Carbon Tax Endangers Food Security

18-April-2011

Today’s revelations by Australian food manufacturers nail another of the Government’s carbon tax cons. Under Labor’s carbon tax, more food will be imported and less produced in Australia.

Food and grocery manufacturing is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector. It is worth more than $102 billion in turnover annually. It accounts for 9 per cent of Australia’s international trade valued at $449 billion in 2008-09.

The capacity of this industry is already being undermined by a government addicted to taxes. The carbon tax will further reduce its competitiveness and force Australian food producers out of jobs.

“The Government cares more about saving one job, the Prime Minister’s job, than it does about the jobs of thousands of Australians working in the food manufacturing sector,” said Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science, Sophie Mirabella.

“Australia has recently become a net importer of food and the carbon tax will only make the situation worse for the trade exposed food sector.

“In Labor’s desperation to stay in power they are putting the prospects of overseas food manufacturers ahead of Australians. This is yet another reason why Labor should dump its carbon tax con,” Mrs Mirabella said.