Senator McKenzie said with four days to go until the toxic tax kicks in, the continuing denial and arrogance of the Labor government beggars belief.
“The government is not listening to Australians – they do not want the carbon tax, they did not vote for it and now they’re making it very clear they’re dead against it.
“The Gillard Green carbon tax will see Australians pay more carbon tax in three months than Europeans have paid through the EU carbon price scheme in more than six years.
“Regional Australians can expect to take a higher hit proportionally, as we depend on exporting our quality products overseas whilst remaining internationally competitive.
“Key industries stand to be affected by the tax, including the lucrative agriculture and food processing sectors.
“Dairy producer Murray Goulburn is the largest exporter off our docks every day in Victoria, with 40,000 people directly employed in the dairy industry.
“Yet the Australian Dairy Industry Council predicts the initial, combined impact of the carbon tax on electricity, fuel and input costs could see average dairy farm expenses jump between $5000 and $7000 per annum.
“The food processing sector, Australia’s largest manufacturing sector, employs 225,000 people but it’s been reported the Australian Food and Grocery Council of Australia predicts the carbon tax could wipe up to $250 million in annual profits.
“There are real people, in real jobs, underpinning our local economies in regional Victoria who can’t afford the impacts of the carbon tax.
“The Gillard Government does not get regional Australia, and here we are set to bear the brunt of another failed Labor policy.
“Even local government can’t escape the impact, as the City of Greater Bendigo stares down a possible 1.7 per cent rate rise.
“The Prime Minister lied to the Australian public when she said there would be no carbon tax under a government she led.
“The current cash splash is nothing more than a household budget bandaid, which will not ease the years of hip pocket pain ahead.
“Australians know better – the carbon tax is really a con and it won’t do anything to address climate change.”