Australia's biggest energy company stands accused of "sweetheart deals" on taxes as the oil and gas sector is shown the red card on sponsorship of sporting and arts events.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Greens leader Adam Bandt has slammed Labor for giving special treatment to Woodside Energy over tax exemptions that only apply to the massive North West Shelf gas zone off the coast of Western Australia.
But federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on Wednesday rejected claims her government was "writing sweetheart deals for Woodside" on changes to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT).
"It's the sort of thing that you'd expect from Adam Bandt," Ms Plibersek said.
"We're working really hard in Australia to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050."
Woodside says it is a significant Australian taxpayer and is proud to be part of the diverse communities where it operates.
Genuine relationships have been built for more than three decades, in Australia and elsewhere, and in 2022 the "global social contribution spend" was $25.5 billion, a company spokesperson told AAP.
The main form of taxation for the North West Shelf, Australia's largest resource project, is federal royalties and excise.
"The PRRT regime recognises this to ensure there is no double taxation of the North West Shelf," the Woodside spokesperson said.
"We paid $2.7 billion in Australian tax and royalties in 2022, including $720 million in PRRT and $926 million in federal royalties and excise."
Treasurer Jim Chalmers plans to raise the tax by $2.4 billion over the next four years but critics say that's a modest rise.
It comes as sporting and arts organisation face pressure to ditch lucrative sponsorship deals under a voluntary code.
Leading environmental advocacy group the Climate Council launched the code for sports clubs and arts institutions in response to pressure from athletes, artists, fans and punters for action to protect the planet.
The council said flooded festivals, concerts cancelled because of bushfire risk and unsafe heat disrupting play at the tennis and football highlighted the impact of climate change on activities and events Australians love.
The code was launched alongside a report that criticises gas giants Woodside, Santos, Chevron and Tamboran Resources for "piggy-backing" on iconic pastimes to divert attention from environmental destruction.
In its report, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Edith Cowan University, the council compares the conversation about fossil-fuel sponsorships in sports to that of tobacco in the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Federal parliament ultimately passed laws that put an end to most forms of tobacco advertising, including sponsorship, because of the public health impacts of smoking.
The council's proposed code includes a pledge for organisations to end contracts with fossil-fuel companies at the end of their term and to not enter into new arrangements.
It also referenced polling conducted by the Australia Institute in October 2022, which found more than half (53 per cent) of Australians believed fossil fuel companies should be banned from sponsoring national sporting teams.
Former Socceroos captain and human rights advocate Craig Foster, as well as pro long-boarder Tully White, launched the code alongside climate experts and academics.
Australian Associated Press
