Anthony Albanese rules out new tax on gas as activists are booted out of CME resources breakfast in Perth

Anthony Albanese has all-but ruled out a new tax on gas in this year’s Budget, declaring there are currently no “windfall profits” after anti-gas activists disrupted his appearance at an industry event in Perth.

The Prime Minister said the upcoming Federal Budget would “not undermine existing contracts on gas exports”.

“What we can do is wait for the Budget on May 12 but consistent with the principles that I’ve put forward, very clearly, I think that one of the things that’s really important for investment is no surprises”.

Pressed further, he said no future changes were being contemplated despite a growing push by the Greens, Independent David Pocock, online influencer Konrad Benjamin and environmental lobby groups.

“There has been no windfall profit, gas prices remain the same as they’ve been,” Mr Albanese said.

“We’ve made very clear our position, the only thing I am concentrating on when it comes to fuel is supply.”

He denied Australia’s international trading partners have raised concerns about a potential tax on war-time profits, insisting it had not been discussed.

“What we’ve been talking about is Australia is a reliable supplier of energy, that’s what we do, that’s our reputation,” Mr Albanese said.

He said the petroleum resource rent tax, which applies to offshore oil and gas projects at a rate of 40 per cent, is already designed to increase revenue as profits rise.

The PRRT is forecast to raise about $2 billion in 2026 but the Australian Energy Producers peak body argues the industry also paid about $13.5 billion in corporate tax in 2024-25.

Woodside said the North-West Shelf off WA’s north coast has paid about $42 billion worth of royalties.

“Woodside‘s paying 44 cents in the dollar in Australia. We think that’s delivering a fair return to Australians,” new Woodside chief executive Liz Westacott said.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA boss Aaron Morey welcomed the Prime Minister’s response, saying it should for now end the debate.

“Certainly (a gas profits tax) has not been explicitly ruled out definitively but the Prime Minister did make a very clear commitment that any changes would have to follow significant consultation with the industry,” he said.

“In so far as that has not occurred, we are confident that the Budget won’t include any significant new taxation measures.”

Conservation Council WA chief executive director Matt Roberts called Mr Albanese’s rejection of a new 25 per cent tax on profits an “insult” and a “wasted opportunity”.

Senator Pocock wasn’t giving up yet.

“Now is the time to do it,” he said. “I don’t expect them to do it, the next thing will be just continuing this, I think we, clearly, there’s so much public support”.

Three anti-gas protesters disrupted the CME breakfast minutes before the Prime Minister’s speech.

The trio jumped on the stage and started shouting “disrupt Burrup hub” slogans before being quickly removed.

They appeared to enter the function room without any security checks, despite a large police presence.

WA Police confirmed the woman and two men, aged 18 and 19, were each issued a move-on notice but not charged.

Mr Albanese was not rattled but said his own security was being increased.

“People have have a right to protest, by all means, and express their views but they should do so in a way that it is appropriate,” he said.

“We need also to, as I’ve said continually, we need to turn the temperature down on public debate.

“There is an upgrade going on at the moment at Kirribilli House that’s substantial as a result of the increased environment of threats, which are there. They are real.

“I say to everyone, regardless of your political position, we should be able to have discourse and have debate which is respectful.”

Mr Albanese was in Perth to announce $1.1 billion for roads around the future Westport container terminal in Kwinana, jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth.

And he assured the audience of mining and energy leaders that new environmental laws will result in faster approvals, committing $45 million from the Budget to a “single touch process” to “simplify” approvals.

“I’m pleased that (WA) Premier Roger Cook has been the first to sign an MOU to begin formal negotiations for a bilateral assessment agreement,” Mr Albanese said.

“The intention is to then negotiate a bilateral approvals agreement, and our Budget funding will facilitate this. This is important reform.”

The CME has called for new standards under the EPBC Act and a bilateral agreement to be finalised by the end of this year.

The peak mining lobby group also pressed the Prime Minister over a looming industrial war in WA, with the Electrical Trades Union voting to strike in the Pilbara for the first time in decades.

“It’s always been my view people have a right to organise,” Mr Albanese said, but he added a caveat.

“You only have workers and union members if you have successful businesses, and that’s why they need to work together with common interests and not abuse any privileges which are there.

“So we want to see people paid properly, but we also want to see businesses be successful.”

Union right of entry requests in the Pilbara have surged 400 per cent in 12 months.

The CME said it’s not just the electrical union flexing its muscle.

“We have deep concerns with the conduct of many unions in and around the Pilbara at the moment, the ETU included,” Mr Morey said.

“What I can say is that resources companies, as they always do, are approaching these matters in a professional way. And I think the Prime Minister today reminded everyone should do the same.”