SENATOR THE HON. ERIC ABETZ
Leader of the Government in the Senate
SENATOR THE HON. MITCH FIFIELD
Manager of Government Business in the Senate
MEDIA RELEASE
4 July 2014
Carbon tax repeal a top priority
Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Eric Abetz, said today that repealing the carbon tax is the first priority of the new Senate in order to decrease the cost of living for Australian households and to protect the jobs of working Australians.
“The repeal Bills cannot be debated until the Environment and Communications Committee, which has completed its report, is able to table that report,” Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Mitch Fifield said.
“We understand Labor and the Greens refused to participate in a meeting of the Environment and Communications Committee this morning, therefore depriving the committee of a quorum and stopping it from passing motions,” Senator Fifield said.
“The committee has finished its report on the carbon tax package of legislation and sought to table it before Monday, to allow debate to get underway as promptly as possible, but the under-hand tactics of Labor and the Greens have so far prevented that.”
As soon as the committee tables its report, the new Senate will be able to debate the carbon tax repeal package.
Senator Abetz said it was time for Labor and the Greens to simply stop being parliamentary vandals.
“The Labor-Green alliance has abused due process by playing truant from a committee to stop it finalising its business.”
Repeal of the carbon tax remains the Government’s priority in the new Senate.
Senator Abetz said this was the last hurrah from the Labor-Green alliance left over from the last Parliament.
“The Government will not deviate from our course,” Senator Abetz said.
“We will not allow these petty games which abuse proper parliamentary process to stop the Senate dealing with this job-destroying tax, once and for all.”
Media contacts:
Senator Abetz – David Allender 0457 590 881 Senator Fifield – Lydia Bevege 0409 792 081