Families living in regional Australia are about to have their hip pocket hit again if the Federal Government goes ahead with a tax on the cleaner and greener alternative fuel LPG.

The threat to regional motorists and small businesses to access this considerably cheaper green transition fuel will be the subject of an historic ‘Town Hall’ industry and consumer meeting in Tamworth at midday on Monday 14 March 2011.

With the cost of ethanol and petrol escalating, taxi owners, fleet managers, LPG producers, retailers and suppliers across regional Australia are uniting together with consumer-motoring-small business-agricultural groups to demonstrate that consumers need to be protected against any move to increase the cost of LPG.

LPG Australia says the introduction of excise on LPG appears to be at total odds with the Government’s policy on energy security and carbon reduction.

“Why tax an alternative fuel that will underpin our future energy needs, and is cleaner and greener than petrol? ” says the leading industry association responsible for the development and growth of the Australian LPG industry.

According to them, if the excise is introduced, many jobs in regional Australia will be lost. The increase in transport and tax compliance costs will be unsustainable and consumers will not be able to afford to absorb such a price hike.

“LPG is a cheaper greener alternative fuel choice for motorists. A car powered by LPG emits up to 13 per cent less carbon emissions than a petrol-run car. It is also up to 50 per cent cheaper than petrol at the bowser.”

“LPG is preferred fuel used by agricultural and small businesses in regional Australia (abattoirs, bakeries, poultry). These industries choose LPG because it is cheaper and greener than petrol and diesel.”

“Nearly all taxis in regional Australia are powered by LPG. If an excise is imposed, the cost of this transport will increase significantly. This will have a negative impact on families and, in particular, the elderly, already struggling with the increased cost of living.”