Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I was at a business this morning, Oxford Coal Storage in Melbourne. It has 400 employees and a $60,000 a month carbon tax, a bill that cascades right throughout the economy because this is one of the biggest food distributors in our country.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

So right around Australia every business is hit by the carbon tax. Every household is hit by the carbon tax, and the best thing this parliament can do right now for the businesses and the families of Australia is scrap the carbon tax.

This government was elected to do certain specific things. We were elected to stop the boats. We were elected to build the roads of the 21st century.

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

We were elected to get the budget back under control and, above all else, we were elected to scrap the carbon tax. If last year's election was about anything, it was a referendum on the carbon tax, and the answer of the Australian people was absolutely clear—scrap this toxic tax! It is a nine per cent impost on the price of power. It is a $9 billion a year handbrake on our economy. It is a $550 a year hit on households. This toxic tax must go, and it will go under this government.

Mr Burke interjecting—

If the carbon tax stays, by midcentury our steel production will be down 20 per cent, our aluminium production will be down by 60 per cent, our gross national income per person will be down by $4,000. There will be a cumulative $1 trillion reduction in Australia's GDP. This is an economic disaster, and it is all the fault of members opposite.

Today legislation to scrap the carbon tax was reintroduced into this House of Parliament. Shortly, this legislation will be considered by the Senate and soon members opposite will have to say where they stand on this tax.

Opposition members interjecting—

Before the election they said they wanted to terminate the carbon tax. Well, they have their chance to terminate the carbon tax.

Opposition members interjecting—

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