There could be power shortages and a failure in energy investment if Opposition Leader Tony Abbott continues “featherbedding pollution”, the Greens say.
The opposition has warned big business not to purchase pollution permits before emissions trading starts in mid-2015 because there won’t be compensation if the carbon tax is repealed.
The Climate Change Department says the stance could end up pushing up consumer prices.
Greens senator Bob Brown continued his attack on the opposition’s direct action policy today.
“Tony Abbott has been talking about power prices going up but what we didn’t know was that it was his plan to do it himself from opposition,” he said.
Senator Brown said the idea was a joke.
“It’s one of the most irresponsible pieces of politics, economically, energy wise and environmentally that you can see,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“It’s big business that’s starting to take him to task over that.”
Senator Brown said if energy investment was stymied there could be “a shortage of energy” as well as higher energy prices.
“Here he is before the election featherbedding the pollution that causes climate change at the expense of households,” he said.
Liberal Senate leader Eric Abetz denied that the opposition was causing business uncertainty.
“Absolutely not,” he told Canberra reporters.
“The Coalition has the most certain policy - no carbon tax.”
He admitted there would be “some people who would benefit from a carbon tax, but overwhelmingly the Australian people and in particular small businesses will be the loser”.
Senator Abetz dismissed claims the opposition was egging businesses on to break the law by not buying carbon permits.
“They will be buying permits in anticipation of that which might apply in the future - that would be a speculative purchase,” he said.
