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Thursday May 24, 2012

What we're talking about

'It all comes down to trust'

Posted by: Neil Mitchell | 11 July, 2011 - 5:02 PM
Julia Gillard in studio with Neil Mitchell

PLAYING: The Prime Minister's interview with Neil Mitchell

3AW NEWS: Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she won't let opinion polls get in the way of her determination to implement the carbon tax.

The latest Newspoll shows Labor's popularoty has slipped to a record low at 42 per cent, two-party preferred.

Oppositoin Leader Tony Abbott leads Ms Gillard as the preferred Prime Minister 43 per-cent to 38.

Meanwhile, Mr Abbott's demanding the Gillard government come clean after the surprise admission Treasury hasn't properly costed the carbon package.

The Greens admit Treasury modelled the impact on households based on a carbon price of $20 rather than the $23 that's been announced.

And they also concede many of the proposed clean energy measures missed Treasury scrutiny.

Mr Abbott wants parliament recalled to get to the truth but Treasurer Wayne Swan is standing by the treasury estimates.

EDITORIAL: Everybody is telling a different story.

Julia Gillard is saying everybody wins, Tony Abbott is saying just about everybody hurts.

I know you all just want it to go away, but it won't.

It was playschool time yesterday. The Prime Minister's speech was patronising. Tony Abbott was like a high school debating leader.  There are basic issues here of trust and basic questions.

How much does inflation go up? The government estimates .7%. But for how long?

Does that mean interest rates go up? If it does, it is the last thing economy needs, it's fragile, and we're balancing on the mining boom.

Does the government really know what the impact will be? Wayne Swan wasn't very impressive when we went to the can of tomatoes test, and the power prices.

And what happens after the fuel tax cuts in? The treasurer admitted there must be some more compensation, well where does that come from? We are already paying four billion dollars out of the budget to pay for this compensation. How on earth he gets it to surplus after that, I don't know.

And in the end will it really make any difference to climate change? All the risk, all the uncertainty ... in the end I think we (Australia) are too small. I think the rest of the world is laughing at us and you've got all pain, no gain.

What about exports? What about foreign investments? Any foreign investor must look at Australia at the moment and say 'Gee, they're loopy down there'.

What about consistency? You and I pay more for electricity because of a tax on our coal that it burnt to make electricity but we happily sell that coal to China without the tax. So they'll get cheap electricity from our coal, but we won't. Their coal still pollutes the same air and the same planet, doesn't it? But they get it cheap.

More problems. It's claimed the government figures are based on an error. They say you get full compensation in some wage brackets unless you use the washing machine once a day. Who doesn't? The arguement is if you use your washing machine or dishwasher once a day you are putting your power bills up and the compensation is gone. You're paying more.

And where does the cost flow through? The treasurer didn't know with the Falcon motor car. How much will groceries go up? How will they know it's only 1%?

And there is still a big problem here for Tony Abbott. He says he will roll back the carbon tax. Fair enough. Does he also roll back the benefits? Does he go to an election saying no carbon tax and I'll cut pensions and I'll increase taxes? Perhaps he can find a way to do it.

If he rolls back the carbon tax does he roll back your money? Perhaps he'll find a way to pay for it but after all a lot of this is a tax cut issue anyway. They'll give you your money back in exactly the way they should, regardless of a carbon tax.

Your reaction? It all comes down to trust...

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THE INTERVIEWS:

 The Sell: Wayne Swan with Neil Mitchell

The Attack: Tony Abbott says he will scrap the entire carbon tax plan

Victoria: Energy Minister on the ramifications for us

Science: Why on earth are we doing all of this?

Useless: Kevin Andrews says tax won't benefit environment

Audio: Is the tax Play School-based or comedy-based?

 

Wong sticking by 'the tax'

penny wong RE-PLAY: Penny Wong joined Peter Maher and 3AW Drive this afternoon for a debate about...you guessed it, the carbon tax. Wong believes that although the legislation is highly unpopular, Australia will soon embrace the tax and begin to see its benefits.

 

ARCHIVE CONTENT:

'Did you lie to us?'

Julia Gillard says 'climate change is real' (Fairfax Images) Prime Minister Julia Gillard explains to Neil Mitchell why her government wants to price carbon and addresses claims she's misled the Australian public. Have your say after hearing her justifications.

 

PM wants to hear from YOU

JG We are now collecting the comments, nearly 500 of them, and sending them off to the Prime Minister's office. Thanks to all who contributed.

 

3AW Mornings with Neil Mitchell

Neil Mitchell Neil is one of Australia’s most experienced journalists with success in newspapers, radio and television. He was one of the youngest editors of a daily metropolitan newspaper, The Herald. Enter Neil's highlights page for videos. replays and news.

Blog comments Your Say

  • I'm supsrired Murray missed this one:An ETS bamboozles punters into thinking you're acting on climate while you gladhand pollution rights and scads of cash to the worst offenders; a Carbon Tax does not.

    Anuj Thursday 23 February, 2012 - 8:25 PM

  • REMEMBER WHO PAYS YOUR WAGES JULIA, AND PARALIMENTARIANS .JULIA USE YOUR INTERNET AND NBN FOR OVERSEAS VISITS, SKYPE COSTS NOTHING AND VERY LITTLE CARBON ,COMPARED TO YOU AND YOUR PARLIMENTARIANS WANDERINGS,YOU COULD EVEN SAVE MORE BY STAYING HOME AND RUN PARLIMENT OVER YOUR BELOVED NBN THAT NOBODY WANTS. A POOR PENSIONER GETTING POORER WHILE YOU WHO MAKE US POORER BLUDGE ON US FOR EVERYTHING YOU GET FOR NOTHING.WAKE UP AUSTRALIA AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE WANT.

    John Saturday 6 August, 2011 - 7:35 PM

  • Glenys I feel for you and other matured and retired australian citizens in your position. This goverment under its watch has allowed the cost of living explode to levels never seen before and now when things area at there worse for you and others in your position she is introducing taxes which, mark my words !!, will only drive our cost of living much much higher. And the compensation or assistance packages beiing introduced will be laughable!! Vote her and the Greens out ASAP they are making thses changes only as a legacy to themselves not for the nations benefit!!

    alexas Thursday 21 July, 2011 - 3:11 PM

  • Gillard says she won't let opinion polls get in the way of her determination to implement the carbon tax, and will not take the issue election so in other words she & creep Brown are telling us we can stick our democratic rights, because obviously this cretinous government has decided we do not have a rights.
    It will also cause job losses as they shut down Hazelwood so much for Labor looking after the workers, couldnâ??t believe the CFMEU & AMWU are supporting show what they think of their members doesnâ??t it, with the added pay increase the CFMEU are demanding they are going to find their members out of work.
    They expect poor pensioners & self funded retirees to cope with ever increasing costs, it may be ok for that lot sitting pretty in parliament, it does not matter what great personal wealth they have we are still going to have to pay them pension for life where as the rest of us are not allowed to have any savings or we will loose access to pensions

    Jan Thursday 21 July, 2011 - 11:35 AM

  • I agree with the points that you've raised, Helena, and thank you for raising these very legitimate concerns. As an 61 year old widower I struggle to make the cost of my groceries and bills - for the life of me I can't understand how an extra $10 a week is going to enable me to continue my current lifestyle. How dare Ms Gillard and that idiot Paul Howes reduce my already low (and dare I say it, fairly impoverished living conditions)...if you'll pardon my language, but who the hell do they think they are??? Shame, shame, shame...forever robbing Peter to partially compensate Paul, when all Labor and Howes are really compensating for is their own bloody incompetencies!!

    Glenys Windsor-Smith Monday 18 July, 2011 - 7:58 PM

  • It seems to me that the sort of rebate on the carbon tax that many people will receive is in the vicinity of $10 - $12 p/w. How can this possibly cover all the additional individual household expenses that will result from such a tax? Who will pay the added energy expenses in retail outlets, indeed all public venues, including shopping centres, medical centres, hospitals etc. etc.? The user, of course. That is, you and I. And, what about the transportation of goods. That must also have an additional price tag. Under this tax our cost of living has no alternative but to go up, and up and up.

    I am not a climate skeptic. That seems to be a convenient term to use for anyone who does not support such an economic impost as a carbon tax. I resent being labelled as such. I do believe there are other ways to tackle the problem humanity must address. That does not mean reducing people's standard of living and creating financial pressures.

    Helena Albright Sunday 17 July, 2011 - 7:17 PM

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