Abbott should axe miners’ fuel subsidies first: Bandt
Responding to reports Tony Abbott is planning to make petrol more expensive, Greens Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt, said Tony Abbott should end fuel subsidies for wealthy miners first.
“Taxpayers shouldn't fork out billions each year just so the likes of Gina Rinehart can buy cheap diesel,” said Mr Bandt.
“How can Tony Abbott justify making people pay more for petrol while giving wealthy miners subsidised fuel?”
“If the government is genuine about ending the ‘age of entitlement’, it should start at the top and axe corporate welfare, including the $8bn it costs the taxpayer to subsidise cheap diesel for wealthy mining companies.”
The Greens have released costings from the independent Parliamentary Budget Office that show the savings from abolishing the fuel tax credit to miners (but not farmers) would amount to $8bn over four years.