Carbon tax put firms "between a rock and a hard place"

21/08/2012 - The federal opposition has seized on a survey which suggests half of small businesses are already feeling the effects of Labor's carbon tax.

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The national survey of 186 small firms conducted for News Limited newspapers has found 50 per cent are reporting carbon tax-related price hikes.

But only one in three say they are passing on the costs to consumers, it says.

Coalition small business spokesman Bruce Billson says small firms are stuck with higher carbon tax costs, but many don't feel they can pass them on due to difficult trading conditions.

"Small businesses are stuck between a rock and a hard place with the carbon tax," he told reporters in Canberra.

"They are the intended casualties of a carbon tax designed to hurt and harm the Australian economy."

Coalition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt said Prime Minister Julia Gillard must start visiting small businesses to hear about their concerns first-hand.

"What we see today is more evidence the carbon tax isn't just about large firms," he said.

It was about butchers, fruit producers, injection moulders, and people involved in making solar hot water panels.

"They're the people who are bearing the real cost of the carbon tax," he said.

Source: AAP

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Have your say...

Kermit | 21/08/2012 10:35 1

Get used to it, Carbon Tax is just another TAX! Scientists know worldwide there is nothing man can do to change the Climate...that is FACT - you cannot wind back time! However, world governments (Australia included) could act smarter and NOT chase blindly Taxes designed by the international money lenders to justify the increases in interest rates as we move slowly but surely into deeper debit. The GFC was engineered to increase debit and reduce the standard of living of the middle class. Jul-Liar and her cronies could have chosen several methods to stimulate the economy, but she fell into the trap and now we pay the price. Global Warming and the resulting Carbon Tax was engineer to steal your money, it did not just happen! Of course the Tax is effecting business that is what it was designed for...GET USED TO IT!

Mike | 21/08/2012 13:55 2

Our electricity bill went up by $2000 / month attributed to the carbon tax. We are now seriously considering moving our manufacturing business off-shore.

greg | 21/08/2012 19:20 3

Mike Do you fill out your tax affairs with the same rubbery figures

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