Well Anthin and 579, I hope your are right, as, although I don't share your views I do know that our economy is such that with out exports we will be doomed.

I guess we will agree to disagree and watch this space.

I guess time will tell.
And it will probably turn out that we're all a bit right.
An early night for me, so I'll say goodnight all.
And thanks for an interesting and ejoyable discussion.
Cheers,
Anthony
www.observationpoint.com.au

Anthonyve,

Unless I am very much mistaken, the revenue from the carbon tax goes to the state. This means that it complies with the dictionary definition of a tax. One does not need to be a member of the opposition to call it a tax only literate.

Hi Shadow Minister,
Two points:
First, in order to make a point, it's not necessary to be offensive, even by inferrence.
Second, whilst you are technically correct, the word 'tax' is usually used to refer to a broadly applied impost.
That's why we don't refer to a speeding fine as a speeding tax.
The carbon price will only apply to a few entities who behave in a certain way, i.e. pollute.
If they cease to behave in that way, then they wouldn't pay.
I hope that helps to clarify the point I was trying to make.
Cheers,
Anthony
www.observationpoint.com.au

Anthony, Julia Gillars herself called it a carbon tax.

Now I hope you are prepared for the outcome, should these large poluters stop polluting, because, the only reason they pollute is to provide for our needs.

For every action, there is a reaction and in this case it could mean we go back to the 80's and have to deal with power rationing.

Now I don't think that will happen as the tax will be passed on,,but by your logic it could.

Hi rehctub,
Yeah, good point.
I was thinking about all this and it occurred to me that whichever of us is right, the outcome probably won't be real flash.
I certainly admit that the scenarios you suggest are possible and worrying.
Maybe a price on carbon is a mistake, but I just can't see how else we'll get change without some pressure on polluters' hip pocket nerves.
And I just hate the idea of sitting on our hands while our grandkids' planet gets harmed.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Cheers,
Anthony
www.observationpoint.com.au