Chair of the Select Committee into the taxation of Australia’s gas resources, Australian Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May, has confronted Woodside CEO Liz Westcott at the company’s AGM in Perth over her decision not to appear at tomorrow’s Senate inquiry into gas taxation.
Westcott has been invited to give evidence at the final hearing but will not appear, with other company representatives scheduled instead.
Speaking from inside the Woodside AGM, Senator Hodgins-May questioned Westcott directly on her absence and the taxation of gas exports. Ms Westcott would not commit to attending the inquiry hearing.
Executives from Woodside, INPEX, Chevron and Santos are scheduled to appear at the final hearing at the Mercure Hotel in Perth. Media will be permitted, with audio broadcast only via APH.
Senator Hodgins-May:
“It says everything that the CEO of one of Australia’s biggest gas exporters has time to address shareholders, but not to front a public inquiry into whether other Australians are getting a fair return on their resources.
“CEO’s shouldn’t just be focussed on the boardroom and senior government ministers, they need to front parliament when called and address critical matters of public interest.
“Tomorrow’s hearing will test the claims the gas industry has repeated every time reform is on the table.
“We’ve heard the same scare campaign every time, that now is not the time. Somehow it’s never the time to be sharing their obscene profits with those who own the resources – the Australian people. Australians simply aren’t buying it anymore.
“A minimum 25 per cent tax on gas exports would raise at least $17 billion a year. There would be no need to slash the NDIS, and we’d have money to fund cost of living relief and a rapid transition to a clean energy future.
“The Prime Minister and Premier Cook need to remember we don’t live in a petrostate, where our political system is captured by greedy, profit seeking corporations.
“The political risk if Labor doesn’t act is growing by the day. The consensus is clear that Australians are demanding a fair return on their resources.”