Returning from the UN Conference on Sustainable Development on the eve of the introduction of a price on carbon leading to an ETS one can only be somewhat underwhelmed by the inability or perhaps reluctance of our journalists to ask the second question when interviewing Abbott on his opposition to a carbon price and his inflammatory and often exaggerated claims against the Government's introduction of a carbon price.
In answer to questions that seek to expose his claims he shifts the question to a 'But what about..." And invariably the questioner falls away and moves to another! It highlights the manipulation of the media generally by the Abbott lead Opposition as each Shadow(y) Minster has also perfected this art of obfuscation.
There is no doubt that the reality of the carbon price will not have the calamitous effect that is being peddled by Abbott. When asked if his achieving the 5% carbon reduction will have a similar impact. that is the closure of coal mines. aluminum smelters and our iron and steel industy of course the answer is 'No'! Enough said. Next question!
We are on a pathway to a sustainable and less carbon intensive economy. A future that holds out hope for a green economy and jobs. As a yougn local council leader said in Rio - 'I don't fear the future but I do fear the present'!
