Gillard:Australians Not Alone in Carbon Quest

The government is attempting to refute claims that Australians are unique in their carbon price by revealing a new departmental findings that show similar schemes are expected to be operational in over 30 countries from 2013.

The research conducted by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency reveals that Australia will be a part of over 50 national (or subnational) trading schemes when a $23-a tonne tax takes effect on July 1,2012.

Statistics released by the department indicate that the schemes will cover a total population of 850 million and will include approximately 30 per cent of the global economy.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet stated that with the soon-to-be implemented scheme, Australia was joining the majority of “the world’s industrialized economies”

Combet stated that since Climate change is a global issue then Australia must do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The price on carbon is expected to act as an incentive for industries to adopt new clean energy practices.

Opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt believes the analysis was “humiliating “ because of the difference in carbon prices between Australia and the global community.

But opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt said the analysis was “humiliating” for the government given the difference in the carbon prices between Australia and other nations.

Hunt stated that the European scheme averaged about $1 per person annually in its first five years, while Australia is expected to be about $400 per person annually. PM Julia Gillard refuted assertions that Australia was home to the highest carbon tax in the world citing Norway’s carbon tax on petrol, Switzerland’s fossil fuel tax, Sweden’s heating fuels tax and Ireland’s carbon tax.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/australian-not-going-it-alone-on-carbon-price-analysis-shows/story-fn59niix-1226389526347