Despite it jacking up the cost of a 30-block of beer or soft-drink by $6.50, Jeremy Rockliff yesterday outrageously claimed that Australia’s most expensive container deposit scheme is helping Tasmanians with the cost of living.

According to the Premier’s latest 100-day plan, releasing a report into Tasmania’s Container Refund Scheme – aka Rocky’s beer tax – somehow counts as “taking action on the cost of living”.

The only thing the Premier is taking is money from hardworking Tasmanians while he takes them for granted.

Yesterday’s slap in the face to Tasmanians follows Minister Madeleine Ogilvie gloating about ripping $120,000 from the pockets of Tasmanians after the scheme accepted its millionth container.

Tasmania has the most expensive scheme in the nation – with the cost increase for buying a drink more than double the amount returned for recycling a container.

Jeremy Rockliff still needs to explain why Tasmania’s scheme is so much more expensive than other states, and what the 12 cents per container his tax raises above the refund cost is going towards.

Luke Edmunds MLC
Shadow Minister for Finance