More Illawarra businesses are opposed to the Gillard Government’s tax since details of the plan have been released, vindicating the stand against the tax by Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Illawarra-based Liberal Senator for New South Wales.

The IRIS Economic Report’s Illawarra Business Survey shows the tax is bad for the Illawarra, which is what the Coalition has been saying since it was announced.

"With almost seven out of ten surveyed businesses opposed to the tax, the Member for Throsby, Stephen Jones, and the Member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird, should do the Illawarra a favour and cross the floor to defeat the carbon tax," Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.

"This is the tax that the Prime Minister lied to the Australian people about, the tax she promised would not be introduced under a government she led.

"The results speak for themselves. Support for the tax has dropped from 21.9 per cent in June to 15.4 per cent.

"The carbon tax is opposed by 63.3 per cent of finance, property and business services firms, 47.9 per cent of manufacturing and mining firms and 68.2 per cent of retail and recreation firms are opposed to the tax.

"This a toxic tax that will do no good for the Illawarra which is already suffering under the looming jobs losses at BlueScope Steel.

"The Coalition will oppose the carbon tax in Opposition and repeal it in Government."