Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the fact that HM Gem Engines, a 50-year-old business based in Dandenong, is facing—

Ms Gillard interjecting—

Would you like me to pause, Ma'am?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry. I can listen to you.

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the Prime Minister to the fact that HM Gem Engines, a 50-year-old business based in Dandenong, is facing an increased electricity bill of $150,000 a year because of the carbon tax and to the statement by the owner, Bruce Parker, 'To introduce a carbon tax at a time like this is an absolute disgrace.' Why won't the Prime Minister apologise to Mr Parker for promising, 'There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead'?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the member's question, as I have indicated in this parliament on more than one occasion, I am concerned about businesses that are suffering with high electricity prices, with the 50, 60 and 70 per cent we have seen flowing in various states across the nation. I am concerned about that, which is why I am driving a process for change at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in December. I am concerned about that. I presume if the member is genuine about his question, he is concerned about that too.

On the impact of carbon pricing on electricity, we have always been very clear about that and always been very clear that that is why we are providing assistance to households and why we are providing support to businesses, including support to manufacturing businesses, through the ability to work with us for cleaner energy processes, a cleaner energy way of working.

I would remind the member that since the announcement of the carbon price GDP in our nation has increased by three per cent, household consumption has increased by three per cent and new business investment has increased by 20 per cent. That is—

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. It was actually about breaking the promise, 'There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead,' and whether the Prime Minister will—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dunkley will resume his seat. The Prime Minister is answering the question. The Prime Minister has the call.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the member well knows, as someone who stood in the 2007 election, he has been in favour of carbon pricing. Let me quote his exact words. He said:

It was actually the coalition that instigated work on the emissions trading scheme. … in … a report that I helped author back in 1998 which talks about regulatory arrangements for trading in greenhouse gas emissions—1998!

… …   …

The coalition’s commitment to an ETS is demonstrable.

So, like me, the member supports a price on carbon. The member should therefore say that in supporting a price on carbon it is important to work with businesses as they adapt to carbon pricing, and we are prepared to do so. What is not appropriate is to engage in a fear campaign not based on the facts, and it is not appropriate for the member who supports a price on carbon to come into this parliament now or to say to that business that he does not do so.

Mr Billson interjecting—

Mr Randall interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dunkley! The member for Canning may bring on a cup of tea very shortly if he is not careful.