Page 2211 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
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of the Australian people. Worse than that, these great environmentalists on that side, when there is something on the table—direct action—to have a meaningful response to climate change, all do nothing.
In the words of Mr Corbell, they want it to be perfect. The Labor Party is no different from the Greens: “If it isn’t exactly what we want, if it isn’t the carbon tax that we cherish and love, then nothing.” So you lot opposite would rather have no action on carbon emissions—unless it is exactly what you want. And we know what you want—the carbon tax back, because you love taking money out of Canberrans’ pockets.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, address your comments through the chair.
Mr Barr interjecting—
MR HANSON: We know, Mr Barr, don’t we, that there is no tax you do not like, because you can squeeze them until they bleed but not until they die. But under the Liberals they are getting their money back, and that is a good thing for the people of Canberra.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Capital Metro) (4.15): Australia has one of the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. In the 12 months to the end of March 2013 it emitted 557 million tonnes of CO2, making it the 15th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. In addition to having a high overall level of greenhouse gas emissions, Australia also has one of the highest per capita emission levels. According to the World Bank, its per capita CO2 emissions of 16.9 tonnes was the 12th highest in the world, a level 49 per cent higher than the OECD average and around 3½ times the global average.
The repeal of the national carbon pricing scheme is, indeed, a matter of public importance for the territory. Australia as a whole and future generations of people around the world will bear the brunt of this backdown on Australia’s efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The ACT government has been working with electricity retailers and our independent pricing regulator to ensure that given the decision of the commonwealth parliament these savings are appropriately passed through to households. But we have very good reasons to maintain strong commitment to the support and the implementation of a national pricing scheme for carbon.
Turning to the cost savings of the repeal, the repeal of the carbon price will mean that the annual electricity bill of the average Canberra household will decline by $143 in 2014-15. If the repeal had not taken place, it would have meant an increase of $85. However, regardless of carbon pricing, Canberra consumers would have continued to enjoy one of the lowest electricity prices in Australia, approximately 30 per cent less than the national average.
Of greater concern, however, are gas prices, which are still climbing rapidly. Wholesale gas prices have seen large increases recently due to the development of
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