Federal Government sends carbon tax shock to Launceston City Council
With only two weeks until the start of the Carbon Tax, the Gillard Government’s carbon tax cop has written to Launceston City Council, naming it as one of Australia’s biggest polluters and telling it to brace itself for a major carbon tax hit.
The Gillard Government has remarkably named and shamed Launceston City Council as one of Australia’s biggest polluters and will make ratepayers pay significant carbon tax costs.
“The world’s biggest carbon tax is going to impact the budget of Launceston Council,” said Andrew Nikolic, Liberal Candidate for Bass.
“With only two weeks to go until the start of the carbon tax, it is clear the carbon tax will hit the Launceston City Council budget, just like it will hit households budgets.”
“The Australian Local Government Association estimates that the cost of the carbon tax (excluding landfill operations) will be a minimum of $185 million nationwide.
“In addition, councils like Launceston City Council will pay carbon tax on the landfill operations they run or use. As tip charges go up and up, the risk of illegal dumping will also go up and up.
“It beggars belief that Launceston City Council will be whacked for collecting and disposing of household rubbish.
“Collecting household rubbish is a core responsibility of local government – and under the carbon tax, councils will be slugged for collecting the rubbish.
Andrew Nikolic said local residents will be paying the carbon tax on their rates – just like they will be paying carbon tax on electricity, gas and groceries.
“By increasing council costs, the carbon tax costs will mean either increases in council rates and charges or cuts to services.
“These impacts are just the start as the carbon tax is legislated to go up and up.
Andrew Nikolic said Julia Gillard has no mandate from the people of Northern Tasmania for the carbon tax and that at the next election, the Coalition will seek a mandate to repeal this tax.
“There is a clear difference between the Coalition and Labor on this issue – Julia Gillard has no mandate for the carbon tax and Tony Abbott will seek a mandate to scrap it.”
