@ SM:

The document opens fine for me, and Trash's comment is perfectly consistent with Carr's analysis. Why are your figures better? At least Trash provided an authoritative reference - from your side of the political fence, at that.

Tman, obviously you are one of the lucky ones who has a job provided to you at the cost of a risk taker.

Madam PM would also have us believe that we are at full employment.

Now there's a joke and a half. Try telling this to someone seeking work.

As SM says, try telling your success story to the real world.

Like it or not, we have a two stage economy and the second stage is in recession. The carbon tax may just prove this. The hard way!

http://www.startupsmart.com.au/planning/2011-07-08/manufacturing-tourism-and-retail-worst-hit-by-jump-in-collapses.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-04/retail-market-still-flat-despite-lift-in-turnover/2782038?section=business

http://www.smh.com.au/business/figures-point-to-big-increase-in-corporate-insolvencies-20110707-1h4ow.html

http://www.switzer.com.au/business-news/news-stories/two-speed-economy-on-show/

THE pace of corporate insolvencies has reached its highest since the global financial crisis, with retailers, manufacturers and transport players feeling the squeeze from the slump in consumer spending and a high dollar.

All three of these sectors will be punished under a carbon tax, and employ far more than the mining sector.

Nice try SM but insolvency rates are, among a great plethora of variables, more a result of increased risk taking during economic good times. The insolvency rates have been rising steadily since the early 90's; Hardly an era of recession.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/unprecedented-slump--retail-gloom-grows-20110714-1hf5w.html

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/retailers-slump-on-djs-profit-warning/story-fn91v9q3-1226094475556

Both from today's paper. Hardly the height of economic health. Insolvencies are strong indicator, but are not the only figures quoted. Tourism numbers are at a record low. Manufacturing companies profits are at a record low.

You can ask any shop owner. Most of Australia needs this tax like a hole in the head.

The Australian Government Carbon Emmissions Strategy seems a reasonable comprise between direct action and market based approaches. Similarly the carbon price is a compromise between what is needed to change behavior and what it is feasible to get through parliament.

Assuming the government can stay in office long enough to bring the scheme into operation, it should be successful, both in political and environmental terms:

http://blog.tomw.net.au/2011/07/australian-government-carbon-emmissions.html

Assuming that