Isra-Mart srl : Leading ladies to talk carbon tax

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Isra-Mart srl news:

TWO of the world's most powerful women will sit down today to discuss the Federal Government's controversial plans to tax carbon.

One of them is Anglo global chief executive Cynthia Carroll – 14th on Forbes' 2010 list of most powerful women – who is seeking a more manageable approach to any potential carbon pricing system.

The other is Prime Minister Julia Gillard – 58th on the list and likely to rise – who, despite opposition from the mining industry and the public, plans to introduce the carbon pricing scheme in July 2012.

Ms Carroll spoke openly about her concerns surrounding the carbon tax as she made her way to a dinner in Moranbah last night to announce her company's $2.7billion growth plan for the town.

“In terms of the mining tax, I think that's behind us,” she said.

“The issue now that gives us the greatest concern is the carbon pricing scheme that is being proposed. It's very problematic given there's no technology developed.”

Anglo has partnered with MBD Energy to develop leading edge carbon capture and conversion technology where waste greenhouse gases are converted into algae.

Ms Carroll said although trials had started, more time was needed to develop appropriate carbon capture technology.

“We need 10 years to develop the appropriate technology.”

Ms Carroll said there needed to be a more manageable approach from mining companies and the government towards carbon pricing. She said she would discuss this at length during her meeting with Ms Gillard.

Ms Carroll will today fly to Canberra after spending yesterday in Moranbah, where she went underground at Anglo's Moranbah North operation and announced a significant funding package for Moranbah at a dinner she hosted for State Government and Isaac Regional Council representatives.

During her tour of Moranbah North, Ms Carroll spoke with four women miners – and later said she expected to see more underground in the future.

“We need to think proactively (about projected skill shortages) and we have been attracting more and more women,” she said.

Ms Carroll has spent much of her life working in male dominated industries of petroleum and mining and said her experience had been a good one, including her time at the top.

“It's not about being a woman. It's about doing the right thing and taking the right approach.”