Executives from the biggest fossil fuel companies in the country butted heads with some of their biggest critics in federal politics on Friday morning as a Senate inquiry into gas company taxation rolled into Perth.

The inquiry was cordial but had its tense moments as Greens senators and independent senator David Pocock grilled Woodside and Chevron executives, as well as industry lobby group Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch.

Chair Senator Steph Hodgins-May. Alex Ellinghausen

The inquiry comes against the backdrop of a campaign led by Pocock and The Australia Institute, calling on the Albanese government to apply a 25 per cent tax on gas exports over concerns the current levy, known as the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, was not adequately reimbursing Australians for their natural resources.

Both Woodside, Chevron and McCulloch reiterated public commentary from gas producers that a new tax would turn away investment in the Australian sector at a time it needed better energy…