Union official Paul Howes cannot guarantee that workers will not lose their jobs under the carbon tax.

Illawarra-based Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said in Parliament House today that Mr Howes tried to drum up a protest outside her Wollongong office but fell short of guaranteeing workers’ jobs.

“Mr Howes has been calling on Mr Abbott and myself to pass the Steel Transformation Plan which is associated with the carbon tax, but there is no need for compensation if there is no carbon tax,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.

 “The cost of living will rise, the cost of electricity will increase, generations of Australians will have to pay for this carbon tax.

“Mr Howes has had a busy morning warning employers not to sack workers because of the carbon tax and threatening to run me out of town.

“This is the same union official who has said no jobs will be lost because of the carbon tax.

“This is a toxic tax that is no good for the Illawarra. Results of the State and Local Government elections this year have made it plain that the people of the Illawarra do not support this tax.

“Stephen Jones and Sharon Bird have betrayed their electorates today by voting in favour of the carbon tax.

“Julia Gillard lied to the Australian public and Stephen Jones and Sharon Bird must be held accountable for what they did today.”