Chris Ketter (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about the latest broken promise from this government of twisted priorities. In doing so, I will touch on answers given by Senators Abetz and Johnston in question time today. Earlier this week, as a matter of public importance, we discussed a series of promises broken by this government. Today I will talk about the latest in that series of broken promises—namely, the increase in the fuel tax, which will hit motorists for $2.2 billion over the next four years. This tax hike will disproportionately hit regional Queenslanders, who are already reeling from the savage cuts of an out-of-touch state government. But do not take my word for it; take the word of a noted Queensland leftie, Senator Ian Macdonald. On ABC Radio, Senator Macdonald said:

You have to have a car whether you are rich or poor.

He also said:

Regional Australians don't have the alternative of public transport …

Senator Macdonald is well aware of the impact of his government's latest broken promise and of the sneaky way it is being introduced into this place.

There are people other than the Labor Party railing against the government's fuel tax measure. Earlier in the year, when there was a prospect of something like this being included in the federal budget, the RACQ pointed out that an increase in fuel taxes would slug Queenslanders hardest. They said at the time:

To hit one of the biggest consumables that families pay for each week when living costs are so high is extremely disappointing. We're a decentralised state so we'll be hit harder because we travel further.

The CEO of Gold Coast Tourism, Martin Winter, said at the time that raising the fuel excise would hit the industry just when it was making some strong strides forward. Another notable critic of this change is the Queensland Treasurer, Tim Nicholls, who said that an excise hike would not be popular in Queensland—I think that is an understatement! He went on to say:

I would simply say that I don't believe Queenslanders would be very comfortable with an increase in the petrol tax at the moment.

So there are quite a substantial number of people coming out and saying that this is a very bad move. The Australian Automobile Association estimates that the average motorist will pay about $142 extra per year for fuel by 2016-17. They have also said that the latest move by the government is 'weak, sneaky and tricky.'

In an answer in today's question time, Senator Abetz made some comments that I just cannot let go. Senator Abetz said that the coalition parties are renowned for being lower taxers and that the Liberals and the Nationals are the parties of low tax. However, the ABC fact-checking facility, which is always very handy, points out that tax as a proportion of GDP averaged 21.4 per cent between 2007 and 2013 under Labor—whereas under the previous Howard government the tax take hit 23.5 per cent of GDP. Let us get our facts right and see who is really responsible.

In closing, I will touch briefly on Senator Johnston's answer on submarines. Before the election, the now Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston, said:

We will deliver those submarines from right here at ASC in South Australia. The coalition today is committed …

Given the opportunity to confirm that position today, the minister gave a very weak response. I visited the Collins-class submarine facility at the ASC in Adelaide and, unlike the defence minister, I could not help but be impressed and proud of what we are capable of building in our own backyard. All this is being put at risk by the twisted priorities of this government.

Question agreed to.