CARBON TAX MAY HIT LOCAL LANDFILL
22-September-2011
Rates in the Rural City of Wangaratta and other local shires could be set to rise sharply if council landfills become liable under the Government’s Carbon Tax legislation.
Details outlined in the Government’s exposure draft show that small landfill sites, like that in Wangaratta could be forced to pay for their emissions if they fall within a “prescribed distance of another landfill facility that is open for the acceptance of the same class of waste”.
Landfill sites that emit more than 25,000 tonnes of C02e (C02 equivalent) will be automatically subject to the Carbon Tax.
The “prescribed distance” is yet to be detailed by the Government, even after releasing details of further regulations on Wednesday night.
Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella MP said this just proves that Labor’s claims that only the “top 500 polluters” will pay, is nothing but dishonest spin.
“This is yet another case of announcing policy without the detail,” said Mrs Mirabella.
“Is Labor suggesting that the Wangaratta Landfill is one of the ‘top 500 polluters’?
“If not, then the Minister needs to make that clear and he needs to do that immediately.
“This has the potential to substantially push up council rates at a time when families can least afford it.
“It’s also a completely counterproductive policy. Local councils invest large amounts of money to reduce their landfill emissions. If the Government applies another tax, it will reduce the amount of money they have available to invest in emissions reduction technology.
“I have written to Minister Combet seeking urgent clarification on the details of “prescribed distance”. In the meantime, local Councils will have to sit their without any idea of whether or not they will be liable to pay the Carbon Tax,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.