Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Energy

Senate · Monday 14 September 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senator Hodgins-May moved that the Senate take note of the Minister for Industry and Innovation's answer regarding gas policy. She criticised the government's gas reservation scheme as insufficient and argued it failed to generate revenue for public services. The senator advocated for a 25 per cent gas export tax to raise billions for cost-of-living relief and renewable energy investment. She claimed the current policy was weakened by industry influence and did not reflect public demand. The motion was agreed to without further debate.

Outcome

The question was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Steph Hodgins-May (VIC) (Australian Greens) Greens

Hodgins-May argued that the government's gas reservation scheme lacked ambition and failed to address cost-of-living pressures faced by households. Hodgins-May contended that multinational corporations were profiting excessively from finite resources while Australians struggled with energy bills. The senator proposed a minimum 25 per cent gas export tax, estimating it could raise more than $17 billion annually. Hodgins-May asserted this revenue could fund essential services and support the transition to renewable energy. Hodgins-May claimed the reservation scheme had been weakened by industry lobbying and did not serve the national interest.