Julia Gillard's carbon tax

Prior to the 2010 election, Julia Gillard told the nation 'There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead'.

She now says that was her intention, although she says she has always supported some form of emissions trading scheme.

So what happened?
The answer is that Julia Gillard found herself leading a minority government and relying on the Greens and three Independents for power. That led to her establishing a 'Multi-Party Climate Change Committee' and announcing that there would be a 'carbon tax'.

First, in reality we are really talking about carbon dioxide emissions - not just 'carbon'.
The government continually refers to "carbon polluters" and says the top "500 biggest polluters will pay".

The problem is that if manufacturers and electricity suppliers have to pay increased costs by way of a carbon tax', they will inevitably put up their prices.

The Carbon tax package
The 'Multi-party Climate Change Committee' finally came to an agreement.
Read the carbon tax package agreement - click here.

Read reports of the announcement and package:
Julia Gillard speech to the nation:
Watch her speech to the nation about the carbon tax - click here.
Read the transcript - click here.

Tony Abbott response - speech to the nation.
Watch his address to the nation in response: click here.
Read the transcript - click here.

Media reports:
Carbon Sunday - who said what - ABC
Carbon Sunday - Andrew Bolt

The Wall Street Journalcriticised Julia Gillard's carbon tax - pointing out that the USA was not going down this track, the Chicago Carbon Exchange had closed and Europe was in trouble!
The last carbon taxer - WSJ, July 17, 2011.

Click here to read our report and view a video comment about the 'carbon tax' - prior to the announcement.
Click hereto read our summary of the carbon package announcement.

Julia Gillard annoucned the package on Sunday 10 July 2011 - she said she would 'explain' (sell) the package to the people, claiming that once they knew what it entailed - and how they would be compensated, they would support the scheme.

But the people haven't supported it - the support for the government and for Julia Gillard dropped - as did support for a 'carbon tax'.

The government announced they would spend $12 on TV ads to promote the scheme.

Then they published and delivered a booklet titled "What a carbon price means to you".
Read the booklet online - click here.