http://greghunt.com.au RSS feeds for Federal Member for Flinders - Greg Hunt MP 60 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2534/Labor-Must-Respect-Mandate-To-Remove-Carbon-Tax.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2534 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2534&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2534/Labor-Must-Respect-Mandate-To-Remove-Carbon-Tax.aspx Labor must respect the views of the electorate and not block the removal of the Carbon Tax, if it loses the next election. The Coalition will begin the process of removing the Carbon Tax on day one of a new Government. Legislation to scrap the Carbon Tax will be the first legislation to be introduced to the new Parliament. If Labor accepts the mandate of the new Government, the Carbon Tax can be quickly removed from people’s electricity and gas bills. Minister Combet must tell the public now – will he accept the outcome of the election or will he attempt to delay the removal of the Carbon Tax and unnecessarily increase the cost of people’s electricity bills? The Essential Services Commissioner in South Australia has previously confirmed that electricity prices will fall by the amount of the Carbon Tax. In addition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be tasked with ensuring the costs which have been passed through are removed. The Coalition is committed to this occurring as soon as possible with the election to be a referendum on the Carbon Tax. The Coalition has committed to keeping income tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases without a carbon tax admin Fri, 17 May 2013 23:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2534 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2533/No-Credibility-To-Surplus-Due-To-Hidden-Carbon-Tax-Black-Hole.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2533 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2533&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2533/No-Credibility-To-Surplus-Due-To-Hidden-Carbon-Tax-Black-Hole.aspx Wayne Swan has completely undermined his own Budget figures, by claiming that it is based on a market mechanism for carbon prices. The Budget revenue claimed by the Government in 2015/16 at $12.10 is double the forward market price. For 2016/17, the Government’s figure is three times the forward market price! And then the revenue modelling changes, dumping the Emissions Trading Scheme approach and reverts to the original Carbon Tax scheme with a price of $38 in 2020 as that is what is required to achieve the emissions reduction target. This is more than nine times the current market price. There is no credibility to these Carbon Tax revenue projections. The Government is once more covering up a black hole of $6 bn for the two years. This follows having to write down $5 bn this Budget because they got the figures wrong. admin Wed, 15 May 2013 22:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2533 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2532/Dolphin-Research-Institute-in-Bay-Rescue.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2532 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2532&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2532/Dolphin-Research-Institute-in-Bay-Rescue.aspx I was lucky enough to join the Dolphin Research Institute on a monitoring and research expedition on Port Phillip Bay recently. On board the research vessel Delphinidae were the Institute’s executive director Jeff Weir and its research director Sue Mason, who is undertaking a PhD study into the Bay’s short-beaked common dolphins. Part of the Institute’s research involves monitoring the health of the Bay’s dolphin population. This includes monitoring the effects of recent algal blooms on the health of the dolphins. Algal blooms can irritate the skin of humans who come into contact with it and the Institute is concerned that it might also affect the skin of the Bay’s dolphins. After I disembarked Jeff and Sue were called out to investigate an entangled bottlenose dolphin calf off Frankston. Luckily they were able to snag the fishing line that was wrapped around its tail, pull the dolphin in towards the boat and remove the entanglement.  The fishing line had penetrated through the dolphin’s skin and had gone through to the muscle but dolphins heal quickly and it is hoped that the calf will need no further human intervention.  This is a timely reminder for all local fishermen to take as much care as possible to ensure that discarded fishing line does not become a hazard to the Bay’s aquatic life. admin Wed, 15 May 2013 05:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2532 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2531/Carbon-Tax-Budget-Figures-Are-Fantasy.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2531 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2531&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2531/Carbon-Tax-Budget-Figures-Are-Fantasy.aspx The Government’s carbon chaos continues. They got their figures completely wrong last year and they have done it again this year. Last year the government overstated their revenue by six times the current forward price for 2015/16 when they imagined the price would be $29 for carbon permits in that year. Now they have had to write down over $5 bn of phantom revenue for 2015/16 alone. As a consequence they have broken their promise, and axed their legislated tax cuts. They are now projecting $12.10 for 2015/16 and $18.60 projection for 2016/17. That’s still double and triple the current market forward price of $5.57 AUD for June 2016 European permits. In real terms they are covering up a further revenue black hole of $6bn. It is a $2bn black hole in 2015/16 and a $4bn black hole in 2016/17. It confirms that once more their surplus promise is not credible. Beyond the forward estimates they are proposing a $38 price in 2019/20. Either electricity prices will sky rocket or future ALP budgets are based on another revenue fantasy. The budget also repeats the practice of announcing and then abolishing their own climate programs. In the tradition of pink batts and green loans, we now have $1.8bn of their own previously trumpeted climate programs which have been quietly cut or abolished this year. This comprises: - $500 million over three years from the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships program. - $29 million over two years from 2015-16 from the Coal Mining Abatement Technology Support package. - $274 million over two years from 2015-16 for Coal Sector jobs package - $45 million over four years to Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute. - $98 million over four years from Low Carbon Communities - $88 million over two years from National Low Emissions Coal Initiative. - $370 million over three years from ARENA - $235 million from the Non Kyoto Carbon Fund - $160 million from Education Investment Fund for research into large scale solar In the end, they can’t budget, they can’t run programs and they just can’t be believed when it comes to Carbon Tax and climate policies. admin Wed, 15 May 2013 04:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2531 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2530/Budget-2013-Leaves-Flinders-Families-Worse-Off.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2530 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2530&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2530/Budget-2013-Leaves-Flinders-Families-Worse-Off.aspx This year’s Budget delivers nothing for the local community, delivering instead more debt, more deficits, more taxes, more broken promises and higher costs for local families.    For families in the Flinders electorate, this Budget does nothing to help deal with cost of living pressures, economic uncertainty and poor services.    Labor has again broken its word to the local community. They promised no carbon tax and a surplus. Instead we got a carbon tax and record deficits along with the scrapping of tax cuts linked to the carbon tax, family payments and the baby bonus.    Wayne Swan said this Budget was about “jobs and growth” but the Budget actually forecasts an increase in unemployment (up to 5.75%) and lower growth (down to 2.75%). This Budget means less jobs and slower growth.    Key areas of concern in the Budget include:    total gross debt to breach the $300 billion debt ceiling in coming years;  no credible path back to surplus;  at least a $4.7 billion blowout in the management of Australia’s borders since last year’s Budget;  new borrowings of $49 million every single day, and more than $25 billion in higher taxes over the next four years – with 99% of these new taxes starting after the next election. Local families and businesses have to live within their means, but this Government doesn’t. Over the last 5 years, the Gillard Government has spent $191 billion more than it has raised.     Only the Coalition has the Plan, experience and discipline to return the Budget to sustainable surpluses, reduce debt and provide real support to Australian families to help them get ahead again.  admin Wed, 15 May 2013 01:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2530 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2529/Vic-Governments-Clean-Bay-Funding-Welcome.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2529 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2529&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2529/Vic-Governments-Clean-Bay-Funding-Welcome.aspx On behalf of the Clean Up the Bay Partnership, I welcome the Victorian Government’s move to spend more than $7 million on improving the health of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra.   The funding, announced in yesterday’s State Budget, will be used to establish new partnerships with the community, local government and businesses to tackle litter hotspots and pilot a business partners program. Engaging community groups, local government and businesses in cleaning up and protecting the Bay is crucial. It is a vital step towards the goal of encouraging all Melburnians to become actively involved in protecting the Bay and caring for its future. An outstanding example of this is the newly-formed 3186 Beach Patrol, a group of local residents who have taken responsibility for cleaning and protecting Brighton beach. The group was formed earlier this year by Clean Up the Bay Partnership member Peter Miglic after a meeting with Guy Boston, the founder of 3206 Beach Patrol. Guy shared his experience of creating the Beach Patrol concept with members of the Clean Up the Bay Partnership late last year. There are now several Beach Patrol groups in existence. The Clean Up the Bay Partnership is keen to expand this concept to encompass every locality around Port Phillip Bay. admin Wed, 08 May 2013 05:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2529 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2527/Carbon-Tax-Budget-Black-Hole-Figures-Still-Cant-Be-Trusted.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2527 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2527&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2527/Carbon-Tax-Budget-Black-Hole-Figures-Still-Cant-Be-Trusted.aspx The Government has now finally conceded a $3 billion budget black hole from its Carbon Tax. However the latest estimate can’t be trusted and is simply hiding a real black hole twice that size. On the current market projections for 2016, the loss in revenue is more likely to be over $6 bn. The Government continues to fudge the figures and has learnt nothing from previous budgets when it also over-estimated the revenue. Labor has budgeted for triple the revenue that the international markets are projecting for 2016. At present, the international price for 2016 is under $5 AUD, yet the ALP is projecting three times the revenue at $15. Last year they fabricated imaginary revenue and this year they are doing it again. In the meantime we pay a massive manufacturing tax. The current Carbon Tax at $23 a tonne is out of kilter with the rest of the world and is impacting on Australian jobs. The announcement overnight that Alcoa is reviewing its smelting operations around the world raises significant concerns for the job security of workers at the Portland and Point Henry smelters in Victoria. The Aluminium Council has calculated that the Carbon Tax imposes a carbon cost on Australian aluminium producers of at least $60 per tonne of aluminium. It is a cost which their overseas competitors don’t pay. If the Prime Minister wants to put Australian jobs first, then she should immediately scrap the Carbon Tax. admin Thu, 02 May 2013 02:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2527 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2524/Carbon-Tax-Budget-Black-Hole-Continues-To-Grow.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2524 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2524&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2524/Carbon-Tax-Budget-Black-Hole-Continues-To-Grow.aspx The Prime Minister’s admission of budget failure confirms the Carbon Tax remains in complete chaos nine months since its introduction. The Budget figures confirm that Labor’s Carbon Tax is the most expensive and broadest in the world. The $12 billion budget black hole revealed today for this year, will continue to grow with the Carbon Tax shortfall for 2015/16 to be between $6 and $8 billion according to analysts. The Government spent the revenue from the Carbon Tax before it was in the door. It only has itself to blame and the mess confirms Labor can’t be trusted on the economy or on the environment. Australia’s Carbon Tax sees emissions rise by 77 million tonnes from 2010 levels in 2020 to 637 million tonnes, based on the Government’s own figures. For Minister Combet to use the Climate Commission report today to try to justify the Carbon Tax is a desperate attempt to divert attention from the real situation internationally. The overwhelming evidence around the world is that carbon pricing is not working. The European scheme is failing. The USA and Canada have ruled out carbon taxes. China will increase coal consumption from 1.4 billion tonnes in 2002 to 7 billion in 2030. While considering regional schemes, no carbon price has been set and in reality Chinese emissions are soaring. The Coalition supports international action on climate change, but not a tax which will export Australian jobs and hurt Australian families. admin Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2524 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2513/Australias-Carbon-Tax-Now-More-Than-Five-Times-Higher-Than-Europe.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2513 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2513&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2513/Australias-Carbon-Tax-Now-More-Than-Five-Times-Higher-Than-Europe.aspx The Australian Carbon Tax is now approximately 5.5 times higher than the European Carbon Tax. Overnight we have seen European carbon prices plunge by up to 45% at one stage, before settling close to 30% down. The European system to which the Government has tied Australia’s electricity prices is now deeply unstable. Two simple messages come out of this. First, the Australian Carbon Tax is not just 5.5 times higher than the European tax, it is also broader. It means the Australian tax is completely out of line with the rest of the world. Second, Treasury’s own modelling shows that the Australian tax is set to soar to $37 per tonne by 2020. Either the Government’s modelling is correct and we will be even more out of line with the rest of the world, or if it is not, the ALP’s Carbon Tax will face a multi-billion dollar black hole and the deficit will only get worse. The Government has to say whether they stand by their revenue figures and modelling. The Prime Minister should also explain why Australians should be paying 550% higher than European system and more than 20 times the New Zealand price. admin Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2513 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2510/Combet-Misleads-On-National-Greenhouse-Gas-Figures-And-Carbon-Tax.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2510 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2510&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2510/Combet-Misleads-On-National-Greenhouse-Gas-Figures-And-Carbon-Tax.aspx Greg Combet has falsely asserted that electricity consumption has been falling since the ALP entered Government in 2007. He also tried to claim that the Carbon Tax has been responsible for dropping Australian emissions. The Government’s own chart shows that electricity consumption rose until the effects of the Global Financial Crisis negatively impacted on demand for Australian manufacturing late in 2008. It also shows that since then the combination of a high dollar and low offshore demand, along with the Renewable Energy Target, we have progressively decreased our electricity emissions. What this means is that with low overseas demand, this is the worst possible time to make our resource and manufacturing sectors less competitive. Whether it is Browse Basin, Olympic Dam, Holden, Boral or Amcor, it is absolutely clear that high cost structures are hurting Australia. Indeed, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) made it clear that this trend in emissions was exacerbated by the flooding of the brown coal fired Yallourn Power Station late in June. In short, the Government is taking trends which started overseas and airbrushing history. It is then ignoring floods with real world effects and claiming an outcome for the Carbon Tax before it started. It is time that the Minister is honest with the facts and that starts with being honest about the real impact of overseas demand on our emissions and the real threat to Australian jobs in a high cost environment. The Coalition will ensure we reach our international targets for emissions reduction while protecting Australian jobs. admin Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2510 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2507/Date-Set-For-Whaling-Case-Welcomed.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2507 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2507&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2507/Date-Set-For-Whaling-Case-Welcomed.aspx The announcement that a date has now been set for Australia’s case against whaling in the International Court of Justice, is extremely welcome. The case will now begin on 26 June in the Hague and has been set for three weeks of hearings. The legal action is an important part of Australia’s commitment to bring whaling to an end. We hope that a decision will be made on the case before the start of the next whaling season. The Coalition also believes that the Government must send a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean to monitor any future whaling. We remain critical of the Government for failing to send a vessel during the most recent whaling season, leaving Australia without any independent monitoring of the activities of both the whaling fleet and protestors. If elected, we will despatch a vessel, to provide a clear signal that the Australian people don’t support whaling and to provide an independent monitoring and safety role. While Australia has strong relations with Japan, the Coalition has made it clear that on this issue, there is disagreement and we are committed to following through on the legal case. admin Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2507 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2506/Coalition-to-deliver-affordable-fast-broadband-to-the-Peninsula.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2506 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2506&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2506/Coalition-to-deliver-affordable-fast-broadband-to-the-Peninsula.aspx Mornington Peninsula residents and businesses will benefit from the Coalition’s plan to build a more affordable National Broadband Network and deliver it sooner than Labor’s NBN.   Kevin Rudd promised everyone Australian fast broadband by 2013 at a cost of $4.7 billion.  Instead, the NBN has only signed up 10,400 users for its fibre network and the final cost is expected to be over $90 billion.   Local families, small businesses, schools and hospitals need fast broadband now, not sometime after 2021 which will happen under Labor’s plan.   Our plan will deliver the NBN sooner, at less cost to taxpayers and more affordably for consumers. We’ll get the NBN back on track. The Coalition’s Plan for Fast Broadband and an Affordable NBN will: ·                Ensure households and businesses can get access to fast broadband by the end of 2016 – with download speeds five times today’s average. ·                End the delays and cost overruns and get the NBN back on track through better management, greater transparency and tighter controls. ·                Give priority to regions such as the Mornington Peninsula with the poorest existing service in the rollout. ·                Deliver a more affordable NBN than Labor –saving consumers about $300 a year by 2021. ·                Deliver a smarter NBN that uses a mix of technologies.  Our plan will cost less and make the NBN more economically viable. ·                Lessen the strain on taxpayers who could be expected to bear the burden of Labor’s delayed and mismanaged $90 billion plus NBN.  Shadow Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull, was one of our country’s great internet pioneers and he will ensure that local communities get the fast, affordable broadband that is so needed in the 21st century.   I am looking forward to speaking to Peninsula residents and businesses about our Real Solutions Plan to deliver fast and more affordable broadband, much sooner than Labor’s NBN.   admin Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2506 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2508/Holden-Job-Losses-Confirm-Worst-Possible-Time-For-Carbon-Tax.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2508 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2508&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2508/Holden-Job-Losses-Confirm-Worst-Possible-Time-For-Carbon-Tax.aspx The announcement today that Holden is cutting 500 jobs in Australia, confirms that adding a Carbon Tax to local manufacturing has come at the worst possible time. It is extremely disappointing that 400 workers in South Australia and 100 workers in Victoria will lose their jobs. The strong Australian dollar is making it extremely difficult for local manufacturing to compete on the international market. Adding a Carbon Tax at this time makes a difficult situation much worse. If the Prime Minister really wants to put Australian jobs first, then she would scrap the Carbon Tax immediately. The Carbon Tax is estimated to cost the automotive sector $460 million over the next decade. Why would the Government add another cost, particularly when the policy doesn’t even reduce Australia’s emissions? The Coalition, if elected in September, will scrap the Carbon Tax as the first order of business. We will remove the Carbon Tax and seek to restore job security for Australian workers. admin Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2508 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2504/Campaign-to-Restore-Fort-Nepeans-Historic-Gun-for-WWI-Centenary.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2504 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2504&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2504/Campaign-to-Restore-Fort-Nepeans-Historic-Gun-for-WWI-Centenary.aspx   The campaign to restore the historic Fort Nepean gun is gathering momentum with a visit by the Shadow Veteran’s Affairs Minister, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson.   With less than two years to go before the nation commemorates the centenary of World War I, Senator Ronaldson is visiting Pt Nepean to discuss the project with representatives of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company and Parks Victoria.   The Fort Nepean gun, which is at Pt Nepean, is renowned for having fired the British Empire’s first shot of World War I.   On August 5th 1914 – just hours after Britain had declared war on Germany - gun emplacement no 6 at Fort Nepean entered the history books when a warning shot was fired across the bow of the German merchant ship Pfalz as it attempted to slip out of Port Phillip Heads.   The campaign aims to restore this significant piece of Victoria’s wartime heritage and remount it in its original position, guarding the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.   The project will protect and enhance the Fort’s heritage value and allow Victoria to play a central role in national commemorations for World War I and the centenary of ANZAC.   Proponents of the project are seeking government funding as well as support from the community and philanthropic organisations.   The proponents are also seeking to make contact with anybody who has information or artefacts related to the gun, such as old uniforms or equipment.   Those interested in supporting the campaign should call my office on 5979 3188.   admin Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:25:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2504 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2503/Local-Funding-to-Mark-the-Centenary-of-ANZAC.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2503 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2503&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2503/Local-Funding-to-Mark-the-Centenary-of-ANZAC.aspx Shadow Veteran’s Affairs Minister, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson, will visit Rosebud to meet local veterans and declare open the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants program.   The Flinders electorate has been allocated $100,000 to mark this important milestone in our national history and community organisations are urged to apply for funding for local commemorations.   To ensure that all applications for funding reflect the wishes of the community, I have established the ANZAC Centenary Community Grants Committee to assist with the selection process.   The Committee will assess applications for funding and make recommendations about projects to be submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for consideration.   Committee members include Peter Barnett, representative of the RSL region 5 which covers the Mornington Peninsula, Cr David Garnock from the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Keith Brown, President of the Lang Lang RSL. The Phillip Island and Koo Wee Rup RSL branches along with Casey, Cardinia and Bass Coast councils have also been invited to nominate a representative for the committee.   The Centenary of ANZAC will be the most significant national period of commemoration in our nation’s history.  I will ask the Committee to do everything it can to ensure as many local groups and commemorative events as possible share in the funding allocated.   We want to work with the community to ensure we pay full tribute to the thousands of locals who answered the call to serve our nation and the hundreds who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our values and beliefs.   The ANZAC Centenary Local Grants program will give the community the opportunity to honour those who served our country.    There are many different ways this can be done, from traditional dawn services, to school-based education programs, the refurbishing of memorials and the establishment of new places of commemoration and reflection.   The Coalition is pleased that community grants under this program have been modelled on the highly-successful Australia Remembers 1945-1995 commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.   I look forward to working with the community to deliver local commemorations we can all be proud of to mark the nation-defining events of ANZAC.   Community groups wishing to make a grant application should contact my office on 5979 3188 for a copy of the application form and program guidelines. admin Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2503 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2501/Small-Business-Want-Carbon-Tax-Gone.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2501 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2501&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2501/Small-Business-Want-Carbon-Tax-Gone.aspx Small business is paying the price for Labor’s Carbon Tax, and they want it gone. The Government is so focused on shifting the deck chairs on the titanic they can’t see the iceberg which is hitting small business. The latest MYOB survey has found that removing the Carbon Tax is a priority for 63 per cent of small to medium business operators. It is no surprise this issue is near the top of the list of concerns for small businesses as their increase in power bills has proportionally been much higher and they have limited ability to pass on the cost. Scrapping the Carbon Tax comes second behind the constant call for cuts to the BAS paperwork, on the list of top 15 priorities for small business. The survey also follows recent figures that bankruptcies are increasing with the Carbon Tax confirmed as a contributing factor for many. The added cost has become the last straw particularly for manufacturers struggling to compete with their international competitors who don’t pay a Carbon Tax. The sooner we have an election, the sooner we can scrap the Carbon Tax and take the pressure off business and make Australian jobs more secure. admin Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2501 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2500/Future-Australian-Investment-At-Risk-Due-To-Regulation.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2500 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2500&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2500/Future-Australian-Investment-At-Risk-Due-To-Regulation.aspx Australia is at risk of losing hundreds of billions of dollars in investment due to the duplication and layers of regulation. The energy industry is warning that the ‘continuation of the resources boom cannot be taken for granted’ and ‘complacency in a raft of policy areas is threatening both Australia’s attractiveness as a place to do business.’ (Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Cutting Green Tape, 2013) It is extremely disappointing that Australia’s international reputation is being ‘eroded’ and companies are considering moving their capital elsewhere. That puts the economy and future jobs at risk. The report highlights the delays and duplication from having three levels of environmental assessments, which do not add to environmental standards and in many cases detract from the real focus on the environmental challenges. In April last year, the Prime Minister promised to reduce green tape, but in December walked away from that commitment. Lifting Australia's productivity performance is a key pillar to the Coalition's Real Solutions policy framework. This includes reducing the regulatory costs of red and green tape by $1 billion per annum. One of the clear signals that the Coalition’s Deregulation Taskforce received from businesses across Australia is that the cost of green tape is adding to Australia’s cost base, stifling investment and impacting on Australia’s ability to maintain its sustainable competitive advantage in key strategic industries. The Coalition is committed to reducing the cost of green tape without undermining existing environmental standards. This is why, if the Coalition is elected, it is committed to introducing a one stop shop for environmental assessments and approvals. admin Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2500 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2498/Climate-Change-Chaos.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2498 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2498&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2498/Climate-Change-Chaos.aspx Today's abolition of the Climate Change Department is just another example of climate chaos. It is part of a pattern of grand announcement followed by failure and abolition. Among the many examples of announcing and then abolishing their own work, we have had the pink batts program, green loans, cash for clunkers and the notorious citizen's Assembly. Now we have the Department of Climate Change which was created only to be destroyed. But while they are doing away with the Department, they have failed to do what is really needed – scrap the Carbon Tax. The Prime Minister might try to hide the department, but there is no hiding from the hurt the Carbon Tax is causing. Only today a major energy company revealed that 65,000 customers a month are seeking extensions on paying their rising electricity and gas bills. In addition, there is the 14.5% average increase in electricity costs for our manufacturing sector which only adds to the pressure on jobs. The grand hypocrisy of the ALP is also on show as last week they attacked the Coalition for alleged public service job cuts, but have now delivered their own cuts. If elected, scrapping the Carbon Tax will be the first priority of the new Government because it fails to reduce Australia’s real emissions, but does hurt Australian jobs and households. admin Mon, 25 Mar 2013 03:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2498 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2499/Power-Bill-Pressures.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2499 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2499&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2499/Power-Bill-Pressures.aspx The increasing number of people seeking more time to pay their gas and electricity bills, confirms that the sooner the Carbon Tax is scrapped the better. The figures from electricity and gas provider, AGL, that 65,000 customers a month are struggling to pay rising bills and seeking automatic payment extensions, highlights the cost of living pressures on families. Adding a Carbon Tax of around 10 per cent on average to household power bills makes the situation even worse. We understand that Australians are already trying to minimise their power usage. Penalising them with a Carbon Tax, which doesn’t even reduce Australia’s overall emissions, makes it even harder for those already struggling. The Carbon Tax goes up again on 1 July this year, and goes up every year. The Carbon Tax is legislated to increase from $23 a tonne, to $24.15 on 1 July this year, and again to $25.40 on 1 July 2014. On the Government’s own figures, it will go up every year, to reach $350 by 2050. If elected, scrapping the Carbon Tax will be the first priority of the new Government. Not only will we take away the current Carbon Tax on power bills, we will take future price rises. We understand the cost of living challenges for families and the jobs which are being lost due to high energy prices, and the need to act urgently. We can care for the environment but we can do it without a Carbon Tax which hurts families and the economy. admin Mon, 25 Mar 2013 02:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2499 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2495/Combet-Caught-Out-On-Bail-Out-To-Company-Hit-By-Carbon-Tax.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2495 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2495&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2495/Combet-Caught-Out-On-Bail-Out-To-Company-Hit-By-Carbon-Tax.aspx Minister Combet has been caught out claiming in Question Time yesterday that the Carbon Tax has cut the ‘electricity bill in half’ for a business. The real case is that the Carbon Tax has driven up costs for the business, A J Bush and Sons, by close to $1.4 million. In response, the Government has spent more than $6 million to bail out the company. The Minister is being deceitful in claiming the Carbon Tax is working in reducing electricity bills and emissions. It is driving up costs for businesses and it is time the Minister admitted to the real damage the Carbon Tax is causing for Australian firms and the fact that the Government has had to bail them out. http://minister.innovation.gov.au/gregcombet/MediaReleases/Pages/Over$6millionformajorfoodmanufacturertoreduceemissionsandsave.aspx admin Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2495 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2494/Pensioners-Not-Told-The-Truth-In-Carbon-Tax-Advertising.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2494 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2494&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2494/Pensioners-Not-Told-The-Truth-In-Carbon-Tax-Advertising.aspx Pensioners and Australian families are not being told the truth by the Labor Government in its latest Carbon Tax advertising blitz. While the Prime Minister and Ministers are spruiking the payments, their advertising campaign, which started this week to promote the latest household assistance payments, fails to even mention that the payments are compensation for the Carbon Tax. It is deceitful and deceptive. If the Government really believes that the community supports the Carbon Tax and that it is good policy, why are they so afraid to mention the words? It is more dishonesty from the Labor Government and from a Prime Minister who said there would be no Carbon Tax before the last election. The Government must immediately halt this deceptive advertising and detail how much they planned to spend, on top of the $70 million on previous campaigns. The Coalition remains the committed to scrapping the Carbon Tax, if elected, to take the cost of living pressures off pensioners and families. Australian households will be better off without a Carbon Tax which is planned to go up again on 1 July this year, and every year, driving up their gas and electricity bills. admin Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2494 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2491/Carbon-Tax-Final-Straw-For-Australian-Jobs.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2491 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2491&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2491/Carbon-Tax-Final-Straw-For-Australian-Jobs.aspx If Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants to put Australian jobs first, then clearly she should scrap the Carbon Tax. The latest figures on bankruptcies confirm that they are higher than even during the Global Financial Crisis and that the Carbon Tax is the final straw for many businesses. Adding a Carbon Tax, which drives up electricity and gas prices particularly for manufacturers, places a penalty on local jobs. The Carbon Tax is not paid by overseas imports. With a high Australian dollar, adding a Carbon Tax makes it even tougher for Australian products to compete and comes at the worst possible time. If the Government is serious about protecting Australian jobs from overseas competition then it must immediately repeal the Carbon Tax. In addition, it should also immediately scrap the latest Carbon Tax ads. While businesses are closing, the Government is spruiking the compensation to families through the latest household assistance advertising campaign which comes on top of the $70 million already spent on ads. This is a blatant waste of taxpayers’ money on a campaign that avoids even mentioning the Carbon Tax. It’s time the Government acknowledged the hurt the Carbon Tax is causing for Australia’s forgotten families and stopped using taxpayers’ money to spruik their job destroying Carbon Tax. The Prime Minister must scrap the Carbon Tax and the advertisements. admin Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2491 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2490/Carbon-Tax-Hit-For-NSW-Again.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2490 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2490&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2490/Carbon-Tax-Hit-For-NSW-Again.aspx The Treasury calculations that the Carbon Tax is costing NSW $1 billion this year, highlights the urgent need for the tax to be scrapped. The next election will be a referendum on the Carbon Tax, and if elected, the Coalition will make repealing the Carbon Tax its first order of government business. The Carbon Tax is driving up the cost of living for Australians through higher electricity prices which have been put at $580 million in NSW alone. And the NSW Treasury figures released today confirm the additional costs which will have to paid by NSW residents this year include a $355 million bill for the state owned electricity generators and $237 million in higher power charges across the State Budget. The release of these figures follows the State Transit Authority of NSW also being added to the so-called big polluters list which determines which organisations will be hit directly with a Carbon Tax bill. The Federal Labor Government should be encouraging public transport use, not hitting the Authority with a Carbon Tax bill. We don’t believe public transport users should be penalised with a Carbon Tax which doesn’t even reduce Australia’s emissions. The Carbon Tax is set to rise again on 1 July this year and continue to increase each year, creating an automatic annual increase to people’s power bills. Australians will be better off under a Coalition Government with the scrapping of the Carbon Tax which will ease the cost of living for families and help Australian businesses be more competitive. admin Sun, 17 Mar 2013 23:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2490 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2488/EPBC-Extension-Over-Water-For-Coal-Seam-Gas-And-Coal-Mines.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2488 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2488&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2488/EPBC-Extension-Over-Water-For-Coal-Seam-Gas-And-Coal-Mines.aspx The Coalition recognises the community concerns regarding the impact of coal seam gas and coal mining on water resources. We understand that water is a precious resource. We are yet to see the proposed legislation and will consider it in detail when it is presented. Not surprisingly, we are cautious of any pledge from this Government and we need to ensure that there are no unintended consequences as a result of this legislation. Mining companies should not have free reign and should only operate where there is a community licence to do so. But the best way to allow for the co-existence of mining, agriculture and communities is to work co-operatively with all stakeholders. Just as it did with the mining tax, the Government has blindsided the energy and resources sector and imposed retrospective rules on the energy and resources sector which will have a direct impact on investments. By contrast we will consult with the States, farmers, local communities and the resources sector. The Coalition supported the implementation of the expert scientific panel to further research the impact of coal seam gas development on water because there is a need to address genuine community questions and concerns. The Coalition has always said that coal seam gas should not compromise the security of our water resources, which are a public asset. The Coalition will consider these amendments in that context. However, the Coalition has also said that coal seam gas developments should not occur on prime agricultural land, they should not interfere with the quiet enjoyment of residential areas and they should provide a proper return to landowners and communities. Nothing in today’s announcement addresses those issues. The Coalition has concerns about whether the Gillard Government’s move is allowable under the constitution and will fully examine the legislation when it is available. Everything the Gillard Government is doing can be seen through the prism of its desperate attempt to cling to power. Our duty is to strike a balance. admin Tue, 12 Mar 2013 07:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2488 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2485/AIG-Confirms-Carbon-Tax-Damage-To-Australian-Jobs.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=86&ModuleID=462&ArticleID=2485 http://www.greghunt.com.au/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2485&PortalID=0&TabID=86 http://www.greghunt.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/86/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2485/AIG-Confirms-Carbon-Tax-Damage-To-Australian-Jobs.aspx The Australian Industry Group has confirmed that the Carbon Tax is an uncompetitive burden on Australian businesses and dampening jobs growth. AIG has declared that the Carbon Tax is doing direct and immediate damage to Australia and is unsustainable. The Prime Minister’s current attempt that she’s ‘putting Aussie jobs first’ is completely the opposite of what is happening with the Carbon Tax. The Carbon Tax, which she said she would never introduce, is hurting Australian workers and puts overseas jobs ahead of Australian ones. The Carbon Tax is a penalty on Australian businesses. No other country has a Carbon Tax which is as costly and as broad as Australia’s and our competitors, such as China and the US, do not have a Carbon Tax at all. It also comes at the worst possible time as Australian manufacturers are dealing with the high Australian dollar. AIG confirms that removing the Carbon Tax would lead to an immediate drop in electricity prices of 10 per cent on average. If the Prime Minister really wants to put Australians jobs first, she should scrap the Carbon Tax. The next election will be a referendum on the Carbon Tax. If elected, the Coalition, will repeal the tax and we challenge Labor to respect the mandate given to a new Government and support the scrapping of this jobs damaging tax. The Coalition supports a domestic abatement scheme, which will deliver local environmental benefits in reducing emissions, while achieving the lowest possible price driven by the market. It will provide incentives to businesses which reduce emissions and is a positive approach to addressing climate change. admin Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2485