Telstra says it's undecided on Carbon Tax surcharge for customers
- 12 October, 2012 13:35
- Comments 2
Telstra has not decided whether to pass Carbon Tax costs on to customers, a Telstra spokesman said.
Greg Hunt, the Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, revealed an alleged Telstra letter indicating the telco was testing a one-off, $1 charge with focus groups.
“As you may know, in July 2012, the Australian Government introduced a price on carbon which requires that some large businesses, including Telstra, pay an amount for each tonne of green house gases that are produced in providing products and services,” according to the letter.
“As a result, Telstra’s electricity prices have increased and consequently you will receive a one off charge of $1.00 on your next bill.”
The “Network Electricity Surcharge” will apply to home phone, mobile and Internet services, the letter said.
However, a Telstra spokesman said the telco has “made no decisions about pricing changes linked to this issue. If we decide to change our prices we would obviously let our customers know ahead of time.”
Hunt, a Coalition MP, slammed the possible Telstra surcharge. “The proposed Carbon Tax charge is exactly in line with the direction the Government has given businesses, to pass through the cost to their customers,” he said.
“People are already in shock at the Carbon Tax increase on their gas and electricity bills which are currently arriving in letter boxes,” Hunt said. “Now their phone and Internet bills could be next.”
“The costs will continue to mount up, from electricity bills to rubbish tip charges, and will grow each year as the price of the Carbon Tax increases and businesses look to pass it through to customers,” he said. “It is a flawed policy which must be scrapped.”
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Comments
karl_w_w
1
“People are already in shock at the Carbon Tax increase on their gas and electricity bills which are currently arriving in letter boxes,”
Hahaha, such a LNP way of thinking; they think if they say something it automatically makes it true. That's why they don't realise they are just a bunch of liars.
Kat
2
IMO, they should be prevented BY LAW from doing so. As should ANY company. And that's not negotiable.