Claims by National Party candidate Michael Johnsen that the Rudd Government will push up LPG prices by imposing a new tax is best described as embarrassing.

Mr Johnsen must surely know that the new tax was introduced by the Howard Government with a July 2011 start date.

The Howard Government announced the introduction of the tax in its 2003 Budget and re-affirmed it in its 2007 Election policy document which states on p.3:-

“After June 30 2011, excise will be gradually introduced” 

Originally the Howard Government had proposed to introduce the excise earlier and when it pushed it back to 2011, the Australian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association issued a media release stating:-

“The Australian LP Gas Association welcomed the passing of in the Parliament today of the amendments to the Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Bill 2003 which extended the tax-free period for autogas to July 1, 2011”.

Michael Johnsen has produced the best own goal since Escobar!