Breakfast Wrap: Is the government's gas tax dead?

This episode of The Breakfast Wrap examines the political and economic fallout from rising global energy prices, focusing on Australia's stalled plans to introduce a gas tax on windfall profits amid a fuel crisis. The Prime Minister is reportedly opposing any new gas or coal tax in the upcoming budget, despite calls from independents like Allegra Spender for a sliding-scale levy to ensure Australians share in export revenues during global price spikes. Meanwhile, the government's push to reform the NDIS has sparked alarm among autism advocates, who warn that proposed changes based on functional capacity could leave tens of thousands without support, especially as the 'somewhere else' for services remains undefined. On the international front, the UN warns that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could push 45 million people into food insecurity, and the UN is ready to deploy a fertiliser corridor mechanism within seven days if political buy-in is secured. The episode also touches on the turmoil at Adelaide Writers Week, which was rocked by the removal of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdul-Fattah and subsequent resignations, now being revitalized under new director Rosemary Milsom, who emphasizes diversity and authentic curation over controversy. The episode closes with a reflection on how policy decisions—whether on energy, disability, or culture—often reflect deeper tensions between equity, investment, and political will.