Abbott predicted that Paragon’s current annual electricity bill of $180,000 would increase by about $40,000-$50,000 annually under the proposed tax.
He says, “That’s before you pay more for transport, before you pay more for everything else because this is a tax that cascades through the economy. So what this means is everything you buy which is printed, whether it’s your newspaper, whether it’s your wedding invitations, whether it’s the menu in a restaurant , the price goes up and up and up.”
The opposition leader also claimed that the increased prices that would have to be passed onto print customers would not diminish print demand, but would instead see more imported print from China and similar overseas suppliers.
He continues, “This is an industry that suffers fierce import competition. So, not only will the price go up for consumers but tax payers’ jobs will be exported overseas.”
Printing Industries also has concern for the proposed tax, the Association has written to the Prime Minister and other senior government ministers, as well as the independents serving on the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee, voicing these concerns.
Hagop Tchamkertenian, national manager for policy and government affairs at Printing Industries says, “We have urged the government to ensure that the printing industry, which is exposed to international competition, is not disadvantaged by the introduction of a carbon tax. This is crucial, as any carbon tax induced cost increases will reduce the competitiveness of the printing industry resulting in potential carbon leakage.”
Tchamkertenian said preliminary assessments on the possible impact of the carbon tax shows that it could affect a range of cost areas. He adds, “Besides increased energy costs, other cost impacts could include increased raw material costs for paper and other consumables, freight and transport, and petrol.”
Printing Industries has prepared an issues paper on the carbon tax issue which outlines possible impacts on the industry and makes policy recommendations to ensure that the printing industry’s economic viability is not impaired. The issues paper will shortly be distributed to members for comment and feedback.
Tchamkertenian continues, “Our industry members are distributed across every region and electorate of Australia, a fact that the Government needs to appreciate when considering the economic impact of the proposed carbon tax.”
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