Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Ludwig. I refer the minister to the government's decision to link its carbon tax to the European emissions trading scheme after 2015. Has the government formally assessed the impact of that decision on the international competitiveness of Australian businesses? For example, how many European businesses with a direct carbon liability will have to actually purchase carbon permits to cover their whole liability under the European emissions trading scheme? And how many Australian businesses will be required to buy all their carbon permits from day one under Labor's scheme?