Rally proof of opposition to carbon tax
23-March-2011
“This is evidence that the people of Australia do not want a carbon tax,” Member for Parkes Mark Coulton stated, as thousands of people rallied on the lawns of Parliament House to protest the Gillard Government’s proposed carbon tax.
“This tax on civilisation is only one of three major taxes the Gillard Government is introducing into Parliament this year,” Mr Coulton stated. “And they cannot even provide evidence that this carbon tax will benefit the environment in any way.”
Nationals Leader Warren Truss and Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce addressed the rally and reinforced that the Nationals are against a carbon tax and highlighted the impacts this tax will have on industry and employment.
The Government is yet to release details of the carbon tax, including the price of the of the carbon tax, however it is estimated that under a $26 a tonne carbon price power bills will increase $300 a year and petrol prices would rise 6.5c a litre.
Mr Coulton stated “This carbon tax will put pressure on families, especially families in regional and rural areas, with increased electricity, food and petrol prices. Under this carbon tax, driving to the supermarket will become more expensive, as will the food you intend to purchase.”
Labor MPs labelled the people who attended the No Carbon Tax Rally as climate change deniers and extremists, which Mr Coulton called ‘offensive’.
“There are so many truly concerned people out there, wondering how they will afford to pay their electricity bills and how they will afford to purchase groceries,” Mr Coulton stated. “I have been contacted by people in the Parkes Electorate that wanted to attend this rally or hold a rally in their local communities.”
“The Australian public has been betrayed by Julia Gillard and by no means does their presence at the rally make them extremists.”
“The strong turn-out we saw on the lawns of Parliament House today should send a clear message to the Gillard Government that this carbon tax will be rejected by the Australian people.”