Voters To Steer Clear Of Carbon Tax-led Fuel Price Rises: NRMA

The vote is in: two-thirds of Australians will not support a political party that proposes a carbon tax if it results in higher fuel prices.

According to a new survey of 1200 NRMA Motoring & Services members, 60 percent of respondents will steer clear of the Labor Government in the next election if its proposed carbon tax leads to yet another walloping at the bowser.

The survey showed that most Australians (87 percent) are already dealing with a cost of living that is higher than 12 months ago, with two-thirds suffering from stress as a result.

NRMA President Wendy Machin said the NRMA would seek assurances from the Australian Government that the Carbon Tax would not force up the cost of fuel and cause further strain on families struggling with the cost of living.

"Our members are struggling under the cost of living pressures and it is the NRMA’s responsibility to fight to ensure that every cent increase on a litre of petrol brought about by the Carbon Tax is offset by a reduction in the fuel excise," Ms Machin said.

"With uncertainty around petrol prices and the Carbon Tax, the costs of living weighs heavily on the minds and wallets of all Australians."

Around 70 percent of respondents have seen the cost of running a car increase by an average of $620 each year. Just 24 percent of the 1200 respondents said they would support the introduction of a carbon tax.

The Labor Government plans to implement a carbon tax from July next year, with an emissions trading scheme to follow in the next three to five years.