The Federal Government will get final recommendations today about how it should compensate families for the extra costs of a carbon tax.
The Government’s climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, will today release his final 200-page report outlining how he believes people and industries should be compensated.
The report will include his recommendations for household assistance and ways to deliver it as tax cuts or welfare increases.
It will also set out how the revenue raised should be used to help business.
The report’s recommendations will feed into the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee’s bid to finalize a carbon plan by the end of June.
But independent MP Rob Oakeshott, who sits on the committee, is not confident it will meet the deadline.
“Everyone’s hopeful of the end of June, but it will be incredibly ambitious if we get there,” he told last night’s Lateline program.
“If we are being fair dinkum about this and wanting to get it right as not only a climate change response to the science but also getting the energy security package right for the future of Australia, get the household right, there is a lot to consider and there are a lot of different options on the table.
“So my preference is to get it right rather than sticking to some artificial end-of-June deadline.”
The Government has already said the majority of the compensation will be paid to households and the rest to support jobs and tackle climate change.
A Productivity Commission report on what other major economies are doing about climate change is also due to be given to the Government today, but it is not expected to be released publicly yet.
As the carbon tax continues to dominate the political debate, a new opinion poll shows the Coalition’s lead over Labor is narrowing slightly.
The Newspoll published in today’s Australian newspaper says Labor’s primary vote has risen one point to 34 per cent, while the Coalition’s primary vote fell two points to 44 per cent.
The Coalition is still leading Labor 52 per cent to 48 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
A fortnight ago the Coalition led by 54 per cent to 46 per cent.
