Greenpeace activists have been arrested after taking action at a major gas conference this morning in Sydney.
Earlier today, brave activists disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, dropping a banner with a simple message: Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price.
They were also holding banners calling to Tax Gas Profits, making it clear that Australians have had enough.
Following the peaceful protest, two activists were arrested by police.
Watch and share the video to see what’s happening.
Why this matters
Gas corporations are raking in billions in profit from global crises – from Ukraine to Iran – while everyday Australians are left paying the price with higher energy bills and climate damage.
At the same time, these companies continue to avoid paying their fair share of tax.
That’s why Greenpeace activists took action.
A message from the activists
Alex Saurin, Greenpeace activist who dropped the banner, said:
“It feels powerful to take a stand against these gas corporations that have been trampling over the Australian people and our environment for far too long.
Gas giants like ExxonMobil and Santos have spent years blocking renewable energy and dodging fair taxes to protect their record profits. While families struggle to pay the bills and the climate crisis accelerates, these companies continue to demand free right to do whatever they want.
It is beyond time for our leaders to shake off the gas industry’s grip and start taxing these corporations fairly while clearing the path for the renewable energy we desperately need. They need to start making decisions for our people and our planet – not just for us now, but for the generations to come.”
These are ordinary people taking extraordinary action, standing up to an industry that continues to put profits ahead of people and the planet.
Standing up to Big Gas
Today’s arrests are a reminder of what it takes to challenge this industry.
As Greenpeace Campaigner, Solaye Snider, said:
“Gas corporations in Australia are ripping us off. From Ukraine to Iran, these corporations treat global conflict as an opportunity to line their pockets and drill for more gas – but while gas executives profit, we pay the price with more climate pollution, more environmental destruction, and soaring bills for Australian households.
“It’s in Australia’s interest to unhook from volatile, polluting and expensive sources of energy like gas. The fastest path to cheaper power bills and a safer climate is clear: start taxing gas exports properly and speed up the transition toward homegrown renewable energy.
“As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels like gas, our electricity bills and our climate are at the mercy of global instability and greedy corporations who put their profits over people and planet.”
What needs to happen now
Gas is expensive. It’s volatile. And it ties our energy system to global instability. But there is a better way.
The government is already considering introducing a tax on gas corporations before the May budget – now we need to make sure they follow through.
That’s an important first step, but it’s just the beginning.
Renewable energy is already cheaper, more reliable, and made right here in Australia. It’s the fastest path to lower bills, real energy security and a safer climate.
To invest in a better future, we need to:
- properly tax gas corporations and their exports,
- stop expanding gas, and
- speed up the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
This is just the beginning
This action, and the arrests that followed, are part of a growing movement to stand up to Big Gas and challenge the power it holds over our government and society. The Federal Government has a role to play – starting by taxing gas corporations properly and then accelerating the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Together, we can show just how much support there is for change, and make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore.
