“Comments in today’s Financial Review by Ross Garnaut, a key advisor to the Multi-party Climate Change Committee, give the strongest sign yet that the Labor-Greens Coalition Government will include petrol in their carbon tax, said Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan today.
This additional burden on Australians comes after Prime Minister Gillard broke her promise to voters, made before the election that “I rule out a carbon tax.”
“During my discussion on ABC News 24 Pollies Panel last week with Labor MP Richard Marles, he refused to rule out including petrol in the carbon tax, dodging a direct question on this issue”, said Mr Tehan.
JILLIAN BRADFORD: Let's talk about cuts around the margins though, because a lot of people have equally criticised Labor for some of the schemes that you've adopted. To get serious about this, the old ETS petrol was exempt. At some point, you're going to have to tell consumers they've got to pay for fossil fuels. When are you going to take the hard decision about subsidising fossil fuels costing $4 billion a year?
RICHARD MARLES: Well, I think the most important thing we've got to do here, which will give indicators in a sense to all these things, including the question you've just asked, is putting a price on carbon. You know, as soon as we have a price on carbon in one form or another, that is going to give the proper indicator to the market, if you like, which will see us developing alternative fuel sources, renewable energy sources which enable us to deal with those kinds of issues. But…
RICHARD MARLES: What we need to be doing is putting a price on carbon in relation to trying to curb our emissions. That is the fundamental task and that is what we're pursuing doing.
“Richard Marles’ denials last week raise serious questions about the agenda of the Government as we are now seeing reports in the media that petrol will be included in the carbon tax.
“A massive new tax on petrol, on top of an electricity tax, a flood tax and a mining tax all adds up to prove this is the Government of incompetence, broken promises and higher taxes.
“Prime Minister Gillard desperately needs to appease the Greens so they will pass her flood tax. Including petrol in a carbon tax is a key demand from the Greens and Prime Minister Gillard will give anything to stay in Government.
“It’s a Government spend and tax merry-go-round, but the cost will be worn by everyday Australians who are already struggling with the soaring coast of living”, concluded Mr Tehan.
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