Greg Combet, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, today said the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will provide certainty to business in making the transition to a low pollution economy.

Speaking to the Sydney Chamber of Commerce today, Mr Combet said: “The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) is one of the most significant environmental and economic reforms in the history of our nation. It will drive investment in the low carbon technologies and the creation of low pollution jobs for the future.”

“Tackling the challenge of climate change is one of the Government’s highest priorities. We know that the earlier we move, the lower the costs will be – a fact confirmed independently by Sir Nicholas Stern, Professor Ross Garnaut and the OECD.”

“We are far from alone in this view. At the G8 meeting in Italy last month, Leaders at the Major Economies Forum declared that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and that the need for and deployment of transformational clean energy technologies at lowest possible costs are urgent.

Mr Combet also addressed within his speech the principles that have been put forth by the Coalition outlining why they can not be applied and the potential damage they could do to the design of the CPRS and the assistance offered to industry, households and workers.

 “The CPRS will provide greater certainty for Australian business than the proposed US scheme will provide to American industries under the Waxman-Markey Bill.”

“Under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australian firms have the opportunity to look ten years ahead and know exactly how much assistance will be provided for each unit of output. This is not the case under the proposed US Scheme.”

Mr Combet also criticised those who had been promoting climate change scepticism. He said that the Government accepted the consensus view of scientists from around the world and that this position was also formally endorsed at the recent G8 meeting.

“It is clear that some people are not looking to understand clear facts and compelling rationale to assist in the formulation of good public policy - even when their questions are addressed by climate change experts and Australia’s Chief Scientist. Instead they are looking for more reasons to justify delaying action,” said Mr Combet.

Media contact: Rod Hilton 0458 276 619