19-February-2009
Portfolio Media Releases, Emissions Trading Scheme
TONY EASTLEY: Momentum is building for the Federal Government to rethink its emissions trading scheme.
The Greens leader Senator Bob Brown says the present plan is flawed, arguing it rewards big polluters.
A group of Australian economists agree but they want the Government to consider scrapping the scheme altogether. They say a carbon tax would be a better way of lowering emissions.
The Opposition isn't ruling out the idea. Its emissions trading spokesman Andrew Robb says a carbon tax would be simpler. He's speaking here with Alexandra Kirk.
ANDREW ROBB: What we do know is that the scheme designed by the Rudd Government after 18 months of endless inquiries and millions of dollars is a deeply flawed scheme. It will cost jobs it will kill investment and it won't do anything about CO2 reductions. So we need now, and I think the Government is already starting itself, to look at alternatives.
ALEXANDRA KIRK: Do you sense a significant shift in opinion towards a carbon tax?
ANDREW ROBB: I think it's being very much looked at. In the United States it's being considered as they start to look at the practicality or impracticality of an emissions trading scheme. Even the new Secretary of Energy is floating consideration of a carbon tax. It's being considered in Canada. It's being considered in many other places.
But the bottom line is that you know the Government has got too far ahead of the world with their scheme. It is deeply flawed. They have not been able to, you know, reach the expectations to match what they said would be achieved with CO2 reductions. Their scheme, if implemented, will really be an enormous impost on Australian business and it won't produce any reductions in CO2 of any consequence.
ALEXANDRA KIRK: But on face value the Coalition hasn't ever seriously canvassed a carbon tax. You always talked about a cap and trade system. Wouldn't you be philosophically opposed to such a tax as a blunt instrument?
ANDREW ROBB: What we have done with our review, we have asked a committee of inquiry to look at all options including a tax. And I think we need to be open minded.
Original source located at: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2495497.htm
Media Contact: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620