ID :
193326
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 15:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/193326
The shortlink copeid
PM Gillard says coal safe under carbon tax
SYDNEY (AAP) - July 06 - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has reassured coal mining communities their future is "absolutely" secure under her plan to tackle climate change.
But the prime minister declined an opposition invitation to apologise over her broken election promise on a carbon tax when she makes her sales pitch to the nation after this Sunday's launch.
Ms Gillard said she suspected that people would ask her about what she said during the 2010 election campaign.
"I will be happy to explain to them ... that the carbon tax is temporary and the emissions trading scheme is permanent," she told parliament.
"We've got there via a different route than I foresaw at the election campaign, but we will see that clean energy future."
Mr Abbott said the Labor leader owed it to "the workers whose jobs the carbon tax will kill" to explain why it was necessary.
The debate on Wednesday focused on the coal industry, as reports suggested the ETS will include $1.275 billion over five years to clean up the heaviest polluting sections of the coal industry.
Coal association chief Ralph Hillman said any action taken by Australia without other countries acting would damage local industry while doing little to address global climate change.
He said the industry would keep urging caution, including continuing an advertising campaign.
"Australia is moving ahead of major global emitters," he told the National Press Club.
The prime minister said the industry and mining communities had nothing to fear.
"They should be absolutely reassured that the industry has a bright future," she told parliament.
The coalition leapt on comments from the Australian Greens, who are key backers of the minority Labor government, that the coal industry should be phased out altogether.
But Ms Gillard said she disagreed with "the outlook and analysis" of the Greens on the future of coal.
The government is also coming under pressure over how the carbon tax will apply to heavy vehicles, with the Transport Workers Union arguing truck drivers could pay an extra $150 to $200 in diesel fuel.
TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said if drivers were disadvantaged there could be "acts of civil disobedience", including blockades and go-slows.
But the prime minister declined an opposition invitation to apologise over her broken election promise on a carbon tax when she makes her sales pitch to the nation after this Sunday's launch.
Ms Gillard said she suspected that people would ask her about what she said during the 2010 election campaign.
"I will be happy to explain to them ... that the carbon tax is temporary and the emissions trading scheme is permanent," she told parliament.
"We've got there via a different route than I foresaw at the election campaign, but we will see that clean energy future."
Mr Abbott said the Labor leader owed it to "the workers whose jobs the carbon tax will kill" to explain why it was necessary.
The debate on Wednesday focused on the coal industry, as reports suggested the ETS will include $1.275 billion over five years to clean up the heaviest polluting sections of the coal industry.
Coal association chief Ralph Hillman said any action taken by Australia without other countries acting would damage local industry while doing little to address global climate change.
He said the industry would keep urging caution, including continuing an advertising campaign.
"Australia is moving ahead of major global emitters," he told the National Press Club.
The prime minister said the industry and mining communities had nothing to fear.
"They should be absolutely reassured that the industry has a bright future," she told parliament.
The coalition leapt on comments from the Australian Greens, who are key backers of the minority Labor government, that the coal industry should be phased out altogether.
But Ms Gillard said she disagreed with "the outlook and analysis" of the Greens on the future of coal.
The government is also coming under pressure over how the carbon tax will apply to heavy vehicles, with the Transport Workers Union arguing truck drivers could pay an extra $150 to $200 in diesel fuel.
TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said if drivers were disadvantaged there could be "acts of civil disobedience", including blockades and go-slows.
