SHADOW MINISTRY RESIGNATION STATEMENT

26-November-2009

My decision to offer my resignation from the Shadow Ministry is one I did not take lightly. I am compelled to do so because I cannot support Labor’s ETS.

It is with a heavy heart that I will cross the floor for the first time in my parliamentary career. This will be a vote against Labor’s ETS, not my colleagues.

I am of the view that there was a clear majority in the Party Room in favour of voting against this legislation, but accept the Leader has the role of interpreting the will of the Party Room.  That said, I cannot personally support his decision to vote for Labor’s ETS.

I am not prepared to vote in favour of a scheme that will change our economy forever -  imposing a hidden tax on everything and resulting in a huge cost impost on Australian families. Certainly not before the rest of the world makes a decision at Copenhagen.

Even though Coalition amendments improve the Bill, I still believe it is contrary to the national interest.

I therefore feel I have no choice but to vote against the Bill, and I am offering my resignation from the Shadow Ministry in order to do so.

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