Local food and grocery manufacturers will see their operating profits slide by an average 4.4 percent in 2012-13 as a result of the carbon tax, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).
“It’s been a difficult debate but the debate is now concluded,” Prime Minister Julia Gillard said yesterday as the climate change bills were passed in the lower house of Parliament.
The Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) has kicked off a campaign calling the Federal Government to cancel the carbon tax, due to concern over how the tax will impact the already struggling retail and wholesale sector.
Accountants are expressing concern that the financial performance of their small business clients are being put in danger by the carbon tax, with many convinced SMBs won’t be adequately compensated by the Government when the tax is implemented.
Retailers remain concerned about the impact of the carbon tax, with a survey revealing 83 percent expect the tax will mean consumers spend less and an even larger number reporting it will have a negative impact on profitability.
Australia will soon have its first carbon neutral business precinct, with the Grote Business Precinct working alongside the Energy Efficient Building Australia to become carbon neutral by 2020.
Brad Callaughan offers up a few tips for small businesses to survive the impact of the carbon tax.
“Consumers are going to be the first losers as they’ll have to wear the price increase passed on from small businesses, and the second loser will be small business with landlords keen to pass on any increase to their costs.”
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has placed its support behind Julia Gillard’s carbon tax, saying in a meeting yesterday no jobs need to be lost as a result of the scheme.
The Federal Government has granted additional funding to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), to assist it in cracking down on businesses that gouge customers by making misleading carbon claims.
Arndria Seymour blogs about how the carbon tax is raising questions about corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
“Integration of sustainability and ‘green’ strategies should now be viewed as a business critical mission if you work for a socially responsible organisation. Going green requires mind and behaviour shifts at all levels of the organisation.”
