Carbon tax death a win for region, says Henderson

GEELONG households will be on average $550 a year better off after today’s scrapping of the carbon tax, according to Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
She called this morning’s senate vote to repeal the tax “great news for Corangamite families and small businesses”.
“Scrapping the carbon tax will save the average household around $550 a year, including around $200 on the average household electricity bill and around $70 on the average gas bill,” Ms Henderson said.
“This will reduce cost of living pressures for all Australians. The Government’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has been given extra funding and powers to ensure that savings are passed on to consumers.
“Scrapping the carbon tax will take the cost burden off small businesses such as retailers, which were never compensated for the extra costs. This will make it easier for small businesses to compete and employ more people.
“Our region has a great future in advanced manufacturing, and it is even brighter after the abolition of the carbon tax. The carbon tax was a $1.1 billion hit on the manufacturing sector alone, which was so damaging for the Corangamite and Geelong regions.”
Ms Henderson said the tax’s repeal was also good news for the region’s manufacturing industry as it battles job losses.
“If we want to be a premier hub for smart manufacturing, we must be as internationally competitive as possible. Abolishing the carbon tax is an important next step in realising that aspiration.”
Ms Henderson said many industry sectors had today welcomed the death of the carbon tax, including the National Farmers’ Federation, which had called it an “unnecessary cost impost on Australian farm businesses”.
“The carbon tax was a $9 billion a year hit on the economy,” Ms Henderson said.