Julia Gillard & Labor's Carbon Tax was announced today, in the wake of vitriolic protesters across the nation who are too clever to have the smoke pulled over their eyes.
The Australian Labor Government today finally released its plan to penalise 500 large companies by making them pay $23 for every tonne of carbon they emit. The companies will be allowed to pass on 100% of the increased costs to customers.
But don’t worry, says Julia Gillard, who will more than triple the tax free threshold from the current $6000 to $18,200 from July, 2012, and to $19,400 by July, 2015, plus introduce a Clean Energy Supplement – a 1.7% boost to welfare payments – paid through Centrelink.
So the result?
NO large companies will be penalised through the Carbon tax, instead, the total sting of the tax will be borne by ordinary, innocent Aussies earning a decent wage, and those struggling with small businesses.
Everything from buying a parma-and-pot to having a haircut is tipped to rise as small business struggles under the new tax.
Look, I’m all for a raise to the tax-free threshold. That has needed to happen simply to balance the ridiculous cost of living in this country for literally a decade or more. It has absolutely nothing to do with a Carbon Tax. It’s an insult that Government was holding back on such a normal, necessary tax reforms like that, only to use it as a ten-year-overdue “deal sweetener” while they introduce another tax.
In its defence, all Julia Gillard can say is a patronising “you’re going to hear all sorts of scary stories, people shouldn’t worry about those scary stories“.
(Source: http://video.heraldsun.com.au/2043659338/Gillard-says-coal-safe-under-carbon-tax)
The two biggest insults of all:
Green energy will increase in tandem, too – simply because it can: they have a far wider berth to now charge consumers more while still looking an attractive alternative to paying tax for dirty power.
Besides, the companies who are being taxed for providing dirty energy, are the same ones who provide Green energy options. Think they won’t raise their own prices there too? Think again. This may have seemed a victory for the Greens, until you consider this fact, and the fact that imposing this tax system has cost the nation billions of dollars just to research and implement.
The second slap to the face is that the coal industry – the very industry that pollutes the most – will be heavily compensated. In fact, Wayne Swan today assured that Australian coal exports and coal production is forecast to double over the next 40 years.
What does all this says to me?
Why bother living an energy-efficient life? Regardless of how green-conscious you are, you will still be forced to pay financially for companies I don’t even use. While if you’re a pensioner or on welfare (the majority of the nation) then you don’t have to live a Green life, says the Government.
Thankfully, I’m not the only one who realises this. But realise it or not, you are powerless. Think you’ll vote Liberal next election? Just watch them swing the Carbon Tax into the sights of the poorer Australians, lower the tax-free threshold and give tax breaks to big business. The age-old behaviours of both parties are still there, my friends. Do not forget that.
Most News.com.au readers are more likely to vote Coalition, believe climate change is a myth, and think the Carbon tax is disgraceful. Actually, I would discount that climate change is a myth one. There really should be better alternatives to choose from there. For example, "No, we are being taxed anyway, regardless of what we do as individuals".
- Picture source: Julia Gillard unveils her plans for the carbon tax | news.com.au
- Article Source: Here comes the tax pain | HeraldSun.com.au
UPDATE:
We had some very informative knowledge imparted by an Australian Atmospheric and Climate Scientist who has worked directly with businesses on modelling their carbon pass. Below is what he has to say on the matter:
I work in this industry everyday dealing with large corporations and SMEs. I have worked with large corporations modelling the carbon pass and at $23 per tonne its pretty much fuck all. Unfortunately we live in a world where the majority of people would rather spend their money on iPhones and fancy restaurants. The tax is meant to act as an incentive to drive cuts in pollution. The corporations that adapt quickly and move to clean tech will have whats called “competitive advantage” in the market place. Here is a concise YouTube video that explains how this works, for anybody still in doubt:
The Carbon Tax: An Animated Explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of8yBmq6lP8
Q: Why is the carbon price $23 per tonne, if this is “fuck all” for businesses?
A: If the carbon price was set any higher, it would be thrown out, as people who don’t fully understand the issue would think their pockets are being hit too hard. You have to keep in mind this is planning for the long-term. Cuts aren’t going to be immediate. At the end of the day we have to start somewhere. Yes, there is a cost. The people who will be paying are the ones that have more than enough money. The same people who control the media. At the end of the day its the rich who will pay and so they should.
Q: What good is a carbon tax if we are exporting more coal?
Yes, exporting coal is a problem and I agree that we should move towards exporting less. But what most people fail to see is that this is only one step we are taking in the direction we need to head. It’s strange that people just don’t see the bigger picture. There is a consensus among the scientific community and public that climate change is like cancer, something that has an impending doom unless you cut the shit out. Now, you tell me, if you had cancer, would you pay the price to have something done about it or would you just go on living knowing the outcome?
Personally, I am not naive enough to think that destroying our coal industry and making cars unaffordable to run is the solution either. So looking at it from the above perspective, if we exempt coal and petrol for now, while over the next 40 years reduce our reliance on these fuels (at least in Australia) then we will be able to tax these things until they are down to zero usage (the way we are doing with cigarettes) in the future without destroying the economy overnight. I hereby withdraw my stance on the carbon tax being completely bullshit.
Meanwhile, China and India can continue to thrive off importing coal until they destroy the entire planet.
