please explain!

I am confused by Gillard and her ministers (inspired by almost PM Brown). What are they trying to do? It seems that:

1. They want Australians to use less non green energy. Yet they will compensate many people for the carbon tax - so is this going to achieve any reduction?

2. They want companies to pay a penalty but they will compensate them for how ever long. According to Gillard this includes American companies as well as local ones. Is this going to achieve any reduction?

Another question - As Australia emits 1.6% carbon (or so I believe), by how much is the Gillard government action going to reduce world carbon emissions? (No - Australia should set an example answers, please).

I agree that humans are polluting the word (more birth control programmes are needed) but this Australian carbon tax sounds weird to me.