Zero Waste Australia

Claims that an emissions trading Scheme will drive up the
price of food and other basics are exaggerated, the federal government's chief
climate change adviser says.

Professor Ross Garnaut addressed some 1200 people in Brisbane
today as part of a national tour to discuss his draft climate change report,
which recommends an emissions trading scheme be phased in by 2010.

The agriculture and transport industries claim they would be
forced to pass on the costs of an emission trading scheme.

But Professor Garnaut told reporters any increases would
have a “modest” impact on families compared to the recent price hikes resulting
from the rising cost of oil.

“I think there's a lot of exaggeration going on, and the
important thing is that if and when the prices of some goods and  services
rise, there's adequate compensation in other ways for low  income
Australian households,” he said.

Professor Garnaut said families would not be worse off.

“The average family will not be poorer,” he said.

“It will pay more for some goods and services but it will
receive more in other ways, and that will balance it.

“If no action was taken, Queensland
would be a big loser,” he said.

“There are serious risks to the Great Barrier
Reef, the drying and warming of southern Australia
will have its effects through the Darling Downs and the rest of the Queensland
end of the Murray-Darling system,” he said.

 
For more visit:

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=28&ContentID=84321