The Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon is refusing to stand up for almost 3,000 people who risk losing their employment if a carbon tax is introduced.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams says when asked during Question Time on the 2^nd of June if Mr. Fitzgibbon or other Labor MP’s had made representations to her on the impact of the carbon tax, the Prime Minister could not identify any.

Senator Williams said this is extremely disappointing for those whose livelihoods are at risk.

"The Member for Hunter is showing no concern for the 600 jobs in jeopardy at the Wambo Coal Mine, nor the 600 jobs at the Mount Thorley Coal Mine, and certainly not for the 612 people concerned about their future at the Mount Owen Coal Mine.

As for the 950 jobs that could be destroyed at the Hunter Valley Operations at Singleton, Mr. Fitzgibbon is staying mute.

If the carbon tax is imposed it will do nothing to improve the environment but it will clean out wallets and cost jobs. At $26 a tonne, this toxic tax will increase NSW power bills by $500 and add 6.5 cents on every litre of fuel.

Yet Mr. Fitzgibbon, through his inaction, is happy to stand by as the Labor-Greens-Independent alliance impose a tax that will increase every year.

For the benefit of the people in the Hunter, he should break ranks and implore the Prime Minister to drop the carbon tax or take it to an election to let the people decide", Senator Williams said.