JOSEPH Sabbagh, 33, of Penshurst, is not against the carbon tax.But the small business owner thinks there should be strict policing to prevent people from using the carbon tax as an excuse to increase prices.

 

The owner of Spot On Rubbish Removal said he has had to pass on a $77 increase to his customers to subsidise the fee he now pays to dispose of the rubbish at the tip.

‘‘Before the carbon tax, I charged my customers about $220 a tonne of rubbish,’’ Mr Sabbagh said.

‘‘Now I have to charge $295 a tonne because the tip prices have gone up.’’

His rubbish removal business, which he owns with his brother Wajeh, has been operating around southern Sydney for 12 months.

Mr Sabbagh said before the carbon tax was in place, he paid Rockdale Council about $240 to dispose of one tonne of rubbish.

Now he has to pay the council $330 a tonne.

‘‘If it was a $30 increase then it might be OK,’’ Mr Sabbagh said.

‘‘But when I’m disposing of two or three tonnes a day, the cost is just too high for a small

business.’’

Mr Sabbagh said he was going to try to recycle as much waste as possible for his customers to keep the prices down.

His business dumps rubbish at a tip with Rockdale Council and at St Peters.

‘‘I can see both sides of the argument, but I don’t think a carbon tax will make a difference to our carbon levels.’’

Don’t be misled

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says it has the authority to act against misleading claims if a business falsely links a price with the tax.

The competition watchdog says shoppers should ask these questions if in doubt:

1. Ask the vendor why the price has gone up, and don’t take price increases due to the carbon tax at face value.

2. Shop around and compare prices.

Shoppers can contact the ACCC Carbon Price Claims hotline with any complaints on 1300 303 609.

St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.