Tue, 13 Sep 2011 - 16:40
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Julia Gillard breaks promise: carbon tax bills come into Parliament

Today in Parliament, the Prime Minister introduced legislation for the carbon tax that she promised we would never have under her government, Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield, said today.

“Julia Gillard said today that the vote on her carbon tax legislation was so that ‘every member in this place can be judged.’  This is the same Prime Minister who said six days before the last election ‘there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead,’” Mr Fletcher said.

“The Labor/Greens carbon tax will drive up prices, threaten jobs and do nothing for the environment.  It is a great big new tax on everything, and every year it will just go up and up and up.

“According to NSW Treasury modelling the carbon tax will add $1.3 billion to the cost of NSW’s capital works programme and push up public transport fares by $150 a year.

“On the government's own figures, 3 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.

“Julia Gillard should apologise to the people of Bradfield for misleading the people and she should acknowledge that she has no mandate to introduce this carbon tax.

“There is a better way. The Coalition’s Direct Action plan is a strong and effective policy to reduce carbon emissions by 5% by 2020 without a new tax.  

“Our Direct Action plan is costed, capped and fully funded from savings to the budget. Direct Action means no costs to households, no new taxes, and no increase in electricity prices as a result of the policy.”

“The Coalition’s commitment to the Australian people is that we will do everything in our power to fight this toxic tax. The Coalition will oppose it in opposition and rescind it in government.  There must be no carbon tax without a mandate,” Mr Fletcher concluded.

Media Contact – Georgia-Kate Schubert 02 9465 3950 or 0414 210216