JOURNALIST: The Government launched its sales pitch today to convince a divided Australia on the merits of the carbon tax, after it passed through the Senate and into law yesterday.
For more on that were joined by former Climate Change Minister Penny Wong. Senator thank you for your time. Now Julia Gillard received a standing ovation. That was at a carbon summit in Melbourne today. How though are you going to win over the rest of the public?
WONG: Theres no doubt well have to continue to speak with Australians about what this reform means. Its a big reform, its a reform thats about changing our economy so we can have a cleaner energy economy and create jobs in clean energy industries. But like a lot of reforms that have been important in shaping the opportunities Australians have today, whether thats opening up our economy or floating the dollar, this is opposed, and this is also a reform that people need to understand. So well have to keep working to explain it.
JOURNALIST: Senator lets talk about the carbon tax ad campaign. A lot of talk about that today. How much is it going to cost, and more to the point, how do you justify using taxpayers money for it?
WONG: Weve not made any decision to engage in any further advertising. But I would say this, that no doubt people do want public information. I think it is important that people get good information about the reform that has been passed by the Parliament. And Id also say this: that the Opposition that are complaining about this are the same people who spent, I think it was over $250 million in their last year in government on government advertising. Weve spent far, far less than that, much less than that in the time weve been in government.
JOURNALIST: What do you say to the Opposition and business groups that have come out today saying that the $23 a tonne starting price, its actually far higher than what were seeing internationally at the moment?
WONG: I think its important to remember that we have a fixed price period in the reforms that are being passed. That is, the international price wont be relevant to Australia for a number of years. Then it is relevant; we will see then where the international price is. The reason international linking is important in the years to come, is its about reducing the cost on Australian business.
JOURNALIST: The Government now has to get the mining tax through, thats the next big hurdle. How confident are you of getting the independents on side for that?
WONG: Well keep talking to the crossbenchers about this. This is an important reform and its a very clear principle behind it: that Australians should share in the benefits of the boom. A very important principle, one that is opposed by Mr Abbott. But I think most Australians understand the logic of it. Weve got a mining boom; more people should share in it.
JOURNALIST: Now youve got Fortescue Metals saying that it hasnt actually paid any corporate tax in its first seven years. I guess thats got to help your argument?
WONG: It was certainly an interesting revelation today, wasnt it? And I think Australians would look at a company like this company, Twiggys company, which hasnt paid any company tax as yet, but is arguing that they dont want the mining tax. I think most people will look at that and find that pretty difficult to swallow.
JOURNALIST: Alright thank you Senator Penny Wong for joining us this afternoon on the afternoon news, we appreciate your time.
WONG: Good to be with you.
ENDS