THE Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has tabled the Carbon tax bill in the parliament. The legislation is aimed at punishing the top 500 largest polluters who are expected to pay for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. The tax is central to the government's strategy to combat climate change, but the opposition is not in full agreement with the Govt on this issue.

Australia's 500 heaviest polluters will pay A$23 (£15; $24) for each tonne of carbon emissions, and households will be compensated through tax cuts or welfare increases for any increased costs.

It will be introduced on July 1, 2012, and will then evolve into an emissions trading scheme three years later.

Although,the coalition has vowed to oppose the legislation, with support from the key independents and the Greens ,the carbon bill is expected to be passed.