Abbott (stops his arm curls. Stands up): Look, how many times do I have to say this? While the media is running around distracting everyone with stories about keeping the Greens accountable, we are 18 months away from slipping into office with precisely zero costed policies, a climate change policy that defies climate science and all known economics, a communications policy that defies physics, an immigration policy that defies human decency and an industrial relations policy that, despite the best efforts of that dickhead Reith, has managed to just about bury the name WorkChoices, and we are likely to do it in a landslide.
The carbon tax - what's in, what's out
By Michael Janda/ABC NEWS
Posted 24 minutes ago
Trade exposed industries receive compensation equal to 94.5 per cent of their carbon costs (AFP)
What's in?
* Any facility that produces at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year will be included in the carbon pricing scheme, unless it falls into an exempt industry. The Government estimates around 500 companies will be directly affected.
* Reduction in fuel tax credits for business equivalent to carbon price (excluding agriculture, fisheries and forestry, but including road transport above 4.5 tonnes from 2014-15).
* Increase in domestic aviation fuel excise equivalent to carbon price, no effect on international aviation.
What's out?
* Facilities that produce less than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
* Households are not directly covered, but are expected to see consumer prices rise by an average of 0.7 per cent due to the effect of the carbon price on large emitters. The Government says 4 million households will be better off after compensation, 6 million no worse off, and 8 million will receive partial compensation for the price rises.
* Small businesses not included, due to low size of emissions. Will be subject to price increases for some inputs, but expected to pass on those increased costs to consumers (who will be compensated).
* Agriculture, forestry and land are excluded from the scheme.
* High-polluting trade exposed industries (such as steel, aluminium and cement manufacture) will receive compensation equal to 94.5 per cent of their carbon costs, with the compensation level reducing by 1.3 per cent per year.
* Lower-level trade exposed polluters will receive 66 per cent compensation at the start of the scheme, also reducing by 1.3 per cent per year.
* Liquefied natural gas producers will receive 50 per cent compensation, reducing by 1.3 per cent a year.
Last night I browsed some Daily Telegraph stories about greens being hypocrites because they use cars - not shocking - the Tele sucks like the Australian, only for less educated people. However, the comments on the articles were unanimous in their hatred for the labor govt, the greens and the indies - in the most unedifying least thought out way. Does Australia have a class system? The thinking and the unthinking? Is it too hard for some people and Tony Abbott gives them anger talking points that don't require logic? Very depressed about our nation's myopia.
Carbon Sunday: the early reaction
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced the detail of the government's carbon tax. The commentariat has been quick to respond:
Couldn't bring myself to watch Tony's response
Am particularly stunned by the tax free threshold being raised to 18K - can you imagine how much that will save in administration costs? 1 million fewer tax returns - no doubt H&R Block will join the mining companies in advertising against these reforms.
