Swimming centres have become the latest casualty of the Gillard government’s carbon tax, The Nationals Senator for Victoria and Patron Senator for Bendigo Bridget McKenzie said.
“For many, going to the local pool is a summer tradition, now it is also another collection point for Labor’s carbon tax.
“The toxic tax is driving up the cost of pool heating, running pool pumps, floodlighting and hot showers.
“If the swim centre has a kiosk, the carbon tax impacts the costs of running fridges, freezers, even the pie warmer. Nothing can escape this costly tax burden.
“Local pools have reported dramatic increases in their day-to-day running costs – a recent bill for the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre had gone up by $2000.”
Senator McKenzie said swim centres across Australia are generally run by councils, which the Australian Local Government Association says are already feeling the impact of the carbon tax to the tune of at least $185 million a year.
“Swim centres, like other small businesses, are facing a dilemma – absorb the cost of the carbon tax by reducing other costs like wages, or pass it on to consumers who are already under significant cost-of-living pressures.”
Senator McKenzie said every family, business and community organisation in Bendigo would be better off when the Coalition abolished the carbon tax.
“Abolishing the carbon tax is central to our plan to strengthen the economy. Abolishing the carbon tax will be the first order of business for an incoming Coalition government.”