Local politician concerned about carbon tax

(By Hannah West – Bond University Journalism Student)

Liberal National Party member for Varsity Lakes’ electorate McPherson, Karen Andrews is concerned about the impact the new tax will have on families, particularly household budgets.

“If the carbon tax is passed by the parliament, families are likely to pay $300 more for power each year and at least six cents a litre more on petrol,” Andrews said.

“The tax will be implemented at a time when household budgets are already under pressure.”

Varsity Lakes resident Jeremy Fitzpatrick is worried about the price of living affecting his household budget.

“I am familiar with the proposed carbon tax, and as a student petrol prices and food prices are already an issue for me,” Jeremy said.

“I hope that rising prices for everyday needs like food don’t affect the Varsity Lakes area and make it less accessible for students like myself in the future”.

The Gillard government’s decision to introduce a carbon tax was met with furious opposition across the country as pre-election a key pre-election promise was broken.

Details of the tax, which is set to eventually morph in to a revamped emissions trading scheme, are unclear.

Petrol prices are predicted to be the first commodity to impact families in Varsity, set to rise 2.5 cents with every $10 of carbon tax.

Inflation set to shift between $25 - $40 over three to five years could mean up to a ten cent per litre rise to the cost of fuel at the pump for Varsity Lakes’ residents.

Petrol prices being at a two year high as a result of unrest in the UAE and North African regions are already causing strain on family budgets.