Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

Unsurprisingly, I do not accept the senator's proposition about devastation. I would point to the evidence which shows we can continue to grow the economy as well as grow jobs whilst putting a price on carbon. I would also point the senator to the very significant set of assistance that the government is providing through various parts of the clean energy package, which are about supporting jobs and communities. They include the Energy Security Fund, the regional structural adjustment assistance package and a range of other measures, including in the $9-plus billion Jobs and Competitiveness package.

The government is very conscious of the importance of supporting industries and communities through the transition, but I again say that the coalition also wishes to reduce emissions by the same amount as the government; the difference is their policy will cost Australian families more. It will cost families more, it will cost taxpayers more and it will cost Australian business more, and that is what the Australian Treasury has said. (Time expired)