Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Release
SYDNEY, 13 May 2026 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific has labelled last night’s Federal Budget as a monumental fumble on climate and nature, and one that fails to fund the urgently needed transition away from fossil fuels while falling short on investments in environmental protection.
Despite widespread calls for a 25% tax on gas exports, the Federal Government has instead given the fossil fuel industry a $19 billion free pass in annual subsidies and foregone gas tax revenue, while merely maintaining, rather than expanding, programs that are helping Australian households embrace renewable energy.
The government should be commended for significant and much-needed funding towards implementing the national nature law reforms – but overall investment in the environment falls chronically short of what is necessary to stop wildlife extinctions and protect critical ecosystems.
David Ritter, CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “In the midst of what is already a climate emergency, the global energy crisis sparked by the attack on Iran has starkly emphasised that reliance on fossil fuels puts people at risk.
“The public mood on taxing gas exports is clear. People wanted the government to get it done.
“Taxing gas exports is an effective policy to support essential services and drive the rapid transition to renewables, but the government has misread the mood and missed the moment to do what is needed.
“The government has shown admirable guts with reforms to improve young people having access to housing. It needs to show the same level of courage in standing up to fossil fuel interests and choosing affordable energy and a safe future for all of us.
“It is good to see the government backing in the new nature laws with funding to help them work – but there is still a chronic shortfall in the investment needed to protect nature.
“This budget should have been the moment for a decisive fiscal shift – putting the security of Australians and the flourishing of our natural environment ahead of the vested interests of gas corporations.
“There’s also a conspicuous lack of increased budget support for vital regional climate diplomacy, which is very clearly in the national interest, and another missed opportunity given Australia’s crucial role as chair of global climate negotiations this year.
“The primary duty of governments is to protect the well-being of citizens. The Albanese government needs to show Australians it is willing to put people before polluters, and step up measures to accelerate the transition to renewable energy while holding fossil fuel companies accountable for the damage they have caused.”
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