Carbon debate stifled

THE State Government says a motion regarding a Queensland carbon tax at the Labor Party conference in Townsville today “will not be proceeding to conference for debate”.

The Bulletin obtained three motions from Labor branches that had been merged and were set to be debated today.

Yesterday a spokesman for Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Premier had previously ruled out a state- based carbon price and the carbon tax motion would not proceed to debate.

An LNP spokesman said that, just because the Premier’s office said it would not be debated, “nothing was stopping the issue from being raised” from the conference floor.

“The Premier’s office would have no idea if this was to occur, they would find out when it was happening,” the LNP spokesman said.

LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said Labor had been caught out with their secret plan for a state- based carbon tax.

“At the last minute, on the day their conference started and after their plans had been exposed, they pulled it,” he said. “This is further evidence that if Labor win the next election, Queenslanders will be slugged with a carbon tax.”

Mr Nicholls said carbon tax was “in Labor’s DNA”.

“The fact they’re hiding their plan is disgraceful,” he said.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s failed power policies are already hurting Queenslanders, but she is hell bent on inflicting the maximum damage with a state- based carbon tax.”

Mr Nicholls said Labor had “form on the board” when it came to a carbon tax.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Bill Shorten will destroy our economy if they are given the chance to do so,” he said.

The Premier’s spokesman said only Labor had a comprehensive plan for energy security and affordability.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Troy Popham said any further tax on small to medium business would have a big impact.

“It would be difficult for business to survive, particularly if any tax was spread over a small population, compared to a large population base that sits in the southeast,” he said.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the state could not set a carbon tax.

Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke said the Premier had stated there would not be a state- based carbon price.

“And I’m supportive of this stance,” she said.

“We announced a very comprehensive plan for energy security and affordability in the Powering Queensland Plan in the lead up to the budget.

“Which is in stark contrast to the LNP’s plan for the high efficiency low emission coal fired power station, which has been condemned by the Federal Treasurer.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart referred calls for comment to the Premier’s office.