The Federal Government’s Carbon Tax has hit local health provider Eastern Health, which runs the Angliss Hospital and Wantirna Health, costing it more than $358,000 in higher energy costs over the past 6 months alone according to an audit by the Victorian Department of Health.
The analysis showed that almost 20% of Eastern Health’s energy costs were attributable to the Carbon Tax.
The cost to hospitals comes hot off the heels of recent uncertainty surrounding federal funding. The Federal Government cut funding to Victorian hospitals by $107 million, causing beds to close and services to be affected across Knox. The Government has yet to reinstate this funding, despite its promises to do so.
Federal Member for Aston Alan Tudge MP said the Carbon Tax was robbing hospitals of much needed funds to service Knox.
“The Carbon Tax has meant higher energy bills for our hospitals which means lower services for locals,” Mr Tudge said.
“The Carbon Tax is hurting our hospitals and robbing much needed funding from them.”
“After the debacle of federal funding cuts, these higher power bills are the last things local healthcare providers needs.”
“And this is just the beginning of the carbon tax impost. The Federal Government forecasts the carbon tax to increase to $350 per tonne by 2050, up from $23 per tonne today.
“The Coalition will abolish the carbon tax as the first order of business under a Coalition Government.”
