The Australian Prime Minister’s plan to abolish Australia’s carbon tax regime received a setback when the Senate failed to pass legislation to dismantle the independent Climate Change Authority. The bill was defeated on its second reading by 38 votes to 32.
Australia’s Coalition Government, which won September’s general election with a pledge to remove the controversial carbon tax regime, had drawn up a repeal package that would remove the carbon levy and end the carbon tax on fuels used in shipping, rail and air transport, and on synthetic greenhouse gases. It also aimed to abolish the Climate Change Authority, to cut the bureaucracy associated with the carbon regime.
The Climate Change Authority provides expert advice on initiatives to mitigate climate change. It has recommended that Australia target a minimum reduction of 15 percent in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 2000 levels by the year 2020. Australia is currently only committed to a minimum 5 percent reduction.
