The announcement by new Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard that Australia will not have an ETS before 2012, shows what a huge mistake the National Government has made by pushing ahead with our scheme in New Zealand. Former PM Kevin Rudd announced that Australia would not be introducing an ETS until at least 2013 and Julia Gillard's stance was what ACT were expecting. She was after all, one of the group of Ministers who urged a delay to the scheme in the first place. This only serves to reinforce the ACT Party's call for New Zealand's ETS to be put on hold until our major trading partners catch up.
We are now guaranteed to be at a competitive disadvantage with our closest major trading partner for at least another two years, if not more. How many jobs are we going to lose overseas and what damage will be done to our economy, before Australia , the US , Japan and China get on board – if ever?
What's more, any benefit of a drop in company tax rates to a lower rate than Australia ’s will be lost due to the costs imposed on New Zealand based businesses by the ETS.
National has been far too hasty in implementing this complicated and far-reaching ETS legislation. Unfortunately it is New Zealanders who will ultimately pay the price for this foolish mistake.
The Cost
ACT have always said that the governments estimate of a cost per week of $3.17 is a gross under-estimate because it includes only the direct price increases of petrol and electricity. It excludes the inevitable price increases that will occur as businesses elect to pass on their own ETS cost increases. This means the full cost to households will be closer to $300 per annum. Some families are able to take these increases in their stride, however for some it is an imposition which they simply cannot afford.
Spare a thought for farmers. According to Beef and Lamb NZ (formerly Meat and Wool) dairy farmers are now liable for a cost of $3,900 per annum which rises to $10,200 per annum in 2015.
We Won't Stop Fighting
ACT believe the ETS should never have been implemented and will keep campaigning to at least have it suspended. This is a key issue for us. This is a key issue for New Zealand's future prosperity and therefore for all New Zealanders who care about where this country is heading.
Rodney Hide and John Boscawen will continue to travel around New Zealand holding Public Meetings about the ETS. Not only are these informational meetings, but we want to hear how you believe the ETS will affect you, your family and your business.
Learn also about the gains that the anti-ETS campaign has achieved and ACT’s strategy going forward.
Taradale
11.30am-12.30pm, Thursday 2 September
Taradale Town Hall and Rotary Lounge, 8 Meeanee Rd
Queenstown
11:30am, Monday 6 September
Post Office Café courtyard, Te Ahi Building, Ballarat St
Put these dates in your diary - venues to be advised
Auckland – 27 September 7 pm
Katikati – 28 September 12 noon
Whitianga – 29 September 12 noon
Taumaranui – 6 October 12 noon
New Plymouth – 7 October
Martinborough – 2 November
Pakuranga – 29 November 7.30 pm
Southland – 30 November 12 noon
Southland – 1 December 7.30 pm
Southland – 2 December 12 noon
How You Can Help
Please send a link to this page on to friends and family around the country who you think may be interested in coming to one of the meetings.
For more information call 09 531 5531 or email johnboscawen.mp@parliament.govt.nz