coolmelbourne.org

Source: Australian Conservation Foundation (MEDIA RELEASE)
August 23, 2011

Queensland Government modelling to examine the effect of a carbon price on the Sunshine State shows jobs would continue to grow with a price on pollution and Queensland’s economy would expand by 41% over the next decade.

The modelling shows a carbon price would slow ‘business as usual’ economic growth by just 0.4%.

“This is consistent with modelling by the Garnaut Review and the Federal Treasury, which both showed a price on pollution would have virtually no impact on the economy,” said ACF’s climate change program manager Tony Mohr.

“People should take note of this credible economic modelling and should ignore the scaremongering of big industry lobby groups and other vested interests.

“This research predicts jobs in Queensland will grow by 2% a year, with or without a price on pollution, with an extra 474,000 jobs expected over the period to 2019–20.

“Politicians should resist using the carbon price as a political football, because the need to shift away from our polluting economy is actually very serious and urgent.

“Queensland has some of the most amazing natural resources in the world, including the Great Barrier Reef, which faces devastation unless we tackle climate change.”