Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question again is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister’s statement this morning when he said: ‘I think a price on carbon is an important element of getting a grip on this thing’—meaning climate change. The Prime Minister went on to say: ‘Unless you have some kind of carbon pricing signal, you can’t begin to see the sensible introduction of clean coal technology.’ Prime Minister, what do you have in mind in terms of the structure of the market you intend to construct that will set the price for carbon? In that context, will you rule out a cap-and-trade emissions trading system?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the Opposition knows that he should not use the words ‘you’ or ‘your’. I call the Prime Minister.

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For the information of the Leader of the Opposition, governments do not construct markets; markets are developed by people who buy and sell goods and services. That has been the truth for many generations and it will continue to be the truth. But, as the Leader of the Opposition knows, currently there is a task force comprising the most senior bureaucrats in the federal government and leaders of companies, both resource companies and power generation companies, looking at the possible shape of an emissions trading system. On that emissions trading system that might operate in Australia, having regard of course to the interface with the international community, I expect to have the benefit of that report by some time in May. I think it is proceeding in an orderly fashion. I am sure it will be an informed report. I would say to the Leader of the Opposition that he can read the report as much as I can and he can draw his own conclusions.