CARBON TAX

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (27 June 2012).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has advised:

A landfill operator that is liable under the Commonwealth Government's Carbon Price Mechanism can significantly reduce their liability by capturing and combusting greenhouse gas emissions (i.e. methane) from their landfill site.

The Commonwealth Government will accept up to 85 per cent capture of greenhouse gases from landfill under the Carbon Price Mechanism.

Should a landfill site capture and combust 85 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, their carbon liability will decrease by the same proportion—that is 85 per cent.

This has been verified by the Australian Government, Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.