Bowen people have been denied access to information and the opportunity to have their say on the carbon tax, according to Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen.

The carbon tax passed through the House of representatives this week and is due to start on July 1 next year.

Mr Christensen said the government had worked overtime to shut down any legitimate information on the tax and to ensure the public’s voice was not heard.

He said last week’s carbon tax information session in Bowen was well supported, with more than 50 interested residents, and it gave them a more balanced view.

“The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) did a great job in bringing this information to Bowen because the government was never going to give a balanced view,” he said.

“The government has its own agenda and has been desperately trying justify the deal that was done to keep Julia Gillard in the top job but the IPA is an independent organisation that scrutinises public policy and how it will affect people.”

Mr Christensen said Bowen’s voice had been ignored in the debate and submissions to the carbon tax inquiry had been rejected.

Bowen resident, Christine McNamara, made a submission to the inquiry, pointing out the crucial role plants and carbon dioxide played.

“So, logically, one would think the more plants and trees we plant the more carbon is absorbed and more oxygen is produced,” the submission read. “So why do we need a tax? It’s just a sneaky way of redistributing wealth.”

Mrs McNamara’s submission was one of more than 4,500 submissions made to the carbon tax inquiry but the committee only accepted about 350.

Mr Christensen attempted to table the remaining submission in parliament so they could at least be placed on the record but the government would not allow them to be tabled.

“The government has gone out of its way to stop people having their opinions heard,” Mr Christensen said. “They refuse to hold an election on the matter, they voted against a plebiscite, and they won’t even accept submissions.”