Labor’s carbon tax is about to start but if the federal opposition has its way the pollution price will be relatively short-lived.
THE coalition has vowed to axe the tax as the “first order of government” if it wins the next election due by late 2013.
Opposition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt says a Tony Abbott-led government would be able to repeal the carbon tax within six months if Labor co-operated.
If it tried to block the necessary legislation a coalition government would call a double-dissolution election and abolish the regime “within 12 months” following a joint sitting of both houses.
“But we think on balance if the ALP was defeated, no matter what they say now, they will move aside in the house precisely because they wouldn’t want to face a double dissolution,” Mr Hunt told AAP.
“If they don’t respect the mandate of the people that would be a gross and egregious betrayal of what will be a referendum on the carbon tax.”
