A group of Australian mayors and councillors are calling on the federal government to collect an extra $10 billion each year from petroleum companies to pushback against climate change.
The 37 leaders who signed the letter include independent mayors and councillors, and a large number of Greens local government leaders.
The mayors want to see reforms to the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax (PPRT) to raise an extra $10 billion each year to help local governments fund climate mitigation schemes.
Under the proposed legislation, the government could limit the taxable income that can be offset by deductions to 90 percent.
What is the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT)
Petroleum resource rent tax is paid on profits from the sale of marketable petroleum commodities.These include crude oil, gas, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane and shale oil.
What is the Letter Calling For?
The letter from local government leaders said they bore had to deal with the impact of climate change.“However, local governments are the least resourced level of government to cope with the increasing costs of addressing climate impacts, such as maintaining infrastructure and services after climate disasters.”
Signatories of the letter published in multiple newspapers include City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Greens Randwick City Council Mayor Philipa Veitch, Yarra City Council Greens Mayor Edward Crossland, and Merri-bek City Council Greens Mayor Adam Pulford.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore claimed “we are in a climate emergency” driven by “the burning of fossil fuels.”
She claimed residents in the City of Sydney were “susceptible to climate change” through “extreme weather events like heatwaves, severe storms and flooding, and the impacts of bushfires, including poor air quality and disruption to transport.”
What is Being Proposed?
The PRRT is a levy on energy companies extracting oil and gas resources in Australia.Australia Institute Chief Economist Greg Jericho said even modest changes to the government’s 90 percent cap would generate “over $18 billion” over the forward estimates.
He said this revenue could be put towards essential public services, affordable housing, and renewable energy.
Mr. Jericho said the government’s strategy does not mention the PRRT.
“Now is the time to ensure our tax system delivers a fair share of oil and gas profits for all Australians,” he suggested.
Woodside Warns Against Raising Tax
However, major oil and gas producer Woodside said the PPRT continues to operate “as intended.”The company warned against any further amendments to the PPRT in its submission.
“We are aligned to the findings of the Callaghan Review, the PRRT achieves a fair return to the community for the extraction of petroleum resources without discouraging investment,” Woodside said in its submission.
Woodside noted that governments receive a return, even when project investors do not.
“The growth in our tax payments has shown when Woodside performs well, the state and federal governments enjoy significant benefits too,” the company said.
The ASX-listed company noted under the PRRT amendments, Woodside expects to pay more tax over the forward estimates.
It says any further changes would risk “unintended consequences,” these include impacting large scale investments, and could lead to “asset write-downs or fiscal uncertainty in other sectors, including renewable energy.”