The Greens' gas pitch, Katy Perry allegations + hate speech

Australia stands at a crossroads over its natural gas wealth, with former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather arguing that a 50% tax on gas export revenues is not just fair but essential to ensure Australians benefit from a resource that belongs to them. His new think tank, the Green Institute, claims gas exporters could earn up to $107 billion in 2026, with $57 billion in windfall profits—money that could fund universal student debt relief, affordable housing, and renewable energy infrastructure. Chandler-Mather draws a stark contrast with Norway, where oil and gas companies pay 78% on profits, and the UK’s 38% energy profits levy, to challenge industry claims that higher taxes will drive investment offshore. Meanwhile, Queensland’s new hate speech laws, which criminalize phrases like 'from the river to the sea,' have sparked a national debate over free expression, with activists like Franz Dahl and Jim Dowling facing charges for displaying banners in protest over Gaza. Legal experts warn these laws may be challenged in the High Court, citing the implied freedom of political communication. On a different front, pop star Katy Perry denies serious sexual assault allegations made by actress Ruby Rose on social media, reigniting a broader conversation about accountability, credibility, and the power of online testimony. The episode captures a nation grappling with economic justice, civil liberties, and the limits of public discourse in a polarized era.