Australia’s price on pollution
After many years of hard campaigning by individuals, community groups and environment groups, in November 2011 Australia finally legislated to introduce a price on carbon pollution, which will begin from July 2012. Read about it here
THE PROBLEM
Australia has a pollution dependent economy. We’re reliant on old, inefficient and out-dated power stations like Hazelwood – the dirtiest power station in Australia.
Yet the rest of the world is moving ahead rapidly with clean energy investment and new job creation. Unless we act now, Australia risks getting left behind.
With a changing climate threatening to alter the face of the world forever, Australians are taking action to help cut their pollution at home. But until now our governments have failed to take action to clean up our dirtiest polluters.
THE SOLUTION
It’s imperative that our government act now to cut pollution and create an incentive for clean energy by putting a price on pollution.
In July of 2011, the Prime Minister announced the details of the Carbon Price package which were developed through negotiations with The Greens and key Independent MPs.
In November 2011 the Clean Energy Future legislative package was passed by Parliament into law. The carbon price will begin in July 2012 and the full emissions trading scheme set to start in July 2015.
Environment Victoria has welcomed the package as an important first step towards Australia taking serious action on climate change. Check out our media release here
The carbon price package will create an incentive for big polluters to clean up their act, will support households already struggling with energy bills, will invest in clean, renewable energy, and will help replace some our dirtiest power stations. The result will be a transformation of Australia’s energy supply from old, out-of-date and polluting technology, to clean, safe and reliable power for the future.
Read our analysis of the highs and lows of the price on pollution package here
Find out why we believe Australia needs a price on pollution
Following a hard fought campaign from Environment Victoria and our supporters, the government has included a plan to close 2000MW of our dirtiest coal-fired power stations. This is the chance to Replace Hazelwood and other dirty power stations around Australia that we’ve been waiting for, and now, we’ve got the opportunity to make it happen.
TAKE ACTION
There's a heap of things you can do to Say YES right now. GET ACTIVE >
While the carbon price and emission trading scheme has now been legislated, the campaign is not over. We need to continue to build understanding and support for the carbon price to ensure that it is not removed by future governments. We also need to build momentum for a fast ramp up of our nation’s emission reduction target which now only stands at a 5% reduction in carbon emission on 2000 levels by 2020.
Adding your voice to this debate is the most important thing that you can do! Across the country, people from all walks of life have joined together to Say YES to climate action, YES to clean energy, YES to new jobs, YES to Replacing Hazelwood and YES to a strong price on pollution.
Without your voice, we could end up with no action to cut pollution at all. Our kids and our climate deserve better.
more resources
We've tested the claims of the biggest polluters and compared rhetoric with the reality. Check out PolluterWatch
Key tests of a price on pollution
Check out the government’s website about the price on pollution, and find out details of the plan
There are a lot of myths out there at the moment about climate change and the impact of a price on pollution on the community. And we've busted 'em
Briefing paper: Treatment of electricity generators under a price on carbon. Check it out
Green programs to be axed
Wednesday, 3 May 2012
Josh Gordon, The Age
The looming carbon tax will be used by the Baillieu government to justify scrapping a raft of state environmental programs as part of a push to end duplication between the Commonwealth...
moreBaillieu govt slashes environment department budget
Tuesday, 2 May 2012
Climate Spectator
The Victorian government has taken the axe to funding for its environment department, with the division the hardest hit by a tough budget.
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moreClimate, land, biodiversity face biggest cuts
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Adam Morton, The Age
Spending on environmental programs will be cut by $130.6 million next financial year - the biggest reduction for any department.
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moreVic budget shuns environment: green group
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
9 News
The Victorian budget failed to improve the government's track record on the environment, critics say.
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moreUncertain future for plant
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Louis Nelson, Latrobe Valley Express
Latrobe City remains upbeat about the future of HRL's proposed Morwell dual gas-fired power station...
morePilbara plan for Victoria
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Adam Morton, The Age
The Latrobe Valley could be transformed into a mining export hub on the scale of the Pilbara or the Hunter Valley thanks to new a href="http://environmentvictoria.org.au/content/...
moreVic premier says six-star rating will stay
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
9 News
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu says the government has no plans to dump six-star energy rules for new homes.
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moreHRL freezes Latrobe Valley power station plans after legal ruling
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Adam Morton, The Age
Plans for a new coal and gas-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley have been put...
moreHRL puts Vic Dual Gas project on ice
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ABC News
The company planning to build a new Latrobe Valley power station has stopped work on the project following a...
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