The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, today condemned Labor’s carbon tax, emphasising the devastating impact it will have on regional Victoria. “For a start, we know there will be a price hike on electricity of at least 10 per cent, but it is not going to make an iota of difference to climate change,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Despite the Government’s rhetoric of the past couple of years, Australia is going it alone on an economy-wide carbon tax.”
“No other countries have shackled their economies in this way. They may have anti-pollution measures in place, but not one even contemplates following the Gillard Government down the carbon tax path.”
In particular small business, the power house of our economy and significant employer in regional Victoria, will receive no support – just increased costs. In Victoria, small business employs in excess of 1.2 million people – who will all be slugged with this bad new tax.
“It is typical of this Government that whilst Minister Sherry is announcing tax relief for small business on one hand, Minister Combet is taxing them with the other.”
“Most telling is the fact that this legislation neglects to provide support for small business in transition arrangements and is a significant oversight – but certainly not surprising,” Senator McKenzie said.
Victorian Government modelling shows that local milk bars can expect an average $583 and pizza shops an average $550 increase in their electricity bills thanks to the carbon tax – putting an end to quick and easy meals for families right across the state.
In Bendigo, locals will be even further impacted, with the Victorian Government modelling showing that just in the next four years, the tax will cause the region’s jobs to fall by 705.
“Member for Bendigo, Steve Gibbons MP, had the opportunity to stand up for his electorate and stop the carbon tax that the Prime Minister promised we wouldn’t have.”
“However, not only did he vote for the carbon tax, Mr Gibbons then claimed to the Bendigo Advertiser that he was proud to do so.”
“His Labor and Green colleagues in the Senate are obviously not so proud to talk about the tax, or they wouldn’t have guillotined debate almost a week ahead of schedule.”
Speaking in the Senate yesterday, Senator McKenzie said “I look forward to a positive and sustainable future where our environment flourishes alongside our economy and communities. But that is something that this badly designed tax will not achieve.”
“I do not accept that regional Australia has to bear the brunt of the impacts of this folly of a policy.”