FED:Carbon tax will put jobs at risk: survey

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2011
FED:Carbon tax will put jobs at risk: survey

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - More than two-thirds of Australians are concerned that the
introduction of a carbon tax will put jobs at risk, while an even greater number believe
companies will move overseas as a result of it.

A survey conducted for the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) found
that 59 per cent of people are opposed to the carbon tax, while only 27 per cent saying
they approve.

The survey - conducted by Touchpoint Research Australia - of 550 people across both
urban and regional Australia and income brackets also found that 70 per cent believe jobs
will be put at risk if the tax goes ahead.

Sixty-five per cent say it's unacceptable to sacrifice jobs for the environment, while
82 per cent believe some companies will move offshore once the tax is introduced.

"The carbon tax debate should become not just one about electricity prices, it should
also become one about competitiveness and jobs," ACCI chief executive Peter Anderson told
reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"The public is saying to the government that the pursuit of a carbon tax is a risky
business and it is also a risk to business."

The survey further found that 54 per cent of respondents didn't believe a carbon tax
would make any difference to the global environment, while only half of those polled believed
consumers would actually reduce their energy consumption or that industry would move to
become more energy efficient.

AAP cb/jcd/dep

KEYWORD: CLIMATE ACCI

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