Industry supports coalition’s positive approach to reducing emissions

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has welcomed the Coalition’s approach to a carbon reduction scheme that provides incentives for business to reduce emissions while minimising the cost to industry and the Australian economy.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said while there is still some detail to come, industry supported the positive approach to reducing emissions.  

“What we have been saying from the beginning is that it is vital that any approach to climate change does not hurt the competitiveness of Australian businesses and industry,” Ms Carnell said.

“In the aftermath of Copenhagen, it is clear that a tax on business will result in jobs, investment and emissions being sent offshore to China, India and Indonesia.

“Any scheme that adds new costs to Australian manufactured good and does not affect imports from countries like China and Indonesia will simply raise prices for families and increase unemployment in rural and regional Australia –  jobs which are already scarce.”

Ms Carnell said the Coalition’s proposal appears to direct funds towards actually reducing CO2 emissions rather than just a complex churn of money, new bureaucratic activity, and financial trading markets.

“We will always support incentive-based approaches that take advantage of our natural resources and provide practical and affordable environmental benefits without compromising the ability of the manufacturing industry to compete on the global stage.

“Business will also support a streamlined approach that utilises existing measures (NGERS) to collect and record data that will establish benchmarks – the last thing we need is more regulations and legislation that adds further cost to business in terms of reporting,” Ms Carnell said.


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More information: Jo Thomas, AFGC Director Corporate Affairs 0417 667 169