Australian government to impose carbon tax on worst polluter

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In the wake to reduce emission; the Australian government has unveiled plans to impose a tax on carbon emissions for the worst polluters. The Prime Minister Julia Gillard said carbon dioxide emissions would be taxed at A$23 ($25; £15) per tonne from 2012.

The country's biggest economic reform in a generation will cover some 500 companies. Households will be expected to see consumer prices rise by nearly 1%, and the move has been criticised by the opposition. Critics argue the levy would damage economic competitiveness. Australia is one of the world's worst emitters of greenhouse gases per head of population and she relies on coal for 80% of its electricity generation, and is a major coal exporter.


bbc