21st Jun 2011 – Representatives Motions - Carbon Pricing - Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Liberal MP Tony Abbott. This means that it was rejected. The motion was:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Warringah moving immediately-

That this House calls on the Prime Minister to explain to the Australian people why she arrogantly refuses to give them a vote on whether Australia should introduce a carbon tax,(By "carbon tax", Mr Abbott is referring to the carbon pricing mechanism, which will begin on 1 July 2012. ) a vote that she denied them at the last election when she said "there will be no carbon tax under a Government I lead",(Read more about this promise, made by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, on ABC's The Drum.) and now rules out a plebiscite. If the Prime Minister thinks the Australian people want a carbon tax, why is she so scared to give the people their say?

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