Media release
The federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, says his Senate team will support repealing the carbon tax if energy companies are required by law to pass the savings on to customers.
Mr Palmer is seeking a guarantee from the Abbott government that the carbon tax repeal bill ensures the full savings power companies receive under a repeal are handed on to everyday Australians.
“For too long pensioners, single mums and so many others doing it tough in our communities have struggled just to cover the basic costs in life,” he said.
“If the Palmer United Party senators are to support a repeal of the carbon tax it will be under the proviso that the savings, by law, are transferred into lower energy costs for everyday Australians.
“Only on these terms would we support repealing the carbon tax because of the benefits it would offer the people as well as the economy through the abolition of an artificial cost on business which was hampering our international competitiveness.”
On the issue of the mining tax, Mr Palmer said his Senators would be standing firm on not supporting its repeal unless the Abbott government stopped plans to cut welfare payments to orphans of soldiers killed or badly injured during service.
The Coalition has vowed to end the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme as soon as it repeals the mining tax.
“If they are to continue down this path there is no way we could support it in the Senate,’’ Mr Palmer said.
“If a person has made sacrifices for their country it’s an absolute disgrace for a government to attack their children.
“We are still waiting to hear from the Abbott government on what its final intentions will be on this matter and time is of the essence because we will need the opportunity to give the bill its due consideration.”