Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Is the minister aware of the statement made by the Australasian Railway Association at the most recent hearing in the inquiry into grain exports by the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee that the government's carbon tax will cost the Australian freight sector approximately $20 million per year? The carbon tax is due to start in only 110 days. Why is the government introducing the world's biggest carbon tax, which will be a significant impost on a business vital to Australia's agricultural industry, when regional communities are already struggling after years of droughts and now flooding?