CARBON TAX REPEAL TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN VALLEY
October 17, 2013
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt says the release of carbon tax repeal bills is the first step towards restoring certainty and stability in the Latrobe Valley.
The Government has released the bills for public consideration.
Mr Hunt said abolishing the carbon tax was the government’s first item of parliamentary business and would be introduced when Parliament resumes next month.
He said the introduction of an Emissions Reduction Fund could substantially cut emissions in the Latrobe Valley.
“There is the potential for emissions from Victoria’s brown coal power stations to be at least halved over the next decade,” Mr Hunt said.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the carbon tax had threatened local jobs and economy.
He said the repeal will help secure the long-term future of Latrobe Valley jobs.
“Removing the tax will reduce the cost of living pressures and provide greater stability and certainty for the power industry and local business community in the long-term,” Mr Chester said.
“Jobs will be more secure, there’ll be a reduction in the cost of living pressures for households, business confidence will lift and farmers should see better value for money with their input costs.
“While the carbon tax will be abolished, household assistance which has already been provided will remain in place to help families with the cost of living.”
Mr Chester said the Labor Party should support the removal of the tax.
“It’s time for the Labor caucus to recognise the mandate of the new government and pass legislation that will repeal the carbon tax when it’s introduced to Parliament next month,” Mr Chester said.
Public consultation on the carbon tax repeal bills will be invited until November 4, 2013.
Anyone wishing to view the bills should log on to www.environment.gov.au/carbon-tax-repeal/consultation.html