Price hikes on waste levies unrelated to carbon price

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus have cautioned businesses not to mislead customers by claiming recent price hikes in state government waste levies are as a result of the carbon price coming into effect. There are a range of factors behind the cost increase for disposal of waste, including state government levies. Combet and Dreyfus said the NSW Government should ensure that residents across the state are aware of the real reasons behind its decision to raise waste levies.

The NSW Government waste levy has gone up around 15% in metropolitan Sydney, due to the O’Farrell government lifting its waste levy to $95.20 a tonne at metropolitan landfill sites. This rise is completely unrelated to the carbon price, but also began on 1 July 2012. Premier O’Farrell has not provided assistance to households for any cost impacts of this waste levy hike.

By contrast, the impact of the carbon price on domestic waste collection is as little as 13 cents per week if best practice methods are adopted. To meet this impact the Gillard government is providing households with assistance in the form of tax cuts, higher family payments and increases in pensions and other benefits, providing an average of $10.10 per week.

If businesses make false carbon price claims, they run the risk of breaching the Competition and Consumer Act and could be subject to a $1.1 million fine for misleading consumers. Businesses and consumers with concerns about false carbon claims can call the ACCC hotline on 1300 303 609 or fill in an online complaint form.