Dissenting Report by Senator John Madigan
I strongly object to
the introduction of any carbon tax or carbon trade scheme.
1.1 The passing
of this bill will only further damage already struggling rural and regional
Australian communities.
The loss of jobs in
manufacturing in these areas because of this bill will further fuel the very
real feelings of desperation, despair and hopelessness felt in these
communities.
1.2 While the
bill has been debated rigorously between parties in the chamber, the needs of
Australian workers, families and communities have been forgotten.
This has sent a clear
message that region and rural communities, livelihoods and families in this
country are simply not important.
1.3 The
devastating effects on rural and regional communities by this tax has simply
not been taken into account.
Recent visits to the
Latrobe Valley, Mackay, Geelong and Tamworth have given me a first-hand look at
what the passing of this bill would do to communities.
Once the major energy
producer for the state of Victoria and an absolute industry powerhouse, the
Latrobe Valley was first destroyed by privatisation and will receive the final
blow by this carbon tax.
Thousands of jobs will
be lost in the already struggling communities.
The St Vincent de Paul
branch in the town of Moe in the Latrobe Valley has given out more than $17,000
worth of food vouchers in the past three months.
This figure does not
include assistance given for utility bills. The organisation expects this
number to rise. This is simply one indication of one assistance group in one
town.
Thousands of jobs will
be lost in the already struggling communities.
Similar scenes are
playing out right now across the country.
1.4 Communities
have an air of desperation about them. Shops are closing and small businesses
are leaving. Along with them leave the opportunities for apprenticeships and
jobs. Families are deserting the communities. The towns have experienced rises
in unemployment and suicide rates.
All Australian’s have
the right to paid employment. To be able to earn a wage, support a family, a
community and have self respect.
This bill is ignoring
the rights of Australians around the country and is simply killing communities.
Over 75 per cent of the
nation has spoken out against this tax. I cannot support a tax so strongly
opposed to by the Australian public.
Senator John
Madigan
Democratic Labor
Party Senator for Victoria
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page