HUNTER MPS PROTECT PARTY LINE

INSTEAD OF LOCAL JOBS

Bob Baldwin, Member for Paterson said Labor MPs had failed Hunter workers by supporting the proposed carbon tax.

“Local workers deserve to know why Labor MPs Joel Fitzgibbon, Greg Combet, Jill Hall, Sharon Grierson and Independent Rob Oakeshott won’t stand up for jobs in their electorates,” said Mr Baldwin.

Research released last night showed that no major coal-producing country imposes a direct charge on greenhouse gas emissions from coalmines.

“Not one of Australia’s major competitors imposes a carbon price on coalmines,” said Mr Baldwin.

“This means that a carbon tax would put Australian coalminers at a severe disadvantage, likely forcing them to cut jobs or move offshore completely.

“When coalminers move offshore they take jobs and investment with them, but there is absolutely no change to global emissions,” said Mr Baldwin.

Mr Baldwin said tens of thousands of Hunter workers rely on the aluminium and coal industries to support themselves and their families.

“Julia Gillard says she will compensate families for the rising cost of living that a carbon tax will bring, but how on earth will she compensate the Hunter workers who lose their jobs and the Hunter families that lose their major source of income?

“We all agree that action needs to be taken to reduce CO2 emissions, but a tax that kills our economy and destroys families just isn’t the way.

“The true irony is that Labor has always promoted itself as the party for the worker, yet it is now willing to sell out Hunter workers to appease The Greens, who are needed to keep Labor in power.”