Danny Healy-Rae: Demands Carbon Tax Cut as Energy Prices Rise
Danny Healy-Rae warned that electricity costs have risen since the closure of Borna Mona and criticised the lack of regulator oversight, saying energy companies are competing to raise prices. He called for an immediate cut to the carbon tax, arguing it has "outserved its usefulness" as petrol, diesel and heating oil prices drive inflation and the cost of living.
Healy-Rae said every day since Borna Mona was closed the cost of electricity has gone up, and accused electricity suppliers of competing with each other to push prices higher.
He argued there is no regulator keeping track of the situation and no one watching the companies as they raise electricity prices.
He recalled that when the carbon tax was introduced petrol and diesel cost $1.15 a litre, and noted prices have now gone over $1.80 a litre. He said the carbon tax has outserved its usefulness in the current price environment.
Healy-Rae urged that the carbon tax be cut as much as possible, saying rising petrol, diesel and heating oil prices are driving inflation and increasing the cost of living, and that the tax is no longer relevant.
He made a direct appeal for action, asking colleagues to recognise the impact of fuel and energy price rises and to reduce the carbon tax accordingly.
Rise in electricity costs
Healy-Rae said every day since Borna Mona was closed the cost of electricity has gone up, and accused electricity suppliers of competing with each other to push prices higher.
Absence of regulator oversight
He argued there is no regulator keeping track of the situation and no one watching the companies as they raise electricity prices.
Carbon tax criticised
He recalled that when the carbon tax was introduced petrol and diesel cost $1.15 a litre, and noted prices have now gone over $1.80 a litre. He said the carbon tax has outserved its usefulness in the current price environment.
Call to cut the carbon tax
Healy-Rae urged that the carbon tax be cut as much as possible, saying rising petrol, diesel and heating oil prices are driving inflation and increasing the cost of living, and that the tax is no longer relevant.
Immediate appeal to colleagues
He made a direct appeal for action, asking colleagues to recognise the impact of fuel and energy price rises and to reduce the carbon tax accordingly.
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Transcript
Every day since he closed Borna Mona, the cost of electricity has gone up, and there's no account whatsoever of a regulator keeping any track of what's going on, or there's no one saying boot them all these electricity companies, they're competing with each other to put up the price of electricity, and there's no one watching. The other thing is the carbon tax. When the carbon tax was brought in, the cost of fuel, petrol and diesel, was $1.15 a litre, and it was to discourage people from using petrol and diesel. God help us now to have gone over $1.80 a litre, and that's way more than the carbon tax was at the start. I'm asking to cut the carbon tax now because it has outserved its usefulness. It's not relevant anymore because the price coming in of the fossil, of the petrol and the diesel and the heating oil, that's what's driving up the inflation and driving up the cost of living, and surely he realises it by now. So cut out the carbon tax on as much as possible as he can. Thank you, Deputy Healy.