Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, right, and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott attended a bilateral meeting last month. The Harper government is facing criticism after congratulating the government of Australia for ending its carbon tax. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

By Tom Parry, CBC News Posted: Nov 15, 2013 9:16 AM ET

Paul Calandra, parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, issued a statement this week commending the move by Australia’s recently elected Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“Canada applauds the decision by Prime Minister Abbott to introduce legislation to repeal the carbon tax,” the statement reads.

“The Australian prime minister’s decision will be noticed around the world and sends an important message.”

The Conservatives have used the carbon tax issue to great effect domestically. The government has long accused the Opposition NDP of wanting to impose “a tax on everything,” a claim NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has vehemently denied.

The Conservatives campaigned successfully against Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and his “Green Shift” policy in the 2008 election, using the same “tax on everything” line. Dion’s plan, which included a carbon tax, was derided by Harper as a cash grab and was rejected by voters at the polls.

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