Fix the budget with more tax on gas? The world has changed since Pocock’s viral video

April 21, 2026 — 5:40pm

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At a time when the federal budget is bursting at the seams and Australians are struggling under the rising cost of living, a popular campaign to reap up to $17 billion a year by forcing multinational gas exporters to pay their “fair share” for the nation’s finite resources is gaining traction.

But the world has changed, and there’s a new elephant in the room since the campaign started.

As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds deliberations over the May budget with his senior ministers, the war in Iran has created an unprecedented risk to Australia’s fuel security.

Australia’s imminent loss of sufficient petrol and diesel supply is now the most pressing issue confronting the federal government.

Yes, we really are dumb enough to import our own gas. Here’s why

The gas tax campaign has been spearheaded by left-wing think tank the Australia Institute and independent senator David Pocock.

Pocock went viral with a social media video where he got a government official to admit that tax on beer would generate more than the Petroleum........

© WA Today