Oakeshott commits the ultimate betrayal by voting in favour of Julia Gillard’s carbon tax

October 12, 2011

The Member for Lyne Rob Oakeshott has committed the ultimate betrayal today by supporting Julia Gillard Government’s carbon tax, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today.

Legislation which will see a carbon tax introduced next year passed through the House of Representatives today with the support of Mr Oakeshott and the Federal Member for New England Tony Windsor.

“Mr Oakeshott has betrayed the people of his electorate today by voting for the carbon tax,” Mr Hartsuyker said.  “He has voted for this job-destroying carbon tax and abandoned jobs and industries in his electorate. And he has ignored the views of the majority of his constituents. This fundamental betrayal is going to drive up the cost of living for North Coast residents and it is going to make their jobs less secure.

“On the government's own figures, three million Australian households will be worse off under the carbon tax.  On the Government's own figures, dual income families will be worse off once they have the income of a school teacher and a shop assistant; or that of a policeman and a part-time nurse.  Where are these families expected to find the money to pay for Julia Gillard’s carbon tax?

“This Labor/Green/Independent had no mandate to introduce this tax, particularly because Julia Gillard said five days before the last election 'there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead'.  If Rob Oakeshott was serious about putting his constituents first he would have supported the Coalition amendments which would have given Australians the right to vote for or against the tax.  The Coalition’s commitment to the Australian people is that we will continue to do everything in our power to fight this toxic tax.

“If we are going to take the cost of living pressures off Australian families and if we are going to give Australian manufacturing industry a fighting chance, then we must fight the carbon tax.  The Coalition will oppose Labor’s toxic carbon tax in opposition and we will rescind it in government."