July 23, 2010
The Rudd-Gillard Government which failed to properly consult Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley over its failed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will now develop a “citizens’ assembly” to take over decision-making on the issue.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has criticised Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s proposal for a 150 strong committee to debate the future of the ‘big new tax’.
Mr Chester said Gippslanders would find it remarkable that a government which had refused to consult locals on the impacts of its ETS had developed another delaying tactic.
“Not one of Labor’s Cabinet Ministers has come to Gippsland to explain the ETS for the past three years,” Mr Chester said
“Now Julia Gillard wants a big new committee to talk about her big new tax that will cost jobs in the Latrobe Valley.
“I’ve said all along that the region is at the pointy end of the ETS debate. It’s our jobs that will be lost if the Labor Party introduces the ETS and places our industries at a disadvantage compared to their international competitors.
“An independent report released by the Wellington Shire Council late last year found that up to 3000 jobs would be lost across industries in Gippsland if Labor’s ETS was introduced.”
Mr Chester said Gippslanders had a right to know the details of the preference deal negotiated between the Greens and Labor Party.
“Labor has done a backroom deal with the Greens and I’m concerned that many residents across the Latrobe Valley will pay the price with their jobs,” Mr Chester said.
“Labor’s ETS is a jobs killer in our region and the Greens want to go further.”