THE Australian Government has unveiled plans to impose a tax on carbon
emissions for the worst polluters.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said
carbon dioxide emissions would be taxed at A$23 ($25; £15) per tonne from 2012.
The country's biggest economic reform in a generation will cover some 500
companies. In 2015, a market-based trading scheme will be
introduced.
Households are expected to see consumer prices rise by nearly
1%, and the move has been criticised by the opposition. Critics argue the levy
would damage economic competitiveness. Australia is one of the world's worst
emitters of greenhouse gases per head of population.
The country relies
on coal for 80% of its electricity generation, and is a major coal exporter.
Under the new scheme set to begin on 1 July 2012, the government plans to
include any company that produces at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per
year.
However, agriculture, forestry and land will be excluded from the levy.
Motorists are also to be exempt, except for heavy lorries.
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