Dear Editor,
The Labor Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, is in complete denial over the impact the government’s carbon tax will have on industry in her electorate.
Recently I listed impacts the carbon tax will have on the north coast, including an additional $250,000 in power costs in the first year alone for an average abattoir processing 3000 cattle a week.
This information was reliably sourced from within the industry and was backed by the Northern Co-operative Meat Company general manager, Gary Burridge. He told your paper his business was looking at increased power costs of more than $300,000 a year because of the carbon tax. He also indicated the business would have to pass on that cost on to domestic clients.
The Northern Co-operative Meat Company is not alone. Which is why I find it astonishing that Ms Saffin refuses to acknowledge these concerns by industry within her own electorate.
She instead insists the meat processing sector is tipped to grow by 12 per cent by 2020 under a carbon price. I’m sure the industry would like to see what modelling those figures are based on. The Labor government lost credibility after revelations Treasury’s modelling was based on a $20 a tonne carbon price, not the $23 a tonne it announced.
Once the Emissions Trading Scheme takes place in 2015 the price will rise and fluctuate according to market movements, which raises the question to Ms Saffin how her government can guarantee adequate compensation to those affected.
Ms Saffin says meat processors can get assistance from the government’s Food and Foundries Fund. What she doesn’t say is that food processors have to stump up $3 for every $1 the government provides, despite operating on slim margins.
Ms Saffin says it is “utterly irresponsible” to be raising what are legitimate concerns about the impact a carbon tax will have on businesses, industry and families. It’s time the MP took a reality check.
Yours sincerely,
Senator Fiona Nash
Nationals Duty Senator for Page
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