# Australia's wealth gap fuels anger and despair

> Zoe Daniel argues that extractive companies profit while families struggle, and government must reset the power imbalance to restore hope.
- Title: Australia's wealth gap fuels anger and despair · the Guardian
- Summary: Zoe Daniel argues that extractive companies profit while families struggle, and government must reset the power imbalance to restore hope. Columnist Zoe…
- Keywords: zoe daniel, australia, wealth gap, cost of living, fossil fuels, taxation, inequality, news, politics, Australia's, wealth, gap
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/04/australia-government-cost-of-living-wealth-gap
- Published: 2026-10-03T19:00:08+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: zoe daniel, australia, wealth gap, cost of living, fossil fuels, taxation, inequality, news, politics
## Australians face mounting pressures
Supermarket and petrol prices are rising. Interest rates have gone up with another predicted before Christmas. Insurance costs are soaring. El Niño threatens summer holidays. People feel overwhelmed and furious.
## Tech power and AI threaten jobs
Tech companies already had too much power. Now AI threatens jobs and potentially existence itself. The information ecosystem is filled with AI slop manipulating people into hating one another.
## Wealth gap widens, anger grows
The wealth gap is widening, especially among younger generations. Crime is rising. Migrants are unfairly blamed for underpinning the economy in transport, childcare and beyond. The political environment is uninspiring.
## Crisis manifests in mental health
Escalating mental health issues, gambling harm, domestic violence and antisocial behaviours are manifesting from people under pressure. These problems are chronically under-prioritised in both prevention and response.
## Major companies pay little tax
The Australian Taxation Office shows large companies including gas exporters Petronas and Kogas pay little or no corporate income tax on billions in revenue. Santos made almost fifty billion dollars over the last decade and paid no corporate income tax.
## Extractive companies profit without accountability
Australia allows largely multinational and blatantly extractive fossil fuel, gambling and tech companies to reap massive profits for minimal return or accountability, while families struggle to afford basic living costs.

> We let blatantly extractive fossil fuel, gambling and tech companies reap massive profits for minimal return or accountability, while families struggle.
## Government must reset power imbalance
Daniel calls for government to implement a windfall tax on export gas, properly tax and regulate fossil fuels, gambling and tech companies, then use proceeds to reduce childcare, education, medicine and rent costs.
## Fix the potholes, show don't tell
Daniel says government must show it cares through action, not words. Reset the power imbalance between community and big corporations at the core of dissatisfaction. And please, fix the potholes.

> And, please, fix the potholes.
## Key takeaway

Columnist Zoe Daniel says Australia's growing wealth gap and cost-of-living crisis stem from allowing fossil fuel, gambling and tech companies to extract profits with minimal accountability, and calls for windfall taxes and spending on childcare, education and rent assistance.