave the Tigers because of the clauses he was given in his five-year deal.
The five-eighth is in the second season of that contract – which permitted the playmaker to activate an option to stay or leave after years three, four and five. Luai, 29, has told the Tigers he will take up his option to stay at Concord on a $1.2m a season deal in 2027 but has indicated he will then move to the Chiefs for their first campaign.
As part of PNG’s introduction, Luai’s salary will be completely tax free.
Read more here:
Updated at 20.00 EDT
Luca Ittimani
Labor’s tech levy could entrench big news outlets’ dominance, local media warns
Local and community media have warned large commercial outlets could be the lone beneficiaries of the Albanese government plan to force big tech companies into media deals.
The news bargaining incentive, announced yesterday, will tax tech platforms if they don’t negotiate with news publishers.
The Local & Independent News Association and Community Broadcasting Association of Australia represent a host of smaller outlets and some bigger names like Crikey and The Conversation.
The two groups said the incentive could leave out smaller publishers and entrench Australia’s status quo of media concentration. They said it could be redesigned to send tax revenue to grants for new publishers, supporting publications addressing diverse and underserved communities.
LINA’s executive director, Claire Stuchbery, said:
double quotation markThe news media industry has been through the fire and needs support to regroup and produce news that is helpful to communities.
Read more here:
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Benita Kolovos
Victoria opposition would cap public sector executive pay if elected
The Victorian opposition will today announce it will cap public sector executive pay if elected in November.
Jess Wilson will announce that if elected, the Coalition would cap base salaries for new senior public sector contracts at the same level as the chief justice of the supreme court – currently $598,248.
The cap will apply to new hires and any renewed or renegotiated contracts, increasing each year in line with wages across the state. The opposition estimates this would save the government more than $20m by 2036.
Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson. Photograph: James Ross/AAP
The announcement follows reports on Tuesday that special approval was given by the Victorian independent remuneration tribunal to bypass the state’s maximum remuneration bands for three executives. It includes an executive program director at the state’s infrastructure delivery authority, whose salary is $834,319 a year – more than $260,000 above the maximum band.
Wilson said:
double quotation markUnder Labor, the number of public service executives has tripled but crime is up, our roads are in disrepair and it takes longer to get an ambulance. It’s time for a fresh start that prioritises the basics. Only a Liberal and Nationals government I lead will restore financial discipline and put the focus back where it belongs.
Updated at 19.32 EDT
NSW to open two regions for gas exploration
The NSW government announced on Wednesday it will open two regions in the state’s far west for gas exploration, AAP reports.
Bancannia and Pondie Range troughs, north of Broken Hill, will be opened for gas project applications to complement the existing Narrabri Gas Project.
The government says the move is necessary to ensure reliable power in the coming decades, with the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasting gas shortfalls across the east coast.
Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
The fee to apply for an exploration licence will also be slashed from $50,000 to $1,000 in an effort to attract investment.
The state’s natural resources minister said any prospective project would still be subject to independent planning assessment, including consultation with traditional owners and being consistent with the state’s emissions targets.
NSW aims to cut emissions to 50% of 2005 levels by 2030 but this can only be achieved through further decarbonisation of the state’s power supply, the independent Net Zero Commission says.
Updated at 19.05 EDT
EV chargers could be installed in apartment buildings after $1.5m investment boost
Electric vehicle chargers could be installed in the basements of more than 400 apartment buildings around Australia as part of a $3.4m investment in the technology, AAP reports.
Sydney-based charging company ReadySteadyPlug announced plans to expand its charging network on Wednesday after securing a $1.5m investment from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The cash will allow the firm to target up to 428 electric vehicle charging points in a bid to remove a hurdle to EV adoption.
The announcement comes after Australians bought a record number of new electric cars in March, and after automotive groups issued a statement calling for certainty about charging infrastructure.
Rather than billing owners’ corporations or residents to install high-speed charging equipment, the company uses standard power outlets and software to deliver load management and metered charging to car parks.
“It’s just like charging your mobile phone,” the ReadySteadyPlug chief executive, Jukka Sintonen, told AAP.
Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPShare
Updated at 19.33 EDT
One Nation remiss to miss candidate’s Labor ties, Joyce saysLuca Ittimani
Barnaby Joyce has acknowledged One Nation may have made a mistake by not asking a star candidate about his past ties to the Labor party.
Nine newspapers on Monday reported the minor party’s nominee for the Farrer byelection, David Farley, sought preselection for Labor in 2021 and donated to the party in 2023.
Joyce, the former deputy prime minister and One Nation convert, said Farley was not asked if he had been involved with Labor.
Joyce told the ABC’s 7.30 last night:
double quotation markWhat we did know about David is the process that he went through. We didn’t ask that question so maybe that’s remiss of us. And even if we had, it wouldn’t have made a difference. We’re more interested in where you are now than where you have been in the past.
Barnaby Joyce. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
Joyce also said politicians should accept One Nation as a real political force or “get run over by it”. He said the party would demand its key policies be adopted if it won the balance of power in a minority Coalition government.
James Paterson, the Liberal frontbencher, acknowledged the Coalition would find the Farrer byelection “very challenging”, telling 7.30:
double quotation markWe know we are not at an electoral high point nationally and we know that One Nation’s appeal at the moment appears to be, especially concentrated in regional and rural electorates …
[But] if people do want to see change … vote for a Liberal or National who can actually change the government.
Updated at 18.34 EDT