CARBON POLLUTION REDUCTION SCHEME

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): My question is for the Minister for Environment and Conservation. Has he reviewed the impact of the federal government's proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme on environmental emissions and economic activity in South Australia's regional centres?

The Centre for Independent Studies report titled 'Review of the proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme' released today indicates that the government's scheme will tax Australia's largest exporters and employers, damaging their competitiveness and putting jobs at risk, without any analysis of these immediate costs.

In addition to that report, recent additional research commissioned by the New South Wales Labor government found that regional centres around Australia, including Whyalla and Port Pirie, would shrink by over 20 per cent under the scheme. The South-East is also exposed through the impact on Kimberly-Clark.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:25): Can I indicate to the house that the South Australian Labor Party, it is no surprise, supports an emissions trading scheme as the best way to deal with reducing carbon emissions into the future. We have supported this commonwealth government in moving to an emissions trading scheme. My understanding is that the Liberal Party essentially does not have a policy on it. I would love to be disabused of that, but it does not have a policy.

I understand that there are discussions, in fact, at COAG today, some formal or informal discussions about the nature of a scheme. The difficulty is that we have all these conflicting views about it. We know that the Liberal Party remains the last safe haven for climate change deniers. We recognise that; they are entitled to have that view.

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise on a point of order. This is debate. The question was asked as to whether there has been a review of this proposal on South Australian regions. It is nothing to do with what the Liberal Party's view is.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I simply point out that the federal government has attempted to introduce an emissions trading scheme. We have had discussions about the nature of that scheme. Regrettably, there are people pulling in one direction in the Senate and people pulling in another, so it is hard to know exactly what the Senate will deliver us. But I will tell you this, we do believe that the best way for our future, for our children and for our economy is a properly instituted emissions trading scheme, and we will continue to support one.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!