The Prime Minister’s pledge to cut ‘green tape’ for business is hollow rhetoric, when the July 1 carbon tax will leave them drowning in paperwork, according to The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie.
“Federal Labor has failed to listen to this country’s biggest economic leaders,” she said.
“Prime Minister Julia Gillard acknowledged green tape is jeopardising hundreds of billions of dollars in investments, but the carbon tax is set to create even more regulation.
“Labor has only feigned interest in reducing regulatory burden. While 16,173 regulations have been introduced or amended since the 2007 election, only 79 have been repealed.”
Recent reports indicate the Business Council of Australia and other leaders have warned projects delayed by federal approval processes force costs up, deter investors, and lower productivity.
“These approval processes will be further complicated by the carbon tax, and it’s small business, the heart and soul of regional Australia’s economy, which will suffer most,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Every time they switch on the lights, fire up their computers, or start the engine of a delivery van they’ll be financially burdened by the carbon tax.
“Already in the last 12 months, Dunn and Bradstreet research shows small business is struggling, with bankruptcies jumping nearly 50%.
“The carbon tax is a $9 billion-a-year tax that will deeply affect regional Victorians.
“They’ll suffer a 10 to 30% increase in electricity bills and a 9% rise in gas bills in the first year alone.
“The tax will be slapped on all purchases, act as a $4.3 billion dollar hit to the budget bottom line, and do nothing to impact climate change,” Senator McKenzie said.