Businesses risk $1.1 million fine for false carbon claims

17/07/2012 - The federal government is repeating its warning for businesses not to blame price rises on the carbon tax.

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News Limited papers reported on Monday the cost of hiring mini skip bins had increased by at least $100, or 25 per cent, since the carbon tax came into effect on July 1.

The price rises were blamed on the carbon price and a new NSW state government waste charge.

But the Gillard government says NSW tax increases has had a far greater impact on the rising cost of waste disposal than the carbon tax.

The state government waste levy has gone up abound 15 per cent in metropolitan Sydney.

"This rise is completely unrelated to the carbon price, but also began on 1 July 2012," Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said in a statement on Monday.

"By contrast, the impact of the carbon price on domestic waste collection is as little as 13 cents per week if best practice methods are adopted."

He warned businesses not to mislead customers by blaming the price rises on the carbon tax.

"If businesses make false carbon price claims, they run the risk of breaching the Competition and Consumer Act and could be subject to a $1.1 million fine for misleading consumers."

The coalition's climate action spokesman Greg Hunt said the report showed small businesses and families were paying the carbon tax, rather than the big polluters.

"This is a major blow for people wanting to clean up the backyard, renovating or building a house," he said in a statement.

This could lead to more illegal dumping.

"While the federal government is trying to address on environmental issue, it's creating another one."

Source: AAP

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Have your say...

Pat | 17/07/2012 09:43 1

You can bully people all you want Combet. But if you expect to be taxing something and for prices not to go up your an idiot. And all the bullying in the world wont change the fact that the Australian public knows why our prices are going up. It's complements of you and the feral greens, that you where to gutless to stand up to. Get out of our sight.

alan | 17/07/2012 10:27 2

Pat, I agree with you totally, well said. Labor = Socialist Disaster.

max | 17/07/2012 11:10 3

So Greg Hunt is excusing people if they illegally dump rubbish and blame it on the carbon tax Who is the real idiot.Typical of the rAbbott party when the carbon tax is introduced and the sun still rises the economy is still the best in the world they have to pedal the same rubbish and people like these two fall hook line and sinker.SPREAD FEAR AND HATE AND THE DUMB WILL FOLLOW

Phil | 17/07/2012 12:39 4

How stupid is this Government. If you place a broad base tax on business than all those costs are passed onto the consumer.We are not just talking about the cost of waste disposal but all the increases in operational expenses that this new tax has given us that has forced up the total price by 25%. Don't start thinking Labour it could be even more dangerous!

Pat | 17/07/2012 15:43 5

Hmmmm, "Spread Fear and Hate and The Dumb Will Follow" Hey. Are you for real Fella. I CANT Stand Tony Abbott either. But if there was any fear pedlar, have a look at the outrageous smear campaigns by Swan, Juliar and Co against Gina Rhinehart, Clive Palmer, Andrew Forrest and anyone and everyone who dares to contradict their godlike wisdom,words and morality. Talk about pot callin the kettle black. And this $1.1M fine for anyone who puts their prices up and dares to say it's because of an ill considered Carbon Tax is rank bullying of the worst kind. Problem with you feral green fools is ya want it all your own way and damn anyone else who contradicts you. Bet you've got two cars, dishwasher, 3 tv's, no solar, no double glazing, no recycling ethos in the house and happy to leave your lights on all night. The hypocracy of people who can afford to ignore the cost of a Carbon Tax is Galling.

J.O. | 17/07/2012 17:05 6

"If best practice methods are adopted" - what about those who can't afford those methods, Combet?

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