A new tax will be levied on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) thanks to Independent members Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter.

The Nationals Duty Senator for New England John Williams said the three were the crucial votes in the legislation being passed 72-71.

Senator Williams said it is ironic that Labor, the Greens and Mr.Windsor are such big supporters of clean green energy and continually push for it, and when people start to use it, they immediately lump a tax on it.

“The tax will start at 2.5 cents a litre from December, but will increase to 12.5 cents a litre by 2015.

This will affect the 600,000 motorists who have chosen to convert to LPG, and amongst those are 66,000 taxi cabs. This will force an increase in the cost of taxi fares which will particularly affect pensioners and the disadvantaged in the community.

It is another burden to add to the increasing cost of living, and people in New England can thank Mr.Windsor for it”, Senator Williams said.