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

I am asked about additional assistance. That additional assistance to which I referred at that time is included in the clean energy package. I am asked about delay. We are beyond the date that the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme would have started, and that is a matter of record. In relation to the IMF, I make this point for the edification of Senator Joyce: The IMF have said:

We support the proposed introduction of a carbon price as part of a transition to a permits trading system to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

This appears in Australia 2011 Article IV Consultation Concluding Statement, 1 August 2011.

Earlier this year the IMF also said:

Broad based taxes on greenhouse gas emissions are the most natural policy instrument as they exploit all possible behavioural responses for reducing emissions throughout the economy.

If the senator cares about the cost to the Australian economy of pricing carbon, he should care doubly about the cost of his policy, which would double the cost for Australian businesses. (Time expired)