Australia Decides Gas Should Stay Home, But Heat-Safe Rentals Cool It Later

KEY POINTS

•The Australia Institute told an inquiry that companies would prefer selling more gas domestically due to export levies.
•On April 21, New South Wales proposed new heat-safe rental homes and stricter outdoor workplace safety policies.
•AAP reported these recommendations as part of a wider climate policy discussed in a state advisory body.

In an elegant dance of unintended corporate incentives, the Australia Institute charmingly testified this week that gas companies, faced with an export levy, would naturally prefer to sell more gas domestically — because why not keep your profits closer to home instead of funding Uncle Sam's analogue in Canberra? Meanwhile, New South Wales' state climate policy advisory body suggested summer renters deserve 'heat-safe' homes and that outdoor workers merit tougher safety rules on Australia's famously scorching days. Reported by AAP and live tracked by The Guardian's April 21 updates, this plan tacitly admits the dual reality: companies might save money by ignoring global markets, while local folks sweat it out, hoping someone somewhere fortifies their aircon. Optimism? Absolutely. Hypocrisy? Probably too.

Share the Story

(1 of 3)

Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Australia's brilliant plan: Make gas companies sell more at home to avoid levies, then ask tenants to survive heatwaves while outdoor workers pray safety rules actually kick in.

194/280 charactersReady to post

Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Gas companies dodge export fees by selling at home; meanwhile, locals rent heat-safe units they can’t afford but at least follow safety rules, right?

166/280 charactersReady to post

Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Apparently, Australia’s climate strategy is to tax gas exports and then hand out fan clubs for sweltering renters. Efficiency at its finest.

157/280 charactersReady to post