1.Which sectors are exempt from the carbon tax?
2.Do you think imposing a tax on carbon emissions would deter businesses from reducing their carbon emissions?
The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, has announced plans to implement a carbon tax targeting the country's largest polluters. Starting in 2012, carbon emissions will be taxed at A$23 per tonne, impacting around 500 companies. In 2015, this fixed-price tax will transition to a market-based trading scheme. While the move aims to reduce Australia's carbon footprint and foster a clean energy future, it faces significant opposition. Critics argue the tax will harm economic competitiveness and lead to increased consumer prices. Despite protests and political opposition, the government plans to compensate affected industries and households, aiming to cut 159 million tonnes of carbon pollution by 2020. The policy has sparked nationwide protests, with opponents concerned about job losses and economic impacts.
Australia plans to impose carbon tax on worst polluters
The Australian government has unveiled plans to impose a tax on carbon emissions for the worst polluters.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said carbon dioxide emissions would be taxed at A$23 ($25; £15) per tonne from 2012.
The country's biggest economic reform in a generation will cover some 500 companies. In 2015, a market-based trading scheme will be introduced.
Households are expected to see consumer prices rise by nearly 1%, and the move has been criticised by the opposition.
Critics argue the levy would damage economic competitiveness.
Australia is one of the world's worst emitters of greenhouse gases per head of population.
The country relies on coal for 80% of its electricity generation, and is a major coal exporter.
Charm offensive
Under the new scheme set to begin on 1 July 2012, the government plans to include any company that produces at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
However, agriculture, forestry and land will be excluded from the levy. Motorists are also to be exempt, except for heavy lorries.
Steelmakers, coal mines and electricity generators will receive compensation to ensure they stay in business. Other tax cuts are planned for consumers.
"As a nation, we need to put a price on carbon and create a clean energy future," Ms Gillard told a news conference in Canberra.
"Australians want to do the right thing by the environment."
The prime minister is due to make a televised address later on Sunday to try to sell the package to the nation.
The biggest polluters will be paying the fixed price per tonne of CO2 until 2015, when a market-based trading scheme is expected to be introduced.
The government will then set a floor price and an upper limit for at least the first three years to avoid excessive price fluctuations.
The energy industry and the political opposition have mounted a vociferous campaign against the carbon tax, with protests in all of Australia's major cities in March.
Critics argue a levy would damage economic competitiveness.
Opinion polls show roughly 60% of voters against the policy.
The government hopes to win them over by spending some of the cash raised by the carbon tax to compensate households for higher energy bills.
It is promising tax cuts for low and middle-income households, as well as increased state pension and welfare payments.
However, Australia's ABC national broadcaster says households are expected to see consumer prices - including food, external - rise by an average of 0.7% due to the effect of the carbon prices on large emitters.
'Self-harm'
Ms Gillard's coalition government has a majority of just one seat in the lower house of parliament.
Past attempts to get the tax through parliament were defeated.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott pledged to wage a political war against the proposed carbon levy.
He said: "A one-sided carbon tax, a unilateral carbon tax is an act of economic self-harm."
But now the Australian government's aim will be to cut 159m tonnes of carbon pollution by 2020, reducing emissions by 5% below 2000 levels.
Apart from the European Union, only New Zealand currently imposes a national carbon tax.
In the USA, President Barack Obama abandoned last year plans for a federal climate bill during his current term.
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Australia carbon tax plans spark protests
Rallies have taken place in Australia in protest at plans by the Labor government to bring in a carbon tax.
Hundreds of people have attended demonstrations in the national capital Canberra as well as in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Critics say without a binding global agreement the proposed levy will cost jobs and erode the competitiveness of Australian businesses.
The government says Australia needs the tax and an emissions trading scheme.
Protesters say they are just ordinary Australian workers and taxpayers who feel betrayed by the government's plans to put a price on carbon.
They insist it would damage the economy and drive up the cost of living by making energy far more expensive.
"There is a groundswell of people that have finally had a gutful," said one demonstrator.
"Since the Labor government has come into this country the union rules. We just cannot do it anymore. We have no more money left to pay the taxes," another protester said.
'Left behind'
The demonstrators have the support of the conservative opposition leader, Tony Abbott.
He says that without a global carbon pricing agreement, Australian businesses would be less competitive.
"A one-sided carbon tax, a unilateral carbon tax is an act of economic self-harm," he said.
Supporters of the tax believe it will cut pollution in Australia, which is one of the world's worst per capita emitters of greenhouses gases.
They say it will also encourage the development of a low carbon economy.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that opposition will not derail the plan.
"Now, I understand there is always going to be a variety of views in the community," she said.
"We'll see that on display today but pricing carbon is the right thing for our nation's future and that is why I am determined to do it."
The prime minister hopes to bring in a tax on carbon next year before introducing an emissions trading scheme as early as 2015.
She insists that without these key economic reforms, Australia will be left behind by its international competitors.
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Australia plans to impose carbon tax on worst polluters
The Australian government has unveiled plans to impose a tax on carbon emissions for the worst polluters.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said carbon dioxide emissions would be taxed at A$23 ($25; £15) per tonne from 2012.
The country's biggest economic reform in a generation will cover some 500 companies. In 2015, a market-based trading scheme will be introduced.
Households are expected to see consumer prices rise by nearly 1%, and the move has been criticised by the opposition.
Critics argue the levy would damage economic competitiveness.
Australia is one of the world's worst emitters of greenhouse gases per head of population.
The country relies on coal for 80% of its electricity generation, and is a major coal exporter.
Charm offensive
Under the new scheme set to begin on 1 July 2012, the government plans to include any company that produces at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
However, agriculture, forestry and land will be excluded from the levy. Motorists are also to be exempt, except for heavy lorries.
Steelmakers, coal mines and electricity generators will receive compensation to ensure they stay in business. Other tax cuts are planned for consumers.
"As a nation, we need to put a price on carbon and create a clean energy future," Ms Gillard told a news conference in Canberra.
"Australians want to do the right thing by the environment."
The prime minister is due to make a televised address later on Sunday to try to sell the package to the nation.
The biggest polluters will be paying the fixed price per tonne of CO2 until 2015, when a market-based trading scheme is expected to be introduced.
The government will then set a floor price and an upper limit for at least the first three years to avoid excessive price fluctuations.
The energy industry and the political opposition have mounted a vociferous campaign against the carbon tax, with protests in all of Australia's major cities in March.
Critics argue a levy would damage economic competitiveness.
Opinion polls show roughly 60% of voters against the policy.
The government hopes to win them over by spending some of the cash raised by the carbon tax to compensate households for higher energy bills.
It is promising tax cuts for low and middle-income households, as well as increased state pension and welfare payments.
However, Australia's ABC national broadcaster says households are expected to see consumer prices - including food, external - rise by an average of 0.7% due to the effect of the carbon prices on large emitters.
'Self-harm'
Ms Gillard's coalition government has a majority of just one seat in the lower house of parliament.
Past attempts to get the tax through parliament were defeated.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott pledged to wage a political war against the proposed carbon levy.
He said: "A one-sided carbon tax, a unilateral carbon tax is an act of economic self-harm."
But now the Australian government's aim will be to cut 159m tonnes of carbon pollution by 2020, reducing emissions by 5% below 2000 levels.
Apart from the European Union, only New Zealand currently imposes a national carbon tax.
In the USA, President Barack Obama abandoned last year plans for a federal climate bill during his current term.
👉點我開連結
Australia carbon tax plans spark protests
Rallies have taken place in Australia in protest at plans by the Labor government to bring in a carbon tax.
Hundreds of people have attended demonstrations in the national capital Canberra as well as in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Critics say without a binding global agreement the proposed levy will cost jobs and erode the competitiveness of Australian businesses.
The government says Australia needs the tax and an emissions trading scheme.
Protesters say they are just ordinary Australian workers and taxpayers who feel betrayed by the government's plans to put a price on carbon.
They insist it would damage the economy and drive up the cost of living by making energy far more expensive.
"There is a groundswell of people that have finally had a gutful," said one demonstrator.
"Since the Labor government has come into this country the union rules. We just cannot do it anymore. We have no more money left to pay the taxes," another protester said.
'Left behind'
The demonstrators have the support of the conservative opposition leader, Tony Abbott.
He says that without a global carbon pricing agreement, Australian businesses would be less competitive.
"A one-sided carbon tax, a unilateral carbon tax is an act of economic self-harm," he said.
Supporters of the tax believe it will cut pollution in Australia, which is one of the world's worst per capita emitters of greenhouses gases.
They say it will also encourage the development of a low carbon economy.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that opposition will not derail the plan.
"Now, I understand there is always going to be a variety of views in the community," she said.
"We'll see that on display today but pricing carbon is the right thing for our nation's future and that is why I am determined to do it."
The prime minister hopes to bring in a tax on carbon next year before introducing an emissions trading scheme as early as 2015.
She insists that without these key economic reforms, Australia will be left behind by its international competitors.
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