The carbon tax has been abolished.
Today (Thursday) the Senate voted 39-32 to scrap Labor’s carbon pricing scheme after securing the support of Palmer United Party senators and other crossbenchers.
Liberal MPs have applauded the Abbott government’s move to axe the tax.
Mitchell MP Alex Hawke said ‘‘you can’t tax your way to a better climate’’.
‘‘The biggest impact is the reduction on the cost of living including electricity and gas prices,’’ Mr Hawke said.
‘‘It will be nine per cent lower for electricity and seven per cent lower for gas bills.
‘‘Households will save $550 a year.
‘‘Small businesses are the big winners. These businesses will pay less for these items.’’
Lindsay MP Fiona Scott agreed.
“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 Scott said.
‘‘This will reduce cost of living pressures for all Australians.’’
She said it will make it easier for local businesses to compete and employ more people.
“I’ve listened to many local residents concerned about how this unfair tax has imposed a real burden on their small businesses and their family,’’ Ms Scott said.
However, Greenway MP Michelle Rowland said axing the tax was nonsense.
"Polluters will be paid to pollute and it will do nothing address climate change," Ms Rowland said.
"Not a single serious scientist or economist supports it.
"We have just had the hottest year on record.
"History will judge Tony Abbott harshly for refusing to believe climate change is real and needs action."
Chifley MP Ed Husic added:
“As of today, Australia has no climate policy. Tony Abbott has us backwards, while the rest of the world is going forwards Today is also the culmination of Tony Abbott’s hysterical scare campaign about the impact of the carbon price on household costs”.
“Tomorrow, Tony Abbott needs to explain why Australians won’t see any price reductions in their groceries, holidays and rent but will still be struggling with the Government’s cruel Budget measures”.
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