2026-02-12
Today at Parliament House, Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May joined the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) to demand the Albanese Government redirect the flow of billions in taxpayer money away from the Middle Arm Gas Hub project ahead of the 2026 Federal Budget.
The 2026 Federal Budget is a line in the sand for the government's $1.9 billion commitment to the Middle Arm Gas Hub.
The Greens join calls for immediate redirection of these funds into clean energy and public services, a stop to all new coal and gas projects, and a 25% gas export tax to replace the broken PRRT, which allows gas corporations to pay less tax than a nurse while exporting Australia's resources for record profits.
According to the AYCC, the Middle Arm Gas Hub “would become the NT's largest emitter, increasing territory emissions by 75% and particulate pollution by over 500%. This would cost $75 million annually in health impacts — equivalent to 15 premature deaths per year.”
Lines attributable to Greens Spokesperson for Resources and Assistant Spokesperson for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:
“Labor’s toxic situationship with gas is a betrayal of every young Australian watching their future go up in smoke while the government hands $1.9 billion to the NT’s soon-to-be biggest climate polluter.
“How is it acceptable that gas giants pay less tax on exported gas than Australian retail workers pay in income tax?
“Gas companies receive billions in public handouts while their climate-wrecking projects are greenlit.
“This Valentine's Day, Labor needs to finally break up with its coal and gas donors who are wrecking the planet.
“The Albanese Government must stop the madness of new coal and gas. Instead, a 25% export tax could be used to pay for the damage gas exporters are causing.
“Those billions should be redirected into making our communities more climate-resilient and investing in clean renewable energy."