Trucking industry will soon know its fate under carbon tax, with the government to reveal all on July 10
By Brad Gardner | July 5, 2011
The trucking industry will soon learn what the carbon tax has in store for it, with the Federal Government to release the details of the scheme this week.
The government announced its carbon tax package would be unveiled on Sunday, July 10, ending a lengthy negotiation process between it, the Greens and independents on crafting a response to climate change.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has already stated the carbon tax will not apply to fuel for families, tradesman and small businesses with light commercial vehicles.
In an announcement on its Climate Change Action website, the government says a carbon tax will create incentives to lower carbon pollution.
“It will do this by putting a price tag on the pollution of fewer than 1,000 businesses,” the government says.
“More than half the revenue raised will be used for tax cuts and increased payments to households, which will be generous, fair and permanent and will keep pace with cost impacts from the carbon price in the future.”
The government intends to introduce legislation this year, with the scheme intended to begin on July 1, 2012.
Commentators have tipped a starting price of $25 a tonne, which will increase the price of fuel by about 7 cents per litre unless compensatory measures are introduced for trucking operators.
Fearing transport operators are being singled out, the Australian Trucking Association is lobbying for the carbon tax to apply to all road users or none at all.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is campaigning for owner-drivers and employee drivers to be exempted.
The ATA believes the government will tinker with the fuel tax credit, which is currently 15 cents per litre, if it decides to create a dual system for road users under the carbon tax.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott is opposed to the carbon tax and has vowed to rescind it if he wins government.