PM Tony Abbott takes to YouTube to ramp up pressure on Labor over carbon tax repeal bill

Updated

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has moved to increase pressure on the Labor Party over axing the carbon pricing scheme, saying it would be the "best possible Christmas present" for Australians.

Legislation to repeal the scheme is set for debate in the Senate this week but the bills are headed for defeat at the hands of the Opposition and the Greens.

Parliament has resumed today for the final sitting fortnight of the year.

In a video statement posted on YouTube, Mr Abbott has repeated his Government's assertion that abolishing the price on carbon would save householders hundreds of dollars.

Key points Tony Abbott has posted a video statement on YouTube calling on Labor to vote in the Senate to abolish the carbon tax

Opposition leader Bill Shorten says Labor will only vote to repeal the carbon tax if it is replaced by an emissions trading scheme

Environment Minister Greg Hunt says he is hopeful the bill will go to a vote in the Senate before Parliament rises for Christmas

Senate committees looking into the repeal of the carbon and mining taxes are expected to report back today



"You could do a lot with $550. That's what every Australian household on average will get from the abolition of the carbon tax," he said.

"Now it's up to Bill Shorten and Labor to respect your wishes and abolish the carbon tax in the Senate.

"It would be the best possible Christmas present for the Australian people.

"Let your Senators and members of Parliament know it's time - it's time to axe the carbon tax."

But the Labor Party insists it will only agree to abolish the tax if it is replaced with an emissions trading scheme - and not the Coalition's Direct Action policy, which gives taxpayers' funds to polluting companies to cut their emissions.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the Government is a "climate change denier".

"Labor want to ensure that Australia is not left doing nothing on pollution," he told RN Breakfast.

"We have said that we would vote to repeal a carbon tax and replace it with something that works genuinely to tackle the challenge of carbon pollution."

Hunt hopeful of pre-Xmas vote

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has also called on the Senate to respect the Government's mandate and pass the bills before Parliament rises for the Christmas break on December 12.

"We hope and expect that the Senate will vote on repeal of the carbon tax in the forthcoming two weeks," he told AM.

"That means that the carbon tax repeal can be settled before Christmas to provide certainty for business, confidence for Australians and fulfilment of the outcome of the election."

The Government is also not backing away from its threat to call a double-dissolution election if the repeal legislation is blocked.

"We certainly want to take every step to bring forward the passage of the carbon tax repeal bills for a very simple reason," Mr Hunt said.

"These bills are set to increase from $24.15 a tonne, if they're not passed, to $25.40 as of July 1 next year.

"In other words, another hit on electricity, so we want to do everything we can to bring forward the abolition of the tax so as we can move to practical measures, rather than an electricity tax.

"I don't believe there should be any reason or excuse for delay.

"I do believe that the ALP will try to do everything they can to denounce the carbon tax on the one hand, yet keep it through their actions on the other hand.

"It's a classic case of say one thing and do another."

Senate committees looking into the repeal of the carbon and mining taxes are also expected to report back today.

Topics: environment, federal-parliament, parliament, government-and-politics, business-economics-and-finance, australia

First posted