Pressure on ACT Government to refund carbon tax charges
The ACT Government should start refunding carbon tax-related charges to residents, according to the Federal Government.
Canberra-based Liberal Senator Zed Seselja said local councils across Australia have indicated they will pass on savings to ratepayers after the carbon tax was repealed.
He cited the example of the Brisbane City Council which will give the average ratepayer a $36 refund on their next quarterly bill.
Senator Seselja said documents from the ACT Government estimated each household would incur $140 each year in extra rates and charges from the tax.
"Obviously savings are flowing through to households through their electricity bills and to businesses but savings also flow through to Government," he said.
"The ACT Government now needs to pass those savings on to ratepayers."
Senator Seselja said it was time the ACT Government did the same as other jurisdictions and returned the money.
"If ACTEW-AGL can send out letters telling people they are going to get an average of $22 less on electricity then the ACT Government should also let ratepayers know how much less they will be paying as a result of the carbon tax going," he said.
ACT Government rejects call for charges to be refunded
The ACT Government has responded to Senator Seselja's call and said it does not intend to refund charges to ratepayers.
The Government said it did not increase taxes, fees or charges to reflect the potential increase in costs resulting from the introduction of the carbon tax.
"Therefore there is no need for any decreases in taxes fees and charges now that the carbon tax has been repealed," the statement said.
"Mr Seselja's media release refers to decreased tip fees in other jurisdictions.
"This is not relevant for the ACT as tips fees were not increased."
