The Government is committed to put a price on carbon.

The plan, to commence on 1 July 2012, proposes to set a price of $23 for each tonne of carbon pollution released into the atmosphere by Australia’s biggest polluters. It is proposed that around 500 businesses will be required to pay for their pollution under the carbon pricing mechanism.

Although the carbon tax scheme will not commence until next year, businesses should consider how they may be affected both directly and indirectly by the scheme and whether they are able to access some of the compensation and support measures announced as part of the scheme.

Tax cuts to assist households and support measures for businesses were announced to assist them in adapting to the new carbon tax.  

As southern states of Australia find, economic conditions are increasingly difficult, these measures seem irrelevant and ineffective, meaning the cost of living could rise significantly.

Those measures may not pass into legislation, because of voter reaction.

Now is the time to tell your politicians your views about this far-reaching and fundamental issue.