A BUSINESS forum was held in Malaga to discuss the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax.
Organised by Malaga and Districts Business Association president Rod Henderson, the Opposition spokesman for Financial Services and Superannuation Mathias Cormann was invited to the forum to update the business community about the implications of another tax.
“Businesses are already doing it tough and are paying higher for fuel, power and gas,” Mr Henderson said.
“This is another tax they simply can’t afford.”
Senator Cormann told the business forum that a carbon tax would push up the cost of everything, make Australia less competitive internationally and cost jobs without doing anything to help reduce global emissions.
“Labor’s proposed carbon tax would just shift emissions from Australia overseas,” he said.
“The Government is talking a lot about compensation for low income earners and for the big polluters.
“But no one is paying any attention to the impact of this carbon tax on small business.
“The extra cost of power, freight and every other aspect of business will be passed on to all consumers and it will mean higher prices for everyone.”
Senator Cormann said billions of dollars would be collected by the carbon tax for no benefit, given that major “world polluters” were not taking part.
“The Coalition will oppose Labor’s carbon tax and we’ll remove it in Government if Labor succeeds in getting it through Parliament,” he said.