THE Coalition Government has today kept its promise to the families, small businesses and farmers of the Riverina and abolished the carbon tax, Riverina MP Michael McCormack said.
“Everyone knows the carbon tax was having a detrimental impact on many businesses and industries within our region,” Mr McCormack said.
“It was harming confidence and jeopardising jobs in the economy, particularly locally in the Riverina, and the Coalition has moved to renew hope and economic growth whilst taking practical action to benefit the environment.”
An electorate-wide survey conducted by Mr McCormack in 2012 indicated 80 per cent of respondents did not want a carbon tax.
The carbon tax repeal has also been welcomed by Riverina businesses, including JBS Riverina, a high quality integrated feedlot and processing facility, which employs 500 people at Yanco.
“The carbon tax was a major cost on our grain-fed beef export business, which impeded our competitiveness in cost to operate terms against our major competitor the United States, who don’t have to pay this tax,” Director of JBS Australia John Berry said.
“JBS Riverina produces a high quality grain-fed beef product and we compete in a highly competitive international market. This was an unfair tax on our business and we welcome its repeal today.
The bid to ensure a better deal for farmers and small businesses in regional communities started with The Nationals in 2009.
“The Nationals have always known the impact a tax such as this one would have on country communities. Many of us, like me, have grown up on farms and run small businesses, which are the producers and employers of much of the Riverina’s economy,” Mr McCormack said.
“Today we kept the faith with the people of the Riverina.”