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.
AGHA CEO David Leek said there’s been inadequate consideration given to how the carbon tax would impact the retail and wholesale sector, which has already been hard hit by a challenging economic climate.
“Our members have been bearing the brunt of substantial increases in the price of food and services over the past 10 years. The ever shrinking availability of discretionary spending that our industry relies on has declined to a point where any additional impost will push a lot of our members to the wall.”
Leek said the association doesn’t dispute the seriousness of climate change, “but anything that puts people out of work at a time when jobs are becoming increasingly scarce is a major concern for our association.”
He also warned that measures introduced to compensate small businesses wouldn’t bring relief to SMEs in the retail and wholesale sector.
“Our members often have their entire livelihood wrapped up in their business. They use their homes as collateral on business loans and often employ family members. This issue strikes at the heart of small to medium businesses and families in Australia – who have been ignored by the government for far too long and simply used as a convenience in policy making.”
The AGHA has launched a national advertising campaign and website, encouraging members and supporters to email their local MP to oppose the carbon tax. www.agha.com.au/yourcarbontax
