Ken, I think many people support the concept of renewable energy, but to start shutting down our main coal fired power stations and taxing them so than many will not be able to afford the basic commodity of electricity seems a strange way to develop renewable engery when it's not sufficiently developed at this stage.
With so many being compensated, plus 10% of this tax going to the UN plus numerous more fat cat salaries and government departments, I'm not sure just how much will be left for R&D on renewable energy.
Some other countries with carbon pricing have good access to cheap hydro power. However, without nuclear, I'm not sure that windmills and solar are going to cut the mustard here in Australia. Thay may just leave us with candle power and rotting food.
IMO, it seems quite irresponsible of any government to tax our major source of power so that it's out of some people's reach when renewable power is not sufficiently developed.
Surely, it would make far more sense to have a plan that allows for R&D into renewable. Maybe some of the waste from this government could instead be put towards such projects. Even a small levy would probably help to achieve something useful. And why do Aussies have to contribute to the UN when other major co2 emitting countries are not and are backing away from pricing carbon such as Japan, Canada, Russia and the US? So much doesn't make sense, imo.
And to Boofy - good post to DaveR - thumbs up from me...:)