King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardMore than 100 Australian artists have joined forces with Green Music Australia to call on the federal government to introduce a 25% tax on gas export revenue.
The move comes as global war fuels energy instability and Australians struggle with increased cost-of-living pressures, all while gas corporations rake in record profits.
A press release notes that after the war in Ukraine began, major exporters such as Shell, Santos, Chevron, and Woodside “more than doubled” their profits, amassing over $92 billion in 2022 alone.
Green Music Australia says that a 25% tax on gas export revenue could raise more than $17 billion annually, potentially easing the cost-of-living crisis and funding climate action.
“The music sector is already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis, with more than 50 Australian festivals cancelled since 2015 due to extreme weather,” said Green Music Australia CEO, Berish Bilander.
“If even a small fraction of that revenue was redirected to the music and the arts, it could revitalise culture in Australia at a time when it needs support.”
Artists calling on the federal government to introduce the tax include King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, Missy Higgins, Jimmy Barnes, Amyl And The Sniffers, Midnight Oil, BARKAA, Yothu Yindi, Montaigne, Ben Lee, Miss Kaninna, John Butler, GLVES, Ocean Alley, Emily Wurramara, The Amity Affliction, Ruby Fields, DOBBY, Angie McMahon, King Stingray, Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers, Lime Cordiale, and many others.
They’ve also unveiled an open letter to the government, which you can read below.
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“It’s time we stopped letting gas giants off the hook and started investing in the communities, culture and climate we all depend on,” said Missy Higgins.
Ocean Alley’s Mitch Galbraith added, “Come on, mate, everyone wants that tax, and it’s only going to make our communities greener and fairer.”
The open letter from Australia’s music community reads:
On behalf of Australian musicians and the wider music community, we are calling on the federal government to immediately introduce an ongoing 25% tax on all gas export revenue to ease climate and cost-of-living pressures.
War in the Middle East is destabilising global energy supply, and Australian gas corporations are reaping unprecedented profits. While costs rise for everyone else, fossil fuel executives and shareholders are pocketing billions in unexpected gains directly tied to war and violence.
This isn't new. During the Ukraine war, global energy shocks enabled Australian gas exporters like Woodside, Santos, Chevron and Shell to more than double their profits, making over $92 billion in 2022 alone.
"WE REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT THIS IS SIMPLY HOW THINGS WORK."
A 25% tax could raise more than $17 billion each year to invest in climate solutions and help Australians with the rising cost of living.
If even a fraction of that was redirected to music and the arts, it would revitalise our national cultural infrastructure at a time when it is under serious strain.
In the music sector, we see the impacts of the climate crisis up close. Since 2015, more than 50 music festivals in Australia have been cancelled due to rising heat, floods and storms – extreme weather events driven by the actions of the fossil fuel industry. We believe polluters have a responsibility to pay for the negative impact they have caused on our communities, and to our music and arts sectors.
Taxing fossil fuel exports is not a new idea. Experts, economists and everyday Australians have long called for more responsible taxation of these industries. Polling shows the majority of Australians support this kind of tax, regardless of where they sit on the political spectrum.
Musicians speak up when leaders fall short. We often reflect the will of the people, especially when those in power refuse to. We are doing so, here and now.
We call on the Australian Government to act immediately: implement an ongoing 25% tax on gas export revenue, and invest those profits in the communities, culture and climate solutions our country urgently needs.
— THE UNDERSIGNED
