AT THE centre of the Australian government’s policy on climate change is pricing carbon, which is commonly being referred to as a carbon tax.
The Shire of Quairading will be hosting a seminar about this next month which will explain the carbon tax to the local community.
The idea of the carbon tax is that polluters will pay per tonne of carbon they release into the atmosphere.
This cost will initially be set at $23 and increase gradually until 2015, when it will shift to a trading scheme that will let the market set the cost.
This is widely thought of as the most effective and least costly mechanism to reduce carbon output and reduce the level of climate change that is occurring.
This topic raises many questions which the guest speakers at the seminar will be able to give some answers.
The first guest speaker Michael Voros, is recognised as one of WA and Australia’s leading climate change lawyers and is working with leading clients in preparing for the carbon price, in the electricity, mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, waste, water and other industries.
Michael has worked closely with WA local governments on carbon issues, primarily through the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) and the Waste Management Association of Australia WA.
Following Michael is Professor Ross Kingwell from the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics and he will discuss the Carbon Farming Initiative.
The initiative is a carbon offsets scheme being established by the Australian government to provide new economic opportunities for farmers, forest growers and land holders and help the environment by reducing carbon pollution.
WALGA climate change co-ordinator Melanie Bainbridge will present on the range of direct and indirect impacts that the newly enacted Clean Energy Future legislation might have on the local government sector and the range of options and opportunities for local government that the legislation package might present.
The seminar costs $25 per person and will be held on Friday, March 16, from 9am-12.30pm with lunch following.
Morning tea is also included.
For more information about the seminar contact Peta Saunders at the Shire of Quairading on 9645 0127 or 0427 450 127 or quairadingcdo@bbnet.com.au.
Registration forms are also available on the shire’s website at www.quairading.wa.gov.au.