Election 2016: Wilkie, Windsor and Oakeshott vow to push for resurrection of carbon tax

THE three prosperity-slashing independents who propped up the Gillard government have vowed to push for the resurrection of the hated carbon tax if the July 2 election result produces another hung parliament.

Andrew Wilkie, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott are all standing for parliament again, armed with a list of demands should neither major party win a convincing majority.

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THE three prosperity-slashing independents who propped up the Gillard government have vowed to push for the resurrection of the hated carbon tax if the July 2 election result produces another hung parliament.

Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott are all standing for parliament again, armed with a list of demands should neither major party win a convincing majority.

Mr Windsor yesterday listed his demands if he wins back his old NSW seat of New England from Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, including a return to a price on carbon. He was backed by Mr Wilkie, who also wants a price on carbon.

Independent MP's Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott are running for parliament again.

And Mr Oakeshott, who is standing for the northern NSW seat of Cowper, said whether it is a hung parliament or not, he would push for both parties to stop “punching down” on poorer communities.

On climate change he said he supported an emissions trading scheme, but more had to be done to target “top end of town” polluters in a way that “does cap the level of carbon pollution that any one company can put into the atmosphere”.

Mr Windsor said yesterday: “One of the main reasons I’m running again for parliament is climate change. The last three years in Australia have seen a decline in focus on serious climate action by the national government, (and) I am determined to do what I can to make sure this does not continue.

Independent Member for Denison Andrew Wilkie said he would make a price on carbon a priority. Picture: Luke Bowden

“The best evidence shows that we need a price on carbon. It works, here and overseas.”

The carbon tax that sounded the death knell for the Gillard and Rudd Labor governments was widely seen as being a drag on the economy that would send car prices and energy bills soaring.

Mr Wilkie said he would not enter into any formal agreement with the major parties but would make a price on carbon a priority.

“In the event of a hung parliament I will not enter into any formal agreement to provide ongoing support for any party. I will continue to approach every issue and every piece of parliamentary business on its merits,” he said.

“Strong action on climate change is a priority for me and indeed I favour targets of net zero carbon emissions and 100 per cent reliance on renewable energy by 2030. This will require a price on carbon.”