15/04/2005 - The states
and territories have today failed to provide
details of the additional costs for householders
and businesses of their proposed national
Greenhouse Gas emissions trading scheme -
despite being pressed to do so by the Commonwealth.
"A meeting of State and Territory Environment
Ministers in Darwin today provided the forum
for the states to provide the details of how
this new state tax would work. The states
and territories have refused," Senator
Campbell said.
In discussions, the states admitted that
the new scheme would increase costs but would
not, or could not, say by how much.
"Discussions at the meeting revealed
that the State Ministers plan to provide the
costs of the carbon tax to their Premiers
by the end of the year, but even then there
is no promise any information will be made
available to the public."
The Australian Government believes the introduction
of such a carbon tax is unnecessary given
Australia is on track to meet its Kyoto target
and is premature in the absence of effective
longer-term global action on climate change.
The Australian Government released its position
on emissions trading as part of the Energy
White Paper. That position is unchanged.
The Australian Government will not impose
significant new economy-wide costs, such as
a carbon tax, until there is a comprehensive
and global response.
To advocate otherwise, as the states have
done today, is to advocate higher costs for
Australian homeowners and businesses and is
an attack on the economic growth of this nation.
What's more, there is no evidence it would
be an effective response to climate change
as business would move offshore to avoid such
a tax, taking Australian jobs with them.
At today's meeting, the Commonwealth agreed
to note the potential of emissions trading,
but only when supported by complementary measures
and when consistent with the national interest.
This is completely consistent with the Energy
White Paper.
"If the States - which between them
have proposals on the drawing board to build
up to 25 new fossil fuel fed power stations
- were serious about immediate practical action
to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, they would
match the Australian Government's $1.8b programme
to invest in real greenhouse gas reduction
activities." Senator Campbell said.
