MPMark Dreyfus, right, chats to Henry Wolfkamp and Milan Takac from Australian Rollforming Manufacturers.By Emma Sun
AFTER visits from politicians from both sides, Henry Wolfkamp from Australian Rollforming Manufacturers (ARM) is still not convinced the carbon tax will benefit local manufacturers.
Mark Dreyfus, the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, visited the factory and talked to Mr Wolfkamp about the carbon price package.
He said manufacturers such as ARM will continue to have a strong future.
“Modelling undertaken by the Treasury shows that with a carbon price, Australia’s manufacturing sector will grow its output by 69 percent by 2050 compared to today’s levels,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“The government’s plan will provide incentives for all businesses to reduce their emissions and support firms to transition and invest in the clean energy technologies of the future.”
But Mr Wolfkamp said he still fears the carbon tax will increase the cost of production, which would make it very difficult for them to compete with the overseas markets.
“We don’t know how much is involved here,” he said.
“If you believe the government, it’s only a tiny bit but if you just look at their numbers, without the rebate it’s going to be a lot.
“As a manufacturer we’re finding it harder and harder to pass the cost on – we’re competing with manufacturers from China and Thailand and all we can do is shrink an already small margin.”
Mr Wolfkamp said he was pleased to be able to get his point of view across and hopes something positive will stem from the meeting with Mr Dreyfus.
