CURRENTLY the details of a proposed carbon tax are being thrashed out behind closed doors by the Multi Party Climate Change Committee.The government has instructed the committee to discuss what will be required in relation to a starting price for the carbon price mechanism, assistance arrangements for households, communities and industry, and support for low emissions technology and innovation. The committee is made up of members from the Greens, Labor, the Coalition and some independents.The government intends to introduce carbon pricing laws to Parliament by September, with the goal of having them passed by year's end and a fixed price to start from July 1, 2012.Key independent and committee member Tony Windsor suggested at the weekend the committee may not be able to come to an agreement on a carbon tax.Along with fellow independent Rob Oakeshott, Mr Windsor was also critical of a government decision to announce spending of $12 million on advertising a carbon tax, describing it as "presumptuous".Click here to take part in The Courier’s climate change surveyAt a press conference, he said it was wrong to plan to advertise something which hasn't been agreed to yet. "We're being asked to be part of a process that determines the thing they're wanting to promote, and we haven't finished that determination," he said.However Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the $12 million paled in comparison to spending by the Howard government used to promote Work Choices.Meanwhile, Tony Abbott's push for a plebiscite on a carbon tax was yesterday dealt a blow with Family First senator labelling the proposal a "stunt" and refusing to endorse it. Mr Abbott proposed the plebiscite, or public poll, but said he would oppose a carbon tax if the vote returned a "yes" vote.
Climate Change Committee keeps details behind closed doors
