For those who are puzzling over the government's ETS plan, whether there are other alternatives and how our position will play out internationally, here's a forum at University of Queensland, 13 October 2009, with some excellent speakers who should be able to clear up some of these issues for you.
This forum covers the government’s proposed ETS scheme, alternatives and how the government’s proposal will play out internationally.
Speakers
Dr Jane O'Sullivan: The merits of a carbon tax, more specifically a consumption-based tax rather than a production-based tax. That is, the cost of embodied emissions is added to the product like the GST, not at the point of manufacture. She will address the advantages like price stability, administrative ease and the incentives for individuals to change their purchasing behaviour.
Dr Martin Weber, Lecturer in International Relations: Copenhagen and the ETS: the diplomatic ramifications of Australian policy for the Copenhagen summit, especially whether our position could help or hinder a positive outcome.
Professor John Quiggin: Will the current proposed ETS be effective? Is the current ETS compromised by the "free permits" for large polluters? Does the current proposed scheme set 2020 reduction targets which are too low to achieve our 2050 goals? Will the proposed scheme be more stable in price than the EU or North-West US scheme? Will there be sufficient reinvestment of the proceeds from permits into emissions reduction measures?
This event is the first for the new UQ Greens club, and looks pretty good. Please arrive by 6pm for a 6:15 start at building 24, room S302.
Hi Philip, looks like an interesting forum. Is there some more information listed online that you could link us to about the event or the speakers?
ReplyDeleteThe UQ Greens Facebook group has some information and will likely add more closer to the time. John Quiggen is a high-profile speaker and generally knows what he’s talking about. I don’t know the other speakers’ credentials on the subjects they are addressing but the topics look interesting.
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