Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I indicated that obviously modelling associated with the CPRS was being quoted, of course. Then for the future—and I presume the opposition has some passing interest in the future, though by their conduct that is hard to pick—the question of carbon pricing will be dealt with by the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee that will work through it, in good faith, to look at various options. Obviously, the government will then make decisions in relation to the question.

I say to the member who asked the question—who I believe knows that we do as a nation have to face up to the question of pricing carbon—that we do as a nation have to work through the best ways of doing that. I think the member probably does believe that. It is a pity that he is hostage to an anti-reform opposition that would prefer to come into this parliament and play politics rather than make a positive and constructive contribution to a major debate in this nation.

I say to the member who has asked the question: we will continue to build the nation; we will continue to work through the economic reform questions the nation needs addressed. It will not be easy. There will be some difficult moments along the way, but we will do it because that is in the best interests of the Australian people. Those opposite are indicating by their conduct, day by day, that they would prefer to look for political advantage, they would prefer to be known as the wreckers of reform and, if that leaves us a poorer nation, then they are prepared to make Australian families pay that price. It is a despicable way of approaching politics.

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