Punchers enjoyed a carbon-tax-free week last week, but with many people still angry about the policy, we’re getting back into the discussion with gusto. Its opponents say the carbon tax will ruin the economy, cost jobs, hurt families and make the Spice Girls get back together, so what’s the alternative?
What is Tony Abbott’s Direct Action Plan for Climate Change?
The Direct Action Plan is a Coalition policy designed to reduce carbon emissions through Government-funded incentives without the need for an economy-wide carbon price. The policy allows industry to sell carbon abatement back to the Government and also includes funding for widespread soil-carbon, solar and tree-planting initiatives.
Will Direct Action reduce bureaucracy?
Yes. Direct Action will require far less bureaucracy than the carbon tax. Under Direct Action, the Government will simply allocate taxpayers’ money to innovations that it thinks are most efficient, removing the need for millions of middle-men known as “the market”.
How is Direct Action more efficient than a carbon market?
In a market, cost is set where the supply and demand curves overlap. Direct Action will remove these costly overlaps.
Do many economists support the policy?
No. However, supporters of Direct Action believe this can be explained by a common error in the carbon debate called “Group-think”. “Group-think” is the principle that states the closer a group of experts come to agreement on a topic, the more likely it is that they are all inexplicably wrong. Direct Action is based on the corollary of “group-think”; good policy should be endorsed by those least qualified to understand it.
How much will Direct Action cost?
In order to maintain budget integrity, Tony Abbott has promised that all new Government spending will be offset by tax cuts. Although details have not yet been released, the Coalition is expected to simplify the income tax system into three brackets; battlers, strugglers and Cate Blanchett.
Where will the new trees be planted under Direct Action?
Direct Action calls for an immediate audit of “available public space” for “urban forests”. The vacant land beside highways is cited in Direct Action as a potential site for reforestation. Amazingly, thousands of Australians drive directly beside this land everyday and no one has thought to put large, immovable objects there.
Will Direct Action create jobs?
Yes. Direct Action contains a provision for a 15,000 strong “Green Army” of conservationists eager to help Tony Abbott realise his environmental vision.
Why was Tony Abbott calling for a plebiscite?
Officially, he wants to ask Australians if they support a carbon tax, although to get 15,000 conservationists to join his army he may also need to reinstate the draft.
Tony Abbott recently said the target of 5 per cent emissions reduction by 2020 was ‘crazy’. How can we be sure the coalition is serious about the target?
A Productivity Commission review recently found that Government-funded incentive schemes such as Direct Action deliver abatement at the highest cost. Thus, to prove just how committed it is to the 5 per cent reduction target, the Coalition has chosen the most expensive way to reach it.
Can Direct Action be supported by people who don’t believe in climate change?
Yes. Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt has said he expects people who don’t believe in climate change will still support the Coalition spending tens of billions of dollars on soil-carbon replenishment. Although Direct Action is not broadly supported by economists, climate-scientists or environmentalists, it has been extremely well received amongst climate change-sceptical soil-fertility alarmists.
What’s next for Direct Action?
Tony Abbott vows to fight Labor’s carbon tax, which he has labelled “socialism masquerading as environmentalism”. In order to protect Australia from socialism, Tony Abbott must install a centrally-planned system of carbon abatement by inciting the working-class to a “people’s revolt”.
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