Carbon tax to be introduced to parl
The carbon price is to be introduced into Parliament next month and should be law by the end of the year, the Government has announced.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet says the Government is keen to get the legislation through both houses of parliament before Christmas so it can stick to its timetable of having it take effect on July 1.
"I'll be bringing the legislation into the House of Reps in September," Mr Combet told Sky News this morning.
But he would not be drawn on questions about the legislation going before parliamentary committees for scrutiny.
"We'll establish the processes in due course within the parliament, but [we want it to get] through the House of Reps and through the Senate this year."
Under the scheme, Australia’s 500 highest-polluting companies will pay $23 for every tonne of carbon pollution they emit from July 1 next year.
Households will get tax cuts and entitlement boosts to offset higher power and other costs.
