A high-profile gas debate could spill across the Adelaide Convention Centre, Jim Chalmers has conceded on the sidelines of Labor’s national conference.

The party’s rank and file are pushing for increased gas taxes, endorsed by Greens and independents but largely resisted by Labor’s most senior figures.

The Treasurer has previously attempted to shift focus to reforming the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, and Anthony Albanese has resisted the proposal.

Sky News’ Andrew Clennell asked Mr Chalmers on Thursday whether the gas tax debate would make it to the floor of Mr Albanese’s carefully planned conference.

Mr Chalmers said: “That remains to be seen”.

“The words that I’ve seen talk about the appropriate arrangements which recognise we have to balance our international obligations as a reliable supplier,” he said.

“There are strong views about gas taxes, not just in this room but around the country.

“I’ve already taken steps on the PRRT. We’re working very hard to get the gas reservation scheme in place and we’re working hard to secure our fuel supplies and this is part of those considerations as well.”

He contended he and the Prime Minister had made it clear “it is not on the government’s agenda”.

Asked if the tax idea could be revived before the next election, Mr Chalmers said it would not be on the agenda for “the foreseeable future”. 

The proposal was championed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which had called for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports. 

Independent ACT Senator David Pocock also mounted a national campaign in support of the measure, which was supported by backbench MP Ed Husic.

Economists estimate a 25 pr cent gas export tax could raise between $4 billion and $17 billion annually. 

Ahead of the conference, Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite rejected suggestions Labor was preparing to introduce a new gas tax. 

“It’s a draft proposal. It hasn’t been adopted yet,” Mr Thistlethwaite told Sky News earlier this week. 

He said the government had already made substantial changes to the taxation of Australia’s natural resources through reforms to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax. 

The Albanese government also adopted a 20 per cent gas reservation policy, which was initially proposed by former opposition leader Peter Dutton. 

The Prime Minister had also publicly ruled out imposing a gas export tax during the 2025 federal election campaign, dismissing the idea as a “populist” proposal. 

“The middle of a global fuel crisis is the worst possible time to jeopardise these partnerships, or the investment that underpins them,” Mr Albanese said at the time.