Isra-Mart srl : Nationals carbon copy of emissions debate

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THE introduction of a market-based carbon price is far from a done deal, as was reflected at last week's WA National Party annual conference in Carnarvon.

WA National Party president Colin Holt said a motion for in-principle agreement on a market-based carbon price was left on the table after a vigorous debate.

The party's State Council would decide how to deal with it when it met in two weeks.

Mr Holt said there were a range of opinions within the party.

"Personally, I don't believe a carbon tax is a solution to the reduction of greenhouse gases, particularly if WA does sit alone and in isolation," Mr Holt said.

"If we make it an uncompetitive environment for industries to operate in Australia and they make a decision to move offshore to somewhere that doesn't have as stringent environmental or pollution controls as we do, then in actual fact we could add to the problem."

Mr Holt said he supported the carbon price if people had a choice as to whether they entered the market or not.

Agricultural Region member Mia Davies said she reflected the wishes of her electorate.

"Certainly in my electorate there's a great deal of angst about what a carbon price might mean, so I haven't been persuaded that it needs to be introduced," Ms Davies said.

"We all agree that humans are having an impact in terms of the climate changing but I think we need to make sure that the things we put in place actually do make a difference and the science actually backs you up on that."

Ms Davies said a carbon price should not risk pricing WA out of internationally competitive markets, especially when the State heavily reliant on primary production, mining, gas and oil.

Agricultural region member Philip Gardiner, who put forward the motion, said a carbon price was completely different to a carbon tax which was set by politicians.

"A carbon price is established by a market-based mechanism and the only role government has is setting a cap on how much carbon or how much of a rise in temperature we are willing to allow," Mr Gardiner said.