A leaked copy of a speech to Parliament to be delivered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the occasion of the December 2019 mid-year budget update ...*
But, my fellow Australians, history is no straitjacket. As the leader of Australia’s great Liberal Party, my message to you today is this: when we know better, we do better. Julia Gillard used weasel words to deny her scheme amounted to a carbon tax. I intend to be upfront with you. What I announce today is a new tax. But as taxes go, it’s not a bad one.It was the British economist Arthur C Pigou who first proposed the idea of applying taxes to goods or activities that society has collectively decided it would like to discourage. The beauty of such “Pigouvian taxes” is that they not only change behaviour, they also raise revenue that can be used to cut other taxes.
Families need certainty. So today I announce our pollution rebates will be paid upfront and in advance, starting before Christmas. Thanks to our good budget management, we can afford to send a cheque to every Australian household to spend or save as they see fit. My colleague and Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, will release the details later today.
Jess_Irvine Anyone would think Australia is doing nothing about climate change. Yet Australia is the runaway global leader in building new renewable energy. It is expected Australia will install 3 times more renewable energy than the next country in 2018-20.
Jess_Irvine
Jess_Irvine Justin is busy destroying Canada’s economic viability by strangling Alberta’s potential for vast oil exports. They can’t live in Hydro alone.
Jess_Irvine Thought it too good to be true, that would show real leadership