The federal government has appointed a high-profile critic of its axed emissions trading scheme to advise it on the introduction of a price on carbon.
Woodside boss Don Voelte, along with 18 other people, has been appointed to a new business roundtable that will provide advice on the economic and business issues surrounding climate change.
Mr Voelte is joined by other critics of the carbon pollution reduction scheme including Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry head Peter Anderson and Ben Fargher from the National Farmers Federation.
Advertisement: Story continues below Announcing the appointments, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said the roundtable would ensure the views of the business community were front and centre on the issue of a carbon price.
“They can speak in good faith,” he told ABC Radio on Monday, adding it was not a condition of their appointment that roundtable members believe in a carbon price.
The introduction of a carbon price would reshape the business environment for all Australian companies, Mr Swan said.
It also would provide business with the certainty they needed to begin the transition to a low pollution economy.
“Business leaders around the country understand that if we are to remain internationally competitive over the long term, then our industries must become less carbon intensive,” Mr Swan said.
Other appointments to the roundtable include Qantas boss Alan Joyce, the head of retail giant Woolworths, Michael Luscombe, and Toyota’s Australian president Masahide (Max) Yasuda.
They will be joined by representatives of some the nation’s biggest companies including Lend Lease, National Australia Bank, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Origin, Bluescope Steel and Shell.
The roundtable will be co-chaired by Mr Swan and Climate Change Minister Greg Combet, while Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will be a member of the group.
The government also has announced appointments to a non-government organisations roundtable.
Representatives from trade unions, social services organisations, environment groups and local government will provide the government with advice on issues of household assistance, jobs growth and sustainability.
To keep the roundtable to a manageable size, the government had not been able to accommodate all interested parties, Mr Combet said.
“Ministers will continue to be available to discuss issues with all parties as we develop our policy position,” he said.
The roundtable will be co-chaired by Mr Combet and Sustainability and Environment Minister Tony Burke, while Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig will be a member.
The group includes ACTU president Ged Kearney, influential union leader Paul Howes, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Don Henry, Greenpeace’s Linda Selvey, World Vision’s Tim Costello and scientist Tim Flannery.
