John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Ludwig. I refer the minister to Grain Products Australia, a Tamworth business that employs 68 people and has been crippled by the government's carbon tax. Over the last three months the electricity bills of Grain Products Australia have had carbon tax charges of $27,000, $28,000 and $29,000 respectively and, in the words of the owner, 'are making life very, very difficult'. Given that Grain Products Australia faces competition from cheaper Chinese imports that do not have a carbon tax imposed on them, how is this regional Australian business, providing employment for working families, expected to survive with this business-stifling tax?