'Massive drop' in carbon tax complaints

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims says the watchdog is fielding just "a few'' daily complaints about the carbon tax. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA'S competition watchdog has reported a "massive drop" in the number of carbon tax complaints but is examining why the price of refrigeration gases has escalated by up to 400 per cent since July.

In good news for the Gillard Government as it shapes for an election-year battle over its key environmental policy, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims has revealed the watchdog was fielding just "a few'' daily complaints about the carbon tax.

The ACCC boss said the regulator at its height was fielding 60 to 70 inquiries a day about the Government's climate change scheme, which has seen the price of energy bills increase by around 9 to 10 per cent.

The price hike was "about what we expected'', Mr Sims told the National Press Club, reaffirming the Government's view that the carbon tax impact was exactly as forecast by Treasury.

But one issue that remains of concern - and under ACCC examination - is why the price of refrigerant gases have soared since July 1 last year.

Mr Sims said the commission was still looking at a number of matters that had been referred to it.

The price of "synthetic greenhouse'' or refrigerant gases has increased by thousands of dollars for many businesses who rely on cold storage, such as seafood wholesalers, independent supermarkets, transport and freight companies, butcher shops and air conditioning mechanics.

Harry Peters, the CEO of Sydney-based Marine Product Marketing, said the price of fixing a gas leak in his cold storage had skyrocketed - from around $33,000 to $110,000 - since the carbon tax had been introduced.

"This was just a minor leak -- I had to buy a 50 kilogram bottle,'' Mr Peters said.

The price of refrigeration gases has soared because they are now subject to an "equivalent carbon price''.

In a statement to News Limited, the ACCC said it had received a number of complaints in relation to price increases for refrigerant gases.

"The ACCC through the course of its investigation of these matters has received seven administrative resolutions, and one enforceable undertaking from air conditioning and refrigeration repair companies in relation to alleged false and misleading representations regarding the impact of the carbon levy on the price of refrigerant gas,'' the commission said.

"The ACCC continues to work with the industry providing guidance to avoid making misleading statements.''
 

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