TLST WELCOMES TEMCO RE-OPENING BUT WARNS OF MORE PAIN TO COME

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday May 8, 2012

TLST WELCOMES TEMCO RE-OPENING BUT WARNS OF MORE PAIN TO COME

The Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team has welcomed the announcement from BHP Billiton that it is re-opening its Temco smelter at Bell Bay, but says it is regrettable that jobs will be lost in the process.

“While we acknowledge the high Australian dollar is putting business under great pressure, there’s no denying that the looming Carbon Tax will add additional cost strain, dampen productivity, deter investment and reduce competitiveness,” Senator Richard Colbeck said.

“Come July 1, the Federal Government is giving Australia the biggest Carbon Tax in the world which will drive up electricity prices, transport costs and increase manufacturing expenses.”

This is what is confronting the nation in just a few short weeks’ time because the Prime Minister wasn’t prepared to stand up to the Greens and broke a promise she made to the Australian public.

“Like households, companies are trying to prepare for this looming tax which will cascade through the economy, destroying industries and costing jobs,” Senator David Bushby said.

And it’s only going to get worse with Budget papers confirming that despite falling international prices, the Carbon Tax will go up to $29 a tonne in three years.

“It is heartening to see that BHP Billiton has been able to avoid a complete closure, albeit with the unfortunate loss of some jobs, but not every company will be able to find enough savings to deal with the flow on costs associated with this toxic tax which is being thrust upon manufacturers trying to deal with the high Australian dollar,” Senator Bushby said.
Senator Richard Colbeck