George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

We have had a million-dollar gabfest on tax reform from a bunch of experts the week before we are introducing the biggest reform that Australia has had in taxation, the carbon tax. It is funny that that was off the agenda. I want to put it on the agenda again. We have passed it today but the people I want to talk to about reform are the electorate. The people in my electorate are saying a lot of interesting things about the carbon tax, this major tax reform. Lynne Kingston of Glenella says that she voted for the Prime Minister at the last election but she will not make that mistake again—because of this carbon tax. There is Alan Zamparutti of Dolphin Heads, who says that the tax has nothing to do with the environment and it should not have gone ahead. Marc Turner of Cannonvale says that while we should be taking reasonable steps to reduce emissions, this tax is going to be inappropriate in the current economic conditions of the world. These are emails that came into me this morning.

Robert Hadley of Mackay says that this does nothing for the environment; it is just a government revenue raising piece. Paula Cooper of Blacks Beach is also opposed to the carbon tax. I have Lisa Hildenbeutel of Glenella who says to the government, 'How dare you do this to the nation?' These are the people who missed out on a say in this major tax reform. They were not invited to any place to come and sit down and talk with the government about this. I have Rachael Halls of Andergrove who says that the carbon tax is going to make costs go higher and not solve anything. Steve Halten of Airlie Beach tells the government that we should be voting no on the carbon tax. Ross and Linda Csincsi of Idalia say that the carbon tax is just a money grab. I have a Chris Bowen of Blacks Beach who feels the carbon tax is more about money and less about the environment. Robert Anderson of Beaconsfield says that this tax is pointless. Dr Greg Canning of Annandale reminds the Prime Minister that she said there would be no carbon tax and tells her to show some integrity. There is a Donna Bloedow of Mackay who says that this carbon tax is just another money grabbing scheme. Yvonne Davis of North Mackay tells the government that they do not have a mandate to bring in the carbon tax. Carol Ward of Rural View is appalled that this tax has not been put to a vote by the people. Olwyn Doyle of Beaconsfield has never seen such a blatant money grab as this carbon tax. John Doyle of Beaconsfield says that he cannot support a carbon tax that drives up the cost of living. Helen Virgo of Glenella wants to know why a carbon tax is being implemented on lives. Grace Veldhuis of Blacks Beach says that this tax will do nothing for the environment. Jack and Diane Dobbs of Proserpine say that this carbon tax should be stopped for many reasons. These are people who have been left out of having their say on this major tax reform. Again, John Daymond, of Slade Point, calls the carbon tax a money grab. Linda Dempsey of North Mackay says that under this carbon tax things are going to get worse. Steven of Seaforth says that the carbon tax will just send our businesses offshore. Paul and Kellee Fogg, of Cannonvale, point out that the cost of living will increase under the carbon tax. Murray Brehaut of Annandale says that the carbon tax will kill off business investment and be a financial strain for all Australians. Bruce Hart of Annandale says no to the carbon tax and tells the government that this will add to the cost-of-living burden that people currently have.

John Beningfield of Wulguru calls the carbon tax a scam. Bill Tuckett, again of Wulguru, says he is opposed to the carbon tax. Delma Coleman of Wulguru says that this will do nothing for the environment. Graeme Lodge of Mackay says, 'Reform as big as this requires a mandate, not a minority government.' Brian Eade of Ayr says no to the carbon tax. Laureen Hearne of Ayr says that Australians do not want this 'wealth redistribution tax'. Matthew Reed of Midge Point wants to know how the government can guarantee that he will not lose his mining job and then his home because of this carbon tax.

Anne Bundesen of Proserpine also calls the tax a money grab. Carley Radel of Mackay says that she is waiting for the next election to axe the government if they do not axe the carbon tax . Peter Ahchay of Eimeo says, again, that it will do nothing for the environment. David Jarrott of Mackay, who is a self-funded retiree says, 'This carbon tax is a "fighting-windmills" exercise.' Trevor Mackenzie of Mackay says that when the government went to the polls the Prime Minister said she would not bring it in and now it has become law. He says that the government do not have a mandate. These are all people who were not heard by the government on the most major tax reform that we have had in this nation, the carbon tax.

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