House debates

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Statements by Members

Budget

1:42 pm

Photo of Rob MitchellRob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise to condemn this government for its obvious disregard for the people of regional Australia—people like those who live in my electorate in and around towns like Seymour, Wallan, Lancefield, Kilmore, Wandong and Broadford. There could be no clearer example of this lack of regard than the imposition of the new tax on petrol by the Hockey-Abbott budget. I find it incredible that anyone sitting on the Treasury benches who represents a regional area could even consider slugging our communities with a new tax on petrol. In fact, I am reminded of the words of the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party in this place over a decade ago:

Fuel tax is a tax on distance. If ever there was a country that should not aggressively tax fuel, it is a vast country like Australia. It is a tax on doing business outside of the capital cities.

It was true then and it is true now, and it is clear evidence that the coalition is treating regional Australia with disrespect.

Labor opposes a tax on petrol because it is unfair. This tax will place extra pressure on the family budget and it will affect those with less transport options who live in the country or on edge of the city. Moreover, it is another broken election promise. Our communities will be impacted more than anywhere else in Australia. We need our cars to get to and from work to pick up the kids, to do basic shopping and to visit the doctor. We do not have the luxury of other public transport around. The Liberal-National MPs opposite have abandoned their local communities, and never has an unfair budget treated rural and regional communities so— (Time expired).