Isramart : City lobbies on carbon trading

Isramart news:
A CITY Hall delegation will head to Canberra on Thursday to lobby for the protection of Geelong’s manufacturing sector.

Mayor John Mitchell, strategic development portfolio holder Bruce Harwood and climate change portfolio holder John Doull accepted an invitation from groups representing the aluminium and cement industries, to join other manufacturing regions from across Australia in debating an agreed position on carbon-trading subsidies.

That joint position will then be used to lobby the Federal Government.
What are your thoughts on this story? Tell us using the feedback form below

The decision to enter the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme discussions comes after City of Greater Geelong representatives met with industries in the region including Alcoa, Shell, Blue Circle Cement and their suppliers.

These companies are calling for a higher subsidy percentage than the Federal Government is currently considering, which they claim will ensure their long-term survival in Australia.

Amendments put up for discussion by the Opposition suggest emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries, like Alcoa, receive 94.5 per cent government subsidies until 2015 and 90 per cent thereafter.

Geelong Manufacturing Council executive officer David Peart said the current scheme made it difficult because commodity producers at the mercy of world prices couldn’t pass that impact on to customers.

“There needs to be some improvement on the current scheme to make it more palatable to the region,” Mr Peart said.

Cr Mitchell said the group would meet with politicians on both sides of parliament.

“We will be joining with the other groups representing local government and industry to ensure that the Federal Government is fully briefed on the implications of the CPRS for Geelong,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Geelong is probably the city most exposed to this carbon reduction scheme. While we understand there is a need for it and support it whole-heartedly we’re getting this message from businesses about what it may do to them.

“Our intention is to ensure that a balance is achieved regarding the implementation of the CPRS, whilst maintaining a continuing, strong manufacturing base for Geelong and Australia as a whole.”

The scheme is expected to be debated in Federal Parliament before the end of the year.