The State government should release the NSW Treasury review of the impact of the carbon package on
the state’s economy so the community and economists can assess whether the numbers stack up,
according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“Premier Barry O’Farrell has waged a month‐long campaign warning of ‘catastrophic’ impacts of the
carbon price package on NSW without presenting the evidence to back his claims,” Chief Executive
Officer Pepe Clarke said today.
“It’s time the Premier opened the books to allow a public examination of the figures, consultant’s
reports and assumptions that underpin his campaign against the carbon price package.
“Without full disclosure of the quality and underlying assumptions of the analysis, we are denied the
opportunity of examining how the Government has reached its conclusions and making sure a selective
presentation of results has not taken place.
“Already we know the government’s claims in yesterday’s NSW Treasury review that the carbon price
package will force up electricity prices for NSW households by up to $498 a year are misleading. Federal Treasury modelling estimates an impact of $3.30 a week for the average household or $171 a year.
“The average household will receive about $10.10 a week in assistance for the impacts of the carbon
package and there are additional incentives for household energy efficiency programs.
“The Government appears to have ignored the tens of thousands of jobs that could be generated by the
growth of the clean energy and energy efficiency industries. There will soon be billions of dollars of
Federal government investment in climate action, presenting a great opportunity for driving investment
in NSW and cutting our carbon pollution.
“Any credible assessment of the costs of the carbon price package on NSW must also look at the high
cost to our economy, environment and society of the impacts of climate change from the devastating
toll of increased flood and fires to greater insurance prices and health impacts.
“Australia will soon take first steps towards the development of a clean, modern economy. NSW should
not be left behind in this new era of employment growth and investment in renewable energy,” he said.
