Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The government believes that the most efficient and cost-effective way to achieve reductions in carbon pollution is through a price on carbon. The economic and environmental case is clear. A carbon price will create an incentive to reduce pollution, drive investment in renewable and low-emission technologies, create certainty for business investment and ensure our economy remains internationally competitive in the longer term. A carbon price will therefore create jobs, strengthen the economy and build a sustainable environment. Importantly, a carbon price will provide businesses with investment certainty—a very important thing. Business needs to know the form of a carbon price; otherwise, it must build more risk into its investment calculations. A lack of a carbon price leads to investment in Australia being more expensive than it needs to be, leading to less investment and fewer jobs. This is very important economic reform. (Time expired)