The Government has today forced the Senate to cut short debate on the carbon tax legislation, reducing the time available for Senators to speak to the carbon tax bills.
Joining forces with the Greens, the Government rammed through an amendment to the sitting schedule that means the legislation will now be brought to a vote much sooner than expected.
Senator McKenzie expressed her disappointment this morning, saying “this Government is desperate to push through its carbon tax legislation because it is all too aware of how unpopular the carbon tax is with ordinary Australians.”
Following the successful Government motion, Senator McKenzie said “the Government and the Greens are stifling debate in order to rush a vote on a tax that the community doesn’t want, and a tax that the Government itself promised not to introduce at last year’s election.
“The extra carbon tax burden is an issue that should face proper scrutiny by the Australian Parliament before being forced onto families already facing cost of living pressures.
“This is particularly the case for regional Victoria, where the impact on jobs will be felt far and wide. The horticulture, dairy and transport industries are just some of those who have already expressed their concern at the large scale impacts they face.
“No reason has been given by the Government for this gag on debate,” Senator McKenzie said, explaining “With the addition of an extra sitting week devoted to carbon tax debate, the Coalition expected to have the opportunity to properly consider the legislation.
“Now the Senate vote has been brought forward to next Tuesday, much earlier than the originally anticipated November 21 vote”.
The Prime Minister should recognise that the Government has no mandate to introduce a carbon tax, and take the imposition of a carbon tax to an election.
Senator McKenzie spoke today in the Senate on the carbon tax.