Taxing times for animal refuge
THE Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge won't know the impact of the carbon tax until it receives its next electricity bill.
The Tanawha animal lovers said while they had planned ahead, they were unsure just how much of an effect the controversial carbon tax would have on the group.
Fairfax MP Alex Somlyay claims local charities and community groups will be forced to divert resources away from essential services as they pay higher electricity and costs associated with the carbon tax.
SCARS administrator Diane Reid said the refuge had recently received a government grant for solar power to help alleviate power costs.
They have also applied for special consideration to exempt them from paying tip fees.
"It's hard to know how we will be affected by the carbon tax just yet," Ms Reid said.
"I'm sure there will be some effect but I don't think it will wreak havoc. No one wants to pay any more for anything.
"Obviously it will have an effect if things like pet food are going to cost more."
Mr Somlyay yesterday said it was not just families and businesses paying the carbon tax.
"This week we have discovered that the RSPCA is expecting to pay an additional $180,000 nationally to run its animal shelters, with each centre facing increases in the thousands of dollars," he said.
"The shelters will pay more for electricity, more for landfill waste and more for pet food.
"Labor has provided multi million 'carbon tax bailouts' for big companies in marginal seats, while charities and community groups that care, clothe, house and feed people every day are wondering how they will pay their carbon tax costs.
"There will also be longer term impacts on charities. "
Mr Somlyay said the Coalition would scrap the carbon tax, cut government red tape on charities and ensure the government's new charities commission was focused on making life better for Australian charities rather than harder.
