Senator Eric Abetz

“What an amazing coincidence, the Greens and GetUp! both published messages online this morning pre-empting the Government’s announcement that the Carbon Tax Bills will be fast tracked for a final vote next Tuesday in the Senate,” Senator Abetz said today.

“This is more than three weeks before the scheduled final deadline for the vote.”

“Given that the Greens and GetUp! breathlessly made these announcements hours before the Government had even advised the Senate, one wonders who is really running the country, Labor  - or the Greens and their extreme activist wing, GetUp!”

“If you needed any more clear evidence that Labor is being held hostage by the Greens then this is it, Senator Brown says jump and Labor asks “how high”,” Senator Abetz said.

“Julia Gillard lied to the Australian people when she promised that there would be no Carbon Tax under a Government she leads, Labor contemptuously silenced the voice the Australian people who are overwhelmingly opposed to the introduction of this job destroying toxic Tax and now they are shutting down debate in the Senate.”

“Not one single Labor Senator or Member was elected to the Parliament of this nation advocating for the introduction of a Carbon Tax.”

“In fact every single Labor Member or Senator who was elected by the Australian people was elected on the back of an ironclad promise by Julia Gillard that there would be NO Carbon Tax.”

“Despite this Labor Senators will shamelessly line up in the Senate next week and vote to introduce legislation that will cripple the manufacturing industry in Australia, drive jobs offshore and send electricity and cost of living bills for working families soaring.”

“Labor also needs to explain why the Senate schedule was extended by an extra sitting week for the Carbon Tax debate, which will now be denied to the Senate,” Senator Abetz said.