Threatened cutbacks to community development programs by the SANFL and member footy clubs highlight the real and unwanted impacts of Julia Gillard’s carbon tax, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham said today.
 
The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) is reportedly facing a $100,000 increase in electricity bills, while member clubs face cost increases of up to $50,000 – with the carbon tax a major contributing factor in the rises.
 
“Small businesses receive no compensation for the carbon tax and our local footy clubs find themselves in the same boat,” Senator Birmingham said today.
 
“If the SANFL clubs can’t readily pass on the increased costs they face, they have no option but to cut back in areas such as their community development programs.
 
“The carbon tax is a $9 billion a year new tax that is designed, intended and constructed to send electricity prices rocketing and these are just some of the real consequences.
 
“The Coalition has made repealing the carbon tax our first order of business in government, but in the meantime our footy clubs and the local communities they serve will be among the millions nationwide paying for Julia Gillard’s broken promise.”