North Coast residents betrayed as carbon tax passes through Parliament

November 8, 2011

North Coast residents will pay a huge price for the Gillard Government’s carbon tax betrayal, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today.

“The passage of the carbon tax through Parliament today was confirmation in law of the Gillard Government’s betrayal of the Australian people,” Mr Hartsuyker said.  "Julia Gillard and Independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor should hang their heads in shame at their contempt for the Australian people.The carbon tax is a toxic tax based on a lie from a Prime Minister who promised six days before the last election ‘there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead’.

“This new tax is a blow to the future of North Coast local manufacturers and small business. The tax will be an additional burden for families struggling under cost of living increases.  The tax will increase but the so-called compensation won’t.  On the Government’s own figures, three million Australian households will be worse off under the carbon tax.  On the Government's own figures, many dual income families will be worse off once they reach the typical income of a school teacher and a shop assistant; or that of a policeman and a part-time nurse.

“The longer this tax is in place, the worse the consequences for the economy, jobs and families.  It will drive up the cost of living, threaten jobs and do nothing for the environment.  In the absence of action by other nations, all that the Gillard Government has done today is export jobs and emissions overseas.  Julia Gillard has no mandate from the people for this new tax.  At the next election, Tony Abbott and the Coalition will seek a mandate from the Australian people to repeal this tax. I believe the Coalition’s position is principled, it is clear to all and it will free the economy from the red tape, costs and job losses that the carbon tax will produce.”