spartacus

The lunatics have finally taken over the asylum . . .

Centurion

ETS Dead did you say ?

Gets my vote.

asprilla

ETS is a good thing. Nowadays, sadly, the only thing that most people care about is money. Therefore the only viable method of effecting a change for the better, is to use money as a tool. People who damage the environment will pay more.... and people who do little damage, or even do good for the environment will pay less... or even receive money.

The costs will flow down to consumers... some things (the things which are damaging the environment) will become more expensive. Others (alternative "renewable" energy, for example) will become cheaper or more attractive.

Thus consumers will whinge and moan, and seek out cheaper alternatives.

The only way that people will stop damaging the environment, is to hit them where it hurts - in their back pockets.

asprilla

ps - I know nothing about Tony Abbott, but Joe Hockey doesn't seem like a person capable of leading a country.... he seems more like a bloke you'd have a laugh with down at the pub, over a pint or 3.

Centurion

I understand the theory, however I do not believe the ETS should come into play in its current form and as the single most important piece of legislation to come out of our parliament for years that will impact on us for generations should be debated further.

It should not be rushed in just in time for our PM to go to Copenhagen and show off his green credentials, which I am sure is all just a coincidence.

Amazulu

Not a good choice, he has no chance of beating KRudd - so we get wishy-washy socialism for a few more years yet.

I just hope he can stop the ETS before Copenhagen - if only to prevent KRudd showboating on the world stage.

renth

+1

Mipik

+1

asprilla

good point...

Vash the Stampede

Abbo! What a shock result!

So that's basically a free win for Labour at the next election, then.

ABCDiamond

You think he will still be there at the next election ?

Amazulu

Election could be early next year if KRudd can't get his ETS through - so yes.

He has no chance of beating KRudd.

Broad Shoulders

I haven't minded the liberals in the past, but Tony Abbott is the WORST person to lead them. Not only is the guy incredibly unlikeable but he has some very 18th century views. Mark my words, he will be gone within a year and the media will have a ball with him as he is so prone to speaking his mind and letting slip those 18th century views.

spartacus

So Abbott elected with the sole purpose of torpedoeing Krudd's ETS KRudd calls early election Liberals campaign based on 'no vote' for any ETS-type scheme put the frightners on the electorate with stories of soaring household cost and double-digit electricity bill increases potentially leading to a decreased majority for Labor making it even more unlikely that any environmental scheme will be adopted . . . those crafty Liberals.

I think I'll retain my residency for a little longer . . . .

hoofie2002

ETS is a pile of crap - all Krudd wants it for is to go to Copenhagen and be the dogs bollocks.

Who will end up paying for it ? - us - the figures I have seen bandied about are in excess of $1000 a year extra. You can be sure that any organisation that incurs increased cost will pass it on and we are consumers are at the end of the chain. Meanwhile the coal mob are having money thrown at them to soften the blow.

The whole thing is a scam to make banks, accountants and lawyers richer.

There is only one sure-fire way to cut down emissions in Australia on a large scale - pour some SERIOUS money into tidal, nuclear, geothermal and large-scale solar power generation. [Forgot wind, it is no where near as good as claimed] - something the Federal government ISN'T doing; if anything research is going overseas because federal funding has stopped.

The financial effects of this scheme on Australia are going to be immense yet the whole thing is just an excuse to shuffle money around.