Time for the Independents to represent their electorates
07-October-2011
The 19 pieces of legislation which make up the Carbon Tax legislation will be voted on in the House of Representatives next week when Parliament resumes.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said it is now time for the Independent MP’s Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott to represent the wishes of their communities and oppose the “toxic” carbon tax.
“This will be a key test for the regional Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott as to whether they will honour the wishes of their constituents and vote against the proposed Carbon Tax, or if they will continue holding Australia to ransom for their own political gain.”
“Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott do not have a mandate to support such a tax. They have misled their electorates by supporting the failed Gillard Government along with the Greens. It is now time for them to do what is right for the people who voted them in and that is to oppose the Carbon Tax.”
“If Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott truly represent their local communities, then they must vote against this $105 billion tax.”
“We will be watching to see who is a really standing up for regional Australia.”
“If Labor is determined to pursue the Carbon Tax with the Greens and Independents, then they should respect the democratic process and let the next election be a referendum on the issue.”
“If people are to pay the tax, then they deserve a say.”
“The community should also be aware that the Carbon Tax will not reduce Australia’s emissions. Australia’s emissions will increase from 578 million tonnes to 621 million by 2020.”
“This is a flawed policy and is nothing more than a tax on civilisation,” Mr Coulton said. “It hits families and business with an enormous tax, which will drive up prices and send jobs offshore, but fails to achieve the objective of reducing Australia’s emissions.”
“The Carbon Tax legislation is buck-passing responsibility for emissions reductions via the purchase of foreign carbon credits. The Gillard Labor Government is forecasting it will spend $3.5 billion in 2020 to buy 100 million tonnes of carbon credits from overseas, rising to $57 billion in 2010 dollars by 2050.”
“Despite Australian’s paying the $105 billion Caron Tax it will not reduce Australia’s emissions,” said Mr Coulton.