A press release from Andrew Fraser, discussing the Queensland State Government's vested interests.....
Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
10/07/2011 Statement from Treasurer Andrew Fraser
The Bligh Government has always supported action on climate change.
We believe that putting a price on carbon is the most economically responsible way to do that. But we have always made it very clear to the Federal Government that we won't support reforms that aren't in the long-term interests of Queensland.
The Prime Minister's announcement today is a strong step forward in the fight against climate change.
It puts a price on the pollution emitted by the country's biggest polluters, and compensates the vast bulk of households for any costs passed on.In particular, the compensation buffer for low income earners and the reforms to the tax free threshold will help millions of Australians.
The Queensland Government lobbied hard to see households compensated, and also to ensure things like agriculture and fuel were excluded and special arrangements are put in place to foster the development of the LNG industry.
We support the coal industry being given assistance, particularly to develop new technology.
We will also continue discussions with the Federal Government around the impact on the value of the taxpayer owned electricity generators. Initial estimates show that the asset value of the generators is likely to decrease by around $1.7 billion.
This is a complex, major economic and environmental reform that requires in-depth analysis. The Government will assess the reforms in detail and identify its impacts on Queensland.
Our economy may be reliant on the coal and LNG sectors, but we are also a state that includes natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
A clean energy future will be of particular benefit to Queensland, which is why we must act now.
It is disappointing that our political opponents will not take the time to assess these reforms in detail.
They will choose a scare campaign over a policy debate every day of the week.
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