Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He asked specifically about the cost of electricity and gas under the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and he asked where it could be found. In broad summary I think that was the content of his question. On the question of electricity, electricity prices under the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme would rise by seven per cent in 2011-12. As for gas, the gas price would increase by four per cent as advised in both cases by the Treasury in 2011-12.

The second part of the honourable member’s question goes to the extent to which the government is transparent about this. Yesterday I made these statements in the parliament, today I make the statements in the parliament and they go to the actual cost of the scheme.

The third part of the Leader of the Opposition’s question went to what he described as ‘this big tax’ on all Australians—to use his own terms—and that is what I would like to respond to as well. I think honourable members and various members of the public were witness to a fairly extraordinary interview last night on this subject on the The 7.30 Report. It was, I think, necessary viewing because it goes to the absolute heart of the question asked by the Leader of the Opposition about ‘this great big tax’. I will read some of what was contained in that interview. In his interview with Kerry O’Brien on the ABC, which just received plaudits from those opposite and I welcome that, the first statement from the Leader of the Opposition last night, as today, was to this effect:

Well, under Mr Rudd’s scheme taxpayers will pay because they are consumers, they’ll pay a lot more, $120 billion …

That is his statement upfront.

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