Bradfield Small Business Forum hears carbon tax concerns

Bradfield small businesses gathered today at Hornsby RSL for a forum on the carbon tax hosted by Mr Paul Fletcher MP, Federal Member for Bradfield,

“Local small businesses and family enterprises have been ignored as the Gillard government provides carbon tax carve outs and compensation for some sectors and has forgotten the small businesses that are the engine room of the economy,” Mr Fletcher said at the forum. 

“This Labor/Greens carbon tax adds cost and builds on each and every stage of the supply chain.”

“Despite a chorus of concern from small business about the added costs of energy and inputs, no compensation has been provided and the risk to jobs and small business viability has been ignored.”

“Tough trading conditions mean businesses are on tight margins and have little capacity to simply absorb cost increases.”

“These cost increases and lack of any compensation will particularly harm our smaller businesses where higher energy costs, longer supply chains and limited market power to push back on input cost increases will make difficult business conditions even worse.”

“Small business efforts to find operating cost savings to offset cost increases Labor’s carbon tax put even more pressure on small business employment.”

“Business owners and managers at the Forum spoke about their concerns, including the tax sucking $9 billion out of the economy and suppressing demand; and making it harder to compete in winning business internationally.”

“There was particular alarm at the heavy handed new rules which could expose businesses to prosecution if they cite the carbon tax as a reason for price increases.”

“Bradfield small businesses will be worse off under the carbon tax and the Gillard Government doesn’t seem to care,” Mr Fletcher said after the forum.