Mayor denies political bias over tax

ANTI-carbon tax messages included in the Gold Coast City Council rates notices have sparked allegations of the organisation spreading "cynical political opportunism".

But LNP member and donor Mayor Tom Tate denied his political bias shining through in a federal election year, saying the carbon tax was wrong.

Rates notices, which this month are being mailed to 240,000 households, include a statement that the council is refusing to collect the Federal Government's carbon tax so ratepayers were not "burdened with this levy on everyday cost of living".

Last year the Federal Government passed the legislation requiring all Australian councils to pay the tax.

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Money owed on the tax started accruing this financial year but is not due until the next one.

In June budget talks Cr Tate declared the Gold Coast council would not pay the tax, banking on the Coalition taking office.

Budget documents show that the city would have been hit with a $5 million carbon tax bill, including an extra $6.80 on each ratepayers' waste levy.

A spokesman for acting Climate Change Minister Senator Chris Evans said the statement in this year's rates notice was "cynical political opportunism".

"Tom Tate has signed up to Tony Abbott's misleading and deceptive political scare campaign on carbon pricing," he said.

"Instead of political stunts at ratepayers' expense, Cr Tate should do his job and examine practical measures for reducing the council's liability, which would be beneficial for Gold Coast ratepayers and the environment."

It is believed the Government is not planning any action over the inclusion of the pamphlet to residents.

Cr Tate said it was not political propaganda but about standing up for Gold Coast ratepayers.

"It's not partisan, it's factual," Cr Tate said.

"It's not fear mongering, any additional charge to our ratepayers is real.

"Fear-mongering is when you're bullshitting."

Cr Tate said Gold Coast residents did not vote for a carbon tax.

"With that in mind I feel I have a mandate to not pay this tax for as long as possible," he said.

He said he had assurance from Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott that if the Coalition won the election this year the tax would be repealed and the Gold Coast would not have to pay.

Cr Tate said if Julia Gillard retained power the council would have to start paying the tax.

"We don't want to do anything unlawful," he said.

He said ratepayers would not be hit with double charges if the council had to pay the tax.

Instead he said the council would cut the amount of money it spends on buying land for preservation to cover the cost of the money owed.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/01/15/445406_gold-coast-news.html

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