The Carbon Tax and Your Business
THE Senate today voted to pass the carbon tax by 36 votes to 32. There was applause from supporters in the public gallery as the nine Greens voted with Labor to pass the package of 18 bills. Putting a price on carbon has been a long and difficult process, with two previous attempts defeated in Parliament. (ABC News)
The government is keen to stress that the carbon tax will not impose extra red tape on small business and they will not directly have to pay the tax. The instant asset write-off for small businesses with turnover of less than $2 million per year will rise to $6500.
While small businesses will not be required to pay a carbon price, the majority of sources are saying that there is expected to be an indirect impact on this sector of the economy. It has been said that cost pressures will be passed down through the supply chain resulting in higher costs, which will eventually be passed onto consumers.
Decreasing expenses in other areas of the business by implementing sustainable practices will level out costs from this indirect impact. If costs saving measures are put into place now small businesses shouldn't be affected. Expenses will already be decreased; this will give way for any indirect impact. It will be the businesses that don't implement sustainable practices that will suffer the most. They will keep their current costs up as well as get whacked with the cost pressures passed through the supply chain.
With less than one year to implement these practices, our advice is to start sooner rather than later. To get your carbon footprint assessed and determine ways to save call EcoBizCheck to start your journey to sustainable business.
By Zoey Jurss, EcoBizCheck
