It seems both sides are determined to cut emissions by at least 5%, but, how on earth can this be achieved, while, at the same time feeding the demands of the likes of China and India.

There is no doubt our population will increase, this means more jobs needed, which means more emissions created here as well.

Why is this not being discussed?

'Why is this not being discussed?'
Because it is a political game based on pseudo science. The last thing this is about is the environment. People who want the planet cleaned up are not so gullible as to believe this tax will do anything but drive jobs offshore, increase emssions offshore and line the pockets of those caught up in the scam at the cost of higher prices for everybody except those on the Government gravy train. It is not being discussed because this Government does not believe in discussing things sensibly. That is why their popularity is reflected in the polls. This is the open and accountable Government Oakshott, Brown and Ms Gillard portrayed a few days before lying to the people. Two years maximum more of this charade but hopefully a lot less. How John Howard's statesment like leadership reveals how inept our current mob.

Rechtub, I don't think anyone believes it is any more than tokenism.
Unfortunately some people believe in tokenism.
In the longer term than 2020 the problem will change dramatically.
CO2 will not be a problem that will occupy peoples minds.
The problem I forsee is that we will have wasted all our rescources on
CO2 and have nothing left for the transition to a new energy regime.
We will need very large steel production for railway expansion and
electrification.

The current work on solar PV and geothermal will not be wasted.
Windpower is a waste of money and technology as they generate a lot of
CO2, more than if they did not exist, but worse they are inefficient.

Unfortunately, through ignorance, or as in the UK, deliberate hiding
of the truth, the whole effort is misdirected.
Minister Martin Ferguson and Barnaby Joyce know what is the real
situation, it is just that they cannot speak its name.

China has massive alternate power generation projects going. But in the short term fossil fuel generation will continue . You can't stop a country from developing, It's about cutting back on co2 where we can, Australia is in the box seat to set a standard and get off oil and coal.

"""
China has massive alternate power generation projects going.
"""

Which they don't even use and were mostly set up as demo's for the gullible west to look over before buying. There was even a report they're paid not to turn them on!

Of course it's in their interest to help persuade us not to burn our own coal, they want it for themselves, they're not stupid, we are!

Indeed Rawmustard, the Chinese Premier on a visit to Australia said;
"We will burn all our coal and then burn all your coal."

The only difference they are burning both at the same time.
So it is no secret. Peak global coal expected before 2025.