Bill Shorten’s energy tax will impose a huge cost on businesses in Hume.

Federal Member for Hume and Energy Minister Angus Taylor said small business owners like Luddenham butcher Trevor Roots would find it extremely hard to balance the books each month.

“The independent Fisher Report shows that the 16,000 small and medium sized businesses in Hume will be worse off if Labor introduces its Energy Tax,” Mr Taylor said.

“Businesses like Trevor Roots Butchery in Luddenham, many of them family owned, are the backbone of our economy. Labor’s energy tax will increase wholesale electricity prices by 58%, which will have a direct impact on competitiveness and profitability of every small business.

“Introducing a new energy tax when other countries we compete with aren’t doing the same thing, will deeply disadvantage our small businesses and industry.

“Labor’s targets will send energy-intensive industries overseas, taking jobs with them. The Fisher Report estimates that Labor’s reckless targets will slash over 336,000 jobs.”

Mr Roots said he was hoping changes from July to force energy companies to disclose all costs and discounts would make it easier to get a better deal.

“I could see on my bill that I was going to get a percentage discount, which I thought would save me around $1000 a quarter. But now I’m not sure. It’s hard to work it out,” Mr Roots said.

Mr Taylor said small businesses needed support to bring down their power bills, not a big new energy tax from Labor.

Only the Morrison Government has a sensible plan to reduce emissions at the lowest cost to the economy, while also supporting jobs and investment.

Caption: Angus Taylor talking with Luddenham butcher Trevor Roots.