Australia Prepares for Carbon Tax

Interesting piece from Voice of America on Australia's new carbon tax.  


The link is:  http://www.voanews.com/content/australia-prepares-for-carbon-tax/1263172.html


We love the two-sided argument on whether this pushes too hard on the environment at the expense of the economy.  It is finding that balance that is the essence of our focus--the business side of green.


We believe the long-term benefits of the new tax will outweigh the short-term drag on their economy, but we'd like to hear from you, too:

Part of the article:  "Phil Mercer

June 28, 2012

SYDNEY - Australia is preparing to introduce a carbon tax July 1. The levy would force about 300 of the country's biggest polluters to pay roughly $23 for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit. The aim is to encourage heavy polluters to invest in cleaner technology to reduce their tax liability and help the environment.

Australia is the world's largest coal exporter and one of the biggest per capita greenhouse gas emitters.

"The question is how we can get dangerous pollution in Australia cut, at the same time as making sure that jobs continue to grow and the economy continues to grow," said Mark Dreyfus, the Australian government's parliament secretary for climate change.  "And, the advice we have from expert economists, expert scientists is that the best way to do that is by putting a price on carbon."

There has been a vociferous campaign against the new levy by industry groups and conservative politicians. They argue it will push up costs for businesses, erode Australia's economic competitiveness and cost thousands of jobs, while pushing up food and electricity bills for households..."