2017-04-21
Chevron has proven it cannot be trusted with the pristine environment of the Great Australian Bight if they refuse to play by Australia’s tax rules, Australian Greens Senator for South Australia and finance spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said today.
“Chevron has fought for almost 15 years against paying its fair share of tax to Australians, after being given a leg up by the Australian government. The loan to Chevron not only ripped off Australian taxpayers for years, but the money ended up offshore providing no benefit to Australia,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“How can we trust a company who goes to great lengths to shift money around to shirk their tax responsibilities with a precious environment like the Bight? If they can’t be trusted to do the right thing by the taxpayer, they can’t be trusted to do the right thing by this pristine environment.
“This case also serves as a warning to the government: If you want to loan large sums of money to international fossil fuels companies that put profits before people and the environment, you can expect to be ripped off time and again. The Chevrons and Adanis of this world do not need, or deserve, handouts from the Australian taxpayer when billions are being ripped out of our school system and our young people are struggling with record cost-of-living expenses.
“This company has proven it will rack up millions in taxpayer funds in court costs fighting for than a decade to protect its profits above all else, they must not be permitted to put the Bight at risk. It’s time for Chevron to pay up, and leave our Bight alone.”