In a visit to our town yesterday, he warned residents the carbon tax will push up the price of everyday items.

The government’s proposed carbon tax will especially hit the fuel-reliant transport sector hard, he said. “It increases the cost of living for Australians, it will cost jobs as our industry moves to other parts of the world.”

“But it will do nothing for the environment.”

Mr Truss said a $26 per tonne carbon tax would increase the cost of fuel by 6.5 cents per litre.

“It will all end up on our food bills,” he said.

Opposition indigenous affairs spokesman Nigel Scullion and Senator Fiona Nash also visited Port Macquarie yesterday to express their party’s concern over carbon tax.

Local member of The Nationals Dr David Gillespie attended the meeting to voice his objection to the tax which aims to reduce Australia’s CO2 emmissions.

“Are truck drivers going to stop driving their trucks? No. It’s just revenue generating exercise.

“I support the sentiment of helping the environment but there’s so many better ways for the governent to achieve that,” he said.

Local Climate Change Australia member Harry Cremer, said prices may rise when the tax is introduced but it was in Australia’s best interests.

“There will be short-term price rises because we’re using old technologies but when we transition to new technologies the costs of energy will come down,” said Mr Cremer. “We’ve got to accept short term pain for long term gain,”

“And the Gillard government is providing compensation for the short term pain,” he said.