Taxing the 500 biggest polluters in Australia
A message from NUW National Secretary, Charlie Donnelly
The Federal Government’s Carbon Tax is not a tax on workers it is a tax on the 500 biggest polluting companies in Australia. The tax will force companies to pay for the pollution they create in their highly profitable production process. The Government will enforce this tax on polluters while protecting working Australians with personal income tax cuts and increased family benefit payments to offset any attempts by big polluters to pass on the price they are charged for the pollution they create.
The National Union of Workers and the majority of our members overwhelmingly support the Federal Government’s move to price carbon to protect our environment for our future generations. As a union we want our members to have a voice in the legislative process that will establish this tax to ensure it is designed to protect our members, our jobs and our families.
While reducing pollution will protect the planet for future generations; it will also create jobs in new industries and protect jobs in industries already covered by our union- for our children and grandchildren. The world is moving to a low carbon economy and by pricing pollution Australia is positioning itself to drive the innovation and creativity that will be needed in the future as countries adapt to a modern industrial world.
If we don’t put a price on pollution today, we will pay the price tomorrow.
Our members have told us what they think...
When asked:
Do you think the Federal Government should have a clear policy on Climate Change?
80% of NUW members surveyed said Yes.
When asked,
Are you concerned about Climate Change?
63% said Yes.
And when asked,
Do you think it is important for your Union, the National Union of Workers, to have a voice in the national discussion about cutting carbon pollution?
77% said Yes.
For more information...
On the right hand side of this page you will find some useful downloads about climate science, jobs, and some frequently asked questions.
And there are many great websites to visit for more information on how the Government's Carbon Tax will work; the science of Climate Change; and how people can get more involved.
