SYDNEY, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney, dropping a 3 metre-long banner in the main foyer outside the conference room saying, ‘Gas Execs Profit, We Pay The Price’.
- Images and footage for media use can be found here — more will be uploaded by 10:00am AEDT.
- Live updates on Greenpeace Instagram
Two activists dropped the banner at around 8.30AM in the grand stairwell outside the conference room. They were joined by a group of ten activists with hand banners saying, ‘Tax Gas Profits’. The two activists have locked themselves to the banner and the bannister.
With this peaceful protest, Greenpeace is calling for the gas industry to be taxed properly, and to accelerate the transition toward cheap, clean homegrown renewable energy.
The 13th annual Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference is a gathering of fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, government and investors at the Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park to discuss the future of the polluting gas industry.
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, 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.”
Alex Saurin, Greenpeace Australia Pacific 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 Santos and ConocoPhillips 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.”
Key facts:
- Greenpeace activists disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference at the Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park at 8.20 AM today, Tuesday 31 March.
- Two activists dropped a banner over the grand stairwell that says, “Gas Execs Profit, We Pay The Price”. The activists have locked themselves to the banner and the bannister.
- A larger group of activists joined the protest, holding hand banners saying, “Tax Gas Profits”.
- Representatives from some of the biggest fossil fuel polluters in Australia and globally, including Santos, ExxonMobil and Shell are speaking at the conference.
—ENDS—
Media contacts:
Lucy Keller on +61 491 135 308 or lucy.keller@greenpeace.org or Kate O’Callaghan on +61 406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
The conference is one of the largest aimed at preparing for hurricane season, which begins June 1. A task force report on potential reforms to the agency also remains on hold.
ORLANDO, Fla.—A major conference to help communities prepare for hurricane season kicked off Monday without the agency that coordinates federal disaster response.
Right now, Greenpeace activists are standing up to Big Gas at a major gas conference in Sydney.
Inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel, executives from fossil fuel companies have gathered alongside lobbyists, investors and political allies to plan the future of gas in Australia – and how to maximise their profits.
So Greenpeace has stepped in to call it out. Activists have dropped a banner inside the venue with a clear message: Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price.
We need your help to spread the message that we won’t stand by and let this happen.
What’s really going on
Gas corporations are making billions in windfall profits from global conflicts – from Ukraine to Iran – while Australians pay the price with higher energy bills and climate damage.
And they want more.
More drilling. More exports. More profit.
Why Greenpeace took action today
This conference is where it all comes together. Behind closed doors, gas executives, lobbyists, investors and political allies are meeting to push for more gas expansion, no doubt using global instability as their justification.
That’s why Greenpeace couldn’t let this gathering go uninterrupted.
Big Gas is counting on people not paying attention. Let’s prove them wrong.
Share the video to call out Big Gas.
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. 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 get there, we need to:
- properly tax the gas industry and its exports
- stop expanding gas
- and speed up the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Share this video far and wide to show just how much support there is to tax Big Gas properly and speed up the transition to renewable energy.
This is just the beginning
This action is 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.
What you can do
- Follow along on our social channels.
- Share the video far and wide to show how much support there is.
- Sign the petition to tell Albo to stand up to Big Gas – because if we can, he can.
BREAKING: Greenpeace activists disrupt major gas conference in Sydney
SYDNEY, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Two Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have been arrested following a peaceful protest at the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney, where they dropped a banner that said — “Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price” and held banners saying “Tax Gas Profits”.
Photos and B Roll video of the protest and arrests are available here
Live updates on Greenpeace Instagram
The two activists were arrested by police around 9:00am AEDT and taken to Day Street Police Station. Information on this morning’s gas conference disruption can be found here.
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Greenpeace activists have taken a strong stand today against profit hungry gas corporations and lobbyists, who see horrific global wars as an opportunity to price gouge and profiteer, while everyday people pay the price.
“Australians have had enough of gas corporations like Santos and ConocoPhillips ripping us off, leaving us with nothing but empty pockets and climate damage. The gas industry is aggressively lobbying against being fairly taxed and pushing to drill for more gas. Change requires showing up and speaking out, and that’s what these activists have done today.
“Greenpeace Australia Pacific stands by our activists, and stands with all communities who are peacefully fighting for a safe and clean energy future. The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of a healthy democracy and a basic right of all Australians.”
-ENDS-
Media contacts:
Lucy Keller: +61 491 135 308 or lkeller@greenpeace.org or Kate O’Callaghan: +61 406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace activists arrested after disrupting major gas conference in Sydney
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